Are Your Prospecting Results Disappointing?

Are you struggling with prospecting? My last post, "Stop Selling and Start Succeeding" was about relationship selling for sustainable, profitable sales results. Building quality relationships is a step-by-step process. The first step is prospecting, and getting it right is critical.

When I first began selling, I was not achieving my sales goals. My prospecting results were dismal. And if you can't get to first base, bringing the sale home is impossible. Prospecting is one of the most challenging stages of the sale. Laborious hours of cold calling, emails, and handshaking at events that result in many no's and few yeses is frustrating.

Acting on the belief that prospecting is a numbers game, I relentlessly pushed the stone uphill. I was convinced that my optimism, enthusiasm, confidence, determination, and persistence were the keys to my success. While a great attitude is necessary to become a top sales producer, more is needed.

My pitch and presentations were about my products and services, our impeccable values, and promises of successful outcomes. This me-centric sales practice was common. Our manager preached it, and we followed the plan, but I was not getting the desired results. Back then, there was less sales material available than what is currently published on a daily basis. I was in the dark searching for a solution.

Bill, a retired entrepreneur who led me to my career in sales, gave me the answer to my prospecting problems. He went back to the first time we met and showed me how my curiosity, fascination, and sincere interest in his colorful sales stories, inspired him to share with me. Bill explained, "This is acustomer-centric approach. And this is why I was motivated to encourage you to become a sales professional."

Bill showed me how the company I was working for used a sales-centric approach and he helped me understand the difference between the two. Focusing on client's stories, needs, wants, and problems, the customer-centric method; improved my prospecting dramatically. And my sales skyrocketed. Instead of feeling like a prisoner on a chain gang breaking rocks, prospecting became fun!

Sales-centric selling is a problem that persists today. Just this past month, I have been discussing this issue with a group of top sales and marketing consultants. We all agree that the vast majority of prospecting calls and emails we all receive are sales-centric messages and pitches filled with "me" statements, "my products, our services, our existing clients... " you get the picture.

An author recently sent me a short announcement for a book launch that concisely illustrates the sales-centric approach. To use it as an example, the title has been changed and body modified to protect the author:

"How to Prospect Successfully" - Book Sale by John Doe

My book is available!!! I'm so excited. I hope everyone will support me and enjoy their own copy of my book. Please share with friends and family. I am so passionate about prospecting and I am thrilled to be able to reach out to so many with my book. Proceeds from this month's sale of the book will support the "Alzheimer's Foundation of America." Please help support this worthy cause!! Use this link to order yourcopy today!!

Stats for this Sales-Centric Message:

• 8 "Me" words - sales-centric
• 1 "You" word - customer-centric
• 5 of the first 21 words are "Me" words
• Nearly 10% of the entire text is "Me" words

This is my rewrite:

"How to Prospect Successfully" - New Book by John Doe

Are you looking for a prospecting method to help you and your sales team achieve and surpass your revenue targets? Early in my career, prospecting was a struggle for me too. Forty years of my prospecting success is now available in this new book, written, just for you.

Proceeds from your purchases this month will support the "Alzheimer's Foundation of America." Please help support this worthy cause and improve your prospecting skills with a purchase at the link below.

Stats for this Customer-Centric Message: 

• 7 "You" words
• 3 "Me" words
• 4 of the first 20 words are "You" words
• Nearly 10% of the entire text is "You" words

How do you change from sales-centric to customer-centric prospecting?

If your prospecting messages are sales-centric, you're not alone. But now you know a major road block to prospecting success that is easy to fix.

To create powerful, customer-centric calls and emails you must "Know thy Client." Learn about their industry, who the decision makers are: their needs, wants, goals, and pains. This is the knowledge you need to create customer-centric messages that will attract your clients to want to do business with you.

"Me" messages say to your client, "You're not important, I just want the sale."

"You" messages say to your client, "You're important to me, and I'd like to do business with you."

Which type of message do you think will lead to greater sales success?

HTC One - Is It Really the "One"?

HTC One is a name which seems to be hanging on the tip of every smartphone lover's tongue these days, and rightly so, as this Android phone single-handedly managed to not only slow down HTC's downfall as a smartphone manufacturer, but also to revive a bit of their old glamour, by showing a reasonable profit. This requires some further explanation, and we'll be more than willing to oblige; Most of the users must be aware of HTC's resources dwindling during the last couple of years. Though the Taiwanese firm managed to launch quite a few handsets in the past couple of years, none of them showed the leadership quality which would make them being termed as the "Hot-Favorites" of the season. To add to this blow, a couple of HTC's high-ranking officials left their jobs earlier this year, stating they didn't see any future in the company.
When it seemed that all was lost, and the hour of the "Armageddon" was just a stone's throw away, the company launched the HTC One. When this device was first introduced to the market, it had to face an enormous amount of competition in the form of iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S4, but still it managed to sail through and create a fan base, in fact this underdog even managed to outshine the above mentioned handsets in many countries. Though the heroic tales of this handsome piece of machinery are never-ending, this is not the reason why one opts for this device, the real reason why this head-turner is held in such high regard is because it looks awesome, and works even more efficiently.
When it comes to smart features in an Android phone, this device just falls short of slaying a dragon by converting into a Jedi sword or something, it supports BlinkFeed which makes you be a part of Social Networks or news and feeds, you want constant updates about, by placing them conveniently on your Home screen; the other important features included are Zoe which makes your very own live breathing gallery, which though seems freaky, is actually really awesome, it also features BoomSound, interactive TV guide, and Sense Voice which ensures call clarity, even when a "flash-mob" is performing right next to you.
The outer frame of the handset is pure aluminium, which makes it tough as well as gives it a really rich feel, something which was found lacking in the Samsung S4. The front of the frame has two stereo speakers with built-in amplifiers fitted right-above and just-below a massive 4.7 inch Super LCD3 capacitive touchscreen, which feels ultra-responsive to use. This screen offers 469 pixel density and has been protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass 2 while it is powered by HTC Sense UI v5. The front of this LTE supporting handset also offers a 2.1 MP secondary camera, which besides being brilliant for video chatting, also supports HDR, although the whole phone has proven to be something refreshingly new, the main innovation by HTC has been in the form of a rear 4 MP autofocus camera with LED flash, which comes installed with something called the Ultra-pixels, though many users argue that this sounds a lot like Nokia's PureView technology, which was introduced more than a year back, let us assure you it isn't! The ultra-pixels just fill in extra pixels wherever the camera couldn't manage to place them, making the picture a lot more lifelike by adding a whole new dimension of colors.
At the time of its launch this handset came running on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean OS, which can now be upgraded to the latest version of Android which is being called the 4.2.2 Jelly Bean from your app store. Whether you want to juggle your way through screens, or load heavy websites, or open and use huge apps, you can do all this within a blink of an eyelid, as it is powered by a massive 1.7 GHz Quad-core Qualcomm Krait 300 Snapdragon 600 processor with 2 GB of RAM and Adreno 320 GPU.
If you are planning to go in for this device, then you will be able to own it in either of the two 32GB or 64GB variants whose memories cannot be expanded, and in three colors which reportedly are Black, Silver and Red (which is a new addition). Using this phone even for a small duration is enough to make you realize that it is the 'One' you won't mind if not your entire life then at least the next couple of years with.

