January 2009

Maandelijks archief.

Fast Movie Downloads

Gepost door admin op 29/01/2009
Toegevoegd onder: Product Tips + More

In the United States, more and more people prefer the comfort of their homes to watch movies on their computers. Downloading a film from the Internet is easy and the subsequent experience is quite satisfying. These days, full length versions of movies available online can be downloaded in a matter of minutes.

Thanks to huge strides made in Internet technology relating to movie downloads, more and more people are downloading films from relevant sites. They are finding that it is no longer quite as time consuming and there are a wide range of movies to select from.

State of the art software has been developed that reduces video files to a more convenient size making it very acceptable for users. This sort of reduction is known as “file compression”, in which redundant or repeating data is thrown and away before sending the file. The data is then re-multiplied once reception of the file has taken place.

In keeping with the pressing needs of the internet and bearing in mind the interest of movie buffs who prefer downloading films, software giant Microsoft has developed a software program called Codec. This program squeezes and decompresses video and facilitates the Media Player program in efficiently sending movies over the internet.

Many websites are now presenting MP4 adaptation of trendy movies such as The Wizard of Oz, Saving Private Ryan and The Matrix. Some well known sites that have opened the option for fast movie downloads are multimediareactor.com, movieindemand.com, reviewsdotcom.com, freemovienow.info, totalvid.com, onlinemovieaccess.com, usfreeads.com and pickyourmovies.com.

Movie Downloads provides detailed information on Movie Downloads, Free Movie Downloads, Movie Player Downloads, Unlimited Movie Downloads and more. Movie Downloads is affiliated with Free Movie Player Downloads.

Body Building Supplements Acts As A Fitness Supplements Vitamins

Gepost door admin op 27/01/2009
Toegevoegd onder: Commerce, Health Management

When I first started lifting weights a few years ago, I had no agenda to be this super-behemoth, muscle-bound of a hulk. I was simply after a slimmer body with more muscle definition and tone.

As time went by, I made some good progress as far as I was concerned. Most of the flabby me was gone and I had even gained 15 pounds of new muscle.

My clothes fit a lot better. My self-esteem was definitely higher. And I was also noticing more women just checking me out.

To be honest, I was liking what I saw. This is why I’m starting to look at Body Building Supplements in order to go to the next level.

Let me begin by saying that I’m not a body builder. Somewhere deep inside me, however, it would be cool to have the abs of steel and legs and arms of iron.

The reality for me, though, is that I don’t have the time nor the current discipline needed to be a body builder.

I do have a friend though who’s really into the body building scene. If you go over to his apartment, the Body Building Supplements are strewn all over his kitchen; much in the same way empty soda cans are at my apartment.

One of these days, I’ll get tired of his constant ribbing and calling me flabby boy and actually join him. I need to.

Your Winning Strategy in Poker: Rakeback

Gepost door admin op 26/01/2009
Toegevoegd onder: Better Bets

Many a better has asked me “Why would I commit to this rakeback? I just play on the World Wide Web when there is an incentive.” What happens if one of these days you have the chance to take poker up as a career? There are many bettors in the online poker world that regret not getting Full Tilt Poker rakeback however now they have signed up for all the major internet web sites. Do not become one of them.

If you are a person who wagers up to a couple of dollars and just gambles when you are clearing bonuses, you could be obtaining in most cases around 100% rake back considering the bonus payment on your bet. A leading poker room have recently shut down betters that used their room exclusively to bet this way. Who knows whether this might become a new trend. If it take place then a rakeback deal will be really critical. Poker Rakeback

Some day you may hit tiptop form and then become very lucky, that is if you are not by now. I was injured in an on the job accident then poker came along during my recovery, I have no regrets. That is a couple of years back now however I have not needed a job in those couple of years all thanks to poker and of course rakeback offers. Advance thinking is as always a great idea. Think of it as an investment in the future, even if you don’t believe rake back is appropriate for you today it certainly could end up being an outstanding idea in the future, there’s no way you can miss. Should you be considering checking out a different poker room you have to check out rakeback offers.

