March 31, 2009
In most aspects of business, we will be expected to write a message to a client or customer, in the form of a letter, memo or e-mail. Language and tone in these communications is vital to the relationship with the recipient, and can mean the difference between a sale and a lost prospect. Therefore, we cannot afford to get it wrong. Following are six tips on how to write to a customer or client to ensure the best possible outcome.
1. Use the Correct Tone
The tone of your correspondence should reflect the message that you are trying to put across. Using an inappropriate tone can cause your message to sound frivolous, abrasive, aggressive or rude. For example, when writing a complaint, the tone should not be dismissive or rude, but should concentrate on stating the facts.
2. Be Considerate
Show consideration for the person you are corresponding with. Examples of ways to show consideration are as follows;
Respond as quickly as possible to correspondence. If you are unable to, at least communicate a brief apology in advance or an explanation. This shows that you value the correspondent.
Respect the views and positions of the correspondent. If you have a different viewpoint, express it tactfully and resist making any comments that may offend.
If you should find yourself on the receiving end of a clearly offensive communication, resist the temptation to respond in a similar tone. Take the higher ground, and don’t encourage conflict.
3. Be Sincere
In your communications, avoid sounding scripted or rehearsed. Write naturally and as yourself, as you would if you were having a conversation. Show an interest in what the correspondent has to say. But don’t be too familiar!
Be Brief
It is likely that your correspondent is a busy person, with a lot to read. Keep your correspondence brief and to the point. Not only will it hold their attention, they will also appreciate your consideration.
Write Simply
Avoid using long-winded, complicated words and phrases. They can confuse the reader, and ruin the effect of your message. Writing simply will convey your message quickly and efficiently.
Check your Details
Before sending your message, check it thoroughly to ensure you have not omitted any important details. Make sure your presentation and content are consistent throughout. Often, your first communication is the one that you’ll be best remembered for!
Happy Writing!
Michelle Payne-Gale is the owner of Essence Business & Admin Support Services, specialising in virtual administration, marketing & creative support for start-ups and growing businesses. Additional articles are available at: http://www.essence-services.co.uk. View the Essence blog at http://essence05.blogspot.com. She is also an active partner in the creation of the Caribbean tourism website, http://www.stay-in-antigua.com.
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March 30, 2009
I made this term up so don’t try to find it anywhere else. A “brainstopper” is something you say or do that causes the mind of an audience member to stop to think. This can be a good thing, but most of the time when I catch a coaching student delivering a brainstopper, it is a bad thing.
Here is an example of a good brainstopper. You might say, “Take a moment and think about the first toy you had as a child.”
A command like this would take the audience member’s mind from where it is now to a time long ago. For most of the audience this will be a pleasant experience. For some it may be unpleasant. Either way you still are directing the show. You might do this to make some kind of point about how simple things used to please us, or something like that.
Here is an example of a bad brainstopper. You might say, “That man’s elocution is impeccable.” For all of us highly educated and brilliant folks the word “elocution” obviously means fine form in speaking or reading.
If this word was used in a less educated arena, the instant it came out of your mouth, the brains of the audience members would be racing to figure out what the word “elocution” means. Thus, their brains have stopped because you used a word that was not easily understood. The audience member will not hear your next few sentences because they are still trying to figure out the word “elocution.” Do this several times and they will tune out altogether … unless of course you are Deepak Chopra who gets high praise for being totally unintelligible hahahahaha
Another way to stop someone’s brain is to distract them by your actions. You might display an odd prop before explaining what it is. This would make an audience member stop listening while their minds tried to figure out what the prop is. If you were talking during this time, they wouldn’t hear a word you said.
Look at your word choice and actions carefully before you exhibit them on stage. It is hard enough to keep attention in today’s short attention span environments. Don’t make it worse by using bad brainstoppers.
Copyright © 1998 – 2005 Advanced Public Speaking Institute
Tom Antion provides entertaining speeches and educational seminars. He is the ultimate entrepreneur, having owned many businesses BEFORE graduating college. Tom is the author of the best selling presentation skills book “Wake ‘em Up Business Presentations” and “Click: The Ultimate Guide to Electronic Marketing.” It is important to Tom that his knowledge be not only absorbed, but enjoyed. This is why he delivers his speeches laced with great humor and hysterical jokes. Tom has addressed more than 87 different industries and is thoroughly committed to his clients’ needs. http://www.antion.com
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http://www.GreatPublicSpeaking.com
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March 29, 2009
Article directories are a great way to submit high quality articles, have webmasters pick them up, and for you to reap great back links to your site. Still, all directories have restrictions and these restrictions can limit the number of quality links you put within the body of your article or strip them out entirely. If you run your own site, these rules have no bearing on how you manage your site. The following are some strategies I have employed that not only have given my site a Google page rank of 6, but have helped me to maximize my articles’ exposure on the internet.
