How "Available" are YOU?
Copyright 2007 by Anna-Marie Stewart
The internet can be pretty scary at times. Do you realise how easy it is to
access your personal information? Your phone number, name, address? Even get
driving instructions on how to get to your location (if you're in the USA)??
Did you know that www.google.com
works as a telephone directory?? If you're in the USA, anybody can find you
through their search engine. If you've got an unlisted number, this won't apply
to you:
Go type your phone number into the search box in this format 555 444 1212 (no
dashes or anything). It'll bring up your full name and address, and it'll give
you 2 map links. The yahoo map will even give driving instructions on how to get
to where you're at!!
There should be a telephone icon next to your listing. If you don't want to
be listed, click on that and request to be removed from the service.
This one's for USA only, too: Free Internet Access to Public Records
Listed are over 800 state, county, city and federal (court) URL's where you
can access public record information for free.
CrimeScreen.com
Don't think you're outta the woods just because you don't live in the United
States. There are worldwide lists too.
Here's an example:
www.hansaprint.fi
This one's a combination of worldwide yellow and white pages. A lot of them
will link you to maps, where anybody can see your location.
Ok, here's another one, this one is reliant on people giving accurate info
though. Do you own your own registered domain? go do a "WhoIs" here:
netsolutions.com
Brings up a lot of info, huh?
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So how can you stop your personal information from getting broadcast on the
web? Maybe you can't, totally, but there are a few guidelines, that if followed,
will make you less "available"
Make sure your phone number is UNLISTED! A lot of online phonebooks are based
on a database used by the telephone company. Which in turn leads to your
address.
Use a web based email program instead of the one provided by your ISP. Your
ISP provided email address should only be given to your most trusted friends and
family. This is because your ISP has your address, and possibly your banking
information if your are allowing them to bill you automatically.
Get some software to make your websurfing anonymous:
Use a firewall program if you aren't behind one already. That way the
information on your computer can't be accessed by another online computer
without you being prompted for permission. This site contains an excellent list
of many different personal firewall programs: castor.tsl.state.tx.us
So what if your information's already out there? What can you do about it?
Well it's a long, hard job, but it CAN be done, by actually using search engines
to find your personal information, and then using the remove features supplied
by each particular website or writing the webmaster and requesting that he
remove the info.
There you have it, you're "available" but you don't HAVE to be unless you
want to.
Resource Box
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About The Author
Anna-Marie Stewart has been involved with internet marketing since 1999. She
has always tried to help people "make a go of it" online, by sharing her own
experiences with as many people as possible. She now publishes "Not Just Another
Ezine" a FREE weekly newsletter at
http://annamarketing.com -
dedicated to helping newbie and semi-pro internet marketers avoid the pitfalls
BEFORE getting burnt.
webmistress@annamarketing.com
Will Seminars Get You Clients?
Copyright 2007 by C.J. Hayden
I often suggest public speaking as a powerful way to show prospective clients
what you can do. Many professionals and consultants have built successful
practices by giving free presentations to associations, businesses, and
educational institutions. But what about producing your own seminar, where you
arrange the logistics and invite the guests? Does this work as a strategy for
landing clients?
Offering a seminar can be an effective means to become more visible to your
target market. If you are a good (or even fair) presenter, and the right people
come to your seminar, you will definitely get new customers. But to use seminar
marketing successfully, you need to be very clear on your goals, and plan each
seminar carefully.
If the purpose of your seminar is primarily to get clients, you shouldn't be
expecting to make money on the seminar itself. You may wish merely to cover your
expenses, or maybe even spend a little extra. For this type of seminar, the key
to making it pay off is to attract people who are good prospects for your
business in the first place, rather than just filling the room.
Instead of making your seminar free, it's a good idea to charge a small fee.
That way, your prospective clients will perceive you as offering something of
value. The fee will also discourage attendance by people who can't afford your
product or service. It's the quality of the participants that matters, not the
quantity.
If what you really want is for your seminar to turn a profit, you must
recognize that by offering full-fee seminars, you are adding another line of
business to your company. Operating as a seminar producer will require the same
kind of planning and ongoing management as your existing business does.
It can be as difficult to make a profit on your first seminar as it was to
originally launch your business. Many people won't sign up for a seminar the
first time they see it; others would like to come but can't make the date.
You'll have a better chance of making money if you plan at the outset to offer
your seminar on a regular basis. You may find, though, that this takes away too
much time from your core business.
Whether the seminar you are planning is promotional or for profit, estimate
your projected income and expenses before making a commitment to proceed. Base
the income you project solely on the fee you will charge per person multiplied
by the number of attendees you expect. Don't include any projected spinoff
business in your income estimate. If you land new business, you will still have
to work additional hours to earn that compensation.
Typical expenses include design and printing of a flyer or brochure, postage,
posting a notice on your website, purchase of mailing lists (if you don't have
your own), print and Internet media ads (including calendar listings), facility
rent, audiovisuals, handouts, and refreshments. You should also consider the
cost of your own time to design promotional materials, compile lists, compose
e-mails, and make phone calls, as noted below.
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In designing a snail mail or e-mail campaign for your seminar, keep in mind
that it is quite typical to get only one registration for every 100 pieces you
mail, even with a pre-qualified list.
Subtract your projected expenses from your income, then make a rational
decision on whether to proceed. If the purpose of your seminar is to get
business, estimate how much spinoff business is likely. Before going ahead, ask
yourself if there might be an easier or cheaper way to get that many new clients
or contracts.
If your purpose is to make money, divide your expected profit by the number
of hours it will take you to design, market, and deliver your seminar. Is that
amount a reasonable level of compensation for you?
If your best guess at the numbers tells you that producing a seminar makes
good business sense for you, go for it! Because people do business with those
they know, like, and trust, seminars can help you build a solid client base. And
because repeat contacts raise awareness, mailings and ads about your seminar
will generate more visibility for your core business.
About The Author
C.J. Hayden is the author of Get Clients NOW! Thousands of business owners
and salespeople have used her simple sales and marketing system to double or
triple their income. Get a free copy of "Five Secrets to Finding All the Clients
You'll Ever Need" at
http://www.getclientsnow.com. |