When you’re looking for the right directory to list in or to use
for research, it can be a nightmare. Everyone thinks of Yahoo!,
of course, but there are quite literally thousands of other
directories out there, many specialized, others not. How can you
tell the difference?

By being educated on what you’re looking for. When you’re
looking for the right directories to list in, use the following
guidelines.

1. Everyone lists in free directories. Why not? You can list in
as many as you want, and you’re not losing anything by doing so.
Free directories include Yahoo! and Dmoz, as well as hundreds of
others who either use their own listings or license listings
from Yahoo! and Dmoz. You shouldn’t stop here, though,
especially if you’re running a commercial website.

2. The more directories you’re listed in, the more inbound links
to your website you’ve got. And the more inbound links your
website has, the higher the search engines will rank your page.
Make sure when you create your directory listing to use your
keywords in the text; in some search engines, this will help
your ranking as well.

3. Some of the free directories are not being listed well by
Google and other standard search engines. This is not because of
some nefarious competitive advantage, but because the free
directories often look like search engine spam or because they
don’t optimize their sites well. The paid directories are
careful to watch for this; after all, the more hits they get,
the more they can charge for their services.

4. After listing in all the free directories - which you should,
as it costs you nothing but a little time - you should start
listing in the better paid directories. Even though you have to
pay to get in them, they give you an edge that the free ones
don’t. For one thing, they’re more exclusive, and customers
won’t be looking at your competitors as much. For another, as
noted above, the directory will probably place higher in a
search engine. And they tend to be specialized. If you sell
medical equipment, listing in a medical equipment directory will
almost certainly be a worthwhile investment.

5. If you list in really good and specific directories with
proven traffic from customers you want to draw, you’re investing
your money in the right place. A few good quality links will
draw the perfect customers for your business. Finding the right
directory is hard, but search for directories that specialize in
your industry and in industries that cross into yours; for
instance, if you provide medical equipment, don’t overlook
listings for scientific and laboratory equipment.

6. The next generation of directories is here now. With sites
like MSN’s Small Business Directory, targeted searching for
exactly what you want is easier than ever before. In addition,
many of the newer directories offer you additional small
business tools, more information, specialized content for your
industry, and many other services. You’ll only find these with
paid directories.

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Identity theft occurs when someone illegally obtains your personal information (social security number, credit card numbers or some other personal information) and uses that information to apply for loans or credit cards under your name or to make unauthorized purchases or gain access to your financial accounts. It is extremely prevalent these days, but there are steps you can take which will reduce the chances of you becoming a victim of identity theft.

1. NEVER give out personal information (date of birth, social security number, credit card numbers) over the phone, by email or on the internet unless you initiated the contact and know whom you’re dealing with. If your social security number is requested, ask if another form of ID could be substituted in its place.

2. ALWAYS shred papers that have your personal information on them before throwing them away. Papers that should be shredded include credit card receipts, checks, bank statements, credit card statements, expired credit cards and pre-approved credit card offers. Cross-cut shredders are great for this purpose.

3. Keep accurate and current records of all your credit cards and who you should contact in case they are lost or stolen. You may want to take copies of your credit cards and write the customer service number on the copy. If you are not currently using some of your credit cards, you should keep them securely locked away. Other things to keep in a secure location include: unused checks, your social security card, bank statements and credit card statements.

4. ALWAYS make sure you get your copy of a credit card receipt when making a purchase. Check to make sure your credit card was returned to you as well.

5. Check your credit reports annually. There are three credit reporting agencies; Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Every year, you are allowed one free credit report from each of these credit reporting agencies. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com to order your free credit reports, ordering one from a different agency every 4 months.

6. ALWAYS make sure there are no “shoulder surfers” around when you are keying in your PIN number at an ATM or store. Be careful that no one overhears you when giving out your credit card number or personal information over the phone.

7. When purchasing on the internet, always make sure the site you’re using is secure. You know you’re on a secure site if the web address changes from http:// to https:// when you click on “buy” or “add to cart.” You will also note a lock or key symbol in the lower corner of the web page.

