Aaronz WebWorkz Weekly Newsletter

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Aaronz WebWorkz Weekly E-Zine
A Weekly Newsletter of Hints, Ideas, and Resources for
Friends and Customers of www.AaronzWebWorkz.com
Issue #134 June 25, 2004
Aaron Turpen, Editor, aaron@aaronzwebworkz.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to your next issue of the
Aaronz WebWorkz E-Zine. You are receiving this newsletter
because you requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instruct-
ions are at the end of this newsletter. Back-issues are
available online at: http://www.AaronzWebWorkz.com
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Feature Article:
Organization Tips That Add More Hours To Your Day
=> From The Webmaster
=> Readers Talk Back!
=> Guest Column:
The True Cost of Self-Employment
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
=> Copyright and Reprint information
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information


------------------------------------------------------------
Organization Tips That Add More Hours To Your Day
Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes
Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful)
Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business
Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane

Editor's Comments: Great article on keeping organized -
something all of us can learn to do. :)
------------------------------------------------------------

One of the most common complaints that small business owners
have is lack of time. What most don't realize, however is
that their lack of time stems from a lack of organization.
But with a few simple tips - that you can implement
immediately - you can literally add hours to your day.

--- Putting Things In Their Place

First and foremost, you should live by the motto, "A place
for everything and everything in its place". When you are
finished with a piece of paper, a brochure or any other
physical document - file it. What usually happens is that
you finish using a piece of paper, "temporarily" put it in
a stack and then have to spend two hours cleaning up after
yourself once a week. Or, you may leave it in a stack and
spend two hours a day digging through the mess to find what
you need.

Create a filing system that works for you personally and
then use it! Perhaps you'd like a filing cabinet? There are
also expandable folders and numerous other filing systems.
Choose the one you like, create a folder for it and put it
where you can find it again if need be.

--- I'll Be Right There

How many times a day do you say (or think) that? Especially
if you work from home, you probably have plenty of
interruptions that take valuable time out of your day. If
you're a work-at-home parent with young children, it may be
a bit more difficult to end interruptions all together, but
these tips will help.

1. Set "office hours". As much as possible, let your family
know that between 8am and 11am, you'll be working. Then
again from 1pm until 6pm you'll be "in your office".
(Or whatever hours work best for you.)

2. Ignore your email. Well, partially, anyway. Unless
you're expecting some urgent message, don't stop what
you're going to run check your messages each time you hear
the "bell" ring. Decide on the time frame that works best
for you and then check your email at certain times during
the day. (Perhaps every three hours or so.) During the rest
of your work time, turn your email software off so you can
resist the temptation to check each message as it arrives.

3. Screen your calls. These days most people have voice
mail or an answering machine. Unless you're expecting a
call, let the machine get it. Just as with your email
schedule, you can set aside time during the day to return
calls. This is a great way to avoid telemarketers, too!

--- Automate and Delegate

When those routine tasks start taking up valuable money
making time in your schedule, it's time to either automate
or delegate.

It's all a matter of how you use your time - make money or
waste money. You can earn money each hour by performing
work or you can waste money by doing every little thing
yourself. There are several options you can look into in
this area.

Software - There is software available today that will do
practically everything! GoldMine or ACT can automate almost
all of your contact information, e-mailings, prospect
follow-ups, appointments and much, MUCH more. Outlook is an
exceptional 'Day Timer' type tool that can help with
scheduling as well as email. SystemWorks can automatically
maintain your computer's "inner workings" and automatically
update your virus protection. There's a program to do
practically anything you need.

Assistance - I know the first thing most small business
owners scream is "I can't afford an assistant"! Maybe not
one that comes to your home and spends eight hours a day
with you, but you CAN afford a virtual assistant, a college
or a high school student.

A virtual assistant is someone who handles projects or
duties for you "virtually" from their computer. Perhaps you
need to have a report proofread. Just email it to him/her
and, once it's done, they'll email it back to you. Virtual
Assistants can also schedule appointments, follow up with
clients, return routine email inquiries and perform
numerous other tasks.

You can also check with the career development or job
placement offices of local high schools and colleges. They
often have students who are willing to work in exchange for
a small fee or for the experience itself.

Whatever you do - make the most of your time. Being
unorganized not only wastes hours of your day that you
could be making money, but it also is a tremendous stress
producer. Getting your office, your schedule and your day
in order can make for a much more fulfilling and profitable
business.

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From The Webmaster
by Aaron Turpen, Editor
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Holy cow, have I been busy this week!

My main accomplishment has been the completion of my latest
ebook: "The eBay PowerSeller's Book of Knowledge."

This book covers everything I've learned about selling at
online auction - especially on eBay - over the past three
years.

I've had a lot of people approach me asking whether I had a
comprehensive guide in article, ebook, white paper, etc.
form to show them things about eBay. The best I could do
was point them to back-issues of my newsletters.

Not any more!

You can get your copy of this book today for only $10 by
going to this special pre-release page for the book:

http://www.AaronzWebWorkz.com/ebaybook.shtml

The official release date for this book is July 1, but you
can get your special pre-production copy by ordering at the
above link. It's available on CD-ROM as well!

