CARY, N.C. — Dex has been honored with a 2008 Yellow Pages Publisher Recognition Award by the Association of Directory Marketing (ADM). ADM recently selected Dex for its “Communication Award,” which “recognizes efforts to improve communications between publishers and CMRs (Certified Marketing Representatives).” The award was announced at ADM’s Annual Conference in San Antonio, Tex.
Dex was selected based upon several criteria, including commitment to excellence in facilitating communications between the company and CMRs, who help develop, implement, manage and maintain Yellow Pages programs for national advertisers. Dex was also noted for its provision of high-quality, effective sales materials and marketing collateral and the continuous enabling of easy access to these materials. As a result, ADM recognized Dex’s ability to help CMRs improve efficiencies, solve challenges and implement successful advertising programs.
“Our goal is to provide CMRs with simple, focused communications that make it easier for them to access information and do business with Dex. This award is a reflection of that,” said Stephen Gibbons, vice president of national sales, Dex. “We’re happy to accept this award from ADM, and will continue to provide CMRs with exceptional communications tools that help them implement and manage their advertising programs.”
Dex is the market brand of R.H. Donnelley (NYSE: RHD), a leading print and online local search company. R.H. Donnelley’s products and services include the Dex(R) Yellow Pages; DexKnows.com(TM), a leading online local search site; 1-800-Call-Dex(TM), a free, voice-enabled local search solution; and Dex Search Marketing, which provides web site optimization and paid search advertising solutions.
Tips to Earn Extra Money and Stretch Your Dollar
(ARA) – With items like gas and groceries at record highs, it seems that virtually everyone is feeling the crunch from the increased cost of living. Many American families have been re-evaluating their budgets and contemplating ways to increase cash flow and still enjoy time with their nearest and dearest. As the cost of living increases and the holiday season draws near, it is worth looking at entrepreneurial ways to help ensure that your cash flow doesn’t fall short.
Believe it or not you can be your own boss and work part-time.
One way to earn extra money and still have a social life is to combine the two. Many popular brands have a direct selling arm, so you can become a consultant for them. For example, The Body Shop At Home is a business that is different, which allows consultants to throw parties and sell their favorite products, and represent a business that shares their own personal values. Consultants have flexible scheduling options and work as little or as much as they want hosting parties that feature a broad line of The Body Shop products, including some exclusives that can’t be bought anywhere else.
“Women and even men enjoy shopping this way because they get all their personal products in one place so as well as all the other great benefits they also save gas money,” says Jo Price, sales director for The Body Shop At Home. “Also they have the added benefit of knowing they are making a difference through their purchase. Many of the products contain Community Trade ingredients bought from small-scale farmers at a fair price, giving them a stable income and hope for the future. This means that every time you sell a product you know that you are supporting communities who would otherwise struggle to make a living wage, so when you buy The Body Shop At Home products you get the added feel-good factor of knowing you’re buying high quality beauty items made through fair business practices.”
“Additionally, the exclusive products we sell are really great and are something customers get really excited about because they can’t find them in stores or anywhere else. For example, the Rich Plum bath and body range is a best seller along with the Shimmer Cubes eye shadows, made with Community Trade Marula Oil. For the one stop makeover, women love the exclusive Eye, Lip and Cheek Palette that has everything you need for day or night. This job really allows women to do something they enjoy, be their own boss, and feel good about how they earn my money.”
If you’re looking for additional ways to earn or save cash, there are many options. Try having a garage sale, sell your items on eBay or to a second-hand store. When shopping, plan out your trips and stick to a budget. You might even consider trading services with someone. For example, offer childcare services in exchange for a neighbor fixing a leaky faucet.
For more information about becoming a Consultant for Then Body Shop at Home visit www.TheBodyShopatHome.com, call (866) 775-8049 or e-mail AtHomeLeads@TheBodyShop.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Simple Ways College Grads Can Give Back to their Alma Maters
(ARA) – A college education does far more than give graduates a competitive edge when entering the working world. For many people, college marked a time when they forged friendships and romances that last a lifetime. Is it any wonder, then, that so many college graduates seek creative ways to nourish their bond with their alma mater years – often decades – after they’ve left the college’s hallowed halls?