Avoid Mistakes, Confront Your Game Plan and Strategy

People are attempting to better their lives and circumstances by trying to make money online and ninety-eight percent are failing miserably. The only way to lower the odds against your success is by avoiding the twelve most commonly made mistakes that will lead to failure. Right now, it's time to confront your game plan and business strategy and get you on the right path! The third most common mistake I see is poor or non-existent game plan and strategy. Right now, it's time to confront your game plan and business strategy and get you on the right path! The third most common mistake I see is poor or non-existent game plan and strategy.

Take football and basketball for example. In them you see the chalk board filled with the team's game plan for the players to follow so they will succeed in their efforts of winning the game. Sounds easy enough but, what most don't realize is that plan on the board, consists of researched, studied and practiced strategies that have shown themselves proven to work. Even though there are many differences between sports and business, this concept is a necessity for both. Your business is no different!

I've noticed three different mistakes quite often made in this area of business. This first one, I find very irritating. The people that jump online one day and just decide they want to make money online. They have no proven strategy and no game plan. They expect to "fly by the seat of their pants" and get rich quick. Then there are people who have the game plan but don't have a proven strategy to base their plan on. Granted, this doesn't mean they are doomed for failure. It does mean that they will be more stressed and it will undoubtedly take longer for them to reach their goal. Finally, there are those who have a proven strategy but don't make a game plan with it. Taking action here, taking action there. Throw in some sporadic "BIG" actions and you'll have a great recipe for a big mess.

Having a proven strategy for success and a game plan to put that proven strategy in motion are two of the essential components to a business's foundation. These work as a guide, helping to keep actions consistent and on track. With-out these established in your business's foundation, your efforts will be scattered and inevitably leading your business to a path of disaster.

Your efforts don't have to be big or grand to help and make a difference in your business. They only have to be consistent. If you want to lower the odds against your success, you need to find your proven strategy and establish a game plan that is filled with actions you're able to do consistently. If you already have these, confront your game plan and find areas that can be improved.

Remember, you don't have to be a failure, when you can enable yourself for success!

Practice Your Communication Skills On Strangers

One of the best ways to improve your communication skills is to engage in conversation with complete strangers. Everything starts from scratch and it's easy to practice being curious, which is one of the best communication skills to master.

As an entrepreneur you should always be looking for opportunities to build your network and reach out to potential clients. And when you're clear on all of the aspects of your business, you can have an effortless conversation with anyone about what you do, who you work best with and the results clients get from working with you. If you have your 60-second commercial practiced and ready to use at all times, it's becomes natural. And you never know who might discover that your business is the answer to their need.

Consider this story. While sitting on the airplane on my way home from NYC I started a casual conversation with the person sitting next to me. I considered reading my book for a while and then working on my laptop, but I decided to engage in some friendly conversation with my seat mate to help pass the time. We talked about how great it is to have a direct flight, how long we have each lived in Hawaii, the people that we know, and he ended up asking me what I did for work. I described who my clients are, how I help them and the results that they get; he immediately identified himself as a potential client of mine. My intention was not to have a "sales" conversation at all. I just wanted to break up the time with some friendly casual conversation for a little while.

I'm innately a friendly and personable person, I don't shy away from talking to people and I'm genuinely interested in people's story. So when I have the opportunity to get to know someone, whether I will ever see them again or not, I take it.

Being open, courageous, and curious is something that I highly recommend that every entrepreneur be in the habit of. Talking with someone for the first time is a great way to practice all three! Even if the conversation doesn't offer an opening for you to share about your business, it's still a great opportunity to practice being curious and being interested.

Many people don't strike up conversations with strangers because they are shy and it's out of their comfort zone, or they are preoccupied doing something else at that moment. But we really do become best at the things we make a point to practice and if you try to engage in a conversation with a stranger, you'll be surprised at how easy it becomes.

Not just as an entrepreneur, but as a person conversing with another person, you want to focus on really listening first to what they are saying before you respond in any way. Your goal should be focused on making them feel important by asking questions that allow them to share something they are passionate about and, if appropriate, create a call to action such as meeting again sometime for coffee, a phone conversation or email follow up.

As you practice being more bold and courageous by taking the initiative to start a conversation, this will also boost your confidence. And you never know, you could discover a new business contact or potential client out of a casual friendly conversation.

