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Keeping In Touch With My Online Family
Helping you build your successful, home-based
business one step at a time.
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Issue #59 Date: August 13th, 2002
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The significant challenges that we face today cannot be
resolved by the same level of thinking that created them.
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KIT is by subscription only. Unsubscribe details at the end
of this ezine.
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In This Issue
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=> Publisher's Corner
=> Feature Article
=> Review: Products or Services
=> Inspiration
=> Special Feature
=> Hot Tip
=> Ezine ADventure
=> Reader's Corner
=> Ad Swaps
=> Success Links
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Publisher's Corner
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Hi {FIRSTNAME} and welcome to today's issue of
Keeping in Touch. A big, warm 'hello' to all our new
subscribers.
If your email has slowed down lately, it's likely due to a
couple of things.
- One is that many people are gone during the summer months
either vacationing or just not doing much with their computers
- The other reason, which I think is more of a problem, is your
ISP (Internet Service Provider) has placed filters on your
mail account
Many of you are not even receiving KIT simply because your ISP
has 'done you a favor' by implementing these SPAM filters on
your accounts. I talked to my ISP about this several months
ago and their response was pathetic to say the least. They told
me they have no control over the terms used to indicate what is
considered spam and what isn't. They hired a company to do this
for them. You are paying them for a service you didn't
specifically ask for. To be fair, I understand the premise
behind the filters but no one is asking us, the customer, for
any input. We just pay for the 'service'.
I've written to the webmaster at my ISP to see if they will
tell me which spam filters they use and with any luck I'll have
an answer by the time this issue is published.
Since we have new subscribers, I'll explain this in a little
more detail. When your ISP places these filters on your email
accounts, it will affect all your mail. It doesn't matter if
it's something you wanted or requested. Now if I try to
explain something to my subscribers about a specific service,
for example, and a word or phrase happens to be set up in their
filters, that message is history. You will never see it.
It doesn't matter whether I am trying to save you a pile of
grief suggesting you stay away from a program or whether I'm
suggesting you jump right in and go for it. The message is
gone - lost in cyberspace. I discussed this with the
Marketing Manager at my ISP. All he suggested I do was upgrade
to a business account. I asked him if the same filters would
be used and he admitted, they would. Are you willing to pay
more for such a service? I don't think so.
I have almost 1,300 returned issues of KIT sitting in a folder.
I've been investigating before I toss it. Unfortunately, I
made the mistake of deleting hundreds of subscribers from my
list before I understood the full ramifications of this filter
system. They come back with all kinds of messages.
- full mailbox
- error 570 rejected due to content
- unknown
- 'filtered'
I currently have at least two subscribers that I should be
reporting for spam and was even advised to do so. I do have
everything I need to back it up. You should know that this
is a very serious accusation to make and should not be taken
lightly.
I've taken a look at the various 'spam filter' programs out
there and I won't even put them in KIT. Too many are set up
with a link where you can 'report the spammer' and it doesn't
look like any backup details are required. Unless you know
for certain that you are being spammed, just continue to hit the
delete key for now and use the mail filters in your email
program. Use a free program like Mailwasher to check your
mail before you download it from your server. You can find
Mailwasher here:
http://www.mailwasher.net
If you see a pattern developing, start keeping track of those
messages. Make sure you are being responsible and can back up
your claim to being spammed. You can inflict a lot of damage
when you cry spam, especially when it isn't warranted. I know
a publisher who had a subscriber cry spam with the first issue
she sent him. And he was required to confirm his subscription -
a double opt-in. He requested the subscription!
A suggestion here is to keep a file in your email program that
shows everything you have subscribed to - then you can refer
back to it. It'll even show which email address you used to
subscribe.
Something does have to change and it will, eventually. A
closing thought for you: if they use an 'error code 570 rejected
due to content' for an informative ezine - how does all the porn
stuff get through unchallenged? Email is a very powerful tool
and should be treated with respect before it loses its
effectiveness.
And that doesn't even touch on what the latest viruses can do
to your mail. Mary shares a note with us in the Reader's
Corner. Personally, I know I still have a lot to learn about
scripts and how they work. There have been several instances
where I've been signed up to something I didn't want, simply
because I have been trying to close all the pop ups on that
site. You can avoid it by placing very strict settings in your
firewall settings, however, this will also affect the way you
interact with certain sites. It takes a whole lot of patience
to get your settings to work the way you want them to and
remain protected.
Today's Feature Article, by Doug Parr, is The One Vital Web
Design Element That Virtually No One Is Telling You About. Doug
is absolutely right and it appears that many 'how-to' ebooks
are missing this crucial element. Who are you designing your
website for?
Our Special Feature has more to do with our perception of a
given situation and how we can turn it around to our benefit.
Learn the Language of Financial Freedom is presented to us by
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D.
A special thank you goes to one of our subscribers. Carolyn
told me about a couple of great little programs and you can find
them under 'Hot Tips'.
