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Xbox 360 was the number one smash hit for Christmas gifts last year. The reasons are obvious: more visual effects, better console, incredible action, and excellent game choices. This year again teens will be playing Xbox 360 games with their friends, comparing games at school, and buying, renting or swapping the new Xbox games out this year. Here are some of the top picks for Christmas 2006, in a variety of categories, such as action, adventure, shooters, sports, and role-playing. Something for everyone.

1. Gears of War - Shooter

Now this is what next-gen gaming is all about! I’ve logged over 13 hours of game time so far, and haven’t even finished it, but that’s because I’m milking this baby for all it’s worth. The campaign experience is one to be savored, as there probably won’t be anything like it again for quite some time. Gears of War is one of those titles that comes around every couple of years and raises the bar so high that it almost spoils every game released in the next six months.

This third-person shooter thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing story of humankind’s epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the earth.

Gears of War is about teamwork in a big way. All game modes, levels and scenarios are designed specifically to encourage cooperative play, whether it be with A.I. partners or human players (with A.I. teammates designed with specific strengths, weaknesses and personalities). Also, voice recognition will be available for players, and voice chat to discuss strategy with your friends.

2. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter - Shooter

The face of war has changed with Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. Enemy lines are blurred and there is no clear opponent. New enemies and threats require a new type of warfare and a new kind of soldier. Enter the Ghosts.

In 2013, the U.S. Army will implement its Integrated Warfighter System. IWS combines advanced weapon systems, satellite communication devices, and enhanced survivability features into a fully integrated warfare combat system. Equipped with cutting edge weapons and communications systems, you will find yourself, one of the Ghosts, immersed in a detailed universe which is warfare of the future.

One gamer exclaimed, This game is a pure showcase of next gen gaming. the graphica are downright gorgeous and this actually helps to immerse you into the story. and the story is riveting enough to actually make you care about mexico city… do your self a favor and buy this game.

3. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - RPG

Like earlier games in the Elder Scrolls series, Oblivion is designed to present a living fantasy world that gamers experience on their own terms. The game is populated with over 1,000 NPCs, each leading a fully realized life, following regular schedules according to their individual wants, needs, and positions. Players are encouraged to interact in the world as they choose, as noble heroes, greedy villains, or anything in between. The game’s main story and its sidemissions provide plenty of fast-moving adventure.

Advised one fan: This Game Is Like Crack. Massive enivornment; Beautiful graphics; Great ambient music and sound; Totally engrossing gameplay. This game is unbelieveable. If you like RPG’s in the SLIGHTEST, buy it.

4. Fight Night Round 3 - Sports

Easily beating the competition, Fight Night Round 3 brings the most intense boxing videogame experience ever to the virtual boxing ring. Film-quality graphics establish Fight Night Round 3 as one of the best looking and playing Xbox 360 sports games ever produced. The graphics feature devastating punch impacts unparalleled in any game or film.

Outside of the ring, gamers can establish intense rivalries through pre-fight events and trash talk, putting more purpose and passion behind their every hit. The visuals in Fight Night Round 3 are so excellent that they actually enhance the gameplay. The gameplay has been revamped from what was already an excellent experience in Round 2.

5. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double Agent - Action

The bestselling Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell game takes on an entirely new direction. You play as a double agent for the first time ever in Splinter Cell Double Agent. You’ll take on the dual roles of covert operative and ruthless terrorist, where your choices of whom to betray and whom to protect actually affect the outcome of your game.

Experience the relentless tension and gut-wrenching dilemmas of life as a double agent. Lie. Kill. Sabotage. Betray. But above all, save and protect the innocent. How far will you go to gain the enemy’s trust? As covert operative Sam Fisher, you’ll infiltrate a vicious terrorist group and seek to destroy it from within. Carefully weigh the consequences of your actions–kill too many terrorists and blow your cover. Hesitate and millions will die. Do whatever it takes to complete your mission, but get out alive.

6. LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy - Action

The war between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance has left the galaxy far, far away a huge mess! But luckily with LEGOs, rebuilding is easy! Play through the original trilogy, Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, as all three movies are re-created using LEGO bricks. You can play as one of 50 different characters and can even get out of vehicles and ride on various creatures.