Rakeback Professionals is glad to be associated with so many respected affiliates. Signing up can be as uncomplicated as looking up a The gamblers’ advice mediation service Rakeback Professionals affiliated web site or as accessible as e-mailing. Any partner has the power to set anybody up on the spot. You will be ready to play directly. Sign up with a partner through Rakeback Professionals you will be able to rest assured this partner has been screened and in addition have agreed to authorize The Rakeback Professionals agency to arbitrate any dispute you might suffer. Yet because we always investigate our affiliates, we have had hardly any issues and in addition we will invariably act instantly to get to the bottom of each concern to to look after all our gamers.

The Importance of Exercising 30 Minutes a Day

Gepost door admin op 26/01/2009
Toegevoegd onder: Health Management, Recreation Management, The Lifestyle Way

Next to immortality which is impossible, the next best thing is long life. Exercising is the doctor’s prescribed elixir that would give just that.

When the United States Department of Health and Human Services recommended 30 minutes a day of aerobic exercise, they surely were not bluffing. Thirty minutes everyday is tops for most adults. The result: a body in A-1 condition.

Obviously, 30-minute aerobic exercises everyday manages one’s weight. Metabolism increases with them too. Moreover, exercise lowers the level of bad cholesterols in the circular system. With a healthy weight, one prevents debilitating health risks, including osteoporosis, arthritis and deadly heart problems like coronary artery disease.

Aerobic exercise has been known to strengthen the walls of the heart, such that heartbeats would not be as unhealthily frenetic as they are. At best, hypertension won’t even be a thought for regular exercisers. Because exercise prevents plaques from accumulating in the artery, the risk of stroke also descends as an effect.

Interestingly, aerobic exercise has also been known to ward off cancers in the colon, breast, and prostate. If anything, exercise boosts the immune system; it looks like those colds would have to wait.

Diabetic people also need thirty minutes of aerobic exercise a day because it decreases blood sugar levels. This is necessary to preempt needless complications of diabetes, such as kidney failure or heart disease. Since exercising maintains the weight, the risk of getting Type II Diabetes dwindles down to start with.

For the perennially depressed, exercising could just lift their spirits up as well as raise their stamina. Regular exercisers grow old to become mobile and independent people, free from the shackles of wheelchairs.

Those who are painfully obese may need more than thirty minutes though; 90 minutes is recommended. Before starting any exercise regimen, it is important to hasten slowly, picking up duration and pace afterwards.

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Avista Capital Partners and Nordic Capital Fund VII Agree to Acquire ConvaTec Business for approximately $4.1 Billion.

Memorize Piano Facts and Put Knowledge at Your Fingertips!

Gepost door admin op 26/01/2009
Toegevoegd onder: University of Music

What is holding you back from reaching your musical dreams? Most often what is holding us back from achieving our goals is the very thing we are avoiding for one reason or another. This is certainly true with learning to play the piano. Memorizing music facts for example is a great way to keep important piano knowledge at your fingertips!

If your dream is to learn to play the piano well, don’t avoid acquiring the knowledge you need to play with ease, accomplish more, and understand the music you’re trying to play. Yes it’s true that memorization takes time and concentrated effort. That’s why piano students tend to avoid it. But if this is you, don’t worry. It’s just a habit that can be changed. My advice for you: Just Do It Today!

Focus on your goals by committing to spend time memorizing music facts with a specific plan for covering your material. This could be things like note names, scales, chords, key signatures, Circle of 3rds, Circle of 5ths, and memorizing pieces of music.

Here’s a simple 7-step plan to help you get started by writing down your goals.

Step 1 - What music facts do you want to memorize this year?

Step 2 - What music facts do you want to memorize this month?

Step 3 - What music facts do you want to memorize this week.

Step 4 - What music facts do you want to memorize today.

Step 5 - Do it!

Step 6 - Keep doing it!

