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Free publicity sounds like a great way to get your business name out there and known – and it is…. But only if you know how to do it and do it right.

It’s all very well writing a ‘press release’ about your company or a new product, but if you don’t know how to present it to the journalist you are targeting then, no matter how fancy it may look or how great you think your new product is, then the release WON’T get published.

And that’s the key – a lot of publicity consultants or gurus or the like will tell you that you have to write your release for your target audience, and yes you do, but they are nowhere near as important as the (possibly hungover and/or very grumpy) journo who decides whether your target audience ever even sees it!

As a journalist by trade, and having been raised and trained by one of the best photo-journalists in the world (and here I am not kidding, my late father was awarded, among other things, The Photographer of the Year Award for his work in Vietnam), I know how journalists think – I AM one!

I am also a publicity person! I have seen both sides of the coin and know how to win the toss – heads or tails. I know how to talk to them as a fellow ‘conspirator’ if you will and not a PR person who wants to get a piece of non-descript news into the publication.

And that brings me to the main point of this article.

Having information to give to a journalist is not enough. He or she will have hundreds of press releases coming at them every week or month (the nationals – every day!). So you have to set yourself apart – find a new spin on an old story, and believe me no matter how wonderful or exciting you think your company or your new product is, that journo will have probably heard it all before.

In the chaos that defines the world of show businesses, it comes as no surprise that celebrities, old and young alike, turn to desperate measures in order to cope with the stress and pressures of being in the limelight.

Going into high-end rehabilitation centers seems to be a flourishing trend among the entertainment community today. Pop artist Britney Spears made headlines again in early 2007 when she shaved her head bald before checking into a treatment center based in Miami, Florida. Now, its former Desperate Housewives star, Jesse Metcalfe, who has found himself in a distressing situation, and in an attempt to battle his alcoholism, has entered a rehabilitation center located in Los Angeles.

Among those who were shocked to hear about the news was his former Desperate Housewives co-star, Eva Longoria. Longoria got to know Metcalfe very well, and the fact that he has a serious drinking problem is contradictory to the person she remembers from the set. Nevertheless, the star has pledged nothing but support for Metcalfe, and is happy that he has decided to act responsibly.

Metcalfe is also getting a lot of support from his girlfriend, Nadine Coyle, a member of the British female music group, Girls Aloud. Metcalfe and Coyle met in Australia in 2006, and has since then become a celebrity couple. They separated very briefly in November, and a few days before Metcalfe went to the rehabilitation center, rumors were flying that they had tied the knot. Coyle

Low carbohydrate Atkins diet remains to be probably one of the most popular high protein-low carbohydrate diets on the market today. Its reputation has helped start numerous related diets who draw on the identical principles of high-protein, low-carbohydrate eating diet. In the present day you have several low carbohydrate, protein high diets to select from.

Studies have demonstrated that high-protein, low-carbohydrate eating has various good effects as well as produce large weight loss devoid of the requirement to restrict your calorie intake. Scores of people who benefit from the low-carbohydrate, high-protein Atkins diet have also reported this. Many studies have reported that high protein, low carbohydrate diet improves triclycerides, reduces blood sugar for diabetics and people in early stages of diabetes and improves useful cholesterol or (HDL). Low carb eating has been scientifically proven to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce blood pressure and bring down blood insulin levels. If we compare it up with low fat diets, low carbohydrate diet followers also lose less muscle size.

While it is not proven by scientific testing, there are a lot of different positive consequences testified by people using high protein diet. Some of these are more energy, significantly reduced craving for sweets, better concentration, better temper and lessening of depression type of signs.

On the other hand there are also several advantages that are specific to the low-carb, high-protein diet by Dr.Atkins. If you are one of countless people who have been trying to lose weight with low fat diets in previous years you will get pleasure from eating all of those forbidden foods that once you had to go without. Butter, cream and steak are a regular element of diet invented by Dr. Atkins. There is a undeniable satisfaction that goes along with consumption of food that was once forbidden to you. People on high-protein, low-carbohydrate Atkins diet are encouraged to have their full of rich meats, oils, cheeses or fats.

Atkins diet is also uncomplicated to make use of if matched with majority of other high protein, low carb diets that you have access to these days. There are several of simple carbohydrate calculations that you will have to learn, but once you do that, you will be allowed to have a meal of anything you want from the Atkins diet food listing.

