Do-It-Yourself Archives

Job seekers: Give yourself a SWOT

Job seekers: Give yourself a SWOT

(ARA) – Have you ever given yourself a SWOT? No. It’s not a typo. With a SWOT analysis, you examine your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, along with internal and external factors that might affect your employment search. Many organizations utilize a SWOT analysis to examine their business. A SWOT analysis can also help reduce the anxiety sometimes associated with finding employment.

“It’s a matter of confidence over competence, because most people know how to interview, but may not be confident in themselves,” says Chasity Trzop, director of career services at Brown Mackie College – Louisville.

Strengths
When you conduct a SWOT on yourself it’s important that you ask, “What can you do well?,” says Trzop. “For example, you may be great at multi-tasking and have great communication skills. Soft skills are usually where you will find strengths. Your strengths could be whatever comes naturally.”

Always go into an interview with a positive attitude. What is keeping you from calling potential employers? Some of the answers you may give include nerves or not knowing what to say.

“Some people just get nervous about the job search. It’s important to identify the issues and work on those issues with career coaches or if you are a recent college graduate, visit your school’s career services department for assistance,” Trzop says. “Consider reviewing comments that were made about your strengths by past employers.”

Weaknesses
You should always know your weaknesses, because interviewers will attempt to extract them from you.  Never highlight your weak points on your resume or during an interview. When an interviewer asked Trzop about her weaknesses, Trzop used the weakness she once had that is now a strength. She told the interviewer she took extra training to become very proficient in the area.

“Don’t let interviewers extract your weaknesses. Focus on what you do well,” she says.  Don’t have a canned answer to a question regarding your weak points, because interviewers may have a follow-up question. Never let them see you sweat. As previously mentioned, review comments past employers made about your weaknesses.

Opportunities
“Half of your job leads should be face-to-face or from picking up the phone, not just online,” says Trzop. “People complain about not getting jobs, but they’re not selling themselves nor creating opportunities. You cannot create an opportunity if you don’t know what your strengths are. Go out and volunteer. Create an opportunity.”

Trzop also suggests networking. Let family, friends and others know you are seeking employment. They may know someone who can help. “You can’t run out of the building yelling, ‘I’ve got a degree’ and expect employers to be waiting outside the door with job offers,” says Trzop.

Threats
To identify threats that could prevent you from finding employment, ask yourself, “What is it that will keep me from having an effective and productive career search?” That’s the most critical time to make contacts in your field. What if you are waiting for a certification document that confirms training you took? Are there other barriers out there? There may be other barriers that could affect a successful job search. Know what those are,” Trzop says. Job seekers who get upset about not finding employment are sometimes too passive. Seek support from a career counselor, placement search teams, or if you are a recent college graduate, seek support and assistance from the career services department.

While the SWOT analysis creates anxiety during the process, it helps tremendously. Like preventative medicine, you can fix those threats and hopefully come out with promising results.

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Handcrafted Wooden Birdhouse In Raleigh NC

Make a splash – how you can attract new birds to your yard this summer


(ARA) – When summer really heats up, there is nothing more refreshing than drinking a tall glass of ice water, taking a quick dip in the pool, or running through the backyard sprinkler with the kids. But what many people do not realize is clean, fresh water is as important to birds and other wildlife as it is for humans. Not only that, but birds actually enjoy splashing around and frolicking in the water just like we do.

With this in mind, create an inviting habitat for feathered friends right in your backyard or on your patio or balcony. It is easier than it seems, and there is no need for a big backyard to do it. Just providing the basic elements birds enjoy will establish your setting as a wildlife habitat. Water is one of the important resources birds need, along with food, shelter and a place to nest or raise young. For a quick and easy bird-friendly habitat, simply put out a bird feeder, hang a bird house, provide some nesting materials, and set up a watering place to drink and splash.

