Are you planning or at least thinking about going to Las Vegas? If you are, then the the first tip I have for you is to go! Las Vegas is awesome and there really are things for the entire family. You will have so much fun you will want to go back each year. Here are some more Las Vegas travel tips to help you get there and back with a memorable trip.First, if you have never been there, then you should know that you can save yourself the money of renting a car. It is a complete waste and you need to know that they have a very cheap and good bus system on the strip that will get you where you need to go. If you want to go to play golf or something off the strip the cabs are pretty reasonable and are all over the place as well.Second, you must go outside of your hotel and check out a few different places. Margaritaville is a must and if you are into comedy there are about 5 great comedy clubs that make for an awesome night out. There are also many shows that go on and some of them are actually free. Plus at night time the Las Vegas strip is all lit up and it is beautiful.The last of the travel tips is to make sure you get a hold of one of the coupon books. There are a ton of these and they will save you a lot of cash. The best ones are the coupon books that you can get before you ever get to Las Vegas. These are usually found online. This is one of the most important Las Vegas travel tips I can give you.
More Than Just Real Estate Listings
A real estate agent needs to do more than just place and follow property listings. The real estate market is a competitive one. Thanks to the recent boom in house prices in Toronto and most of Southern Ontario, there is more competition to sell and rent homes than ever before.As a property agent how do you stand out from the crowd? As a potential home buyer, how do you choose the right real estate agent?For agents, the answer is quite simple, but the process is quite involved. Simply put, property agents need to offer more than just listings. Thanks to MLS an other real estate listings websites, anyone with Internet access can now go online and find detailed real estate listings for any area they’re interested in. In order to succeed as an agent, you need to stand out.But how?An excellent way to do so is to offer additional services to your clients. Rather than just providing listings and details about the property, you can help your clients by assisting them with related services. For example, if someone is buying a new home, they will likely need financing. If you’re able to form strong business relationships with mortgage brokers and other financial institutions you’ll be able to help your clients secure financing.Many clients will also be interested in getting home inspections completed on their new properties. Knowing a good home inspector and helping your clients through the home inspection process will make you stand out from the pack and give you much higher customer satisfaction! The same can be said for home renovations: being able to refer your clients to skilled contractors will make the process that much easier for everyone involved!Rather than just offer clients real estate listings and help them through the offer process, think of related services that you can assist with as well. Building strong business relationships with complementary business won’t just help your clients, but it will also help increase the number of referrals coming your way!For home buyers, the search for a property agent and then the search for the right property can be a difficult – and sometimes overwhelming – task. If you’re looking to buy a home, you’ve probably spent countless hours analyzing real estate listings, hoping to spot the right place!However, for most people, finding the property isn’t the last step! As mentioned earlier, you’ll also need to focus on financing, inspections, renovations and more! Having an agent that can help you through these tasks is a definite benefit!Whether you’re buying a home or an agent listing a home, you know that real estate listings are just the first step in the process. A smooth transition from examining real estate listings to actually buying and renovating a property is paramount!
Benefits of Real Estate Investment Articles
Real estate investment articles can be a valuable asset to investors. In today’s market it is more important than ever to stay abreast of realty news. Investors need to pay attention to economic changes and understand how to capitalize on different types of investment properties and finance options.
Numerous real estate investment articles can be found online. Investors can narrow their search by seeking out specific topics such as buying foreclosure or bank owned homes, or investing in land contracts and mortgage notes.
It is important to obtain investing advice from credible sources. Stick with government resources, financial institutions, established investment groups and private investors. A few of my favorite investment resources include REIClub.com, CREOnline.com, Donald Trump, Larry Goins and John Burley.
Developing a successful investment portfolio requires time, patience and knowledge. Experts suggest starting off slow and engaging in tried-and-true investment opportunities first. Attend realty investment seminars; listen to podcasts developed by prominent investors; or visit local libraries to peruse investing books and periodicals. Taking time to become educated about the pros and cons of the investing game can save investors time, money and frustration.
Throughout my career as a private investor I have encountered multiple challenges and made my share of mistakes. The best advice I can offer is to be prepared to change investment strategies when changes occur in the market. The easiest way to stay ahead of the game is by taking time to read real estate investment articles.
Many realty investors offer complimentary subscriptions to ezines and newsletters sent to email accounts. In addition to providing informative real estate investment articles, these publications usually provide resources for courses, books and seminars.
