Understanding the Credit Card Industry September 30, 2008
Posted by business1001 in : Business , add a commentYou are eligible to apply for a credit card if you are 18 years of age and have a standard source of income. In countries like US, the lenders ask the credit bureau for your credit report and run a check through your credit profile to check if you have outstanding bills, loans or mortgage on your account. They make their credit decision after going through your credit file.
In countries like US, a consumer is considered to be low-risk if he or she lives in their own home and/or are in a profession for at least two years. Such a person attracts a low rate of interest for his credit card. A person who has outstanding dues to pay or does not have a fixed source of income may be eligible for a credit card but at a high rate of interest.
However the scenario is different in India, an upcoming economic superpower in Asia. Indian banks have been charging equal rates of interest for credit cardholders regardless of the payment history, economic status or credit profile. However the application of ‘different’ rates of interest based on credit history and source of income is gaining ground in India. In future, it looks that the provisions for application of interest on credit cards will be the same as in US. The average rate of interest on a credit card in the US is 13-14 percent per annum while in India, it is 33-34 percent.
What the card holder should know
According to the Truth in Lending Disclosure, (TILA) implemented by Federal Reserve (US) in 1988, it is important for consumers to know the cost and terms of credit. This means that the information in a credit card agreement should be in a comprehensible, easy to read and easy to compare manner so that consumers can make an informed decision.
It is important for the consumer to go through the terms and conditions of the credit. He or she should also find out the annual fees of the card and do a comparative analysis. There are some credit companies that charge annual fees and there are others that do not.
Every credit card company gives value added features like Billing Dispute Resolution, Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty, Fraud Early Warning, Accident Insurance, and Insurance of loss of luggage and many other features. There are even issuers that provide credit for low promotional rates or even zero percent interest rate. The idea is to promote the card and make the card holder make good use of the card. Till the time of promotion, the credit card holder has to pay meager or no interest on the outstanding balances.
How you can use your credit card to your advantage?
If you are quick on your payments and do not exceed the credit limit, you can call the credit card customer service wing and negotiate for a lower interest rate. If you’ve been a good credit history and relationship with the company, they will definitely oblige.
You can also call up the credit company and ask for a late fee waiver. In case, you are incorrectly charged, you can also get credit as a good will gesture. You can also ask for a credit line increase. Not to mention benefits like value added features, insurance protection, merchandise dispute protection and cash back offers. However all of these are marketing tactics for you to buy the plastic money and use it. However it is important to use your credit card sensibly. Financial experts state that your credit payments should not exceed 15 percent of your net take-home salary.
Now you do not need to wait in line,for days on end, for your credit card application, to be approved. You can apply for a credit card online too. Some of the best deals in online credit cards are available with major players like:
Please note that the credit card brands given below are all exceptional and popular in their own right. The brands given below are not ranked in order of importance.As a prospective customer, you can click on the links and make a cost-comparative evaluation to decide which one offers the best terms of credit that is tailored to your interest. The listings of credit card brands is just to make your life simple and make it easy for y0u to check, compare and apply for credit card online from one place rather than go to different websites.
V.S.ARUNRAJ believes that in today’s age financial literacy is the most important form of literacy. Day in and day out, we are faced with a slew of financial products and services which makes our choices difficult. Money Matters is an endeavor to help you make the right financial choices, manage your wealth and plan your future better.
Business Logo Design September 29, 2008
Posted by business1001 in : Business , add a commentThe logo is a graphic image that helps represent a business. It helps create the first impression and a recall value for the business it belongs to. A logo design provides certain advantages, as it provides a unique identity to the business, thereby differentiating the business in the market. It depicts the professional approach of the organization, and is developed meticulously, so as to attract new and potential customers. Hence, a lot of importance is laid on the logo being an original and distinctive one.
A well-designed logo should be simple, clear and eye-catching. Using simple color combinations related to the business or product is one way of conceptualizing a logo. With developments in technology, we can easily find software to help design a logo. However, it is wise to hire a professional logo designer. Creating business logos is itself emerging as a business. A professional logo designer can achieve an effective logo that is best suited for the business, as it is very important that the company logo be innovative and that another business does not use a similar logo design. The logo design should be copyrighted and registered to the business it represents.
The logo designs also help in advertising. A simple and properly organized logo leaves a good impression, while a cheap and gaudy one can pass on the wrong message. Logos have considerable potential for visual communication.
Hence, a logo is an important thing, however small or meager it may appear to be. We never know when a little carelessness can cause big losses.
