You wake up in the morning, stretch, eat, take a bath and surf the net aimlessly. There are no things that you need to do, no deadlines that you need to meet, nothing to finish…and nothing to spend. That’s why you’re clicking away in no particular organization. Fight the boredom and start earning! Utilize your internet connection and start earning big bucks from work-from-home based businesses.

As you know, every good business spurred from a very good idea. Apart from guarding your idea well, the first thing that you have to make sure is coming up with good ideas. These are your creative capitals. So, to start earning from work-from-home based businesses, here are some suggestions:

UTILIZE THE BLOGOSPHERE!

The blogosphere (blogging world) has become a big online industry and an online sector as well. The first thing that you have to acquire is a blog with a very high level of traffic. After that, you can start weighing your options towards a work-from-home based business idea powered by your very own blog.

As a famous work-from-home based business, are a lot of opportunities that come with blogging. First, there’s paid advertising. When your traffic level is very high, that assumes that there are a lot of people who pass by your blog every day. These people may be your avid reader, a curious stranger or even just someone who stumbled through your blog. In this case, your blog becomes a potential hub for advertisers. If they want their products known, they should be convinced that your blog is a good avenue to advertise their products in.

There is also paid blogging or pro-blogging. This includes getting paid for every requested article that you write. For example, a small cosmetic company got hold of the link in your site and decided that your articles and write-ups are very well-written and well researched. They will assume that you are actually an expert in this field. They may offer you to write beauty articles for them vis-à-vis promoting their product since you are a growing authority in the business. Another form of commissioned blogging is writing reviews about certain products. These articles may not require you to promote something or someone, however it will require full understanding and critical scrutiny of the product assigned to you.

BE AN ONLINE TALENT!

There are sites which buy articles and there are sites which buy photographs. If you are an avid photographer, the internet may be one of your best avenues to showcase your talent. Good photographs can be used for a lot of things. They can be used for print ads, for personal collection, for post cards, greeting cards, and a lot more. The average rate for one good photograph is $20/photograph. It’s not so bad right? Just make sure that you safeguard your pictures and equip them with a no-copy lock because ANYTHING can get out-of-hand once it is already in the internet.

Aside from selling photographs, there are consultations that happen through the internet. In fact, a lot of economists, sociologists and psychologists do online consultation and earn from it every day. Here’s the thing: it’s still doing your practice while saving yourself from the evils of the outside world! You can even work in your underwear!

It’s not so hard to earn once you’ve already have a really good business plan. What you should just maintain is the amount of hard work —and heart work (taking your job to your heart)-to succeed in this kind of undertaking. After all, your work-from-home business is just an idea well executed!

Would you like to have a real web site business? Terez Dunn invites you to visit his profitable online business website for everything you need to start and run your own online business. His services include advertising, mentoring, and a full service training and support package to help guarantee your success. Learn more here: http://www.milliondollarblueprints.net

SRI Funds stand for Socially Responsible Investing Funds. These represent companies or industries which are providing some socially helpful and beneficial services to the world. This automatically makes them safer companies to invest in. while products like firearms many not be from a SRI fund company, but tobacco can be. SRI Funds also do not include companies which deal with animal testing products.

SRI Funds have to meet certain criteria before they are selected as such. They have to go through some serious screening process. So if you can identify with the criteria it could be easier to make a decision with regard to which fund would be most suitable for investments.

Of the innumerable SRI Funds which are available in the market today, the Pax World is one of the largest amongst all SRI Funds. This was one of the first funds to use the financial and social criteria for determining its availability. Pax World was formed in 1971. Today there are over 175 funds which are under Pax World and the total value of all these funds put together would be equal or more than $2 trillion.

One of the main criteria of Pax World SRI funds is that there is no investing done on companies which manufacture firearms, tobacco or any product associated with gambling. Employer-employee relationship is also another factor for inclusion. While it is not always possible for a socially responsible investor to invest in socially responsible companies, the funds that follow the Pax World steps can also give us an idea as what does ?socially responsible? mean and stand for.

