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Website Optimization Tips

January 15th, 2008   Filed Under "How to", Ideas, Resources, Tips  

Onpage offpage optimization tips for your webpage

 

    Would you like to see your website at the top of the google’s search page, using your chosen keywords?

 

     The two basic things you need to consider when optimizing your website is learning the basic of onpage optimization and offpage optimization.  These are two very important factors in helping you to get to the top of the search engines.

 

Onpage  Website Optimization 

 

     What is on page optimization?  Onpage optimization consist of working on your website pages, to best optimize them to get the best results in the search engines.  One key factor to optimizing your website is to choose a great page title.  The page title should include only your main keywords.  The keywords that you expect someone to key in when doing a search for your website.  Try to limit the amount of words you use in your title.  Look at it as if each word carries a value, and the less words you have in your title, the more value you get out of the keywords you have chosen for your title.

 

Optimize your website with header tags 

 

     Using header tags like “h1″, “h2″ to highlight your keywords is a very important onpage optimization tip.  It is very important that your header tags and keywords be as close to the top of the page as possible.  Usually search engines read webpage starting from the top left hand corner of the page to the bottom right corner of the page.

 

Using Bold, Italicize and underlining optimizing tips

 

     It is also very useful to use bold, italicize and underline some of your keywords thoughout your website, however overdoing this can also work against you.  I tend to bold and underscore my keywords nearest the top of my page.

 

Offpage Optimization Tips

 

     Optimizing your site using offpage optimization techniques can really make a big difference in your website’s search engine results.  Using this optimization tip effectively, can make the difference between your website showing up 1,000 or number 1.

 

      Offpage optimization consist of optimizing your website for search engines using factors that have to do with linking from other sites.  How many sites are linking to you?   What anchor text are these sites using to link to you.  For example if your keywords are “Funny Dancing”…are these site using your keywords to link to you?  Also, how many other outbound links do this site have on the page they are linking to you from.  Remember, it’s all really about numbers.  To many outbound links on one page, will devalue the link.

 

 

Your Own ADVERTISING AGENCY…

January 9th, 2008   Filed Under Business Options, Ideas  

AND SAVE UP TO 17% OF ADVERTISING COSTS

 

With the high prices of placing ads today, why not save money?  There’s no special secret to writing and placing advertisements in magazines, tabloids and newspapers.  And why not claim the discount given to advertising agencies?

If you handle your own advertising correspondence, work with layout artists and write your own ads, it’s well worth your while to set up your own in-house ad agency and save a ton of money.

Even if you don’t create your own ads, you can profit from setting up your own agency and placing the ads that bring sales directly to you.

If you have something to sell - especially by mail order - advertising is they way to make that product reach people.  Although advertising agencies produce excellent ads of all types and sizes with every demographic appeal, they also charge for it.  That’s why they’re ready to claim the fifteen percent discount usually granted for placing ads.

You can learn how to create and design your own ads - with no background in copywriting or art.  And, you can set up your own ad agency to place these ads where THEY’LL MAKE MONEY FOR YOU.

Do you have a product that you’re ready to sell?  Now’s the time to find out the best angles to use and the tricks of the trade to putting money in your pocket.

STARTING YOUR BUSINESS

Do you have a mail order business?  Maybe you sell clothing, camping supplies, or information through ads to the mail order trade.  Perhaps you’ve run classified ads for years and are ready to branch out into larger display ads.

Not only small home businesses, but larger mail order companies and hundreds of major advertisers everywhere set up their own in-house agencies to produce and place ads.  Even magazines create in-house departments under another name to get the agency discount.

What might set advertising agencies apart from homemade operations is the appearance of the letterhead and the ad form.  They must look sharp and professional.

Start with a name for the ad agency you want to establish.  It can be anything, but must be different from the name of the company that will be using the space.  Then register the name with the county clerk.  Check first to be sure you’re not using a company name already in business.

Designing letterhead is easier than you think.  You don’t have to create an elaborate or clever logo - the initials of the company will do.  You can choose the mark - the special type style - at a printers, or use one of dozens of press-on letter styles available at art supply stores.

Using photo offset, an instant printer can run off a thousand sheets at a very low price.  If you go to a printer, check and compare the total printing costs.  Typesetting can be expensive and there’s a minimum charge.  You may want to wait to get all your typesetting and printing done at the same time - letterhead, ad form, ad copy and any sales literature you may be preparing.  Investigate ways to get by with the lease expense.

Establishing your own ad agency is so easy that the most important part is the form you send in when you place ads.  Although there are no federal restrictions for in-house ad agencies, some publications may quibble.  If your form looks as good as the rest, you’ll have no problems.

The following page is a representation of a sample ad order form.  Just copy this form and have your company design or logo printed on top.  You can choose a color paper to have the forms run off on - they’ll be more noticeable.  Then all you do is send in a copy of the completed form with your check and final artwork for your ad - and claim a big discount for being your own agency.

NAME OF ADVERTISING AGENCY

Address

To the publisher of:  __________________________________________________

Order number:  ___________________  Date:  ____________________________

Please publish advertising of:

For (product):

Space to be ordered within one year from ______ through  ____________

Space  ____________________________________________  Times  ___________

Dates of Insertion:

Position  ______________________________  Copy  ________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rate Less agency commission  _______________________________ on gross

Less cash discount  ____________________________________________ on net

Mail all invoices to:

Accepted for publishing on

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN TO AGENCY

THE INSERTION ORDER FORM

The following will describe what the various terms on the insertion order form mean and how to fill them in.

Space indicates what type of space you are buying:  classified or display.  If you want display space, indicate the size.  Fill in the number of times you want the ad to be repeated.  It will run in the number of consecutive issues you indicate.  Then fill in the actual dates of insertion for the ad.

The position of the ad can be an important factor in selling.  Although you rarely can be guaranteed a certain position in the publication, ask for it anyway.  You’ll probably get at least the nest best position.

If you are running a short ad that will be printed by the publication, you can type out the copy in the instructions space at the bottom.  The key designates the address code you’ll use to analyze responses.

For example, you can use a letter to indicate the name of the publication, and a number for the month of issue.  Insert this key in the address, perhaps as a department division or suite number.  When you get inquiries or orders with that key, you’ll know which ad pulled the response.

HOW TO DETERMINE RATES

Every publication that solicits advertising has a rate card.  This card is available from the advertising coordinator, who is the contact for the publication and can be very helpful in assisting you.  The best way to get a rate card is to write for one or call if the publication is in your city.

