MerlesMission.com Blog

"How to Increase your Facebook EdgeRank "

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:29:00 +0000

Want to appear more prominent in your Facebook Friend's news feed? Here's how.

PLR vs. Ghostwriting: Which is Better?

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 04:31:00 +0000

By Nicole Dean

Private Label Rights (PLR) articles and ghostwritten articles are both options when you need web content. Each is unique in its qualities and each has its drawbacks.

So, when you need content, which should you choose? Let’s analyze both options to find out which option is right for you.

Ghostwritten Articles

Ghostwritten articles are written just for your use. You own the article and can do whatever you’d like to with it.

Pros:

1. The article is unique to you and you do not share the content with anyone else.

Cons:

1. Ghostwritten articles are quite a bit more expensive per article than PLR packages.

2. You have the responsibility of finding a good writer.

3. The quality can be questionable.

4. You need to check your articles to make sure your ghostwriter isn’t stealing content. Unfortunately that does happen.

PLR Articles

PLR articles are pre-written articles that are sold in packages, or as part of a monthly membership.

Pros:

1. PLR articles are much more affordable than ghostwritten ones.

2. The content is ready, so you don’t have to wait for a ghostwriter to become available or find a ghostwriter who is available.

Cons:

1. The content is not unique. You share the articles with the other people who purchased the package or membership.

2. You can’t submit the PLR articles to article directories.

3. The quality can be questionable.

4. You have to find PLR packages in your niche – or hope that the membership you signed up for sends you ones that you can use.

How can you even the odds between the two? Find a quality PLR service that allows you choose your topics. If the articles are well written, and their distribution is limited, it’s almost as good as getting ghostwritten content just for you. That way, you get the best of both worlds – quality content at a great price.

Article written by:

Nicole Dean is the owner of EasyPLR.com – where you’ll find high-quality PLR articles sold in very limited quantities. The PLR articles at EasyPLR are professionally written and professionally edited — top quality at an affordable price.

“Save on Startup Costs with Your Online Business”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:54:00 +0000

Starting a business takes determination and preparation. Oh, and it also takes money. How much money you need depends on the type of business you want to start. For an online business, you can make that dream come true and save some green in the process.

What is the first thing that people ask about with a business? Usually it’s “What will it cost me in the beginning?” With an online business you are already ahead of the game because you avoid many of the costs that come with owning a traditional brick-and-mortar company.

Even so, there will be some costs that you have to shoulder. If your capital is limited, you can still get things going. It may take some legwork and time but it is absolutely doable.

Here are the 3 main costs associated with starting an online business.

Domain Name Purchases – In order to have a presence online, you’ll need a website address or URL. There are specials all the time for domain name purchases, but you can get your domain name for less than $10 a year in most cases. Be careful not to get sucked into buying all the extras most domain name registrars try to get you to purchase when you purchase a domain. Stick to only purchasing the domain name.

Hosting – In order for your website to actually show up on the Internet you’ll need to purchase hosting for your domains. You can purchase this inexpensively with hosting companies such as Hostgator. Award winning web hosting. Affordable rates and tremendous customer service.

Email list management made easy starting at 9.00 a month with ImnicaMail
http://www.imnicamail.com/?aff_id=5204

Website Design – If you aren’t proficient in web design or HTML, you’ll need someone to set your website up for you. There are a few different options for getting this done:

• Hire a Designer: This is the most expensive way to get things done.

• Site Builder: You can build your site yourself with programs like SiteBuildIt. Learn how and save money by doing it yourself.

• Included with Hosting: Look for deals with your hosting company. For instance, when you purchase a ReliableWebs.com hosting package you can get a WordPress blog (using the WP platform as your main site is very common due to its ease of use and flexibility) installed on your domain for free. Any customization is up to you, but it’s a start that doesn’t cost anything extra.

If you need fresh content try PLR

Here are some tips for purchasing additional items you’ll need to run your business online.

1. Negotiate – All you can do is ask for what you want. When it comes to buying computers and other office equipment, there is some room for haggling. Find the best payment plans you can to help you to offset the cost. This goes for telephone services, answering services and high-speed Internet rates too.

2. Shop around - Buying computers online at sites like Dell.com allows you to add the features you need and pay the price you want to pay. Printers don’t cost as much as they used to. If you need a fax machine and a printer, look for deals on all-in-one equipment so you can save money.

3. Buy in bulk – When you need paper, printer ink and other office supplies, buy as much as you can when a deal comes along. Even if it takes you an entire year to use the paper, you know that you will use it so it doesn’t matter.

4. Ask for advice from others – For example, you’ll need hosting for your website. While there are dozens of web hosting companies out there, both paid and free everyone’s needs differ. What are your needs? If you know other online entrepreneurs, ask who they use. Keep in mind that high price doesn’t necessarily equate with good quality, just like low price doesn’t always mean poor quality.

5. Use what you already have for now – The best thing about an online business is that it is operated from your computer. Most people already have one of those. It may not be the top of the line model, but if it has high speed Internet access and a word processing program, you can get started.

There are costs that you can avoid by starting an online business versus an offline one, but you still have to spend some money. The above five tips will help you to whittle down the costs you do have even more. This allows you to get your new enterprise up and running as soon as possible. And, don’t forget all these costs can be written off on your income taxes so don’t forget to keep records.

““Need Quality Content for Your Blog or Website?”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:21:00 +0000

The life of an internet marketer revolves around one thing: Content. You need articles for your blog, more great content for your newsletter or ezine, and even more quality articles if you plan to do article marketing or guest blogging to get free advertising for your website. So, before you throw in the towel completely, let me share a few ideas with you that may help you to actually have time away from your computer.

When looking for articles, you have several options. I personally recommend that you use several of these suggestions to add a variety of content to your websites.

I'll start with a few of my favorites...

Grab some Free Reprint Articles at the Directories.

Article directories like http://EzineArticles.com, http://LadyPens.com and http://ArticleBase.com are packed with quality articles that you can reprint on your site. The only requirements are that you do not edit the article in any way and that you include the author's resource box (or bio) at the end including the link or two that the author has included to his/her website.

It's a win-win situation. The author gets free advertising. You, the publisher, get free content.

There are three negatives to using this type of article.

· First is the issue of duplicate content. You're sharing the same exact articles as everyone else that uses that directory. This is not a big deal at all if you're using the article in your ezine, obviously, since duplicate content is only an issue with the search engines. It's also not a huge issue for your blog or website, as long as you write an introduction to the article, and preferably a wrap-up statement or recommendation at the end.

· Second is the very difficult issue of finding quality content. Gone are the days of grabbing any old free reprint article. You want Expert Content only – and many of the article directories have “bleck” articles.

· Third is the issue of posting those darn links in the author resource box. You're basically advertising for someone else for free. Ouch.

Good news! I can help you with the free advertising part in the next section of this article.

Use Extra-Special Free Reprint Articles.

Oftentimes ebook owners and other marketers with affiliate programs offer articles with a twist. You get to replace the link(s) in the author resource box with YOUR affiliate link for that program.

Here you'll find many articles that meet that criteria: http://freeaffiliatearticles.com/wp/

OR, if your favorite Experts regularly offer reprint articles, ask if this is an option for you.

That way, the expert still gets free advertising. And, you, the publisher, still get great content. But, you can also benefit by earning affiliate commissions as well.

This model definitely adds an increased level of appeal compared to traditional reprint articles. Wouldn't you agree?

Write the Articles Yourself.

You can choose to write some of your web content yourself. I highly recommend that you do write much of your own content, at least on the sites where you're trying to establish yourself as an authority.