Another useful SRI Funds is the Domini Social Investments which track the Domini 400 Social Index. This Index features companies selected on ethical grounds. It was formed in 1991 and since then has given investors higher returns compared to investments made in the Standard and Poor 500 Index.

Featuring tradable and benchmark indices is FTSE4good, operational since 2001. Groups which have been covered by benchmark indices can be used by investors for investment as these are listed in a tradable index. This series is responsible for making the SRI funds available to the investors. Approximately 90% of all financial markets are covered by the series. Groups on this series have to meet the international CSR standards.

Since 1999, the Dow Jones group is using the Dow Jones Sustainability Group Indexes. It features groups that have been selected for its role in the fields of social, economic and environmental areas.

The four SRI Funds mentioned above are excellent for investing. These funds give the opportunity to the average investor to view that there are several SRI Funds to invest in and more are getting added every year.

Author: Rozita is freelance writer, she new blog at best stock trading blog here.

This is my view and perspective on the road to the White House and what Republicans need to do to win.

We need to galvanize and stand united as the left side seems to be unified in many areas and have their chosen candidate. The Republicans as of now are divided on many issues and none of the candidates seems ready to pull away or energize the party. I’ve said this many times “The road to victory for the Republican Party is through the Conservative Right”, the true base of the party. If we alienate them it will be a slim chance for victory and if we do then we need to look at an alternative plan to keep the White House. We should also ask ourselves, do we stand for true Republican values and possibly lose the ‘08 election but win on principle by supporting a lesser known candidate and in the next election regain our base and direction or do we back more of a moderate to liberal candidate, try to sway democrats, win the White House and hope that our fellow Republicans in the House and Senate can keep him somewhat in line. That is what we need to answer.

As it stands now is there any candidate running that can excite the Conservative Right? We can quickly rule out the “Big Four”, Romney, McCain and Giuliani and also to a lesser degree Thompson. They all have their weaknesses. What Christian or moral conscience American would want their leader supporting pro choice, homosexual rights and appearing in drag? And will Conservative Christians come out to vote for a Mormon that has flip flopped on abortion and homosexual rights and who has written letters to the Log Cabin Republicans supporting their cause?

Furthermore the main Democrat candidates have kept their liberal base in tact by attending a debate hosted by Gays - Lesbians - Bi and Trans gender but “The Big Four” arrogantly snubbed their core by not accepting an invitation to a Values Voters Debate in Florida which will further distance the Conservative Right and make it an even a tougher sell to invigorate this much needed base.

So then what are some of the variables and possibilities of the Republicans keeping the White House?

I will start with Rudy Giuliani. As mentioned above he won’t woo the Conservative Right but what he does have going for him is electability with Democrats. He was elected Mayor in a very democratic city. His pro choice and acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle will sit well with the liberal left. He can also play on 911 and his presence during it and garner support from veterans because of his stance concerning the Iraq war. Fiscally he has lowered taxes, that sits well with everyone.

McCain is also someone that can grab votes from Democrats who feel alienated with their party which has drifted way to far to the left. Next to Hillary, Kucinich and the rest of the liberals, his very stable, calm demeanor will do well. And compared to some in the Republican party he is middle of the road. McCain comes across as Presidential and very much a moderate. What he loses with Vietnam Vets and Conservative votes he can make up else where.

People know little of Fred Thompson other than he was on Law and Order. Most didn’t even know he was a senator from Tennessee. He resonates well with his Pro American talk, supporting the effort of the troops and war in Iraq. His electability hinges on swaying the Conservative Right as I feel few Democrats will jump ship to vote for him.

As for Mitt Romney though he may be leading in some polls I truly don’t know where his votes will come from. The Left will feel slighted that he back tracked on his support of liberal causes and on the Right they will be questioning which Mitt should they believe? Is he right or left? I believe he is the least electable of all candidates.