8. On your own computer, use a firewall and virus protection. Use passwords that include letters, numbers and symbols to make them more difficult to break. Never use PIN numbers that are obvious, such as your birth date, street number, phone number, the last four digits of your social security number or any consecutive numbers. Memorize your PIN number-do not write it down. If your mother’s maiden name is requested for security purposes, use a password instead-one you will remember.

9. NEVER respond to emailed requests from banks or creditors to update your information. You should always call the institution directly or go to their website (do NOT use the website the email directs you to) to update your information. Rarely do banks or other institutions request such information by email, and it is a simple task for someone to create a website that looks just like your bank’s or creditor’s.

10. If you receive lots of pre-approved credit card offers in the mail, call (888) 5OPT OUT to have your name removed from the marketing lists sold by the major credit bureaus.

11. Drop off outgoing mail at your post office or collection box rather than leaving it in your mailbox for pick up.

12. Have new checks mailed to your bank and pick them up there.

13. Place passwords on your bank accounts, brokerage accounts and credit card accounts for protection. Once again, use a mix of letters, numbers and symbols.

14. Consider an ID theft insurance policy.

15. Register with Equifax Credit Watch. Equifax Credit Watch makes monitoring your report easy by automatically alerting you within 24 hours of key changes in your Equifax Credit Report - like when someone tries to get credit in your name or there are sudden changes in your credit card balances. - so you can act before serious damage is done.

For a list of signs that you may be a victim of identity theft, go to http://understandingidentitytheft.com/articles/article-67.html
For further information on identity theft, visit http://understandingidentitytheft.com.

For information on how to check and/or correct your credit report, go to http://yourcreditscoreranking.com.

Debbie Pettitt teaches you all about identity theft: what it is, how it occurs and what to do if you are a victim at http://understandingidentitytheft.com.

If you need help straightening out your credit report, learn all about it at http://yourcreditscoreranking.com.

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For many of us who golf on a regular basis, we share a love-hate relationship with this sport. For some reason, golf keeps us coming back for more and more while at the same time frustrating us beyond any normal levels for any other pastime. Is it possible to have fun each and every time you hit the links for a round? It all comes down to what your expectations are when you are playing the game you love (or hate).

When you tee off on the first hole of any golf course, where do you expect the ball to go? Most of us expect a perfect shot, straight down the middle and at least 200 yards out. Is this realistic? In most cases, not even maybe. Sure, there are those of you out there who can hit a decent tee shot each and every time but for the rest of us, we’re lucky just to keep it in the fairway. Do you know that only 10% of all golfers consistently shoot below 100 each and every time they play golf?

If only one in ten golfers can consistently score below 100, how can this game be worth coming back for time and again? It all comes down to what you expect to shoot when you head out. Expect an 80 and maybe you shouldn’t if you usually play in the high nineties.

If you want to have fun golfing, it can be done. Most people who truly enjoy the game just go out and play it, no expectations brought with them when they hit the links. Many golfers find that as soon as they stop thinking about their score on each and every hole, not only do they start to enjoy the game a lot more but their score goes down as well.

Golf can be fun and it can also be serious and fun at the same time. Think of Tiger Woods. When he’s winning he looks like he is having the time of his life. Tiger only gets worked up when he is not winning or in a position to win the tournament. Is it realistic of him to expect to win every time he takes out the clubs? No, and considering that he is the best golfer in the world he does have a good chance of winning. But, for the rest of us we should just expect to play as good as we can play and once in a while, a little bit worse or a little bit better.

The key, as I see it is to try to accept that every game will not be perfect, and to try to enjoy each time we have the privilege of playing, even if that means playing worse than we are usually used to. Golf can always be fun, as long as out expectations are in line with our capabilities.

Mike Wyman is co-creator of the online dating website for golfers, DateAGolfer.com and PuttingForPar.com, a golf related website specializing in personalized ball markers.

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A properly functioning car exhaust system is critical toward keeping the environment clean, reducing noise, as well as preventing a deadly build up of carbon monoxide [CO] inside of your car. You can stop problems from occurring if you keep in mind the following four safety tips.

