Saturday, March 27, 2010

Personal Payday Loan Cautionary Steps

Making application for a personal loan is a big financial step to take. Most often you take this route due to a pressing need for cash -- so strong emotions are more likely to be attached so taking precautionary steps must be part of this decision making choice.

Initial Steps To Take
First and foremost, you need to make sure that you have all the information available to make a sound selection that will not come back later to haunt you -- placing you in an even worse predicament.

Prior to making any applications, read whatever version of the Money news you find interesting that keeps you abreast of the current developments and trends in financial markets so that you can take this into account. Such news often provide new laws,regulations and maximum interest rates that can be charged. Recently, state laws could have been passed that impact how these loans can or can not be made.

There is somewhat of a connection between the money news that you read and the kind of pay day loans that you get. It's important to remember that the more informed you are the more research you'll do when you set out to get an online payday loan.

By no means am I promoting payday loans -- the opposition out there is substantial. The strong dissenting opinion about these loans revolve around the high interest rate and consumer dependence on them for living expenses rather than meeting an occasional emergency occurrence.

However, the truth of the matter is, there are many consumers who have found this type of loan acceptable for their needs and financial situation, especially individuals with low to moderate incomes who tend to fall in minority groups.

So instead of being critical of the action of pursuing payday loans, I decided to provide some informative actions consumers can take in advance that will assist them when choosing this option.

Why am I writing about this topic on my online marketing blog? Well simply, many of these companies are on the Internet now and promote heavily using Google adwords to find new customers. Therefore, it's of the up-most importance that you pay close attention to certain areas on the websites, specific wording and conduct your due diligence about their company services.

About Us Section

One of the first places you want to read on the website contains some of the best information when you're in the process of making a decision -- the 'about us' link. When you arrive at the About Us section, it is most often a brief summary of the payday company's history that can be very beneficial.

Reading that section is a lot like reading the money news to get the correct information about any financial moves you are about to make. You'll also want to take a look at the 'How it Works' section of the website.

This is the segment that should provide specific details for obtaining a payday loan from the company. There are some things that you want to look for here and they include the online application process that usually only take a few minutes to complete (more on that later).

Generally, applicants for these loans are most concerned with speed of receiving funds and an easy process. Therefore, they want to do business with a company that can approve them either instantly or within five to 10 minutes. Rarely do these companies complete credit checks. Yet, in all cases I am aware of, you will need to provide your social security number.

Here, you want to take precaution before entering your social security number because it's very difficult sometimes to distinguish an actual payday loan company from a referral source who takes and submits your information to many personal loan companies.

When opting for the online application, make sure you are sending your information directly to an actual personal loan company and NOT a "third party". In most cases you will only be required to submit income documentation to qualify for the loan.

You will want to read the 'Contact Us' section, write down the phone number for the company, then call and speak with a 'live' person to get ALL of your questions answered BEFORE you submit ANY online application. Make sure you get the person's name you are speaking with, their extension and ask if you can call back to make the application by phone later... because this is absolutely step you want to take if it is your FIRST TIME doing business with the company.

If the response is that you must make this first application online, I would keep looking for others where this is not a requirement. Reputable companies understand this reluctance and will input your information for you over the phone and give you the same decision, in the same amount of time that you would if applying online.

FINAL STEPS BEFORE APPLICATION
After you have done your website research and contacted the company, there a a few more steps you want to take before making the actual phone application (you notice I said phone, not online).

1. Do a Google Search of company name
2. Do a Google search of officer names you found in 'About Us' or 'Contact Us'
3. Do a Google search of payday loan company scams
4. Go to Better Business Bureau and check out company for complaints and problems
5. Check Company with FTC (Federal Trade Commission) of pending and prior actions.

If all is well, then call back and make your phone application. After you have completed your first loan and repayment of that loan; only then, should you consider making an online application.

Armed with this kind of information, you'll be able to make the right decision about whatever kind of personal loan you choose.

Christine Range

Friday, March 26, 2010

100 Great Niche Home Businesses - Part 6

Today, we've reached the conclusion of 100 great niche home businesses for those looking offline part-time income ideas to earn more money. HURRAY!

Now you can finally narrow down what business you would like to pursue, if you haven't done so already.

Be sure to also use these as guides to helping you brainstorm and identify other pursuits specific to you personally that are not listed here.

So -- Without further ado...

86. PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. Build, install and maintain playground equipment: forts, slides, climbing/monkey bars,sandboxes, swings, teeters, circle rides. Use commercial patterns or design your own. Check on liability insurance requirements.

87. PET PHOTOGRAPHY. Specialize in pet portraits: in their home, your studio or in their own "natural" setting. Offer a package price for so many of each size. Go to dog shows and take pictures of willing subjects (the losers too!).

88. PICNIC TABLES. Build standard, custom and deluxe model picnic tables Offer a variety of sizes, styles, finishes and colors. Expand to folding model and sets with umbrellas. Offer matching chairs, end tables and child sized pieces.

89. PICTURE FRAMING. Make unique picture frames for stores, artists and clients from moldings, scraps, unusual fabrics. Set up jigs for the standard sizes. Between orders make standard sized frames that can be finished in a variety of ways.

90. PIES AND COOKIES. Take orders for or contract for your specialty baked goods. Deliver to wholesale customers in containers that appear to be full and have your name and logo imprinted on the cartons. Give retail customers pick-up time.

91. PILLOWS. Make and decorate designer, fancy, or "down home" pillows. Sell to boutiques, fairs, through party plans, sales catalogs and advertisements. Offer a variety of sizes, shapes and covers. Do custom work for client's decor.

92. PLANT SCULPTURE. A profitable specialty: braid trunks, shape into interesting forms. Trim, bend, graft, to create valuable sculptures that bring premium prices. Use pictures in your ads; sell each plant as an individual creation.

93. PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY. Take flattering, descriptive pictures of merchandise, clothing and satisfied customers for advertisements, catalogs and brochures. Send sample brochures to prospective manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

94. PROMOTIONS-OFFLINE. Organize community and commercial promotions: order bumper stickers, posters; arrange for news releases, interviews, photo sessions. Plan agenda, schedule workers,coordinate events for a fee or percentage of profits.

95. PROOFREADING. Review manuscripts and printed copy and advertisements for accuracy and grammar. Get considerably more to review for content quality and technical accuracy. Work with editors, writers, publishers and educators.

96. PROPERTY PORTFOLIOS. Prepare photograph and property description folders. Make up portfolios for private parties (to make sure their property is shown in the best possible light), and for real estate companies to use in sales presentations.

97. RE-UPHOLSTERY SERVICE. Recover overstuffed chairs and sofas for clients in your shop (sell fabrics). Buy good furniture that needs recovering cheap at auctions to re-upholster and resell at a nice profit. Take trade-ins to re-do.

98. SCHOOL DESK SALES. Buy old school desks at sales and closed rural schools. Refurbish and decorate into nostalgic furniture, plant stands and children furniture. Sell restored items individually, wholesale to stores or finish to order.