Concerning the lesser known candidates running on the Republican side, few have any chance of winning. Its unfortunate that the GOP has abandoned them. This is where the true Republican Party lies. By far the best candidate of everyone is Allen Keyes. America is searching for that no nonsense, bulldog patriot who won’t compromise his beliefs, well they have that type of person in Allen Keyes and yet the Party won’t back him. He stands in the way of the party elite and goes against the status quo. The line I will always remember, I believe it was in the ‘96 Republican debate, was when the candidates were trying to make an argument they were outsiders. Allen Keyes spoke up and said “I am a black Conservative Catholic, how much more of an outsider can you get”? Its true and yet people won’t support him.

About the only other two that can possibly achieve a stunning upset would be Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul. Huckabee would have ALL the Conservative Right votes hands down. He would do very well debating any of the democrats, he would make them look even more left of center if that is at all possible.

That leaves us with Ron Paul. He would pick up both Conservative, Liberal and Libertarian votes. Liberal votes? YES! His antiwar stance would take away for Hillary’s flip flopping on the war and his very pro life and pro family beliefs would definitely get the Conservative votes. He would also get the Libertarian vote as he wants out of the UN, limited government and very pro Constitution. Again why isn’t the party supporting someone like him?

The other variable is the disdain for anything Clinton. If she gets the nomination it may be enough to get out everyone on the Right side to vote for whom ever gets the Republican nomination just to defeat her. This is the worse case scenario for the Republican Party hoping the base will come out just to defeat someone and disregarding an electable choice.

In my opinion the road to victory for the Republican Party and returning America to greatness is with either Mike Huckabee or Ron Paul but I believe the Republican party is to globalist and entrenched with the status quo to allow change and a new direction for America.

Mom would get so mad and reprimand me as a child when I would talk back to her. She would say…. you have all the answers. My reply.. of course I do otherwise you wouldn’t ask. This has carried on in my adult life as I have an opinion about everything. At times I tend to miss the mark in trying to relay my thoughts verbally but in writing, which is a passion, I seldom miss the mark of what I am trying to convey.

I write frequently for the Lake Gop, http://lakegop.blogspot.com/ I am also in the process of adding a blog to my website, http://www.gogobus.cc which showcases my travels. I have contributed small articles to The Lake County News Herald. People have asked if I would write bio’s for their on line sites. I have folders filled with short stories I have written that someday will be edited into book form.

The first step in expanding my horizons was attending a class held by Author Mark Barnes (The League and An Ordinary, Happy Man) who led me to this site. My style covers all areas, politics, human interest, sports, travel, to the absurd and funny.

Once upon a time in a little town called Funnytown, an associate by the name of Craig walked out of the 5-story, very busy, storing facility and to his car. Today was the longest day of his young life. Today he was the only associate at the store and it was only his second week at his new job. He had worked at other storage facilities in the past, but none as large as this. Immediately after opening the store he had 23 online and in person rentals, and about 300 upset and frantic customers wanting to pay their bills five days after the due date. Of course they were all attempting to get the late fee waived and unfortunately the only person that could authorize waiving the fee was the manager, and he was on a trip in the Bahamas. Lucky him, he said as he walked slowly to his green PT Cruiser. All he could think about was getting home and relaxing in his comfortable, oversized bed. No more storage facilities for me today, he said while driving up the six blocks to his 1 bedroom apartment. At this point in his life he was reevaluating his job, his girlfriend, and his school choices. He was tired of just working as an associate for different storage facilities already and wanted some stability. While climbing up the four flights of stairs to get to his apartment his company cell phone rang. What now, he exclaimed while frantically searching in his book bag for his phone? This is Craig with The best Storage Facilities how can I help you, he said solemnly. It was the call center that answered for them and there was a customer stuck inside the gate. Man! He had just walked in the door, and screamed while turning around to walk down the stairs to return the storage facilities. Suddenly Craig tripped on his book bag and tumbled down the flight of stairs hitting his head and knocking him unconscious.

