The Cash Trio

As somebody who has spent the last 2 years doing online surveys, I have come to notice a few things wrong with most of the current online survey models. The behavior of my affiliates and visitors to my online survey review website (http://www.extra-income-ideas.com/paid-to-survey.html) also gives me unique perspective in the industry.

I know for me some of the things wrong with the current online survey model have reduced the number of surveys I currently take. I have no doubt it’s discouraging a lot of the people that came online to take surveys as a way of making extra money.

I believe the current model is causing a lot of attrition in the business. This needs to be reversed if online paid survey companies want to continue to thrive. Making these changes will help reduce the turnover of survey takers.

Below are the things I feel need to be changed:

1. The current model of taking surveys for a chance to win prices should be changed. This model makes online paid to surveys look like a lottery or gamble. It’s frustrating for people looking to make extra income to have to rely on luck to make that income.

A person that signs up for online get paid to surveys to help pay a kid’s karate or piano lesson can not depend on luck to pay the bill. He/She wants to be able to know that at the end of the month, the money will be there to pay the bill.

What happens is that after a few months of taking online paid to survey for a chance to win money or price and not winning anything, they think online paid to survey is a scam. They stop taking the surveys and start looking for other ways to make extra money.

What I recommend is a model that guarantees every survey taker some money or price. If an online survey company is going to give a luck winner out of all survey takers $10000.00, why not use a model that guarantees every survey taker some money or price.

For example, the survey company could use 400 people in the survey and pay every survey taker $25.00. A sample size of 400 people is enough to get the answer you’re looking for in the survey.

Like one internet guru said, “if I find out what 100 people think, I can takeover the world.” So a sample size of 400 people is more than enough to get the information needed.

2. Online paid to survey companies should reduce the number of qualifying surveys. For those new to the business, a qualifying survey is the survey they give you to see if you qualify for a survey they’re conducting.

Even though most online survey companies make you fill out a profile when you register with them, they still send you a qualifying survey. Granted there are surveys that require this, I don’t thin it should be done in each and every survey.

I have a survey company that regularly sends me qualifying survey about buying computer system for the company I work for. They have my profile that shows my background yet they constantly send me this qualifying survey.

The qualifying survey will ask if I’m the CIO of the company I work for. My answer is always No. Then they further ask, are you in charge of buying the computer system where you work. My answer again is always No. Then I get “sorry you do not qualify for this survey.”

After a few times of getting this, it starts getting irritating. I have since started ignoring their surveys. I just feel they’re wasting my time when I could be earning extra income in other ways. I don’t think I’m the only one that feels this way.

It may take a little work initially, but all it takes is a database that has the profile of your registered survey takers. Then when a survey comes up, you run a program that calls the database for people that fit the profile you want. Armed with this information, you’ll then only send the survey invitation to these people. I don’t believe that’s too much to ask.

In the end, all it will take is to send out a newsletter reminding your registered users to update their profile when it changes. They should be reminded that doing this will increase their earning power.

In conclusion, I firmly believe doing the above things will improve the online survey experience. Improvement of this experience, will help the industry to continue to grow.

Copywrite © Kenneth Echie. Kenneth updates the latest extra income ideas at www.extra-income-ideas.com. Subscribe to his informative newsletter by sending blank e-mail to Mailto:bye925 AT getresponse.com. His other websites include: www.online-degree-guide.org www.free-satellite-tv.org www.vitamin-supplement.org

Back in the day ESPN was merely space fodder for people with cable subscriptions; back when only the “real” sports fan (me) could sit in front of the tube and bear with the constant rambling of numbers and statistics. Oh it was great. Back before they offered a cheap magazine subscription that was nothing more then an extension to their online subscription service they offered through their website. These were the good old days.

No over-sized clowns spraying the screen with saliva as they scream a point that has already been beat to death by every other major sports media outlet. No silly Ebonics from Stuart Scott and his lowly attempts at integrating hip-hop lingo and culture with sports commentating. Back in the day Berman’s sound effects, wit and satirical humor were actually pretty clever; he was fun, his jokes were un-forced, and stimulated conversation amongst the boys who played ball out front. Now your left with mainstream content, the “edge” is gone, the only thing that spews out of these writer’s pens, and analysts mouths is sponsor-friendly garbage.