Most Popular Websites Developed In Joomla

Are you a new Joomla developer? In that case, you must be knowing that Joomla is among the most popular CMSs preferred by developers across the world. If you do not believe that, then just read the following article. It features some of the most popular websites aropund the world, that have been developed in Joomla.

Linux

Linux is a popular example of high traffic Joomla based websites. This site is the central source to get any type information related to Linux. It has a simple, light and neatly designed interface interface with minimal menus, a pleasant slider showcasing images, another slider displaying articles, latest stories, latest questions, tutorials and other multiple modules, videos, social media integration and much more. Community Answer feature helps the Linux users to quickly find answers to their questions in different categories from visitors and other users.

The Hill

This one is a reputed electronic news website in Washington, D.C with 11 blogs dedicated to specific political and policy issues. This website has around 1 million unique visitors and over 5.6 million page views per month. It is loaded with lots of articles along with featured images, videos and social media integration, multiple modules, blogs and much more. It sets a perfect example to show that how easy it is to work with Joomla to execute loads of content in a much organized and efficient way. Each section is listed in the drop-down menus at the top left of the page. The site has a 'Disqus Comment' tool that enables the readers to comment on their page.

Harvard University

Harvard University is the oldest institute for higher learning in the US. Gsas.hardvard.edu (a sub-website of Harvard.edu) is the website for Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website. From here, the user can access directions, parking information, facts about the University, listings of events and exhibitions and much more. It has K2 extension installed for creating website content for news and information, images of university etc.

Joomla!

The official website of Joomla! itself is also built on the Joomla CMS. It is one of the most popular websites among the Joomla community. It has an average of 2.6 million monthly unique visitors and 61 million monthly page views. Any person who is a Joomla user, must certainly have visited this site many times. The site is loaded with numerous extensions like Phoca Documentation, K2 and many others.

These were just a few examples, numerous other popular sites have also been developed on this CMS. So now, you must be proud that you are into Joomla development services, which is considered as the best option when it comes to CMS based web development.

Search Engine Marketing: Exploit SEO Paid Search to Boost Your Profits Today

Paid search marketing (SEM) should be an integral part of every marketing campaign. It attracts prospects faster, achieves high ROI, and enables testing.

You may have heard about or read the many discussions of SEM vs. SEO. That's a misleading topic. SEO paid search and search engine optimization (aka organic search) offer pros and cons and complement each other.

Search engine marketing differs from or organic search in that it's paid advertising. Organic search generates lots of traffic, but it's not all encompassing. That's where SEO paid search or pay per click (PPC) advertising comes into play.

Let's look at the pros and the cons of employing search engine marketing.

Advantages of Search Engine Marketing

· Attracts Prospects Faster - Paid search marketing is as fast as search. Its immediate. In addition, it doesn't take long to create and optimize PPC campaigns. Whether your goal is to generate quick traffic to boost your website's popularity, broadcast a newly published white paper, or announce your company's participation in a trade show, SEO paid search gets the job done - fast.

· Achieves a High ROI - Your boss will love this one. Because it doesn't take more than one person to write pay per click banners, SEO paid search is inexpensive to implement. Besides this, PPC banners produce a high-level of clicks. According to research by Wordstream, SEO paid search generates 89% of traffic outside of organic reach.

· Targets Prospects Efficiently - With proper paid search management, you can target customers by geography (local, regional, national), by time (week days, weekends), and by platform (PC, laptops, tablets, mobile). Google provides these features in a recent upgrade to AdWords called Enhanced Campaigns. These changes allow marketers to adjust their settings to maximize the effect of all their pay per click banners.

· Enables Measurement to Improve Effectiveness - As pay per click banners grow excessively, standing out becomes more difficult. However, Google's Enhanced Campaigns offers improved measurement and reporting. It introduces more granular detail, down to the keyword level by device. Also, you can optimize PPC ad groups at the extension level: Sitelink, Call, App, and Offer. Previously, changing one extension reset your entire ad group data.

Disadvantages of Search Engine Marketing

· Difficult to Master - Writing pay per click banners appears deceptively simple. In reality, they're difficult to master. You must optimize PPC banner ads as well as write persuasive ads.

· Mitigation: Essentially, practice makes perfect. Including keyword-rich text, writing attention-grabbing headlines and testing often helps ease this task. Testing allows you to tweak and further optimize your PPC ads, selecting those with the highest click-throughs. Direct marketing techniques, supported by careful testing outperform. Don't try to be creative.

· Limits Textual Description - You're probably already aware PPC banners have limited space for your advertising copy. Specifically you have 135 characters to grab a prospect's attention and produce the desired response. You have 2 characters of text for your headline; 35 characters for your 2nd and 3rd lines each; and the rest for your URL.

· Mitigation: Being pithy is a must. Practice writing succinctly and persuasively. By that I mean writing both for the right brain as well as the left brain. Address emotions first and then logic. Howie Jacobsen recommends practicing by writing Haikus.

· Highlight Website Weaknesses - Once someone clicks on an optimized PPC ad, it should take your prospect to a landing page. Landing pages pay per click banners should look and feel alike. Unfamiliar looking landing pages make a prospect may feel lost resulting in a lost sale. Similarly, a weak call to action will cost you a converted prospect.

· Mitigation: You must write compelling, engaging and actionable copy.

All in all, search engine marketing extends your reach and compounds your results when combined with organic search. Clearly, SEO paid search has pros and cons. However, you can amply mitigate the disadvantages through careful paid search management.

Effective paid search marketing works quickly targets your prospects like a laser beam and does so affordably, even on a lean budget.

Work SEO paid search into your marketing mix, and you'll achieve measurable results that help you boost you're your profits sooner rather than later.

3 Tips to Write Super Sales Copy

Recently I have been meditating on something that I never thought of before. The connection between my brain and copywriting. And so, I am developing these 3 tips to write a super sales copy.