Craig! Craig! Wake up! He heard his boss calling his name. As he opened his heavy eyes the color blue filled the room in which he was laying. There were sky blue clouds scattered all over navy blue walls. Where am I, he asked. Well, you are in the Bahamas silly boy. Do you not remember you coming down here with me to run our two new storage facilities, asked his boss? I will tell you, he continues, Young people are just so forgetful these days. Come on and help me with this dolly. Craig got up from the floor of the blue room confused and dazed. He wondered what he was doing in the Bahamas? The Last thing that he remembered was walking up to the apartment.

He soon realizes that he is no longer Kansas anymore. Everything around Craig looked as if he was in a cartoon. Although in one of their storage facilities, everything was colorful in shades of blue, red, and green. The shapes of the doors were circular and the carpets were orange. Where am I, he thought to himself? Craig! Come and help these tenants, says his boss. Walking up to the front desk he realized the tenants are all very small people that only wore the color green. After talking to the first customer ten more customers walked up to the desk. Wow! Is this facility busy, he thought to himself. Just then about 15 more small people scurried up to the desk yelling that they needed a unit, over and over. Craig became frantic with the small peoples scary repetition and ran down the hall to find his boss. He yelled for help. Just then Craig slipped in a puddle of water next to a 10×20 unit and hit his head again on the roll up door.

Craig! Craig! Wake up, said a sweet voice. After opening his eyes for the second time he was relieved to see his girlfriend standing over him in his own normal apartment. You do not know what kind of dream I was having and how relieved I am to see you, he told her. Maybe you need some time off, she said. No, he responded, I think I will apply for a position as a manager. I need to gain some control in my life. And that he did.

Source : http://www.selfstorageowner.com/blog/self_storage_owner_blog.php

Please also visit http://www.selfstoragesocialnetwork.com/classifieds_browse.php

Hot spot areas are areas where seasoned investors love to buy. Typically these are areas which have a resale house (used houses, not new houses) selling once they are rehabbed for about 25% less than your average multiple listing sales price in your area.

Let me say that again. Once these houses you birddog or wholesale have been renovated, their after market value (ARV) sales price will be about 20-25% less than what the all the sales in your city combined combined then averaged out sell for.

An example would be, say you take all the sales prices in your city all from the $5000 ugly house to the 3 million dollar luxury house put them in a pot then take the average of all of these combined, that is your average sales price for resales.

These houses will be owned by folks whose income is about 30% less than the middle class of your area. Getting the picture now?

These are the houses you want to find. You might have to get out of your comfort zone if you live in middle or upper class neighborhoods. But get out, drive these areas, get to know what the houses seasoned investors are a looking for want.

These are definitely not subsidized or even ghetto areas I am speaking of, those are not good areas to bird dog in. The area you want is between ghetto/war zones and average middle class neighborhoods.

These are the areas investors love to buy in. These less expensive house sell quickly, this is why, as there are much more lower socio-economic class families to sell too versus a slightly more rare middle class family to sell too or who buy houses.

Okay one more analogy to help paint a picture in your mind. How many folks buy at Wal-Mart versus who buy from Nordstroms or Neiman Marcus?

When I was a new investor I only wanted to look at pretty houses in pretty areas, and all i did was look too! Finally when I started looking in the areas i just mentioned I began to do 3-4 wholesale deals a month.

They are cheaper to buy, and sell quicker, makes sense to me.

Yes, occasionally you will find a middle class house abandon and in need of repair especially in light of the current economy. Unfortunately they have no equity/money in them. But they will be rare and you will burn a lot more gas and time and may never find a super deal.

Go where the odds are greater for your success, that little lesson took this investor a long time to learn.