“Water is one of the most frequently overlooked resources we can add to our backyard to attract more birds and other wildlife,” says John Robinson, chief ornithologist at Scotts. “Every year, I am astonished by the new species that appear in backyards when owners are willing to share this simple yet critical resource with their feathered friends.”

Providing a source of water need not be a big endeavor. Water can be provided using a mister, slow drip, saucer, bird bath or pond. Below are some simple ways to incorporate water into your backyard.

Bird baths and saucers:
Water in a saucer or bird bath will quickly and easily give area birds the water they need, even when placed on a balcony or patio. Stones with depressions that collect water will also help attract small birds and butterflies. Keep in mind you may need to change the water and clean the bird bath every few days to keep it fresh. In hot weather, it may even be necessary to refill the container every day.

Drippers:
A great way to attract birds and other creatures to the backyard is to add a water drip feature to the bird bath. Because of birds’ heightened senses of hearing and sight, drippers are inviting. Create a drip feature by hanging a bucket or plastic milk jug with a tiny hole over the bird bath so water drips down into the bath slowly throughout the day. Or, hook up a garden hose to a specially designed drip tube you can purchase at local hardware stores or garden centers.

Misters:
Another water feature gardeners often employ is a mister. A mister hooks to a garden hose and sprays a gentle mist over a garden or bird bath. Humans enjoy being cooled off by misters at amusement parks, and plants enjoy the refreshing spray of moisture, too. Birds enjoy frequenting misters to cool down and pollinators, like butterflies and bees, enjoy areas being misted because of the tiny water droplets the mist leaves on flowers. Misters can generally be found at local hardware store and garden centers.

Ponds:
Whether large and elaborate or small and quaint, a backyard pond is guaranteed to attract birds and other wildlife. Most ponds found in urban or rural backyards are on the small side, most no larger than 3 to 4 feet in diameter. Ponds with a fountain are best because the sight and sound of splashing water will attract visitors, and moving water is less likely to become a breeding ground for mosquitoes or other insects. The addition of logs, rocks and other in-water structures provide a drinking and basking habitat for songbirds, as well as other wildlife such as turtles and butterflies. Aquatic snails or tadpoles are fun and natural ways to limit the growth of algae in the pond, and add an interesting element for kids to watch and enjoy.

This summer, when planning the water fun for the kids, don’t forget the birds. Water is very effective in drawing birds and wildlife to your backyard and is also a relaxing, scenic addition that can provide interest and enjoyment for the whole family. With the addition of a simple water source, you never know who may stop by your backyard habitat for a quick swim or a refreshing drink.

Wooden Birdhouses and bird feeders made here in Raleigh NC

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Tips for making your home office comfortable and functional

(ARA) – When you start a home business, you will probably set aside one room or area of your house to be your office. This is the place where you’ll handle general business, customer relations, shipping and delivery of products and services, payroll and many other details that pertain to your company.

Of course, this room is also in your house, so you want to make sure it looks good in case you have customers stop by, or if friends or relatives stay over.

Setting up your office so that it is functional and looks nice is important, but because you’ll be spending a lot of time in there, you should make it comfortable as well. Here are some tips on how to make your home office functional, yet fun and stylish.

* If you have young children at home, designating your office separate from the rest of your house with a closed door, or a standing partition, can help your children learn that you are “at work” and not to be disturbed unless they have an emergency. If you plan to use your office space for family business as well after work hours are over, consider making a sign indicating you are busy working to hang on the door or partition.

* Your desk probably will be where you spend the majority of time in your home office, which means you need it to match your style perfectly. Your office chair needs to be comfortable, but you also want it to match the decor as well. You can choose a HON Volt or HON Ignition chair, picking from over 30 different fabrics and colors, allowing you to match your decorating scheme and comfort levels. Visit www.officedepot.com/customdesign to see how a HON chair can enhance your home office space.

* Decorate your office in colors and materials that will help keep you operating efficiently, but also allow you to enjoy the time you spend working. For example, yellow is considered to be a stimulating color, orange encourages creativity and green provides a calming influence. Depending on the energy level you would like to have in your office, consider using file folders, binders, pictures and wall paint to bring colors into your office that would enhance your professional emotions and behaviors.

