Rarest Words

I worked hard for the past 17 years. I felt I had to. I only finished high school. Without a certificate to flaunt and yet wanting to climb the corporate ladder, I dedicated my effort and time to my work. I was proud of myself. At 40 years old I had reached a manager’s position.

The day came when I was handed the letter. Why did the company fire me? Was I not good enough?

It was a massive blow to my ego. My questions only brought back anger. I was not resourceful and I could not see any positive meaning to it.

As I thought about it longer, I became more angry and annoyed. Then the emotions turn into fear.

What can I do now? Who would employ me? At this age and with a lack of education, how could I get another job?

I was becoming an unendurable person. My relationship, which was already on the rocks suffered further.

I was no longer the person I used to be. I complained and whined. I lost the confidence in myself. I could not see myself in any other way but a “wimp”.

I avoided friends and ignored and neglected my partner. There were no more constructive conversations between us. He was getting on well with her career and moving upwards.

And the more I saw him succeeding the more I felt bad about myself. I was ashamed of myself. I thought that I was not good enough for him anymore. Finally he has had it. He walked out of my life.

Not only have I lost my job. I also have lost someone whom I thought was the one for me. More resentment and self-pity came over me. I was angry with him. How could he leave me if he had loved me?

I was not only broke but also alone. I was so broke that I could not afford my own home.

The finance company repossessed my car. I had no material things left except my clothes in my luggage and a few books.

It has to take two crisis to make me wake up to my senses. I had to change immediately. That was the only choice I had.

Losing your self-confidence is bad. Losing your self-esteem is worse. Losing your self is a disaster. Until…

I decided to change…in my thinking.

I have to meet my basic need first, food and shelter. The company I went to offered lodging so I took the job that paid only a quarter of what I used to earn.

Alone and still broke…but this time I looked at what I had left.

Change does not come easy. Recovering your self-confidence and your self-esteem is an attitude and mindset that needs discipline.

You need to develop the disciplines that can boost your trust in yourself again.

1. Admit that you have messed up.

Whatever happened, has happened to someone else too. It is how you make out of it that matters.

You either let it go and move on or wallow in self-pity. If you had taken the second option as I did, you will realize that your life would be messier than when it started.

It is not too late. Admit your mistakes, forgive yourself and move on.

2. Write down realistic goals.

When your self-esteem plummets, it is tough to see bright, colorful pictures of yourself smiling at your achievements.
Set several realistic goals to start with. For a start, these were some of my goals…

i) Put on 5kg.
Lost that. I was looking very thin and gaunt for my height. I need to lift my self-image.

ii) Cut smoking to 10 cigarettes a day.
I can’t afford more anyway

iii) Read 1 hr daily.
Got to feed my mind with something positive.

iv) Take 20minutes walk in the park a day.
I needed some fresh air and away from the cramp abode of mine.

v) Keep a journal.
I shunned friends so at least I could use this to pour out my feelings.

vi) Record my activities.
I must make full use of my time.

vii) Pray and meditate.
Somehow, I know I am not alone.

I worked on them and made certain that I followed the disciplines. It felt good to strike out each activity daily.

And when the good feelings enter again, I added more goals to my list. Slowly but surely, I began to feel good about myself again.

3) Interrupt the negative self-talks and critics.

Your self-talks will not stop and mostly they are negative and criticizing. This is a challenge especially when you are trying and working hard on yourself.

Learn to listen to them. Catch them “in the act”. Remove, cancel, and delete. Do whatever within your power to fight back.

It’s funny how you could move away from people who criticize you. At times you can even tell them to shut their mouth up and you can’t even tell your voices within to leave you alone.

You need to be aware. You must listen. Then when you hear, you could either so gently tell the voices to leave you alone.

Or, if the voices are softly whispering, tell them firmly to get out. Consciously now, speak something out loud or within yourself that you are worthy.

However and whatever you say, feed your ears and your mind with encouraging words like “I love myself”. Isn’t it better than hearing it say over and over again how hopeless you are?

4) Remember and recall successful and positive experiences.

If you really try, you will be able to remember a few of your success. I sat down in a “relaxed mode” and at first have to force myself to think of one experience that I was proud of.