99. YARD CLEAN-UP. Contract with homeowners, real estate and rental agents to clean up yards after winter, evictions, storms. Mow, remove debris, water, replant, fertilize. Use periodic ads in the paper, especially after winter or stormy weather.

100. WRITE FOR CHILDREN. Write poems, Sunday school stories, puzzle explanations, riddles, etc. for children. Sell to local papers, children book publishers or in your own booklets. Check Writer's Guide in Library for more information!


Are you the humorous type? Or, your friends and family say you have a sarcastic or "dry sense" of humor? Then, this Bonus business may be just for you.

BONUS. GAG WRITING. Specialize in one liners and short funny situations. Sketch your ideas, list each on a separate card and file by subject matter. Offer and submit your collection to cartoonists or comics. Your humor may be the exact fresh twist they're seeking. Get addresses from Writer's Guide in the library.


I truly hope this series of information has been beneficial in inspiring you to examine your talents, hobbies and interests; now, just set them into motion.

Don't Procrastinate --

Set some time aside each day to work on your business. Don't be too amazed when the butterfly effect kicks in and you see your business flourishing right before your eyes...

Home Business Resource: Here you will find hipster business primer for entrepreneurial crafters to turn what they do for fun into what they do for money. Offers a step-by-step guide to everything from developing products and naming the company to writing a business plan, applying for licenses, and paying taxes.

This Home Business Resource paves the way for today's creative minds to become tomorrow's trendsetters.

==> Get Your Craft Home Business Start-up Resource Here <==

All the best to your new business adventure!

Christine Range

FINAL WORD: Please forward and share this series of starting offline home business posts to others. While many of the ideas entail crafts, quite a few just require energy, motivation and getting a kick in the rear end to get going.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

100 Great Niche Home Businesses - Part 5

Here is Part 5 listing of great niche home businesses for those looking for offline part-time income ideas to earn more money. Be sure to click the links where in this particular series, I have provided instructional resources to help you get started faster.

56. HOUSE CLEANING. Offer one-time or periodic house cleaning services. Perform the heavy tasks (shampoo rugs, clean stoves, wash windows, wax the floors, defrost refrigerators). Have a check-list of jobs to be done and agree on price beforehand.

57. HOUSE PAINTING. Contract to paint houses and apartments or rooms by the job. Have assistance (high school kids?) on hand when needed. Increase your profit by supplying quality (only)paint and supplies and bidding on the entire job.

58. INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS. Make recordings of yourself or others teaching and demonstrating certain specialties. Start with simple operations (making a will); graduate to more complex instructions as you learn them.

59. INVENTION PROMOTION. Purchase three to six month option rights on interesting inventions for relatively low fee. Run test promotions and buy only the successful ones - those you can sell for a nice profit or successfully market yourself.

60. INVENTORIES. Specialize in taking inventories for area merchants (at their convenience - usually after hours). Work alone or have a qualified team on call. Check with an insurance company to obtain bonding for yourself and assistants.

61. JACK REPAIR. Repair hydraulic jacks (take a course if necessary) in your garage shop for individuals, garages, mechanics, retail stores. Buy, sell, take in trades and rebuild all kinds. Offer special prices to mechanics.

62. JEWELRY BOXES. Make fine jewelry boxes to sell to and through gift stores, catalog sales and individuals. Line with velvet, offer lacquered, inlaid, shell or seed covered versions. Have varied finished and storage arrangements.

63. WINDOWS AND SCREENS. Repair windows: replace glass, repair frames, renew or rebuild screens. List with hardware stores and keep an ad in the paper. Fix one broken pane or bid to renew windows and/or replace all screens on the house.

64. KITES. Build, sell and demonstrate all kinds of kites and accessories. Start a program to sell advertising space to sponsoring merchants during "meets" that you help stage (e.g.open, between schools, towns). Give away kites as prizes.

65 LAPIDARY (GEM MAKING). Operate a rock shop in your garage. Cut, polish facet, shape and mount gems in commercial and amateur findings. Sell mounted, unmounted gems and jewelry. Group together imperfections and left-overs to sell separately.

66. LAWN MAINTENANCE. Contract to mow lawns by the job or season. Charge extra to edge, rake, collect and remove clippings. Refer related jobs to cooperating businesses for a finder's fee or commission. Expand your service as you grow.

67. LIBRARY RESEARCH. Use your talent, the public library, and your computer to provide research data, technical details and background information for clients who need their "homework" done. Charge by the hour, page or a flat fee for your time and effort.

68. LIGHTING SPECIALIST. Design, sell, service and install lighting systems for external residence and business buildings. Use inexpensive 12 volt systems among shrubs for security and beauty; colored spotlights for unusual effects.

69. LINE DANCE LESSONS. Offer line dance lessons to local local residents. Offer classes at YMCA or community centers. Place fliers and advertise at taverns or sports bars with costs for each lesson. Offer lessons as a group.

70. LITTLE LEAGUE CARDS. Take pictures of younger small league baseball (football, soccer etc.)players and print them on baseball-like cards, complete with their names, position and other "official" information. Offer in sets with extra copies for proud parents and relatives to purchase.

71. MOSAIC TILE. Buy patterns or create custom designed pieces and install in an exclusive design for each customer. Offer exquisite kitchen and bathroom designs, as well as spa and even swimming pool arrangements. Charge for tile too.

72. MARBLE CASTING. With "synthetic marble", cast, finish and market figurines, ashtrays, office (pen bases) and commercial (trophies) items for wholesale accounts (stationery stores, etc.). Make one or two special items for local retail.

73. NECKTIES. Make exclusive, hand made ties from exotic materials from all over the world. Offer a selection of designs,attach your exclusive label and advertise in men magazines. Try local stores first then try larger markets.

74. NEEDLECRAFT. Make your own style of homemade items (pot holders, bonnets, towel rings) to sell on consignment, to catalog companies, or at a booth at fairs or flea markets. Present them in tasteful fashion with your label attached.

75. MINIATURE GARDENS. Create various sizes of garden-like display containers of live plants for hospital sick rooms, boxes for balconies, rooftop planters, offices and residences. Include instructions for care to make your products last.

Well that concludes today's niche home businesses with added resources to learn more about the trade you may want to pursue. Not sure where the resources are? If the words are underlined, there's a resource for you to check out...

Tomorrow we'll conclude this series with our final 20 businesses where you can apply your talent, interests and experience to make extra money from home.

Christine Range

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

100 Great Niche Home Businesses - Part 4

For those who have been following along, you know the last several days I have been providing some services you can consider for generating part-time or a second income.

Here are today's listing of 20 more great niche home businesses for those looking for offline part-time income ideas.


36. ELECTROPLATING. Offer a chrome (and other) metal plating services in your shop. Advertise in the local newspaper and list your business in auto, RV parts stores, auto restorers and body shops categories. In between jobs plate items to sell (ornaments, trophies etc.).

37. FENCE INSTALLATION. Install fences for private homeowners. List service with hardware stores and keep a small ad in the local newspaper. Expand to furnishing the materials for a single bid. Offer a variety of both functional and ornamental fences.