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Readers Talk Back!
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"Thank you for the story on overcoming obstacles of being
new in business. I just started my business three weeks ago
and have been facing up to the fact that there are much more
established businesses already doing what I do. That article
had some good info for me and has already begun to pay off
for me."
--Kyla E.

Editor: Thanks, Kyla, and congratulations on starting your
own business! Good luck!

"downloaded your ebooks last night and have read through the
'marketing online' book. i am very impressed. nice work and
thank you for doing so!"
--Ramon D.

Editor: Thanks, Ramon! For those of you interested in the
free ebook library at Aaronz WebWorkz, go to:
http://www.AaronzWebWorkz.com/ebooks.shtml

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If you would like to send a comment or letter to the editor
for inclusion in this newsletter, please address it to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject=TalkBack!.
All are welcome to give their opinion, criticism, or kudos!

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The True Cost of Self-Employment
by Kenny Herbold
http://work-at-home-jobs-missouri.com
Kenny Herbold is a benefit plan consultant and
internet entrepreneur. To find out about THE single
best program to truly Be Your Own Boss visit
http://www.work-at-home-jobs-missouri.com. To help
calculate the real cost of leaving your job behind
visit http://www.BenefitInfoPage.com

Editor's Comments: Many people who become self-employed do
so without considering many of these hidden costs...I know I
did! So read on...
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Do you think you are ready to make that leap to full self-
employment? The profit from your part-time (up till now :-)
business is matching or exceeding your regular paycheck, so
you think it’s time to fire your boss and make do without
that paycheck. Before you take that final step to personal
freedom, make sure you truly understand what you are giving
up. Your employer paid benefits may cost you more than you
realize. For many people it will take more than $40,000 of
profit per year to replace a $40,000 annual salary.

When I talk about your employer paid benefits I’m not
referring to the “free” office supplies, subsidized soft
drinks, or even the occasional free meal at the holiday
party. The items that you need to consider are the benefits
that are going to cost you the most money. Although if you
really like soda I guess you might want to include this too!
According to a survey published by the US Chamber of
Commerce in January 2004, employer paid benefits averaged
42% of an employees salary in 2002. That means you need an
additional 35 – 45% more than your current salary to make up
for these lost benefits.

If this number shocks you, then let’s take a look at some of
the typical benefits employers provide. Again, based on the
US Chamber of Commerce's survey medical insurance cost
approximately 15% of an employee's salary. However,
employers also cover the cost of many other forms of
insurance. They include

# Disability,
# Dental,
# Vision,
# Life,
# Unemployment,
# Long Term Care Insurance, and
# Workers Compensation

You might be thinking that you pay premiums for these
products already. Even if you do, your employer is most
likely paying the lion’s share of the cost. Not to mention
that many times the premiums you are paying are using pre-
tax dollars. This means you end up paying less in taxes
because the amount of your premium is deducted prior to
calculating your taxable income.

When you own a home-based not only are are you going to be
responsible for the full cost of all forms of insurance
using after-tax dollars, you are going to be responsible for
self-employment taxes. Self-employment taxes include the
employer paid portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes.
This means your bill for these taxes are going to double.
Instead of paying 7.65% of your income for these, you will
now pay 15.30%. And don’t forget about having to pay
estimated taxes. You will have to file and pay taxes 4 times
a year now, instead of just once. Not only do your taxes
increase so do the headaches and the cost of filing!

The second highest benefit cost is your retirement benefits.
Your employer’s 401(k) match guarantees an immediate return
of up to 100% on your money, depending on how much your
company will match and how much you contribute. If your
company has a defined benefit pension plan, you are losing
a guaranteed income in retirement. You are also taking on
the additional risk because you are 100% responsible for
investing the money to replace it.

These are only a few of the largest items that make up the
30 – 40% of your salary that will become your responsibility
when you become self-employed. Your company might be paying
for many other perks also. Some other things you might want
to consider are

# company car (this includes gas and maintenance),
# annual or performance bonuses,
# professional training or expenses(including professional
journal or society dues),
# software licenses that let you use programs like Microsoft
Office programs on your home computer,
# vacation pay (that’s right, you no longer get paid when
you take days off)

All of these, and any others you might be able to think of
will needed to be included in the total cost of becoming
self-employed.

I hope you don’t think I’m trying to discourage you from
finally being able to become your own boss. I just know that
the excitement of finally making this move can make us
forget about some of the “extras” we are receiving. You are
considering a very serious change and need to make sure that
the benefits are going to outweigh ALL of the costs.

------------------------------------------------------------
If you wish to send your own articles to be reviewed for
inclusion in this publication, please send them to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com.
------------------------------------------------------------
Except where noted, this publication and all of its
contents are copyright (C)2004 by Aaronz WebWorkz, all
rights are reserved. To reprint an article, send an email
to mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com for permission.
------------------------------------------------------------
List Maintenance:
To subscribe
[http://www.aaronzwebworkz.com]

To unsubscribe
[{UNSUBSCRIBE_LINK}]

This newsletter is produced by Aaronz WebWorkz, a complete
online services provider. To view information or to see
back issues of this publication, please go online to:
www.AaronzWebWorkz.com. Please direct all comments or
questions to the editor
(mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com).