Our recommendation: If you liked the first Star Wars game, this one should definitely be on your list. If you’ve never played the first game, then this one must be on your list! So really, there isn’t any reason not to own and play this game.

7. Madden NFL 07 - Sports

With Madden NFL 07, innovative rushing controls allow you to control the running game like never before, with all-new jukes, cutbacks, and the distinct running styles of your favorite backs.

For the first time, in a football video game, you can step up as the lead blocker to create a hole, and then take control of the tailback to smash through, jump over, or tear away from any would-be tackler as you head for the end zone.

One fan raved, Overall it was exactly what i was looking for, … the new features are all fun, and the individual camera view for every position in superstar mode gave u a feeling of really playing as the character. This will be a great game to play alone or with a group of friends.

8. Dead Rising - Action

Dead Rising follows the harrowing saga of Frank West, an overly zealous freelance photojournalist on a hunt for the scoop of a lifetime. In pursuit of a clue, he makes his way to a small suburban town only to find that it has been overrun by zombies. He escapes to the local shopping mall, thinking it will be a bastion of safety, but it turns out to be anything but.

In the intense struggle to survive the endless stream of zombies, players have full reign of a realistic shopping center, utilizing anything they find to fight off the flesh-hungry mob. The variety of stores in the mall offers players an endless supply of resources including vehicles, makeshift weapons and more. Players encounter other survivors along the way, and by helping them, acquire valuable clues as to what has happened and how to survive.

I couldn’t say it better than one fan: Thousands and thousands of zombies to kill in a myriad of ridiculous ways; tons of things to see and try throughout the mall; great sense of style; a plot that manages to be intriguing without intruding too much on the action; and fantastic sound effects.

9. Saints Row - Action

Welcome to Stilwater, an open-world city with attitude, a city controlled by rival gangs, a city you are about to take over in Saints Row. As a low-level thug in the Third Street Saints, you’ll do whatever it takes to get the money and build the respect and power you need to muscle your way to the top. Be careful, though. Your actions have consequences within the game, and around every corner lurks a new threat.

Numerous vehicles are available to borrow, pedestrians can be slugged or robbed at gunpoint, and there are an assortment of missions to advance the game’s primarily storyline. Some features include: fun, responsive driving controls; excellent on-foot shooting action; impressive presentation, featuring amazing explosions and great audio; and a well-written, well-acted story to compel you to keep playing.

10. Hitman: Blood Money - Action

On the run from rival assassins, Agent 47 hops a plane to take care of business stateside in Hitman: Blood Money. Players will guide Agent 47 through a number of locales, including New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas as he performs hits. It’s up to the player to determine the manner in which a hit is executed, but the rookie training mode can show amateur assassins how to help targets have accidents, by pushing the victim over a ledge or pinning him underneath a heavy object.

The amount of money earned from completed jobs varies depending on the cleanliness and professionalism of the hit. Agent 47’s paychecks can be spent in a number of ways including bribing reporters, customizing weapons with one of 15 upgrades, or paying pedestrians for information. Open-ended stealth action gameplay lets you sneak around, or run and gun; beautifully crafted mission set pieces seem appropriately big and complex; large variety of realistic weapons; and great combination of action and strategy.

Jason Purnell is a gamer providing valuable tips and advice on gaming systems, cheats, and especially Xbox 360 games. He is the author of the new book, Winning Xbox 360 Games: Strategies and Tips from Some of the World’s Best Video Gamers. An avid gamer himself, Jason also writes articles on gaming. For more free tips on Xbox 360 games, go to: www.Xbox-360-Game-Reviews.com http://www.Xbox-360-Game-Reviews.com .

LiveScience.com - The seemingly miraculous revival of a newborn baby that hadinitially been pronounced dead and refrigerated in Israel is raising eyebrowsamong scientists and doctors.

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1. It goes without saying that you should mention the bride and groom in the wedding speech. It means doing your homework and finding out something about their foibles or hobbies.

2. So if the bride collects shoes for instance you might wonder how the groom is going to afford to keep her shod. If the groom is a keen sportsman you might say something about that it’s now time he took up Do-it-yourself instead.

3. It’s gracious to thank the hosts for their wonderful hospitality.

4. It’s appropriate to say something witty and wise about marriage itself and what it means. You might use an old saying or a piece from a poem or a bit from the Gospels.