However, there are options below that will enable you to post quality content to your website without having to write all of it yourself. (Some you can just edit and use.) The difference in the options below is that YOU become the expert, rather than endorsing someone else as the expert.

Hire a Quality Ghostwriter or Copywriter.

A ghostwriter is a freelancer who writes for you (usually articles or reports), but you take the credit.

A copywriter specializes in writing copy that sells, and you usually take the credit.

There are many sites on the web where you can find writers. Start by asking around, or go to sites like elance.com (a job posting site) or Shelancers.com (a directory of freelancers) to look around. Having a ghostwriter on hand can keep your blog fresh and active.

Our Favorite Shortcut: Stock up on PLR articles.

PLR articles stands for Private Label Rights articles. PLR articles are usually written by a ghostwriter and sold to several website owners. This means that you (and a limited number of other bloggers) can edit the articles and publish them without being required to link back to anyone or give anyone credit for writing them. You become the expert when using PLR articles.

Customize the articles, tweak them for your market, insert examples or photos or case studies and publish them on your website -- or just use them as they are. Either way, you gain a lot of flexibility when working with PLR. Not only that but they are very affordable.

So, How do you Find a Good PLR Service?

Simple. Find a PLR site that's been around for awhile and offers professionally-written and edited content that's sold in limited quantities. That will ensure that you're not getting recycled PLR, but are getting your hands on top-quality content.

Our Recommendation for Top Quality PLR, Sold in Very Limited Quantities:

EasyPLR.com has been offering the best niche plr article packs on the web since 2006.

- Great reputation. Thousands of happy, repeat customers over the years.

- Great quality. The content is written by Professional Writers on staff and Edited by a Separate staff member.

- Limited Availability. You're not sharing your articles with thousands of other people.

- Run by a Respected Internet Marketer. Nicole Dean owns EasyPLR.com and is oftentimes called the marketer with integrity, and runs her business by her gut and her ethics, not strictly by her pocketbook.

- Excellent customer support. Need any help? They're there for you.

I'm a customer at EasyPLR.com and I highly recommend their content. Check it out here.

“Kindle and Ads: Coming Soon to a Kindle Near You”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:06:00 +0000

Image by goXunuReviews via Flickr

So the big news of the day is Kindle's decision to launch a new Wi-Fi Kindle this one complete with ads. Yes, that's right, I said ads, as in advertisements. I know what you're thinking just what I need more ads. Now I have a Kindle and love it, but I’m not sure how I feel about this new concept.

Now hold onto your hat as here's the real kicker. This new Kindle is only priced 25.00 cheaper then the current Kindle 3 Wi-Fi edition. Huh????? Only 25.00 cheaper? The idea itself is great, but my thought process is they should cut the price in half. The ad free version is 139.00 and this one is 114.00. Now if they offered it for 75.00 you'd have my attention. But a savings of 25.00 is just not enough to make this a winning plan and my hunch is the majority of people will agree with me.

The ads won't be shown within the ebooks rather they will appear as screensavers and on the home screen of the device itself. The actual ebooks that are downloaded will not be affected. So it's not like you'll be reading a book and have some annoying ad pop up in your face. The ads will be subtle and part of the user interface. You'll even be given some say in the types of ads that are shown. You can pre-order one now with shipping to begin on May 3rd by going to http://tinyurl.com/45x2kjw

Again, not a bad idea but for this to take off Amazon needs to go back to the drawing board on the price. Please leave your thoughts and comments below.

For more information see:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/mobile/04/12/amazon.kindle.ads/
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/technology/12amazon.html
http://mashable.com/2011/04/11/kindle-with-special-offers/

"New vs. Old Twitter - How to Search and Save Searches"

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:17:00 +0000

Sometimes you might have a need to do a search and find all tweets related to a certain term. Perhaps you heard about a new product related to your niche (area of expertise) and you want to see what’s being said on twitter. No problem!

In the old version of Twitter, the search box is on the right side of the screen. Enter your search terms and click on the magnifying glass.

On the search results page, Click on “Save This Search” to keep a record of your search.

Your saved searches will appear in the right menu whenever you want to view them as shown below:

New Twitter:

In the new version, the search box is at the top of the screen to the right of the Twitter logo. Enter your search terms then click on the magnifying glass to search and click your mouse.

On the search results page, you can click “Save this Search” Just like in the old version, you can click on “Save this Search” to save your search for future use. However, as you can see, the button to “Save this search” is larger than in the old version.

Then your saved searches will appear in your top menu anytime you want to access them. For example:

Twitter is known for being a great source for news so if you hear of something going on in the world, do a search and you will most likely find some tweets about it.

Twitter is also a great tool for doing research. Thinking of writing an ebook on “weight loss for women”? Search Twitter periodically to find out what people are saying about your topic and what questions they are asking.

“What are 4 Things a Blogger Can Easily Outsource?”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:43:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Blogging is a great way to get started making money online – BUT – it’s work. (All good things come with some effort, right?)

The absolute worst thing a new blogger can do is to do nothing. Yet, that’s what happens to many bloggers when they’re first getting started. While waiting to get their blog just perfect, they do nothing and, instead, spin their wheels – stuck in one place.

Meanwhile, they get frustrated, their dreams fade, and they end up giving up before they even had a fighting chance. It’s sad, especially since many of them are talented writers, are passionate about their topic, and have a lot to share with the world.

So, what can a new blogger do to avoid this from happening?

Simple. Outsource.

But, what, exactly is “Outsourcing“?

Outsourcing is just a fancy word for getting someone qualified to quickly and efficiently do a job for you that you

1. don’t have time for,

2. don’t want to do, or

3. don’t have the skills to do.

But what can you outsource, and how? And, can you afford to?

All great questions. Here are 4 tasks you can immediately outsource for a modest price (and boost your blogging efforts at the same time).

1. Blog Installation and Optimization.

If you’re planning to blog, the one thing you’ll need is a web host. Why not choose a multipurpose web host that will also install your blog for you? Both MomWebs.com and ReliableWebs.com will install your WordPress blog for you. Why would they jump through these hoops? They want you to succeed so that you become a customer for many years. As part of their service, both web hosts will also recommend and install plugins for you for a reasonable fee.

There’s no point in getting paralysis by analysis. This is an easy decision to get over your first hurdle – actually getting your WordPress blog online and ready to roll.

2. Design.

One thing I outsource gladly is graphics. When I try to do my own, they look unprofessional and, downright tacky. When I pay a more talented professional to create my graphics, they look awesome! You can find a professional designer at Shelancers.com who can make your blog look snazzy – just look around. Of course, you can also search places like eLance.com, but I’d suggest that you ask for a recommendation from a friend (or even on Twitter) before going with someone totally untested.

3. Content Management.

Keeping your blog active with fresh content can be a feat in itself. BUT – there is a big secret that bloggers use to make their lives much easier. It’s called PLR content and it’s something that I’ve also used in the past.

What is PLR content? Basically, PLR articles are written by ghostwriters and sold at a very affordable price (usually around $1-2 per article) to multiple bloggers and website owners. So, as a blogger, you can purchase these articles, and stick them on your blog. Or, as I recommend, you edit them a bit before posting them to your blog. While PLR is not totally hands-free – it can help you to get over the hurdle of having to write all of the content for your blog all by yourself.

By the way, the place I recommend you look for PLR Articles is EasyPLR.com http://easyplr.com/go.php?af=977615&u=www.easyplr.com

Of course, you can save even more time by hiring a Virtual Assistant to add the PLR that you purchase to your blog for you so that it’s waiting in there the next time you face writer’s block (as we all do).