Although the market is currently on shaky ground, there has never been a better time to buy properties. History has proven real estate to be a safe and profitable investment. Experts claim the market will rebound by the end of 2009. Investors who purchase properties now could potential yield substantial profits within a few years.
Staying abreast of market news is the key to success. Developing a network of buyers, sellers, investors, and real estate professionals will help you achieve the goals you desire. Seek out investment groups in your area to meet other investors. Ask which publications and information sources they recommend.
Last, but not least, join and participate in online investment groups. Not only will you learn more about your local real estate market, you can also learn about other profitable markets and network with investors around the globe.
Is Your Carpet Runner Running Away? Buying and Fitting Tips
A carpet runner is a narrow strip of long carpet (or rug) which is used mainly on stairs or in hallways to accommodate a narrow space and to compliment or accent the existing colour palette of the home. They are also used to add warmth and comfort under foot to hard floors (wood/tile/laminate/concrete etc.).
First impressions Count
As a carpet runner is often the first soft furnishing people notice when they enter your home the design, colour and texture are all important. They can add that extra touch of glamour and elegance to a home.
If you are fortunate to be planning your entire homes floor coverings at one time, you have the exciting option of selecting a colour palette which incorporates a selection of complimentary colours for all around the house. The colour palette usually includes plain colours and a single accent colour which combines all the colours in the palette. These striking accents bring all the carpet colours together for dramatic effect and ensure that your home has the wow factor.
Design Tip: When buying new carpets ask your supplier for a colour palette based on the shade you have in mind. Ideally they will have a colour wheel or something similar to help you find colours which compliment and enhance each other. These handy tools take the effort out of mixing and matching.
Design benefits of carpet runners
• A great first impression.
• Can brighten up a fairly plain carpet/stair/wall colour with an accent of complimentary colour.
• Warmth and comfort under foot.
• They can cover a spot on the carpet or floor that cannot otherwise be removed.
• Save existing floor covering from wear and tear.
• Dogs can have trouble walking on laminate/wooden floors and these can give them fright-free access to your home.
• Can be easily removed for floor cleaning, moving house, redecorating.
• Can provide an even surface to an otherwise uneven floor.
• Noise is dampened by the effect of a carpet underfoot.
Safety First
Carpet runners can be a slip or trip hazard for the elderly, young children or anyone who is not aware of the slight difference in floor level as they move from one floor covering to another. They can also prove a hazard on stairs if they are not fitted correctly. After all if when you step onto the carpet runner it moves, so can you…to the bottom of the stairs. As such it is very important whether fitted to stairs or installed in a hallway or lounge the carpet runner is properly fixed and as flush as possible with the floor. A non-stick rug pad can be an inexpensive option for securing the runner. When it comes to the stairs it is best to consult a professional or to let your carpet supplier fit it for you.
4 Article Marketing Tips For Better Traffic
Need a traffic boost? Here are 4 article marketing tips for better traffic that you can take to the bank!
1. Article Marketing Traffic Tip #1: Use Numbers Or Curiosity
Use a number in your headline to grab the readers attention. Numbers are very specific. Anyone just browsing through will be naturally curious about the number in your headline. This also makes your article seem more believable because numbers are very specific.
Another trick you can use is curiosity. So as opposed to entitling this as “4 Article Marketing Tips For Better Traffic,” I could have called it something to the effect of “Are You Using These 4 Article Marketing Tips For Traffic?” The question and the curiosity from that headline will almost guarantee a better open rate!
2. Article Marketing Traffic Tip #2: Use Visual Breaks
Humans are by their very nature visual creatures. If you can capture the eye’s attention, the brain will soon follow! Plus, humans are also very naturally lazy readers. They much prefer to scan. Creating visual breaks and white space in your articles will not make you more effective in your writing, but it will draw your readers in more so that they are more likely to follow your call to action.
Plus, if you have ever tried to read an article that is only a couple of paragraphs that contain more than 5 or 6 sentences per, you know what I mean. Very few people are interested in reading like that on their computer screen.
3. Article Marketing Traffic Tip #3: Don’t Spam
The days of writing one article and submitting it to hundreds of directories are over. Stop wasting your time doing it. You are much better served to write good, quality articles that actually provide value for people instead of trying to spam them over to your website.
It does take some more time, but think about it from the search engine’s perspective. When they see one article, or a series of articles that look alike, all over the internet, do you think that they are confused about what they really are? They are not. Google, Yahoo and Bing recognize what is going on – that some marketers were trying to take advantage of the algorithms for increased rankings and traffic. It may have worked for awhile, but no more.