The rate card has the general information you’ll need for placing your ad.  It should indicate the total circulation with a breakdown of subscriptions and newsstand buyers.  Keep in mind that most publications have two to three readers for every one purchase.

The advertising rates may be broken down a number of ways, depending on how the publication sells space.  Display rates may be sold by the column-inch or lines.  Or, they may be broken up into fractions such as a half-page or quarter-page.  Some publications have a minimum size space ad, so keep this in mind when designing the ads for certain publications.

The rate card will tell you the amount of discount you are entitled to as an ad agency.  It will also give you the deadlines for placing the ads for the next issue and the issuance date, the actual day the magazine comes off press and goes to the newsstands and to subscribers.

If you have any questions concerning the type of space you need or the actual rate, just ask the advertising coordinator.

TAKE YOUR 15% DISCOUNT

As an advertising agency, you are entitles to a fifteen percent discount on the ad space, unless the publication grants only lower discounts.  The easiest way to subtract a 15% discount is to multiply the rte charge by .85.  Immediately, you have the exact figure for placing the ad.

TAKE ANOTHER 15%

Many publications realize that the mail order businesses don’t operate with a high capital for placing ads.  Because of this, they offer a fifteen percent discount for mail order display ads.  To compute the fee for two discounts - fifteen percent for mpute the fee for two discounts - fifteen percent for mail order and fifteen percent for the agency discount, simply multiply the total rate charge by .70.  This will give you the fee.

TAKE YET ANOTHER 2%

Whether you are an ad agency or not, you are entitled to take a two percent discount for sending your check with the order.  Most publications offer this discount to discourage billing and encourage cash sales.  To figure out the two percent cash discount, Multiply the total rate charge by .98 - after you have already taken the other appropriate discounts.  That will give you the total you will pay for placing your ad.

WHERE TO PLACE ADS

The rule of thumb for placing ads, especially for mail order, is to look through the publications catering to the same product you are selling, and do the same.  Although advertisers are always looking for new and innovative ways to sell products, they usually stick with the proven ways of selling.

What are you selling?  Where are the logical places these products are sold?  Go there and place your ads where people will look for your products.

There is no reason you can’t hit a successful ad campaign the first time, but more often, you’ll find it necessary to spend some time testing different ads, different display sizes, and even different lead products.  Testing is the name of the game, and if you’re careful, you don’t have to go for broke, but can build a sound winner.

A number of significant successful companies have made a fortune from advertising an appealing product and delivering a good deal.  There is no reason why you can’t too.

BUYING SPACE

There are two types of advertising space in a publication - display space and classified ads.  How you use ad space is entirely up to the type of appeal that will sell the product best, and the financial budget you are working with.

Don’t shortchange classifieds.  A small, well-written classified ad can bring hundreds of responses on a continual basis.

Often, classifieds are used in a two-step approach of first placing an ad that has no price mentioned and soliciting the reader’s response for free information.  Then it is followed up with a sales letter or brochure - some kind of sales literature - that gives the pitch for the product.

Classifieds are the least expensive ad to place.  People who run mail order businesses find them to be the best dollar-for-dollar investment in advertising.  Look at the classifieds section of the publications you are planning to place ads in.  If your product could be sold with a classified ad, you should start there.

If you have actual products to sell, display ads are your better bet.  You’ll probably need an illustration to show the product - something to catch the eye.  You can also include a line or two about sending for a catalog if that item doesn’t appeal enough, but has captured interest.

DISPLAY ADS

Display advertising space is the area in a publication designated for companies to show their products and describe the benefits - appealing to consumers and potential buyers.

Display space comes in all sizes - from full page to a smaller fraction.  Since some publications don’t have classified space, it may be your logical answer to place a small, one-inch ad.  But if your ad is that small and there is a classifieds section, place it there - you’ll save money and the ad will be seen by the same amount of people, maybe even more.

Your guideline for determining what size the ad should be is to decide what is going into the ad and what type of approach you plan to make.  What sells the products is the appeal and the equality of the ad - not necessarily the size.

Some products need full one-page descriptions; some don’t require a large space.  You may be able to get by with a small, appealing ad that has a clear illustration, you certainly don’t need to go full size.

If you have a limited budget, take out a small ad.  A publication with a good reputation and a high circulation makes money from the high ad rates it can charge.  Don’t sacrifice a good pulling magazine for larger ad space in another publication.  You have to consider the dollar-for-dollar response.

Other ways to save money are to advertise in the regional editions of publications, and to buy remnant space which is the “leftover” space sometimes available just before the magazine goes to print.  If you have a good working rapport with the publication, you might be able to place a low-cost ad at the last minute.

Depending on your product, you need to consider where you want your ad to appear in the publication.  You’ll most likely not require the prime spots such as the back cover, the first page or the inside covers.

But is has been proven that a right hand pulls betters response than one on the left side of the publication.  Ads placed closer to the front of the magazine pull better than those towards the back.  Think about where you want the ad to show up.

KEEPING RECORD

How will you know if your ads are pulling the response you want?  When you place different ads in different publications, you need to have a method to determine which ads are drawing the best results.  To do this, you keep accurate records.

For each ad you place, you have an address key.  Use a separate record sheet for each key.  At the top of the sheet, put the pertinent information, such as the name and issue of the publication, the date of issue, the cost of the ad, and the information about the ad you placed.

The main body of the record sheet may be divided into the two categories of inquiries and order.  These in turn are separated into date received, number received, and running totals of inquiries, orders and sales.

The reason keeping records is important is twofold.  First, you must respond to any orders you receive without getting them mixed up.  Second, you need to figure out which publications are bringing the highest responses.

Good records will indicate which headlines pull better, which size has a better draw, and which products out of a catalog have more appeal.

Testing is the best way to achieve results in advertising.  The majors do it - you can too.  Testing can be just as exciting as the sales you make.

WRITING COPY

You’ve seen hundreds of ads in magazines, newspapers, and through the mail.  Most of them are the same; most of them have similar products to sell.  You read some of them because you’re interested in the product, you read some of them because they’re interesting to read, and most of them you pass by.

There are no best ways to describe a product or form an appeal for services.  But there are proven methods of writing to catch a few people who didn’t know about the product to read the ad and to get the people who are interested in the product to buy.

Your main concerns in creating ads are to get the reader’s attention, sustain that attention, and push for action to buy.  The longer you can hold interest, the greater number of people will respond.

Use short, simple sentences and paragraphs.  Keep your writing consice and to the point.  Rambling words and ideas will make the reader lose interest quickly.  Always be relevant to what you are selling.