Logo Design provides detailed information on Logo Design, Company Logo Design, Business Logo Design, Free Logo Design and more. Logo Design is affiliated with Corporate Logos.
Benefits of Web Based Marketing September 27, 2008
Posted by business1001 in : Business , add a commentInternet marketing differs from conventional marketing communications because of the digital medium used for communications. The following characterize this digital medium:
It is interactive
Because the customer initiates contact and is actively looking for information, the marketer will have his undivided attention during his visit to the company website. The specific requirements of the customer can be recorded and taken into account in future corresponding. In contrast, traditional media are predominantly push media where the marketing message is broadcast from company to customer, and company messages may be completely drowned with other promotional noise.
It is intelligent
The internet is a great source of market information. It can be used for marketing research to record customer perceptions of products/services. A company website can be used to collect information about specific customer preferences and requirements, thus aiding the company in building long-term customer relationships. It can also be used to create two-way feedback based on the information gathered.
It opens new markets
Electronic media provides opportunities for a company to promote its products to potential new markets in foreign countries. Although some products/services would require a local sales or customer service force, the internet makes it easier to sell directly to customers in foreign countries without these services.
The benefits of Web Based Marketing can be summarized as the following:
Reducing costs - Not only does the internet reduce the need for personnel to handle sales and marketing inquiries, but it also reduces the amount of printing and distribution on marketing communication material.
Innovation - the internet presents fresh opportunities for new products and/or markets.
Advantage over competitors - if the entrepreneur is able to introduce new innovative ideas before his competitors, then it will achieve an advantage until its competitors have the same capability.
Improved communications with customers, staff, suppliers and distributors.
Marketing research - the internet/intranet can track customer behavior and the way in which staff deliver services
Service improvement - The company website can include interactive queries of databases containing stock availability or customer service questions.
Sales initiation - The internet can be used to support the buying decision even if the purchase does not occur via the web.
Compiled by C. Stroebel, founder of http://www.topentrepreneur.co.za
Reproduction of this article is encouraged, but must include a link pointing to http://www.topentrepreneur.co.za
Business Identity 101 September 26, 2008
Posted by business1001 in : Business , add a commentStarting a business is hard work. Starting a business that succeeds and is easily identifiable is harder yet. Going into business without a good, firm, adaptable plan will almost always spell disaster. You have to know (at least in general) how you are going to go about building your company from the ground up. Here is a basic, 8-step plan to get you started:
1. Decide on a Name
What are you going to name your business? Ideally, your company name will appeal to your target customers and, at the same time, explain what your business does. Try not to get too fancy at this point. A simple, identifiable name is the goal.
2. Finalize your Contact Info
If you are going to run your business from home, then your address is already set. But you may want to consider getting a separate phone line that will be used only for the business - if you are going to be doing business over the phone, this is a must. If your company will work out of a separate building, you have to know what your address and contact numbers are.
3. Check in with the IRS
The initials IRS might scare the crap out of you. But all you are doing at this point is getting an EIN, or Employer Identification Number. If you ever have employees, you will be required to have an EIN. It is a good idea to get one right away, even if it is not required.
4. Go to the Bank
You should open a business bank account in which you will keep all of your business funds. You do not want to get in the habit of mixing your personal and business money.
5. Create a Logo
Many people pass over this step, or forget it altogether. But your logo is a great way to build name recognition. Make a good logo and put it on everything you use. When you design your next poster printing project, slap your logo on it. Put it on your brochures, business cards, everything.
6. Speaking of Business Cards…
This is probably the first advertising material you will want to get. Business cards are essential, and you should take them with you everywhere you go.
7. Get the Other Stuff, Too
Once you have your business cards, you can focus on the other materials you will need. This includes stationery, brochures, postcards, door hangers, posters, flyers, and any other methods of marketing that you plan on doing.
8. Get on the Web
A website is a virtual necessity. And, believe it or not, it is not terribly expensive to start a website from which you can sell your products. You can look at the big box domain name providers like Go Daddy for a way to get started.
Charen Smith writes articles about Internet Marketing. She has an extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to business strategies, techniques and business solutions.
For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Poster Printing
Internet Advertising September 25, 2008
Posted by business1001 in : Business , add a commentBusiness entrepreneurs are slowly waking up to realize the potential and long term value of internet marketing. Here are some key factors that are fuelling the popularity of online marketing.
Huge Market
With the rise of internet users, the time they spend on the net has also shot up. The store house of all possible information, the internet harbors a huge potential audience. There is a whole new market for Internet marketing there.