Dr. Atkins in addition underlined the significance of finding your own private carbohydrate level. Various individuals have diverse degree of carbohydrate acceptance. While some individuals gain weight on no more then 90 grams of carbs per day, other people can ingest as much as 120 grams of carbohydrates daily. For the period of your continuing dieting period and pre-maintenance stage of the high protein Atkins diet, you are going to find out your individual carb number that will help ascertain your carb goal from now on.

The popularity of high protein, low carb Dr. Atkins diet can in reality make your weight loss much harder then it should be. Because there is heaps of info offered on the high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet by Dr.Atkins, and that makes it very simple to get resources and help, but can also confuse you. There have been scores of Atkins books written and in addition there are countless internet websites that supply you with tips, group support and information. Then again more or less everybody has heard of Atkins diet and certainly has his or her own opinion on it. Be aware that there are a lot of misconstructions around the world concerning the character of the Atkins diet, and you will, for sure, have to uphold your new found eating methods now and then.

Besides that there are also a few of the other difficulties to using the diet devised by Dr. Atkins. You do have to calculate carbohydrates in all kinds of food to make sure that you are staying within your own carb limit. In addition, there is the matter of Induction, the most fervently contested piece of the diet devised by Dr. Atkins. Induction is very often difficult to go through if you have been on a diet that focuses on sugar and carbohydrates. What is more, many people trying to lose weight have a go at Induction and mistakenly judge that this is the manner that the entire diet is going to be. They end up quiting before even starting the genuine Dr. Atkins diet.

Occasionally even if it does not occur very often, some individuals will be subjected to a carbohydrate crash frequently during the 3rd and sometimes 5th day of the diet by Dr.Atkins. That kind of reaction is a result of their body experiencing the ketosis phase or burning fat for fuel in place of carbohydrates. The feeling is passing but a lot of people trying to lose weight have quitted on protein high diets utterly because of this minor accident.

Generally, with the few minor problems considered, low carb, high protein diet invented by Dr. Atkins remains to be probably one of the most popular protein high diets because of one simple reason. It works. Numerous individuals have had success with the low carbohydrate, high protein Dr. Atkins diet and the high protein, low carb fashion of dieting.

Fly fishing is a distinct angling procedure, and especially popular as a method mainly for angling salmon and trout. However, fly fishing is used today for other variety of fish such as the bass, pike, carp and panfish. It is likewise employed for catching marine fish, like the tarpon, striped bass and redfish. Most fly fisherman, especially those who have been experts at it consider fly fishing as a form of art, as it is not learned overnight but actually takes years to perfect.

In fly fishing, the angler utilizes a rod that is much lighter and longer that the ones used for spin fishing. Such rods can be around 2 meters long when used in freshwater and around 4 meters long when fishing for steelhead, or even salmon. The average length or rod utilized for both fresh and seawater is 2.7 meter, while it weighs around 4 ounces.

Where is the art in fly fishing? You will find it in the casting of the fly. There must be precision and rhythm in your movement as well as right timing to be able to lay perfectly your line. There are many types of casts, the most common of which is the forward cast. In this cast, the fisherman whisks his fly up high to the air and backwards over his shoulder up to the point when the line is almost straight, then to the front with the use of his forearm. The purpose of this casting motion is to bend the tip of the rod with the stored energy, then send the energy to the line. The end result is the fly and being perfectly cast to a desired distance. When you cast without making the fly touch the water is what we call false casting, and is usually employed to reposition your cast, or dry a wet fly. Other casting methods are the tuck cast, curve cast, roll cast, single haul cast and double haul cast.

Upon touching the water, the fly either floats or sinks; this all depends on your fly and fishing style. This particular situation of the fly going to the water is the fly fishing

Many people focus on their heart health or nutrition needs and overlook the importance of digestive health. The digestive system begins in the mouth and finishes with the colon. Poor digestion can make you feel sluggish, gassy or lead to constipation or diarrhea. It can also inhibit the absorption of vital nutrients from the foods we eat.

One of the more common problems associated with the digestive tract is heartburn. Many people experience occasional heartburn. Some of the cases can be attributed to eating choices. Spicy foods are one cause as are rich foods. Some people can pinpoint the specific causes for their heartburn, while others are completely in the dark about the reasons for their symptoms. Social situations can be limited because the person doesn’t feel well enough to stay. Work suffers due to a lack of concentration and time lost at work. This is just one thing that can be avoided when you are aware of the importance of good digestive health. Constipation and diarrhea can be another problem resulting from poor digestion. Many people have experienced elimination concerns. Some researchers estimate that as many as 32% of adults have found themselves in an embarrassing situation due to the occurrence of diarrhea.