Soon enough, I found out that I had quite a number of beautiful experiences.

- There was a time when I was given 3 promotions in a year.

- I remembered the time when I sat with my friends watching the sun setting on the horizon.

- I recalled my first experience snorkeling and seeing the beautiful and colorful fishes under the sea… in spite of my fear of water.

- The day when I first saw my niece one hour after she was born.

When you can play back these memories and experiences, you will realize that you have had great times many times over.

Why rewind and play the sad and dis-empowering movies in your mind? Will it make you feel good?

If not discard them just as easy as throwing photographs that we do not wish to look at.

This is a mind’s game. We can decide what to do with our mind.

Richard Bandler stated that the brain is his favorite toy. Let’s make that ours too. We have them too don’t we?

5) Keep a journal.

This can be therapeutic. You can write down what you think and feel.

No one is going to correct your grammar. No one is going to argue about it. This is because no one is going to see it. It is yours.

Why let those words keep voicing out in your head. Write them out. Say what you want to say.

And maybe laugh at some of them when you sit back and read them many months later.

Write down your activities too. How much time did you spend sleeping? What time did you get up?

What was the first thing you saw when you got up? Whom did you meet today and how long did you use your time for socializing?

How many push-ups did you do today? What ideas came to your mind today? What have you learned at work? What can you do to improve your income?

6) Read and listen.

When I first started out again, I did not have many friends. My weekends were quiet. There were moments when I dreaded just the thought of it.

I did not have many books to read and I did not have much money to buy them. So I spent my time at the public library.

Reading motivational and inspiration books helped me especially at those times when I was down and out.

I read and read. It has kept me inspired and my interest in other subjects has broadened.

After a while I started to listen to motivational tapes. I fed my mind. I was determined to make my life work.

7) Pray.

When you are down and out, and you think that no one is there for you, think again. As the saying goes, “you are invisibly being watched over”.

Fatimah Musa provides information, tips and quotes written to help people become aware that any future growth starts with their personal growth. You can visit Fatimah at http://www.about-personal-growth.com

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What is Menopause? Menopause begins in your early 40s as your
ovaries gradually produce less and less of the hormone estrogen.
Your periods become erratic - sometimes skipping a month or
alternating between light and heavy.

The next period of time is the transitioning to actual
menopause. During this time you may continue to have erratic
periods, and the more serious symptoms begin. Hot flashes,
vaginal dryness, mood swings and insomnia are some of those.

The final and actual onset of menopause usually occurs in your
early 50s and is represented by the absence of your period for a
full 12 months. It’s those in between years that can wreak havoc
in your life.

Why Are Natural Menopause Treatments Better? Menopause is a
natural occurrence in a woman’s reproductive life. So why not
treat it in a natural way? Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is
the standard treatment for menopause among healthcare providers
- however there remains considerable controversy about the
benefits and risks associated with standard HRT drugs.

For the past several decades, conventional medicine has treated
hot flashes and other menopausal discomforts with estrogen
replacement therapy (ERT). But because ERT is dangerous for
women with a history of cancer, hormone replacement therapy
(HRT) - which combines estrogen with a synthetic progesterone -
is often used instead. But many women don’t want to take the
potential increased risk of cancer associated with ERT, or they
dislike the cyclical bleeding & significant side effects often
caused by HRT.

Recent publicity concerning the health risks of synthetic
hormone replacement therapy has led many women to seek more
natural solutions. And with good reason. In areas of the world
where soy and other estrogenic plants are part of the diet,
breast cancer rates are much lower and menopausal symptoms are
almost non-existent. Synthetic hormone replacement is not common
because it is not needed.

In the U.S., where pharmaceutical companies make $8 billion a
year on synthetic hormones, breast cancer, heart attacks and
strokes are increasing dramatically among menopausal women. Dr.
John Lee, author of “What your Doctor May Not Tell You about
Menopause”, blames the increases on synthetic hormones. He says
that the pharmaceutical companies are well aware of the
problems. “The whole thing is madness,” he says, “and it’s
driven by greed.” A few simple and natural solutions can clear
up the menopausal problems and eliminate the health risks
associated with the synthetic hormones.