You might wonder what copywriting has to do with the brain? Each one of us obviously has a brain. Well, really we have two brains, the right brain and the left brain. They are not one and the same. Each one fulfills a very specific function and works completely independent of the other.

Let's talk about the left brain as a way to explore those 3 tips to write a super sales copy. The left brain is what most of us, especially in the west, use. It handles the logical, rational functions. Throughout our school years we learned to develop that brain. Learning and remembering facts. In a test, we are given a question, and we spit out the answer that has been given to us before.

The world makes sense. It is logical, scientific. This happens because of this and that. There has to be an explanation for everything that happens. When we write our sales copy, we bring the function of the left brain into our writing. It is logical. It makes sense. We proceed in the form of cause and effect.

But guess what? No one wants to read our fantastic sales copy. People skim it. You know why? Because it is a real chore to read it. It is dull, boring. Bottom line? Your sales copy is not successful. So what do you need to do?

You need to use your other brain, your right brain. Your right brain fulfills a totally different function. Yet that brain has been totally neglected, especially by those of the Western culture. The right brain has the creative function. It is from there that we get our intuitions.

Our right brain is responsible for imagination. How about putting some imagination in our sales copy? The artists, the singers, the painters use the right brain. It is the emotional, passionate part of ourselves. Left brain people or those from an Anglo culture tend to be afraid of emotions. But it's okay to have emotions, to have passion. These are attributes that will bring excitement in your sales copy and bring successful response.

There are many ways you can turn on your right brain. You don't need to practice yoga or TM or some esoteric disciplines. There are many simple techniques you can use to get in touch with your right brain. The result will be an interesting, unique sales copy that will emotionally hook your prospect and motivate him to push the buy button.

A Quick and Easy Guide For Writers

Words I often hear from clients are these: "I'm slow at writing and frequently get stuck. I wish I had a magic want to enable me to concentrate on writing and improving and work faster!"

This is an incredibly common problem - slow writing and getting stuck - even for experienced authors. This is because self-doubt creeps in for so many writers and they start wondering if they are writing a 'good enough' book.

The trick is to set aside thinking time and to plan out your book out before you start writing. I strongly recommend you do this for any type of book. This is because it's so much easier to alter a one-page outline than a 300-page book if you suddenly decide your hero should be a heroine or that your book should be written in first person rather than third person!

Jeffrey Archer, for example, lays down on his bed for a while before starting his writing each day. This helps separate from his daily life and allows him to submerge in his fictional world.

It might feel slightly uncomfortable setting aside 'thinking time' as you may feel like you're doing 'nothing' or may be keen to get cracking with writing your book. But it really is worth setting aside time for planning before you get started and even when your book is underway.

You can plan out your book in a simple way using post-it notes and a series of bullet points. Or you can do it more comprehensively. Barbara Taylor Bradford wrote a 100-page outline before she event started 'A Woman of Substance' for example. John Gray (author of 'Men are From Mars, Women Are From Venus), on the other hand, always tries out his ideas for at least a year on his clients before putting them in his books.

Conflict is the motor that drives any plot. So, if at any point, you are wondering why your story has ground to a halt, just think of a fresh challenge for your characters to get the story rolling again. This can be a small internal challenge, such as conflict in a character's mind, or it can be a much more dramatic external conflict.

The same applies to non-fiction books. If your plot grinds to a standstill, ask yourself if there are enough challenges, problems or conflicts to be overcome.

Also try to set yourself a writing target each day if you can - such as 1000 words or 3000 words. A standard book is approximately 70,000 words in length. So by setting yourself a target of say, 1500 words, you will reach your goal in under 28 days. This will give you a solid first draft that you can then edit and re-edit to your satisfaction.

I have a number of clients who have written their entire books in two to five days using this approach. However, one of the wonderful things about breaking down a book into a 28-day writing plan is that the 'impossible' suddenly seems much more achievable. You're not trying to tackle the mountain in one go which would be exhausting. You have a clear strategy - with achievable daily goals - that will get you to where you want to be.

Is IOS 7 the Best OS Platform That Apple Has Created?

The recent updates by Apple have created a lot of hype in the technology market. The announcement of iOS 7 has created frenzy amongst technology users world over. Google too has announced updates related to its operating system. However, there are a lot of things that one requires considering if they are to purchase the latest Smartphone. It is not only about the latest technology but also about the best platform that any device has to offer.

Let us try to understand these two OSs and find out which one is better:

User interface

Apple has announced a total rehash to its old look replacing it with a new-look in its iOS 7. The Control Center for instance appears translucent and it enables easy navigation and swipe through the bottom of an iDevice. You can easily access various features, functions, media controls and screen settings. You can even access various apps on your lock screen. However when we compare it with the Android platform it seems to be quite similar in functionality with respect to tweets, e-mail messages, sports scores and a lot more.

It seems that Apple has created more of a neat look with everything stacked well including notifications and home screen menu. But Android is more complicated.

Multitasking capability

Apple introduced the ability of mobile multitasking recently but it also seems to successfully run multiple apps without consuming too much battery power. Your iPhone can easily recognize how an app will affect the battery and adapts to it accordingly. It analyzes how it can allocate battery power according to apps. The Android OS keeps any app running at the background of your device thus consuming RAM. Unless you have quit an app, it will keep running even if it is for a long time. This indicates that the Android has yet to develop a smart system for battery conservation.

Mapping functionality

When it comes to Maps and Mapping, Apple has received quite a lot of negative feedback from its users. Still Apple has not released any latest maps or talked about improving it. The 3D maps and search function for its OS X Mavericks is all what we know about. Nonetheless, the multi device approach with maps is something to appreciate. You can search for a location, save it and access it from across all your iDevices.