4. Community.

Do you ever hear the sound of crickets when you go to your blog? How do some bloggers get such a conversation going while others seem to be talking to themselves? The answer may not be what you think. Another big secret of top bloggers is that they sometimes “seed” conversations with their own assistants and friends. Yes, they have commenters who are paid to come by and leave comments to keep the conversation going. Pretty cool, isn’t it?

While you don’t have to go quite that far, it doesn’t hurt to be “comment buddies” with some friends and help keep each others blogs active with conversation.

What Next?

Outsourcing can be a big scary thing if you’re trying to figure it out on your own. So, if you’d like to learn more about how to Outsource in your Online Business, I recommend this course: http://www.OutsourceWeekly.com (You’ll see a free series of lessons on the top of that page.)

Or grab this outsourcing ebook with over 140 resources for less then 10.00 http://www.mcpromotions.com/outsourcing/index.htm

"Dakota Arson Giallombardo I- The Dog with Nine Lives"

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 22:56:00 +0000

By Merle 2011

As a child, and even into adult married life, dogs were always a part of my life. After my divorce, and then shortly after another painful breakup from a relationship that had lasted almost four years, I was feeling pretty lonely and bad about myself. Then I met Jim. A man like no other I had ever met in my life.

After dating almost one and a half years, I asked him if we could get a dog. At the time we were renting in Euclid, and he said that the landlord might not approve, so he put me off. I was relentless, begging him night and day to please, please get a dog. In my heart, I wanted someone that I could love and who would love me back unconditionally. My maternal instincts were crying out for a "child" and a furry friend would surely "fix" everything that was ailing me. Inside I was broken and just knew a dog would help me to heal.

On Valentine’s Day in 1996, while washing dishes, Jim came up behind me with a gift. He reached inside his jacket and pulled out the cutest little black puppy I had ever seen. I was thrilled. My prayers had been answered. He was a purebred "Miniature Pinscher" born December 28, 1995. Jim said he would be the lap dog I always wanted, not realizing at the time just how large he would grow - about 23lbs at his heaviest. A lap dog he wasn't.

It took me weeks to come up with a name because it had to be perfect. About two weeks into our new relationship, he was still nameless, but while driving on the highway it came to me....Dakota. Jim and I called him our son, so with a play on words, we named him "Dakota Arson I". Arson for "our son". He grew quickly and we took him everywhere we went. When we left home for long periods of time, he ate would eat my shoes. Visiting Payless to stock up on new heels became a weekly field trip. Jim's kids were all young at the time and even they cherished and loved him. He slept in our bed and was content just to be at my side.

My fondest memory is of the two of us jogging every morning before I went to work. We started when he was just a puppy. I would tie him to my waist and attach his leash to my belt before running off through the neighborhood. About two miles, five days a week. It was our special time together and oh, how he loved it. He was often up several hours before me just waiting by the door. We were running partners for many years before I had to stop due to back injuries from all the years of running on cement.

He was also a notorious mouse killer. Better than any cat at rodent control. Going to the park for hikes in the woods was another favorite pastime.

After a few years of living in Euclid, Jim and I bought a home in Highland Heights where Dakota spent the majority of this life. Feeling bad that Jim and I were working and not home all day, I thought Dakota needed a sibling. That's when we got him a brother, an Italian Greyhound named Teddy Bear. They spent the next seven years together before Teddy got unexpectedly ill and died two weeks later. As I layin bed sobbing and heartbroken, Dakota was right at my side. He was going through his own grieving process but still licked the tears from my face. I told him that someday he would see Teddy Bear again in heaven.

Within a few short months we got another Italian Greyhound named Gia. She looked so much like Teddy Bear, and in a strange way she helped me to get over my grief. Dakota was just as thrilled with his new little sister. About a year later, not planning to get another dog, a Toy Fox Terrier named Baxter needed a home, so he became the third member of our happy little family.

Dakota was the "pack leader". Being the oldest and wisest, he was top dog and everyone else fell in line behind him. He was brave and strong and afraid of nothing. His fearlessness got him in trouble a few times. Like when the neighbor's 100lb Akita challenged him and 23lb Dakota thought he was up for the fight. That dog tore him up not once, but twice over the course of a year - the second time almost killing him. With such severe internal injuries they had to do immediate surgery and told me he may die on the operating table. But he didn't. He fought his way back to me just like he did so many times before. He was like a cat with nine lives and no one or nothing could destroy him.

Over the course of his lifetime, besides being attacked twice by the neighbor's dog, he was also hit by a car, had a broken kneecap, had cancerous tumors removed, and one time ate a dead duck that was lying in the middle of the road baking in the August heat,becoming so violently ill he was hospitalized and put on IV's to treat food poisoning. This dog was incredible, like the Energizing Bunny, "he took a licking and kept on ticking". I was always there to nurse him back to health. I thought he would live forever. I was wrong.

He was so brave and determined fighting back from whatever was ailing him. A born fighter with such determination to live but sweet and loving. He liked everyone, and never bit anyone in his entire life. He was highly protective of Jim and I, and often barked at every leaf blowing around in the yard. No one was sneaking up on me anytime soon.

The vacuum was his sworn enemy and any time we tried to vacuum, he went crazy barking and biting at it. Unfortunately, he passed this bad habit onto Gia and Baxter. With his resiliency and will to live, Dakota taught me to never give up when life knocks you down. You need to fight with everything you have to get back on top. He took one day at a time, never worrying about tomorrow. He was always in the present, enjoying the here and now. No matter if that meant lying in the sun basking in its glow, or enjoying the heat from a roaring fire. That's what is so wonderful about dogs - they're just happy to be, not spending their days chasing after money or things. Dakota was a great dog, and there will never be another just like him. A true one of a kind original. A warrior.

If Dakota could talk, I think he would probably say "Thanks for giving me such a wonderful life and always taking care of me".

About four months ago, at almost 16 years of age, he was diagnosed with liver and kidney failure. This was one fight he couldn't win. Jim and I decided to take care of him up until the point when he would die on his own or have to be put to sleep. Once again, he fought the deterioration of his body with everything he had. As sick and weak as he was, he still went to the door every day to do his "business". I believe he didn't want to leave us. He often looked into my eyes pleading with me to make him feel better. I always could in the past, but this time I could not.

At one point he stopped eating, and Jim and I knew we would have to do what we had been dreading for months. We had hoped he would go peacefully in his sleep but he just refused to die. The day we put him down was Feb 24, 2011. Ten days after Valentine’s Day – the day that he had first entered our lives so many years ago. The day was cold and dreary, no sun in the sky. Sending Dakota to heaven was one of the hardest things we ever had to do. He's at peace now, no more pain and discomfort - and I like to think that Teddy Bear was there waiting for him to help him "cross over". The dog with nine lives who refused to die was now dead.

Even though we're sad, I know in my heart that someday we will be together again. I whispered that into his ear as he quietly slipped away there in the stillness of the vet's office. And when we see him again he will jump into our arms and it will be as if we were never apart.

Goodbye Kota Boy. Daddy and I will miss you every day for the rest of our lives, but we will never forget you. How could I forget the dog who taught me to love again...? Dakota Arson Giallombardo I. Thank you for coming into our lives and being such a loyal and faithful friend. Until the day we meet again, remember we love you, and you'll always be right here in our hearts.