4. Article Marketing Traffic Tip #4: Creating A Compelling Reason To Click
No one wants to read your bio in your article author box. They do not really care!
How to Make Your Next Trade Show Video a Success
One of the most valuable and strategic tools in your trade show tool bag is video. We know that attracting the attention of a trade show audience is definitely a challenge. You can readily catch the eye of the trade show attendee with color, movement and sound. You will lead your audience to want to learn more about your company or product with a large video presence that carries a quick message and is easy to digest. You’ve just added major value to your trade show event if you can capture an engaging visual to make your audience primed and pumped to want to learn more about you.
OK, you’ve got a great video. You’ve spent the time and energy in putting together a video that has a quick impact, is upbeat, and most of all, is done by a professional. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.
Now you need to make sure to that you do everything you can to ensure your video marketing efforts don’t fall flat. Here are some tips on making sure that your precious trade show video marketing efforts run with success.
1. Include the video on your trade show checklist.
Any new marketing materials that go to a show, especially if they are developed specifically for the show itself, cannot be forgotten. If you are managing the trade show booth yourself, you’ll need a checklist. On this checklist, don’t forget to include the video.
A client had forgotten to bring their DVD video (in the old days it was VHS) to the trade show. As a result, the trade show booth had beautiful monitors that we had designed into booth walls that were turned off for the entire show. These expensive pieces of equipment that were supposed to be displaying the client’s brand video could not be used, as the client did not have anything to be displayed on the monitors in the video’s place.
In the past, we would often encourage the client to send us their videos to keep in the trade show display crate, which we would put into storage. Because this was a new brand video that has been produced, we could not ship the video with the booth in time.
2. Always have a backup video.
Another trade show client always left their DVD inside a DVD player that they had shipped to us. We stored this with the trade show booth (just as we had advised the previous client to do). But, at the last trade show, although we checked that the video equipment and DVD were in working order before they shipped, the DVD player had disappeared.
Always ensure that there is a duplicate video available in case the first is lost or damaged. We could have easily purchased a new DVD player ($50 and a trip to the store), but the client said they did not have a backup video available.
3. Have an alternative way of playing the video.
We had multiple phone calls with the client before the event started to make sure that they would have success in playing their eye-catching video. By the end of the day the client realized that he had the video content on his laptop PC. This was great news, as all he would need to play the video on the exhibit monitors was a cable. We knew that we he had the cable we had already shipped to the trade show booth for the event.
Because we ensured that there was another way to play the video other than just the DVD player, the video was able to be played through his laptop with an AV cable connected to the monitor in the booth. If you choose to do this, make sure you have a cable that is long enough to connect to the peripheral device that you will be playing the video on.
4. Always ship the video with the exhibit.
We recommend keeping one copy of your precious video cargo with you, and if you are shipping your trade show exhibit, ship another copy with the exhibit (But don’t keep the video in the player, in case the video player is lost!) You can adhere it to the trade show exhibit, ship it in a bag, or with literature shipped with the booth. If you are working with a trade show exhibit company, ask your project manager how it would be best to ship the video with the exhibit.
5. Check the video and equipment before going to a show.
Video is an effective medium, there’s no question about that. Video can be seen by attendees from across the trade show floor. Not only is it important that your be at the event, but it’s crucial that your video is portraying you in the best possible way. The video and the equipment/devices it will be displayed on are a medium to portray your brand message. But you will only risk damaging your brand with video or equipment that won’t function properly. Check it before you go to each trade show.
6. Use digital technology to make a hardcopy backup of your video.
There are a few options for making hardcopy backups of your video.
a) A thumbdrive or a USB device takes up minimal room and can be invaluable if there is a need to make an additional copy of the video while on the road.
b) A digital copy on your laptop or netbook PC will also make it very simple to either play the video directly from your computer through an A/V cable (as we did in the earlier example), or to burn another copy of a disc to be played in a DVD player.
7. Have digital video content available without Wi-Fi
If you are playing your video on a tablet, prepare for not having Wi-Fi. You can watch or display any video on iPad in an MP4 format. The MP4 format can be a little sticky at times to work with, but there is software (like iFlicks – just search on the internet for a video converter). Are you playing video on a Droid? If you should be displaying a PowerPoint presentation, the Slideshark app will convert it to being played on an iPad without an internet connection.