Have a great day {FIRSTNAME} and keep on smiling.
Lois M. Jeary
Publisher, KIT and KIT Klassifieds
mailto:lois@home4success.com
<a href="lois@home4success.com"> AOL Click Here</a>
http://www.home4success.com
<a href="http://www.home4success.com"> AOL Click here</a>
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Feature Article
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The One Vital Web Design Element That Virtually No One
Is Telling You About
by Doug Parr (c) 2002
http://www.smallbiz2000.com
You've probably seen articles that cover the "Top Ten Web Design
Mistakes" or something to that effect. They all seem to say the
same things, don't they? No animation, keep the appearance
professional, use easy navigation, and so on. You've done
everything those articles told you to do, but your site still
isn't making the progress you'd like. What's wrong?
You know, out of all the ebooks I've seen - and all the articles
on Web design I've read - one thing is rarely mentioned. You
would think, since this element is absolutely vital to any Web
site's success, that it would be the talk of the town. That one
vital element is... your customer.
Before you read another article or ebook on Web site design,
consider these facts:
* Your customer is the reason you are in business.
* Your customer pays your bills.
* Your Web site should be specifically and intentionally designed
to meet your customer's every need.
* In order to design your site to meet his/her needs, you must
first know who your customer is.
Once you discover who your perfect customer is, and what needs
he/she is looking to you to fill, you can apply all those other
techniques in the "Top Ten Web Design Mistakes" articles with
great success. But the questions remain - "Who is your target
customer" and "What does he/she want from you"?
It's simple really. Just ask a few questions like:
* What types of customers visit my site?
* What is the common denominator of all these site visitors?
* What brings them to the point of needing my products/services?
* What problems do my products/services solve for my visitors?
The answers to all these questions will reveal an amazing
portrait of your customers, of what they want, and of how you
can supply what they need.
When you implement your design, or make changes to your existing
design, do EVERYTHING with your target customer in mind. Does
your site design need to be "fun" or "business-like"? That
depends on whether your visitors are looking to fill a need for
entertainment or professional services. Should you use vibrant
pink and lime green shades, or muted blues and grays? Senior
citizens would most likely shy away from "fad-ish" colors, but
teenagers wouldn't get very excited over dark, drab tones. See?
It all depends on your customer. Every decision you make about
your Web site design should focus on and revolve around one
thing... your customer.
Now, rather than repeat what thousands of other authors have
written, I'll just ask that you go back and read those "Top Ten
Web Design Mistakes" articles once more. But... this time,
apply their advice with your perfect site visitor in mind.
You'll be simply amazed at the results you'll get once your
focus is clearly set on the primary person involved... your
customer.
______________________
Doug Parr is an Internet marketer who specializes in helping
average people make exceptional incomes online. At SmallBiz2000
you'll find the most reliable and "growth-oriented" products and
services on the Web. Check out the new Web Design Success Pack
including customer-focused site design, copywriting, AND online
business consultation. http://www.smallbiz2000.com
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Product Review
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None this week.
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Inspiration
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If you don't like something change it. If you can't
change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.
Maya Angelou, Author
~~~~~~~~~~
Life does not consist mainly, or even largely, of facts and
happenings. It consists mainly of the storm of thought that is
forever flowing through one's head.
Mark Twain
~~~~~~~~~~
Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to
be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new
things and to move forward with your life.
Dr. David Burns, Psychiatrist and Author
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Special Feature
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Learn the Language of Financial Freedom
Feeling trapped by lack of funds? We can learn from those
who live comfortably and retire early. They speak a
different language from those who are stuck in a scarcity
process.
1. Banish the word "expensive" from your vocabulary.
Replace with, "That's not a priority for me."
"Expensive" is relative.
In my town, a group of people get together every day
for coffee and conversation. My neighbor, Jane, refuses
to participate
"Two dollars for a cup of coffee? " she sniffs.
"Expensive!"
When you work at home, you need a break and you want to
talk to other like-minded people. The value of coffee is
table rent and support. We want to keep the café open so
we'll have a place to hang out.
My friend "Laura" used to get her nails done every week
while she was unemployed and broke and had no interviews
lined up. Impractical? Frivolous? Expensive?
For Laura, manicures were a symbol of where she had been and
where she will be in the future.
She spent money for her priority with no regrets.
2. Banish the sentence "I can't afford it."
Replace with, "That's on my wish list."
Adding an item to your official wish list makes a statement.
Do you really want a new car, kitchen set or vacation? Or do
you realize you already have what you "can't afford?"
Looking around my eclectic collection of living room
furniture, I can dream of spending lavishly for designer
furniture, ceramic artwork and crystal lamps. I also know
these items will never appear on my wish list.
Even the best-mannered cat will deposit an occasional
surprise on the couch, and the dog's exuberant personality
can leave a trail of broken glass. Regardless of politics,
many of us empathized when the wife of newly-elected
Governor Jeb Bush admitted," When you have pets you can't
have an elegant home."