------------------------------------------------------------
Aaronz WebWorkz Weekly E-Zine
A Weekly Newsletter of Hints, Ideas, and Resources for
Friends and Customers of www.AaronzWebWorkz.com
Issue #133 June 18, 2004
Aaron Turpen, Editor, aaron@aaronzwebworkz.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to your next issue of the
Aaronz WebWorkz E-Zine. You are receiving this newsletter
because you requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instruct-
ions are at the end of this newsletter. Back-issues are
available online at: http://www.AaronzWebWorkz.com
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Feature Article:
How To Overcome The Obstacles Of Being New In
Business
=> From The Webmaster
=> Readers Talk Back!
=> Guest Column:
The SKINNY on Radio Advertising
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
=> Copyright and Reprint information
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information


------------------------------------------------------------
How To Overcome The Obstacles Of Being New In Business
*written by Joe Bingham of NetPlayNewsletters.com
I've literally driven 1000s upon 1000s of people to my web
at no cost by simply promoting articles like the one you see
here to other ezines. Now I'm making MY articles available
for YOUR use. I write them. You use them for YOUR
promotion. See how at:
http://www.netplaynewsletters.com/auctionintro.html

Editor's Comments: One of our old favorites, Joe, is back!
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Getting started with your own business is difficult. There
will be many people try to tell you how easy it is, but
don't believe them, it's not.

By your own business, I do not mean affiliate programs, at
least not for this article. Affiliate programs, while they
are great ways to learn, and can make money, will never
really be your own business. You can make your own business
around being in other's affiliate programs, but that's
different.

With your own business, however, there are some difficult
things you need to overcome.

For instance, one of the best ways to convince potential
customers to buy is with the power of your previous
customer's testimonials. Well, testimonials are pretty hard
to come by when your brand new.

As an alternative to using testimonials from your customers,
instead use quotes from notable people that testify to the
usefulness of your product or business. It doesn't have to
be specific to you in order to be a personal recommendation.

Another problem is often people will ask about your
experience, preferring to work with or join under those who
have been around a while and have shown some proven results.
This is also difficult to overcome.

However, you can turn the focus away from experience, if you
lack it, by promoting your other qualities. Show what
education you have, or talk about the support your upline
offers and their experience. Relate how your experience
elsewhere transfers into what you are doing now.

Then, if it comes right down to it, suggest that while you
don't have the experience of others, you do have plans for
the future, are pursuing more education, and have a positive
belief in what you are doing. Show that you plan on being
around for the long haul and that you love what you are
doing. Positive energy can be contagious. Use this to
replace your lack of experience.

Naturally, you must actually have that attitude and plans
for the future. Whatever you do, always be honest with your
intentions.

Focus as much as you can on what you do offer, and stay out
of a defensive posture. If you have a great product, flaunt
it. Really promote the positive features or benefits of your
business and people will not tend to notice your 'newness'.

Often when you are starting out, you also end up making
several changes as you go along. If not handled correctly,
this may leave the impression that you don't know what you
are doing and are floundering around looking for a better
way.

At times, this may even be true. However, never let that
show. If you need to make changes, promote the benefits of
the new change. Explain that you are doing it to improve
what your customers get from your site, product, ezine,
service, or whatever. If you show that you are working for
them, to provide more to them, they'll give you the time to
perfect things.

Another crucial aspect to overcoming the challenges of being
new in business is to continually seek learning and
experience for yourself. People are right, experience is a
good thing. While there is nothing wrong with being new,
you'll want to get through it as fast as you can.

Ask for and collect feedback about your business. Take care
of problems immediately and show your customers you care
about serving them. Push yourself to provide the best you
can for your customers and you'll soon find them accusing
you of being a guru.

Remember, there are a lot of other newbies around as well.
Even though you don't know as much as those you look up to,
there are still others greener than you are that will ask
you for advice.

The main key to starting any new business is simple.
Perseverance.

Don't give up if you've got a good concept. It does take
awhile to become recognized and build a solid reputation.
Your business is an investment in the future. Build it
carefully.

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From The Webmaster
by Aaron Turpen, Editor
------------------------------------------------------------

Forgive me if I'm a little quiet this week, it's been a busy
week, it's late, and I'm tired. :)

This has been one of those weeks that just makes you feel
like you're a chicken with its head cut off running around
all over the place trying to get something done.

Oi. I'm going to take a nap. :)

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Readers Talk Back!
------------------------------------------------------------

"I received three copies of your newsletter this week.
(It's a great issue, but...)"
--Roy Troxel ( http://www.webservertimes.com )

Editor: Hi, Roy. You're one of several who sent me similar
notes this week. I thought I'd pick on you with my response
here. :)

Sorry about that, folks. I got several errors when the
newsletter was first sent out last Friday and thought it had
not been sent, so I sent it again. Somehow that resulted in
it sending TWO more times instead of just once. Woops.