From following their college’s sports teams to carrying the same school coffee mug from job to job, many alumni are passionate about their schools. In fact, 57 percent of college graduates say their college years were the best years of their lives, according to the MyExpression(TM) Alumni Survey sponsored by Bank of America. Nearly 50 percent still consider themselves college sports fanatics and 58 percent would like their children to follow in their collegiate footsteps, the survey found.
With prices rising on everything from gas to groceries, it can become challenging for some alumni to make cash donations to their colleges or universities. More than half (55 percent) of survey respondents don’t donate to their alma maters, and just 27 percent donate $100 or more per year. Of those who don’t donate, 38 percent say it’s because they just haven’t gotten around to it, or that it is difficult to juggle donations amid other financial and time obligations.
There are, however, creative ways to support your school without spending a dime. If you still live near your school, you can volunteer with programs and campus events, provide tutoring in your major field or donate your time and professional experience by speaking with current students. If you no longer live close to your alma mater, contact the student services department to find out if there are ways you can participate remotely – whether it’s offering tutoring services online or volunteering a few hours for the school’s student information hotline.
Another easy way to support your alma mater is through affinity banking products. Bank of America offers branded credit cards, check cards and checks that support a variety of alumni organizations, professional organizations and charitable causes through its MyExpression product line. For passionate alumni, every time a new MyExpression alumni checking account is opened and for every subsequent purchase made with a MyExpression check card, a contribution is made to the alumni organization featured on the card. Given that two-thirds of alumni own college-branded gear, and nearly 50 percent proudly don a college-branded sweatshirt, a college-branded check card that gives back may be just the hassle-free combination of pride and passion alums are looking for.
“People are always looking for easy ways to support what’s important to them. However, prioritizing one’s college or university among so many other responsibilities – financially and otherwise – can be a tall order,” says Stephen Gillin, Affinity Banking executive. “That’s exactly where the Bank of America MyExpression alumni accounts fit in. Alumni can easily convert their school passion into support for their school, simply by making their everyday purchases with their MyExpression alumni account.”
Alumni and university fans can learn more about MyExpression Banking products at more than 6,100 Bank of America banking centers, or online at www.bankofamerica.com/myexpression.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(NewsUSA) - Advertising is telling the world how great you are, while publicity is having others tell the world how great you are. Companies and organizations that understand the importance of publicity are generally more successful than those who use advertising alone to reach their target audiences.
Newspapers, magazines and radio and television news programs are filled with stories about businesses and organizations. Those who know how to present materials professionally to the right people will get media coverage for free, while those who don’t understand how publicity works have to rely on large advertising budgets to reach their audiences, usually with less impressive results.
“If you can get a news organization to report about your event or praise something you’re doing, you have gained an enormous amount of credibility that simply couldn’t be generated through paid advertising,” said David Forman, a public relations veteran and author of “Publicity Professor,” a workbook that teaches business owners how to get free news coverage.
The first step in reaching out to media professionals is to create an appealing press release. Its main purpose is to get an editor or producer interested in what you have to say or in what you are doing. It should contain enough information, specifics and quotes that a writer can craft a story from it without ever having to call you.
A media alert is another tool for getting press coverage. Its purpose is to give news assignment desks the specifics about an event in a way that entices editors or television news directors to send a reporter or camera crew.
There are dozens of other ways to get news coverage, such as placing feature stories or writing pitch letters offering your expertise in a subject for quotes or on-air interviews.
Forman says you don’t have to hire outside help to get publicity.
“Nobody knows your business like you do,” Forman said. “You simply have to reach the appropriate person with your message, in a format that media professionals expect.”
Using real-world examples, “Publicity Professor” shows you how to give editors and producers exactly what they’re looking for to get your story covered for free.