38. FISHING LURES. Use a fly-tying rig to tie flies and sell by the dozen to individuals, bait shops, sports and department stores. Design, manufacture and decorate fishing lures especially for type of waters (i.e river, lakes, oceans) in your area. Then advertise and expand.

39. HOME HANDYMAN. Perform handyman services for those who can't or don't have the time. Advertise clearly what you do, keep your appointments and guarantee your work (to the extent of your hourly wages). Save customers expensive service calls.

40. FURNITURE RESALE. Select and buy promising pieces of furniture cheap at garage sales, stores (trade-ins) and furniture auctions. Clean up furniture, do minor repairs and sell from your home. Concentrate on items that seem to do well in your area.

41. HOTHOUSE CONSTRUCTION. Build and sell small hothouses, some with temperature controlled venting. Offer electric heating systems for use in the cooler climates and be prepared to give advice on their use. Consider selling seedlings.

42. DOG HOUSES. Build standard (bargain priced) and custom (higher priced) dog houses in different sizes, shapes and colors. Include insulation, treated wood on bottom, insect repellent pillows or storage areas under the roof as options. Advertise this business online as well as offline. Conduct online search where dog lovers are and make your product known at some of the sites.

43. KITCHEN CABINET REFINISHING. Refinish in-home kitchen cabinets. Remove old finish; sand, fill dents with colored putty, stain (or paint), replace worn hardware, apply new finish and install new external door knobs and drawer pulls.

44. WORD PROCESSING. Produce interim drafts and finished professional letters, manuscripts and documents for students, lawyers, writers and businesses. Make provisions for client editing and subsequent re-writing as a part of your service.

45. TREE SURGERY. With a little training and experience, anyone can trim, treat, fill and seal tree "wounds". Start with small jobs and gradually increase as you build confidence and buy more equipment. Take large contracts only when confident.

46. ROOF COATING - METAL. Renew rusty and/or leaky metal roofs with paint, rust killer, galvanizing, aluminized tar or insulating (foam) toppings. Use mobile home coating (aluminum or white) for a durable finish. Charge by the square. Tip: Older mobile homes and trailers are an ideal market for this service.

47. RENTAL PREPARATION. Prepare apartments for occupancy: paint, do minor repairs, cover scratches, remove stains, replace bulbs, replace light switch covers, shampoo carpet, mow lawn, fix faucets and drains. Work with individual owners, rental agencies and real estate companies.

48. SURPLUS SALES. Buy bargain priced items at auctions and sales. Store neatly in a secure area; advertise to find buyers who need (and will pay for) them. Open your warehouse one or two days a week or sell large items by appointment.

49. ROCKING CHAIRS. Make beautiful, durable rocking chairs or refurbish old ones. Offer a variety of woods, finishes, sizes and styles to fit every customer. Charge extra for carving, special styles or made-to-measure models. Offer specials on Mr. & Mrs. sets.

50. GAZEBOS. Build or construct gazebos. Display a standard model at a good price that you can deliver or customer can assemble. Then offer larger sizes and various extras, such as shape, screens, shingle roofs, benches. Use only good quality materials.

5l. GLASS ETCHING. Custom etch (with acid, engraving bit and/or sandblaster) glassware for individuals to-order and for wholesaling to retail stores. Offer monograms, town or company logo, family crests, art designs and local themes.

52. GOURD CULTURE. Grow and process a variety of interesting gourds. Make them into decorations, utensils, painted figures, birdhouses. Retail gourds and do-it-yourself finishing kits. Retail seed packets with instructions for prize gourds.

53. GOVERNMENT AUCTIONS. Go to major state and federal auctions and bid on items for subsequent resale. List with auction authorities to receive notices of pending auctions. Learn and follow the rules to find the best bargains.

54. GRAPHO-ANALYSIS. After learning the art and getting a diploma, offer your services as a handwriting analyst to individuals, law enforcement agencies and attorneys. Start with local readings; work fairs for experience.

55. HANGING PLANTS. Specialize in hanging plants (flowers, ferns, vines) of all sizes and descriptions. Display for sale when in peak condition in attractive pots, with interesting holders and hangers. Advertise that you accept trade-ins.

That completes our listing for today.

WOW... These are quite a gem listing of offline niche home businesses that you can start immediately.

However, if you did not see anything that suits your fancy yet, I will be providing you with 20 more tomorrow.

Christine Range

Todays' Resource:

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

100 Great Niche Home Businesses – Part 3

If you need more income and another job is not the answer, this listing was designed for you!

Here’s Part 3: 100 Great Niche Home Businesses series:

16. BRONZING. Bronze (or pearlize) baby shoes etc. Make mementoes, awards and trophies. Design plaques and unique bases with emphasis on local needs such as Chamber of Commerce of company awards. Arrange engraved plates on plaques.

17. BRUSH CLEARING. With your truck, tractor and shredder, contract to clear brush and small trees from lots and acreage. Haul off excess debris or use a compost machinery to recycle and sell organic refuse. Offer to drag or level the cleared area.

18. BUSINESS EQUIPMENT. Buy surplus equipment from bankruptcy sales and auctions. Store and clean-up, but do not repair (let buyer do that). Advertise bargain prices for qualified buyers and sell at double or triple your investment.

19. CEMENT BLOCKS. Mold small orders of standard or custom blocks (building, stepping stones, curbs) in all shapes and colors. Make molds when necessary of plywood and tin. Take orders, sell from your "yard" and through nurseries.

20. TRUCK LETTERING. Use pre-cut, self-stick vinyl letters to produce long lasting, professional truck signs (no art talent required). Use chalk snap lines to mark lines and center, peel and press in place. Stock and offer a variety of letters.

21. CEMENT MARKERS. Make "engraved" cement or liquid marble markers and signs. Mold "backwards" letters into various colors and textures of plastic-like cement for carved in effect. Polish molded marker into a professional looking stone.

22. CHAIR CANING. Use cane, plastic or other interesting materials to weave seats and backs onto casual and picturesque chairs for clients. Buy old chairs with promise at bargain prices to re-glue, refinish, re-cane and sell at a profit.

23. CHINA AND GLASS DEALER. Collect and deal in antique and interesting china and glass items. Buy at auctions, antique stores, private and public sales and through your advertisements. Deduct travel expenses for buying trips and visits.

24. CITY LOT CLEAN-UP. Work with the city to learn of lots that must be cleaned up. Contract to do the required work on lots they designate (city adds bill to owner's taxes). Contact absentee (or local) owners to avoid future city actions.

25. CLIENT LISTINGS. On your computer, input and maintain customer (or business) information for small business types: customer info, purchases, credit records, employee information, etc. Provide periodic and custom sorts (including mailing lists) to clients.

26. COLLECTION AGENT. Represent one or more commercial agencies (don't tell one about another, though). Solicit delinquent accounts for collection from local businesses for a percentage of monies the agencies collect.

27. COIN SEARCHING. Buy rolls of coins from banks (whatever denomination you can afford). Search through them for coins worth over face value. Keep all of these and replace with "regular' coins and trade back in. Best in small towns!

