So we have been tossing around the idea of having a few guest writers on this blog. How’s that sound? Personally, I would love it if I were one of those people who couldn’t stop talking about my favorite TV show.
I mean, seriously…there are some reality shows that I just can’t shut up about, but for me, those are limited. I am sure there are a heck of a lot more people out there who love TV more than I do. I know I could write a whole post just on that Fifth Gear T-Rex on Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory. If you haven’t seen it, check out something like it here:
Yup, that T-Rex would certainly have a post of its own.
Anyway, if you have a lot to say and you like to write, please write a comment letting me know. Show us some of the stuff you’ve written before. Hey, maybe you can make yourself famous. You could even be like this lady…
Woman using a laptop in the snow on the side of a mountain
PS – It doesn’t only have to be about TV. It could be about movies, the internet, radio, or whatever. It just has to be exciting and awesome.
I’m not sure if you know this about me or not, but I’m addicted to reality TV. I think it happened a few years ago…the addiction, that is.
Anyway, the other night, while I was watching “Bad Girls Club,” I came up with this great idea. I thought that I would start up a blog so I could discuss all the shows and movies I love so much. I mean, how much fun would it be to bounce theories off one another about “Lost?” I’m sure we could all use a few good answers about what the heck the Dharma Initiative is really doing on the island and why Ben killed the whole group.
I’ve decided to allow registration on this blog and to let users write blog posts. We’ll see how that turns out. Please behave.
As I mentioned in another post, I am leaving this blog open to registration. Please feel free to register and share your thoughts about your type of entertainment. Please be aware that I will be moderating your posts, so you probably shouldn’t waste your time writing about anything other than awesome shows like “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory.” How great is that show? And to think, I loved “Rob and Big.”
If you click the show links above, you can check out the shows I am talking about.
I thought I would write a quick post about something I experienced yesterday. Actually, I have experienced this quite a bit, but never had any sort of motivation to write about it.
A friend of mine has been getting some video work done for one of his websites. He is having a few videos produced for an attempt at some viral marketing (which, by the way is my new forte). This is a new for most, but not so new for many, area of marketing for pretty much anything. I guess you could say that Barack Obama had some success with it. For those unfamiliar with viral marketing, it’s easily described as “word of mouth” or “buzz.”
Whatever. This post isn’t about viral marketing. It’s about a company I contacted to have some video work done for some of my sites.
I have an idea for some video. It’s basically the same idea my friend had. Since I don’t do video in house, I decided to do a little research and contact a few people to feel out the scene. The first organization I contacted hasn’t written back yet. Okay, forget them. The second company did write back, and this is where it gets annoying.
ME: Hi, I would like to discuss some video production for a few of my websites. One of them can be seen here – ****. Please contact me so we can discuss further. Thank you. Jay
THEM: Hi Jay. Please let me know what you were looking for so I can tell you if we can do it. Also, what’s your budget?
There are a few issues here.
What do you mean, “If we can do it?” Your website had about 30 sample videos on it. I know there are many different roads one can travel down in the video arena, but as far as business goes, don’t you think it would be a wise idea to hear a potential customer’s ideas before showing your lack of confidence?
Actually, that’s not even the part that bothered me. That part happened to creep up on me as I was writing.
The part the bugged me was this line – “What’s your budget?”
That ticks me off. Now, if you know me, you know that I don’t get ticked off easily (haha). Also, I am really sorry for venting on this poor fool about this whole topic, because I have brewed about this many times in the past.
Let’s look at a pro and a con of the question, “What’s your budget?”
The pro is that the business providing the service can immediately identify an individual without the resources for the project. If someone wrote back, “My budget is $25,” then the company knows to cut off all communication, or at the very least, write back something along the lines of their services costing a wee bit more than that.
Here is the con. If we translate the question and look at its actual meaning, we can see that the company is actually asking, “How much do you have to spend?” Some companies seriously are screening out the people with no money. Others are simply trying to squeeze you. No one I know would actually tell a service provider how much they are looking to spend…well, besides me. I’m that guy who low balls and looks for a fight.
“Umm, yes, sure, my name is Jay and I have allocated $300,000 for our video production endeavor.” This makes for an interesting email exchange. I am sure the guy is thinking something like, “Gee Jay, we only charge $100 per video, but for you, I would say $50,000 per.”
Why on earth would I throw a random number at a company before even knowing a cost range for their services?
In the ever-expanding Internet age, it is sometimes difficult to sort through useless web pages to find the information you need. An online business directory helps you find the information you need quickly and easily on one convenient page.
Looking for a Specific Type of Business? Try a Local Business Directory
Are you looking for professional beekeepers or local florists? How about a seamstress to make you new custom drapes for your home? If you know the specific type of business you want to find, look no further than a handy online local business directory.