1. Annual inspection. If you own the correct equipment [such as a lift or jacks] you can perform a visual inspection yourself. Things to look for: corrosion, loose mountings, leaking joints, damage to various parts including the catalytic converter, muffler, pipes, and other exhaust components. Many garages and retail establishments offer free exhaust system inspections as well if you prefer to leave it up to a mechanic. Tip: Always check your exhaust system immediately after bottoming out from a pothole or running over road debris. Do not wait for your annual inspection; inspect it right away.

2. Keep windows cracked open. Carbon monoxide can build up in the cabin of your car without warning. You can’t see it and by the time you realize its effects it may be too late. A slightly opened window will help gathering poisons to leave your car’s interior. This is especially important to do if you are stuck in traffic.

3. Station wagon precautions. If you own a station wagon and you leave the tailgate down while driving, make sure that windows or vents are open.

4. Open up the garage door. Letting your vehicle run inside a closed garage can be deadly. Fumes will quickly accumulate in the garage and spread to the remainder of the house if you have an attached garage. If you must run your car inside of the garage, vent it by opening up the garage door. Always keep the door from the garage to the rest of the house closed when your car is running inside of your garage.

If you determine that your exhaust system does need maintenance, you can do the work yourself and save plenty of money. Top performing exhaust system brands include Bosal Exhaust, Dynamax Exhaust, Gibson Exhaust, Flowmaster Exhaust, Magnaflow Exhaust, Remus Exhaust, as well as others. Selecting the right system for your car can help you reduce noise, increase torque, and free up horsepower. Above all, a well fitted, properly installed system will protect the environment both inside and outside of your vehicle.

Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for Car Parts Stuff, an online supplier of high quality and well priced automobile parts.

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How heavy are the burdens you’re carrying? Are you weighed down with a load of guilt, financial woes, an abusive husband, or the death of a child? Jesus says: “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mat. 11:30)

That almost sounds like a nice cliché, eh? You may be thinking: “Yeah right! You don’t know the problems I’ve got!” I do know where you’re coming from. In fact I used to have a mental picture of oxen with heavy wooden yokes strapped across their necks attached to iron shackles, pulling heavy machinery. Even a light yoke seems like a heavy contraption! Slaves burdened with yokes were forced into heavy labor, directed where to go, and kept on a tight rein by their masters.

Then I got a revelation! My husband Jack used to complain out loud about any problems he faced. I was the quiet one in the family. I would pray about them and go about my day bowed down under the weight. But, Jack? Oh… how he used to infuriate me! First he’d aggravate the situation by his mutterings. But then, after his daily morning walk with the dog, he would come home refreshed, laughing and in a great mood! The problems were still there, so how could he suddenly be so happy? You know, I hate to divulge this - even to myself now - but it literally took me years to figure it out.

Jack’s all-time favorite scripture verse is: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4: 13) He stood on that verse, spoke it every day, and during his walks he would give Jesus all his burdens. So simple! I had the faith to believe that God would solve everything, some time. However, I had trouble handing my problems over to him, saying, “Jesus, here is my burden. Would you please carry it, as you promised you would?”

The proof is in the pudding, they say, right? So.. Jack would come back happy, but how about the problems? They did go away? We discovered that God is the God of plenty and that He is never late! A lot of the time we were barely hanging on by the skin of our teeth up until the last moment. But…God! He always came through! He is bringing to mind an incident that happened years ago when the bottom literally fell out of the market my husband’s business was involved in. Where there was great demand merely a year before, suddenly there was nothing. Being self employed, it was difficult to make the transition into a different field instantly. One night, in the twilight zone of falling asleep, Jack exclaimed: “there are two huge angels sitting on our roof! One on each side… I see them clear as day!” He had lifted the situation up to the Lord, asking Him to protect our property during this time of unforeseen upheaval. The Lord in His mercy gave him a vision of the guardian angels He had assigned to protect us! What total peace came over us! He supplied total assurance of His protection.