Although you may pay a fee at the trade show for Wi Fi, you might be located at the event on a floor that might not get good reception. Imagine all the trade show booths with QR codes unable to be scanned and videos on the internet waiting that cannot be viewed without Wi-Fi!
We exhibited at a trade show recently in the lower level, which did not adequately get Wi Fi. Because the QR code we had generated and displayed at the event would take a visitor to an online survey, we made sure that the survey was printed, so the attendee could fill it out just in case there was no Wi-Fi. By making sure that we had prepared for not having Wi-Fi, we were able to generate many leads successfully.
Research the best way for you to be able to have the video play on your device without having to be dependent on Wi Fi.
8. Have the digital video content available for download from the “cloud.”
So you’ve gotten to the trade show and forgotten to make a hard copy of the video, haven’t downloaded it to a thumb drive, and it’s not on a tablet. Now what?
There are a number of ways that you can make video content available on the web (“cloud”) for you to be able to download. Check with show services at the trade show or trade show organizer at the convention center.
If your video is available on your company website (maybe it’s embedded on one of the web pages), you can use RealPlayer to download the video into a folder and then copy it to a disk or other device.
You also can upload the video to a private directory into your YouTube account, which you can download (and play without Wi Fi). If you have uploaded the video to Vimeo, you won’t be able to download it for play without Wi Fi, as it uses a flash player.
You can sign up for file storage for relatively cheap (or free), with services like Boxnet and DropBox. There are also paid cloud-based storage services like LiveDrive. These tools are great because you can also have access with mobile apps. It might also possible to upload your video to Google Docs, or to Google Video for the world to see. Just check to see which site works best for your needs.
Use these tips to help make your next video presentation go without a hitch at your next trade show. You’ll be a success if you always plan for the unexpected.
Benefits of Shopping Malls
The earliest malls were Paris Arcades in the 19th century. They became very popular with shoppers instantly. Since then shopping malls have evolved to suit people’s tastes. Shopping malls are the most preferred shopping areas in our times among shoppers across the globe.
Earlier shops in shopping centres catered to the elite. But it is no longer the case. Now, there are shops in shopping malls which cater to different budgets.
Shoppers prefer shopping centres/malls to stand-alone shops for various reasons:
1. They have their own parking facility.
2. There is a wide variety of products available.
3. There are products from competing producers available under one roof. So, they can compare and make purchases.
4. They have facilities such as restrooms.
5. They have gaming zones.
6. There are food courts with a wide variety of cuisine.
7. There are movie theatres in shopping centres.
All these features making shopping a fun-filled and satisfying experience.
Since shopping centres are the most sought-after shopping destinations, it is beneficial for a businessman to set up a store in a shopping mall. Generally, retail store owners rent shop space in a mall. Renting store space benefits the businessman in many ways.
• Shopping malls are usually located in prime locations which are easily accessible. If a retailer sets up a store in a mall, he can have the shop in a prime location with a minimal investment. On the other hand, if he attempts purchasing a shop in such a location, he may not be able to afford it. A rented property implies low initial investment. This enables the businessman to utilize the saved amount on his business.
• He can attract clients of competitors who have shops in the mall. This enables him to build a clientele easily.
• He does not have to direct his time and efforts towards the maintenance of the shop. This helps him to focus on his business.
• Generally, the charges for utilities are included in the rent. Hence, he does not have to involve himself in these matters.
• Many a time, businessmen set up pop-up stores in shopping centres in order to attract customers for new products. This is a popular location for a pop-up store as it is a high traffic area.
With so many benefits of shopping malls to shoppers as well as businessmen we can conclude that shopping centres will only rise in popularity with time.
The Self Employed Work Ethic!
Over the last several years, I have assisted self-employed people become successful. A lot of the problem comes from “Work Ethic”.Now you may say “But I work for myself?” Well that is the time that the work ethic really takes affect (that and when you are commissioned and working out of the home). Really, look at your work environment, what you are doing, how you dress and what the work environment really is like.One of the people I helped, we will call him Sid, was working from an office in his home. He was doing well but could do better and he knew it. He had commissioned me for a week consultation on how to improve his business.On inspecting his work environment, I made several observations. After two days, I knew what we had to do.First was to take the office from the main floor of his home and place it in the basement. The move took away the easy access to “Daddy” from the kids. It also gave the kids a room that they could store their toys without being underfoot. You see kids toys where in his office and that means his kids where taking up his working time. Remember, when you are working you should be working.Second was the way he went to work. On the first day, I sat with him Sid dressed as if he was going to work. He wore a good pair of dress pants, shirt and tie. His sales where higher on that day and he was surprised. The second day he did the same type of clothing and surpassed his average by a lot. His surprise told me all I needed to know. I asked him and he responded that he usually sits in his bathrobe or a pair of ratty jeans to do his work. I explained that even though your commute is just 50 feet and in the same building does not mean you can slack off. When you wear the ratty jeans, your attitude changes and people hear that. They hear the “I don’t care” in your voice. Dress for success is the meaning of this part of the newsletter.It comes down to the fact that people can tell if you care enough when you are on the phone. They hear the smile, they can tell if you care or not. Conduct your home business like you would if you where going to an office.Oh, Sid has almost doubled his sales since he made the changes.