5. It’s nice to mention the parents of the wedding couple in some way. So if the groom’s father is an avid golfer, for instance, you might laughingly compliment him on actually taking the day off for his daughter’s wedding. If the bride’s mother is a wonderful cook then you might say how lucky the groom is to be marrying into a family who will feed him well.

6. If you are speaking as a bride or groom it would be nice to mention your parents and how much they have done for you during your growing years. You could say that you hope to build your marriage on their happy relationship.

7. The groom, of course, should mention how much he loves his new wife and how beautiful she is looking on this special day. The bride, if she is speaking, should mention her happiness at being married to such a wonderful man and how much she loves him.

8. The groom should toast the bridesmaids while the best man should respond to the toast saying how lucky he is to be surrounded by such lovely ladies!

9. It’s gracious to say something about the wedding service itself and how much it meant. If there are clergy present it is nice to thank them for the trouble they took to make it meaningful.

A wedding day is a day for being upbeat and positive and never mentioning anything that would upset the mood of the day. It’s definitely a day when you say all the right things about people so if a father who has been absent for years turns up you might mention that his son has inherited his lovely singing voice or good looks but never speak about his unfaithfulness.

10. A wedding speech should mention those who cannot be present due to circumstances or ill health. So if gran is too old to come it would be nice to speak kindly of her saying how much she is missed. Above all it should make all those who are there happy that they are sharing in the wonderful occasion.

Niamh Crowe

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Is your book introduction designed to seal the sale? Probably not; many open a book to read, see an introduction, yawn, think boring and turn the page. Why, because authors, including myself, have treated the introduction as only a ‘why I wrote the book’ page.

Most people don’t care as much ‘why you wrote the book’ as they do about how your book can help them. Here’s a refreshing twist to the old boring book introduction. Write your next book introduction as a sales tool. Include all the same elements but add benefits that engage your reader.

Think about it; people want to know most how your book will help them, teach them and inspire them. Continue to hook your potential readers with a sizzling title and back cover. Now take the next step to seal the sale with your book introduction. Write it as a short note to your readers engaging them with the benefits they will receive. To write your book introduction as a sizzling sales tool, it must include the following:

1. Hook. Use the same element journalist and professional writers use, the hook. Develop your hook from a shocking fact, statistic or relevant quote. Even better, solve your audience’s top challenge. Answer their top question, Why should I buy your book? Make your opening statements short but enticing.

2. Connection. Seek to connect with your audience in your introduction. Describe your audience’s challenge. Describe where they are now and why they haven’t succeeded yet. Mention why you wrote the book. End the paragraph with a general statement about how your book will benefit them (thesis statement).

3. Benefits. In the following paragraphs, keep answering the foremost question in your potential readers’ mind, Why should I buy your book? Continue to engage them with the overall benefits of increased communication, good fortune, finances or health. Sprinkle in some specific benefits. For example, an author friend of mine writes in, ‘Article Speedway’ Discover how to write short easy articles fast and put your internet marketing in the fast lane to sales.

4. Format. Every good non-fiction book should display a format to give the audience an idea of what to expect inside. The table of contents offer a general format and direction. In your book introduction include what features will help your audience in each chapter. For example, most chapter formats include a hook, thesis followed by how tos, tips, engagement tools, story then summary.

5. Invitation. Summarize with 1-2 sentences. Include an enthusiastic invitation to read the book. For example, one of my favorite authors invites her readers into the text with a warm, Come journey with me through…

If you don’t use the above principles, you may never enjoy the level of sales your book deserves. On the other hand, write a sizzling introduction with the hook, the connection, the benefits, the format, the invitation and fill your readers with expectation of what your book can do for them. Get this right and expect them to pull out their card, swipe and purchase your book on the spot. Now go ahead sizzle your introduction and sell more books than you could ask, dream or think.

Earma Brown, 12 year author, business owner, web developer helps service business owners, professionals and writers who want to write their best book now! Earma mentors other writers and business professionals through her monthly ezine iScribe Send any email to iscribe@bookwritinghelp.com iscribe@bookwritinghelp.com for free 7 lesson mini-course Jumpstart Writing Your Book or visit her at www.bookwritinghelp.com http://www.bookwritinghelp.com for more book writing tips.