Another issue that can come up with your digestive health is nausea. There isn’t a person anywhere who hasn’t combated the horrible feeling of nausea. When a person feels nausea often for no apparent reason, the signs may point to digestive health as the reason. The toll poor digestive health can take on your lifestyle can be extensive. Many people who suffer from occasional poor digestion will purposely avoid social engagements and miss time at work. Others live in fear of the possibility of an embarrassing occurrence.

An individual should always first discuss any health concern with his/her physician or health provider. This includes any digestive concerns. There are things you can start today to maintain excellent digestive health. It starts with eating well balanced meals, doing daily exercise and following a healthy lifestyle, including stress avoidance.

The importance of good digestive health can’t be overstated. Your comfort and health depend so much on how well your stomach, abdomen and colon feel. There is no need to compromise the quality of your personal and work life. Good digestive health is another aspect of your health that deserves more daily attention.

When most people think about collagen they think about collagen face creams designed to improve the look and quality of the skin or collagen injections in the lips. Supplements containing collagen for beautiful skin have been only recently become available. The key to understanding the benefits and uses of collagen comes with knowing what it is and what it does for the body.

Collagen is the connective tissue that is found throughout the body. Its function is to hold tendons, muscles, and bones together much like a glue. Collagen is found not only in the skin, but also in the joints. As we age, collagen loses some of its elasticity and isn’t as productive as it once was. The theory is that free radicals from the environment or even foods we eat gradually breaks down this very important tissue and cause it to become rigid and less able to perform its function. Aging and free radicals may also discourage new collagen production by the body. You could choose to use a topical collagen cream, but that would only benefit the skin and is probably not well absorbed into the body. A lot of attention has been on oral collagen supplements to help the whole body.

There are two types of oral collagen supplements that are currently growing in popularity. Both kinds are good for supplementing the body with amino acids and proteoglycans, which are a special type of sugars naturally found in the body. The idea is to replace the natural collagen stores that the free radicals are gradually stealing.

The first type of collagen supplement, commonly called collagen type I, is primarily found in our hair, nails, and tendons. This type is also in the bones, teeth, and eyes. This is one of the more abundant kinds of collagen in the body. Using a collagen supplement to help restore these connective tissues would benefit more than just the appearance of the skin. Movement in the joints and muscle groups may continue to be easier and you may avoid some of the aches and stiffness that often appears in middle and older age. The collagen type I supplements are often made with bovine or fish sources. Both are full of the amino acids which are so important to a healthy, youthful, strong body.

Like type I collagen, type II collagen is an important component in joint health. It is vital to the health and production of cartilage in the knees, hips, and shoulders. This kind of collagen is high in important chemicals like, hyaluronic acids, amino acids, and glucosamine. In supplement form, collagen type II is most often made from chicken sternum cartilage. It can be very useful in ensuring joint health.

Of the two types, type I collagen supplements are used more often. In addition to the benefit of improving the look and feel of the skin, there are several other areas of health that are helped.

In today’s more health conscious world, all kinds of vitamin and mineral supplements are available. There are many people who use these products in an attempt to improve the quality of their health. One of the most popular types of supplement is calcium. Consumers have long been given information on the importance of calcium supplements for good bone health.

While everyone regardless of age or gender needs calcium for healthy bones, the biggest group of people who can benefit from a calcium supplement is postmenopausal women. These ladies are at a higher risk for osteoporosis. It has long been known that as we age, bone density lessens and our ability to produce more healthy bone cells diminishes. Many people in this group and others are taking the preemptive strike against bone loss by ensuring that they get the recommended amount of calcium each day.

Besides postmenopausal women, older people in general are finding that taking a calcium supplement is an excellent way to help reduce the risk of severe bone loss or fracture. Both men and women naturally lose some of the strength in their bones and the result is more brittle and fragile bone mass. Turning to the aid of a calcium supplement helps to hold off this often common problem. The hip is prone to breaking as the body ages. Another part of the skeleton frequently at risk for fracture is the shoulders. One minor fall could result in weeks or months of recuperation, even hospitalization.