Hope this helps you get to where your going.
Happy Trails,
Bill Guerra

Download it here. Mastering Negotiations

One of fiction’s finest marketing minds, The Cheshire Cat, once told Alice in Wonderland something all business owners and marketers should remember:

“If you don’t care where you are going, it doesn’t make a difference which path you take.”

For businesses bent upon success, it does matter which path you take. A positioning statement helps you chart your path to success because it lets all your audiences - internal and external - know where your organization stands in the battle for your consumers’ minds.

Positioning: What Is It?

You should not confuse a positioning statement with your market position. As Harry Beckwith states in his book Selling the Invisible, “A position is a cold-hearted, no-nonsense statement of how you are perceived in the minds of your prospects. A positioning statement, by contrast expresses how you wish to be perceived. It is the core message you want to deliver in every medium.”

Your positioning statement will be found where three items intersect:

- your business acumen/aspirations
- your market
- what truly differentiates you

Of the three, it is your market which holds the key to your positioning. That doesn’t mean that your acumen and aspirations are irrelevant. You must have a clear understanding and shared agreement on these at the management level in order to develop an effective positioning statement.

My approach to developing an effective positioning statement and an actionable marketing plan begins with gaining this understanding. Here’s how we go about it, and you can too:

- interviews with management and employees to learn job responsibilities, current marketing practices, as well as to surface questions for customer interviews

- a review of appropriate primary and secondary research

- a series of one-on-one customer interviews

Customer interviews allow us to probe for information such as:

- how customers perceive your “product” and other products in the category. what the customer wants from the product category he is not now receiving. what is the primary customer benefit of your product

- how your customers currently position your brand. how customers perceive your competitors

- what media habits, lifestyles do customers share. what industries do they work in, what are their titles, what associations do they belong to

- how do customers want to be communicated with

Once all the information is in, you may develop a positioning statement that clearly says who you are, defines your audiences, indicates what markets you are targeting, and states what makes you different from your competitors.

Once this is done, everyone knows where they are going and then it’s easy to find the right path.

Harry Hoover is a partner in My Creative Team. He has 30 years of experience in crafting and delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious businesses like Bank of Commerce, The Bray Law Firm, Brent Dees Financial Planning, CruisingTheICW.com, Duke Energy, Focus Four, Levolor, North Carolina Tourism, TeamHeidi, Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems, VELUX, and Verbatim.

All of us have read and learned by heart the story of the ant and the cricket. Just to remind you the background of the story I briefly tell you that there was an ant and a cricket. They lived perhaps in a garden, although they could have lived on a stem or even on a branch of a bush, any how the narrator of the fable had told us that they used to live in a garden, so we have no right to alter their residence! The assiduous ant worked day and night to fill her house. You can argue about the ant’s house but she used to live there in one. She spent the spring season in collecting the food for the rainy days. It seems some what true because we know that there are only two species on the face of the earth that store food or eatables; that are humans and ants. On the other hand the cricket engaged himself in singing, yes; the narrator tells us the same. Every body knows that the crickets only make a dreadful noise but the learned writer had described his noise as songs so we are obliged to say that he remained singing sweet songs all over the spring season, as was his natural instincts. He could not store the food for the winter and in the end was in danger to starve when the ant saved his life.

The fable of the cricket reminds me the cricket of the ICC-the game. Cricket, the game is like the cricket of the fable and is conceited enough due to its sweet songs and popularity. It is not aware of the coming winter. The ant of capitalism and show biz has capitalized and shown great business of collecting the fame and fortune right beneath the nose of cricket. The cricket is unaware of the fact that the ants are never the donor. They are only the collector and accumulators. Whosoever sees towards their heap of matter they bite and cling to it? And they never let him go with an iota of their food. It is a great time for the organizers of the LEAGUE CRICKET and the 20 twenty cups to look through the planning of the ants and shun the vanity that they are the source of the matter for ants. If the situation remains the same when the days are not far when they would be in the mouth of the ants and they would be dragging them to their so called house.

self observation