“Life Lessons Learned from My Terminally Ill Dog (Dakota)”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 02:54:00 +0000

Four months ago I was told by the vet that my 16 year old dog, Dakota was dying from liver and kidney failure. She basically handed over some pain pills, told me to keep him comfortable until the day he stops eating and drinking when I would be forced to put him to sleep. At first I accepted her dismal news and gave him the pain pills every 4 hours, religiously. The pills were way too strong and put him in such a stupor the poor thing could barely walk. So I stopped. Pain meds were just putting a bigger burden on his liver and according to the vet he wasn't really in pain just a tad uncomfortable. There had to be a better way.

Now anyone that knows me knows that I'm a big believer in holistic health and the power of herbs, and I don't give up on anything easily. I started doing research online. A lot of research. Wanting to find out everything I could on natural remedies for dogs suffering with kidney and liver failure. There are a number of herbs that strengthen the liver, and help to cleanse the toxins from the blood supply, a job usually done by healthy kidneys and liver. I needed to help my dog's body do the jobs it could no longer do on his own.

I started him on a daily regimen of multi-vitamins, Milk Thistle, Burdock,
Dandelion, Alfalfa, Sam E, Fish Oil, Vit C, and Vit E. The doses were spread
out throughout the day so as not to overload his system with everything all at the same time. When the vet first diagnosed him he was barely eating and I had been taking him to the vets 2 days a week or more for anti-nausea shots which seemed to help at first but eventually stopped. Once the herbs took hold he ate pretty well most of the time with only an occasional bout of vomiting and diareah. Upon more reading I found that baths were a good way to remove toxins from the body so I added weekly Epsom Salt Baths which also seemed to help with relaxation and sleeping.

Over the past few months we've had good days and bad days. On bad days we might have a lot of seizure activity and not much appetite. He would sometimes stare at his water bowl for 10 minutes but unable to drink from it. And on good days he ate a whole plate of food every few hours and looked for more. The liver controls sugar in the body, and with that no longer working properly, I had to offer food every 3 to 4 hours to keep the blood sugars levels up to avoid seizures which seemed to get worse when intervals between feedings went too long. Some days he'd be very weak and fall into his own feces when going to the bathroom. Baths became more frequent.

Lately when he's sleeping the waking intervals are growng longer and longer. Body temperature becomes hard to regulate, so I had to constanly check to make he was covered, or turn the heater on in front of his cage. To entice eating I became like the Galloping Gourmet. A variety of foods were given and depending on appetite what he'd eat one day, would not eat the next. Dog food was out of the question except for an occasional container of Beneful wet food which seemed to tickel his fancy from time to time. Sometimes he'd favor Mcdonalds, other times Arby's then he'd move on to only Pizza. Whatever it took to stimulate his appetite I did it.

Schedules had to be arranged so that someone was usually home as there were a few times he was left alone and fell down and could not get back up and was stuck in that postion for hours until we arrived. Through it all he only had an occasional accident in the house and still went to the door faithfully to be carried outside to do his business. He had to be carried as he could no longer navigate the steps on his own. Many cold winter nights he'd fall in the snow or on the ice and I'd run outside in my pajamas, barefoot to lift him to safety. Like an elderly old man balance on some days was not so good, especially on a heavy seizure day.

Years ago Dakota was attacked by the neighbor's dog, a 100lb Akita. Not once but twice. In both cases I stayed with him and nursed him back to health. He's come to rely on me as the caretaker, the Alpha dog. The nurturer who in the past could always make him feel better and restore health and vitality. He looks at me now as if I've failed him. He'll stare at me as if to say "Why aren't I getting better?". He knows if anyone could fix him, it's me. But this time I can't. I have failed him and will fail him. I am not God and there's nothing I can do outside of trying to make him as comfortable as possible with the short amount of time he has left.

Has all of this been a lot of work? Yes. Would I do it all over again? Yes. I love my dog and cherish the time we've been spending together. No matter if he's just lying by my side curled up in a blanket sleeping or my holding his head trying to soothe him out of a seizure. He's my son and I love him. He would do the same for me if he could. For all his years of faithfulness, this is the least I can do for him.

He's taught me so much about strength and fighting over the past few months. Life lessons I could not learn from another human being, only from a dog. This dog.

1) Don't give up on things. It "aint over till it's over".

2 Tomorrow's another day. Today may be a bad day but tomorrow might be great.

3) Even when it's tough and it hurts, believe in yourself. You can do more then you think you can.

4) Loyalty is hard to find. When you find it, hold onto it and don't let it go.

5) Don't believe what others say. They may say you're doomed, but you only are if you accept that diagnosis and give up. Fight everyday.

6) Take care of those you love and they'll take care of you.

7) Spend more time together- You never know when it will be your last.

8) Sometimes "natural" is better then medicine. Always do research to see if there are holistic ways to treat any condition or disease.

9) Before you leave the house kiss those you love goodbye.

Remember, dogs are considered seniors at the age of 7 and should have annual exams starting at that age to catch any disease progression early on. Something I didn't know. Now I wish I had.

Through it all people have had their "opinions" on what I'm doing for my dog. The one thing I hear the most is "Is he in pain?". Well, I'm not sure let me ask him. Most believe that as soon as a dog is diagnosed with a terminal illness they should be put down. Well, my grandfather has been in a nursing home for the past few years sticken with numerous medical and mental problems and no one considers putting him down. Why should a dog matter any less.

If your child were ill would you try to take care of him or her? or would you put them out of their "misery". Dakota is a member of my family and my responsibility to take care of. I do not choose to take the easy way out.

Like a dog I will be faithful until the end. Humans could learn a lot from dogs and I'm lucky enough to have had one of the best teachers.

“For Bloggers,By Bloggers”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 02:17:00 +0000

Blogs are big business online. There are blogs on all kinds of topics and something to suit everyone’s tastes. Wordpress is by far the most popular blogging software,and Blogger would be the most popular third party hosted site. No matter how you host it, like a dog, it needs to be fed every day to stay healthy and grow.

If you have a blog you know it’s not easy coming up with daily content. Sure, there’s plenty of PLR content out there you can use, but if you want to be original your blog needs a voice. Your voice. So what to do?

That’s where this site comes into play ”For Bloggers, By Bloggers”. It contains some of the best tips to help you with your needs as a blogger. Contributing experts of the site include

Topics they cover include deciding on a niche, how often to post, where to find content, tips and more. If you’re trying to be successful in this field this site is sure to help. Check it out at http://bestbloggingtipsonline.com/

Be sure to subscribe by email and be notified of the newest posts.

“Life's Little Goodies: Everyone is Dealing with Something”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 06:08:00 +0000

When I first started online a hundred yeas ago my favorite Internet personality was a guy named “Boogie Jack”. He taught me a lot about building websites in his informative newsletter, but he also has taught me a lot about life with his philosophy. Each issue of his ezine covers a little gem like the one I’ve posted below. Find out more about Booj at his website http://www.BoogieJack.com . He’s written a few books so he really knows his stuff, and he’s an all around great guy.

-----------------------------------------Everyone is dealing with something. Yes, that includes me. It's a recurring theme in our lives. We all have our secret (or not so secret) trials and tribulations.

Yet, when we look at other people we often think they don't have life struggles like we do because there are no visible signs. We humans seem to be masters of disguise!

In spite of what we see, many people aren't as happy as the face they put on for us would indicate. That's truly a shame, because much of the time they could be.

What does the following line say:

MYHAPPINESSISNOWHERE

Did you read that as my happiness is nowhere, or my happiness is now here?

Very often, happiness depends on where we place our attention. Studies have shown that those who are happiest live in the moment. Those who dwell too much on the past or future are missing the only moment it is possible to be happy ... now.

You can't become happy, for that places happiness in the future. You can only be happy now. As simplistic as it may sound, Bobby McFerrin had it right—don't worry, be happy.