* Keeping your home office picked up is key, especially if you pace while talking on the phone or while brainstorming a business idea. Make sure all your electronic cords are bundled and tucked away under your desk so you aren’t tripping over them while chatting with a client on the phone.

* Get organized with a cubby hole or filing drawer system, which will help keep the paperwork off your home office desk area and also help you find filed information quickly and easily if you were to have a customer catch you by surprise on the phone. These items are available at office supplies store such as Office Depot.

As you get your company up and running in your home office, don’t forget to add little personal touches to make it feel even more comfortable. After all, you might be spending a lot of time in your office, so there’s nothing wrong with having inspirational photos or a desk plant or two to provide you with the pleasant atmosphere you need to get your work done.

Free Business Listing For Wake County NC BusinessesMade to last wooden birdhouses and bird-feeders, made in Raleigh NC, USA.

Website or Call 919-324-8905 or 919-803-4425

Guidance for gardeners: avoiding injury and discomfort

(ARA) – Warm weather is here and it’s time to get the garden going. Gardening is good for you on many levels – from the mental health boost you get from doing something relaxing to the physical benefits of exercise, time outdoors and adding fresh vegetables to your diet. Bending over to weed, gripping gardening tools and the general physical effort of gardening, however, can make existing aches and pains worse, or even cause new ones.

This summer, take steps to ensure your gardening experience is as comfortable and beneficial as possible. Here are some ideas for avoiding injury and irritating existing conditions while gardening:

Warm up

You wouldn’t go jogging or work out without doing some light stretching and warm-up exercises, and you shouldn’t jump into gardening without warming up first. Before stepping into your garden, do some stretches to limber up, especially your arms, legs and back. When you’ve completed your gardening chores for the day, finish up with more stretching.

Banish bending

Many Americans suffer from chronic back pain, and while it’s important to keep moving despite discomfort, it makes sense to minimize activities that could create or worsen pain. Bending over to work in the garden can be hard on your back. If back pain is a concern, consider planting your garden in raised beds this year, or working with container gardens. Elevated beds require you to bend less when doing typical gardening chores. And container gardens can be placed on tables or deck railings to make it easy to reach plants.

Protect hands and wrists

Weeding, hoeing, raking, shoveling – the repetitive motions of gardening can lead to hand and wrist pain, and worsen existing conditions such as arthritis. Taking steps to minimize irritation and discomfort while you work can help ensure your gardening tasks don’t create aches or worsen pain. Consider wearing an Arthritis Glove, like the Imak-made glove commended by the Arthritis Foundation, to provide mild compression and warmth while you work. Because the gloves are made of cotton Lycra with an open fingertip design, they won’t make your hands hot or hinder movement. Designed by an orthopedic surgeon, the Arthritis Gloves are also fully washable, so you don’t have to worry about getting a little dirt on them as you go about your gardening tasks. An added bonus – wearing any kind of glove can help you avoid another common gardening injury: blisters.

Guard skin

Sunburn and insect bites are also a risk for gardeners, who spend a lot of time outdoors. While most insect bites are just an irritation, sunburn can cause serious, long-term skin damage. To ward off mosquitoes and other biting bugs, apply an insect repellent. Prevent sunburn by always wearing sunscreen – the kind that blocks both UVA and UVB rays – whenever you’re outdoors. Use a wide-brimmed, lightweight hat to shade your eyes and keep the sun off your head. Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water, especially on hot days when you’ll be out for several hours.

Move wisely

Lifting can be another source of back pain, and gardening often involves lifting, whether it’s heavy bags of soil or seed, or a full basket of the fruits of your labor. Remember to lift from a squatting position, with your back straight, so that your legs do the work, not your back. When kneeling down, use gardening knee pads or even just a rolled up towel to cushion your joints from the hard, damp ground. Remember to minimize twisting motions that can inure your back and joints.