Try adjusting your diet to include vegetables and fish that are
high in Omega-3 as they contain nutrients that can help your
body deal with menopause naturally. Conversely, there are foods
that can make your menopausal symptoms worse. Caffeine, sugar,
fatty dairy products, salt, alcohol and saturated oils can
aggravate the symptoms.

Exercising regularly can also help alleviate menopausal
symptoms. Scheduling at least 30 minutes of exercise three times
a week will relieve hot flashes. You will be able to think more
clearly and reduce your risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.

Finally, there are several herbs proven to help relieve
menopause symptoms:

Vitamin E (as d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate) Vitamin E is an
antioxidant. Can it prevent hot flashes? There were studies done
in the late 1940’s showing it to relieve hot flashes and
postmenopausal vaginal dryness. More recent studies are lacking.
There are other benefits. We know from the Nurses Health Study
that women who took vitamin E over a two-year period reduced
their risk of fatal heart attacks by 40%. Vitamin E is also
being studied for its effect on Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
Combining vitamin E with other antioxidants such as selenium,
chromium, beta-carotene, and vitamin C may offer a synergistic
effect. That means they work better together than separate.

Soy (Glycine max) (seed) Soy contains natural plant estrogens
called phytoestrogens. In fact, no other food has a higher
phytoestrogen content than soy. Although phytoestrogens are
weaker than human estrogens they behave similarly in the human
body. In the body, phytoestrogens balance a woman’s estrogen
level by attaching themselves to the body’s estrogen receptor
sites. When attached, phytoestrogens can decrease estrogen
levels in perimenopausal women and increase estrogen levels in
postmenopausal women. In addition to relieving menopausal
symptoms, research shows that soy helps promote heart health.
Many doctors and researchers soy to relieve many menopausal
symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings,
vaginal dryness and other discomforts.

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) (root) The primary use of
black cohosh extract is for alleviation of menopausal symptoms.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines on
the use of botanicals for the management of menopausal symptoms
support this use for up to six months, especially in treating
the symptoms of sleep and mood disturbance, and hot flushes.
Studies demonstrate efficacy in patients taking black cohosh
extract similar to that of estrogen in the treatment of
neurovegetative menopausal symptoms.

Damaiana (Turnerna diffusa) (leaf) This yellow-flowering shrub
typically grows in climates that are hot and humid, including
Central and South America, and in the state of Texas. Damiana
has historically been used as an aphrodisiac and has been
claimed to induce euphoria. It is indicated to alleviate
depression and relieve anxiety and induce relaxation. Damiana
could lead to relaxation and could calm anxiety. Those suffering
from sexual dysfunction resulting from stress or emotional
troubles could benefit from supplementation with this herb.

You’ll find an excellent proprietary blend of these, in a new
all natural product called Menozac. HREF="http://www.menozac.com/?aid=497079" rel="nofollow">Additional information
can be found here, or here: HREF="http://www.health-and-fitness-information.com/articles/2005
11/how-to-relieve-menopause-symptoms/" rel="nofollow">http://www.health-and-fitn
ess-information.com/articles/200511/how-to-relieve-menopause-symp
toms/

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Just before black fly season arrives in May, I like to wander
into the woods to see the early spring wildflowers
poke their heads up from the forest floor. Some of my
favorites are the pitcher plant and dutchman’s-breeches.

If you look closely at the pitcher plant you can actually
see the shape of a “pitcher.” Its flared, mouth-like opening
is a perfect receptacle for some unsuspecting insect;
the next meal for this carnivorous plant.

The delicate flowers that droop from an arched stem are called
dutchman’s-breeches. These tiny white flowers in the shape of
pantaloons look like they are hanging on a line with their “ankles” up. Whoever named these little beauties must have had an exquisite eye for detail and be in communion with their Creator’s whimsical nature.

What I enjoy most about native wildflowers is that you can still find them in their natural habitat as they were meant to be: authentic and wild.