Subheads help cut copy into small, digestible pieces, as does the use of block paragraphs.  Using italics, capital letters, bold face and oversized print can help grab attention to the words.

Make the copy rewarding to read, the product appealing to have, and the offer too good to pass by, and you’ll have plenty of business.

CHOOSE AN APPEAL

What will put your product to best advantage?  What can the reader gain?  The headline is the stopper.  If is the few words that will make the reader stop and look at the ad.  Think of how your product can appeal to the readers you want to induce.  Can I manage to save, gain or accomplish something ordinary or special?  Can I increase my finances, good health or general well-being?  Maybe the product or service can help avoid worries, losses and mistakes.  Or help decrease fears of poverty, illness in the family, loss of job.

The attitude you choose shoots for the person’s emotional state.  It is the emotions that catch hold, then reason follows through to decide to read on or not.  Consider the typical buyer you desire and go after that person.

Use the words “you or “your,” or imply that direct approach with “we” and “our.”  Make the reader believe you are writing directly and honestly, offering the best available.

Consider a headline that uses “which one” or a comparative price.  The choice alone entices you to read further.  Or you might use an underdog approach such as I went wrong too, but will tell you how you can avoid it.

The headline that includes “how to” is always an appealing catcher.  Invite the reader into your copy and then lead quickly into the main text of the ad.

SHOW THE ADVANTAGES

Most ads placed by small in-house agencies don’t solicit the national retail trade that large advertising companies handle.  Instead, they offer an unusual product or service, a great price on closeout items, or products for the mail order consumer.  More often than not, these ads will be short, concise, and stop not long after the headline.  For many products, there’s not much that needs to be said that a picture or drawing can’t show.

But for those items that sell even better with copy, you’ll need to think about the benefits you want to describe, and the best ways to show these advantages.

You’ve caught the reader’s attention with the headline.  Now hold it.  Follow through with the facts that answer the headline.  You have to convince the reader not only to want to have the product, but to want TO BUY IT.

Whatever you considered for the headline, study it again.  What will this do for me?  Why do I want to buy it?  Is it less expensive than the other similar products?  Is it the same, but a newer model, or a more efficient design?

Push the emotional appeal.  How will this make me look better, feel better?  What will my family and friends say?  You might try to tap into the market of avoiding embarrassment, eliminating problems, minimizing risk.

Will this help me enjoy my leisure?  With the continued trend towards increasing leisure time and the money after-work activities to the public, people are looking for more and more interesting things to do with space time.  Can your product tap into this?

Money is forever the great desire.  Now more than ever, people seek financial security, and look for ways to save money - especially over the long run.  Saving money and buying at a lower price are sound copy points.  But they must be followed through with believable reasons and sound facts.

For example, ads for woodburning stoves often appear in northern regional editions of publications, or magazines catering to homeowners.  A small ad with a drawing of a woodburner may draw attention with a headline about saving heating costs.  It can include an address to write for more information.

A larger space ad could include the advantages of a woodburning stove over and above the savings on gas bills, such as efficiency, superb craftsmanship, quality of materials, or easy to install.  Any benefits that sell the product can be used to appeal to the reader.

A still larger ad could have an “exploded” drawing of the inside of the stove, and might also include information about how it works, how it saves you money.  It might mention the reputation of the company.  But consider whether the cost of a larger ad will bring in the extra response to make it profitable.

Stick to the facts.  And stay with the BUYING POINTS.  A potential customer may be sold, but will that person buy?  Endorsements and testimonials are effective ways to dramatize facts and back up the benefits of your product, but don’t use ones that seem transparent.  They’ll ring falsely.  There are federal laws against misleading advertising, and they do check up on and prosecute against fraud.

If you use an endorsement from a famous or popular person, that person should use the product.  Any testimonials you use must be true, and the people must be available for verification.

Always aim for satisfaction.  Self-respect, security and accomplishment are human aspects everyone strives for.  Never talk down to the readers as though you know something they don’t or you’re better than they are.  To you, the potential customer is POTENTIAL GOLD.

ASK FOR ACTION

You’ve caught the reader’s attention with a catchy headline.  You’ve followed through with good copy that demonstrates benefits and appeals to the reader.  Now - before you lose that interest - ask for an order.

You can to close the gap between reading the ad and acting upon impulse.  The purpose of the ad is to make people buy.  You have to tighten the desire to want inot the desire to buy.

A money-back guarantee is the most useful tool in pressing action.  It goes for the bottom line.  What do I have to lost?  And it affirms the quality of the product.  If you are willing to back the claims you make with a full refund, you can get a hook into those borderline buyers.

If you give a time limit the product will be offered for sale, or mention a limited supply, or have a reduced price for a certain time, you’ll increase the impulse to act.  And that’s what you’re after.  Appeal to the reader’s urgency; make the product totally desirable to have - now.

HOW TO USE ILLUSTRATIONS

The major reason to use display space is to illustrate your product.  Some items are very difficult to sell without a picture or drawing.  And some illustrations work better with your product than others.

The illustration may be selling the only product you have, or you may want to use a lead illustration - something out of your product line that is particularly appealing.   Then give the company’s name and address for people to write for a free catalog.

Be particular about using photographs.  Never put in your own picture - it won’t help sell a product.  And be very choosy about models for clothing.  Avoid using models if possible, and if absolutely necessary, you’ll need professionals.

An advantage to photography is that you can picture your product in full, glowing color.  But it is not usually that important.  Considering the additional costs, it may not bring in the additional response to make it worthwhile.

You can have your product pictured indoors or out.  But consider the size of the ad, and get rid of extraneous visual matter in the background.  You are aiming for a clear, appealing view of what you have to offer adn you want the reader to buy that product.

In using photographs, always to go top quality.  You can find dozens of excellent professional photographers from the yellow pages and at the photo supply stores.  Look at the photographers’ work, and don’t get a portrait-taker if you need to illustrate a product.

Can the photograph or product be converted or illustrated with art?  Line drawings are beautiful ways to show off a product in a clear and direct manner.  They can be simple - just an outline.  Or they can be more elaborate with shading and hatching.  Line art is easy to draw and reproduce.  And usually, it can show up a product to best advantage.  There are no extras to detract attention.

Consider the simplest and most direct way to illustrate the products you want people to buy.  Maybe you can try a layout with a photo and one with a simple drawing.  What difference does it make?

What is the competition doing?  When testing new ads, go with the tried and true.  Don’t try to be different.  It is the sound and worthwhile that bring in the customers - time and time again.

WORKING WITH ARTISTS

If you’re not an artist, don’t stop creating here.  There are no special tricks to designing a good page, and there is no great expense in having someone else do it.