------------------------------------------------------------
If you would like to send a comment or letter to the editor
for inclusion in this newsletter, please address it to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject=TalkBack!.
All are welcome to give their opinion, criticism, or kudos!

------------------------------------------------------------
The SKINNY on Radio Advertising
more about advertising from BIG Mike McDaniel
©2004 BIG Mike McDaniel, Professional Speaker, spent 40
years in radio sales, management and ownership. His BIG
Ideas Group helps small business grow with consulting,
seminars, resource guides and sales training. visit
http://BIGIdeasGroup.com
MailTo:Mike@BIGIdeasGroup.com
Subscribe to "BIG Mike's BIG Ideas" Newsletter
MailTo:subscribe-956603364@ezinedirector.net

Editor's Comments: Great information here.
------------------------------------------------------------

From meager beginnings in 1920, radio has grown with us to
be a major player in advertising. The radio industry says
they get about 8 percent of all advertising bucks. Not bad
when you consider the many ways to hawk your service or
product.

They get their fair share because radio works. With over
twelve THOUSAND radio stations in the country, the music and
news they broadcast is everywhere.

Radio is the mobile medium. Few cars have TV’s up front, and
few drivers can read the New York Times while driving
(safely). The advertising on radio targets you passively.
You don't have to be looking at it or reading it to get the
message.

Radio’s strength is drive time. The times of the day when
most people are in their cars driving to and from work. You
can sound like a pro when you call ‘em AMD and PMD.

AMD is morning (AM) drive time, typically 6 to 10am. AMD is
traditionally the most expensive radio time because that’s
when more people listen.

PMD is afternoon (PM) drive and is considered to be 4 to 7pm.

Other radio slots are DAY which represents 10a to 4p period
and EVE, 7 to midnight.

Most radio stations offer two ways to buy ads. Specific
placement (I want to be in the Roscoe Billy Bob Show) and
ROS (Run of Station) a formula that spreads your
announcments into all dayparts, including late night and
overnight. Of course there are specials and sponsorships,
too.

Here are my tips for buying radio ads

+ Always use 30 second ads. If you can say the whole Lord's
Prayer in 20 seconds, 30 is enough for your business (no
matter what the media person says).

+ Buy advertising on the stations that reach your target
customers, not the ones you like. Just because you listen
doesn't mean everyone does (especially if you like
Classical Music).

+ Buy ads on two or more stations if possible. Few markets
have one radio station so dominant that it reaches all the
listeners.

+ Buy one week on one station, the next week on the other,
back and fourth. Limit your buy to 4 weeks in any month, two
on each station. 48 weeks per year gets thew same impact of
52 and saves 4.

+ Buy at least 12 ads a week (18 on each if you can afford
it) and advertise every other month.

+ Insist on no overnight or evening ads. Ask for a package
that puts you in AMD and PMD at a discount. Like the news-
paper inches committment, you are talking about over 400 ads
per year per station.

For more about radio get my article "Do Your Radio Ads
Work?" Send a blank eMail to
MailTo:RadioAds@BigIdeasGroup.com

Remember the media salesperson is interested in selling ads,
not improving your business. It is up to you to be the
expert and make the informed decisions.

------------------------------------------------------------
If you wish to send your own articles to be reviewed for
inclusion in this publication, please send them to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com.
------------------------------------------------------------
Except where noted, this publication and all of its
contents are copyright (C)2004 by Aaronz WebWorkz, all
rights are reserved. To reprint an article, send an email
to mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com for permission.
------------------------------------------------------------
List Maintenance:
To subscribe
[http://www.aaronzwebworkz.com]

To unsubscribe
[{UNSUBSCRIBE_LINK}]

This newsletter is produced by Aaronz WebWorkz, a complete
online services provider. To view information or to see
back issues of this publication, please go online to:
www.AaronzWebWorkz.com. Please direct all comments or
questions to the editor
(mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com).

------------------------------------------------------------
Aaronz WebWorkz Weekly E-Zine
A Weekly Newsletter of Hints, Ideas, and Resources for
Friends and Customers of www.AaronzWebWorkz.com
Issue #132 June 11, 2004
Aaron Turpen, Editor, aaron@aaronzwebworkz.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to your next issue of the
Aaronz WebWorkz E-Zine. You are receiving this newsletter
because you requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instruct-
ions are at the end of this newsletter. Back-issues are
available online at: http://www.AaronzWebWorkz.com
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Feature Article:
A Day In The Life of a Junk Man, Part II
=> From The Webmaster
=> Readers Talk Back!
=> Guest Column:
Spring Cleaning for your Computer
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
=> Copyright and Reprint information
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information


------------------------------------------------------------
A Day In The Life of a Junk Man, Part II
by Aaron Turpen of Aaronz WebWorkz

Editor's Comments: Here is part two of the story of my
adventures with Dale, the junk man. Amazing income
opportunities are out there if you look for 'em!
------------------------------------------------------------

So, to recap from last week...we're stuck with a trailer
with a flat tire that has a hole in it the size of a quarter
in the side wall. We have no lug wrench to fit it, no spare
tire, and we have to get it ten miles in less than fifty
minutes...