Yes, His yoke is not a heavy cross to bear. His yoke simply means that whatever you need to go through, no matter how extreme. If you lift it up to Him saying: “Lord, I don’t know the answer. I can’t bear this any longer,” then you will also discover that His Grace is sufficient for you as His strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9) When you are weak, He is strong. When you let go and let God, you open the door to miracles and wonderful testimonies of His goodness in your life.

Take off your heavy burdens. Let Him take care of them for you. It’s His Promise, and He never fails! “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Mat. 11:28-30)

Ann Stewart is the author of “With Wings As Eagles,” It motivates, inspires and encourages others to stand victoriously in their trials.
http://www.lifealteringwords.com/with-wings-as-eagles

Her inspirational newsletter:
http://www.lifealteringwords.com

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‘VeRO’? What on Earth is that? Well, it’s a very scary eBay program that can get your auctions shut down, that’s what it is.

VeRO stands for ‘Verified Rights Owner’. It is the eBay policy that deals with complaints about your auctions from companies who own copyrights, patents or trademarks on the items you are selling. Unfortunately, it is often abused to remove items from eBay that are perfectly legitimate to resell, simply because the copyright owner doesn’t want people getting their hands on them.

If the copyright of something you’re selling is owned by one of eBay’s 5,000 verified rights owners, be prepared for trouble. eBay have given these companies the right to remove any auction from eBay that they see fit, and, say eBay, “eBay cannot require the rights owner to provide you with the exact reason of the request to remove your listing”. Worse, eBay may even suspend your account, or give your real-world contact details to the company in question.

Why Do eBay Do This?

Basically, they do it to avoid getting sued, or even getting threatened with being sued. There is a law called the DMCA (digital millennium copyright act) that means that eBay must either take these auctions down when it asked to or take full responsibility for them from that point on. eBay doesn’t want to take any responsibility for your auctions.

It’s not worth worrying too much about it - 99% of the VeRO program is aimed at stopping fake brand-name goods or pirated media being sold through eBay. Big companies also seem to get quite upset when eBay sellers take the company’s ad copy, logos or professional pictures and use them for selling on eBay.

If you’d like to take a slightly patronising quiz about copyright to help you understand eBay’s policy, go here: http://pages.ebay.com/help/tutorial/verotutorial/intro2.html.

So Who Are These Companies?

There’s a complete list available here: http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/vero-aboutme.html. This list includes everything from the Microsoft and Adobe to Chanel and Nike, not to mention the RIAA (recording industry association) and MPAA (motion picture association). Most of the companies, understandably, deal in software, media or fashion.

eBay Say I Violated VeRO and I Want to Appeal.

Use the link at the bottom of this page: http://pages.ebay.com/help/confidence/vero-removed-listing.html. That’ll get you to eBay’s VeRO Seller Appeal Form, where you can put your case to them directly. You are supposed to take it up with the company that complained about you first, however - and sometimes you might find that they just back down, which makes the whole thing a lot easier.

If you have no luck getting any response from eBay by email, it’s not really worth trying to phone them - you’ll find they’re most responsive if you use the ‘Live Chat’ feature or write them an actual, real-paper letter. You’re best off being nice to eBay: they have absolutely no obligation, after all, to ever let you sell anything at all.

On a happier note, have you ever heard of eBay Anything Points? No? Well, you’re not alone. The next email will explain what these little-used points can do for you.

Kirsten Hawkins is an Ebay and internet auction enthusiast from Nashville, TN. Visit www.auctionseller411.com/ for more great tips on how to make the most from Ebay and other online auctions.

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Spread betting is a great way of betting,particularly for sports
fans and bettors - no matter how unequal a sporting contest is
you can still enjoy a bet - with the opportunity betting from
the first minute right through to the very end.Not only can you
bet right through any sporting event you can change your
mind,and adjust your bets at any time !.

The best way to explain the principle is firstly to use whole
number examples(many punters are baffled when they see fractions
of goals or similar when first looking at spread betting - how
can there be 2.3 goals?(we will explain later).