With a few precautions, you can ensure this summer’s gardening activities remain safe, enjoyable and pain free.

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Free pick-up of old unwanted appliances for proper recycling in Raleigh, Garner, Cary, Holly Springs Call 919-803-4425 or 919-324-8905

Recycling Aerosol Cans

Recycling metal

Recycle your aerosol cans

(NAPSI)—A little knowledge may help you avoid throwing out something valuable and help the environment at the same time.

Currently, too many aerosol cans take up landfill space while the valuable steel they’re made from is not being recycled and reused. Steel aerosol containers are every bit as recyclable as other steel cans.

According to Greg Crawford, executive director of the Steel Recycling Institute, one reason for the disparity may be that “many aerosol products aren’t in the kitchen where a lot of household recyclables are generated from; they’re in the bathroom or other side of the house, and it creates a little bit of a disconnect.”

To help bridge that disconnect, many steel aerosol cans now have a “please recycle when empty” logo. In addition, many recycling programs, looking to maximize the diversion of recyclables from landfills, are informing consumers that steel aerosol containers are easily recyclable once empty through normal use.

For more information, see http://recycle-steel.org.

Free Appliance and Electronics pick-up for recycling, Stoves, Dryers, Heaters, Freezers, Refrigerators, Computers, Washers, Radios, TVs, Tools, Metal Furniture and other appliances that you are trashing or nedd recycling. We pick-up free and disasemble and properly recycle all parts.
We also have techs check for salvaging or repair, if repaired we give to persons free,or charge for repair cost and parts if needed only. We do not repair these appliances ourselves and not in the repair business, but we will try to salvage and donate appliances if repairs is not costly and is worth the effort and not just a delay to end up in landfills. Call 919-324-8905 OR 919-803-4425
If no answer please leave voice mail and someone will contact you and set-up a time at your convenience.

Got a craft business idea you think could earn you extra income? Read how other craft artists have profited from James Dillehay’s craft business guides…..

“We couldn’t have imagined how much of an impact James Dillehay’s advice would make on our business. We thought after perfecting our product everything would just fall into place, but it didn’t until we started working with his suggestions. To our delight we are seeing results on a faster and larger scale than we expected in such a short period of time.” ~ Ken Kobrick & Angela Greene, www.Passchal.com, featured on the Today Show

“Since reading your books, I have implemented many of the ideas. I am now happy to report that I have had some surprising success here in Santa Fe. My hang cards, booth design, and even my products themselves have been changed by your books. I have only been there 5 partial days and have sold about 4 times what I sold in the equivalent time last year. I changed the color of the walls, the height of the tables, the displays, the hang cards, the pricing and more. So, IT WORKS!” ~ Julie Anderson, CostumeSalon.com

“After reading his books, my business took on a new life. I changed my product slightly and the response was remarkable! My first order was triple what I had planned for, and other orders are pouring in! I continue to look to James for inspiration and I love his approach. Because of the techniques I learned from him, my business is thriving.” ~ Cathy Marble, Chamisa Hill Designs

Ready to increase your craft sales and profits? Just click below to learn more about our craft business guides. Click Here

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Turn your hobby into a small business

Turn your hobby into a small business

(ARA) – Have you ever dreamed of getting paid for something you love to do? Like turning those cookies that your friends rave about into a cookie store? Expanding the sales of the jewelry that you make for the local arts and crafts fair to others? Selling used golf equipment that you clean and fix up on eBay? Or getting paid to help people install and maintain their complicated home electronics?

Each year, thousands of Americans take the leap and start a business, leveraging their expertise and passion for a particular interest or hobby. In fact, more than 600,000 new businesses are launched every year in the United States, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

If you’re ready to turn your hobby into a business, it’s essential, according to FindLaw.com, the world’s leading online source for legal information, to do your research, build a business plan, tap the expertise of outside professionals such as an accountant and attorney, and keep good records to avoid the ire of the Internal Revenue Service. Through careful research and planning, you’ll discover what the potential is for your business idea, and what pitfalls to avoid that may otherwise derail you from realizing your dream.