Step 7 - Every month celebrate your progress by doing something special for yourself, such as buying a new piano CD, music book, or tickets to a concert.

Follow this straight-forward plan and I guarantee that every day you’ll have more music knowledge at your fingertips then you had the day before, and be empowered with a valuable tool for achieving your musical dreams. By the end of the year you’ll wonder why you didn’t “Just Do It” sooner!

Cynthia VanLandingham - EzineArticles Expert Author

For great home piano activities parents can use to help children ages 5 to 11 develop their musical talent, visit Piano Adventure Bears Music Education Resources You’ll find a treasure box filled with piano resources to create an exciting musical adventure for your child - right in your own home! Visit their website and subscribe to their f’ree internet newsletter so you can download f’ree piano sheet music and mp3s of original piano compositions.

These exciting stories, games, piano lessons, and inspirational gifts feature the Piano Adventure Bears, Mrs. Treble Beary and her new piano student, Albeart Littlebud. Young students follow along with Albeart to learn what piano lessons are all about in a fun way that kids readily understand appreciate. Click here to visit PianoAdventureBears.com For a wealth of information about piano lessons, visit tallypiano.com

Luxury Watches

Gepost door admin op 26/01/2009
Toegevoegd onder: School of Jewelry

If money permits, one of the most important accessories is perhaps a luxury watch. Luxury watches aren’t just functional, they are also a wonderful addition to your wardrobe.

For quite a long time, luxury watches have been recognized as a symbol of a person’s success. Brands such as Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe, TAG Heuer, and also others seem to demand instant respect and admiration.

Although the primary purpose of luxury watches is to tell the time, more and more of today’s styles offer wonderful, additional benefits. For example, some serve as two-way radios, small computers, or even as a display for your position on earth using GPS technology. It is amazing to think how sophisticated the capabilities are on luxury watches.

While many watches have increased their capabilities, some have opted to go above and beyond the latest technology to offer something moretime pieces that are built to last a lifetime. Of course, these premier watches are known as luxury watches.

Before you purchase a luxury watch, there are a few things you should know. Once you do, you should have no problem choosing the luxury watch that is right for you.

When it comes time for you to shop for a luxury watch, it is important to know the difference between an automatic watch that doesn’t run on batteries, and a quartz watch that does.

An automatic watch runs by the physical movement of the wearer’s wrist. It means that if it isn’t worn for a period of time, it will stop ticking. Shaking it will, however, bring it back to life.

A quartz watch uses batteries and is usually less expensive than an automatic.

Next you must compare caliber automatic watches to standard automatic watches. Automatic luxury watches function without the use of batteries, but after a while the time will be slightly off. A caliber automatic luxury watch is able to provide better precision.

For example, after a standard automatic luxury watch is worn for a month, it will typically be off by 12 minutes, while a caliber36 automatic will be off by only 2 minutes.

In addition, a standard automatic, if stored, will run for 36 days before it stops ticking, while a caliber 36 automatic will run for 50 days. Of course, the higher the watch quality, the higher the price.

Lastly, choose a watch that fits your personality. There are so many luxury watches available today, it can be very overwhelming trying to choose which will best meet your needs.

Each brands tend to specialize in certain areas of timekeeping. For example, A TAG Heuer is known for its accuracy in the sports world, especially when it comes to gold and auto-racing.

In fact, Tiger Woods, a well-known professional golfer, has helped the company to design the Link Tiger Woods Limited Edition luxury watch, his own signature. It was designed for golfers who prefer to wear a lighter watch on the golf course.

Now that you know what to look for, you can easily narrow down what type fits your needs from the various type of luxury watches available.

Watches: Resources and Information about it

Guitar Lessons - Learning About Guitar Solos

Gepost door admin op 25/01/2009
Toegevoegd onder: University of Music

Imagine a famous music band playing when suddenly the lead guitarist’s instrument shut off. See? Everything becomes a blur. That is because the lead guitar provides the main sound in a melody; it leads all the sound in music. The drummer, bass, and others are just accompaniment to the lead guitarist.