Google has taken Maps to the next level giving users an easy technology platform to operate and get along with. The best part of Google Maps is its accuracy of geographic locations in accordance to navigation. This is essential when a user needs to turn-by-turn directions in any given area. Android is commendable in this respect.

Browser Features

The recent developments in the Safari browser give you a fascinating full-screen view. This again seems to be an inspiration from Google Chrome that has been long ago incorporated by Google. In Android OS the search bar is hidden, it can be revealed with a swipe. The tab view too is adopted by Apple. Here again it seems that Android is a winner as Apple seems to have merely copied it.

Voice Assistance

Siri by Apple is the most talked about voice assistant. A voice assistant seems to be a necessity these days in Smartphones. Siri helps you toggle controls related to Bluetooth and other settings. Its integration with social media like Twitter, Bing and Wikipedia is appreciable. The introduction of 'in-car' system is yet another interesting addition that will help a driver to stay eyes free from the device. Apart from the 'in-car' software Android has it all. In this category it seems both are equal. Right from getting baseball scores, to movie schedules and travel times, you have it all on voice command.

Streaming music

The streaming music service provided by both is slightly different. The iTunes Radio is quite similar to Pandora; whereas Google gives you All Access with services similar to Spotify. However with Google's All Access, you have the freedom to create stations based on the choice of your songs or artist. This way you can tune into your favorite song and album with ease. This function is not present in iTunes as you can only tap to purchase the music.

Again it seems that Android wins this category as everyone enjoys customized music libraries and music streaming.

Conclusion

While there are still talks about the latest updates from Google but if sources are to be believed there are more to come. Additional features and user-friendly functions are some of the additions that Google is about to introduce. However, it is your decision whether you want to select iOS or Android because each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

As a senior tech support engineer at Qresolve.com Brandon Malcolm Smith has been offering online tech support to global customers for issues related to laptops, desktops, Mac and devices including iPods, tablets, iPhones and more. Moreover he is an avid writer of articles and blogs that are aimed to help Internet users. His areas of interests include computer support, tech support, emerging technologies and awareness on tech support scams.

iPhone 5 Review

Aside from the genius Steve Jobs' marketing, Apple has a multitude of benefits with its products and is able to satisfy even the most exquisite requests. iPhone 5 doesn't make such a technological outbreak as the one in 2008, it is just a worthy successor to the iPhone 4s.

Following the traditions of Apple quality and functionality, iPhone 5 is a sophisticated tool, which is not only used for calls and texting. It is your mobile assistant, scheduler, high speed Wi-Fi Internet access tool, camera and music player, TV and radio.

Let's take a closer look, shall we?

iPhone 5 mostly looks like its predecessor, long and thin with a large touchscreen. The default colors of the case are black and white, but there are also custom cases with original and exquisite painting available from many manufacturers. The screen is about 5 inches in diagonal, which allows to have an additional row of icons visible onscreen. The case is made of aluminum and is very smooth and convenient.

Stylish and convenient, the new iPhone 5 is perfectly shaped for one-hand writing; it doesn't feel bulky and you don't have to operate it with 2 hands. All the functions work rocket-fast, allowing you to fully enjoy the performance and superior quality of the Apple product. Browsing the internet, listening to music, keeping in touch with your friends online via Facebook or Twitter, performing any kind of entertainment is swift and easy.

The 8 megapixel front and back cameras allow taking photos and shooting films of unrivaled quality. Sound from the speaker is loud and clear both during the calls and when listening to music or radio. Ear buds may look small; however they fit into your ears nicely and provide good sounding during long subway rides, etc. The ear bud cable is rather thin and the connector is rather short, so be careful when dealing with them as you normally would with such precious little masterpiece of high technology.

As there is nothing perfect in this world, there is one rather small flaw - the Google maps. They work, but the results they provide are somewhat awkward and inaccurate and it would not be honest from our side not to mention this, as many customers complain about this feature. It is recommended to not use this app until official Apple update on the matter.

iPhone 5 is truly a masterpiece, reliable and convenient, stylishly designed and masterfully produced. Choose it as your new mobile device and you will not be disappointed!

Tricks of the iPhone Trade

The world of Smartphone has initiated a great change in the lives of the people. Today, owning a Smartphone has become the latest trend and fashion among the generation. It clearly follows the message; 'have it, flaunt it'. From Apple, Blackberry, Samsung, HTC to Nokia, every manufacturer in the world is joining the league of introducing the latest models in the market in quick succession. The phone that you desired and coveted until few days ago seems to get completely out of fashion within months of buying.

Now, when it comes to coveting the Smartphone of dreams, the Apple iPhone undeniably stands a clear winner. Today, 6 out of 10 gadget lovers in the world want being noticed carrying the latest model in hands. It might sound astounding, but let us face the truth. The increasing sensation in the world of mobile has left everyone craving for a new buy. What tends to be more surprising is the trend of selling the old and existing iPhone for buying the latest model in the market.

The choice of handing over the old phone to a friend or someone from the family surely does exist, but isn't the idea of generating cash through it emerges to be much better? So, how to sell iPhone? In today's age when selling off the old model has evolved as a habit among people, the quest seems to be quite common. Well, in simple words, all you need to do is have patience and rely upon few clicks.

Tips to Follow

1. Sell as soon as possible: If you really need to sell and is determined, then do the needful as soon as possible. Holding onto your phone without any reason will hugely affect the amount of cash that you are likely to get otherwise. Since, maximum people want to upgrade to the latest model, the old ones lose value drastically. Therefore, the faster you get it off the hook, the better benefits you receive. It is this simple.

2. Do your homework well: Selling off the old model in no time surely does not imply doing so in a hurry. You must remember to do your research well. The best idea always tends to stick with shopping around a bit. After all, you need to know the best price of your phone and get the best deal possible.