Here are some tips for turning your hobby into a business from FindLaw.com:

Research your idea. The very first step in turning your hobby into a business is to find out who will buy your product or service, how much they’re willing to pay for it, how many of these people there are, and where they’re located. It’s critical to understand your “topline” – the sales potential for your product or service.

Get free help. Trial and error is an essential part of the entrepreneurial experience. But making big, costly mistakes that have the potential of killing your business is something to be avoided. Tapping the experience of seasoned business professionals can help you avoid such mistakes, and provide you perspective in times of great stress. One piece of advice: find a mentor. If you’re not comfortable finding one yourself, check out the Small Business Administration’s SCORE program, a 12,000-strong, nationwide group of retired executives who volunteer their expertise to help small business owners grow and succeed.

Write a business plan. Put your ideas on paper to test their viability and improve your chances for success. A business plan is a very useful tool – it gives you and others, such as your accountant, banker or attorney, a clear idea of your goals, the processes you’ll implement to achieve those goals and how you’ll measure your success.

Have a clear plan for funding. Whether you’re financing your efforts out of your own pocket, or require capital from others to expand, you need to know where your start-up capital will come from (if you need it), whether you will be servicing a debt and what resources you can call upon in the future. Many entrepreneurs start with friends, family and people in their community to fund their initial efforts.

Know how you’re going to bring in revenue. What you make, after all of your expenses and taxes have been paid, is your profit. It’s the ultimate measure of your business’ success. Before you decide to start a business, you need to project whether the revenues (sales of your product or services) will exceed your expenses. This will give you a clear idea of whether you should consider turning your hobby into a business.

Set up your business structure. Contact an attorney who specializes in working with small businesses to get advice on the proper legal structure under which you should incorporate your business, or first visit FindLaw.com’s Do-It-Yourself Legal Forms to learn more about how to incorporate your business. Incorporating your business can help protect your personal assets from liabilities like creditors or lawsuits.

Make it real. One of the advantages of starting a small business is that you can deduct losses such as your expenses and depreciation on assets you purchase – to offset taxable income. It’s best to consult an accountant who specializes in small business to obtain advice on preventative measures you can take to avoid being audited. Some basic steps to take to clearly demonstrate you’re in business, versus treating your efforts as a hobby, are to obtain federal and state tax identification numbers, print up business cards and letterhead, maintain a set of books to record sales and expenses, set up a separate bank account for your business and keep a logbook in your vehicle to record mileage.

Get the proper licenses and permits. Depending upon the type of business you start, you may need to get a permit(s) or occupational license from your city or state. Many cities and counties require every business – even single-owner, home-based operations – to get a business license (tax registration certificate). You also may have to get a sales tax permit from your state.

Protect your idea. In the course of pursuing your hobby, you may create a new process for doing something, a product or a creative brand name. If you think it has any potential, run – don’t walk – to an attorney who specializes in intellectual property to seek a trademark or patent on your idea. Be very cautious about sharing your idea with anyone, who, in the future, could claim that he or she helped you with developing that idea and therefore deserves a cut of your revenues.

Invest in a website. If you want people to know about your new business, you must have a website. Most people now immediately turn to the Internet to find products and services to meet their needs, as well as to find information such as directions and contact information. Nearly equally as important, invest time to set up a Facebook and LinkedIn page for your business, advertise your services online through Google, and consider banner ads on other websites.

Create a workspace. What are the space needs for your new business? Do you require storage space? Industrial strength refrigeration? Extra power? Two sewing machines? A quiet place to make uninterrupted phone calls? According to the Small Business Administration, more than half of America’s small businesses are operated from a home, which offers important tax advantages. However, it’s important to carefully follow IRS rules and clearly designate space for your business from personal space.

To learn more about how to start a new business, visit FindLaw.com.