But, what is happiness? One definition the dictionary gives is this:

A pleasurable or satisfying experience.

These are the feel-good emotions that most people associate happiness with, such as love, elation, and passion. But emotions are fleeting. So we keep chasing after those feel-good moments to get another happiness fix.

This endless chase is one of the chief causes of unhappiness! It becomes like an addiction. We feel good when we get a fix, and don't feel right when we need one.

The dictionary also describes happiness as:

A state of well-being and contentment.

A state of well-being and contentment isn't a fleeting emotion, it's a lasting, long term state of being. It comes from inside of us rather than coming from external emotional fixes.

It comes from having a purpose (goals) and making steady progress toward that purpose. It comes from the satisfaction in knowing we are growing in maturity, wisdom, and our capacity to love. It comes from serving others as well as taking care of ourselves. It comes from accepting life as it is while working to make it better. And, it comes from being kind to ourselves and forgiving our own faults, as well as being kind and forgiving to others.

Maybe we confuse emotional highs with lasting happiness. Perhaps we're happier than we think we are. Advertisers are always trying to tell us what we need to buy to be happy, but happiness doesn't come from without, it comes from within.

All happiness is self-generated. If it were external events that bring us happiness, the same event would make everyone happy. That is clearly not the case. It's not the events that make us happy, but our belief and expectation of happiness as the outcome that makes it so.

Happiness comes most often when we aren't trying to cage it, so rather than seeking happiness today, try to spread happiness around. You may be delighted to discover that happiness finds you.

Here's something you can do today: Turn off any distractions and sit quietly. Close your eyes. Think to yourself, "I choose to be happy today." Then smile. Dwell in that moment for next 30 seconds.

See if that doesn't make you feel just a little bit happier.

Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude.
- Dale Carnegie

Happiness consists in activity. It is running steam, not a stagnant pool.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes

If you want to be happy, be.
- Leo Tolstoy

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.
- Mark Twain

We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.
- Frederick Keonig

“50% Off PLR Sale- It’s a Party!”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:09:00 +0000

I just heard that my buddy Ronnie from PLR.me relaunched his site, and he's throwing an online house warming party (silly, I know!) But the cool thing?

You don't need to bring a gift... Ronnie is actually giving YOU gifts.

Check it out by clicking here

P.S. If nothing else, you gotta see Ronnie with a party hat below... it's pretty ridiculous:
http://www.plr.me/id/house-warming/msmerle

Optimizing Your Blog for Success

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:53:00 +0000

Passion is important in life and also when it comes to blogging. If your blog lacks passion it will appear in your posts. Listen to this interview where Forrester offers up tips for conversion optimization that are discussed in his book, Turn Clicks into Customers.

More WebProNews Videos

“Use Social Networking Sites for Your Promotions”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 06:14:00 +0000

Here's something that you absolutely need to know about affiliate marketing: You have to promote yourself, your website and your products in every way possible.

Here's something else you need to know: You can do a lot of this for absolutely nothing. Simply harness the power of social networking and you'll find that in this case, it's the free stuff that’s the best stuff.

Social networking is connecting with other people all over the world who share some common interests and goals. Websites such as Twitter, Hub Pages, LinkedIn, Google Knol, Facebook, and Squidoo make this possible.

The reason that social networking works so well when it comes to affiliate marketing is that it's free, but it’s also because people flock to it. People love to meet new people, learn new things, try new things and have new opportunities. Social networking can bring people from all walks of life and from all corners of the earth together.

When you participate in social networking as an entrepreneur, you’re able to both seek out and attract people to you who are interested in what you're doing and in your product and opportunities. You don't have to force anything. You don't have to chase anyone around - because social networks are full of people who are looking for someone like you.

All you have to do is position yourself properly, do some work, and create your own reputation as a trusted and knowledgeable expert and you'll find that the social networks do the rest of the work for you.

My suggestion to you regarding social networking is that you give a fair amount of your time and energy to this activity because it has the potential for bringing in real profits for your efforts.

On each of the social networks that I’ve listed above, you’re allowed to promote your business freely, and although you would never want your social networking to be only about your business, people welcome entrepreneurs with open arms on social networks.

What seems to work very well for marketers is to join several social networking sites, promote their own business, but also be friendly, helpful and encouraging to others in their endeavors.

This gives you a reputation for being one of the “good guys,” and people like that. They like to deal with people who are interested in them and interested in building good relationships, not only in making a fast buck.

Learn about social networking. Learn to take advantage of all social networking can offer to you as a way to develop your own brand and move your business forward by leaps and bounds. You won't regret one moment of the time or energy it takes, and you'll be thrilled that it's completely free!

Additional Resources:

Market Me Tweet brands your tweets
New Twitter Software offers easy personal tweet branding

Download your Free Twitter Report and learn
how to use it in your marketing efforts.

http://merlesworld.com/TwitterMeThis/index.html

“Google Adsense for Domains”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 04:04:00 +0000

If you’re a true online entrepreneur you probably have a few domains that you’ve purchased with the thought of developing a website, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Like a kid in a candy store it’s easy to get a “lightbulb moment” for a new site, buy a domain, and then run out of time when it comes to putting it all together and up and running.

Well, Google wants to help with all that unused real estate. If you participate in their Adsense program where you run related ads on your website they also have “Adsense for Domains”. Now that this is a new program, it’s been around for awhile but now Google has made it easier to use. It allows you to run Google ads on those domains, and possibly make some money while their sitting collecting dust.

All you need to do is change your domain’s nameserver to the following

ns1.googleghs.com

ns2.googleghs.com

ns3.googleghs.com

ns4.googleghs.com

As soon as the records validate, usually within 24 hours, they'll start serving ads to traffic that comes to your site.

If you need a great web host with affordable rates and tremendous customer service I highly recommend Host Gator.

Related articles

“Black Friday Special on Web Hosting from HostGator”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 08:00:00 +0000

I LOVE HostGator and have been hosting multiple sites with them for years. Their prices are excellent and the customer service is speedy and quick.

They make it easy to set up unlimited domains and sites with just a few clicks of your mouse. So in honor of Black Friday they’re offering fantastic deals. This is their best DEAL in 8+ years of hosting!

Please be advised that this Black Friday promotion starts at 12:00 AM Friday November 26th CST (-6 GMT) and will run until 11:59PM CST (-6 GMT) 11/26/2010.

You do NOT want to miss out on this offer.

Without further ado, here is their Black Friday 2010 Special Offer:

They’re offering 50% OFF EVERYTHING From 12:00AM CST – 5AM CST

They’re offering 80% OFF EVERYTHING From 5AM – 9AM CST WHILE SUPPLIES LAST (first come, first receive; so definitely don't miss out!)

From 9AM – 11:59PM CST OR after 80% OFF accounts have sold out, they will continue to offer 50% OFF EVERYTHING

That includes Shared Hosting, Reseller Hosting, VPS Hosting AND even Dedicated Servers!

This promotion gives HostGator customers award winning hosting for as little as:

Shared Hosting – $4.95/month AS LOW AS $0.99/month

Reseller Hosting – $24.95/month AS LOW AS $4.99/month

VPS Hosting – $19.95/month AS LOW AS $3.99 First Month

Dedicated Servers – $174/month AS LOW AS $34.80 First Month

As you can see, this is an absolutely CRAZY DEAL and if you’ve been looking for a new home for your websites they really are a great company.

Remember this offer is only running for 1 DAY on Black Friday. Don't miss out on this incredibly deal. Click Here Now to Grab yours!

“How to Create & Profit From Your Facebook Fan Page?