The best way to find an artist to draw line art, design and layout a page, and past up the ad, is through design studios.  Don’t commission the studio - there’s usually too much overhead.  Talk to individual designers and get somebody who does free lance work.  You can negotiate a very reasonable fee.  But get a professional.  It’s worth the extra hourly fee to have somebody who knows how to design.

Work directly with the artist - be sure your desires are well communicated.  And be sure you are satisfied with the work accomplished.  You both have something to say, but more so, let the product speak the loudest.

DOING THE LAYOUT

You don’t need to hire a designer to do the layout for your ad.  You are capable of doing it yourself - after all, you know the product best.  Consider what you want to say.  You need to make it different from the other ads, yet you shouldn’t try for innovating design awards.

The ad must be interesting to look at and should have a feeling of movement and action.  That movement is not necessarily in the illustration, but the placement of illustration and copy in the ad, so the eye goes from one to the next in easy, exciting movements.

You’ll need to consider where the illustration will be, and its relation to the headlines and body text.  Perhaps you are showing the product in use, or maybe the illustration is just a simple picture of the product.

A rule of thumb in layout is to use contrast.  The most obvious contrast is the black print on white paper.  Use that white space.  Although it’s not apparent, the white space is as important in the visual appeal as the illustration and type.

Don’t try for symmetry.  The unusual or irregular catches the eye more readily.  The illustration works hand in hand with the headline to grab reader’s attention.

Be simple and direct.  Don’t push too much copy into a small area, crowding the illustration.  If you don’t have room, cut copy or reduce the illustration.

You can use any size and style type you want for the ad.  But don’t get carried away.  You shouldn’t use a special typeface unless it helps sell the product.  And, never use a headline type that’s hard to read.

Using different sizes of type help point out the benefits of the product.  Bold or italicized type also bring more visual appeal to the ad.

If you find that the illustration is too big for the ad space you want to use, you can reduce it to a smaller size, or crop out portions not absolutely necessary.  A “bleed” photo runs straight off the page.  Check with the advertising coordinator first to be sure the publications will do bleeds.

A good way to do a rough layout is to use a pencil to sketch in the places for the type, the illustrations, and lines to indicate body copy and the name of the company.  Try different pencil layouts until you’re satisfied you have the product at its best appeal.

CAMERA-READY COPY

Most publications require final artwork for display ads.  Camera-ready copy means that it’s ready to go - to be made into the films printers use for reproduction.  The type has to be typeset, the art must be clear, and the layout must have these elements pasted down.

Even if you get as far as producing a rough layout, it won’t cost too much to convert it to final artwork.  But if you’re doing the whole thing, you have to be sure you have all the elements.  To have copy typeset, you go to a typesetting shop and give them typewritten copy for every character you want to show up on your ad.  You can discuss with them the size of type and pick styles.  Final artwork should not be a photocopy of a drawing, but the original drawing or a photostat.  A photostat can be made of the original if it needs to be reduced or enlarged to fit the exact size of the layout.

If you are using a photograph, it should be a professional quality print.  Any areas that need to be cropped should be indicated with a red grease pencil that won’t harm the surfact of the photo - don’t cut the photo.

If you are using color photography, you may need to have color separations made before you submit the ad.  This is a process  whereby the color in the photo is separated into its four elements of red, tellow, blue and black.  The advertising coordinator will be able to tell you what you need, and a local printer can help you with the separations.

If you have no experience in pasting up layouts, you’ll need to get a professional.  Why make a mistake so late in the game?  Although it is a simple process of gluing the type and illustrations down with rubber cement, you need the correct tools to be sure everything is exactly straight.

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

Setting up your own in-house advertising agency is easy.  Placing ads and claiming your fifteen percent discount is no problem.  The challenge comes in writing appealing ads that are winners.  The reward is selling product through those ads month after month, year after year.

At any stage of the advertising game you can call in professional advice.  A free-lance pro can offer sound, money-saving tips and be worth every dollar spent.  Even if you commission the artwork and layout of the ad, you’ll still save a bundle over ad agency costs.

If you have your own home business, or if your company has expanded into advertising, there’s no reason not to set up your own agency.  There’s no hassle, and the savings are great.  If you need specialized LEGAL advice or assistance on this subject, the services of a professional person is recommended.

Free Publicity for your Business

January 7th, 2008   Filed Under "How to", Free resources, Ideas, Resources, Tips  

    Would you like to expand the volume of your business with good publicity?

     You can let thousands of people know about your service, your store, or your new products without paying a penny, with good publicity. Whether you want to make more sales, or get an offer on television, you can broaden the scope of your clients by free publicity.

You don’t have to climb a flagpole or hire a dancing bear to attract attention and sales to get free publicity. In fact, with just a telephone and follow up letters and flyers, you can be making much more money than you are now.

Publicity

What product or business are you involved with that needs more clients or customers? You might have a neighborhood store, or you might be seeking exposure for a celebrity or politician. Maybe you have a new invention that you can’t get marketed or a recently released line of designer furniture that you want to increase sales on using free publicity.

How are you presently getting to customers? You may be advertising in newspapers and magazines or trade journals. Or you may be relying on a distribution agreement to retail the products your plant manufactures.

Perhaps you’re an author depending on a publishing house to promote your book, but it seems to be waning. Or you could be a young comic, trying to get some more acts to further your career.

Regardless of your business or enterprise, free publicity is ayailable to you. And you don’t need any particular background or training to do it. What you do need is the belief in yourself and your product and the diligence and perseverance to continue when one idea doesn’t pan out.

Take a look at the variety of types of publicity. Whether you want a local increase in sales, or national fame, free publicity is available to you.

WHAT IS PUBLICITY?

Publicity is making something known to the public, spreading information to the general-local or national-market. It is information with a news value used to attract public attention or support.
Everybody use publicity. Politicians, manufacturers, celebrities-even the Detroit car makers-use publicity to further their causes and gain attention.

And publicity isn’t limited to large organizations. Small committees and enterprises use the local newspapers to publicize events and endeavors.

Publicity differs from advertising because it is free. Although some groups or individuals do trade tickets or services for free mention in publications, generally publicity is newsworthy copy that a publication produces.

Publicity is a form of promotion, although promoting a product or service may require other efforts that cost the company money. Good publicity is one of the best ways to let people know you have a worthwhile business.

KNOW YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE

In order to gain publicity, you have to be totally familiar with the product, service or business that you are promoting. If it is your own product, you are the best one to describe the benefits and features. If you want to publicize something else, talk to everyone involved to et the facts and details.