Health and Fitness Exercises – Overview
It is important to take care of our health courtesy of fitness exercises. The different kinds of exercises which are designed for weight loss and others are simply designed for fitness. Many people suffering from weight gain related problems are turning to fitness exercises to help them lose weight and stay healthy. The first thing to making a fitness exercise successful is by creating an exercise plan, what is an exercise plan? This is a program that you can create for yourself with the help of a professional or all by yourself. Fitness programs are made up of routine exercises that should be followed everyday.The reason why you need exercises is to maintain the body’s composition, improve the stamina, enhanced the functions of the lungs, heart and the whole body. Performing the exercises actually reduced the chances of acquiring respiratory and cardiovascular diseases like asthma, arthritis and cancer. There are so many workout plans that can come in handy when looking to be healthy. A work out plan does not have to be strenuous it can be simple with numerous benefits. Aerobics and sports are the most common types of performed health and fitness exercises.Cardio is a great way to exercise as it encompasses training on strength and muscular development. The respiratory and cardiovascular systems are the focal points targeted by cardio. The immune system in the body has very vital functions which are facilitated by the health and fitness exercises. As you perform the exercises it is important to ensure that there is flexibility in your workouts. To get used to the exercises it is advisable to begin with the less strenuous ones and upgrade as you get used to them.A health fitness exercise or rather exercises are not enough without a proper diet. Eating healthy as you perform the exercises is very important. If you do not eat well your exercises will not be of any use. You can contact a professional on the best diets when performing health fitness exercises. As you exercise the workouts will help your body in flushing out toxins which build up to cause diseases. You need to eat healthy, avoid the fatty and sugary foods as they contain toxins which may hinder your exercises from being effective.Stretching exercises are examples of fitness exercises that work great. With the stretches all you need to do is move one part of the body to a certain extent. These exercises ensure that there is flexibility in your muscles. Jogging and walking are also health and fitness exercises that can keep you healthy and also help you lose weight. With jogging there is a reflex of your legs and hand muscle meaning that the hands and legs are properly exercised. A walk in the park is enough to provide you with the health that you need. Swimming is another great form of exercise that will not only help you kip fit but it also help you relax and enjoy.
Digital Photography
Digital Photography is one of the best ways to take your own photos as well as make a little money taking other peoples photos. You just need to know what you can do and how it’s done. That way you will be on the way to making some really great digital photos that no one will see coming.The Basics
There are a few things that you will need if you are going to take digital photography seriously. These things will also help you to take the best photos that you can and make you money if you decide that you want to go that way.A Good Camera- This is the most important thing that you will need in order to take some good photos. These cameras are available at a good price and you can get many that are of good quality. Be prepared to spend $200-$1000 for a good digital camera. You might even spend more for a really great one if you want to.Backgrounds- For your digital photography adventure, you might want to try some of the digital backgrounds that are available to you. These can be purchased or made with you computer. You can also look around you and find some really good natural backgrounds for your photography such as trees and grass that might be in your area. You might find some things in the area that are really beautiful and that will enhance your photos.Good Software- Every digital photography studio should have some good software. This might be something that you got from the internet for a reduced price or something that you got from a computer store that may have cost a little more. It’s really up to you and how much you want to spend on the digital photography that you might take of others or your own family and friends. The software will enable you to change the photo in many ways. Some of this is with the colors and with the lighting. You will also be able to add effects in that you may not be able to in the traditional environment. With a little practice and some fun, you will be able to make everyone look great and maybe make some fun photos while you are at it.These are all things that you will need in order to have a good experience with your digital photography and with the customers or people that you plan to take photos of. Take a little time to find out what you have and what you want to do with your digital photography. That way you will be able to get the most out of it as well as have the most fun doing it.