AP - President Bush, nearing the end of two terms dominated by war, said Wednesday his decision to increase U.S. troop levels in Iraq early last year brought security to a now resurgent nation and he criticized those who said his plan was flawed.

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Is there such a thing as a fireproof home? The answer is no. The best anyone can do is actively take steps to prevent a fire from starting in the first place, and, if one should occur, make sure you and your family knows what to do to get out safely and have the tools to do so.

Fire Prevention:

What kinds of things can you and your family do to actually prevent a fire?

1. Identify potential fire sources in your home such as the stove and other cooking equipment, heaters, portable heaters, water heater, etc. Make sure nothing flammable is stored near these heat sources. That includes pot holders and towels near the stove, or flammable items stored above the stove. Don’t tempt your children to reach above the stove for candy or cereal - store those types of items away from any heat source.

2. When cooking make sure you’re not wearing loose, long sleeves which could catch fire.

3. Don’t smoke in bed.

4. Don’t locate heaters within three feet of your bedding or other flammable upholstery.

5. Keep matches and lighters away from children.

6. Help prevent electrical fires by making sure not to overload electrical circuits. When not using them make sure you unplug unnecessary appliances.

7. Use extra precautions when using candles, especially around children and pets. Don’t allow candles to burn unattended.

Fire Warning and Safety:

What kinds of things can you and your family do to remain safe should a fire occur?

1. Make sure you use smoke detectors on every floor of your home and near the bedrooms to alert you in case a fire breaks out.

2. Make sure you test the detectors regularly, and make sure batteries are replaced annually.

3. Draw up an escape plan for your family and make sure you practice that escape plan periodically. Ideally you should also have an alternate escape route drawn up should the primary escape route become blocked.

4. If you have a second or third story, make sure the bedrooms have escape ladders which are located near the windows and easy to use. These should become part of your escape route practice.

5. Make sure you have fire extinguishers in your home which are easy to get to in case of a fire. Do research the different types of fire extinguishers so you know which one to buy. Some extinguishers are only effective on certain types of fires.

6. Consider purchasing a fire blanket which can be used to extinguish a fire, such as a fire on the stove. Keep the blanket handy in the kitchen.

7. If a fire occurs in your home make sure you get yourself and your family out as quickly as you can, but try not to panic. If you are in your room and don’t know if it’s safe to open the door, check the temperature of the door. If it’s hot don’t open it. One way to check for heat is to check the temperature of the doorknob by spitting on it. If it sizzles and evaporates you know there’s probably fire on the other side of the door. If trapped inside be sure to cover smoke entry points with wet towels or blankets. And yell for help or call 911 immediately. If you are able to exit, be sure to Crawl low to the floor to avoid getting affected by the fumes or smoke, as smoke and heat rises.

With careful planning and attention to safety, you and your family can prevent and survive home fires. This is truly one instance where an ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure.

Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of such sites as www.safetytips411.com http://www.safetytips411.com and www.expecting-baby.net http://www.expecting-baby.net

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A reverse mortgage allows homeowners over the age of 62 to cash in on the equity of their home.The homeowner can use these funds in anyway they want.Some have used the money for extended term care or home improvements.Homeowners usually run into very little difficulty in securing these funds.The funds are practically free because with the exception of the fees, more than likely, the mortgages will not be paid back over the course of the homeowner’s life.

There are several payment options to choose when receiving funds from a reverse mortgage. In most cases you can choose one or more of them based on your needs.

* Getting your money in a lump sum: Most often the money from a reverse mortgage is paid in a lump sum. You will receive one payment which equals the value of your home.

* Getting a specific amount paid over the course of a number of years: With this option the homeowner will receive payments over a specific course of time, 10 years for example. This could be a great help in managing funds over a period of time.

* Getting a specific amount paid to the homeowner every month until they die or permanently move out of their home: Receiving monthly payments gives the homeowner a sense of security in knowing that their money will not run out before they die.

* Getting a line of credit. Funds can be provided as a line of credit and be paid back to the lender. A specific amount could be taken out to make repairs or to pay a bill as the funds are needed.

Getting the right type of terms for your needs is totally up to you.Give thought to what your needs are, how much funding is required and how soon you will need the funds. Some homeowners have gotten a lump sum and transferred it into a savings account until needed. The funds are yours and you can do whatever you want to with it with no restrictions.