Consider the radius of your market. If you have a local business such as a retail store or service shop, most of your customers are from the surrounding five miles. If you are located in a large city, you may have a larger radius, but at the same time, there may be stiffer competition.

Your enterprise might be regional or statewide and your clients may come from hundreds of miles-either in person or by telephone-to use your services. And, if you are a large manufacturer, your clients and customers may come from the entire United States-or you may have a worldwide audience.

Profile your customers. Who are they and what do they do? If you have a service, how often is this service used? If you have a product, is it something that is bought again and again, or is it a lifetime purchase?

How much do your customers pay for your products and are you competitive with the other manufacturers of the same products? If you have an unusual product, are you reaching the widest audience you can?

SURVEY THE MARKET

What do the customers want? Sometimes, the least expensive price is not the most important element. With today’s packaging, many customers expect and will pay for things elaborately packaged.
Where do these people go to buy your products? Are they sold at retail outlets or through trade publications or magazines?  Or, are they special items available from mail order or from certain regions of the nation or the world?

Finally, why do your customers buy this particular service or product, or use the particular business you have? An architectural design studio produces blueprints for architects to construct buildings for homeowners and industry. But your product may be aimed at a less precise group of people, somewhat hard to define.

You can discover what consumers want from surveys. You can get copies of surveys from special companies that conduct surveys, or you can do your own. The best place to conduct a survey is at a trade show for your product. You might run a drawing and ask people to fill in information. You can have cards printed with boxes to check easily so people will spend the time to answer your questions.

Manufacturers use surveys with warranties. Appliance makers often include a few questions along with the warranty that the consumer sends back.

Most major manufacturers have their own teams of product testing. Toymakers bring in children and watch their reactions. Book publishers have people look at covers and decide which they’d buy. Even the car manufacturers run surveys and opinion testing on style and pricing.

Before you seek publicity or even advertise, KNOW YOUR PRODUCT. Be familiar with the people who buy your product or service, and have a full understanding of the general competition and the full scope of marketability.

WHERE TO GET PUBLICITY

Depending on your product, you have a full gamut of possibilities for advertising without paying - free publicity. Deciding on the type of media is as important as knowing your product and the people who buy.

As a manufacturer, you want to let retailers know of your product. The trade magazines would be a good place for new products and comparisons of product reliability.

If you want to publicize directly to the general public national publications, metropolitan newspapers and Sunday supplements are ways to tap into the market.

For a local enterprise - either a profitable business or a charity or community service - the local newspapers are the best places for free publicity.

Once your product or news is of national importance, the television and radio can be good sources of publicity. Even the local public stations produce interesting shows about local people and products.

For international significance, the newspaper syndicates and wire services provide the publicity you’ll need.

Don’t go for the biggest first; move up to the larger markets. Start with the local news, then expand as your product interest grows.

MAKE IT NEWSWORTHY

In order to qualify for publicity, your information must be newsworthy. Anything published in the newspapers, magazines or trade journals must be important to readers - either as information for an event, or interesting insights in the industry.

You may have a new product or product line that can be publicized in magazines. If not, you need to come up with unique angles to get the publicity you seek.

An unusual background for the inventor of the product or owner of the manufacturing plant may make good news for the new product.

Or you may need to come up with fresh ideas for your service. For example, a short item about famous people using the service is noteworthy, or an unusual combination in the owner’s biography may make a good story.

Some businesses produce literature that points out facts of the particular industry - either historical or contemporary. For example, a television news feature was done on a group of companies that check the quality of houses for interested buyers. Or, a pamphlet on cutting costs on building an addition onto your house is a natural for a construction company.

YOUR BEST ANGLE for Good Publicity

What is unusual about your product or service that can become newsworthy? Even if nothing stands out at first, you’ll find you can think of several angles that are worthwhile from a publicity point-of-view.

What about anecdotes? Failure stories can be as entertaining as success tales. How people have trouble getting their businesses off the ground can be newsworthy.

And don’t forget simple endurance. A business that’s been profitable for twenty-five years is a sure bet for local newspapers.

If you want to publicize an event, consider the radius of the participants.  A national trade convention should receive national interest in the magazines and publications geared towards that particular industry.  More local events can be publicized in metropolitan newspapers.  The most local neighborhood events can be publicized by flyers and notices, or through the schools.

Look for common trends in your product or service. Think often about what makes it different from the other thousands of products and services. Make lists List the features of what you want to publicize; list the people who use the product or service; list why people use it.

What do you come up with? Do more young people use it? Do more women, or members of special groups? You may use an angle of publicizing a person not in our typical consumer group purchasing or using your product or service.

The most important consideration in choosing an angle is to make your item newsworthy, so the editor of the publication will print it.

MAKING CONTACT

Whether you are sending products, press kits, or news releases, the most important element in getting them publicized is to send it to the right person. If it doesn’t reach that person’s desk, it may well end up in the wastebasket.

When you decide on the media market you want to publicize in, contact the people who will make it happen. On a local level, a small town newspaper will have a features editor, or a specific person who takes care of the notice you want to place. Call up the publication and get that person’s name. Speak briefly and say you’ll send in a notice.

A larger metropolitan newspaper is a busy place. Consider the section you’ll want your story to appear in. Many newspapers have entertainment, travel, business, sports, food sections. Contact that editor.

Editors rarely have time to talk to strangers soliciting publicity, so you might try talking to the assistant. Speak briefly, introduce yourself, and say you’ll send in a news release.

For a radio message, contact the program director, or assistant. Make enough telephone calls to be sure you have the correct name of the person to send your release to.

Television programming directors may be more difficult to reach; use perseverance. With active pursuit, you can get your message through to anyone.

The easiest connection for promoting a new product is with the editors of trade magazines or with national magazines that have a new products section, You may want to send a sample, or at least a photograph or drawing of the product. And, you need to incluae all pertinent facts and features.

Magazine editors can also be difficult to reach-but try. If you can speak directly to the person who handles new products, try it. If not, be sure to contact the person who does handle the feature angle that you have chosen.

As soon as you’ve contacted the right person to use your material, send it out immediately. If you have arranged a personal appointment, follow up with a short note that confirms the date and time.

A few days after you send out your materials, call that person again. Simply ask if the information was received; don’t push for a commitment to run the release. By pointing attention to the materials, you have a better chance.

NEWS RELEASES

News releases, also called press releases, are the most important selling tool of publicity. The release must capture the editor’s attention, be precise and easy to read.

A news release can go to just one newspaper or many publications at once. It can be a community notice about an organization’s library sale or an international insight into inflation.

