50 Surefire Business Card Tips
Business cards are one of the most powerful and inexpensive marketing tools you can use. Here are 50 surefire tips to make the most out of your business cards:Your business card must communicate more than just your contact information. Make sure that your card includes a tag line that explains ... more...

Making it affordable: Nine tips for first time home buyers
It seems that everyone loves a good real estate story. The media is filled with reports about soaring property values and home owners of modest means becoming instant millionaires when they sell. As a result, many first time home buyers, afraid of missing out, will rush into buying decisions and ... more...

Brand Value Plan - Brand Identity Guru
Developing brand value is critical to every organization and when professionally executed, delivers a clear and measurable competitive advantage to your firm. It does so by helping you establish a positive connection and value-relationship with your customer, which, over time, will build brand ... more...

Questions and Affirmations - The Art (and Science) Of Talking To Yourself
I Hear VoicesThis is not a statement of paranormal; it is a statement of truth. Yes, we all have an inner voiceIs yours an ally or an enemy? Do you realize you say things to yourself you would never let anyone else say to you? Dont let your inner voice tear you down and strip away your ... more...

Google Takes Manhattan
Google's Internet search brand is so strong that we forget how big a player it's becoming in the world's advertising markets. Even when we read the latest forecasts about its growing success, we tend to think exclusively about Google's online brand image. That powerful brand image tends to hold ... more...

What Makes an Entrepreneur?
Rupert Steiner in his book My First Break attempted to define the secret of becoming an entrepreneur and following interviews with over one hundred entrepreneurs, Steiner concluded that there was not one defined path. He has, however, drawn out observations of an entrepreneurs personality traits. ... more...

Home Buyer Checklist
Before You BuyThe biggest question is: where do I want to live? All of us have different likes and dislikes. The needs of one person may be of little consequence to another person. If you are moving to a new community your questions may be different from somebody who is moving within the ... more...

Adoption: Laughter and Tears
If you ever walk through an orphanage, it will be an experience youll never forget. Witnessing children in poverty, children discarded, children stunted both physically and emotionally, will stir your heart beyond belief. And adopting a child is a joy as great as witnessing the first sharp intake ... more...

Life After Divorce- Surviving Financially
In the first few years after divorce, more often than not, the standard of living of both spouses drops. Why, because the same cumulative income and pool of assets now has to support two households instead of one. Unfortunately, most people don't prepare themselves financially or emotionally for ... more...

Why Trying to "Get the Appointment" Can be a Recipe for Dis-Appoinment
Why Trying to "Get the Appointment" Can be a Recipe for Dis-AppoinmentLast week, this e-mail from Jack arrived in my inbox:To: Ari Galper From: Jack Subj.: Help! I need to get more appointments Dear Ari,I've just coined a new disease for the medical books, and I'm hoping you can help me cure it ... more...

Positioning and Branding - Brand Identity Guru
Where is your brand positioned in the marketplace? How is it perceived, both positively and negatively? Can you identify your brand's core strengths and equities? What are the barriers or threats standing in the way? A brand strategy company will provide you with an objective assessment of your ... more...

Value Proposition Writing - Brand Identity Guru
Your Value Proposition, or as I usually call it, your Core Marketing Message, is still misunderstood by most professionals. It's not just a tagline, sound bite or even an "Audio Logo." It goes way beyond that.It really is the expression of the essence of your business. It's the foundation of all ... more...

Eight Steps To A Great Marketing Plan
Step 1: Where Am I Now? Before you decide where you want your marketing plan to take you,you need to find out where you are now. How have you positioned your business in the market? How do your customers see you? You may want to ask some of them for feedback. Write four or five paragraphs that ... more...

Business or Hobby...What Would the IRS Call YOUR Business?
One thing we know for sure direct sellers start their businesses for a wide variety of reasons. Some want to build a dynasty, some want the tax benefits, some do it to buy and share a product they believe in, while others are simply looking for a way to have fun and make a little money on the side ... more...