The guidebook includes easy-to-follow templates of press releases, media alerts, feature stories and pitch letters; suggestions on creating newsworthy special events and awards programs; and resources for contacting local, regional and national media.
For further information on promoting your business, order a copy of “Publicity Professor” by calling toll-free (866) NEWS-400 or by visiting www.publicityprofessor.com.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Fairway Outdoor Advertising has donated an advertising package worth $13,250 to the Triangle Land Conservancy. The announcement was made today by Paul Hickman, general manager of Fairway.
The two rotary bulletins posted in January and will run for two months in the Triangle region.
The Triangle Land Conservancy began as a volunteer effort in 1983 and has since grown to a professionally staffed organization that has protected more than 9,000 acres of open space— stream corridors, forests, wildlife habitat, farmland and natural areas—in Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Lee, Orange and Wake counties.
“We’re pleased to get involved with this cause,” said Hickman. “As this region continues to explode in growth it’s important that we also protect and conserve the beauty that this area has to offer.”
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
RALEIGH, N.C. – VisionPoint Marketing (www.visionpointmarketing.com) has announced that Diane Kuehn, president and CEO, has been named a 2008 Impact Women Business Owner by Business Leader Magazine. The awards recognize the outstanding leadership of women business leaders, in the professional arena as well as the community. For more information about VisionPoint Marketing, visit their Web site at www.visionpointmarketing.com.
“I am honored to be named an Impact Women Business Owner,” said Kuehn. “This award recognizes some of the most influential leaders in our community and I am humbled to be in their great company.”
About Diane Kuehn:
Diane Kuehn is President and CEO of VisionPoint Marketing, an Internet marketing agency for mid-size organizations that provides strategy, creative services and execution of integrated online marketing programs. Diane established VisionPoint Marketing after holding numerous executive sales and marketing positions at leading companies, including Cox Communications, SourceLink, High Speed Net Solutions, and ADVO ? the country’s largest direct marketing firm. An enthusiastic supporter of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Diane serves on the Board of Directors and the Communications Committee and is the current chair for the Women’s Executive Golf Tournament. Other civic and professional organizations in which Diane maintains membership include the Council for Entrepreneur Development (CED) and the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO). Diane volunteers time to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, serves on the marketing committee for Triangle Family Services, is a board member of North Carolina’s International Affairs Council, and is a member of the Board of Advisors for the Me Fine Foundation. Her service and leadership have been recognized by the Triangle Business Journal’s Women in Business Award, which recognizes the top 25 female executives in the Triangle who display outstanding business and community leadership. Diane was recently named a 2007 Enterprising Woman of the Year by Enterprising Women Magazine.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
Cap
A limit on how much the interest rate or the monthly
payment can change, either at each adjustment or during the
life of the mortgage. Payment caps don’t limit the amount of
interest the lender is earning, so they may cause negative
amortization.
Conversion Clause
A provision in some ARMs that allows you to change the ARM
to a fixed-rate loan at some point during the term. Usually
conversion is allowed at the end of the first adjustment
period. At the time of the conversion, the new fixed rate is
generally set at one of the rates then prevailing for fixed
rate mortgages. The conversion feature may be available at
extra cost.
Discount
In an ARM with an initial rate discount, the lender gives
up a number of percentage points in interest to give you a
lower rate and lower payments for part of the mortgage term
(usually for one year or less). After the discount period, the
ARM rate will probably go up depending on the index rate.
Index
The index is the measure of interest rate changes that the
lender uses to decide how much the interest rate on an ARM will
change over time. No one can be sure when an index rate will go
up or down. To help you get an idea of how to compare different
indexes, the following chart shows a few common indexes over a
ten-year period (1977-87). As you can see, some index rates
tend to be higher than others, and some more volatile. (But if
a lender bases interest rate adjustments on the average value
of an index over time, your interest rate would not be as
volatile.) You should ask your lender how the index for any ARM
you are considering has changed in recent years, and where it
is reported.