The same standard form is used for every type of news, whether an executive promotion in the trade magazines, or a local event such as an author signing books at a neighborhood bookstore.

If you want your notice to get into a special edition of a publication, be aware of the deadlines. Sunday news editions generally have more readers than the daily editions. Find out when your release must be received at the editor’s desk.

Never mix publicity with advertising. If your newspaper features specific businesses in special industry supplements, you may be chosen because you advertise. But otherwise, editors frown on any releases that merely imitate advertising and are not newsworthy.

Don’t embarrass yourself by sending anything that is not worthy of being printed in the publication as news.  Not only will your release be thrown away, but you will destroy any chance you had for subsequent releases with that editor.

WRITING THE RELEASE

Keep the news release to one page. Type it clearly on white bond paper, double spaced, and never send it with typographical errors. Since the release might be published exactly as it is received, be sure the copy is professional and worthy of publication.

At the top left, put your name and address and the phone number you can be reached at during business hours. In full capital letters at the right, type, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE or for release on or after a certain date.

Use a headline appropriate to the event or topic, and keep it short - just like newspaper headings. Capitalize the letters and underline the headline.

Start the copy with a dateline, which is the city and date. Then write the rest within a few paragraphs. Include the important information in the standard who, what, when and where. Use good English, but don’t run on with unimportant adjectives or boring information. You can capitalize the first letters of important events such as Public Auction or the name of your new product.

If you have a release to send to many publications at the same time, have it printed by photo offset so the copy is clear and looks original.

Include a personal letter to the editor. Be cordial, but keep it short. If your product is convenient to mail, you may include a sam§ple if the editor is amenable.

Watch the publications and clip the printed publicity yourself. Never ask the publication to send you a copy.

PROMOTIONAL LITERATURE

You can publicize your service or product with a pamphlet or booklet. Topical subjects such as saving energy or cutting costs are always newsworthy. Naming new trends or buying habits can equally be publicized.

Take a look at the magazines and trade journals in your area of endeavor. Are there special sections for interesting tidbits of the industry? Maybe there’s a section for new products, or even a section that compares products.

Does your product or service have something special that competitors don’t? Maybe yours is the best - and -best’ is newsworthy. Does yours have the longest resiliency, or is it made from the best materials? Maybe your service is noted for complete satisfaction or reliability.

These aspects are especially important for the big manufacturers. Trade journals cater to the special industries, and those in the trade always want to consider the best product investment - especially when spending thousands of dollars.
An oil company sends out free booklets on maintaining your car; a travel agent prints a brochure on the most beautiful vacation spots; a dry cleaners gives out a flyer on getting out stains as soon as they happen.

What promotional literature can you tie into your business? And it doesn’t need to be product oriented. Some large companies produce tips on employee relations or benefits. Many print their own newsworthy in-house publications .

Any special message booklet is a public service and is worthy of free publicity. Some interesting information can make a good feature if followed up by a reporter. Or you may write your own feature for magazines.

You can get your literature designed and printed by a local printer at minimum cost. Don’t go for an elaborate four-color booklet unless you can afford to. Consider what you can get at the least expense and then work from there. From a small investment, you may get thousands of dollars worth of free publicity.

Always include the name and address ad business number of your enterprise on the brochure, and offer copies for the general public as a free give-away or as a bonus for services.

PITCH LETTERS

When you don’t have a specific news release or a special booklet to publicize your enterprise, you may solicit publicity with a letter to the editor of the section that suits your endeavor.

Rather than providing complete information, suggest the practicality and timeliness of a feature or article on your business or the owner of the business. Some people or organizations are famous in their own right and start side businesses or enterprises. For example, celebrities open restaurants or community theaters; financiers donate art collections; a local orphanage may raise a phenomenal amount of money for a special cause.

A pitch letter is a highly motivating letter to get the editor interested in the topic that will benefit your cause. Type it on letterhead and send it personally to the editor. You might call in advance and use it as a follow up.
Get right to the point. Present the topic and the angle immediately. Then, support the worthiness with some poignant information concerning the topic.

Send copies of local publicity if you’re building to a national level, or send copies of other news features that relate directly to your person or product.

Don’t deluge the editor with too many clippings or an overload of information. A few choice tidbits wlll suffice to get that person’s interest in doing a feature.

Close your letter with a mention of calling that person and then follow up with a telephone call a few days later.

USE YOUR TELEPHONE

The most important tool to the publicist is the telephone. People who make their livelihoods with publicity make calls all day long. And persistence is the greatest attribute.

Whether you use a hard-sell or a soft-sell approach on the phone, it’s a great way to make and keep contact with important people. Just one phone call may seal up a lifetime business relationship with someone who will provide you with thousands of dollars worth of free publicity.

A telephone call is the most efficient means of reaching somebody, introducing yourself and your desires, and firming up a contact for follow through. Don’t be afraid of calling people and don’t be shy in asserting yourself.

If you have a clear idea about your product or service and believe in what you’re selling, your tone of voice will be the best selling feature. Know your facts and present them clearly.

If you are working for a specific person or trying to get a meeting for the owner of your company, know when you can set up an appointment and settle on it immediately. Don’t forget business luncheons- a great way to sell yourself or your product in a relaxed atmosphere. Follow up with a memo that same day to confirm the date and time of the meeting.

When you meet with rejection, don’t take it to heart - there are so many ways you can add solid connections that a few no’s shouldn’t stop you.

COLUMN RELEASES

Some trade journals have specific columns written by a reporter that run weekly or monthly. If you have a newsworthy item for a column, you can build up a working rapport with the writer and supply material from time to time.

The entertainment trade papers have daily columns that keep celebrities in the limelight. Metropolitan newspapers run daily columns that mention politicians. And industry publications have columns that pertain to a certain aspect of your enterprise.

When you write a column release, copy the style of the writer and use the format of the news release. Instead of for immediate release, type in capital letters, for exclusive release to the name of the person.

Use your imagination when you write the column release, and don’t get discouraged if it’s passed by. Keep building relationships with the columnists and you’ll get your news publicized.

PRESS KITS

The press kit is made up to publicize celebrities or new products or a product line. They may be put together for a trade show or    convention, or a press conference.

Generally, a press kit includes a biography of the person who is being publicized or the inventor or the head of the company. A news release is included and a photograph or drawing with a caption is attached.

Copies of news stories and newspaper clippings are enclosed-anything pertinent to the item you want publicized. An entertainer’s schedule might be included if it’s a conference about a tour.

The press kit is usually in a folder or envelope and is handy to send to publications or for press conferences or to give information to the local media.