Lots of links. My articles have a similar resource box to those found on article directories, but I don’t stop there. Within the body of an article, I frequently add additional links, sometimes lots of links to other sites. They don’t have to be to sites I run, but to other high quality sites. If I am writing an article about Ford cars, you better believe it that I have links to pages for the Ford Mustang, to the Explorer, and any other vehicles I mention. Google seems to like these types of pages as some of my articles are getting ranked high too. One article already pulled down a page rank of 4!
Add pictures. A picture speaks a thousand words… A picture can help your article look more professional. I also will use a company logo, if I have express permission. With some of my links and pictures I will hyperlink them to other pages on my site or to other sites altogether.
Welcome the robots. I mentioned in another article that Googlebot is my friend. Do everything possible to keep your site crisp, clean, and clear and toss out anything that looks spammy. Most of my articles also have the requisite AdSense ads on them in part for me to make income, but also to tell me if the ads served up are related to the article I wrote. Almost without exception they are, but you need to check back to verify.
So, why go through all this trouble? Hopefully, to bring in additional business for yourself. Most of the work that I get is directly from my site, which I only set up on May 31, 2005! Not a bad track record, don’t you agree? If I can do it, you can do it too! What are you waiting for? Get started today.
Copyright 2005 — Matthew Keegan is The Article Writer who writes on a variety of topics including: advocacy, automobiles, aviation, business, Christian themes, family, news, product reviews, travel, writing, and more. Samples from his portfolio are available right online.
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March 29, 2009
Here’s something I hear each week from novice article marketers:
“I’ve posted some articles to the directories and I’m still not getting any traffic. What am I doing wrong?”
Well, the first thing we have to do is define what “some” means. In my experience some usually means less than ten. And ten is just not enough.
I hear this so often. People think just few articles will do the trick, and it just won’t.
Hitting “critical mass”
Here’s what I mean by hitting critical mass. There comes a point where you have enough articles on the web that the traffic begins to flow.
For me I hit critical mass at 25 articles on EzineArticles.com. At that point the traffic changed from a trickle to a stream flowing into my websites and newsletters.
I don’t know what your critical mass will be. Here is what I do know: you need to keep posting until you hit your own critical mass, whatever number that may be.
And, once you hit critical mass, you can stop writing.
NOT!
I hope you did not fall for that last line for even a second!
Once you hit critical mass, keep on writing. I hit critical mass at 25 articles, and if this article is accepted, I’ll be at 432, and my goal is 1,000 by the end of the year.
So my big tip for you is to write away, right away!
Visit The Article Guy for more leading edge tips and tools for writing articles that bring you prospects, publicity and profits. You can also subscirbe to our monthly Article Empire Tips Newsletter. You are also invited to visit my Express-Start Article Writing Program for more information on the next article writing tele-seminar.
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March 28, 2009
Starting a car is easy. Put the key in, turn it, and the car starts. Would it not be great if starting a conversation was this easy? It can be–if you know how!
Unfortunately, many people don’t know how. They struggle with starting conversations. If they do break the silence, the conversation sputters and dies.
This leads to boring parties, embarrassing silences, lack of friends and social skills. Not being able to easily start a conversation hinders business success and enjoyment in life. Do you know what I am talking about?
Starting a conversation can be as easy as starting a car. The reason you can quickly start a car is because you know the two steps:
Step 1: Put the key in the ignition
Step 2: Turn the key
These two steps work every time with virtually any car. So also there is a 2-step method for starting conversations. It will enable you to start conversation anywhere, anytime, with virtually anyone.
Here is the 2-step method for starting conversation:
Step 1: Break the silence
Step 2: Ask a good question
Simple is it not? Don’t let the simplicity of the 2-step method fool you. It works! I have used the 2-step method with total strangers, friends, businessman, and even shy people with great success. Let me explain more.
1. Break the silence
A person cannot start a car until they put the key in the ignition, neither can a conversation start until the silence is broken. Generally, a greeting works great to break the silence.
“Hi Tom”
“Good morning”
“Hello”
There is a second way to break the silence and that is with a comment. This works well with strangers.
On a plane: “This has been a long delay.”
To a clerk: “Looks busy today.”
To a friend: “That was a good football game last night.”
Now that the silence is broken, it is time to get the conversation flowing with the second step.
2. Ask a good question
Almost any question will work. In fact any question is better than dead silence. However, a good question will get the conversation moving. Here are a few examples:
“How are you doing today?”