Can anybody take ESPN’s content seriously anymore? Sportscenter was a morning ritual. ESPN the Magazine would have been a no-brain annual subscription; Peter Gammons and his sports monologues–to a diehard–were simply un-passable. Could you imagine how great their magazine’s content would be without ESPN having to be handcuffed by their endless affiliates, and licensing partners? It would be nice to sit back and get the real opinions out of these analysts and writers. Honestly, its probably the only thing I miss about the 80’s.

I don’t want dummied down content from their discount magazine and their trashy over-sized recycled paper they call pages. I want opinions on how they really feel about a controversy in sports. As a long time ESPN fan it has become disheartening watching the network dive head first into homeplate only to have their nose busted by the Catchers shin-plates.

You can contact david@magazine-subscription-cheap.com and visit his latest internet project and website http://magazine-subscription-cheap.com

David does internet marketing and content developing for sites that range anywhere from web development software, to magazine subscription services. You can visit his latest internet project at http://magazine-subscription-cheap.com

Would a truck wash business make sense on the North West Side of Houston? Many truck drivers take a short cut on Highway Six through Texas and also heading out of town on the 290 to get to Austin or to I-35. But would a truck wash survive there without actually being on I-10 or I-35?

Well indeed I am familiar with this region of our nation and know where that is and have done much business with the Auto Dealership in Hempsted there, before they sold out to the large consolidator auto dealership. And I have certainly also have noticed the truck traffic on that Hwy 6 from my travels and business;

http://www.carwashguys.com/tour_bushlibrary.shtml

http://www.carwashguys.com/wacotexas.shtml

If a truck wash was placed on or near the cross roads area of Hwy 6 and 290 then yes that is a good location for a 1-2 Bay Truck Wash. I agree. As a big bonus to employees and staff you might note that near Hempsted is the World Best Beef Jerky too on the southern side road, which parallels 290 back into Houston.

What advice do I have for a truck was in that location? Well keep your costs down and be very frugal on the start-up. Yes you can do this, perhaps add some Truck Detailing later, as that is a good add on and there are some Used Truck Dealers near there, and maybe some tanker truck washing later down the road as there are many food grade tanker and petroleum based tanker truck companies near there too and lots of building, as the area keeps growing out towards Hempsted, look at the construction also and they build South out of Bryan and College States. It’s all good; so, consider this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

High fuel prices got you down?

Imagine how most of us feel in the recreational fishing world.

Let me explain.

Here we are rounding into September, the time of year that all true “sport fishermen” look forward to. The weather is changing, and most summer crowds have gone home, leaving the rivers and lakes uncrowded and filled with frisky hungry fish readying themselves for the fall spawn and feedfest that takes place in fall.

Most of us are not lucky enough to have a river or lake out our back door, so that means traveling to our favorite fishing spots is mandatory. Two hundred miles or better is nothing when it comes to our passion.

Most fishermen -and outdoor types in general–are usually heading for the great outdoors hauling their gear in SUVs , trucks or campers/trailers.

Not exactly what you would consider “economy” cars.

I can still remember the conversation I had with Ranger Kurt about three years ago, when I convinced him to purchase an old Ford Diesel f350 in place of his trusty Toyota fishing rig.

He would love the extra room, and heck- diesel was about a dime cheaper than regular to boot!!

He like I, always seemed to just fill the back of his pick-up with just about every piece of sporting good equipment that languished in his garage.On the off chance we might feel the urge to break into a spirited game of Badminton, shoot clay pigeons, ride mountain bikes, or take an impromptu twenty mile hike into the high desert, we were ready!!

So, as our state of readiness has increased with age, our truck beds have shrunk.

Much like our spines and uhhhh hummm… other things!!

But I digress…

Anyway, as I ran out of room and had to spend thirty minutes each time loading and unloading basketballs,hockey sticks and barbecues– just to find my waders–I decided a bigger rig was in order.

Didn’t seem like a big deal at the time, back when diesel fuel was at about $1.29.

….$3.19 this morning!!