Lets choose cricket,or any sport where runs are made.The spread
betting companies may decide that a batsman should make about 30
runs.They would therefore offer a spread of say 29 - 31.If you
think that batsman would score more than that you would BUY,if
you did not rate the batsman and thought he would score less you
would SELL.(You would keep your stakes low in this market due to
volatility.)

IN THIS EXAMPLE THE BATSMAN SCORES 51 If you BUY for $1 - you
will win $20 (you bought at 31,result was 51 - the batsman
scored 20 more runs than buy offer) if you SELL for $1 - you
will lose $22(you sold at 29,result was 51 - the batsman scored
22 runs more than sell offer)

The beauty of spread betting is the odds change all the time,so
you can close a bet at any time and take your profit,or cut your
losses,or alternatively sit back and watch your profits grow(or
losses)right through till the end.

Now to look at fractions in spread betting - this can be,and can
remain baffling to many players- lets look at a soccer match -
TOTAL GOALS.- that is the number of goals in a football match.
The spread betting firms are offering total goals spread of 3.5
- 3.8 goals.Obviously you can not have 3.5 goals.What the odds
imply is the estimate is between 3 and 4 goals,with a slight
prefernce for 4 goals(the spread is closer to 4 than 3).Your
stakes in this market will be higher as there is less volatility.

IN THIS EXAMPLE THE SCORE IS 2 - 0 - TOTAL GOALS = 2 If you BUY
for $100 you will LOSE $180 (you bought at 3.8,result was 2 -
the total goals were 1.8 less buy offer- $100 times 1.8 = $180)
if you SELL for $100 you will WIN $150(you sold at3.5,result was
2 - the total goals were 1.5 less than sell offer - $100 times
1.5 = $150.

The spread betting firms make their profits from the gaps
between the buy and sell figures - if they get it spot on,they
get a small profit from BOTH the buyers and seller.

Something to bear in mind when spread betting - human nature
means most players have an inclination to BUY - they do that
because there is no upper limit for profits,unlike selling,when
you know your maximum win.Buyers are always hoping for that
freak high scoring game for that elusive big hit. Of course the
spread betting companies know this and always pitch there
spreads a little higher than they want them to be(they cannot go
too high as the big hitters would step in and sell
aggresively),so always approach a market with a view to SELL
,and only consider buying after selling has been discounted
after careful thought.

As alway there is a particular warning for punters before they
start spread betting - be very careful.It is an extremely
volatile form of betting,and you should always be aware of your
liabilities at all times,also play one market at a time and
closing before opening another.

However spread betting is great fun with ingenious betting
opportunities on offer - with such a vast range of bets try to
find a niche where you can become experienced and
knowledgable.with an edge over the market makers who have to
cover thousands of different markets.

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If you sell in small niches as I recommend and are organized enough that you know what you will be listing on eBay 1 to 2 weeks ahead of time, you should give serious thought to previewing your upcoming auctions for your customers. The result can be increased sales and higher final bids.

For two years I used a free hosting service to host a small web site that I used as a pre-auction catalog. Each week this preview site would contain pictures and descriptions of the majority of the items I would be listing on eBay the following week.

When that hosting service eventually dropped it’s free hosting, because of time constraints, I let that part of my business slide. Over the course of the next 3-4 months I saw a significant decrease in the number of bids, the final selling price, and the number of auctions that closed successfully. At the time that was an industry wide trend but I also think it had a great deal to do with the fact I no longer had a preview site on-line.

After a few months I moved the site to a cheap hosting company and saw an immediate increase in bidders, final selling prices, and closing prices. Adding an auction preview site to your business model can have significant benefits to your eBay business.

An auction preview site has several advantages - both to you and to your potential bidders.

Advantages to the bidder include:

1. It gives them additional time to do research on an item if they want.

2. It gives them more time to ask questions about an item.

3. It allows them to plan their purchases. Many bidders budget a specific amount of money each month for on-line purchases. I’ve had several bidders tell me they’d decided not to bid on someone else’s item so they would have the money to bid on what I was listing next week.