Tom Atkins is a staff writer at www.finance-journal.com http://www.finance-journal.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including www.debt-journal.com http://www.debt-journal.com .

AP - A mental patient died after workers at a North Carolina hospital left him in a chair for 22 hours without feeding him or helping him use the bathroom, said federal officials who have threatened to cut off the facility’s funding.

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Imagine thousands of people buying your book all over the world in the coming year. Furthermore, they love it and write you about how it has helped them. They even email all their friends about your insightful book. Sound far fetched? Believe it; it could happen to you! Keep reading only if you want to give your message the selling chance it deserves.

To start with, every part of your book should be a compelling part of your message. Every part should be written passionately and designed to be a sales tool. Touch your readers’ emotion with passion for your topic and you’ll sell more books. In fact, when you design your book to include the passion points below, you’ll sell more books than you ever imagined.

Passion Point 1 Write Your Book’s Thesis Statement

Write your book’s central thought or main point into a one sentence thesis. This one sentence thesis proclaims the general mission of your book. If you want your readers to keep reading to the end, write tightly focused copy. Make every sentence and every chapter support your thesis statement. Better yet, if you’re writing your book fast (Write Your Best Book Now - 7 Step Program) using the question-answer method the thesis is the main solution your book offers.

Passion Point 2 Direct Your Book to Help One Targeted Audience.

I don’t want to hurt your feelings but not everyone will want your book. Even so, I am convinced there’s a community of people in your field waiting for you to solve their problem. What problems does your message solve for them? Develop an audience profile (picture) and keep it in front of you as you write. That way you can visualize a real person to solve problems for.

Additionally, knowing your market before you write will help you write focused, compelling chapters. Writing to a specific person or group of people will keep your readers reading to the end. Write too general and your readers may fall asleep and never come back to your book after they wake.

Passion Point 3 Sizzle Your Book Title and Cover.

Your title may well be 90% of the pulling power for your book. Researchers say you have 4 seconds to hook your potential buyer. An excellent title is short. The top titles are benefit driven. Don’t forget to heat them up with emotion. Use terms your audience can relate to. Use action words and verbs. Quantify change with ways and time limits. Use one or two word ideas to tell a story. Pledge change. Spark interest. Instead of How to Write an E-book the author chose the title Ten Secrets to Write Your E-book Like a Winner. She quantified change, sparked interest and branded her title.

Passion Point 4 Invest In Your Front Cover

Have you seen the sign, We Buy Ugly Houses! Based on the company’s popularity, it works for them. But it doesn’t work in the book business. Ugly book covers get overlooked. Well designed book covers sell! Hire a professional graphic designer to help you. Professionally designed covers costs from $130-1400 or more. The cover of your book helps make the important first impression with readers and even book-sellers. Remember, the attention of your potential customer is captured largely and first by the cover design.

Passion Point 5 Compose Your Book Back Cover Before You Write.

This is ranked the second most important Passion Point for your book. Think about it in choosing a book to read for yourself, how many times did the title and front cover hook your interest enough to pick it up? Then usually you turn it over to see if you really want to read it. On the back cover, you put the most compelling ad copy, benefits, testimonials, and a small blurb (bio) about yourself. If your prospective buyer likes it they will buy instantly. If they need more information to make the decision they will preview your introduction and table of contents.

No matter how good your book is, if you don’t use the above simple tips in setting it up you may never sell as many books as your message deserves. Start today. Enthusiasm and passion are contagious. Give your book the best selling chance possible. Fill it with enthusiasm and passion for your topic to sell more books than you ever dreamed.

© Earma Brown, 11 year author, business owner, web developer helps service business owners, professionals and writers who want to write their best book now! Earma mentors other writers and business professionals through her monthly ezine iScribe. Send any email to iscribe@writetowin.org iscribe@writetowin.org for free 7 lesson mini-course Jumpstart Writing Your Best Book Now! or visit her at www.writetowin.org http://www.writetowin.org for more book writing tips.

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Are you missing out on important sales because you are not paying attention to your site statistics? There’s a wealth of information here that can boost your sales.

Some years ago, I had a conversation with a friend who had developed a very successful offline business. When I asked him what accounted for his success, the very first thing he said was, I made it a practise to be in the right place at the right time. And it was never an accident.