3. Erase your phone completely: Always remember you are about to hand over to your phone to a stranger. Therefore, erasing all personal data from your handset including photos, music collection, videos, contacts, and messages is must. You would definitely want to avoid being a victim of circumstances. Additionally, jailbreaking your phone also helps increasing the value of the same.

Sell your Old Model to a Company

Well, the choice might seem new to you, but selling your old model to a company surely stands a prospective alternative. You will find a number of companies offering the service of buying your old and used handset for better cash. This would definitely save all the hassles and pain that you otherwise have to undertake while dealing with classified websites. All you need to do is submit all the necessary information regarding the iPhone, prior to receiving the quote. Once, the deal is set, you can go ahead, ship your phone, and wait for the payment to be credited in your account. This complete guide of how to sell iPhone is sure to help you take a calculated approach towards a new buy.

Protect Your Retirement Account

Protecting your retirement account while still allowing it to grow is easier than you think. Safe investing for your future can be accomplished if you take a few critical precautions.

These precautions do require you to exercise some control over your retirement account. This doesn't mean you have to devote all your time and energy to it, but at least 20 minutes a week or an hour once a month will be enough to protect your account and sleep soundly knowing you are following a path of safe investing.

The critical steps or rules are:

• Diversification
• Stop Losses
• Choose

Diversification

Putting all your eggs in one basket, everyone knows, is never a good idea.

This is no different than investing in just bonds, or like my mother-in-law, putting all her money in one stock. AT&T was a great investment until it was broken up into separate companies. Likewise, furniture companies might have been great until the last recession came along.

Whether you invest with mutual funds, ETFs or individual stocks your retirement account has a better chance of growing without major losses if it consists of a variety of positions. These holdings should be different, not necessarily different mutual fund companies, but of different industries or businesses.

Five to eight investment positions will give a good level of diversification. And the diversification should include positions that will include growth potential along with those providing stability.

Stop Losses

Profitable investing requires selling.

Let me repeat that: profitable investing requires selling. Unless you sell a fund or ETF, profit is never realized. Yes, on paper it may be worth more than it was when you bought it, but until you actually sell it, there is no real profit.

Since almost every stock or fund goes down at some time, it is essential that when you buy a fund, for example, you also realize you are going to sell it.

A principle of safe investing is to set "stops". This means that somehow with your online broker, over-the-phone broker or via investment software, you are going to say, "when this ETF drops X% it should be sold."

By setting stops you protect your retirement account from dramatic losses and ensure you will make a profit when a position, even your favorite stock, starts to go down. Without "stops" you can suffer dramatic losses - like many did during the 2007-2008 recession.

Choose

The choice of how you protect your retirement account is yours. Just like picking which streets to drive on, or which busses to take, the route for protecting your retirement account is yours to choose.

Whether you decide to use investment software or an investment advisor or your broker, the choice is yours.

In any case to secure your financial future you need to be sure your money is protected.

• If you choose an investment advisor - does she put 'stops' on each investment position? And do you agree with these stops or his 'stop' philosophy? How will she diversify your account?
• If you choose to allow your broker or an account administrator to manage your future, the same questions apply: will there be 'stops' and diversification that is agreeable to you?
• If you choose investment software so you can pick the route your financial future follows, will the investment program allow you to set 'stops' on your holdings? Can you diversify with multiple positions or strategies? Will it, perhaps, even give you a market exit signal for when the market is in a broad decline and you need to move your money elsewhere?

By choosing a route to protect your retirement account your will be less likely to suffer major losses in the future and more likely to reap strong profits and meet your retirement goals.

What's The Best Market For New Investors in 2013?

Which real estate market is best for new real estate wholesalers in 2013?

The news is full of headlines about various housing markets around the country every day, debating their pros and cons. Sometimes they even predict an imminent new housing bubble or paint a picture of gloom among foreclosure ridden neighborhoods for the same city in the same day. So if you are new to wholesaling houses, where's the best place to get started?

There are various ways to pick new 'hotspots' from lists on industry blogs to following job growth, business relocation, rents and even birthrates. However, the truth is that there are deals to be done virtually everywhere today.

As a real estate investment strategy wholesaling homes is a little different, and may not require the extended hands on and babysitting that rehabbing and flipping or buy and hold rentals do. Still, newer investors may often find that sticking close to home is the best move. If they've been watching the local market, own a home there and have an eye on trends they can do a much better job of estimating values and demand, rather than on homes clear across the country that they've never seen.

Some investors contest this wholesaling strategy due to the fact that they are in extremely high cost markets and want to pay cash. This is almost understandable if the median home price in your zip code is $700k or $1.5 million, but educated wholesalers know that they don't really need to use their own money to buy, and are often better not using it, even if they have the extra cash laying around.

Still, if you are in this pool, then many investors in a recent thread on a popular real estate forum suggested looking for markets within a two hour radius of home base. This can be by foot, car, air or water.

Still struggling? Perhaps try some of your favorite vacation spots where you will visit frequently anyway, and already own or would like to own a second home or retirement property anyway.

Don't be fazed by price, niches, etc., it's all pretty much the same game with a few quirks.

Finally, those getting into wholesaling houses that are concerned about competition from other investors and buyers may find their sweet spot in looking for the inventory. Today this may include heavily hit foreclosure markets in Florida, Illinois, Southeast Michigan, Las Vegas, New York or even Phoenix which is ramping up for another growth spurt.

Write Well and Sell It

Nearly everyone knows how to write, being compelled or coaxed to do so in schools and universities. However, when it comes to professional article writing, not all folks seem to start in the right direction and maintain that level of expertise. Sure, every writer's got a certain style and voice - that's a given. Apply this with certain guidelines on professional article writing and the results will, most probably, make your work worthy of being read and published. So, how should you compete with the others? What are the tips that will get you there and allow you to stay with the cream of the crop?