“How was your week?”
“Where are you from?”
“How often do you fly?”
“What do you enjoy about this class?”
You might be thinking, “What if the conversation does not start after I ask a question?” This will sometimes happen. When it does, just remember the car illustration. Turn the key over again and ask another question. The conversion will eventually start.
That’s it! Break the silence and ask a good question. Do this and you will be able to start a conversation as easily as you start a car.
–(C) Arlen Busenitz. Arlen is the author of “Conversation Magic: 7 Keys to Unlock your Ability to Conquer Shyness, Make Friends, and Confidently Talk with Anyone.” Free tips and articles here: http://www.conversation-tips.com/sc
About The Author
Arlen is a gifted writer and speaker.
Arlen@conversation-tips.com
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March 27, 2009
An active life makes it difficult to fit in everything you want to enjoy reading. Sometimes we don’t notice how long journeys and different everyday chores may take up massive chunks of our time. Making a living, dealing with kids or even housework can all reduce the time available to spend on your interests. You could simply use the time spent commuting to catch up on those books you don’t have time to read. With modern download technology, you can relish Seven Things That Steal Your Joy by Joyce Meyer by Download Audio Book Online, or audible books brought to life by James Patterson and Andrew Cross when you are busy doing other things. Multi-tasking has become an essential these days. Audio books such as Pimsleur French II & III Complete Courses by Dr. Paul Pimsleur by Download Audio Book Online take advantage of the wasted time everyday, whether it’s waiting in a doctor’s surgery or taking the kids to piano lessons. An enormous variety of audible books can be downloaded right now as audio files these include Pimsleur Irish I Part 1 by Pimsleur, so if you have an iPod or other mp3 player you have the opportunity to hear a best seller or a wonderful novel, like audio-books by Brooklyn Porter without carrying cumbersome books with you.
Audio books extend various benefits like hiring or buying the instructional title of your choice and savoring it in your own time. Need to learn Cantonese? Why not check out audiobooks? Maybe innovative commercial strategies are your thing, you may even discover the paranormal. A massive choice of writing styles and titles are obtainable. Whether you like travel writing, crazy about biographies or even if your interests lie in health and fitness, most can be downloaded immediately. Options are wide open; you can easily take a subscription to a service and rent or alternatively make a purchase.
Enthusiastic readers will invariably find a way to read, however the thousands of audio titles available are so handy. A narrator can deepen the experience of some novels. Just reading a novel isn’t quite the same as enjoying an audio book told by Elbert Hubbard, including the additional niceties given during a rendidtion. Your enjoyment of the book can be enhanced by listening to audio books like Zero Game by Brad Meltzer and frequently mean more than written words. Don’t forget audio titles when you next consider buying books, audiobooks are a wonderful means of fitting all the books you like into a busy schedule.
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March 27, 2009
There is good news for broadband users with slower connections. Opera, a software development company, has come out with a new browser called ‘Turbo’, which could make browsing on slower connections a much better experience.
The underlying technology is quite simple; Turbo sends web pages to Opera’s own servers, before sending them to the user’s browser. The pages are compressed by up to 80 percent, and then these much smaller files are sent to the browser. It is claimed by the company that by using Turbo, browsing speeds could be enhanced by a factor of four for mobile broadband customers. (click here for the latest free laptop and mobile broadband offers)
With this kind of compression, however, certain amount of loss of resolution can be expected. Nevertheless, Turbo is said to be able to support AJAX and Flash, which more than makes up for the resolution loss. The company has also emphasized that the layout of text and images will also be displayed just as planned by the webpage developer.
The situation has not been a pleasant one for people using mobile broadband services so far, as there is a great discrepancy between the actual broadband speed and the advertised speed. Thus, this move by Opera should come as a much-needed relief for the mobile broadband as well as the netbook market.
The release by Opera follows an announcement by Microsoft that it too wants to focus on the netbook market.
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March 26, 2009
A rolling tool box is highly useful for tool storage. It is also a great way to organize and transport your expensive tools and accessories. We focus on the most demanding design and quality parameters.
Advantages of a Rolling Tool Box
You may have a large number of tools to carry around and may not wish to use that opportunity for your body building needs! That’s when a rolling tool box comes in handy. It has wheels and allows you to easily drag it around to wherever you wish to go.
A rolling tool box is also ideal for organising tools. If tools are cluttered, it can get frustrating looking for them and not being able to find what you need at the right time.
Essentials of a Rolling Tool Box
Large wheels with rubber casters – If the wheels are too small, the rolling tool box would not be sturdy and be very difficult to pull along. Moreover, rubber casters ensure that the rolling tool box slides easily and does not leave marks on the floor.