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:38:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

If you sell or promote anything online you need to use social media. Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, all can be used to drive traffic back to your main site, build your mailing list, even sell more products/services. You can also use them to share news, announce special offers, share videos and to collect feedback from your customers. The possibilities are really endless.

If you have a personal page on Facebook it’s easy to generate a fan page or business page, whatever they’re calling it these days. This Free workbook with PLR rights will walk you through the steps required to create and profit from your own page.

The Steps Include:

1) Define Your Facebook Page’s Goals and Purpose

2) Identify and Research Your Audience

3) Plan Your Page

4) Create your Facebook Business Page

5) Maintain Your Page

Download the free 9 page workbook and the included handy printable checklist at the link below.

http://www.merlesworld.com/e-books/Facebook_FanPage.zip

"Staring Death in the Face- Dakota Loyal Until the End"

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:56:00 +0000

The other day I received some really bad news. News that maybe subconsciously I've
known for a long time and didn't really want to hear spoken out loud. My son is dying.
At almost 16 years of age his liver and kidney's are failing him. While 16 may sound
young to you, I must tell you that technically he's almost 112. His name is Dakota, he

has black fur and walks on four legs and I love him dearly.

I can still remember like it was yesterday the day he entered my life. For months I had been begging my boyfriend, Jim to get me a dog. Surely, it would mend my broken heart. It was something I wanted so badly. Finally Jim succumbed to my wishes and on Valentines day in the kitchen of our Euclid home presented me with the cutest little ball of fluff. He pulled him out from the inside of his jacket and I instantly fell in love. Taking college courses at the time he would lay on the table and crawl inside the sleeve of my jacket with just his face peering out at me as he slept and I studied.

Naming him was tough. It had to be just the right name. It took me almost two weeks to come up with it. I was driving one day and I said, "Dakota". Maybe I saw a Dodge truck or something. I don't remember exactly how it came to me but Dakota it was and for a middle name it was Arson. He was "our son",so Arson was the perfect fit. Dakota Arson Giallombardo. Now that was a name with substance.

As he grew he was a tough little dog. For years he was my morning running partner. We would get up at the crack of dawn and run two miles through the neighborhood together. He loved it and had a great little body from it, and so did I. He was always ready and willing to go. It was our time together.

You know how they say a cat has nine lives? I think Dakota did. He was attacked by my neighbor's Akita twice and lived to tell about it. Hit by a car, had a broken knee cap and had some skin cancer removed. He took a licking and kept on ticking. He was a manly man and never whined or complained. He took it all in stride and always maintained his joy and sense of humor and recovered from it all. This time he can't. The odds are against him. I know it and so does he.

Time is running out and there's not a damn thing I can do about it. Ever since he turned 12 I've expected him to die every year from old age. I always thought 12 or 13 was it for a dog. But I'm a fanatic about herbs and have home cooked for my dogs for years and also feed them Flax Seed, Probiotics on their food, and he's been taking the supplement Sam-E for about 4 years now for his liver. Perhaps it was all the good nutrition that kept him ticking along all this time. I would like to think my good care had something to do with his longevity. Maybe he just didn't want to leave us.

Anyone who owns a dog knows that one day they will die and break your heart. I guess in my mind I always thought it was tomorrow or next week, or next year. Now I'm staring death in the face every day and I'm afraid. Afraid for my dog, afraid for what I may have to do to my dog soon, and afraid of what my life will be like after he's gone. Fear is my constant companion. I've never had to put a dog down in my life and unless he dies in his sleep it looks as if I'll be faced with this ugly event soon. How can I kill my friend? How do I end the life of someone who's always been there for me through thick and thin, good times and bad and been more loyal then any person has ever been to me? Just how do I do that? How do I kill a treasured family member? I'm not sure I can.

Watching him slowly deteriorate over this past year has not been easy. Where once stood an active healthy dog, now lays a weakened shell of his former self. His eyes are glazed over and sickly. His body covered in lumpy masses, his back legs shake so badly he can barely walk. He easily loses his balance and falls over. His weakened body sleeps most of the day, only waking for food, water and occasional potty break. Is this quality of life? I don't know. All I know is he still has one.

Every morning he wakes up, I give him his meds and we start all over again. Totally reliant on me for everything even carrying him outside to do his "business", as he can no longer maneuver the stairs. My little man has become an elderly sick doggy and I can't stand it. Father time can be so cruel. He strips away our youth, looks, and eventually even takes those that we love. There's no escaping time.

Somehow even with all the sadness I'm trying to enjoy each day with him. I've been sleeping on the floor outside of his cage, just to make sure he's still breathing, or just to let him know I care and I'm close by. Not knowing what or when will happen or when he'll be taken away from me forever. Just the thought of it kills me. I don't know if I'm strong enough to face what's coming. Then I look into his eyes and see how hard he's fighting what's raging inside his ravaged body and I think, if he can do it, so can I. He's so brave and strong, not once complaining or crying out in pain. He has given me unconditional love his entire life, so how can I give him anything less in his time of need.

Thank you Dakota for being the best son a mother could have. You've been the best dog anyone could ask for. You taught me to love again and for that I can never repay you. But I promise I'll never forget you and one day we will be together again. And on that day you will leap into my arms and it will be like we were never apart. That is my promise to you. I love you, and I will miss you every day for the rest of my life. But I will never forget.

“5 Steps to Writing Your First Article”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:10:00 +0000

For many people, the idea of actually sitting down and writing an article stops them cold. You may wonder if you have anything worth saying, or if your writing is "good" enough for publication. If it makes you feel any better, virtually every writer – even the professionals – start out with the same fears. Really, the only way out is through. But once you have one article under your belt, the next ones become much easier. Here’s a five-step plan to have you on your way to your first article:

1. Brainstorm topics.

What questions do you get about your topic area? What are the sticking points for newbies to your field? What equipment or specialized knowledge do people need to get started? Make a list of the most common questions you are asked about your business.

For instance, if your niche is freezer cooking, people might want to know:

*How will freezer cooking benefit me?
*What equipment will I need?
*What are the problems I might encounter?
*How much money will it cost to get started?
*What are some basic recipes?

In five minutes, you can have topics for your first dozen articles.

2. Choose one to begin with.

Pick one of your topics to start with. Forget about choosing the "perfect" topic – there is no such thing. With a pen and a piece of paper (or a computer, if that is more comfortable), set the timer for 10 minutes and jot down everything you can think of related to that topic. Don't worry about complete sentences, formatting, or spelling, just get the ideas down.

For instance, if my topic is "How freezer cooking can benefit you," I might write,

*Save money
*Healthier diet
*Lose weight
*Fun
*Social – can do with friends
*Helps you be prepared and organized
*Less stress

Some people like to use mind maps to create these lists. If you'd like more information on that process, I suggest googling "mindmap software."

3. Organize it and flesh it out.

The next step is to take the outline you created in Step 2 and organize it into common themes. You're aiming for an article about 400-700 words, so three to five main points is ideal. If you have more than that, never fear! You can turn that information into another article.

Then take your outline and build on it. If this is where you start feeling butterflies in your stomach, relax. Imagine you're writing an email to a friend to explain to him or her the topic of your article. Again, don't get stuck on grammar, spelling, etc. Just get the info on the page – you can always go back and edit it (professional writers often create several drafts of their work. Very few people get it right the first time!).

4. Proofread.

Now's the time when you can go back through the article and edit and polish, making each sentence say what you want it to. Be sure it’s cohesive, that the statements flow together, and that it makes sense. Also be on the lookout for places where you can tighten your writing – where you use three words when just one will do, or where there are redundancies. Let each word, each sentence, each paragraph have purpose.