Create a Great Hook

When there's interest, it's easier to go for something. Remember that when you write. Create interest by coming up with a great hook. Think of something that readers will be curious about or get thrilled enough to want to read your piece.

Answer a Question or Need

Interested readers will always go for content that speaks to them or provides them with answers. Therefore, make it a point to always write with the needs of your readers in mind.

Rambling is Often Frowned Upon

Don't just go rambling about things that go into your mind. Provide information in a clear, concise manner. Present your ideas in a chronological order, making sure that readers will be able to get the most out of the information that you are trying to present.

'To Be' Verbs Shouldn't Clutter Your Content

A lot of these types of verbs will mark you as an amateur. You'll do better if you remove most of them in your content. Examples of "to be" verbs include were, am, was, and are. Instead of these, use specific verbs or phrases that will best convey what you want to say.

Be Crystal Clear

Your content will be more interesting if you stick to specific and descriptive writing. While general terms have its appeal, it's easier to have a mental image of what a writer is saying if more specific nouns are used instead of vague, general terms.

Use Short, Concise Sentences

Get right to the point. Avoid going around the bush. While long sentences may have their appeal, they can often become confusing to readers.

Add Suitable and Interesting Info

If you have interesting findings, statistics or quotations that do not deviate from your central theme, include that with your content. This adds flavor and may show readers that you are an authority of the subject matter you are writing about.

Avoid Using Too Much Slang

Colloquial expressions and slang may be used occasionally - depending on your topic and manner of approach. However, too much of this will not do justice to your content. With professional article writing, simple and easy-to-understand language is better. This way, a lot of readers will appreciate your piece.

Google Vs Apple Battle to Become Even More Intense

Google and Apple have always been in battle, as the two companies have been competing against each other in the mobile OS segment. Google's Android OS and Apple's iOS have been two of the most popular and successful operating systems in the mobile world. Very soon, this battle will be taken to the next level when Google introduces a number of new hardware products, most of which are expected to run on Android OS.

The report from Wall Street Journal says that Google is working on a number of new hardware products to be able to 'match', if not compete against the new hardware devices that Apple is expected to offer. These hardware products include Apple TV, Apple iWatch and in a way, the new Apple iPhone as well. If you are wondering how Google plans to match these products, the answer is simple - create similar products that are better in quality and effectively priced.

To give us a hint about what Google might be working on, the WSJ also gave out a list of future products as shown below

• An Android-based gaming console similar to the OUYA game console

• A wearable smart device (smartwatch) that can connects to smartphones via Bluetooth

• A new Google Nexus Q, which will be better and cheaper than the first-gen version

• A new lightweight version of Android OS

• A new smartphone from Motorola - Google X Phone (added by us, not WSJ)

The Android-based game console will help expand the reach of Android games to consumers who want to play them at home. The Google Smartwatch and Apple iWatch are both expected to be similar to the Sony Smartwatch that allows you to connect to your Xperia phones and easily access basic features like messages, SMS, contacts etc.

As mentioned in the above list, Google is also expected to come up with a new version of Android OS that will be designed to appeal to low-cost devices for emerging markets. The WSJ also said that this new version of Android could be used in notebook computers as well as home appliances like refrigerators.

Finally, we come to the X Phone, the first true product, that will be the result of Google and Motorola working together. The Motorola X Phone (or the Google X Phone) is expected to be a smartphone that will balance power and performance along with an extremely good battery backup. And this X Phone is expected to be the competitor that the Apple iPhone 5S will have to face.

The battle between next generation Google and Apple devices is about to begin.

Top Five Tips On Creating Mobile Apps

Creating mobile apps is fast-becoming a major consideration for small business owners these days. However, the current number of applications already available in the market somehow gives them the second thoughts - whether they will be able to create value for people seeking for more advanced mobile technology. A confirmation of this statement can assure sales and a reliable flow of profit coming their way. If you find yourself in this dilemma, study the following insights which can guide you to the path of successful invention.

Think about platforms - It is safe to say that the mobile world is divided. The existence of iOs and android explains that quite clearly. When creating mobile apps, there is a big possibility that an application may not work as efficiently in one device compared to the other device. When planning your design, be sure to cover desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones and the Web. A user, for one, may have a couple or three of these devices. He would definitely want to continue whatever work he started in his desktop using his smartphone when he is on the road. Would it not be very convenient to use an app which can be downloaded across all platforms?

Focus on users' needs - Are you focusing on how to create a mobile app that can showcase your talent or can help your target users? Face the fact that mobile users are the ones who will pay for your inventions. Therefore, you must know their needs, motivations and behaviours when working or playing using their mobile gadgets.

Drop complexities - Always keep in mind the challenges a first time owner of a smartphone or any mobile gadget must face. Come up with an app that is very easy to use that even a none-reader can understand how to make it work for the purpose it was intended for. You would know that your invention is not complicated to use if a first time user masters it quickly after a few tries.

Copy what is seen in the real world - How real is the application you invented? Your answer to this will depend on how efficient it is in delivering the purpose for which it was intended. In the world of house cleaning, for example, consumer would buy products which they are dependable for that purpose. In the same manner, your invention must be very functional and must improve user-experience.

Design a pricing strategy - Creating mobile apps really comes with a price whether the apps are for free or paid. Users definitely want free ones. The inventors of these can earn through advertisements. There are big advertisement networks which help maximize the revenue of the inventors and the biggest among them is Google. When assigning a price to your application, think about value proposition and competitiveness. Research about the prices of other apps sold under the category to which your invention belongs. Mobile users, in general, are willing to pay for an app that is highly functional and can give back their money's worth.

Protect Your Data When Selling and Recycling Used Mobile Phones and Tablets

We all have a drawer, basement or shelf housing our dusty cell phones and other electronics that haven't been touched in years. Recycling or selling this equipment for reuse is best for the environment and your wallet; however, these devices often contain an abundance of confidential information including passwords, contacts and correspondence, even after factory resets are performed. With identity theft and cyber crime increasingly becoming more prevalent, it is imperative businesses and individuals take the proper precautions to safeguard their data when selling and recycling these devices.