THE BIOGRAPHY

A bio of a personality - whether a famous celebrity or the president of your company - is fact, not hype. It usually is included in press kits for background information only; it’s not meant for release.

Although important information concerning the person’s career should be included, make it informative and interesting to read. Many editors or reporters will use that information in a news story or feature.

It should be single spaced, and never make it more than two pages - even if the person deserves a full book.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Regardless of the scope of your news, photographs are an asset. If you are looking for extra publicity for a politician after a town meeting, include a photo of the person with your press release.

New products alwavs deserve to be seen. Whether it is a full expensive professional shot later used for advertising, or a simple black and white photo, it should be clear and uncluttered with  extraneous objects.

Generally for a small business, the black and white glossy photo is your best bet. Have a professional take the shot with the product seen in its best light. High contrast photos are the best for newspapers and magazines. If your product is mainly light colored, it will stand out on a black background, and vice versa.

Always have them professionally duplicated and be of the highest quality. Forget about polaroids or anything that closely resembles amateur work. The editor won’t take your release seriously.

Have them printed on 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 paper and to enclose a cardboard backing when you send them through the mail with a news release or a pitch letter.

MERCHANDISING

When you do get coverage from your efforts, clip those pieces from the publications and exploit them. You may have seen this done in restaurants. They often enlarge and mount copies of local restaurant reviews and post them in windows for potential customers.

Good publicity in one form may lead to a wider scope of publicity in a larger publication. You can use local newspaper clippings for pitching a feature in a national magazine. And you can use write-ups in large circulation publications to give credentials for a television appearance.

Many businesses exploit reviews. Look at the back of books; they list the quotations from reviewers to promote the product. And films do that too. How many times have you seen a film advertised by quotations from famous film reviewers?

What can you do to use the publicity at its best and spread its effects as widely as possible? Take a look at your metropolitan newspaper. In the features section, there are often stories about interesting people and their enterprises. With a little ingenuity, this coverage can go national.

An obvious way to use good publicity is simply to photocopy it and send it as a direct mail piece to your customers or to include it in your brochures. Even a stack of flyers at the counter can promote your business.

How far do you want to go?

PROMOTION

In most cases, you can use the normal media channels to get the publicity you need for your product or service. And, although you don’t need to come up with schemes to get attention, they do work.

Sometimes promotion departments of manufacturers stage marathon events or contests with their products - especially with toys and games. Apparel companies may sponsor athletic races; manufacturers of motorcycles sponsor races.

Although promotion schemes do cost money to stage, the efforts usually pay off in a long run with the number of customers sold on the product.

For local coverage, charity drives and dinners are good ways to get in the paper. Some enterprises strive for a more national coverage with special prizes connected to sports events.

If you are clever enough, and there’s no big news break that day, you may get your scheme on television. Even local footage reaches thousands and thousands of people.

What gimmicks can you think of that will pay off for their investment? How is your product or service used that it can commercially be exploited by the news? Can you keep going with it-making it an annual event, drawing customers from near and far?

HIRING OTHER PEOPLE

What if you don’t want to do the publicity yourself? If your product or service is a natural for free publicity, you can hire a company or a person to do your public relations work.

There are many freelancers in the large cities who have a number of clients that they publicize. They’ve already broken the ice with the editors and the media, so they can get their releases printed.

If you want to hire someone for a special project, get a person who has the contacts and who specializes in your product line. If you’re a celebrity, use someone who has a reputation in the entertainment industry. If you are a manufacturer with new appliances, likewise consider a person with expertise in that field.

Check out the person or firm. Talk to other clients and find out what has been done for them. Have they increased their sales or public exposure?

Investigate the reputation with people in the media you want to publicize in, and be sure there is a clean slate with the local business associations.

Then work efficiently with the person who will handle your publicity. Communicate effectively and be sure your ideas are understood. Listen well and absorb any ideas thrown your way. Between the two of you, you can come up with an excellent publicity campaign that will make your business boom.

TRY IT

The wonderful thing about free publicity is that you have nothing to lose. A few phone calls; a few personal letters, maybe some investment in quick printing news releases. And, you can reap many times that investment in additional sales and orders.

Whether you have an international personality to publicize or a community barbecue, you can get that information to the public at little expense.

What is unique about your service or product? Is it the best? The most used? The longest lasting? Do customers return year after year? Consider all the angles, then consider again.

Be sure to make solid contacts and be thorough with your follow-ups. Being polite and efficient will always create effective business relations. Then exploit your own publicity. Use it again and again; post it in the store or rewrite it for more national distribution. Go as far as you can with your ideas.

And, it doesn’t cost you. That is the true joy - with a little effort and persistence, you can reap great profits from free publicity.

Walgreen’s Cheap Printer Ink

January 7th, 2008   Filed Under Free resources, Ideas, Resources, Tips  

    Discounted Cheap Printer Ink for your Computer Printer

 

Running a business from you home, sometimes requires a lot of computer related expenses such as, the high cost of printer ink for many inkjet printers we use to perform our daily work task.

Some of the printer ink cartridges for Lexmark, Brothers, Canon, Epson and other can run as high at $50.00 or more for color or black ink cartridges.

My business uses the Lexmark X-4270 and I have paid from $31.00 up to $$35.00 for Black ink cartridges, and $38.00 up to $42.00 for color ink cartridges for my Lexmark printer.  This expense tends to put a dent into your profit margin, and so I began looking around for other options.

Recently, I found a Walgreen store that advertised printer ink cartridges refilled for as low as $10.00.  I took in my Lexmark black and color ink cartridges to be refilled.  The process took one hour, however after inquiring more, I found out that Walgreen’s has begun using a new machine called the Ink-o-Dem, which cost close to $40,000.00 and this machine can printer ink cartridges in less then 2 minutes.

Printer refillers, like Walgreen and other’s are making a dent in the printer makers market, and I’m am sure it is being felt, and public relation strategies are up and coming to combat this.

My personal opinion is that it is definitely a cheaper alternative to purchasing the high priced printer ink from the printer makers, however the ink just does not seem to last as long, but that has not kept me from refilling at Walgreen’s over and over for all my inkjet printer needs.

Thanks Walgreen…..

 

Mexico Nafta Import / Export

January 2nd, 2008   Filed Under Business Options, Resources  

Mexico Nafta Import / Exporter

To draw attention to a vast export promotions arsenal available to
individuals and businesses seeking to export to Mexico, a program called
EXPORT MEXICO was developed through a partnership between business and
government.

Mexico is our fastest-growing export market. With the implementation of
the North America Free Trade Agreement, this market is expected to provide
even greater opportunities.