28. COLLECTABLES. Accumulate collectables (glass, matchbook, baseball cards, and comic books). Make up (from common specimens) starter collections to sell to beginners. Sell valuable pieces individually to collectors (some you got started).

29. CONCESSION BOOTH. Operate a booth or stand at a recreation area, flea market, shopping mall or parking lot. Sell your own products and/or consignment items. Carry some attractively priced items just to attract more customers.

30. CURB PAINTING. With a stencil and fast-dry black spray paint house numbers on all curbs in a city block then go back and request a $2-$5 "donation" from occupants. Pass out circulars the day before announcing your service.

31. CUSTOM CLOTHING DESIGNS. Paint, block print or transfer unique or custom designs onto items of clothing: smocks, T-Shirts, jackets and fabrics to be made into clothing. Use designs, illustrations, cartoons, things of interest locally!

32. DESERT GLASS. Collect and sell sun-baked, weather-beaten glass in interesting colors. Make your own unique version by baking and/or sandblasting suitable objects with inexpensive equipment. Advertise your materials in hobby magazines.

33. DISTRESS SALES. Buy household items cheap at auctions and closeout sales. Clean them up and sell as your own right out of your living room because you need the money (e.g. to pay a fine), and never because you have new or better things!

34. DOLL HOUSE FURNITURE. Make exquisite, scale furniture for doll houses. Or, buy inexpensive imported items and upgrade them. Normally, a little re-enforcing, sanding and a coat of stain or polyurethane make all the difference in the world!

35. DRIFTWOOD ART. With sandblaster, power or hand held wire brush form and finish interesting pieces of driftwood (and other woods) into decorations, lamps, candle holders and plant mounts. Use deductible vacations to collect more driftwood.

If you still haven’t seen your great niche business yet, stay tuned in - there is 65 more chances for you to find a match…

My next post will be tomorrow where 20 more niches will be revealed.

Subscribe so you don’t miss any that might provide that part-time income for you.

You can also do a Google search at the top of my blog to locate any previous posts I've made – just enter a keyword.

==> Pick Up Your Free Gift Below <==

Product Creation Kit: Get Your Free Gift - Just Click Here!

Until Next Time,

Christine Range

Monday, March 22, 2010

100 Great Niche Home Businesses – Part 2

If you need more income and another job is not the answer, this listing was designed for you!

As promised - Here’s Part 2 of 100 Great Niche Home Businesses and it’s before 9:00 p.m. EST.

If you missed Part 1 - the end of this post gives you the link where you can read it.

Next 10 of 100 Niche Home Businesses:

06. AUTO PAWN SHOP. Hold cars as collateral for short-term loans. Hold the title (if clear) or, "buy" the car with a 30 day or so buy-back price agreement or limited power of attorney. Check laws and obtain legal advice before proceeding!

07. AWNINGS, WINDOW. Design and install permanent and fold-up fabric and or metal awnings for storefronts, patios, house windows, trailers and mobile homes. Offer a selection of materials, colors and prices. Advertise prices and benefits.

08. BABY DOLLS. Create dolls with fine wigs from client baby's own baby hair as keepsake dolls. Try to get cloth from baby's actual clothes to make similar looking outfits for the doll (work from a picture if possible). Put in glass case.

09. BARBEQUE. Use a portable (trailer?) meat smoker to take to fairs, parades and festivals. Have a supply of prepared sandwiches ready, but always have a fire AND AROMA (throw in a little suet or sauce) going to attract more business.

10. BELT BUCKLES. Stock a selection of belt buckles for truckers, workers, etc. Have special designs and insignias made for local groups. Arrange to offer good prices on leather belts as well (import some to sell at attractive prices).

11. BENCH RENTALS. Build bus-stop style benches and with city permission, place them free of cost to the city at various bus-stops. Pay a sign painter to apply advertisements for clients who pay you by the month for the ads and space.

12. BIRD TRAINING VIDEOS/CDs. Make endless videos or CDs showing how to
teach birds to talk, whistle or sing. Sell or rent the necessary equipment to mount in or near cages. Charge extra to record the bird owner's own voice giving the instructions on tape.

13. BIRDHOUSE BUILDING. Build and decorate fine, scientifically designed birdhouses and feeders for birds native to your area as well as those that migrate to or through your area. Use features you already have on your computer to make little information folders for each model.

14. BIRTHDAY LISTS. Compile birthday (anniversary, etc.) of people in your area to rent as mailing lists to local merchants. Or, contract to mail out cards each year on behalf of the merchants. Have a set minimum, as $25 for 50 mailings.

15.BREAD SPECIALTIES. Bake unusual or otherwise unavailable varieties of home made breads: oat bran, low calorie, ethnic, salt free. Keep a small ad in paper, take orders for loaves fresh from your kitchen and/or deliver fresh to stores.

Aren't these just some wonderful original ideas?

If you still have not found a niche home business so far, tune in tomorrow - where I will load in 20 more....

Click Here To Read 100 Great Niche Home Businesses – Part 1

Free Gift:
To Get FREE Product Creation Kit - Click Here

Until tomorrow,

Christine Range

SIDENOTE:
You know how busy our schedule can get - so be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any of the Great Niche Home Business series.

100 Great Niche Home Businesses – Part 1

If you need more income and another job is not the answer, this listing was designed for you!

We've prepared a selection of up-to-date niche businesses that can be operated in or from your home on a part-time basis. Most of these businesses require no special training and relatively little investment.

The most critical requirements are:
~ your willingness to work and
~ your dedication to your business

Look through these subject listings that sound interesting. Consider each as suggestions rather than specific. For example, if you know nothing about African Violet, niche business listing 1, but you are good with roses, by all means substitute roses for African Violets.

And, don't overlook the possibility of blending these (or other) suggestions to form the ideal business combination. When you have decided on your business, check state and local requirements for licenses, permits and make arrangements for start-up supplies.

You will probably need business cards, a ledger and a rubber stamp with your company name and address. Although your beginning supplies should be adequate, they need not be fancy or expensive. Don't stock up too much as you will probably need to make adjustments as you learn the needs of your market.

Business Card Resource:
Business Card Guru - Click Here can help you with design and promotional tactics to increase your profits. It takes about 10 minutes to read through the material.

It is always a good idea to:

~ Write out your business plan - an outline of what you intend to do and how you plan to go about it.

~ List what you will buy from whom, how much it costs, where it will be stored, how you will advertise, what price you will charge, your gross and estimated net profits and when you will re-order.

Easy Business Plan Writing Kit
The Easy Business Plan Writing Kit will guide you in planning a profitable offline or online business step-by-step.

Include everything you can think of that your business will involve. The action will "force" you to organize your business (in your mind as well as on paper) and greatly increase your chances for profit and success.

In this (or any other) business, give careful thought to your capabilities and your potential market. Select something that you already know (or like and are willing to learn) and will stick to - that people in your area will pay for. Your product or service should be priced competitively, but at the level to yield a fair profit. This motivates customers to buy and you to work even harder!