Target Specific
Internet advertising is target-specific. Companies can aim at specific audiences. Internet marketing comprise of some methodologies that insure that those who see your ads are the ones most likely to buy the products or services. Programs like Google’s Ad Words and Ad Sense make sure that the advertisers and their content match up with the targeted audience. Forget the costly machine-gun strategy of newspaper advertisements, internet advertising is targeted!
Good conversion tracking
When you are investing in advertising, it only natural for you to track down the reach ability of the ads. Internet advertising allows the advertiser to keep a track of the number of impressions an ad gets that is to say, the advertiser has an account of how many people see the ad and how many visits their business web site gets from particular ads. This makes it easier to asses the kind of conversion rates internet advertisements get.
Low Entry level Fees
Internet advertising is the best thing to happen to advertisers with a low budget. Forget the miseries of shelling out thousands of dollars for a small print space, that you are note even sure how many people might even notice. On the web, however, you can bid for advertisements on sites like Google and Overture on a performance basis. That means you only get charged when visitors click on the advertisement, and bidding rates are as low as a nickel or dime a pop.
Cheaper
Courtesy the small and specific target audience and ability to track the effectiveness of ads on the internet, conversion rates from internet advertising is far better than traditional mediums.
Broader Range
Another advantage of internet marketing is that you are able to reach out to target audiences across the globe. The regional limitation that binds other mediums of advertisements is done away with. Rather than trying to find out different publications, radio stations and television stations that cater to a particular geographical area, internet marketing aims at all of them at the same time.
On the whole, internet advertising can be a great way to announce to the world that you have arrived! The products and services can boast of a global station once they get onto the World Wide Web.
Maneet Puri is the Managing Director of the LeXolution IT Services, a renowned web solutions company in India that provides web designing, web development and web maintenance services. He is an expert at handling web-based applications and has successfully completed several international web design projects for his clients from across the world.
3 Ways You Are Going to Waste Your Bush Economic Stimulus Package Rebate Check September 24, 2008
Posted by business1001 in : Business , add a commentOur President, George W. Bush, signed a bill that was already approved by Congress earlier this year to send every American who has filed a 2007 tax return a check to stimulate the slowing US Economy. Many people immediately criticized this stimulus package saying that it would not help out the economy one bit. Many other people are excited to get an additional check from the IRS to help supplement the raising gas prices as well as the raising prices in the food industry.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is already calling for a second economic stimulus bill, however Bush wants to see the results from this first bill before looking at other options.
But what are most people doing with this added little bonus check this year?
From the different poles being conducted online right now, most people are wasting this money in 3 different ways:
1.) Bush wants us to “spend the money”, but where are we going to spend it? Consumers are talking about buying products like expensive electronic toys for our cars or home entertainment centers, clothes for either themselves or their kids, video games, iPods, or some other trinket we don’t REALLY need.
But even if that money is spent in these places, aren’t all of these products made in FOREIGN countries?
By spending our money in those areas, we’re in effect shipping that money to Japan, China, Malaysia, Korea, India, and many other countries. This bill surely will stimulate the economy, just not the US Economy.
2.) Most people, from what I’ve gathered online, want to SAVE it. But what does this really accomplish? There’s always SOMETHING that comes up (car needing repairs, your hot water heater goes, or you can fill in your own “Murphy’s-Law-event” here). So that money I’m sure WILL be used at some point this year.
But let’s just say the money doesn’t get used up with an emergency or miscellaneous need. Due to all of these rising prices, inflation is going to take a CHUNK out of that money next year. The $1200 that you get this year will only be worth maybe $1100 next year. So by “saving it” you may be in effect letting it slowly slip through your fingers.
3.) Lastly, you’re wondering why the economy is going so bad because you just opened up the mail and (you guessed it) you’ve got 4 credit card bills! You may have already done your fair share to stimulate the economy by running up your credit cards, so you’re GLAD to take this extra cash. Because, chances are, you already spent it 3 months ago and now you’re going to use it to lower your credit card balance.
Paying off debt is just about as bad as throwing it in your savings account… Except you’re more or less throwing it away.
All of the above ways to use your stimulus rebate check result in one thing: a depreciated asset. Whether it’s a new toy or pair of jeans, a tiny interest-earning savings account, or previous debt - this stimulus check won’t do much to help out the average American UNLESS they can find a way to create an ASSET out of that money.
Let me explain.
If you take $600, put it in a box, and a year later you take it out you still have $600 (less adjusted for inflation). This money didn’t do ANYTHING for you this year. The best case scenario above is saving it and hopefully still having it worth about as much next year.