In the ever-expanding Internet age, it is sometimes difficult to sort through useless web pages to find the information you need. An online business directory helps you find the information you need quickly and easily on one convenient page.
If you are looking for a photographer or some other type of service that requires you to call multiple businesses to obtain price quotes, look to an online business directory. Because many different businesses are listed by category, you can quickly and easily find numerous photographers in your area all on one web page for your convenience.
Everything imaginable is listed on an online business directory, thanks to advertising from local merchants. Carpentry advice, legal forums, recipes for cooking, aviation information, real estate information and more can all be found on one handy site.
If you are a business owner, an online business directory is the ideal way to expand your advertising reach on the Internet. Some sites offer free membership that simply involves creating a user name and password. If you are really serious about expanding your online impact, upgrade your membership to reach more of your target market.
Using an online business directory for your advertising needs is a very cost effective way to get the word out about your goods or services. When people in your area need information from the directory, an ad for your business entices them to link to your page directly. This puts a prospective buyer in touch with your business immediately at any time of the day or night.
From retailers to service providers, to links that provide information on local weather and government offices, an online business directory has loads of content to attract visitors and drive traffic to your website. Usually, an online business directory also has a search feature, so users can specifically hunt down the type of merchant or service they are looking for in their area.
An online business directory is a trusted vehicle for your advertising message because it connects browsers with specific solutions. The prospective shopper is already in the market for the items or services you offer, so your ad simply serves as a well-timed suggestion in front of someone with an already present need.
As a forward-thinking business owner, it is important to take the time to add your website to prominent local business directories in your area. Keep in mind that if your competition is listed in a directory and your business is not, you are likely losing out on a percentage of new business because of a lack of visibility. Being at the top of your prospective client’s mind is more than half the battle when it comes to recruiting new business.
The best way to stay at the forefront of your market’s collective consciousness is to be visible at all times. This is especially true when a potential customer is ready to make a buying decision. Positioning yourself well in online business directories allows you to stay at the top of the short list of merchants that will ultimately get the job.
This article was written by Jay G on behalf of Iiamin.com, a popular job listings website.
If you’re looking for new employment, the Internet is an easy way to find it. Many employers have started using the Internet to find interested and qualified workers for their business.
Finding Employment Online
In tough financial times, finding employment can be like searching for the North Star on a cloudy night. Few open positions are listed in your local newspaper’s classified ads. While this is partially caused by a lack of new jobs, it is also caused by a shift in advertising mediums. Newspapers are a dying breed, and many companies have turned to newer methods of connecting with potential employees.
If you’re looking for new employment, the Internet is an easy way to find it. Many employers have started using the Internet to find interested and qualified workers for their business. This eliminates the hassle of filling out applications in the office and submitting resumes in person. By searching Internet classified ads, you can find the right job for you and continue your career today.
Many sites exist that offer job listings for every field imaginable. Some sites are pay-per-post, while others are completely free. The advances in online communication over the last decade have made it simple for businesses to connect with potential employees. Just go to your favorite search engine and enter the occupation that you’re looking for and you’re sure to find many matches.
If you’re not sure what type of employment you’re seeking, Internet classifieds offer a wide variety of open positions. Jobs from auto sales to plumbing positions are constantly opening. All you need to do is find the proper listing and strike when the iron is hot. You can start your journey down a new career path with a few clicks. Enter all the pertinent information from the comfort of your home office, instead of applying during office hours. This is especially handy if you are currently employed, but seeking something else. Your boss won’t know you’re looking elsewhere, so you won’t jeopardize your current job while you’re on the prowl for new employment.
Many listings offer home employment. While this sounds like a dream come true to some, be careful when applying to work at home positions. There are a lot of scams, so do some homework to make sure the business you’re applying to is reputable. Freelance writing is a great way to make some cash from home, but envelope stuffing is certainly a fraud. Look for testimonials from satisfied employees, and find examples of other reputable businesses in the same industry.
There are new listings appearing all the time on Internet classified websites. You will benefit from the paradigm shift to a technological society if you have the right skills. If you’re qualified to work on computers, employers are waiting to hear from you. If you specialize in the latest operating systems technology, you’ll have no trouble finding employment online. Keep your skills current and your resume updated, and you’re sure to find a great career opportunity that is perfect for you listed online.
Whether you’re a tech-head or not, online employment listings are a great way to continue your current career path or start a new one. It’s all up to you. Once you figure out what you’re looking for, get your resume ready and start emailing it to your prospective employers. Internet classifieds are the new way for the unemployed or under-employed to connect with great new job opportunities.
This article was written by Jay G on behalf of MotoClassifieds.US, a popular auto classifieds website.