Without further ado... Below are the first 5 of 100 great niche home businesses.

01. AFRICAN VIOLETS. Specialize in the propagation and care of this popular indoor plant. Nurture, hybridize and sell when in full bloom. Carry accessories, such as pots, shelves and lighting. Keep a small but permanent ad in your local newspaper.

02. ALTERATIONS. Replace buttons, let out cuffs, shorten sleeves, turn collars, repair tears for clothing stores,laundries and cleaner who don't already offer this service. You can work for them or leave a price poster in their store.

03. ARROWHEADS. Collect, buy, sell and MAKE (with deer horn and clove) Indian arrowheads for hobbyists, displays and demonstrations. Sell instruction and/or information booklets and do-it-yourself kits. Offer various types of flint.

04. AUTO PARTS REBUILDING. Work with garages and mechanics. Specialize in rebuilding one part (carburetors, master cylinders, electronic ignitions) for one or several makes. Install kits, ream and/or re-fit and guarantee all of your work.

05. AUTO TOUCH-UP. Repair minor dents, cover rock chips, remove rust, polish, clean tires. Renew rubber and plastic, deodorize to help bring the best price or trade-in. Advertise under Auto/Trucks For Sale, with a price (e.g. "From $25.00")

Stay tuned in for the next 5 Great Home Businesses - which I will post before 9:00 p.m. EST

Hint...Hint... You might just want to subscribe to my blog so you don't miss any. Who knows, the next niche business may be a perfect match for you, your talents and interests.

FREE Gift: Click Below to pick up your free gift

Your FREE Gift - Product Creation Kit

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Clickbank's New HOT Affiliate Marketplace Competitor|RAP

Is it possible that Rapid Action Profits 'RAP'will soon become Clickbank's TOP competitor?

SecureDL WordPress Plugin
You've heard of marketplaces like ClickBank, and others, selling products, offering affiliates to promote individual products that they offer - to allow affiliates to earn unthinkably incomes every single month!

Besides the money... why else do affiliates and vendors use these marketplaces?

Simplicity and ease of use!

Everything they'll need is in one place. Affiliates know they can find *something* and vendors know that listing their product at $50 should help them to recruit people to help them sell it.

Problem is, especially for the new affiliate marketer, you not only have to wait at least two weeks between paychecks, Clickbank also has additional requirements such as -- having 5 different buyers with credit cards and the like. As a result, if affiliates don't make more sales fast enough, they may watch their account slowly be penalized back down to $0. It's frustrating!

The buzz circulating around I'm hearing is Move Over Clickbank, there's a new kid in town!

Why? Well, with Rapbank...there's finally a much easier way.

Today I had the opportunity to poke around and get a good look at Rapbank -- and it sure has some features and benefits that will be readily welcomed by both affiliates and vendors.

You've probably heard about instant commission products, right?

They solve all these problems by sending payments directly to your PayPal account. Instead of getting a cut of total sales after who knows how long, you get full sales every so many (ie., a 50% commission payout every other sale).

But, until now, there's been no single marketplace for this kind of affiliate product. Some have tried, but it took too much effort for the vendors... often with large inventories to manage -- to get their products into the system.

You probably noticed I wrote "until now" above, right?

That's because there's finally a solution that will make everyone happy.

* The vendors can automatically upload all their products in one fell swoop.

* Affiliates only need a single affiliate id in order to sign up for all the products in one spot.

Top 6 Reasons Rapbank Could Become Clickbank's Toughest Competitor

1. Instant commissions via PayPal - there's no waiting 2-4 weeks for payout from Clickbank (EVERYONE loves instant commissions).

2. Rapbank's exclusive reporting shows which products are getting a lot of traffic over past 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 1 month and more.

3. Rapbank provides the ability to promote an actual page or category on the marketplace - and affiliates have the potential to get paid even if a different product is chosen (powerful feature).

4. Affiliates have the capability of promoting a single product directly - sending them straight to the vendor's site

5. Rapbank's instant integration, upload and product reports features for those who actually have RapidActionProfits as their sales and affiliate marketing system.

6. Rapbank offers a global affiliate center, where stats can be viewed in one location. Unlike Clickbank, searching through affiliate programs to find a good "instant commission product" is much easier and less time consuming.

Sooo -- What do you think ... Could Rapbank jump ahead of Clickbank?

Check it out, comeback and weigh in with your thoughts on this...

It's FREE to join and worth your time to learn more about this HOT new affiliate marketplace.

Oh, I do want to mention there is an upgrade option (isn't there always) ... but the extra features that come with the upgrades are well beyond the basic membership. While it's in Beta Launch until April 1, 2010 - the site is offering an over 50% off on upgrades!

Visit Rapbank New Affiliate Marketplace Here!

Christine Range


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New Top 10 Free Website Traffic Generation Methods | Willie Crawford

Today, I want to share with you an article written by Willie Crawford. Willie is sharing his grand expertise and 'New Top 10 Free Website Traffic Methods' in Part I of his training series -- to TEACH online marketers how to generate more website traffic. Subscription to remaining training series can be found at the end of his article.

--------------------------

My New Top 10 Free Website Traffic Generation Methods - Part 1
Copyright 2010 by Willie Crawford


In 2008, I wrote an ebook that revealed my most effective
methods of generating free website traffic. As online
conditions and technologies change, I feel it's now time
to update that ebook.

However, instead of revealing my new top 10 free website
traffic generation methods in ebook format, I'm going to do
it in a 10-part article series.

While I do list these methods in order of my preference,
it's not necessarily by which ones produce the most traffic.
Instead, I list them also considering which produce the
highest quality traffic, and therefore adds the most to my
bottom-line.

Let's get started...

My number one favorite method of generating free website
traffic is via an affiliate program. I like releasing
simple, inexpensive products that pay as much as 100%
commission on the front-end. Properly done, this can create
thousands of affiliates all working frantically to send you
highly-qualified BUYING traffic.

They find and send you traffic that you wouldn’t otherwise
have, and you reward them for doing so.

If you'd like to see a live example of how I do this, visit:
http://sellmorebigticket.com The product there is a
$17 audio/ebook combination where I pay affiliates 100%
commission. That ebook is called "The Secrets To Selling
More Big Ticket Products" and is an MP3 and PDF transcript
where I share exactly how I do that :-)

There are a number of keys to making this most effective,
and I see many people who attempt this tactic missing
some of the most important elements. Those keys are:

1) You want to make managing the whole system as easy
as possible. If your system is too burdensome, you won't
use it for very long. I use the Rapid Action Profits
system, developed by my friend Sid Hale, to manage this
affiliate program. I use it because once I set up a site,
RAP makes management practically hands-free. The script
can be configured to pay any percentage commission that you
desire on a front-end and/or back-end product.

The beauty of the system is that when a sale is made,
the affiliate is paid instantly directly to their Paypal
account, and the customer is redirected to a download
page. At that point, my affiliate has sent me that
prized traffic, but as importantly, is also building me
a mailing list.