If you can PUT YOUR CHECK TO WORK FOR YOU and you can create an ASSET that CONTINUES to pay you, now you’ve got something that is worth it’s weight in gold the next year.
You can invest, but that will only give you limited returns in today’s economy.
Instead, many people have learned to start their own online business. Since the investment to start an online business is so much less than it is to start a conventional brick-and-mortar-type business, the opportunity for entry is so much greater for the average American. By creating a business with a monthly profit, you are in one way growing your rebate check.
I’m convinced that if the average American invests that money into training and resources to build their own business, they can easily in a year’s time create a monthly income of over $1200. That, in effect, would be like getting a rebate check every single month.
Whatever you decide to do with your stimulus check, make sure you are making the best of it by creating an asset that will pay you over and over again. If many people can do this our entire economy might still not be saved, however many more Americans would be able to live a better and healthier lifestyle with that supplemental income.
Additional video commentary by the author on this topic can be found here
Adam Holland is an entrepreneur and internet marketing coach.
http://www.Adam-Holland.com - blog, news, and info vital to growing your business.
http://www.RevolutionProfits.com - 100% FREE Training that is *crucial* to your online success.
The Next Big Thing in Advertising September 23, 2008
Posted by business1001 in : Business , add a commentBefore its release in 1999, the movie The Blair Witch Project created nationwide interest through a clever marketing campaign that claimed the horror film was actually a true life documentary compiled from the recently discovered film footage of a group of film students who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Whatever you may think of the film itself, there’s no questioning the impact of the film’s advertising. It turned a low budget film into a box office hit. This year’s release of the film Cloverfield saw similar success through the release of a short trailer that didn’t gave only a scant glance at the film and didn’t even go so far as to give audiences the forthcoming film’s title, which, in turn, created a wave of speculation and rumors about the film that generated word of mouth interest in the film. What do these two success stories have in common? Nothing more than clever marketing that hadn’t be tried before.
Granted, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to have a successful marketing campaign and each successive iteration of your color printing doesn’t have to be somehow more inventive than the last. That having been said, a little novelty can go a long way in winning over customers. Coming up with something witty and clever is hard enough, but trying to think up a totally new approach to advertising can be downright daunting. I can’t give you that sort of lightning in a bottle, but I can give you a few handy brainstorming tools to help you pry the stubborn top of that bottle.
Free-writing: This is like trying to capture that aforementioned lightning. Stated simply, you sit down with a pen and paper and naturalistically start writing the first things that come to mind when thinking about your product. The key is to not be rigid and just spout out your own ad rhetoric. Just let things flow and then go back and analyze your results looking for that special something.
Change Perspectives: Instead of looking at your product as a simple inanimate object, try to look at it from differing perspectives. Where did it come from? How did it get here? Does it have personality? Does it remind you of something else? How does it fit into the grand scheme of things? What is its relation to other people, places and things? Any question you can ask yourself that might help you get a fresh perspective is helpful in brainstorming ideas.
Draw: Get your ideas down in physical form. Draw charts, relationship graphs, timelines, or anything that will help you determine your products place in the wider world. This can help you establish point of social relevance and might be a spring board to ideas for expanding your field of play.
Free association: Bounce words and ideas off of anyone you can tie down long enough to play along with you. Their reaction may be different than your and can get you thinking about things in a fresh way. Just remember not to hold their knee jerk responses against them!
These are just tools to help you along in your quest for fresh advertising ideas. You’re success will depend largely on your application of them combined with a bit of blind luck and inspiration. Any writer will attest to how fickle inspiration is, though. Still, a little bit of brainstorming could be the spark that lights the fire of the next hot new trend in advertising.
For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Color Printing
Charen Smith writes articles about Internet Marketing. She has an extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to business strategies, techniques and business solutions.
The Secret to Yellow Pages Advertising Nirvana? The Unexpected Takes You There September 21, 2008
Posted by business1001 in : Business , add a commentCONTRAST is The Secret!
Visual and verbal contrast can pop your Yellow Page ad to the very top of your prospects’ mind and attention. Open the Yellow Pages to your ad right now. Does your ad visually leap out from the clutter and background noise of your competitors? If not, if it blends into the sea of yellow, then your ad stands little chance of being seen or heard.
And that’s just the way it works: your ad has to be seen to be read; your ad has to be read to have its message effect your prospects; and your message has to move your prospects before they’ll bother acting on it. Finally, the customer has to call before you can ring up new business from your Yellow Page ad. The strategy is simple, but the execution takes skill. And the first step requires the most artistry.