When you think your article is finished, walk away from it for an hour or even a day. Then go back and read through again. By giving yourself some time away from your article, you will pick up previously missed errors or ones that spell check didn’t catch.

5. Submit!

After you’ve written your article and polished it until it shines, it’s time to submit it. Most article marketers submit to online directories – clearinghouses where experts post articles and editors find content to publish. While there are hundreds of online article directories, there’s no need to submit to more than a few. Each has its own pluses and minuses, so take some time to pick the best for your niche. A quick search on Google for "article directory" will bring up dozens of options. If you know of large circulation newsletters or ezines in your niche, submit directly to those publishers as well.

Make sure you follow their guidelines exactly, as some have minimum and maximum word lengths, as well as other requirements.

Article marketing is a valuable free marketing strategy, but it must be used consistently— and often — for the best results. So once you've finished one article, go back to the beginning and start writing your next. Keep the content flowing, and soon you'll see the results of your hard work. You can’t buy better promotion than that!

“Fun Apps for Your Droid”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 19:50:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Droid and iPhones are so much fun because there are thousands of apps to download that can turn your phone into everything from a personal trainer to a fax machine. It's just downright cool. Even though I've been experiencing issues with my phone since the Froyo software update, I still love my Motorola Droid and wouldn't think about giving it up. Well, maybe for a Droid 2 <grin>

So how do you know which apps to download? Here's a list of my personal favorites. let me know what you think. I use, or have you used most of these on a daily basis. So many apps, but never enough space.

If you think of any I missed please post them in the comments section.

Files Anywhere

Directly upload, download and send files from your Android Phone. Share, manage, email and fax remote files.

http://filesanywhere.com/android/index.html

Bump

Share contacts info, pictures, calendar events, and more just by tapping two phones together. Works with Iphone and Android phones.

http://bu.mp/

Trapster

It’s easy to avoid a speed trap when you know where they are.

http://www.trapster.com/android.php

Where's My Droid

Lost your phone? Send a text message of "wheres my Droid" from any phone to yours and it will start ringing even if it's on vibrate. Cool.

http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-alienmanfc6-wheresmyandroid-jmwp.aspx

WordPress

Post to your blog, edit comments and more.

http://android.wordpress.org/

B&B Gallery

A better photo and video organizer then the default one on the phone.
http://gallery.breadandbuttertool.com/

HandCent Messaging

A Better Text messaging program. The factory installed one leaves a lot to be desired.

http://www.handcent.com/

My Lookout

Protects your phone from viruses and also will locate it for you if lost. Back up your data too. All free.

https://www.mylookout.com/

WeatherBug

Know what the weather forecast is in a jiffy and keep your eye on any approaching storms.

http://weather.weatherbug.com/mobile/android.html

Twitter for Android
I love Tweeting from my phone.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/06/twitter-for-android-the-best-apps-reviewed/

Gmail for Android

Access your gmail account.

http://www.google.com/mobile/android/mail/

Alarming Alarm Clock

If you lead a busy life you need an alarm clock. This app gives extra customization to the built in program.

http://android.hlidskialf.com/apps/alarming

Facebook

Read and Post Facebook Updates on the go. Be notified immediately of new comments.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/facebook-for-android/com.facebook.katana

SatSports Log

Monitors walking or Running Distance, hiking and bicycling too.

http://www.satsportsgps.com/sportslog/htcandroid.html

Blogger Droid

Post Pix to Blogger and more.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/and.blogger

Photoshop Express

Photos underexposed. All is not loss, edit them with Photoshop.

http://mobile.photoshop.com/android/

Navigation

Why buy a GPS when it comes built into your phone.

http://www.google.com/mobile/navigation/index.html#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=gh0smm&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=android%20navigation&dc=gh0smm

Custom Car

Allows you to put all of your driving apps in one convenient location- Now with three home screens with six customizable shortcuts

http://www.appbrain.com/app/custom-car-home/com.bigfwoosh.customcarhome

Printer Share

Think you can't print from your phone? Think Again. With this app printing out pix is a breeze.

http://www.printeranywhere.com/

Kindle

Read more then 700,000 books from your phone. Free, no Kindle required.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=165849822&tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=5712036437&ref=pd_sl_39sm5vewxg_b

Pandora

Listen to Internet Radio and customize your own channels.

http://www.pandora.com/android

Daily Horoscope

Call me superstitious but I still get a kick out of reading what the stars have in store for me.

http://droidfreeapps.com/2010/01/android-horoscope-apps/

PDA Net

Tether your computer to your phone's Internet connection. Allows your phone to be used as a modem. Nice.

http://www.junefabrics.com/android/

ChompSMS
A replacement app for the built in messaging app.Loaded with extras like chat-style bubbles, contact pictures, quick reply, signatures and more.

http://www.chompsms.com/

Juice Defender
All of these apps put a lot of strain on your battery. Last longer with Juice Defender. It’s like Viagra, but for your phone <LOL>

http://latedroid.com/juicedefender/

RingDroid
Gives you the ability to take music files and turn them into ring tones.

http://code.google.com/p/ringdroid/

“Five Tips to Marketing Your Articles to Get Them More Exposure”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 21:21:00 +0000

Once you've written and submitted a few articles – hopefully several – it's time to start promoting them. While it's wonderful that you've got your articles out there for people to read and publish, to make the most of them, you have to do a little promotion. There are five main steps you should take to make sure you get the most mileage from your articles:

1. Tweet about your article.

Let people know when you have a new article listed in a directory by tweeting a link to your followers. Letting them know about new information available from you is a quick and easy way to spread the word. A simple tweet should include the topic and the link. Stick to under 120 characters so people have room to retweet your message without having it get cut off.

2. Post it on your blog.

While you don't want to post the whole article, you can allude to it at the end of another post. For instance, "Want to read more about how to train your parakeet in a week or less? Check out my new article, "Tricks and Treats for Parakeets," and then link to the page.

3. Create a reprints page.

Create a list of your articles on a separate page on your blog or website. Link to it from the main page with a sentence that says, "Want more information on parakeet training, or would you like to reprint my work on your site? Click here for more information." Then include links to all your articles, as well as how interested parties can contact you for more information.

4. Link 'em up.

Tell your audience about the information you have available every chance you get. This is why it's great to have multiple articles out there – you can mention a different one in your newsletter, on your Facebook page, in your signature line on your emails, in forums, etc. If you've created targeted, useful content, people are going to want to know about it!

5. Combine them.

After you've authored 10 or 20 articles on a similar theme, combine them and edit them into an e-book, a special report, or an e-course. Add more information, create transitions, throw in a resource or two, and you've got a product to give away or sell.

Writing and publishing your first few articles is just the beginning of the marketing cycle. Think creatively about who would like the information you've written, and how you can get it to them, and you're on your way to creating a steady stream of traffic to your site.

“How to Write a Killer Resource Box”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:20:00 +0000

Article directories clearly state that when reprinting an article, the resource box must remain intact including the link. The resource box is one of the most important pieces of your article marketing strategy. It is what will draw a person to your site, increase your traffic and ultimately your sales.

Your resource box should include enough information to pique readers’ interest, and have a strong call to action that will encourage them to click on your link for more information. No matter how good your article is, if your resource box does not compel the reader to visit your site and find out more, you have lost an opportunity to earn a customer.

Tips for writing an effective resource box:

1.Don't start your resource box off with your bio. This signals to the reader that your article is complete and that they can stop reading. It’s not all about you. Instead, begin with a question or statement that will entice them to read more. Example: "Want fourteen more ways to make money from home?"