Got a craft business idea you think could earn you extra income? Read how other craft artists have profited from James Dillehay’s craft business guides…..

“We couldn’t have imagined how much of an impact James Dillehay’s advice would make on our business. We thought after perfecting our product everything would just fall into place, but it didn’t until we started working with his suggestions. To our delight we are seeing results on a faster and larger scale than we expected in such a short period of time.” ~ Ken Kobrick & Angela Greene, www.Passchal.com, featured on the Today Show

“Since reading your books, I have implemented many of the ideas. I am now happy to report that I have had some surprising success here in Santa Fe. My hang cards, booth design, and even my products themselves have been changed by your books. I have only been there 5 partial days and have sold about 4 times what I sold in the equivalent time last year. I changed the color of the walls, the height of the tables, the displays, the hang cards, the pricing and more. So, IT WORKS!” ~ Julie Anderson, CostumeSalon.com

“After reading his books, my business took on a new life. I changed my product slightly and the response was remarkable! My first order was triple what I had planned for, and other orders are pouring in! I continue to look to James for inspiration and I love his approach. Because of the techniques I learned from him, my business is thriving.” ~ Cathy Marble, Chamisa Hill Designs

Ready to increase your craft sales and profits? Just click here to learn more about our craft business guides. Click Here

Home transformation: Revamping your home with ceramic tile

(ARA) – Transforming the look of the home does not need to be a costly, complicated process. And with an increasing focus on sustainability, homeowners are more concerned with using durable products that will keep their beauty and functionality for years to come. Revamping your home with ceramic tile is a great way to establish a contemporary look that will last.

The technical specifications and aesthetic applications that ceramic offers are affordable and do not necessarily involve major work. Ceramic tile is easy to clean and maintain, durable and resistant to most common forms of wear. The other notable feature is that tile comes in a multiplicity of shapes, colors, textures, finishes and weights. This range of options in ceramic floor and wall tile makes them the perfect ally for turning original design ideas into personalized spaces.

The tile experts at Tile of Spain offer these tips to consider when working with ceramic tile:

* When using ceramic tile to tackle a renovation project, make the material’s versatility work as much as possible for you. Plan the kind of ambiance you want to create in any given room and select colors and finishes that will help achieve it. Bright colors help enhance the light. Earthy and ochre colors transmit serenity. Blues, greens and browns can be used to create natural spaces while the contrast of black and white adds simplicity and elegance. The possibilities are as boundless as the user’s imagination.

* The broad spectrum of this material’s design versatility has helped it become a popular decorative element. The old-fashioned view of ceramic as a simple, functional product to be used only in very specific rooms such as the kitchen and the bathroom, has lost ground over the years as the material has become more versatile. When working with tile, be open to the various propositions – metallic finishes, finishes that mimic the look of fabric and wood, relief work, new sizes and formats. Choose those that enhance the personality of the targeted design space.

* Combinations of finishes and textures help break up the linear nature of a room and make it more dynamic. Relief and “volume” finishes, as well as large format tiles, enable you to change the apparent dimensions of a room and play with the light. Imitations of wood and leather give a greater sense of comfort and create references to natural elements.

Because tile now provides such versatility and beauty, there is a growing quest to apply the qualities of ceramic to other spaces such as patios, porches and terraces, and even to other objects or furniture pieces, such as headboards, tables, benches, shelves, bookcases and inside closets. These new applications mean that homes are developing a more personal and original feel and are becoming more practical.

Equally, screen-printing and digital printing techniques have opened the doors of the imagination when decorating tiles. The development of these production processes enables the final look to be highly personalized, creating spaces that are unique and custom-made. Bearing in mind the durability of ceramic, ease of maintenance and easy installation methods that enable spaces to be altered cleanly, simply and cheaply, it’s becoming clear that using ceramic tile is an efficient way to revamp your home creatively and affordably. For more tips on decorating with tile, visit www.spaintiles.info.