He went on to explain that he purposely made an effort to accidentally bump into his prospects at lunch, or run into them at social functions. I often learned were they were, he said, and I learned when they were receptive. I was always amazed at how few of my competitors bothered with this .

The exact same thing holds true on the internet. Do you know where your prospects are? And do you know when they are most receptive to act on your offer?

The goal is to send your offer when it is most likely to be read and acted upon. You certainly don’t want your latest newsletter sitting unopened in someone’s inbox, collecting both dust AND more and more email competition.

You want to maximize the possibility that your prospects are at their computers (or soon will be) when you send out your offer or newsletter. But how in the world could you possibly know this?

LOOK AT YOUR TRAFFIC STATS

The truth is, you can’t know for sure. But you can put the odds further in your favor by analyzing the traffic history in your site logs.

Do you see a pattern? You will likely find that there are certain days where you consistently get more traffic than others. In other words, your particular prospects may well be more active on certain days and at certain times.

If, for example, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays are weaker in traffic, these sure wouldn’t be the best days to send out your newsletter or offers. They would likely end up competing more fiercely for attention because fewer of your prospects are online. This increases the possibility of a quick scan or even a delete when your prospects get to their fuller mailboxes later.

How about time of day? Are your leads visiting more heavily around lunch (11 am to 2 pm) and dinner (5 pm to 8 pm), for example? Is there a fairly consistent pattern? If so, you certainly don’t want to send your offer outside of these key time ranges. Again, to do otherwise would be to unnecessarily increase your mailbox competition.

LOOK AT YOUR SALES STATS TOO

Now, take a look at the days and times of your actual sales. Do you see a pattern here as well? If you do, it can be quite a valuable lesson.

When are your prospects in the buying mood? What days? And what times during the day? Clearly, you want to make contact at their most receptive times.

So, be ready when your prospects are. Be in the right place at the right time, accidentally on purpose , to increase your response rates. Study your site stats and coordinate those marketing efforts within your control (particularly when you send out your newsletter) to coincide with peak prospect receptiveness for your particular business.

Joshua Rose shares affiliate marketing and internet marketing tips at www.internetprofitwizards.com http://www.internetprofitwizards.com . An example of where he puts his tips into practice, can be seen at www.auto-broker-magic.com/carbuying.html http://www.auto-broker-magic.com/carbuying.html .

AFP - The Palestinian protestors massed at the fence expected tear gas and rubber bullets; what they got instead was a putrid yellow wind, Israel’s newest weapon against West Bank demonstrators.

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Are high credit card fees giving you sleepless nights? Think smart: balance transfers could be an intelligent short-term solution. The following article can be used as an introductory guide and a primer on the use of balance transfers that discusses the intricacies of balance transfer details. Transfer the weight off your shoulders and get a balance transfer credit card with a lower rate of interest. However, make sure to run through the terms and conditions of the new balance transfer card, to make sure you win in the long run.

If you are not really keen on getting a new card, tell your existing company that you want to transfer your balance to another card that offers a much lower rate. Your existing credit card company just might offer you a better deal. If not, then go ahead and call the competition!

So what is so great about balance transfers? Balance transfers to a card with a lower rate can significantly cut down your interest and fees. The most common rate of interest offered by companies on balance transfers is 0% for 3 to 12 months. If you are fortunate and your credit is good enough, you might qualify for a 0% interest card for 12 months on balance transfers and purchases. Be aware, however, that some cards, will link the introductory annual percentage rate (APR) to the billing cycle of the card.

There could be some additional perks available on your balance transfer card as well:

1) Your new card may charge no annual fees.
2) The grace period on payments might be longer.
3) Rewards like cash back on purchases might be available.
4) Discounts from certain retailers, identity theft protection, and even car insurance can be thrown in as well!

How Do I Get One?

You will be required to go through some basic application procedures and paperwork on a balance transfer. You could write a balance transfer on one of the convenience checks that the card issuer will provide after getting approval on the card. These function just like normal checks but there are some things to be aware of, such as expiration dates. Time can cost big money, in this case, with the old interest rates snapping at your heels. How much you can transfer will depend entirely on the credit limit of your new card.