2.Do not include a full bio. Most people are not interested in your full bio or every degree and accolade you have received. In fact, most people will skim over it and you will lose their interest before they get to your link and call to action.

3.Include at least one link, more if allowed. Look at the resource box guidelines for each directory to find out what you are allowed to include. Most allow one link, some two. Be sure to include as many links as you are allowed.

4.A strong call to action is an absolute requirement. Include a statement which informs the reader what they will receive when they click on your link and how it will benefit their lives. For instance, "Download Joe's free report today for more ways to make money in your sleep!" Offering something for free always works well.

5.Answer the burning question. When crafting your resource box, consider the question all readers ask (if only subconsciously)... “What’s In It For Me?” (WIIFM).

6.Draft a different resource box to fit every article that you create. If the article is about home improvement, then draft your resource box to tie into that with an appropriate offer and link. If the next article is specific to tool selection, steer your resource box in that direction. Start a file of resource boxes so you can add an appropriate one without recreating it each time.

The resource box is your opportunity to tell the reader what you have to offer and what they should do next. If you can show a reader what they will gain by clicking on your link, you’re almost guaranteed to build your website traffic with the articles you write.

Additional Resources:

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"The Motorola Droid Saga Continues: Part 2"

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 06:18:00 +0000

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So, I finally did it. I broke down and called Verizon yesterday about all of the problems I've been experiencing with my Motorola Droid since the Froyo 2.2 update. Before the update I LOVED my phone. I actually had fantasies of leaving my boyfriend for it, but then the update hit. The update that was suppose to make my life wonderful and bring a little Flash into my life.

Just for clarification purposes Motorola makes three different models of the Droid, the Original Droid, the Droid X and Droid 2. The Droid 2, which might be the way I end up going to solve my problems, comes with Froyo factory installed with a faster processor and an improved keyboard. Obviously, my thinking is it would be free from the update nightmare I'm currently experiencing with my original Droid.

Ever since Froyo it's as if my phone is possessed. It drops calls like crazy, the battery drains faster then a Greyhound racing at the track, and that's with hardly using it. Apps are locking up, and erroring out, and continually run in the background since the App Killer I was using also stopped working along with the 2.2 update. They say it's no longer needed that the new software manages apps just fine. Well, if that's true, why does it always say that apps are running in the background and even when I do a force close, they come right back? Go figure. Can you say annoying.

Anyway, I digress. Being not the complaining type (I listen to enough of that myself) rather choosing to solve my own problems, if possible, I finally made the call. Doing it only after spending hours online doing research, only to find hundreds of other people posting about the same crazy problems on various boards and forums. Apparently I wasn't alone in my new found misery. There were enough people saying the exact same things I was. This at least it verified my sanity. Well, maybe that's a stretch. There were others who had also fallen out of love with their Droid shortly after the Froyo update. Coincidence? I think not!

Upon calling Verizon (great customer service people by the way) they first suggested I update my roaming service which the nice lady said should stop my dropped call problems. My hopes aren't too high that this will remedy my phone dropping every single person I speak with, but hey I'm game for anything at this point. Then she transferred me to their tech department for all of my other "demonic possession" problems.

Upon explaining my problems and all of the research I had done online about others having the same issues she put me on hold to check. When she came back she stated there were no known issues at this time, but I could do a factory warranty swap out of the phone if I wanted to since it was only 6 months old. I declined her kindoffer and told her I'd wait it out for the "fix" that I'm sure they would come up with soon. Others online have said doing a factory reset fixes all,but when I asked her she didn't have much to say. But since she wasn't acknowledging there was a "real problem" what could she say. She did say she would put in a ticket so they would investigate further. I thanked her for her time and said goodbye.

A friend of mine (yes, I have a few) also has the same phone and we have been comparing notes. She's about ready to throw hers out the window. Rather then calling she stopped into a Verizon store to discuss her problems. Her experience was much different. The salesman told her that they know all about these issues and are working on a software fix.

Two different experiences on the exact same problems. Does that mean I was lied to on the phone? Or is it possible that the corporate office is so far removed from the actual customers they really don't know there's a problem? Again, this is all my opinion and my theory. But how could two people get two completely different answers?

For now I'm going to sit tight and wait it out. I want to fall in love with my Droid again and get that warm fuzzy feeling when I put it in my pocket.Our relationship needs some repair work and I'm crossing my fingers that Verizon will be supplying a remedy soon. All relationships need work, so why should my love/hate with a Droid be any different? They say "opposites attract".

“Offline Article Marketing Secrets”

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:44:00 +0000

While most people associate article marketing strictly with online promotion, you can get even more bang for your article buck by promoting your articles – and your business! – offline. Here's how you can turn your online articles into offline marketing engines:

1. Submit articles to local papers and newsletters.

Many local newspapers, neighborhood associations or local organization newsletters will accept contributed articles. By submitting your articles on a hot and timely topic, you can increase your exposure and potentially gain new subscribers or customers.

To find local sources for your articles, you can do a simple Google search. Enter “CITY newspaper” or “CITY shopper” (quotes included) with CITY being your location, or nearest major metropolitan city, in the Google search bar. For instance, “Tallahassee newspaper” or “Seattle shopper”.

You are highly likely to find multiple small publications in your area. Don't overlook neighborhood associations, as well as schools, daycares, gyms, community centers, churches, and clubs and organizations that create newsletters for their members. If their readership matches your target market, getting featured in these is free and can help you to grow your online business.

Make a list of publication names and contact information, and then either email them a link to your articles, or print out a copy and send it to their mailing address.

2. Share your content with associates and potential clients.

Print one of your favorite articles and mail it to prospective clients, business associates and others who might find the content useful. Include a sticky note that says “Thought you might find this helpful,” and sign your name. Be sure your website address or contact information and a business card are included as well. Then hand-address the envelope, include your name and return address, and drop it in the mail. If you make it a practice to send out a few every week, it can pay off in added readers, website visitors and customers.

3. Turn an article into a press release.

Newspapers are always looking for interesting news and stories they can use for their broadcast or print media. If your article has a strong news hook related to a recent event or season, you may be able to pitch a story as a press release. First, do some research to find out who your best contact at the newspaper is. For instance, if you're a landscaping company, identify who covers home and garden, then read several of their past articles to observe what topics they cover. Next, email or call them. Introduce yourself and ask what type of stories and news releases they want to receive and how (via email, fax, phone or mail).

Once you know what the reporters are looking for, you can direct appropriate stories their way. If your article topic fits, format your article as a press release and send it to them as they requested. Keep in mind that reporters and newspapers receive hundreds of releases, many of which were written and sent by people who haven’t taken any time to get to know the reporters or what they are looking for. By doing your homework and developing a relationship with them, you stand a much higher chance of getting your information published.

4. Create print booklets of your articles.

Take a few of your favorite articles and compile them into a booklet.

Here's how:

1.Lay out the articles in a word processing program (OpenOffice.org is free) or desktop publishing software.
2.Add an “About Us” page and contact information.
3.Include a free offer inside the book, if the reader joins your email list.
4.Print one sample booklet.
5.Copy the booklets at home or at your local print shop.

Then, it's time to distribute the booklets.

Mail them to prospective clients.
Include them with all physical purchases.
Offer them as a free gift to subscribers.
Bring them to networking events and leave at information tables or booths.

There are many ways to use offline article marketing strategies to enhance your results. Be creative and search for new places to display articles and locate readers and subscribers. By offering them your well-written articles, you can establish yourself as a local expert and go-to person when they need your services or products.

"Get Your FREE Pass to Online Copywriting 101"

noreply@blogger.com (Merle) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:17:00 +0000