There are also basics used in playing the lead guitar. First, make sure that the pick brings out the highest tone. The tones differ with the kind of stroke done. Down strokes give out a fiddle tone that is considered the best since it is derived from simple strokes of the muscles. Notice that slow songs sound better because they use down strokes with over tones.

Timing is important as it gives life to the music played. An easy way the player to know whether or not his timing is bad is to record the piece and listen to it and identify where there is bad timing. It could be that the timing is not bad for the entire song; but it might occur in just one break - that is when there is a small interweave of beats right after a wrong push. Practice again to avoid the same mistake.

One belief is that lead guitar players are fast; and the faster the player is the better the audience thinks they are. But the truth is, if they can’t play smoothly it is useless and probably would end up sounding like tin can. The speed can also be dependent on the pick used. A white, thick, big nylon pick gives a nice lead sound, but this is hard to use if the player opts for speed.

The melody of the music must always be visualized prior to playing it. The lead guitarist should make the lead sound match the song and fit its rhythm. True artists call this as the “T” in lead guitar playing. The break should be taken into consideration as a whole and not with every single note played.

Try playing a gig with better musicians: this way your talent is enhanced since there is the pressure of keeping up with the better musicians. These musicians can teach you many techniques without even doing a “one on one” session; just by merely watching how they smoothly they play the music is enough for you to grasp the “T”.

Avoid playing licks. Concentrate and play smoothly and remember that the simpler the tone, the better. Choose an idol - it could be a fiddle, banjo, mandolin, saxophone, or piano player that you can listen to in order to pick up points and ideas of how to improvise. Listen to the real sound of the instrument and feel the beauty of the sound.

Bill McRea - EzineArticles Expert Author

Bill McRea is the publisher of Guitar Warehouse the best place to Buy Guitar and learn Guitar Playing Techniques. Both sites offer free lesson and product sales.

How To Use Bad Credit Debt Consolidation UK - Tips

Gepost door admin op 23/01/2009
Toegevoegd onder: Uncategorized

Bad credit debt consolidation loans are the loans which are offered to people who have had a past of bad credit history. Bad credit history means that a borrower was somehow failed to meet the intended or scheduled repayment scheme that was to be followed. Thus this failing brought about a poor credit score - a credit score is a representation of a person’s financial credit worthiness. Depending on the profile a person with bad credit history may be a default, an arrear or a person who has filled for bankruptcy.

The principle on which the bad credit debt consolidation loans work is, in this loan all the accumulated debt that a person may have from different sources is organized under one head i.e. from a single creditor. This allows the borrower to concentrate on one single creditor and pay the loans of much easily than it originally seemed along with some other benefits. Bad credit debt consolidation loans are also beneficial in other ways to borrowers. Like:

• Bad debt consolidation loans are always offered at lower interest rates than the average interest rate of all the previous debts.

• Some creditors are not professional enough to realize that a borrower may have a problem and do not understand the issue so a person gets organized and professional terms.

• While in the process you will find many other fringe benefits of taking a bad credit debt consolidation loan.

• A borrower can also choose between a secured bad credit debt consolidation and an unsecured bad credit debt consolidation. This allows people who have not been able to take loans because they do not have collateral to apply for these loans as well.

Before the people apply for bad credit debt consolidation loan they can use the following process which is intended to help them.

1. The borrower should first estimate all that is requirements and all the other finer details of the loan.

2. A person should try and use the free quotes that are made available by the creditors and choose one which suits the best.

3. A borrower should not rush for the loan in fact they should talk to few creditors and then choose the one which offers us the most favorable terms. In the meanwhile we can take the advice of the counselors as well.

By following these measures a borrower is likely to get a deal that is perfectly suitable.

In the end after all the steps have been taken and a decision to take a bad credit debt consolidation has been made all is left is for the borrower to do is to apply for the loan. That process is easy and can be done by applying on line or through a local creditor.