Ranger Kurt is not talking to me anymore.

I have decided to make some drastic changes in my life–at least my fishing life– and the next time you see me…. I will be driving a Vespa.

That’s right, one of those tiny Italian jobs that sound like an underpowered weed wacker.

I realize this will make it impossible to carry all the “necessary” gear I need to be ready for “impulse recreation”– but what’s a guy to do?

From now on, I will only carry the essentials–fishing rod, fly box,perhaps a sleeping bag–and wear all my necessary clothing, including waders,vest,wading boots and possibly a change of underwear. Everything else stays home!

I know this sounds drastic, but if I am to continue my passion for fishing –this may be the only way to make it affordable to do so.

I also know that the visual image of a rugged outdoorsman on the back of a Mo-ped is not exactly the vision Madison Avenue would like to sell to Orvis or Jeep Cherokee and is more akin to the image of Jim Carrey in “Dumb and Dumber”–but I don’t care!!

Look out Deschutes River Steelhead… we’re LEAN, MEAN, and riding WHINY MACHINES…

Whad’ya think?Kinda catchy, huh?

So, until the price of crude drops back down to a reasonable level, which may be never, you will recognize me as the guy out on Highway 97 wearing about fourteen layers of clothing and a pair of Hodgeman neoprene waders.

My poor Ford F250? Well, I suppose it will become an expensive dog house for my Yellow Lab-because unless I have AAA tow my vehicle around town–I can’t afford to drive it anymore.

I sure hope they don’t catch on to me!!

Oh– and Ranger Kurt–give me a call, there’s room on the back of the Vespa for you…

A.J. Klott

Author, writer of fishing humor,and “fly tack” peddler.A.J. writes about the people,characters and modern day events that surround the fishing world. His first book is due out in December of 2005.
If you need a laugh or a fun gift, visit his website at:
http://www.twoguyswithflys.com

The trouble involved in going to a real gaming establishment can be ample reason to drop it unless one must go there. All those miles of driving, the trouble, and tasks at hand seem not worth the inconvenience only for that prospect of testing the odds at real gaming establishment, nonetheless, if you’re the sort of gal who thrives on virtual casinos then having a try at virtual wagering will probably be a viable alternative. It isn’t necessary to leave your familiar desk to try your hand at online casino games for it can be easily accessed from your domestic environment assuming you possess a computer plus access to the internet. This said, don’t get in a frenzy: there’s more than a few important guidelines that you will want to train yourself in concerning online casino games, particularly so if you happen to be a neophyte.

The top priority that you as a sharp-witted online risk taker will positively look out for is an online casino games establishment of the category that offers the best odds. Make sure the online casino games establishment is partnered with an honest auditor so as to check the referenced casino games’ payout percentages routinely. You should always be sure to check the virtual gambling establishment has a bonafide license, e.g. by verifying the licensing information onsite. Should it prove impossible to pick out any licensing information on a targeted virtual gambling establishment, do not try to gamble on that site. Learn the best gambling casinos strategy from other live players.

Going further, another consequential tip is obviously to place a wager for beginners with small amounts in lieu of fork out more than you can afford to lose off the cuff. First thing, check the integrity and status of the virtual gambling operation rather than provoking some severe risk- particularly so that of losing your money… Finally, here is another notable info concerning virtual texas holdem. It is bound to be this: to never neglect that any kind of gambling is solely about amusement and not so much about making money. Wagering in online casinos is definitely no chore, but, rather a diversion that should help you become bright and your life delightful. After observing the tips given above, you are now free to go ahead give in to the attraction of virtual gambling!

There are tons of solutions for health and weight loss in the world however the majority of them do not work at all. You can try running and jogging and even walking to get into shape and lose extra body fat but soon you will find that you are in need of a new solution. When you reach that point consider giving bicycle riding a shot. Riding a bike gives you so many advantages that other aerobic exercise does not. The first and foremost is a change of atmosphere. When you exercise it is easy to get very bored and this leads to people quitting or cutting out earlier than they should. This is bad because if you make a habit of stopping your workout early you will never really meet your goal. When you are on a bike it is hard not get bored. You will be moving so much faster than when you walk you will cover a lot of ground and see a lot more scenery. If you have the chance to see a lot more you are not as likely to get bored and in turn less likely to quit. If you complete your workout every time then you will achieve you goal or health and weight loss.