Saying "can't afford" puts you in a one-down position.
Creating a wish list generates abundance and clarifies
values. I'd put "three cats and two dogs" on my wish -- but
not "designer furniture."
3. Forbid all talk about what you don't have.
Replace with appreciation for what you enjoy now.
Hortensia complains about her lack of money . True, her
salary is not high by any standards -- but her job offers
security, generous vacation time, and excellent retirement
benefits. Her location allows her to hike in the woods and
fish in the lakes.
An image of abundance will enhance your strengths. Most of
us have more than we realize -- in real as well as abstract
terms. I encourage clients to meet with a financial
planner, especially if they're facing experiencing career
transition. Often a professional review helps people
realize they're better off than they realized.
Bottom Line
Talking your way to financial freedom -- simple? Yes, but
effective. Try these steps for a week and notice a
difference -- first in your thoughts, soon in your life.
------------------------------------------------------
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career coach.
She works with midlife professionals who seek greater freedom in
their work and life. Free Career Freedom ezine:
http://www.movinglady.com/subscribe.html .
Find more articles and resources on http://www.movinglady.com .
Phone: 505-534-4194 Email: cathy@movinglady.com
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Hot Tip
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Hilitext is a free text highlighting software, which instantly
highlights all occurrences of specific words, phrases etc. in
your web pages, e-mail messages and/or other documents at your
request. It helps you seek information more quickly and hence
saves you a lot of valuable searching time.
http://download.com.com/3000-2366-5579460.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Carolyn sent us these two:
Color Picker
Have you ever tried using a color picker on a high resolution
monitor? It's impossible. That's why the Color Picker has a
magnifier attached. You control it from the keyboard and can
grab up to 8 colors at a time. This one is a real gem.
http://www.iconico/colorpic/
Screen Calipers
This is a unique, on-screen measurement tool. The Screen
Calipers can be used with any program where fast and accurate
measurements are required. You'll be pixel perfect, every
time.
http://iconico/caliper/
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Ezine ADventure
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What's more, there's no need for you to fear "flames"
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Place your FREE ad now!
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An EzineADventure AD. Click Below - Get Your FREE Ads NOW!
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Reader's Corner
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I found this message in another ezine and thought it was cute:
You know you're getting old, when you don't care where your
spouse goes, just as long as you don't have to go along.
~~~~~~~~~~
hi Lois , just a short note to let you know that I really liked
the Extra Special article in 8/5 news....7 secrets/ lucky
people....really got me thinking....that was a real goodie,
Thanks!, ...Lori (last name withheld)
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Lois,
Twice within the past two weeks, I've opened
my email, and was shocked. Staring at me
were emails FROM me TO me soliciting porn!!!
I called my ISP. They said they'd had many
calls from people having the same problem.
I detest receiving all those porn emails. And
especially when it's got ME as the sender!
If an adult signs up for it, fine. I believe in
freedom of speech. But it's getting so out of
control spam-wise. And children should not
be exposed to it.
Mary Holzrichter
~~~~~~~~~~
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Reminder: One ad/per subscriber - First 20 are in
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If you need help to format an ad, please use this great little
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Have You Read?
*~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~*
Success Steps
A publication of Success Synergies
Personal & Business Coaching
http://www.success-synergies.com
2 FREE Coaching Sessions are yours - just tell Monty that Lois
sent you. Take advantage of this offer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YOUR success IS my business!
http://start-smartz.com or
mailto:webmistress@start-smartz.com?subject=subscribe_KIT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Sizzling Edge
Turning chance into your richest resource. Published
by Charles Burke, the author of Command More Luck and
Inside The Minds of Winners.
Subscribe: mailto:sizzling-on@sizzlingedge.com
***Send for your FREE 20-Day Bootcamp - Beyond Luck***
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<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>
KIT Memberships include:
~ Honorary membership in C.O.B.R.A.
Council of Online Business Relations Advocates
http://www.scaminator.com/cobra/directory.htm
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Disclaimer
*~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~*
All advertising in KIT is accepted in good faith and is offered
as a service to our readers. Publication of the ad should not
be construed as an endorsement of the product, business
opportunity or service being offered. Please refer to the
contact details in the ad for more information about product
or service offered. Use due diligence for all offers.
Free At Last Enterprises reserves the right to exclude any ad
pertaining to hate, race, discrimination or deemed inappropriate
for all readers.
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Keeping in Touch With My Online Family is published by:
Free At Last Enterprises
Lois M. Jeary, Publisher
P. O. Box 88, Elie, Manitoba R0H 0H0 Canada
Phone: (204) 353-4096
Fax: (204) 353-2248
E-Mail: mailto:lois@home4success.com
Website: http://www.home4success.com
<a href="http://www.home4success.com"> AOL Click Here
</a>
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