We discuss our less-than-ideal circumstances and conclude
that our only choice is to take the chance and try to slowly
tool up side-roads until we can get to the yard and hope-
fully the tire will hold out.

It didn't.

Our plan seems to be working flawlessly as Dale slowly eeks
the truck along and I keep an eye out for any lucky spare
tires that might appear on the side of the road. Dale
updates me with news from his rear-view...

"No cops. The hole is about four inches wide now..."

"Six inches - hell, it's ripped through that whole side of
the tire!"

"I can't believe it's holding out this long...half the tire
is torn on the sidewall..."

Finally, the trailer "bounces" and the tire gives. Luckily,
Dale's speed is only about ten miles an hour and he quickly
slows. We pull off the road and park in front of someone's
house and get out.

The tire is shredded. The wheel hasn't actually touched the
ground, though, so it could be worse. Without thinking, we
both mention the used tire shop we just passed not a block
ago. We unhitch the trailer and drive over there.

My eyeball tells me (I worked at a wrecking yard for a year
while in college) that the wheel is a Chevrolet 5-lug
pattern: mid-sized car or mini-van.

Dale approaches the owner of the used tire shop and asks him
about a spare, giving an idea what we need. I see that most
of the tires in the place are not on wheels (meaning we'll
have to wait for them to be mounted, eating up precious
time). I also note a rack which has several spare tires on
rims (the "donut spares" that come with most late-model
vehicles) and that one right on the front is labeled
"Lumina" in junkyard grease paint.

In the back of Dale's truck is another tire we'd picked up
earlier to sell as a spare...I quickly formulate a plan.

I walk over to Dale and interrupt his haggling with the
owner as they try to determine just what it is Dale needs.
He's managed to get a star wrench (four-way tire iron) on
loan for a $10 security deposit. I mention the spare on
the rack and that we have the used tire for sale on the
back of the truck. Dale quickly warms up to it and shows
the owner what we've got and begins haggling anew.

We buy the "donut" spare for $10 and the owner gives us a
$4 credit for the used tire, so we're now $6 in for the
spare plus the $10 deposit we'll come and get back later.

Our total expenses so far...$6 for Fix-a-Flat, $6 for the
spare, and $10 deposit for the wrench.

We grab the spare, jump in the truck, and high tail it
back to our trailer up the block.

On arrival, we re-enact a scene from any episode of The
Dukes of Hazard and change the spare and hitch up the
trailer fast enough to make any NASCAR team envious.

Now we haul buttocks for the junk yard, with less than half
an hour left before closing time!

We make it with fifteen minutes to spare!

Dale quickly unhitches the trailer and I begin unhooking the
straps from the load on the back of the truck. We remove
the "new spare" from the trailer, remove the brand new yoke
that had been put on the trailer recently, and unloaded the
truck.

Dale quickly cashes in as I roll up the tie-downs, stow some
of the extras we collected, etc. We head for the used tire
shop to return the wrench and get the $10 back and see if
the guy will buy back his spare. He agrees to take it,
reluctantly, for $5.

So...we rented a used spare tire for $1 ($6 purchase minus
$5 buyback), bought a can of Fix-a-Flat for $6, spent 50
cents on the air pump at the gas station, and $6.50 in
gasoline for Dale's truck. Our payoff at the yard was about
$74 (ferrous metals were at $68/ton).

So our profit is $60!

Now considering that our adventures were, according to Dale,
in no way the norm and we still managed to bring in $60 in
about four hours' time, that can't be complained about.
Especially when you consider that Dale does this daily,
alone, and can usually get 2 loads a day. When metals
prices are high, he can easily clear $300 in a singele day's
work...and it's all cash and pays DAILY, not "every so
often."

If you can't see that I'm jealous of this, you're not
reading between the lines here.

In my profession (online consulting and web development), I
am lucky if a client pays me within 30 days of the work
performed. Many times, I have to chase clients down for the
money they owe. Sure, I get deposits up front, but those
are usually eaten up very quickly and the client's account
begins to go into the red.

So yep, I'm jealous of Dale the junk man. We both work hard
for our living, but he has the satisfaction of getting the
payoff for his work immediately. I generally don't. I can
honestly say that if I had a larger pickup truck to handle a
load worth bothering with, I'd be doing what Dale does on at
least a part-time basis and would be tempted to scrap my
current profession altogether!

So here's to alternative income makers and their ingenuity
for finding unusual ways to make money!

------------------------------------------------------------
From The Webmaster
by Aaron Turpen, Editor
------------------------------------------------------------

Yet another week goes by as we continue on our quest thorugh
life. :)

I'm working on a new website which will debut on Monday and
my truck is going to be a parade float this Sunday. Fun!

The articles archives for Aaronz WebWorkz are coming along,
but slowly. I had no idea I'd been this prolific over the
past few years! Holy cow!

I've been skimming each article as I convert it for display
on the Web and eliminating those articles which are out-
dated or obsolete. Some of them I may revisit soon, so
watch out!