Advantage to you the seller include:

1. It gives you a chance to hone your description if needed. If you are receiving a lot of similar questions from several customers about an item it probably means you need more or better pictures or to make your description more detailed.

2. In most cases it will increase selling prices. I’ve found that people tend to bid earlier on auctions that they have been able to preview. This early bidding attracts other bidders to the auction and often drives the final price up.

Your preview site doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive. A free hosting service works just fine for what this would be used for. Most of them offer 10-25 megabytes of space, and easy to use page building tools. That’s really all you require.

Another option might be geocities.yahoo.com which gives you 25 MB of web space, 5 GB of data transfer and a helpful web page building utility for only $4.95 a month.

Also most of you will find that your ISP offers 10-25 megabytes of free space. If you have a basic knowledge of FTP and HTML this may be a good route to take.

What should you put on your preview page?

1. The items you will be putting on eBay the following week.

2 Clear pictures of the item.

3. A well written description of the item including any flaws.

4. An easy to find email link so prospective bidders can easily email you with any questions they may have.

Advertise your preview site by including a link on your About Me page. Include it in all winning bidder announcements and other correspondence you have with customers. A link in your signature file is a good idea. If you have a list, send an announcement of your new preview site to your list.

If you try this for a month or two I think you will find the results pleasantly surprising - and well worth the effort involved. And, your customers will love you!

Gary Hendrickson has been making his living selling on eBay for more than six years. He’s the author of two eBay related ebooks, has a blog for eBay sellers, and is the owner of ColdItems.Com.

ColdItems.Com
The Auction Rebel Blog

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As stated in the previous pages, pimples are not the result of poor hygiene nor are they caused by foods. Having said this, you can aggravate your pimples and worsen your condition. So pay close attention to the information on this page so as to not deteriorate your condition further.

Do’s

• Use skincare products that will not ‘clog pores’, they are usually described as ‘oil-free’ and/or ‘non-comedogenic’ on the package.

• Skin care should include: a mild cleanser and application of a non-comedogenic sunscreen on sun-exposed surfaces.

• Gently wash your face twice a day using mild face cleanser and pat dry.

• When you are washing your face, be sure you take the time to remove all of your makeup.

• Be patient! Treatment may take a few weeks to start having useful effects.

• Remember that all of the treatments only work by preventing new spots and that all treatments have to be tried for at least four months before you decide whether they are helping.

• Some acne products can increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and ultraviolet light from tanning booths so use protective clothing and sunscreens and avoid tanning booths.

• If irritation, dryness and peeling occur, an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer can be used.

• If your skin is getting too irritated, red or dry while undergoing a topical treatment, then start using them every other day. It takes time for your skin to adapt to your new medicines.

• If you have long hair that touches your face, be sure to wash it frequently enough to keep oil away. Also wash your face after you’ve been exercising hard and sweating a lot. And try not to touch your face throughout the day.

Dont’s

• Avoid thick, greasy make-up over affected areas. Some make-up is acceptable but try to choose “non-comedogenic” cosmetics if possible.

• Resist the temptation to squeeze your acne. This can cause the area to spread and become more inflamed and therefore more likely to scar.

• Do not use harsh soaps when washing face. Vigorously washing and scrubbing will irritate your skin and only make your acne worse.

• Avoid things that may aggravate your acne such as oils, airborne grease, irritating clothing etc…

• Avoid covering yourself with thick layers of make up, and if you do, wash it off as soon as you can, certainly do not leave on overnight.

• Avoid strongly fragranced or alcohol based products.

• Avoid from hair sprays or gels, try to keep them away from your face, as they can also clog up pores.

• Acne isn’t really helped by the sun, either. Although a suntan can temporarily make acne look less severe, it won’t help it go away permanently. So don’t soak up those rays - either under the sun or from a tanning bed - in an effort to help your skin.

• Avoid wearing hats or headbands that rub on your forehead, since this can also make acne worse.

• Avoid touching your face a lot, as your hands have oil on them and this can make acne worse.