Is selling a car privately a hassle? Not anymore. We already know about the popularity of classifieds sections in newspapers and magazines, but with the advent of websites devoted completely to online auto classifieds, things have gotten much easier. Gone are the days of having to wait until Monday morning to catch a customer service representative on the phone to place your ad.
Auto Classifieds – What are the Benefits? Do They Work?
That’s a pretty good question. For as long as I have been alive (and that’s 34 years), I have seen “Used Car For Sale†ads at every corner. These days, it’s one of the most popular online classified genres, not to mention being very popular with newspapers, magazines, radio and television.
Let me start this off with a short story. I had an “auto related†experience a few months ago.
In early January of this year, I was in the market for a new car. Since I have driven a Honda Accord as my two previous cars and a Honda Prelude as the one before that, I pretty much knew what I was going to buy. I dabbled with the thought of getting a BMW 5 Series, but I wasn’t ready for something so expensive. Maybe I’ll get the Beamer next time.
On January 3, I visited my local Honda dealer and was quite ready to drive home in something new. That day, I drove on the lot in a 1998 Honda Accord V6 and was planning on driving off the lot in a 2008 Honda Accord V6. Obviously, I was going to trade my car in. Before my trip to the dealer, I looked up the value of my 1998 Accord on KBB. They valued the car at around $3,500. I was slightly shocked, because I thought the car was worth more than that. I mean, this was my baby. This was the car I had taken such good care of over the years. But, if that is what the car was valued at, who was I to argue?
Upon choosing the make and model of the Accord I wanted to purchase, I entered negotiations with the salesperson. I was told that the dealership would give me $1,500 to trade in my 1998 Accord. As you could imagine, I got red in the face and threatened to walk out. They raised the price to $2,000, but I still argued for a bit. After a while, I realized they weren’t going to budge from that price, so I caved. Sound familiar? Has something like this ever happened to you?
Now, can you guess what everyone said to me after I told them of my experience? I’m sure you can. They said, “You know, you could’ve gotten a heck of a lot more money for your car if you had sold it yourself.†Gee, really? Of course I could’ve. I mean, everyone knows that dealers don’t give you as much as the car is worth. Why is that? It’s because of all the costs associated with prepping a car to sell on their lot. If it’s an older car, they can’t even sell it and it goes to auction. To be honest, I am not even sure what the dealerships do with some of the cars they take as trade-ins. I have heard stories about people getting $1 for the car they gave to the dealer.
So, I’ll admit that I could’ve made more money if I had sold my car privately. The question is why I, and so many others, lose money to trade their cars in. The answer to that question probably has something to do with convenience. We don’t want to deal with the hassle of a private sale.
Is selling a car privately a hassle? Not anymore. As I stated above, we already know about the popularity of classifieds sections in newspapers and magazines, but with the advent of websites devoted completely to online auto classifieds, things have gotten much easier. Gone are the days of having to wait until Monday morning to catch a customer service representative on the phone to place your ad. You can now access an auto classifieds website any time you want, from the comfort of your own home. You can write a description, upload a photo, add any features you want and pay by credit card within a matter of minutes. Some websites even offer the entire service for free. Either way, your ad will be live when you are finished. It will also be accessible to anyone from anywhere.
Now that we have that cleared up, let’s go over some of the benefits of selling your used car online:
- Convenience. Auto classified websites offer “any time, any place†type of convenience.
- Reach. By place your car ads online, you will virtually be reaching buyers across the globe. Too many people? Don’t worry; these websites have tools to narrow down a potential buyer’s search.
- Account management. You can place, edit and delete your ad any time you wish with your own private account management tool.
- Popularity. These days, more and more buyers are turning to the web to search for their new rides. Many of them don’t even (and never have) read the newspaper.
- Multiple ads. Many auto classifieds websites allow sellers to place multiple ads, oftentimes for a discounted price, or for even no cost at all.
- Help. Many websites have online tutorials or help pages that assist you in selling your car.
- Multiple venues. When you advertise your car on one classified website, oftentimes your ad will show on related websites as well. It’s these “viral†relationships that get much more exposure for your ad.
As you can see, there are many benefits to placing your used car for sale online. Do the online ads work? Well, that first depends on the ad itself. If you write a strong description, show a good photo and offer a fair price, I wouldn’t see why not. If everything is lined up, I would think you would have a successful sale within a matter of days or weeks.
There is a bit of a twist with this one. The way it works is to register for an account. Initially, you give some company (or whatever) information to be viewable under your category(s). Then, you are able to place as many ads as you want under that one listing. Those ads are called “products.” It’s very simple.
I woke up this morning to see that there were no YouTube video ads (or videos, for that matter) being displayed in this blog. I checked my other blog, to see if they were displaying on that one. Nope. I then check Paul’s blog. Nothing there.
I can see the YouTube link, but no videos. Something going on?