------------------------------------------------------------
Readers Talk Back!
------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey, great story about the junk trade! my cousin does that
for a living and has a big yard with lots of neat stuff in
it. Once in a while i pick something up adn resell it on
ebay."
--Derek P.

Editor: Thanks, Derek! Hope you like the conclusion. :)

"i see these people come take stuff out of the dumpster
behind my building and fill their pickups with all kinds
of things. i had no idea there was any kind of money in it!"
--Wes T.

"I am amazed that there really is money in picking up junk
and selling it for recycling. Wow! Just more proof that
there is oney to be made all over the place!"
--Daryl O.

Editor: I've noticed that only men were interested in this
article/idea. Wonder why that is?

"Great article on the marketing tips."
--Maureen

------------------------------------------------------------
If you would like to send a comment or letter to the editor
for inclusion in this newsletter, please address it to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject=TalkBack!.
All are welcome to give their opinion, criticism, or kudos!

------------------------------------------------------------
Spring Cleaning for your Computer
©2004 BIG Mike McDaniel, Professional Speaker and
Former Major Market TV News Anchor. The BIG Ideas
Group helps small business grow with mastermind
groups, seminars and sales training.
MailTo:Mike@BIGIdeasGroup.com
http://BIGIdeasGroup.com

Subscribe to "BIG Mike's BIG Ideas" Newsletter
MailTo:subscribe-956603364@ezinedirector.net

Editor's Comments: A little late for Spring, but a good bit
of information nonetheless.
------------------------------------------------------------

At least once a year, better twice, take a few minutes to
clean your computer. Inside and out.

First, make a backup of every possible data file. No need to
backup programs if you have the original disks. If you
downloaded programs, you should have the original download
(before installation) saved on a disk or burned on a CD.

This step is here becase most folks don't do backups. The
day will come (so many us us know the feeling) when it goes
KaPow! and you realize how long ago or incomplete the backs
were. Backups are a tough habit to build, so much time
sitting in front of the monitor with a creeping blue line.

On to spring cleaning
Dust can kill your computer, and with it, valuable
information you thought you had backed up.

At least twice a year clean your drives with an inexpensive
cleaning kit. Vacuum any dirt off your cooling fan in the
back. Clean the keyboard with a new paintbrush, get the gook
out from between the keys. Clean the monitor screen as per
directions in the monitor book.

While you are at it, reorganize your hard drive for greater
efficiency. Run De-Frag. Search for files that haven’t been
modified in the last six months or year. If they’re not
being used, get them off your hard drive.

Put this project on a schedule and do it at time change
month each year. That’s April and October.

------------------------------------------------------------
If you wish to send your own articles to be reviewed for
inclusion in this publication, please send them to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com.
------------------------------------------------------------
Except where noted, this publication and all of its
contents are copyright (C)2004 by Aaronz WebWorkz, all
rights are reserved. To reprint an article, send an email
to mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com for permission.
------------------------------------------------------------
List Maintenance:
To subscribe
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To unsubscribe
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This newsletter is produced by Aaronz WebWorkz, a complete
online services provider. To view information or to see
back issues of this publication, please go online to:
www.AaronzWebWorkz.com. Please direct all comments or
questions to the editor
(mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com).

------------------------------------------------------------
Aaronz WebWorkz Weekly E-Zine
A Weekly Newsletter of Hints, Ideas, and Resources for
Friends and Customers of www.AaronzWebWorkz.com
Issue #131 June 04, 2004
Aaron Turpen, Editor, aaron@aaronzwebworkz.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to your next issue of the
Aaronz WebWorkz E-Zine. You are receiving this newsletter
because you requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instruct-
ions are at the end of this newsletter. Back-issues are
available online at: http://www.AaronzWebWorkz.com
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Feature Article:
A Day In The Life of a Junk Man
=> From The Webmaster
=> Readers Talk Back!
=> Guest Column:
11 Powerful Marketing Tips
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
=> Copyright and Reprint information
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information


------------------------------------------------------------
A Day In The Life of a Junk Man
by Aaron Turpen of Aaronz WebWorkz

Editor's Comments: This is a deviation from the business-
related articles I normally do. However, I find it very
refreshing to see some of the little-known alternatives to
income that are avaialble. Keeps the mind fresh with ideas!
------------------------------------------------------------

A good friend of mine, Dale, is a "junk man." To properly
describe his job, however, I believe the title "Metallurgic
Recycling Engineer" is better suited.

Basically Dale makes money by driving around town in his
truck picking up metal objects of various description and
taking the load down to a recycling yard. The metal is
purchased by the pound, the price depending on current
market trends and what type of metal it is (stainless steel,
copper, etc. are worth more, for instance, than iron-based
metals).

This week, I had the opportunity to ride with him and see
what it is he does for a living. I've seen his truck loaded
for bear with what he terms "ignorant loads" before. Seeing
a red Dodge pickup truck stacked with metal at twice the
height of the truck itself is a thing to witness.

So we started out. First, we went to the yard to unload the
stuff he'd picked up the afternoon and night before (after
the yard was closed).