How often do you feel as though you are in some foreign land trying to live a life that doesn’t fit with who you are, and what you value? Day by day, this incongruity creates conflict. Eventually, you shut down, wither and your passion for life starts to dry up. These little everyday compromises end up costing you your health and well-being.

What if the “real” you were to come out of hiding?
Are you sometimes afraid of what other people will
think if they knew the real you? Maybe they
would find out that you have doubts about your abilities
as a parent, a partner, a friend, an employee, manager or any one of the numerous roles you play in your life. Could it be that what you have been hiding is some gift, talent or idea because you don’t think it is good enough?

I believe that if we are going to be more authentic in
our lives then we are all going to have to come out of hiding
and tell the truth about who we really are. It is only when
the truth is brought out of hiding and, into the light, that
we will be free to be the unique individuals that we were
created to be. The world doesn’t need another imitation.
It needs each of us to express our way of being in the world.

Like the wildflowers hidden beneath the forest floor,
the truth has a mysterious way of finding the light.
Perhaps we are all divinely programmed to seek the light and, then again, maybe the light finds us.

This spring may you find your own plot of earth
to firmly plant your roots, stand up and express your
real Self.

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If you’re doing business on the Internet, sooner or later you will encounter a Zip file. A Zip file is simply an “archive” of one or more files compressed into one file for easy distribution.

Zip files are used to compress and transport file archives over the Internet. It is the preferred method used for electronic file distribution, as rather than downloading several different files, you can simply download one Zip file. In addition, the download time will be minimized, as the files within the Zip archive are compressed.

Once a Zip file is downloaded, it can be easily opened and extracted (unzipped) with a Zip/Unzip software program.

Although there are many Zip software programs available on the Internet, WinZip is the most popular. WinZip makes working with file archives simple. It features an easy point-and-click, drag-and-drop interface for viewing, extracting, adding, deleting and testing archived files.

You can download a fully functional evaluation version here: http://www.winzip.com/download.htm

Extracting Zip Files

Extracting a Zip file with WinZip can be accomplished in a number of ways. Here are a few methods to get you started:

Right Click - To extract your files using the right click method, locate the file you would like to extract and place your mouse pointer over the file. Right click on your mouse to launch the menu. Select “Extract to” and select the folder in which you’d like to place your files.

WinZip Wizard - To extract your files with the wizard, locate the file you would like to extract and double click the file. This will load your file within WinZip. Click on the “Wizard” button located at the top of your screen to use the wizard. Follow the step by step instructions.

WinZip Interface - To extract your files within WinZip, your first step will be to open the WinZip program. Once opened, click on the “Open” button at the top of your screen to locate and open your Zip file. Once your file is open, click on the “Extract” button at the top of your screen and select the folder in which you’d like to place your files.

Creating Zip Files

Creating a Zip file with WinZip can be accomplished in a number of ways. Here are a few methods to get you started.

Right Click - To create a Zip file using the right click method, locate the file or folder you would like to place within your Zip file and place your mouse pointer over the file. Right click on your mouse to launch the menu. Select “Add to Zip” to launch the WinZip program. Click on “New” to create a new Zip file, or on “Open” to add the file to an existing Zip file.

WinZip Wizard - To create a Zip file with the wizard, your first step will be to load the WinZip program. Once loaded, click on the “Wizard” button located at the top of your screen to use the wizard. Follow the step by step instructions to create your Zip file.

WinZip Interface - To create a Zip file using WinZip, your first step will be to open the WinZip program. Once opened, click on the “New” button at the top of your screen to launch the “New Archive” window. Select the folder in which you’d like to place your Zip file, type in a name for your file and click on the “OK” button. Your new Zip file has been created. You can now add files by clicking on the “Add” button at the top of the screen.

Although there are other methods you can use when working with WinZip, the above methods will provide you with a basic guideline.

Zip files provide Internet users with the ability to easily compress and transfer files in an organized fashion. Use them to your fullest advantage.

Copyright © Shelley Lowery

About the Author:

Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course, “Web Design Mastery” (www.webdesignmastery.com) and “eBook Starter - Give Your eBooks the look and feel of a REAL book” (www.ebookstarter.com)

Visit www.Web-Source.net to sign up for a complimentary subscription to eTips and receive a copy of Shelley’s acclaimed ebook, “Killer Internet Marketing Strategies.”