Bicycles come in so many styles that you may be overwhelmed when you go out to buy one. You can buy a number of different specialty bikes based off of what it is that you want to do. If you live near a lot of hills and trails and want to ride off road as opposed to on pavement then you may want to look into a mountain bike. The mountain bikes have special tires and frames to deal with the rough terrain that you will ride on.

If you are looking to ride strictly on pavement hen a road bike is what you need. These are light and less rugged than the other types of bikes because they do not need to be. The roads a generally smooth and therefore the tires can be thinner and this will allow you to go faster.

The more you know about what you want to do the easier it will be to pick the right bike for your goals. Best wishes and happy riding.

If you are planning to start internet based home business, do brief researches before you actually start your internet home business venture. This will provide you with a good understanding of this business domain. It will give you the opportunity to learn from the mistakes most people make in home based internet business.

We don’t want to say that your excitement is groundless. If you are successful in your work at home business, the home business internet income opportunities can be very lucrative. You can work for the entire twenty-four hours if it is possible for you at the comfort of your home.

In internet based home business opportunities you are not forced to interact with your irritating superiors. Also there is no dirty office politics. And the most important thing is that not only does it give you a healthy home business internet income, you also enjoy the warmth and comfort of being with your family members.

All these are the few benefits that a internet home business opportunity can give you. But just as the saying goes that nothing is perfectly good or bad in this world the same applies to the top home based businesses.

It has some lucrative advantages but these home business internet income are not without associated pitfalls. There have been so many scams under the garb of internet home business, that most view such opportunities with suspicion.

Yes, we are here talking about internet home business scams and we want to give you some tips which you should follow while you are to start successful home businesses and make money.

• Avoid the offers of “start work at home business” plans which offer easy money without a basic business idea in place. These offers of internet home business are honey traps to loosen your purse strings. Think for a while before you are being carried away by those ornamental words.

• It is better not to indulge in internet home business plans based on the notorious pyramid schemes. Developing pyramids means that you get a commission when you are able to join new people to the home based business. This ‘Pyramid’ home business is profitable for those who had started it. Please note that pyramid home business is totally different from the internet based home business where you get a partial commission from selling the products and another part of money by joining people in your business.

• When you are starting your online home business, you will come across companies charging fees to give information. If the online home business opportunity is legitimate, then why should one pay for it in order to just know the procedure?

Every thing has both positive and negative aspects. There are risks associated with online home business too. You need to be alert and you will find yourself away from business frauds and scams running under the garb of internet home business. Just avoid the temptation of easy and quick money. Even the most brilliant business opportunity takes time and loads of effort to achieve the topmost position in the world.

Charlie Golick is a success coach, e-book author, founder of web properties and a MLM trainer/consultant and after 15 years failing in network marketing, he is now in the top one percent of home business internet income & internet based home business earners.

The idea that good design can improve how people perceive your business has long been a part of a designer’s sales tools.

They try to convince you that by improving your image, maybe creating a new logo or changing the way you communicate with your customers you can somehow improve sales and improve your bottom line. But are they right?
Over the years many companies have been sceptical about these claims because of a lack of concrete evidence. Designers struggle to back up their claims with written evidence and so this argument for good design often falls down at the first hurdle.

Companies fail to understand why they should invest time and money in improving their visual identity if there is no tangible result.

However, last year The Design Council released the results of a groundbreaking study on the link between the use of design and financial performance. The study published in March 2004 finally recognised the direct relationship between effective use of design and financial performance.

The study looked at 166 design-led UK quoted companies over a period of ten years from 1994 to 2003. A group of 63 companies were recognised as effective users of design. This was based on the fact that they consistently appeared in the listings at various design award schemes.
The study reveals these 63 companies outperformed both the FTSE All Share and FTSE 100 indices by around 200% between 1994 and 2003.

The Design Council is a professional body which supports the work of the UK design industry. It works to demonstrate and promote the vital role of design within business and the wider UK economy.