Peter Taylor is a senior financial analyst at Bad Credit Loans with an acumen for finance and insurance.His articles are widely read because of the lucid manner of wriiting and thoroughly researched datas. To find Bad credit personal loans, Bad credit payday loans, bad credit loans uk that best suits your need visit http://www.badcreditloans.uk.com

Body Jewelry - The latest Fashion Statement

Gepost door admin op 23/01/2009
Toegevoegd onder: School of Jewelry

The idea of body jewelry has come a long way since the post modern preference for ear piercing on women. Today’s generation, believe it or not, much like ancient societies throughout history, have gone to the more extreme multiple piercing of various body parts.

If you ask around, you’ll get a lot of different opinions about body piercing, both pro and con. Many people use piercings to help express who they are and what they’re about, completely endorsing this type of adornment and what they endorse. However, you’ll also get people who are completely against body piercings and couldn’t imagine who in their right mind would allow something to be permanently placed through their skin. Although both sides seem to have valid points, the reality is that many of the piercing holes will close up as long as they’re not made too large.

Body piercing, the process of puncturing your skin in various locations and placing a metal jewelry adornment through the hole is a very ancient statement. Even today, many indigenous cultures practice body piercings for both adornment and as a status symbol. Though there has been a recent resurgence in native and tribal body piercings, most modern body piercings are done as purely a form of adornment.

So, should you get a body piercing? The answer varies greatly from person to person, but regardless of who you are there are a few things to consider. Answering these questions honestly and openly will help you realize whether or not body piercing is right for you. Are you particularly attached to a certain image that means something to you, or do you want to get a body piercing merely for the sake of getting a body piercing? Most people who are satisfied with their body piercings years on down the road are happy because they have made this decision not because of peer pressure but is something meaningful to them personally. Can you see yourself with the same body piercing when your seventy-five years old? It’ll probably still be there.

Since a body piercing is permanent, don’t just waltz into the nearest body piercing parlor, look at the flash in the case, and pick out something you like. Though this can be a good technique for getting ideas, there’s no rush to get it done immediately.

One final thought about body piercing is that it can cause some unexpected side effects. Do you think it will matter to your future significant other that you’ve pierced a certain part of your body? Understand that this decision “may” limit your choice of partners at least a little.

Next up on the unintended consequences list is that body piercing can dull the senses of the pierced body part. This may not be important today be understand that the decision is long term — lifetime — and losing sensitivity in private areas can be something that might be missed later in life.

Lastly, there’s the issue of loose stools. That’s right, we’re talking about leakage. A couple of piercings usually are not a problem but if you tend to go all out and get quite a few, the risk of anal leakage goes up with each piercing. The reason is that the metal from the piercings tend to leach into your body and increase the level of certain heavy metals. Nickel is especially prone to this effect and can cause leaking anal problems

Although the problems are something to consider, if the desire to have piercings for the right reasons continues to interest you, then take a deep breath and go for it.

If you have an image that you’re attached to, decide where you want it on your body. Most people who get body piercing ed, even those with large body piercings covering their arms, legs, or back, will avoid getting body piercings on their hands, neck, or face, due to the fact that many employers frown on body piercing and because body piercings which are always visible can make it tougher to get hired at certain jobs. Think of how visible you want your body piercing to be; should it be seen when you’re wearing short sleeves? What about shorts?

Finally, make sure you get body piercing ed at a respectable body piercing parlor. All of the needles should be sterile, as should the general working conditions. Be picky about your artist as well, view his or her portfolio and see a sketch of your design before getting inked, since you should be 100% happy with your body piercing.