Why Mexico?

When your fastest growing export market is right next door,
you’ve got to harness it and seize the opportunity. Exports to Mexico have Increased from $12,.4 billion in 1986 to $40.6 billion
in 1992. Mexico’s 86 million consumers prefer U.S. goods. 70% of every
dollar Mexico spends on foreign products are spent on U.S. goods. Rising
levels of disposable income among Mexican consumers helped increase our
exports by 50% since 1991.

The Mexico NAFTA Factor

THE NAFTA FACTOR In the last decade, the Mexican market has become more
open, instituting unilateral, market-opening reforms. The North America Free Trade Agreement will help further accelerate the growth of U.S. exports to Mexico, opening new doors to U.S. companies.

Mexico NAFTA will create the biggest market in the world right at our doorsteps,
over $6 Trillion with 370 million people.

Mexico NAFTA will make nearly half of all U.S. exports qualify for ZERO tariffs.

Mexico NAFTA will open Mexico to U.S. service exports, including such industries as
insurance, banking, accounting, advertising and more.

GETTING STARTED with Mexico NAFTA

If you’re seeking to export to Mexico, you can call Flash Facts facsimile service and order Mexico market information sent to you via fax, free of charge. The number to call is (202) 482-4464. The system includes among its many documents NAFTA updates and upcoming trade events. You can also call (202) 482-0300to consult trained desk officers from the Department of Commerce’s Office of Mexico regarding the most cost-effective ways you can enter the Mexican market.

The Commerce Department’s Office of Mexico publishes a comprehensive manual called “A Guide To Financing Exports To Mexico”, which you can obtain free of charge by calling the Flash Facts line and requesting document number 0420.vice and order Mexico market.

Computer Virus “Do it yourself recovery”

January 1st, 2008   Filed Under "How to", Tips  

     Recently, I had a computer virus that caused my computer to do one of many things, from shutting down all my windows in the middle working on an important project, to opening up windows and reporting various error messages. Of course this was not the first time that I had encounter a virus. This virus was minor compared to the many other viruses and computer crashes I’ve had in the past.

 

Having Computer Problems?

      Has your computer ever crashed??? Gotten a virus??? Been bombarded with system failures or windows popping up that you didn’t ask for. Maybe you lost the sound on your computer or your dial-up access, and was told that you needed a new sound card, or needed to purchase new hardware.

      If any of these things have ever happened, I’m sure that you have spent anywhere from $75.00 (at your local computer repair shop) up to $159.00 at best buys to clean your computer and recovery your initial data. Well, do not feel alone, because over the past 15 years, I have spent close to $1,000 for various fixes that related to computer viruses.

What to do if feel you have a virus

    The first thing you need to know is that sometimes when our computer start doing crazy things, we tend to pass it off as if maybe we hit a wrong button by mistake, to cause that window to open up or maybe the error messages will go away after a while. Well, the truth I have learned is that it is better to catch a virus in the initial stage by cleaning your computer, rather then allowing it to stay and lurk around in your system, possibly causing more damage.

Preparing yourself to do a “Do it yourself” recover

      If you are anything like me, you may want to save yourself the average $100.00 charge to clean your computer and recover your original data. The first thing you need to do is to be sure that you have access to your recovery disk. I’ve found that most of the time, when purchasing a new computer, the factory does not give you the recovery disk, and most of the time we do not ask for one, because we do not realize the importance of it.

      When I purchased my Gateway computer a few years ago, I did not request the recovery disk or even ask about it. I suppose in my excitement to get started I passed this off, as something that was not important. A few years later, my computer got a virus and I took it in to my local computer shop, to be cleaned, paying an upfront charge of $75.00.

      A few days later the local computer shop called me and said they had clean the virus from my computer, however they were having a very difficult time reloading the Gateway audio and modem components. After several days of trying they decided that it was possible that I needed a new modem. I decided to take it back to Best Buy, which is where I purchased it. The worked on it for almost a week and then gave it back saying it was completed. Being overly excited about getting my computer back and not being charged anything, I left Best Buy only to find out that I was unable to get online. After taking it back and going though many phone calls, I was told that I needed the Gateway recovery disk so they could reload my factory components. And that would cost me $159.00.

      Because I did not have the disk, I decided to pick my computer up and bring it home. I contacted Gateway and realized I had to order the disk, which cost me $20.00. After I got the disk back I inserted it and the rest is history. So, below I will begin to tell you the steps you need to take if you have a virus, do not want to spend $159.00, and want to do a system recovery.

Step One to “Do it yourself” computer system recovery

      A very important and essential step before you began your recovery process, is to save your important information. Personally, I needed to save “my documents”, my desktop information, and my favorites. I purchased some CD-recordable CD-R multi-speed disc, with at least 80 minutes and 700MB each, to use for saving my important data.

Saving your important Computer Data

      Saving your data to disc is a very simple process and I’m sure it can be done various way, however I will share with you how I saved my necessary data. I inserted my new disc and my CD drive (E) opened. I clicked on open writable CD folder using windows explorer, and an empty CD drive (E) opened up. This window I moved up to my top left side so that I could view it after opening up my documents window. Next, I opened up My Documents and highlighted all the files in my documents that I wanted to move. I clicked move these files in the left hand column and then a window opened listing various areas to move. I found my CD drive (E) and double clicked. The files were not listed in the CD drive (E) that was previously empty. I then clicked write these files to CD and the process began. This is how I saved all my information to disc.

Be sure you have all your software and recovery disc

      Before you begin, be sure that you have all your software and recovery disc available. Example: Your internet software (aol, people pc, EarthLink), Norton Antivirus software or information for reloading, Frontpage, ect…..

Ready to begin your system recovery process

      Insert your recovery disc into your computer and restart your computer. When your computer begins restart you will be asked to press F11 of you want to begin recovery. Press F11 and then you will see two options….one will ask if you want a full recovery, this is the option you will take. Remember, you have already saved all your important information. From this point on, the system recovery process is automatic, so you may leave and allow the system to do what it does best.After my Computer System Recovery

      After your computer system has been recovered and all initial factory components are working, you can now begin reloading your software. I advise that you download and install your Norton Antivirus first, to ensure that you computer is protected.

      I hope that this information has been helpful and will save you a lot of money in the future. Please be sure to give back by sharing this information with others.

This article is written by B.J. Norman, contributing writer for New Works, work at home jobs and advice. This article can be used in its fullness, as long as you keep all bylines in place. For more detailed information on work at home jobs, you may visit http://www.newwork-at-home.com

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