2) You need to also have a good back-end product in-place.
I typically have a second product that I offer
immediately after that first sale. You can offer
affiliates any percentage commission on this sale,
and I often don't offer any since I've given them all
of the money from the front-end sale.

The key though, is that if you do offer a back-end
product (or one-time-offer) you will often get a major
percentage of customer take it. So, if you don't have
that offer in place, you're leaving behind much of
your profits.

3) You need to have follow-up in place. It does little
good to build that list if you don't later follow-up
with them. Another reason that I like using Rapid
Action Profits is that it builds a database right within
the software.

Since some web hosting companies limit the number of
emails that you can send from their servers (at one time),
RAP also offers the capability for automatically
building your list on a third-party system (such as
Aweber.com or ProfitAutomation.com).

I have at least 30 sites built using RAP. Those are all
traffic generation systems. Can you tell that I like
RAP? You should check out RAP at http://timic.org/RAP

4) Here's where a lot of people using this traffic
generation method cut corners, and fail...

You need to give affiliates lots of great tools so that
it's really, REALLY easy for them to register as
affiliates and then promote like crazy.

Many of your affiliates won't feel comfortable creating
tools on their own. So, if you don't give them the
tools, they'll end up doing nothing. Tools should
include:
- Banners in a variety of sizes
- Solo emails
- Blog posts
- Tweets
- Classified ads (suitable for Google AdWords)

The tools should have the affiliates’ links automatically
inserted in the proper places - something RAP handles
beautifully. If you force your affiliates to have to
track down links, and then manually edit the tools you
offer, many won’t bother.

5) Here's how you make your traffic generator go viral...

Invite your customers to become affiliates after they
purchase. I've seen many merchants put links to their
affiliate program right on the sales page. I don't like
this technique since I feel that it can distract customers
that your affiliates worked hard to send you. So, I
don't feel that it's fair.

Instead, I put links to sign-up for the affiliate
program on my product download pages, AND often in the
products themselves. Simply explain to customers that
they can register, promote the product, and earn instant
commissions. This is very effective, especially when
you have all of those great affiliate tools in place.

It's also very effective because the INSTANT commissions
helps those who need the cash now!

Ok, I've just shared with you my very favorite method
for generating free website traffic. I basically get
others to send me the traffic, and then I have tools
in place to leverage that traffic.

Stay tuned for part 2.

---------------

Willie Crawford has been marketing goods and services over
the internet since 1996, and teaches many of his tactics
in his free ezine. Be sure to not miss the rest of this
series by subscribing at http://WillieCrawford.com

----------------

As always, I learned some really good tips from Willie's article and I hope you enjoyed reading it an learned a few things as well. Feel free to pass this along ~ just remember to give Willie Crawford the credit. This article is protected by copyright.

Christine Range





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Thursday, March 04, 2010

Easy Video Marketing Branding Business Tool

With so much rave about video marketing, there is increased pressure for any online business owner, advertiser, or blogger to know how to use video for marketing online. Video marketing is definitely the "HOTTEST TREND" in use by marketers to brand their business and reach out to prospective clients from all over the world.

Since you market online, I HOPE you understand that Video Is NOW And THE Future...

As an internet marketer I am interested in keeping up with new ideas and trends in internet marketing. Since I have been on the internet for a long time doing things like creating my own internet city, website promotion, making money on the internet, I have seen the internet change by leaps and bounds.

Today, in order to be relevant in internet marketing your website or blog has to do more than just be a static web page,now you have to have content and different methods to share that content such as having your own blog, perhaps forums,and now "the biggie" -- Video.

The big problem for many business owners and marketers is MOST just don't know enough "technical stuff" to even get their videos online.

With increasing access to broadband, video is now possible for virtually everyone to use. However, if you lack the technical know-how to create, upload, provide description and tags to videos, increased broadband is the least of your concern.

Nevertheless, we website owners are saying to ourselves "gee we want to get in on the video thing", but it is something else we have to learn how to do, another learning curve, and for many of us the idea just sort of fizzles.

Click here to joinEasy Video Producer


Video has become the "new must have" not only for internet marketers but for everyone who has a website.

Video Producer Software
I am so excited because I don’t have to miss out this time, because I lack the expertise to create and broadcast videos or perhaps I just don’t have the time.

I found a unique new software I thought I would check out, to see if I could use it. I was hoping it would be easy to use, to create video and then put it on my website. I also wanted the video to look good, something I wouldn’t mind people watching and/or downloading to pass it around.

Well I couldn’t believe it. This software made it drop dead easy to make videos and to put them on my website. I actually was able to make a quality, professional looking video in less than 5 minutes.

This sounds crazy I know, but I did it.

If video is something you have been wanting to do but felt really intimidated by it up to this point, you might want to try this software for yourself, because the best part is you can use the software and it doesn’t cost you anything. That was important to me because I didn’t know if I would be able to use the software, and I didn’t want to pay for something I wasn’t sure I could even use.

You Can Visit Video Producer Site HERE

Closing Thought
Oh, one last thought... this software is an excellent marketing tool for Local Business Owners who have a website and are looking to gain increased branding for their products as well as take advantage of new opportunities to get out their message, advertise their business, make video postcards, send video e-mails, and create how-to content. The ideas are infinitely endless - so be sure to check it out!

Christine Range





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Monday, March 01, 2010

How To Market Any Niche Imaginable

I was revisiting some of my old posts and thought I'd share this one with you...just in case you missed it originally. I'm glad I did ... Let's just say this a day of "Reclaiming Missed Opportunities". You'll see what I mean when you get to the end of this post! Okay - Here's my post...

Have You Found The Beef Yet?

Are you old enough to remember the 70's?

There was a little old lady on TV commercials demanding to know, "WHERE'S THE BEEF?" She became a national icon. Everyone was using her catch phrase to ask where the good stuff was hiding.

Well, there are a LOT of would-be entrepreneurs on the Internet who want to know, "Where's the Beef?"

We keep hearing about these extraordinary Internet incomes - so why are there so many people who haven't made any money yet? Maybe they're looking in the wrong place.

Following the herd is NOT the way to go to find the money online.

The beef is out there, alright, but it's hidden all over the Internet...in NICHES. Weird niches. Odd niches. Tiny niches. Niches no marketer has effectively touched yet. Niches ripe for the picking.

And do you know how many niches like this there are?

And how many new ones are being created DAILY?

There are literally hundreds and thousands just waiting to be tapped. So how do you FIND these niches, and how much money can you make?

Well two guys, Tom Godfrey and Steve Clayton, have a proven track record and can show you step-by-step How To Market Any Niche Imaginable ...

The last time this course was released to the public, they had over 100,000 requests for the course and had to shut down the website.

Now fast forward to 2010, Niche Blueprint 2.0 is available again, only to be new, updated and improved upon from the previous version. This updated version Reveals How To Quickly Establish A *Recession Proof* Automated Income That Will Create Protection From The Economic Downturn.

The product owners wanted to give others who may have missed out on this before, the opportunity to Get It NOW... But I would definitely HURRY!

Watch This CRUCIAL Video "Using Niche Blueprint 2.0 To Quit Your Job" Click Here!