The fees for balance transfers are similar to that of cash advances, but often times, fees will be waived for the very best card offers. If there are associated transfer fees on the card, it is advisable that you avoid transferring small balances, as the transaction fees might undercut your potential savings. Some additional fees on these cards might include:

1) Late Fees: Once the introductory period on your balance transfer ends, you will start incurring finance charges on the remaining balance. Late fees on these card offers are particularly expensive. In order to avoid these exorbitant fees, make sure that you mail payment well in advance of the due date. If you are using an ATM deposit, stay informed about the processing time of your payment. Banks either charge a flat fee, such as $10 or $15, or a percentage, such as 5%, of the minimum payment due, for example

2) Over-Credit Limit Fees: Each time you charge your card beyond the credit limit, the bank has the ability to impose a fee. It is possible that many of these aforementioned fees will gather simultaneously (in addition to interest charges) during the same billing period! Banks usually charge $10 or $15 for this fee or up to 5% of the amount on the exceeded limit amount.

3) Lost Card Replacement Fees: If you ever happen to lose your card, some banks might charge you anything between $5 and $10 for a replacement.

The most important thing to remember regarding balance transfer credit cards is to make all your payments on time and pay off the outstanding balance within the introductory time frame. Usually, there is no grace period offered up for balance transfers and unless you have snapped up an introductory 0% APR, interest will begin to accrue immediately. The calculation can get a little tricky too. Your initial repayments will first go towards clearing the balance transfer amount before making a dent in any outstanding balance created from recent purchases with the card. So if you want to avoid this mess, keep a separate card for balance transfers and another one for regular purchases.

When the Joyride Ends

You should be keenly observant of the expiration date of your promotional offer. Once it ends, you will be charged the normal rate of interest. All remaining purchase and balance transfer amounts will be subject to a much higher APR and significantly higher finance charges.

Your credit history will determine your post introductory APR on your balance transfer credit card. So if this APR is higher than the rate on your old balance transfer card, you could incur more expensive finance charges if you carry a balance from month to month. Just make sure that you transfer your balance to a new card that offers both a lower promotional rate as well as a lower ongoing APR.

Robert Alan recommends that you visit www.creditcardassist.com/balancetransfer/creditcards.html http://www.creditcardassist.com/balancetransfer/creditcards.html for more information on 0% balance transfers.

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Marketing your business is essential to its success. You can have the greatest service or the best product, but if you don’t market it and let others know about it, then it’s doubtful that you’ll be very successful. When considering your marketing, you first want to take into account who your clients are, and what your clients might be looking to you to do. To do this, you need to do the following:

1. Know Your Client’s Business: The first step is to know your clients. Do some research so you can have a clear understanding of what your clients’ business is and what they do. What does this business hope to achieve? What are its needs and how can you meet those needs? What can you do that will allow that client to perform better in business? By knowing your client and finding answers to these questions, you can become an immediate asset to their firm.

2. Offering Clients a Convenience: One of the main conveniences you can offer is that of time. Clients realize that their time is valuable. Anything that will allow your potential clients more freedom with their time is an immediate plus. But you need to be able to show them this in your marketing. Take for example a virtual assisting business, when you market to potential clients letting them know that you will do their correspondence typing, answer their e-mail, handle all their publicity needs and even keep their office running while they travel, they realize they will have the time they need to do the work that often so desperately needs done. They will have the time to draft that pleading or finalize the proposal. For the realtor, when you do their marketing they can see how they would be allowed the freedom to be out there selling.

3. Solving clients’ problems: If you can find a way to solve a client’s problems, then you are able to make your business a valuable asset to them. For example, let’s say they are having problems with their website and getting visitors to it. You can send them a letter addressing specifically how you can bring more visitors and also mention what other advantages you can offer. You become a very valuable asset when you do this. They have a problem they need fixed. You have a solution you can solve that problem. They are eager to talk to you immediately to get their site up and running and not miss out on any more missed revenue from their site being down.

4. Providing Clients with Something Better Than What They Have: In your marketing efforts, make sure to mention anything that might be of interest to your clients to run their business better. For example, you might have Voxwire capabilities. This allows you to do web conferencing. You can offer your clients the convenience of having meetings, classes online, etc. Or perhaps you are an expert at Outlook and e-mail management. You can emphasize how much time you can save them daily when you handle this for them. Also, how much more they can connect to their clients when you organize their contacts with Outlook so they can keep in better touch with them.