Abigail Franks writes on a variety of subjects that affect families today. With several teenagers the subject of body Jewelry has come up so look here for more information. www.bodyjewelry.vitalsource.org

The Truth Behind Press Kits, Bios, and Controlling Your Image

Gepost door admin op 23/01/2009
Toegevoegd onder: University of Music

A lot of what you have been told about creating your image is false. This article is meant to be a simple list of things that might surprise you as a musician. Some of you have had “managers” misguide you. You know the drill. Your guitar player’s girlfriend has a connection at some local club so now she thinks she is fit to orchestrate your entire career. Maybe you have a know-it-all singer who spent 5 minutes glossing over some music industry website and now he is writing your bio chalk full of transparent lies and over-exagerated descriptions of your rock fury. No matter what the case may be, I can guarantee you that you have at least a few misconceptions about how to properly present your image. This article will briefly outline some of the major issues on writing better bios, press kits, and press releases.

YOU HAVE MORE CONTROL THAN YOU THINK

The most important thing I can tell you is you have more control than you think. If you really get the hang of image presentation and playing this game we call the music biz you can virtually create any image you want of yourself or your band. First and foremost I want to talk about the press.
Ever surf the net doing some research of some new band your friend told you about? Ever notice how multiple music sites will have the exact same description of the band? Of course, you aren’t an idiot, you realize these sites simply rip what the band wrote in their bio on the band homepage. But do you realize the POWER of this? Basically, you have the power to syndicate your image in a way. These websites simply don’t have the time, nor intimate knowledge of your band, to create some pseudo-bio for you. They rely on you, and what you have to say about yourself. This is power. Use it wisely.

But you already knew that. What I’m about to tell you is something you may not know, but could drastically affect your bands promotional campaign. PRINT MAGAZINES DO THIS TOO. Yep, a lot of those long write-ups you see in your favorite magazines about your favorite band, have content ripped straight from the bands’ bio. The trick is that this only applies to well written bios. If you do in fact have such a bio, this can be the most powerful weapon in your promotional arsenal.

THE SECRET BIO SAUCE RECIPE

Ok. So let’s recap real quickly. You know that your bio can help control your image on the net. And now you know you can even control how the print media presents you. But how do you write such a bio? First, let’s go over what NOT to do.

INFLATE: Do not inflate your image beyond the reality of your band. Don’t be all flash and no smash. In other words, don’t talk about what you can’t back up. This is the most common mistake in bio writing. I call it “inflation”. This is pretty much adjective abuse. Avoid phrases like “intense live show” or “super sonic blast from the future”. This is stock. This is not creative. If you aren’t the biggest drawing band in your own market, don’t say “this band is taking the nation by storm”. The press and online community have been reading bios with such inflations since the beginning, they see past this very well.

QUOTE FANS: If you can’t get someone credible to say something nice about your band DO NOT resort to using a fan comment. Ever…for any reason.

LIST SONG DESCRIPTIONS: If you are already an “inflator” then talking about your own songs will only cause pain and tragedy.

SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME ON PREVIOUS BANDS: If your last band didn’t have a record deal or tour, don’t bother. If you have some leverage with your “former member of…” status use it tastefully and only in brief.

Now that we have got those cardinal sins out of the way you are probably thinking “jeeze, what else is there to write about”. This is where we start digging. Time to put on your thinking cap. You have to think like a reporter looking for a refreshing angle. You have to find the one thing that can create an image that will stick. You have to find THE STORY.

By this time I have lost some of you. You either don’t know what I mean by “the story” or you have a bio that breaks every rule I just outlined and you can’t admit it. The best bios read like a good music rag write-up. If your bio is written correctly it should make a staff writer’s job easy. It should be easy for him to “rip” or “cop”. It’s no co-incidence that many pro bands use these kinds of writers to pen their own bios!

Perhaps you have an interesting story about how you came together. Perhaps you have some gimmick, like Siamese twins or 3 bearded lady bassists. But hopefully you have something that connects your band to something going on in the world of music. You need something that will get people’s attention. Maybe your band is the only Death Metal band for 100 miles in the Bible belt. You get the picture.

I am going to list some things that can make great stories (and double as press releases).