Christine Range




Want To Know How To Setup Your Own eBusiness and How To Start Making Good Money On The Net? Sign Up For My Newsletter Below!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Why Affiliate Marketing Is Still Number 1

Please excuse the inconvenience of receiving this blog post again...

I have virtually spent all day making some html changes, checking some of my sites at Google Webmaster Tools - which by the way is a great web publisher resource. If you're not using it - you're missing out on some excellent information you can learn about your site.

Well after fixing a few things - it's necessary to republish my blog for changes to take affect. Thank you for your understanding...

===> My new post will be arriving soon! <=== Of all the online business models, Affiliate Marketing is still the #1 method for generating income online.

The Reasons 'WHY' Are Simple...

  • No payments to collect

  • No customer support

  • No inventory to pay for

  • No products to ship

  • Inexpensive to get started

  • Ability to promote many different types of products


  • And many more benefits....

    If you are looking to grow your own Affiliate Marketing efforts as quickly as possible then I definitely recommend you check out this all NEW "ebusiness-in-a-box" turnkey service where all the start-up work has been done for you!

    It's not everyday that an Affiliate Marketing Program comes along that works this well. As a Beta Tester, I personally made sales "within the FIRST WEEK" after complete setup!

    ==> Here's Ten Top FACTS You Need To Know<==

    1. $35k income made first 5 weeks of Alpha testing

    2. 23.7% opt-in conversions through squeeze pages

    3. Sales conversions are 17.3% during Alpha and Beta to date

    4. The niche is 'GREEN' -- extremely popular right now

    5. Traffic and opt-ins can be automated

    6. The multiple affiliate programs you will earn from do NOT need to be purchased

    7. Complete, pre-writen autoresponder messages

    8. You OWN the lists generated -- this is a "Biggie"

    9. No monthly program charges to stay a member

    10. LOW Cost of $37 to access entire turnkey system

    -- AND, if these 10 facts aren't enough, here's another element of this business model system that ANY new online marketer (even those who have struggled to make money) will greatly appreciate...

    This opportunity is still in pre-launch and "EVERYONE joining in this phase" gets $135 within 72 hours just to prove the marketing team knows what they are doing.

    This Short Video Explains Why The Company Made This Revolutionary Decision! Just Click It, Watch And Listen...

    Christine Range

    Friday, February 19, 2010

    Tips To Monetize Your Blogging

    People do things for different reasons and that is also true with blogging. Some bloggers simply desire to share individual experiences to love ones, speak about their interests, and the most evident reason today is to make money. There are actually successful bloggers who are able to earn hundreds, or even thousands of dollars in such a short time especially when done appropriately.

    Options For Monetizing Blogs
    The current blogging scene offers monetization options that you've never imagined. You can find direct advertising options as well as affiliate offers. You can enjoy the endless possibilities of earning money through blogging. However, without the so-called 'big T', these monetization options will definitely not work. What is the big T? Well, its 'traffic'. If your blog site doesn't have enough traffic, you will not earn any money.

    Here are some monetization options that you can embark in, supposing that you already have a great traffic.

    For starters, you can use internet services like PayPerPost and ReviewMe. The good thing about these services is that they aren't related to click through rates, traffic, and other related metrics. This is an excellent option for bloggers with a hectic schedule. When you write a review, you will also have a good source for your blogs.

    You can produce revenues directly by choosing this option. However, there are some things to remember. Don't let the services control your posting routine. A lot of sponsored posts often lead traffic away, make your website less attractive, and lowers your credibility. Make sure that you accept only the reviews related to the blogs that you're making.

    You will have more options if the revenue is based on the reader's actions, purchases, and participation. A good example is affiliate offers. With this option, you should have the aptitude to inject the existing contents of your blogs with the offers that let you earn money.

    Suppose your blogs are all about repairing credit, make sure that you provide links and advertisements for services associated with credit repair, credit reports, and other related services or products. Expect to yield dazzling returns in no time at all. Key players include NeverBlueAds, AzoogleAds, Share-a-Sale, and Commission Junction. You can find lucrative offers by visiting them online.

    Blog Advertisement Content
    If you want a less invasive option, this may be more suitable for you - try introducing content-based advertisements on the pages of your website. Based on the content of the pages, the displayed ads are automatically generated. Publisher Network of Yahoo and Google Adsense are some of the greatest players in this particular arena.

    If you try them out, you can also expect outstanding results. Each time someone visits your blogs, you can earn money. The ads are part of the bloggers' website and so you can earn more money. You will also be able to provide your audience with related contents that they may find quite useful.

    So what are you waiting for? Choose the monetizing option that will work for you. There are so many options out there but not all of them will work for you so make sure you choose wisely. When opting to monetize your blogging as well as gaining credibility as being a "successful blogger" the right attitude tone and quality of posts go a long way.

    If you use your talent appropriately, you can earn money for a long period of time. Log on to the internet now especially if you have the skills to become a blogger and don't let this awesome opportunity pass.

    If you want to know more tips and techniques to make money from blogging, here's one of the best blogging courses on the Net to monetize your blogging efforts...

    NEW Blogging To The Bank 2010 - Click Here!

    Christine Range

    Wednesday, February 10, 2010

    Product Review: POWER LIST MARKETING

    Power List Marketing caught my eye recently. It was promoted to me as the total and complete marketers site, allowing you to capture names and email addresses from every click on the net and after looking into it - I have to say I am impressed. Click here to get Power List Marketing

    I joined and took the upgrades - I figured, they offer a money back guarantee so why not..? You are not in any way required to take the upgrades to get the benefits of the site. However, they do multiply the benefits, I have found.

    What a concept - I must say.
    The building of a list online is perhaps one of the most important skills you can ever have and this site is the most incredibly easy to use system to literally explode your list.

    This benefits WHATEVER you promote.
    No matter if it is a Clickbank product, a matrix, an MLM or ANYTHING. Even google ad words and 'traditional' style of marketing can reap huge benefits from this site.

    You get to create your own opt in lists on total autopilot.

    Now there have been other sites that have done this, but none that then throw in a TOTAL Autoresponder system and Email marketing follow up system as well.

    The 'Secret Weapon' Sales System is a method for showing FULL PAGE ads -
    And not just from clicks on your own links - but from clicks on links across the whole network and in fact across the ENTIRE INTERNET!!

    Imagine that -
    Totally targeted, unblockable, Full page ad views from people that have already said they are interested.....

    That alone is going to put alot of dough in my pocket over the years to come.

    And this works virally--meaning as you make referrals into Power List Marketing (either by promoting it or just using it and visitors click the Power List Marketing image on the Full Page ad window to join) you also earn ad credits on THEIR link clicks. And this works up to 5 levels deep. So you can create a massive amount of free ad views and web traffic by referring others to Power List Marketing also.

    I didn't get to test the full effect of a big downline yet (I just got the tool) but I can tell you the rest of the site works exactly as stated--my links got clicked, My list is growing at a rate I have never seen before, and my ads got displayed. Power List Marketing even tracked my results so I know how many clicks and how many ad displays. That was an impressive unadvertised extra feature.