These are essential key points to remember in marketing to obtain clients or even to keep those existing ones. Now, it’s also important once you get those clients to keep those clients. To do this, you just provide the best possible service always.

Diana Ennen is the author of numerous books including Virtual Assistant: The Series, Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA. She specializes in publicity and book marketing and offers a complete online bookstore on her site at Virtual Word Publishing www.virtualwordpublishing.com/ http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com/ .

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Forget about the internet for a second and think about your own neighborhood. If you spent a little time researching what happened to this business or the next, that somehow, suddenly, disappeared; you would find that they may have made a deadly mistake.

It’s one of the deadliest mistakes that any business can make whether they’re offline or online.

You see, the internet is a vast expanse; you have competition, no doubt about that. However, the key to success on the internet and growing a business is knowing exactly how to appeal to your customers and potential customers.

You have to prove yourself and your business beyond that of the competition placed throughout the web.

Many people believe that marketing and advertising are the only methods of doing this. It is true that both marketing and advertising are necessary for the success of any business, whether on the internet or the old brick and mortar establishment.

However, today’s consumers want more. They have a virtually endless supply of businesses to choose from but, they need help in choosing. They want to find a business that promotes the right image or rather a company whose product line communicates the right imagery in their minds eye. Customers and potential customers need to be able to identify with a business.

They want to shop with a company that reflects their ideals, feelings, and desires.

This is the key to success on the internet, or better yet, this is the key to success in any business on or offline. You have to have a story and you have to have an image that represents that story. Your story and image needs to be congruent. Advertising and marketing should simply compound on that story and image.

In simpler words storytelling.

Storytelling has long been a driving force for successful businesses everywhere. What’s great about these stories is that they work best when they come directly from the mouths of your satisfied customers. Your customer evangelists ‘ so to speak. You see, customers have no problems in writing you to tell you how they feel, whether good or bad.

However, you need to remember if they are writing you, they are also telling other people at the same time. Statistically speaking, if a customer is happy with your business, products, and services, they will tell at least seven people. However, if a customer is unhappy, they will tell at least fourteen, which one appeals to you more? Likely you’ll want the happy customers telling seven.

Remember, the internet now allows that seven to grow exponentially.

What’s great is that happy customers are more than willing to help your business. They will write about their experiences and most often give you permission to use them on your website (testimonials). These stories from real people will give your business the boost it needs.

People love stories, especially good ones, so why not talk to your happy customers and ask them to tell you about their experiences, share them with other potential customers. Many businesses today are using these to create new ad campaigns as well, focusing on targeted customers or situations.

When seeking stories from your satisfied and happy customers, you want to get specifics, their thoughts, their feelings, and their situations. For example, maybe a specific product that you offered helped them out of a tight spot. Maybe your sales staff or support staff went the extra mile to ensure that this customer had everything they need when pressed for time.

Stories like these from real people will be the boost you need for success in your business. Potential customers love reading real life stories. What is great for your business is if these stories have helped another customer solve a problem.

When customers are shopping on the internet, they have a problem that needs solved. Rather they need a last minute gift, a gift for that hard to buy for person, or their own personal needs, they look to your business to solve that problem.

Whether you’re a direct response copywriter or marketer, stories have ability to get past the conscious minds of your potential customers and get directly into their subconscious mind.

Believe it or not, there are Fortune 500 companies right now, who are spending tens of millions of dollars in research to learn exactly how to better tap into our subconscious minds in order to communicate their marketing messages and get you to buy from them faster and with more satisfaction.

If a prospect can identify with other happy customers with the same or similar problem, your business will thrive. If you are not telling stories and/or giving your customers a story worthy experience at your place of business or on your website, you are sabotaging your business’ potential for success.

Remember this, Stories sell, people sell, and the success of your business depends on your happy customers telling others.

Rasheed Ali is a direct response copywriter who has given business advice and written powerful sales copy that has generated millions of dollars in sales for his clients. When you visit his website today you’ll learn how to tap into the minds of your prospects and quickly get them to buy using his simple-to-use mind hacks www.CopywritingRiches.com http://www.CopywritingRiches.com

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