A recent study by the Design Council, Design in Britain 2004-05, based on an annual business survey of 1,500 companies of all sizes and sectors, shows companies using design to innovate and stand out are growing faster than their competitors are.

According to the in-depth research, a third of the UK’s fastest growing companies see design as integral to their business, while only 11 per cent of businesses with a decreasing turnover have this view.

The figures confirm the impact of design across sales, profits, quality, share price, market share and competitiveness.

Using design throughout your business ultimately boosts the bottom line by helping you create better products and services that compete on value rather than price.

Contact:

If you want to find out how you can improve your financial performance through design then contact sales@trulyace.com

About:

Truly Ace offers creative unique and cost effective logo design, commercial illustration, graphic design, and web design services.

http://www.trulyace.com

Copyright Truly Ace
Logo Design, Graphic Design & Commercial Illustration

Bouncy trampolines can be largely exciting as well as being useful to keep your kids engaged & busy for one or two hours. Trampolines aren’t simply made for children, as many can also be bought by older women as an aerobic cardiovascular drill as well as a means for tightening and toughening muscles simultaneously Therefore, a trampoline has loads to offer year after year for the complete family and it’s of no astonishment that trampolines are such a highly regarded toy all through the sunny holidays.

The central thing bear in mind when searching for a large trampoline is to make sure it’s suitable for the age and ability of the individuals who will likely to be testing it, be it the children or the grown-ups.

An extra thing to bear in mind is obviously going to be the position of the bouncy trampoline. Many trampolines at present can require up a huge degree of garden space considering you will need about 3 feet of grass more or less around the outside of the trampoline in order for the toddlers to land in one piece if they indivertibly plunge off. Let Toy Shopper make the most of your summer with low prices on a whole range of outdoor toys, such as trampolines, playhouses and paddling pools.

It is also key to keep in mind that a number of trampolines garden trampolines will insist to be sited on flat land or else the robustness & well-being of the garden trampoline can be affected. With this in mind, a few ditches might need to be constructed in order for the bouncy trampoline to stand-up appropriately.

I had an appointment with Ned The Newbie the other night to talk about his dreams of wealth, online business and Internet marketing. Like most Internet marketing newbies, Ned thought a web site would be found automatically by product hungry people willing to buy whatever he decided to sell.

Here is how that appointment went…

Ned: Good evening Mr. Mann, I am so glad we are able to meet. You have me pretty excited about a step-by-step solution to online business success.

Do you really think you can point me in the right direction?

James: Welcome Ned, great to meet you in person, and please call me James.

Have a seat Ned, relax and let me get us both some water.

Ned: Thanks James and water sounds great.

James: So, you’re Ned the Newbie? After our phone conversation I feel like I know you already. As a matter of fact about 4 years ago I was you, well I was in the same position as you. Ready, willing and able, to start an online business and more than a little confused and frustrated.

And to answer your question. Yes I am sure I can help you understand the journey and adventure you are about to take. I have already helped numerous people start their journey into online business and they are doing great and learning more ways to earn multiple streams of income. So relax Ned.

Ned: Now I am even more excited. James, I hope you don’t mind, but I brought all these eBooks I have printed about ’starting a home business online’. Just so you know what I have been reading.

James: Thanks Ned, That is quite a list you have, but I don’t think we will need these tonight. How have they been working for you so far?

Ned: Well they haven’t. How did you know. Oh, hold on I know. If they had worked I wouldn’t be here, right?

James: That’s right Ned. But that doesn’t mean they are not good eBooks. I have seen and read a few of the ones you have here and they are great information products.

If I have learned anything about people in the more than 17 years of teaching, it would have to be that the greater majority of people need to hear the same thing 3, 4, 5 and even more times before it starts to become embedded info.

So what happens is that people jump from one thing to another hoping for that magic fix so that they can start earning an income immediately.

The strategy that they are using works just fine, but they don’t give it enough time and attention to see it work.

Ned: That’s exactly it. I read most of the material but I was just getting more confused and stressed out trying to understand it all. I think I have information overload.