    There is one more benefit and feature which might be the best of them all--downline emailing. You can email your downline with offers, promotions, or whatever you like, and here is where Power List Marketing really shines. They took time to make the emailing often enough that it's valuable as a user, but no so often that it's a burden to your downline. But the best part about this feature (and actually the credit earning too) is that it tells you exactly how long until you can mail again. They even give you an instant 250 Member downline to mail to - before your first referral, but... THE TOP LEVEL IS WHERE TO BE FOR SERIOUS MARKETERS - A GUARANTEED 3000 MEMBER MAIL OUT COMES WITH THE PACKAGE... Whoa!

    Overall I have to say I am impressed with Power List Marketing. It is simple yet powerful, and delivers on its promises. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to explode their list and benefit from some excellent advertising.

    See It and Join HERE: (I negotiated to give anyone that joins through my link, instant EXECUTIVE membership, but this is not forever, so make haste)

    Christine Range

    Wednesday, February 03, 2010

    DesktopLightning Review - Strengths and Weaknesses

    If you've been following what's been going on in the Internet Marketing scene then I'm sure you've at least heard about DesktopLightning.com by now.

    A lot of people are saying really good things about the site, but are they true?

    I decided to write up an honest review of the site, covering what I believe to be its strengths and its weaknesses, just to clear it up once and for all...

    ================================================================
    DesktopLightning.com - Strengths and Weaknesses
    ================================================================

    Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5 stars (* * * * 1/2)

    In A Nutshell
    -------------
    A catchy new viral marketing tool, capable of broadcasting messages directly to people's desktops. Easy to use, and caters primarily to those who have something they want to promote and are looking for a better way to do it.

    (Read on for why I didn't give it 5 stars)

    1. Initial Impressions
    ----------------------
    When I was first introduced to DesktopLightning, I wasn't quite sure exactly what to think. Everyone was saying it was going to be more powerful than e-mail marketing, but this seemed like too bold of a claim.

    I signed up anyway, since I usually give things a chance -- that's how I have found the several sites I do really trust and rely on.

    The signup process did take about 60 seconds, as advertised, and their software program downloaded and installed in about 30 seconds. No long, tedious install processes here. If you own downloadable software, you might want to take a look at
    how quick their install process is.

    Right after installing the software, it ran immediately, and I was quickly presented with a tool to invite my friends.

    Within one-click's access was my Inbox, the tool to send broadcasts, a statistics page, and my favorite, the "Build Your Network" page.

    I'll get more into why that's my favorite page later.

    2. Viral Growth
    ---------------
    This is where the site really shines, in my opinion. The purpose of a viral marketing site is that you should be able to invite just a few people, and then it will start growing on its own.

    Many sites claim to work like this, but few actually work as advertised.

    I'm not sure if it's because of their unique concept or the slick implementation, but this site is REALLY viral. Here's some of the testimonials they got, which I think sum it up pretty well:

    "I haven't ever seen a system build a downline so
    fast. I joined your program just to try something
    new. Four days later I had a downline of 43 people.
    This is unbelievable."

    ~ Harry Joseph

    "I invited just a handful of people only a few days
    ago and I already have 48 members on 5 levels below
    me. I am going to keep promoting this, but I see it
    has a life of it's own now. I couldn't stop my
    network from expanding if I wanted to!"

    ~ David Parton

    "This website is so viral - I received over 100
    sign-ups and my network is already 5 levels deep in
    less than 48 hours."

    ~ Rene Keiser

    Although they obviously can't guarantee results for anyone, the general consensus is that most people who do get those initial few people in are experiencing results similar to these.

    I give DesktopLightning.com an A+ for spreading like wildfire.

    3. Direct-To-Desktop Broadcasts
    -------------------------------
    So, once you have the people in your network from the direct invitations and the viral growth, then it really gets cool. Now is when you get to broadcast whatever message you want directly to their desktops.

    Gone are the days of sending out emails and wondering if they were received due to spam filters and crowded inboxes.

    If you upgrade to their Platinum membership, then you can even get exact statistics on the percentage of your broadcasts that were opened, but the Platinum membership is not the subject of this review.

    Here's how it works -- the DesktopLightning.com software is what allows the direct-to-desktop communication to be received. Since everyone in your network will have the DesktopLightning application installed, just as you do, this is what allows such smooth and instant communication to occur.

    Within one hour of your sending the message, everyone in your network who is online will receive a notification on their desktop that they can click to read your message.

    Anyone who isn't online at the time will receive it when they log on next.

    I'm sure you can see why this type of communication has been more successful than email as of late, so I won't get into it too much here. The basic point though is that there's no way your message can be lost, overlooked, or blocked by any filters.

    If you upgrade to their Platinum service you can do things like embed video and sound right into the broadcast, but again, I'll save the Platinum service for another review.

    4. Building Your Network
    ------------------------
    Most sites out there nowadays don't really help you build a network of people below you. They just throw you a URL and tell you to run with it.

    While this works for most advanced people, it's not something that's very easy for people who are just starting out.

    DesktopLightning went really far this time to make sure that everyone has a way to bring people into their network, regardless of skill level.

    When you click on the "Build Your Network" link from within their application, you'll be presented with a surprising number of tools to help you build your downline.

    Everything from banners, to popups, to text ads, to invitation tools, to emails to send out, etc.

    Then, they continue to offer something which I haven't seen on any Internet Marketing site yet -- they have a "Starting From Scratch" section, designed specifically for people who have no list and no website with traffic.

    If you're in that position, then you'll love this section, since they detail specific strategies you can use to promote DesktopLightning (or anything for that matter), even if you don't have anything to start with.

    Quite a valuable resource.

    5. Not For Everyone
    -------------------
    With all that said, the only downside to DesktopLightning.com is that it's not for everyone.

    Of course, some might see that as an upside, since it's a more targeted opportunity.

    Basically, the bottom line is that DesktopLightning is a promotional tool. You need to have something you want to promote or advertise before you can really make use of the site.

    This is all due to the fact that the basic concept is that you build a viral network of people, and then broadcast something to it.

    But, this "something" is whatever you want, so you must already have something you'd want to send to a lot of people.

    If you don't have something yet, you could start building your network first, and then once you get something to promote you'll be ready to launch it immediately.

    If you do have something to promote, that's when the site really shines.

    6. Conclusion
    -------------
    I would recommend this site to anyone who has something to promote or advertise.

    It definitely works, and your downline will grow extremely fast if you put some energy into getting it started.

    The direct-to-desktop broadcasts are a killer app in today's online climate, where emails barely even get through anymore.

    The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it has nothing to offer for people who don't have anything to promote or advertise yet.

    If you want to advertise or promote something to a lot of people in a unique and powerful way, then this site is for you.

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    At any rate, my general opinion is that since it's so quick to set up and try, if you have something you want to promote you might as well go check it out.

    You can always remove it later if you decide you don't like it.

    Sign Up For DesktopLightening HERE!

    Enjoy! :)

    Christine Range