When the natural production of estrogen and other female hormones declines during menopause bone density is quickly affected. Bone loss of 2%-3% each year during menopause is not uncommon. In addition to menopause being a risk factor for osteoporosis, women who are small boned, Asian or Caucasian, and have a family history of Osteoporosis are generally at higher risk. Taking preventative measures is one way women can avoid osteoporosis and take care of their bone health.

Of course younger people are not at as high a risk as those who are in or approaching their golden years, but it isn’t impossible for even younger groups to experience below average bone mass from inadequate calcium consumption or insufficient weight bearing exercise. Pregnancy and other hormonal changes take their toll on the quality of the bones as well. Everyone should be on the look out for their skeletal structures continued good health and strength.

Calcium rich foods and supplements help maintain blood calcium levels therefore reducing the need for calcium releases from the skeleton. Calcium intake helps keep bones strong and reduce the risk of hip fracture and other unnecessary bone breaks. In the case of osteoporosis, height is often lost as a result of the spine bending due to soft bone tissue. A calcium supplement or calcium rich foods, plus exercise, can help you slow the loss of height or other preventable effects to ensure a more satisfying, safer future.

When you are considering taking a calcium supplement, it’s important to be aware of the recommended intake for specific age groups and genders. Here is in the U.S., the recommended intake for young adults, 19 to 50, is 1000mg a day. After that age, the amount of calcium intake you should aim for is 1200mg. Vitamin D is often a part of bone health as well. Younger adults should generally take 5mg daily with the older adults advised to get 10mg.

If you are in doubt as to the importance of calcium supplements, take a look at how much money is spent annually in osteoporosis related insurance claims or medical costs. In Europe the number tops out at $37.6 billion with the U.S. reporting $17.5 billion. A good portion of that money probably was spent on osteoporosis related fractures. Of course those figures don’t add in the pain and recovery time needed to heal from such an injury or impact on quality of life of the individual.

I’ve had several people ask me what the real difference is between Term And Whole Life Insurance and which is the best
option for them. As much as I like to help, the best that I can really do is explain the difference between the two and the pro’s and con’s of each type of policy. This way, the consumer, to make an educated decision before you purchase a policy.

Whole life insurance covers you for life, as long as your policy remains in good standing. The policy will cover you up until your death or age 100, whichever occurs first. Some of the pro’s of a Whole Life Insurance policy are you’ll have a built in savings plan. It works like this. Some of your premium goes to buy life insurance, and the rest goes into a savings account. You can take out a loan against this money if you need to, but it must be paid back. This gives you a bit of piece of mind in case of expenses at college, auto repairs or any other of lifes little emergencies.

Some of the cons of Whole Life Insurance is that not everyone can’t afford it. The premium payments for a whole life policy
will be much higher than a Term Life policy would be. Another con is that as you get older the savings account feature won’t
accumulate nearly as much. For a younger person or couple, this makes more sense because they have their entire lives ahead of them, but for someone middle aged or above, I’d seriously look at Term instead.

Term Life Insurance is just exactly what it says it is, “Term”. This means that you are only covered for a specified period of time or a Term. You could buy a Guaranteed Term, Recurring Term, “10 Year Term” ect. Did I explain this well enough?

Term Life is also known as “pure life insurance” because because all you buy is insurance with no savings plan. Here are some more differences between Term And Whole Life unlike Whole Life policies, there’s no savings account that accumulates or to
borrow against. You are simply paying for insurance. Another con is that, as stated above, A few Term Policies such as Guaranteed Term, can be rolled over, but that’s another story. You can learn more at my website.

Most Term policies are only for certain time frames. An example of how this can be used would be for the “breadwinner” of the
household who is middle aged, the kids are grown, but still in college, he or she has been paying on their major assets, like
their home, ect. for several years and they need some security to make certain that if anything happened, everything would be taken care so that the family could go on without any issues, other than the loss of their loved one. A 10 or 20 Year Term Policy might be a good option for the fictional example above, depending on their individual living circumstances.

I hope that, you understand now why it’s difficult to give counseling to people without knowing their specific circumstances. Just learning the differences between these two more popular types of insurance policies should put ahead in the game of life insurance. Good luck!