James: Ned, I couldn’t begin to tell you how many times I messed up when I started my first online business, and being a teacher makes it even worse. I always tell me students to ask questions, but when it came right down to it, I thought I would do just fine on my own. Man did I feel stupid when I finally realized that I was not practicing what I had been teaching for almost 20 years.

So let me say it here and now and I really mean it.

THERE ARE NO STUPID QUESTION AND YOU ONLY GET ANSWERS BY ASKING

Ned: It makes me feel better knowing that you have been where I am sitting right now.

Okay my first question: Can I start learning right now?? (Big Smile)

James: Ha, you sure can, but one more thing first. It is important that you follow closely. If you start to get lost ask for better directions or ask me to slow down, but what ever you do, don’t let me continue until you are satisfied that you know where we are right now.

Ned: Oh you can bet I will stop you and ask lots of questions.

James: Any step-by-step solution starts with the first step and you should never go on to step two until you have completed step number one. You should also understand what step one is. Don’t just follow instructions blindly. You just end up at step 7 without a clue.

Plus it just makes sense to get the first step right, otherwise you are off in the wrong direction immediately and you probably would not even know it.

On top of that, if you are paying money for a product that will make your marketing life easier, but you don’t follow directions you are just throwing money out the virtual window.

(I was holding the printed eBooks Ned brought while I said that.)

Ned: I feel kind silly for wasting all that time and money.

James: I am not trying to make you feel bad Ned. I did the same thing but I spent a whole lot more and waited much longer before seeking help. I really just want you to understand without making you buy anything that is not necessary.

On to step one then.

Before you ever spend a dime or build that first web site you have to know who is going to buy what you are selling. That is your target group or target audience.

Knowing your target group, those people that want what you have, will give you an idea of whether you can make money or not.

If your target audience really wants something but has no money you are wasting your time, and time is money.

Write that down Ned, so you have it to read over and over.

———-

Step One is: Knowledge is POWER. Research your target group.

Before you ever spend a dime research your target group so that you know your prospects have the means to purchase what you are selling.

Don’t go on to step two until you have done your homework or you, like so many others, myself included, will start wasting your time and money, again.

———-

Ned: Time for my next question James.

This is the point that I get tripped up on. How do I find all the information I need about my target group?

James: (Smiling) How did I know that you would ask me that question?

This is the point that messes up so many Internet marketing hopefuls. It is also the reason more than 80% of businesses fail.

Lack of research.

So you can see that it is extremely important to get step one right.

Start asking some questions:

Who else sells these or similar products and how are they finding their target group?

Let me give you the secret to step one in my step-by-step solutions. Are you ready?

Ned: Oh yeah.

James: Know how to use a search engine to find more information about my competitors and you will soon be able to write your own ticket for anything you want. It is all about researching. Knowledge is only POWER once it becomes yours, so learn what you need to learn in order to be ahead of 80% of other marketers.

Finding and researching successful competitors will give you plenty of food for thought when you start digesting the keywords they use to draw their target group like moths to a flame.

A quick tip to help you master using search engines for target group research success…

Take the time to read the Advanced Search section on each of the major search engines, it will be time well spent.

The advanced link is usually right next to the search box.

Ned: Yeah, I really struggle with finding what I am looking for on search engines.

James: You and millions of others, that is why the success rate for online business is so low. They are defeated before they ever begin, while the winners are doing their research and gaining unbelievable wealth for the time they spend learning.

Are you really starting to see where Internet marketing newbies go wrong? Once you are convinced that this is where most fail you can start researching your target group until you know them in depth.

Ned: Now that you pointed this out I have to say that I already knew it. I just figured it wasn’t as necessary as it really is.

James: That is exactly it and now you are ready to actually begin step one.

The more you learn about your target audience the better chance you have of success. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, but…

…only if you use it.

Step Two, after your research is complete, is:

TAKING ACTION

Well Ned and I went on for a while longer and we had a few more visits after that and you will be happy to know that Ned the Newbie finally learned to ask questions and follow directions.

James Mann, owner/operator of http://www.inetstrategiesinc.com/

Learn how to start your own online business by pre-planning.
Take our FREE 7 Day eCourse on search engine optimization for your web site.
http://www.inetstrategiesinc.com/5-day-ecourse.html