Soft grip – A soft grip would ensure that your hands do not get bruised even if you have to drag your rolling tool box over a long distance.
There is a wide range of add-ons that one can choose from depending on one’s requirements. You could opt for a rolling tool box with high quality chests, side cabs, lockers, risers, protective covers and a handy soft grip. For increased security, one could opt for high-security locks.
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March 26, 2009
TX Auto Insurance Policy Legal Requirements
- Bodily Injury Liability for one person: $25,000 Limit
- Bodily Injury Liability for every person:$50,000 Limit
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000 Limit
*Higher limit requirements passed into effect on April 1, 2008
In Texas, an individual must always be found answerable for causing an accident and they, along with their auto insurance company, are responsible for paying for subsequent damages. This complies with the regulations of the tort system – a system that has different principles depending on the state.
In Texas, you can add complementary auto insurance coverage to your policy that can furnish additional security. A couple such selections are uninsured motorist or No-Fault auto insurance. Underinsured driver insures you in the chance that you are involved in an automobile accident with a person who doesn’t maintain auto insurance. With No fault insurance, you will be protected by your insurance firm no matter who is found out to be accountable.In Texas, you aren’t mandated to have this optional insurance coverage higher than the amount required. However, there are lots of motorists that decide to add these alternatives.
With average Texas insurance rates at around $932, and the national average being a little below $1000, a high number of Texas drivers falsely believe that they have no choice but to accept that these Texas auto insurance rates defined by auto insurance underwriters and the Texas government. Auto insurance rate shopping companies recognize there are less expensive rate quotes available for people in Texas, and will provide assistance to help you find them.
After not providing a decrease since 1999, insurance insurance costs eventually went down in 2007. There was a .5% to 1% lowering in premiums from 2006 insurance expenses! 2008 followed in the first half, but then auto insurance costs began to follow their normal cycle and go up slightly. This has been forcing motorists to shop reliable sites to find better auto insurance rates. Companies like these have facilitated the change by bringing competition straight to the driver and by decreasing your premiums through technology!
As your driving record gets better or your personal situation changes, you may not be getting all the insurance deductions you qualify for and will end up paying more for insurance. Recently, insurance rates rose almost 6% in one year! You’re insurance agency will continue to go up your expenses, but it is on much rarer occasions that they proactively decrease your expenses. To compare auto insurance rates, use the power of the internet and visit sites that will help you find the most affordable costs in Texas.
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March 25, 2009
It is algebra that we apply to get our daily things done. The mankind constantly keeps counting, measuring, dividing, and multiplying.
History of Algebra
Invented in the first millennium BC, algebra has its beginnings in the middle-east. The ancient geniuses used algebra for solving day-to-day problems while the Asian or rather Chinese counterpart practiced geometry for the same intention.
The Nature of Algebra
Although you may see algebra as solving formulas, simplifying rational expressions, and converting fractions to decimals, algebra has a much bigger body of knowledge and applicability. Through a systematic foundation of this knowledge (Algebra I, Algebra II, and College Algebra), the education system makes us mindful of the mathematical tools used for everyday life.
Algebra I
The pupils are given an intro in this study course to numbers, solving linear equations, graphing systems of linear equations, graphing linear inequalities, laws of exponents, solving radical equations, and factoring polynomials. This course positions the base for the rest of the higher algebra waiting to be searched in the next two stages.
If a student is keen on learning algebra down to its roots, then this is a subject field course that should be tackled well.
Algebra II
Once the pupils are sound with Algebra I concepts, Algebra II can be taken up for expanding the spectrum of this exceptional segment of mathematics. There are two aspects of Algebra II; stressing more on the topics studied in Algebra I and foundation to new constructs. When it comes to the new introductions, adding and subtracting matrices, quadratic functions, solving exponential equations, probability and statistics are significant.
At this point, the subject areas are more adjusted on the depth of mathematical concepts rather than the coverage of many topics.
College Algebra
This is one of the most crucial degrees of studying Algebra with almost no new topic brought in. I assume it is rather ironic, but this is the nature of mathematics. Mathematics is called the queen of all sciences. Do you know why? That’s because of the unpredictable nature of mathematics!
How to get assistance on Algebra?
Algebra has the most broadened methods and tools accessible for getting help. The first and the foremost key source is an Algebra tutor from whom you can get help and aid.
In addition to books, students should never undervalue the use of Algebra software that is particularly designed to solve algebraic problems with informative steps. This software program really brings insight in to Algebraic procedures of solving equations , by providing students to simply watch and learn through exercises.
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