- Being produced by someone reputable

- Being managed by someone reputable

- Breaking some mark in online CD sales or downloads

- Getting a supporting slot on a festival or tour

- Having a reputable person as a quoted fan

A PHOTO SPEAKS 1,000 FLAWS

I want to get one thing out of the way: I’m not going to tell you how to dress. But I am going to tell you that it may be your biggest problem. I am not a stylist. I can not solve this problem. I can tell you this though: The camera will expose every flaw you have in your style. With that said, let’s get on with at least getting a quality photo.

I am not a professional photographer. I am not going to tell you how to take a photo of yourself. I am going to tell you where to get one. Your best bet is to find a local photographer that you see at local shows. More often than not, they are either legitimate press, legitimate artist, or a legitimate student. Browse their catalog of band photography and if you think it stands up, there ya go. This may all seem like common sense, but I want to stress that this is abandoned and somehow your guitar player’s girlfriend is your “photographer” because her mom has a camera. Do not let this happen to you. Find people with pro gear. Get a professional or at least a digital arts student. These are always your best bets.

If you are going for sheer impact with your 8 x 10 one good tip is to at least look like you are in the same band. I’m not saying get a gimmick or wear make-up. I’m saying that even if you think your personal look is “plain”, your band as a whole can benefit from at least being on the same page.

LOGO

The miracle of Adobe Photoshop has given birth to some of the most breathtaking digital art we have seen. It has also, to the misfortune of bands mostly, created total rubbish. If your logo sucks it says many things about you.

It shows you have high tolerance for bad art.

It shows you yourself might be a bad artist and were not smart enough to hire a professional.

It shows you have a very distorted view about the genre of your band.

It shows some of you are totally unprofessional and don’t care about your image.

You might be surprised how many ways there are to find good digital artists to create your logo. In my personal opinion, even paying up to $100 is worth it for a good logo. Bottom line, the sites below are the best place to find killer artists.

DeviantArt.com
Mylkhead.com
AngryBlue.com
PlayWithKnives.com
EyeSuckInk.com

PRESS KIT SECRETS

One very strong tip I can offer is to try to think of your image as “dynamic”. It has to be all things to all people. You might have to add something extra to that envelope before you send it off.

If you are sending your kit out to an artist rep at a prospective endorsee you ALWAYS want it to contain tour dates. This is the most important thing in your attempt to get gear for cheap and say those lovely words to all your loser musician friends playing crappy guitars… “I got an endorsement deal”.

A great add-in is a DVD. There are a lot of affordable ways to make a DVD these days. Again, this is one of those things that will expose your flaws. You don’t want to put your life story on there. Live footage is great if its done right. Fake smoke and that cheesy “page turn effect” are not. Don’t make a wedding video. This will be valuable in your arsenal when try to book gigs.

Ask First. Send. Follow Up. This is your best way to make some impact and get a solid contact in the biz. Your press kit will always have more impact if the person is expecting it (send it promptly).

Make sure you are to the point when calling someone you’d like to send a press kit to. You are Jon Doe from The Doetones. You are going to be in town around this time. You want to send a press kit for a possible gig. If you are sending an email and have an EPK (Electronic Press Kit) NEVER send the press kit in first. Always try to get a response before sending the press kit. If you are sending to a possible endorsee put your upcoming dates in the initial email.

Following up is crucial. Many of the people you will be dealing with in this business are either busy or forgetful…mostly both. You must initiate contact. Be tactful and patient. Do not hound people, but make sure you give yourself a chance to make some opportunities and pick up the phone yourself.

Remember, you are in essence, trying to self yourself to a company or consumer. You have to be a salesman. Try to connect to people and have them want to talk to you. If you can do this they will always want to help you or get you involved in something that will. Or best of all, spend money on you and your product.

Bruce Prokopets, aka Bishop Dolarhyde, is co-founder and editor of music news blog http://www.scenejumper.com Bruce had his first live gig at 15 and has had various jobs in the industry since. He spent years as a guitar tech, tour manager, endorsement liaison, bassist in a national act, and promoter in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.

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