IMPORTANT
Individual pimples can take up to 2 or 3 months to form even though they may appear to “pop-up” overnight. Thus, although there is often some initial improvement in the first few weeks after starting a new treatment, it takes at least 2-3 months of regular use before you can assess the full benefit of any acne treatment.

Kerwin Chang writes for www.acnestuff.net where you can find out more about acne and other skin care topics.

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How can you make your networking experience a valuable one? What is the single, most important action you can take at a networking meeting?

It is simply to show up and be present.

This may sound like no big deal to you, but the fact is that there are plenty of people who show up at networking meetings and they go home or back to work with nothing to show for it. They might say it was a waste of time, they didn’t meet anyone to do business with and they didn’t learn anything at all. This is not anyone’s fault but their own. What this means is that they weren’t fully present.

A networking meeting is fertile ground for anyone who cares to show up and be truly present. It is the path to the kingdom, the road to riches and the little thing that make the big difference. Networking is the key to business success, and it all starts with showing up and being present.

Being fully present is definitely an action. It is not just about being in the room, in your body, sitting in the chair, breathing the air, eating the food and taking up space. Being present is an action. Being present is much more involved than it sounds. Being present takes energy. Being present takes brain waves. Being present is most definitely an action.

There are five steps to being fully present.

First, being present means being aware. When you walk in to the room, take a few seconds to look around the room. Take it all in. See who’s in attendance. Ask yourself… Who’s here that I know I would like to connect with today? Who’s here that I don’t know and I would like to meet? What can I learn from these people today? How can I serve this group today? Be aware of the energy, the people, and the space. Be aware of the time, the sounds and the silence. Be aware of your impact on those you connect with. Being fully present is being aware.

Second, being present is listening. It isn’t always important to talk. In fact, some of the best conversations you will ever have with anyone are the ones where you do most of the listening. The conversations, where you simply interject a comment or a nod of your head here and there, can be the most insightful. The ones where you ask the questions and you receive the answers with enthusiasm and undivided attention are the ones where you have the opportunity to create a deep bond. Listening is an art. Being present is about listening.

Third, being present is about being genuinely interested in what is going on around you. Being genuinely interested often requires you to ask questions. Showing a genuine interest in someone or something often leads to new knowledge for you. Being genuinely interested often leads to a new relationship. Sometimes, being interested for a short time will let you know where not to spend your time in the future. Being genuinely interested leads to valuable information, and the more information you have, the more valuable you are!

Fourth, being present is about engaging your mind before you take action or speak. It is about thinking three or four responses ahead. It is about not asking the questions you don’t want the answers to. It is about making sure you are being true to yourself and moving away when the conversations around you do not serve or the energy is draining you. Being present is about engaging your mind.

Finally, being present is about giving and receiving. It is about giving your energy to the group, to the speaker to the facilitator. It is about giving your full attention to the immediate conversation in which you are involved. It is about giving your time, your specialized knowledge and your thoughts to whoever is in need of them. Giving is fully 50% of the Universal Law of Giving and Receiving.

The other 50% is in the Receiving. It is about receiving the compliments, advice and know-how from others. It is about sharing in the laughter, the smiles and the concerns. It is about a give and take relationship, kind of like breathing in and breathing out. Being present is always a two-way street.

Who knew that being present could be so involved? Who knew it could be so complicated? And who knew that being fully present is synonymous with networking? If you already know this, kudos to you! If you’re just learning now, that’s great!

If you still don’t think Networking is about being fully present, try not being “present” at a meeting and notice how you feel. Chances are, you will find it a waste of time. And I don’t know about you, but I know I have no time to waste.

Time is precious and Networking takes time. So, go ahead and follow these steps. Make your time networking work for you!

Sue Urda is the Co-Founder of Powerful You! Women’s Network and a two-time Inc. 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies honoree. Her vision is to contribute to a global consciousness of women helping women succeed in business and in life and to expand Powerful You! by creating chapters and Tele-Networkstm around the US and beyond. Sue’s mission is to create venues for women to grow their businesses, nurture relationships and to foster empowerment, gratitude and self-development. http://www.powerfulyou.com

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