Do an online research on your favorite Search Engine and you will understand what I mean.
In this article I’m going to show you the KEY to Home-Based Business entrepreneurs success; you’ll find out what makes an entrepreneur succesful in the home-based business field.
Below are 5 TIPS for Home-Based Business Entrepreneurs:
1. It’s their mindset that brings success
Serious entrepreneurs have ‘programmed’ their mind to succeed no matter what. They don’t lack focus on their home-based business and let nobody stop their plans in achieving what they want.
They know what they want and they have the DESIRE to succeed. If you don’t know exactly what you want when it comes your home-based business, think about it again and re-consider your plans, what you want to achieve, a get-rick-quick or a profitable, long term business.
2. It’s their start-up plan that brings success
Smart entrepreneurs know that it takes time to set-up and grow a profitable home-based business. They plan to succeed. They have a start-up plan that might fail but they never give up and start again with a better plan.
Serious entrepreneurs know that it takes discipline and time to build a strong and solid home-based business, which delivers ongoing income through many years to come.
3. It’s their initial RESEARCH that brings success
Smart and serious entrepreneurs know the importance of market research. They know that in order, for a home-based business to succeed, they have to research their target market (their potential customers) and study their competitors.
Research your target market and study your competitors in order to have a long-term, profitable home-based business.
Know what your customers want and give it to them. Keep an eye on your competitors, study their offer(s) and make sure you come up with a better deal than them.
4. It’s their marketing strategy that brings success
Study each successful entrepreneur in your marketing field and you’ll notice how they market online / offline.
Each of them have their own ‘unique’ marketing strategy but they use the same basic principles.
Don’t re-invent the wheel. Use the main marketing concepts that are proven to work but try to improve and adjust them to your own situation. Make them work for your home-based business. Make your offer better and unique than your competitiors if you want to WIN in this business, or simply quit (I know that’s no what you really want!)
5. It’s their investment that brings success
Smart entrepreneurs know that the KEY is to work SMART, not hard. If you don’t have the required skills to develop a NEW marketing tactic for your home-based business why not hire a consultant who knows his stuff?
If you have ‘enough’ money why not invest in someone who can help you grow your home-based business and give me something to work at too?
What is more valuable to you, your time or your money?
A serious entrepreneur is ready to invest (both time and money). He knows that he will build a long-term successful business for him and the one he loves (friends, family, children, etc.)
The final (or first?) STEP you need to take in order to succeed is to act (take ACTION!). Yes, put into practice what I have told you above (the 5 TIPS for Home-Based Business Entrepreneurs) and you’ll succeed, no matter what. Trust me!
About the Author
STOP! Perry Gage publishes a NEW, Special *free* Ezine. It comes loaded with an eclectic Collection of Tips and Suggestions on Health, Finance, Goodies for you to Have Fun & Profit.

Business Plan – What Is It?

A business plan is a document that provide answers to the type of questions anyone who may provide financing would like to know about your home business. A business plan says. “I’ve considered this from every angle, and here’s what I’ve come up with”. What is your product or service? This is the first question every business plan should answer. You must explain in the clear, concise language what in the world you plan to produce or what service you plan to provide.

Who are Your Customers? You need to clearly identify your customers in order to properly target your advertising, packaging, pricing, et.

What Makes You Different? You need to identify the “primary factors” that will make your business different than other businesses you’ll be competing with.

What are Your Expenses? Your start-up expenses include any equipment that you need before you can get up-and-running, while your day-to-day expenses are staff costs and supplies.
Following is a Simplified Example of Business Plan

Catering Plus

The business will be a home-based catering company, producing luxury food for special occasions such as birthdays and weddings. We will provide a comprehensive catering service, while specializing in high end customized cakes, which have a higher profit margin than other foods.

Our catering business will be aimed at middle-class customers who desire a top-of-the-line catering but must operate on a budget. Our initial market area will consist of Mytown and the affluent area of Theretown.

We will only use commerical grade ingredients purchased from wholesalers and provide top quality design and service. This will allow us to provide food that looks tastes great, while keeping costs as low as possible.

Beause I will be using my kitchen and making the food myself, there are only two real expenses: The purchase of an industrial grade mixer and then the day-to-day cost of supplies. Our research has shown that this supplier offers the best value for start-ups.

To wrap it up, you should include a breakdown of both projected profit and loss per month (in graph form)for the first year in business. Show one-time and day-to-day expenses versus projected profit to indicate how you will pay-off your loan. Your business plan should show you making enough of a profit each month to live on – if it doesn’t, then it may be considered unfeasible.

Study a Few Real-World Business Plans

The best way to get a real a feel for the dos and do nots of a business plans is to find real-world plans that have already been approved and study them. A good place to start is the internet. Once you’ve studied a few, you will get a better feel for how much work will be involved in putting your business plan together.