A junk yard of this caliber is something to see. This isn't
an auto wrecking yard, but a facility purely for the
collection and shredding of metal objects before sending
them to another plant to be melted down and made into new
metal objects.

There are huge cranes: some with claws for "snipping" things
into smaller pieces, some with large magnets for moving
metal around, and others with three-fingered clasps for
picking up and moving non-magnetic metals around. In
addition, there are front-end loaders, dump trucks, and
more.

When you enter the yard, you first pull onto a giant scale
which weighs your truck and its contents. You then enter
the yard and unload. Usually you can get one of the crane
operators to bring a magnet over and pull the stuff out -
saving you a lot of effort unloading it by hand. You then
drive back over the scale, are re-weighed, and the
difference between your final weight and your beginning
weight is the weight of the metal scrapped.

The best thing about Dale's profession is that the payoff is
immediate. Pulling off the scale, you park and go inside
their little office where they give you a receipt for the
metal recycled and money. Instant payoff…

So, first load off, we begin for the day. Incidentally, we
had a late start as he was filling in for a talk radio host
(yep, he's a talk radio host) that morning and I was his
guest on the air.

So we begin driving around town. Dale first goes to the
spots he knows will have things: his regular "customers"
from whom he picks up unwanted metal trash (for free) and
hauls it away so they don't have to deal with it. On the
way, we stopped at a house where a guy had a trailer he
wanted to throw out. It had a flat tire, but was otherwise
at least able to be towed to the yard. We earmarked that
and the swamp cooler the guy had and promise to come back
later to get it: no use dragging around an unlicensed
trailer with no lights until we're ready to take it
directly to the yard.

We hit an auto body shop and got several pieces of metal
from their leftovers. We went to a fire retention/sprinkler
shop and pick up some empty fire extinguishers, piping, etc.
A few other similar stops and the truck is loaded, albeit
lightly (in Dale's opinion: it looked full to me).

We then stopped at Dale's storage unit and grabbed his air
bottle so we could put some air into the flat on the trailer
and get it to the yard.

Now we're headed back to the house with the trailer. I
guide as Dale backs the truck into place to hitch up the
trailer. We eyeball the flat, put the hose from the air
bottle on it, and pump it up as much as we can. The bottle
is nearly empty. We'd stopped at a gas station to fill it
up, but the pump had run on quarters and the amount of air
they give you for that is pathetic - not to mention the air
bottle was leaking all over the place.

So the tire is not pumped, but we figure we can get it to
the gas station. Just then, I spot a bicycle pump amid
some kids' bikes lined up against the garage of the guy's
house. So we borrow that and hook it up to the tire to try
it out. It seems to do the trick: at least enough that we
can get to the gas station with it.

Little did we know.

So we pull out (carefully) and head for the gas station:
about three blocks away. Dale mentions that he hopes we
don't get seen and pulled over by the cops, since a $75
ticket (trailer: no lights, flat tire, no registration)
would basically eat up the profits for the day.

A highway patrol car pulls up behind us just before we turn
into the gas station. Dale sweat bullets. The HP pulls
past us and continues on his way as we enter the lot for the
gas station. Phew!

Dale backs the trailer up to the curb and I jump out to
string the air hose to the tire. It just reaches. I pop in
a quarter and begin pumping up the tire. After it looks
full to me, I disconnect the hose, put the cap on the plug,
and roll the hose back up to the pump. That takes about
twenty seconds.

I turn around and the tire is halfway flat. Dale asks me,
"Did you fill it all the way up?"

"It looked full to me," I reply.

Oh well, that's good enough to get us to the yard. So we
think.

After weaseling the truck around to maneuver it and the
trailer back into the street, Dale glances in the rear-view
and notes that the trailer's tire is completely flat again.

I suggest we stop for a can of Fix-a-Flat and see if that
works.

The six dollar price tag is daunting, but we do it anyway.
We stop at a grocery store a few blocks up the street (Dale
still sweating about cops pulling up behind us) and I run in
for a can.

I bring it out, plug it into the tire, and begin filling.
The tire doesn't budge. Halfway through the fill-up, Dale
points his finger at the tire and then proceeds to shove it
through a quarter-sized hole in the sidewall.

Well, that explains that. But it doesn't get us off the
hook. The yard is ten miles away and we have fifty minutes
to get there. Doesn't look good. We have no spare tire for
the trailer, no lug wrench that will fit the small lug nuts
on it, and no idea how we're going to get it from here to
there.

Next week...the conclusion?

------------------------------------------------------------
From The Webmaster
by Aaron Turpen, Editor
------------------------------------------------------------

Despite the holiday, this was a pretty long week for me. I
did get some updates to the newly remodeled site added and
will begin working on the articles archives shortly.

We went thrift store shopping this week and found piles of
bargains. I got a new caller ID box for $2, we got some
baby shoes (now listed on eBay) for cheap, and more. I love
thrift stores!

It was a full moon Wednesday and boy, did it show! People
were driving like maniacs (even worse than usual!). Boy am
I glad I don't have to commute. Yerg.

See you all next week!