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Got a craft business idea you think could earn you extra income? Read how other craft artists have profited from James Dillehay’s craft business guides…..

“We couldn’t have imagined how much of an impact James Dillehay’s advice would make on our business. We thought after perfecting our product everything would just fall into place, but it didn’t until we started working with his suggestions. To our delight we are seeing results on a faster and larger scale than we expected in such a short period of time.” ~ Ken Kobrick & Angela Greene, www.Passchal.com, featured on the Today Show

“Since reading your books, I have implemented many of the ideas. I am now happy to report that I have had some surprising success here in Santa Fe. My hang cards, booth design, and even my products themselves have been changed by your books. I have only been there 5 partial days and have sold about 4 times what I sold in the equivalent time last year. I changed the color of the walls, the height of the tables, the displays, the hang cards, the pricing and more. So, IT WORKS!” ~ Julie Anderson, CostumeSalon.com

“After reading his books, my business took on a new life. I changed my product slightly and the response was remarkable! My first order was triple what I had planned for, and other orders are pouring in! I continue to look to James for inspiration and I love his approach. Because of the techniques I learned from him, my business is thriving.” ~ Cathy Marble, Chamisa Hill Designs

Ready to increase your craft sales and profits? Just click here to learn more about our craft business guides. Click Here

Handcrafted NC products in Raleigh NC Promoted in City5nc.com Directory

Crafts are Promoted in City5nc.com Directory, Add your Business Today!

All Businesses and websites in our directory will be promoted free, by City5nc and our skilled freelance SEO Specialists, free helpful tools, free useful information for local businesses, get more public exposure. We are always adding new, and free seo tools.

This Community Business Directory, City Guide was created for local Triangle NC businesses and for Citizens of Wake County NC. We do however include some other area’s of North Carolina that are on, or border local Towns, Cities, Counties that are covered by City5nc.com.

In the next few months we will be promoting and adding new content to help your business & website be seen by 1000s in your local area, as well as around the world. With your business website optimized to be search-engine friendly, it will be found by the major search engines like, Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Aol. This means more traffic to your business, targeted by your keywords

We do not use automated imported data-base files software, no building e-mail lists, your business is reviewed by human editors, since 2007 we started sharing office space with Judy’s Wholesale Retail for budget reasons, we share a total of 9 computers and 4 laptops, we have one server that we plan to power up if needed in 2013.

Your business listing has no ppc ads or any other annoying ads popping up, out, under, flying or floating.

You control your ad page, you can add your business logo, website link, plenty of space for your info, (html is aloud with some restrictions), graphics or pictures, with many categories to fit your business. We do all the management from our two main temporary offices or family room which ever you choose to call it. We call it home!

When our directory fills to over 240.000 businesses from, Raleigh, Garner, Apex, Cary and Holly Springs NC with some of the surrounding area’s Towns, it will be even more valuable as a resource for promoting websites and local businesses in Wake County NC. Adding your local NC website to City5nc is what makes it special, It’s your Community, and you belong here!

As we put the spotlight on local Cities and Towns, we hope that your business will gain an immense return from this domain. By adding City5nc.com to your favorites you will help with popularity and that’s good for all Businesses on our domain.

If you feel this service is of value, you may show your support by telling a friend, bookmark our website or link back to us. http://www.city5nc.com PASS IT FORWARD!

Please consider bookmarking us, or make us your home page. Some businesses are paying $25.00 to $100.00 a week or more, for similar services with little, or no traffic from their efforts, traffic means growth, when we grow, your Business will grow also. It’s important for us to promote and grow City5nc. Thank you for your help!! Managers & Directors: Sadac & Judy Israel

Add your Business, From Crafts to Contractors, find Real-Estate or Health Care

 2008 even with the economy at a slow-down, the small business entrepreneurialsare still hard a work bring new businesses to market everyday. The engine that drives our

economy is very inventive when it come to starting a new business, and doing it on a very frugal

budget is the the way to go. Over-head cost can be cut by starting your business at home, but what if your situation won’t allow you to use your home.