Margin
The number of percentage points the lender adds to the
index rate to calculate the ARM interest rate at each
adjustment.
Negative Amortization
Amortization means that monthly payments are large enough
to pay the interest and reduce the principal on your mortgage.
Negative amortization occurs when the monthly payments do not
cover all of the interest cost. The interest cost that isn’t
covered is added to the unpaid principal balance. This means
that even after making many payments, you could owe more than
you did at the beginning of the loan. Negative amortization can
occur when an ARM has a payment cap that results in monthly
payments not high enough to cover the interest due.
Points
A point is equal to one percent of the principal amount of
your mortgage. For example, if you get a mortgage for $65,000,
one point means you pay $650 to the lender. Lenders frequently
charge points in both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages
in order to increase the yield on the mortgage and to cover
loan closing costs. These points usually are collected at
closing and may be paid by the borrower or the home seller, or
may be split between them.
MORTGAGE CHECKLIST
Ask your lender to help fill
out this checklist. Mortgage A Mortgage B
Mortgage amount
Basic Features for Comparison
Fixed-rate annual percentage rate
(the cost of your credit as a yearly
rate which includes both interest and
other charges) __________ __________
ARM annual percentage rate __________ __________
Adjustment period __________ __________
Index used and current rate __________ __________
Margin __________ __________
Initial payment without discount __________ __________
Initial payment with discount
(if any) __________ __________
How long will discount last? __________ __________
Interest rate caps: periodic __________ __________
overall __________ __________
Payment caps __________ __________
Negative amortization __________ __________
Convertibility or prepayment
privilege __________ __________
Initial fees and charges __________ __________
Monthly Payment Amounts
What will my monthly payment be after
twelve months if the index rate:
stays the same __________ __________
goes up 2% __________ __________
goes down 2% __________ __________
What will my monthly payments be after
three years if the index rate:
stays the same __________ __________
goes up 2% per year __________ __________
goes down 2% per year __________ __________
Take into account any caps on your
mortgage and remember it may run 30 years.
probably go up depending on the index rate.
Low Price Business Listings In Garner NC City Guide
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With the high prices of placing ads today, why not save money? There’s no special secret to writing and placing advertisements in magazines, tabloids and newspapers. And why not claim the discount given to advertising agencies?
If you handle your own advertising correspondence, work with layout artists and write your own ads, it’s well worth your while to set up your own in-house ad agency and save a ton of money.
Even if you don’t create your own ads, you can profit from setting up your own agency and placing the ads that bring sales directly to you.
If you have somethings to sell - especially by mail order - advertising is they way to make that product reach people. Although advertising agencies produce excellent ads of all types and sizes with every demographic appeal, they also charge for it. That’s why they’re ready to claim the fifteen percent discount usually granted for placing ads.
You can learn how to create and design your own ads - with no background in copywriting or art. And, you can set up your own ad agency to place these ads where THEY’LL MAKE MONEY FOR YOU.
Do you have a product that you’re ready to sell? Now’s the time to find out the best angles to use and the tricks of the trade to putting money in your pocket.
STARTING YOUR BUSINESS
Do you have a mail order business? Maybe you sell clothing, camping supplies, or information through ads to the mail order trade. Perhaps you’ve run classified ads for years and are ready to branck out into larger display ads.
Not only small home businesses, but larger mail order companies and hundreds of major advertisers everywhere set up their own in-house agencies to produce and place ads. Even magazines create in-house departments under another name to get the agency discount.
What might set advertising agencies apart from homemade operations is the appearance of the letterhead and the ad form. They must look sharp and professional.
Start with a name for the ad agency you want to establish. It can be anything, but must be different from the name of the company that will be using the space. Then register the name with the county clerk. Check first to be sure you’re not using a company name already in business.