------------------------------------------------------------
Readers Talk Back!
------------------------------------------------------------
"Love the newsletter! Just signed up a couple of weeks ago
and have already gotten a lot out of it. Thank you!"
--Debbie

Editor: Thanks, Debbie!

"I bet my arm that you aare a retired person very active
during your active years. ¿Am i wrong?"
-- Alicia S.

Editor: Hi, Alicia. Yep, you're wrong. I'm actually in my
early thirties.

"Great Google adsense article! Thanks for the info!"
--Bob K.

Editor: No problem, Bob. Thank Merle for the article,
though. She wrote it. :) http://www.EzineAdAuction.com

------------------------------------------------------------
If you would like to send a comment or letter to the editor
for inclusion in this newsletter, please address it to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject=TalkBack!.
All are welcome to give their opinion, criticism, or kudos!

------------------------------------------------------------
11 Powerful Marketing Tips
Copyright 2004 Bob Leduc
http://BobLeduc.com

Bob Leduc spent 20 years helping businesses like yours find
new customers and increase sales. He just released a New
Edition of his manual, How To Build Your Small Business Fast
With Simple Postcards ...and launched *BizTips from Bob*, a
newsletter to help small businesses grow and prosper. You'll
find his low-cost marketing methods at: http://BobLeduc.com
or call: 702-658-1707 After 10 AM Pacific Time/Las Vegas, NV

Editor's Comments: More great stuff from Bob!
------------------------------------------------------------

Each of these 11 marketing tips is based on a marketing
strategy or tactic proven to boost sales. How many are you
using?

Tip 1:
Your customers buy your product or service to feel a
certain way after their purchase. Keep this in mind as you
develop your ads, web pages and other sales tools. Use
vivid word pictures to dramatize the pleasant feelings your
customers experience when they use what you are selling. It
intensifies their desire to have it and motivates them to
buy now.

Tip 2:
Continually test new advertising and marketing methods
...and old methods you never tried before. A good guideline
to follow is to allocate 80 percent of your budget to
proven promotions and 20 percent to testing new things.
Most businesses using this formula keep growing regardless
of changing market conditions and intense competition.

Tip 3:
Reduce the size of your ads so you can run more ads for the
same cost. Don't be surprised if your short ads generate a
higher response than long ads - giving you a bigger return
for your expense. One of the most effective ads I ever used
was only 11 words.

Tip 4:
Print your best small ad on a postcard and mail it to
prospects in your targeted market. People read postcards
when the message is brief. A small ad on a postcard can
drive a high volume of traffic to your web site and
generate a flood of sales leads for a very small cost.

Tip 5:
Active, stimulating words and phrases keep prospects
interested in reading your sales copy. Look for dull
passive words and phrases and replace them with active
ones. For example, change a phrase like "...it's practical
and inexpensive" to "...it's fast, easy and you save $99".

Tip 6:
After telling prospects what they gain when they buy your
product or service, tell them what they lose if they do not
buy it. Most people fear loss more than they desire gain.
Customers want your product or service so they can enjoy
the benefits it provides. But they will want it even more
if you remind them of what they lose by not buying it.

Tip 7:
You can eliminate any last minute hesitation prospective
customers may have by announcing a pleasant surprise near
the end of every selling procedure. For example, add an
unexpected bonus to each transaction immediately before the
final action that completes the sale.

Tip 8:
You can boost your total sales volume and your average size
sale at the same time by combining 2 or more related
products or services into a Special Combination Package.
Set the price lower than the cost of buying each item
separately. This "special deal" will motivate both
procrastinators and bargain hunters to buy now.

Tip 9:
You always need to find new customers. But don't overlook
the sales you can easily get from your existing customers.
It's easier to get more business from them than it is to
get any business from new prospects. Follow up with your
existing customers to get more sales of the same product or
to offer them additional products and services.

Tip 10:
How would you react if you got a personal "thank you" from
a business several days after you spent money with them?
You'd feel good and probably want to do more business with
them. Give that same feeling to your customers. They will
reward you with more business - and a flood of referrals.

Tip 11:
Convert your customers into publicity agents. Develop an
incentive for them to tell associates and friends about the
value of your products or services. An endorsement from
them can produce sales you would never get with any amount
of advertising.

How many of these 11 marketing tactics are you using? How
many have you overlooked? You are losing sales if you don't
use all of them.

------------------------------------------------------------
If you wish to send your own articles to be reviewed for
inclusion in this publication, please send them to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com.
------------------------------------------------------------
Except where noted, this publication and all of its
contents are copyright (C)2004 by Aaronz WebWorkz, all
rights are reserved. To reprint an article, send an email
to mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com for permission.
------------------------------------------------------------
List Maintenance:
To subscribe
[http://aww.aaronzwebworkz.com/contact/index.shtml?newsletter]

To unsubscribe
[{UNSUBSCRIBE_LINK}]

This newsletter is produced by Aaronz WebWorkz, a complete
online services provider. To view information or to see
back issues of this publication, please go online to:
www.AaronzWebWorkz.com. Please direct all comments or
questions to the editor
(mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com).