So how can you ensure your Yellow Page ad is seen amongst a sea of competitors? Use unexpected imagery and words that work together, to convey your unique, compelling story. The background noise and clutter is actually created by predictable ads, generic images, and uninspired copy. Just be strikingly different in your approach and you’ll stand out like a glittering gold coin amongst rusty pennies.
Jolting your prospects’ senses with the unexpected requires some design talent and skill, but is possible for a lot of do it yourselfers. But, grabbing the readers’ eyeballs AND creating a message that’ll move prospects to call you requires an expert with:
- Extensive Yellow Page experience,
- Incredible design skills, and
- A silver-tongued pen.
Hiring such an expert costs more, but the reward for making a strong emotional connection with your audience is having prospects jumping to call you first — and having your phone jump off the hook with new business in return. And isn’t that the point of Yellow Page advertising in the first place?
John Morana is president of MaxEffect Yellow Page Ad Design. Turn your Yellow Page advertising up multiple notches and get the response rates you’ve always dreamt of. Call 800-726-7006 or visit http://www.max-effect.com if you’d like to find out how.
Affiliate Marketing Program Secrets September 14, 2008
Posted by business1001 in : Business , add a commentCreating your own affiliate marketing program is one of the
most profitable things that you can do to grow your
business. When you sell products alone you are only
dependent on the traffic that you drive to your web site.
However when you create an affiliate program you basically
can recruit thousands of people online to sell your product
for you. In turn you could get hundreds of thousands of
additional visitors to your web site without actually
paying for the advertising. Also since you are only paying
your affiliates when you are making a sale there virtually
is no risk involved.
The most critical step in starting your affiliate marketing
program is that you need to choose a niche. It does not
make sense to focus on general products that are easily
bought in a store. You need to have products that are
unique and can only be purchased online.
You then need to find people who would be able to
successfully market your products online. You usually get
super affiliates who will be responsible for the bulk of
the sale of your products. You need to locate these super
affiliate. Do searches in Google in your specific niche and
look for major players who offer complimentary products and
setup joint ventures with them. Also ensure that you are
continually finding affiliate partners even if they are not
a super affiliate.
You need to also take very good care of your affiliates.
Make sure that you provide them with advertising creatives
that work. Also offer some training that will ensure that
they know how to market your products effectively on the
internet and are able to generate sales.
Once you master the art of starting a successful affiliate
marketing program you will virtually explode your profits
overnight.
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A Business You Can Start in 10 Minutes for $0 September 6, 2008
Posted by business1001 in : Business , add a commentLooking for a business you can start right now with $0 investment? Here is a quick little no risk business you can start right now. You won’t get rich doing this but it could turn into a nice monthly residual profit stream. Here is what it’s all about…
Use the classified section of your local paper online and find “Moving Sales” These ads will have a phone number in the ad. Copy the number and paste into Google. This will give you the name, address, city, etc. Copy these back to a database of your choice. Do all the moving ads in the paper. You will find them under merchandise for sale, yard sales, etc. The best way is to insert the word “moving” into the search box of your local online paper’s classified section.
First off, instead of sending a postcard for each business what will work better is to come up with a Moving Out Directory. This would be simply a directory of businesses that people who are moving may need the services of. Contact each of these businesses as Skip explained above and sell them on the idea of being included in your directory. Here is a list of possible businesses that offer services to people who are moving:
* Pressure Washing
* Gutter Cleaning
* Heating and Air Conditioning Servicing
* Off Site Storage Facility (or PODs)
* Painting
* Moving Service
* Tree Removal
* Lawn Service/Landscaping
* Handyman
* Driveway Pavement Repair
* Deck Cleaning
* Window Repair
* Hauling
* Roofing Repair
* Property Management Service
* Exterminator
* Carpet Cleaning/Replacement
* Real Estate Agent
* Mortgage Broker
* Appraisal Service
* Home Inspection Service
If you can get one business from each of these categories to pay you 50 cents per directory and you mail 100 directories a month that would earn you an easy $1000.00 a month. These businesses should jump at the chance to be in your directory because:
1) You offer them exclusivity (only one business per category allowed)
2) They could do this themselves BUT it would cost them more then 50 cents per address.
3) All the businesses above advertise in my local newspaper. They are spending much more then $100.00 a month and they are not getting anywhere near the targeted exposure you could offer them.
That is the idea in a nutshell. GO FOR IT!
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