You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook, or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author bylines are included.

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The popular reality TV show, Miami Ink, which transformed a South Beach tattoo parlour into a hotspot television haven, has ended after three years on the air. The stars of the show and the parlour, Ami James and Chris Nunez have declined an invitation to produce more episodes, which has ultimately ended the three year series.

The show provoked three “ink” spinoffs in Los Angeles, London and Rio. LA Ink gathered double the ratings of Miami Ink when it aired last year and set a TLC rating record for reality television. The end of the show may be an end to the popular South Beach tourist attraction. Fans regularly stop by the tattoo parlour on Washing Avenue to catch a glimpse of James and Nunez and see the legendary Miami Ink logo which adorns the front of the shop. However, James and Nunez are rarely able to be spotted; they keep their art confined to when the cameras are present and the windows blacked out.

James is worried that Discovery Communications, which own the rights to the show and the brand name Miami Ink, will force him to change the name of his parlour. So far this has not happened, and the logo still remains on the shop. The parlour has been changed into a gift shop where Miami Ink clothes and accessories are sold. Those still eager to be tattooed by the stars of the show are encouraged to check out the new tattoo studio on the same block, dubbed Love Hate Tattoos.

The good news for fans is that James and Nunez now have more time for customers. They haven’t been able to have a regular customer flow since the beginning of the show. “Now we basically have to go back to work, he said. “We all still need to feed our families.” (Quoted on MiamiHerald.com)

By Christine Pinella for Black Cat Tattoo Aftercare

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One of the greatest pleasures that a man can have is owning his own boat. It goes back to the days of adventure on the high seas when a man was absolute monarch of his realm as a captain of his ship.

Today there are very few places that the average man can be master and commander of his own destiny. But owning a boat is not without risk or expense. At one time cannons and carronades protected the owner and captain from loss today it is boat insurance that protects a man from loss.

It might seem like a small thing but boat insurance is essential to protecting an asset that you might have worked your entire life to own.

The greatest joy in boating is that you are responsible for your own fate. That means responsible and in some sense autonomous from the rest of the world. What boat owner hasn’t dreamed of sailing to the Sea of Cortez?

All alone with just the deep blue quiet all around you and the vault of stars above to light your way; what could be better? Listening to the plaintive whale song off the coast of Hawaii while your family sits in happy companionship, that is the way to spend your leisure.

But you need to have the assets to enjoy that leisure. Also even in the most peaceful of times boating entails some risk, that is why boating insurance is an absolute necessity.

Owning a boat is the goal of many retirees. Owning and operating a boat correctly requires the skill, desire, and time to care for her correctly. It also requires the wherewithal, assets and boat insurance to protect what you have. Your retirement is far too precious to risk.

It makes no sense to gain your heart’s desire and then to lose it in a storm or to bad navigation. Even if you survive without harm losing your boat can be devastating so protect what you have. And if you have the right vessel and the desire why not have a nice shiny brass carronade to salute the sunsets?

Discover important advice and information about boat insurance. What deals should you look for? And what should you avoid. Click http://www.boat-insurance-comprehensive.com/

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Planning your wedding hair style is crucial to achieve a beautiful wedding day look. There is a little work involved and you should never leave this important facet of your wedding to the last minute, or to amateurs.

Below are 7 common mistakes that many brides make with their wedding day hair styles.

1. You don’t schedule a trial run with a professional stylist, or even try to do you hair on your own advance. Even if you are doing your own hair, you will need to do a trial run to make sure you can do your hair exactly the way that you want.

2. You show up to your stylist on the day of your wedding wearing a T-shirt and sweatpants. Nothing wrong with the sweatpants, but the T-shirt represents disaster waiting to happen. When you pull the T-shirt over your head to take it off, your bridal hair style will get all messed up. Be sure to wear a button-down shirt when you get your hair done on your wedding day.

3. You remove your veil for the reception and make a mess of your hair style. Let your hair stylist take care of removing your veil. If he or she will not be at your wedding, have her/him instruct a member of the bridal party how to remove the veil without destroying your hair.