A study conducted by CPP Life Assistance found that 54% of second-hand mobile phones they had purchased from e-Bay and used electronics shops still contained personal data. They were able to access personal information such as texts, passwords, emails and banking details on 19 of the 35 mobile phones. They also purchased 50 SIM cards in which 27 were found to contain similar information.

CPP Life Assistance went a step further and asked the original mobile phone owners if they had deleted their personal data prior to selling or recycling; 81% claimed to have wiped their phones before selling them and 60% were confident that all of their personal information had been removed.

A comparable study done by Robert Siciliano, an identity theft expert and researcher for McAfee, found similar results. He bought 30 used cell phones, PDAs, computers and tablets from college students in the Boston area. All the owners thought they had wiped the memory clean, but in many cases, their sensitive data remained on the devices. Siciliano was able to recover family photos, tax files, social security numbers and bank account information.

So how can your protect your data when selling your used mobile phones and tablets?

Used mobile devices still retain a significant resale dollar value even after 18 to 36 months of use. And while there is no shortage of online and retail businesses that offer to purchase used mobile phones, businesses and consumers need to be very carful when selecting a buyback and recycling partner. Even large wireless carriers and electronics retailers may be using third party buyback vendors that claim "complete data deletion," however their terms and conditions state that it is the sole responsibility of the seller to delete the confidential information. Additionally, should you turn in a device that no longer works properly, many electronics recyclers sell these devices to third party companies for a profit with the data still accessible should the device be brought back to working condition.

So what are businesses and consumers to do to safeguard their data when selling and recycling wireless devices? Many will advise performing a factory reset to remove private data from wireless devices, but as the studies above have shown, it is almost always not 100 percent effective. Most wireless devices still have sensitive information on them even after restoring the factory settings, including phone numbers, email addresses and pin codes. Savvy technologists have even been able to recover photographs, home addresses and private contact information.

There are a growing number of e-Stewards® certified electronics recycling companies that offer wireless buyback services along with complimentary recycling.

What Is Your Business Identity?

I was so very surprised what unfolded in a recent conversation I had with a physical therapy clinic owner. The clinic owner was telling me that she hired a new team member in the last few weeks and was already disappointed that this team member wasn't meeting her expectations. Several things came to light - glaringly - during this conversation.

Here is what came to light...

... the clinic owner had not communicated the culture and values of the clinic in the hiring process and therefore was unable to determine whether this person was a good match or not for her clinic

... next, the new team member was not given a formal orientation to her job and the clinic

... lastly, when I asked the clinic owner about her businesses identity, culture and values, she had difficulty articulating these to me.

What does this example tell us?

It tells me that many of us operate with a gut feeling about who we are, what we want to be, and what values we pursue in our businesses. We are unable to clearly articulate our business identity! And furthermore, we are unable to reflect this identity in everything we do - hiring new personnel; developing marketing materials; giving presentations that compel people to work with us, and on and on.

Now read this example...

I frequently have lunch with friends at a wonderful restaurant nestled in many acres of gardens right in the heart of Vancouver. The food is very good, the atmosphere is very pleasant, and the staff treat us like we are special guests. In a recent visit to this restaurant, the manager asked me if I would like one of their new brochures. I said I didn't really need one as I frequented their restaurant and knew it well. Then I changed my mind and decided to acknowledge his excitement and take their new brochure.

What I found was remarkable! This restaurant knew how to communicate their business identity. Here is what I found in this brochure:

"More than any other venue, Shaughnessy Restaurant provides an extraordinary backdrop for our guests' most cherished celebrations. Shaughnessy Restaurant continues to be the venue of choice to celebrate that spirit and the good things in life. Our goal is to provide, at the highest level, a meeting place where everyone is welcome. Where experience is never forgotten, and the next visit is eagerly anticipated.

Our menus perfectly compliment the surroundings - innovative, contemporary food. Changing with the seasons, our menus feature the best ingredients available.

My point is that this brochure, full of spirit for who they are, and what they offer, beautifully produced with photos on thick, glossy paper is doing just what they intended: acting as a reminder that this place is special and will always make you feel special. They have exactly what you're looking for when you dine out! In a nutshell, that's what you want your business brand and identity to do for you!

I'm suggesting that you can create marketing and 'welcome' materials that inspire people to use your services, to work in your clinic, and to send you referrals.

So, interestingly, within the community of clients of Prosperous Physical Therapy, I am beginning to see marketing through websites, brochures, and 'welcome' materials that convey energy, inspiration, business confidence, and passion for what they do. And these clients tell me this is working!

For me, this is a refreshing change from all that text telling me about, 'Affordable Coverage Options', 'Effective Treatments By Experienced Clinicians', 'Short & Long Term Pain Relief', 'Range of Services', 'Access', 'Flexible Scheduling.'

So, here's my checklist for effective marketing and 'welcome' materials.

And remember that people take in information in three ways, words, pictures and kinaesthetically, so your marketing materials must communicate in all these three ways. 

• Communicate your business identity and brand.
• Appeal to your niche demographic and make reference to them.
• Have lots of fabulous of photos in a contemporary style (taken by a professional) with people in them who look good and feel good and who represent your niche demographic.
• Reference your core idea. (What's is the restaurant's core idea?)
• Explain why you do what you do, the style in which your practice does it, who you do it for and what's in it for someone who comes to your practice.
• Introduce your team as real people and not, "Dr Drill qualified from Guys in 1863... "
• Show your facilities.
• Tell what you offer and the difference you make in people's lives.
• Give a guide to your fees.
• Talk about promises and expectations.
• Make a call for action - 'Call us today' - and provide contact information.