The primary reason businesses start at home, or with a meager P.O. Box is

because, renting an office can be very expensive.

On top of your basic rental, you will have to worry about buying and setting

up tables and chairs, and bother yourself with a lot of moving-in blues when

you should actually be concentrating on one thing: Making Money.

Therefore, for many start-ups, the kitchen table offers a “ready-to-go”

alternative which is also rent-free. But what if there’s an office “Cube”

with a desk, a phone, access to a copy machine, fax machine and computer?

What if it has a common secretary receptionist who can type your letter and

charge you only based on the amount of work done? What if this office were

to rent out at $200 a month? Would you take it?

INCUBATOR

Many profitable businesses are born and raised in incubator situations. A

mini office is just that – a slightly bigger mailbox where you can physically

show up and do your work.

It’s an ideal breeding ground for start-ups with limited capital, yet need

legitimate workspace that neither the kitchen or a mailbox can offer. This

is where you come in.

THE LAYOUT

Picture this mini office in a middlerange commercial location. The ideal

space for you to rent would be around 1,800 square feet. You can build

wall-to-wall cubicles that are about 5 x 5 each. Including common areas

and a small corner for your secreetary, computer, fax and copy machines, you can have

30 Cubes that can each rent out for $200 to $300 a month.

If all your cubes are rented out, this will give $6,000 to $9,000 in gross rental

revenues. If you can lease your space for around $0.75 per square foot, your

1,800 sqft space will cost you $1,350 a month.

Add to this the salary of the secretary, and your margin can still be at

around 50% of your gross rental revenue, or roughly $3000. In addition to

your rental revenues, you will also make money on copies, faxes and

secretarial functions.

BIGGER SPACES

The “office cube” concept can be applied to nearly any combination of size

and location and the extent of service you want to offer your tenants. In

this age of entrepreneurship, the one-person business is very common, so it

will not be difficult to find start-ups looking for an office situation like

yours.

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11 Ways to Save in 2011

11 Ways to Save in 2011

11 Ways to Save in 2011 (336)

(NewsUSA) – If you occasionally struggle to balance your checkbook (or just want to be more frugal), a few simple changes can help you save. Coupon Mountain (www.couponmountain.com), the most trusted website for online coupons, discount codes and deals from major consumer brands, suggests the following tips:

1. Brew your own coffee. Home-brewed coffee costs about .12 cents a cup; buying your coffee will cost $1.50 to $3.50 a cup — you could end up saving between $500 and $1600 a year.

2. Drink filtered water. With filtered water, you will spend about 15 cents/gallon. Purchasing bottled water costs a lot more — about $10/gallon.

3. Use lower-wattage bulbs. Not only will less-powerful light bulbs lower your energy bills, they may also last longer. CFL bulbs can also save money long-term.

4. Shop online. Shopping online allows you to easily compare prices, plus you can use coupon codes from CouponMountain.com to gain additional savings.

5. Cancel your gym membership. Do bodyweight exercises from home to build up strength, or locate a recreation facility or park that offers free exercise equipment.

6. Invest in a vacuum sealer. Purchase your meats and veggies in bulk. A vacuum sealer will keep your foods fresher, longer.

7. Buy generic, store brand or discount. Generic brands will often use the same ingredients or materials. Shop discount stores to find name-brand items for less.

8. Shop out of season. Stores put summer and winter items on clearance at the end of the season — this is a good time to snap things up for next year.

9. Check your monthly bills and usage. Cancel all unwatched movie channels — or use sites like Hulu vs. cable. Use free VoIP like Skype or Google Voice for long distance calls.

10. Don’t overpay for cell phones. You probably rarely use all of your monthly cell-phone minutes, so reduce your plan. Unlimited texting is a good bet, though, because it’s very expensive to go over.

11. Get social to save. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter abound with discounts. Check out Facebook.com/couponmountain for savings tips, exclusive giveaways and more.

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