4. You use conditioner in your hair on the day of your wedding. This is a big NO-NO according to many professional stylists. Conditioner in your hair can make it too flyaway to work with, in turn causing your style to fall out.

5. You let your hair grow out 6-months to 1-year before your wedding and you plan to wear it in an updo. Most updos require hair that is 3-4 inches past the shoulders. When your hair is too long, it will be difficult to work with and the style may not hold as well.

6. You decide 1 week before your wedding to get a perm, change your hair color, add highlights or anything else that is dramatic. These decisions so close to your wedding day are usually based on stress. Don’t make drastic changes right before your wedding. You may be very sorry!

7. You are annoyed by hair pins and hairspray. If you do not let your hair stylist use enough hair pins and hairspray to create your wedding updo, the style may fall out half way thru the ceremony. Let the stylist do his or her work and use all the pins and hairspray needed.

In short, wedding hair styles require pre-planning. You will be looking at photos for many years of your wedding day, so make the hair style work so you can enjoy your big day.

For additional suggestions and examples of wedding hair styles, see http://www.hrweddinghair.com

Perriann Rodriguez is the author of the E-book Wedding Hair Styles, available at http://www.hairresources.com. The E-book is available online at http://www.hrweddinghair.com.

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People that are working towards earning their degree to become a paralegal might want to know what the degree is worth to potential employers. The salary is greater than the median salary in the U.S. and for anyone with a bachelor’s degree, they can earn as much as $60,000 per year when working for the federal government.

Private law firms employ the majority of paralegals. However, such entities as banks, insurance companies, and other corporations are increasingly hiring paralegals, thus meaning that for those that find these jobs appealing, they can expect to find work very easily as they are demanded.
This also includes any paralegals that focus on bankruptcy and product liability, as they can also find work easily. As the need for paralegals continues to become more apparent, their responsibilities are also increased. Also, paralegals can take comfort in working a stable career because of the corporations and agencies that demand they work inhouse and not from abroad.

It is predicted that paralegals will become more common in the public sector as well as the private sector. It is beneficial to acquire a Paralegal Bachelor’s degree via the Internet, as preparing yourself for work as a paralegal is a great investment in your future. Growth in this field is expected for the next ten years, and a larger variety of businesses will require the services of paralegals. Jobs in the paralegal field are protected from outsourcing and rarely affected by recession.

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Just to recap - Part 1 of this article outlined some of the so-called “secrets” of website traffic being offered on-line and what you might expect for your money. If you missed Part 1 you will still be able to view it by clicking on the links appearing in the resource box at the end of this, Part 2.

Here are a few little hints that might let you know, in advance, that the “special report” or “secret information” you are being offered to “build” your website and “flood it with traffic” might not be so special or secret after all:

1. - Ask yourself this: If the information is so special or secret why is it being sold to anyone and everyone who has $19.95 or $29.95 or $39.95 or whatever price is being asked? With the speed that information moves on the www, pretty soon it will be no secret at all - even if it truly was in the first place!

2. - A fancy name: The fancier the name the greater the probability that what you are being offered is just a cobbling together of widely known, FREE or old information. The thing to watch out for is the tying together of a well-known name or technique with an obscure one. (I could name examples, but that would really make certain people most unhappy.)
3. - Repetition of negative terms such as “no BS”: I assume everybody understands what “BS” is. If, in fact, it were not BS, why would anybody go to such great lengths to say it is not? My advice is to stay away from anything using this type of description. If it walks like a duck and it looks like a duck and it quacks, well… chances are it really is a duck! Trust your instinct. Other things to be wary of are poor spelling and grammar. That should basically suggest to you that the quality of information will be just as poor.
4. - Have a time limit attached: Usually the time limit is, wait for it… midnight on exactly the same day that you are viewing the information. Funny that! Now why do you think that might be? You guessed it - to push you into purchasing now rather than later. This is impulse buying. Strike while the iron is hot (note: in this case, you are the iron!). Try this: If you are so impressed by the offer come back the next day and see if the offer is exactly the same. Midnight again, huh? Hmm…
5. - Have a bevy of “bonus” incentives attached: Now why would this be? It’s to make the offer look BIGGER than it really is. Often the bonuses are nothing more than flimsy bits of information. Sometimes they are just sales pitches from other marketers. If the offer you are looking at does not stand by itself without bonus number one through to five, six or seven (I have seen up to 12), why purchase it? This is almost an admission by the copyright owner (or the cobble-together owner) that their product cannot stand alone for the price that they are asking.
   It’s a trick!