Desiging letterhead is easier than you think. You don’t have to create an elaborate or clever logo - the initials of the company will do. You can choose the mark - the special type style - at a printers, or use one of dozens of press-on letter styles available at art supply stores.
Using photo offset, digital camera, an instant printer can run off a thousand sheets at a very low price. If you go to a printer, check and compare the total printing costs. Typesetting can be expensive and there’s a minimum charge. You may want to wait to get all your typesetting and printing done at the same time - letterhead, ad form, ad copy and any sales literature you may be preparing. Investigate ways to get by with the lease expense.
Establishing your own ad agency is so easy that the most important part is the form you send in when you place ads. Although there are no federal restrictions for in-house ad agencies, some publications may quibble. If your form looks as good as the rest, you’ll have no problems.
The following page is a representation of a sample ad order form. Just copy this form and have your company design or logo printed on top. You can choose a color paper to have the forms run off on - they’ll be more noticeable. Then all you do is send in a copy of the ocmpleted form with your check and final artwork for your ad - and claim a big discount for being your own agency.
NAME OF ADVERTISING AGENCY
Address
To the publisher of: __________________________________________________
Organization______________________________________________________
Your name_______________________________________________________
Address__________________________________________________________
City__________________________________State________Zip____________
Phone (____)_________________
Please mark your desired ad size in a box below:
q 1/3 page $30 (5.5” x 2.75”)
q 1/2 page $45 (5.5” x 4.25”)
q full page $60 (5.5” x 8.5”)________________________________________________________________
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Raleigh/Wilmington, N.C. – Signal, a design, marketing, and technology firm located in Raleigh and Wilmington, NC, announced the launch of the newly designed web site for Kitts Creek, a new home community developed by ExperienceOne Homes in Morrisville, NC. The new web site highlights the community’s diverse selection of home styles and floor plans and also features streaming video, a photo gallery and list of current inventory, which is dynamically updated by the Kitts Creek sales team. To view the web site visit: http://www.kittscreek.com.
About Signal
Signal is a design, marketing and technology firm that uses creative power to produce engaging communications projects in diverse media. From Fortune 500 corporations to pioneering start-ups, Signal helps clients deliver their message in creative and intelligent ways, building stronger relationships with prospects, customers, shareholders, partners and employees.
Read On:CarolinaNewsWire
APEX, NC – Dancing Elephants Achievement Group (DEAG), a sales training firm dedicated to teaching ethical selling, and the Apex Chamber of Commerce have partnered to provide a series of educational seminars to the community under the name of “Apex Chamber’s Business Summit Series at Noon.”
“The Chambers play a vital role in the economic development of the community and are instrumental in helping local businesses to thrive. We feel very strongly that it is important for businesses to belong to local chambers,” said Tim Moore, principal of Dancing Elephants Achievement Group. “We’re excited to be able to participate in this Business Summit Series with the Apex Chamber. The seminars will help members of any Chamber to better understand how to utilize their membership and grow their businesses successfully with the help of their local Chamber.”
The first seminar in the series is called “Formula For Chamber Success” and will be held on Feb. 20, 2008 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Carrabba’s located at 1201 Haddon Hall Drive in Apex.
“One of our goals for 2008 was to provide more for our members,” said Brenda Steen, president of Apex Chamber. “We are thrilled to be able to offer our members the talent and expertise of Dancing Elephants, not only are they extremely qualified, but they are such good people. I know without a shadow of a doubt that our members will walk away from these events having learned something valuable. ”
About Apex Chamber:
The Apex Chamber of Commerce is working to build and sustain a vibrant economy and a superior quality of life in our community. Founded in 1958, the Chamber has an engaged operating group, motivated volunteers and a dedicated professional staff poised to implement progressive programs that aid in the profitability of its members, build a better community, develop future leaders and enhance small business development and growth.
Located at 220 North Salem Street, the Apex Chamber of Commerce currently boasts a membership of over 540 area businesses. To learn more about the Chamber and its activities in the community visit www.apexchamber.com or call (919) 362-6456.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