6. - Any outrageous claims: These are designed to appeal to basic human greed. Greed can often blind you from reality. Anything that makes promises like “guaranteed to make you $10,000 in the first three months!” or “your hit counter will almost explode with the extra traffic!” are appealing to your greed and not your common-sense.

In reality there is no magic formula to building a website and directing traffic through it. Like any business venture it takes time and effort. After you have expended that time and effort then yes, the time you spent and the effort you put in may well decrease or even become exponential. But don’t hold your breath in the meantime.

Even testimonials and recommendations from other “independent” people and internet marketers should be viewed with a certain amount of caution. Many testimony and recommendation givers are “affiliates” (remember the “friend” from Part 1?) which means they earn commissions from the sale of the product. Why wouldn’t they endorse something they stood to make money from?

The best testimonial or recommendation check you can do is to seek out the person giving it and ask them if they have any association with the person who is using the testimony or recommendation. Ask if they are an affiliate or if they have a vested interest in the product. You can do this quite innocently and nicely. If they are genuinely impressed by the product and what it did for them, they will probably be pleased to answer your enquiry.

Just a little word of caution here - if you are asking somebody for help don’t put them through a trial. A simple email will suffice. Keep it short and to the point. Don’t be too concerned if there is no reply. People get dozens, even hundreds of emails every day now. I know I do.

It would seem that there are just as many self proclaimed “experts” out there on the internet telling others “how to do it” as there are those actually “trying to do it.” Sure, there are some credible people offering good advice (most often at quite a price too) but there are so many others offering absolute rubbish. How can you differentiate? The simple answer is that often you can’t - until you actually get what is being offered. Then you realize. Oh-oh! Too late! It’s junk!

If you don’t get what you believed you were paying for you have every right to ask for a refund. However, this is not a method of receiving good information for FREE. Falsely asking for a refund on something that really did help you will bring your own integrity into question. Being fair is what it is all about - fair information for a fair price - an even two way exchange.

In summing up, website “newbies” are soft targets for the latest brand of snake-oil cyber salespeople. They are certainly out there. Think of it this way: you are searching for the Kings and Queens and Aces in the deck. Along the way you will find fives and threes and twos and sevens. You will even come across the Jokers. It’s up to you to try and sort them out.

My advice is this: examine the information being offered then wait a day or two and come back to it. If it still looks as good to you the second time round and doesn’t reek of some of the descriptions above, consider buying it. (I would even give the same advice for people visiting my own site.) Like me, you will soon “wise up.” Along the way you will probably have to give your credit card a nice little “top up” to pay for your mistakes.

Purchasing e-books, special reports, secret documents and the like to learn how to increase traffic to your website is very subjective. The only way to measure the value of what you receive is to assess it against the “blurb” (see Part 1 ) used to promote it and the price you paid for it. As I mentioned above, both parties must be fair.

Just be wary.

If you know a website owner struggling to develop their site, this information could help them save a lot of money, not to mention that awful, sinking feeling that you have been duped. The money saved can then go towards some positive steps to develop their site. Heaven knows there is enough junk out there that will do the reverse. Some of it is sitting in my in-tray.

Part 1 and Part 2 of this article are covered by copyright. However, both parts may be freely used providing there are no changes whatsoever to the content and the following resource box remains intact.

PS: If you think this information might help a friend from falling prey to these dubious practices you can send them a copy of this article (or any related parts) or direct them to the website URL given. Let’s get the word out and put a stop to this.

About the author: Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Gary’s email address is budo@iinet.net.au. Click here to go to his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website where you can receive his “Zenspirational Thoughts” plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book “The Power of Choice.”

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