How to Guest Post on Blogs

With the growth of blogs in the world of online marketing, website creation is changing a lot. Now websites are constantly updated and read more like newspapers than classic websites. There are blogs for every possible niche you could imagine. So how can you cash in on this growing web of blogs? In the following article I am going to talk about guest posting which is a great new way to get a ton of traffic to your website. Keep reading to now the best way to find blogs to guest post on and boost your traffic.

The basics of blog posting are quite simple the idea is that you type up some quality content for someone's blog. In return for helping the blog owner out with some good quality content you'll get a link back to your website. Not only will this help you to get backlinks for SEO but it will also drive a ton of traffic to your site. Popular blogs have thousands of RSS readers that are notified every time a blog post goes up. If they like your content they will check out your website. Guest posting isn't a huge time cost but it can be an amazing way to get a ton of quality traffic.

I'm sure you're wondering by now how this is done. Well it is really quite simple all you have to do is contact the owners of popular blogs in your niche. For the niches I am involved in I have a long list of blogs that I can contact for guest posting. To look for blogs in your niche search for top blogs on Google or use Stumble Upon. Stumble Upon is great because you can search in your niche and it's easy to find popular pages with great content and they are often blogs. Start compiling your list of blogs so you can easily find new sites to guest post on.

Now that you have your list of blogs you are ready to start contacting blog owners and asking them if they're interested in having guest posters. In your e-mail explain that you have some great articles that would work great with their blog. Ask them to e-mail you back for more details. Not everyone will respond but those who do will be interested. I like to e-mail about three blog owners a day so I don't get overwhelmed with responses. Make it a habit of doing this and you should be writing guest posts in no time. Just remember when you're writing your post that you are offering really good content. The better the content the better the response you will get from the readers.

Go ahead and take action! Build a good list of blogs using Google and Stumble Upon. Then start contacting the blog owners. Make it part f your daily routine to do this and you'll have great success. Good Luck!

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6808474

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7 Tips to Healthy Cruising

7 Tips to Healthy Cruising

I don't know about you but when I go on a cruise it really is all about the food. Everything centers around eating. Which dining time you have decides which show you will go to, what time you return from shore excursions and what time you have to get back to your cabin to get ready.

You have an endless amount of choices of where and what to eat on a ship. Should we eat by the pool? The Buffet? One of the Specialty Restaurants they have on board? And of course late night buffets and room service. Cookies and milk at midnight? Good grief.

Well since I have just lost a considerable amount of weight the thought of going on a cruise right now is a little scary. Is there a secret way to not gain weight while cruising but still enjoy yourself? Absolutely!

Now I am not a diet guru or a nutritionist. I am just a travel agent who loves to cruise. No offense to anyone but we travel agents tend to be a little overweight. Lots of work and lots of travel will do that. So before you use these tips you should check with your doctor. Okay that said these are my best Healthy Cruise Tips:

1. Plan out where you are going to eat ahead of time. Planning and cruising go hand in hand. Your Cruise will always go better with a plan for your day so while you are doing that take some time to plan where you are going to eat each meal. Even if your family or travel companions don't want to eat healthy you still can. For breakfast or lunch grab what you want and meet back at a central location. If my family wants pizza or a burger by the pool for lunch I will run to the buffet, although walking is better for me since I tend to be clumsy, grab some fruit, veggies and a healthy sandwich or piece of fish. Done. A healthy choice I don't have to feel guilty about.

2. When I go to the buffet I load up on the fruit and non starchy veggies first. Then I leave a small spot for protein and maybe a starch. Less room means less bad choices.

3. At the buffet use the smaller plate. Let's be serious. Nobody needs the platter they put out there. It could feed 2 people easily! I use the smaller salad plate by the salad bar. No guilt there.

4. Do not plan to go back for seconds at the buffet. Get what you want the first time. I take my time checking out the buffet and don't just jump in line to get food. It isn't going anywhere. Trust me. If I want a dessert after your meal they always have sugar free options available. I love the sugar free vanilla frozen yogurt with fruit or a little bit of whipped cream. Not bad, really!

5. Save the alcohol for dinner. Some people like a drink by the pool or in the Casino. Alcohol has a lot of calories. Also drinking makes it easier to make bad ordering choices. Order first to be sure you make good choices.

6. Plan to share. I know my clients and travel companions like the fact that they can order more that one Entrée. Yes, you are definitely getting your moneys worth but you are also getting more than your share of calories worth. At your table plan to share your entrees so everyone gets a taste but you don't over eat. Yum!

7. Plan some activity everyday. I go to the gym, walk, shoot hoops with the kids, rock climb. Anything is better than nothing, really the sky is the limit on a cruise ship because they have so many options. One hour of activity a day will make all the difference.

Happy, Healthy Cruising!

Elena Dillon is the owner of a Cruise Planners franchise and has been booking travel for 20 years.

Her Cruise Planners website:

http://www.dillonscruisesandmore.com

Her travel blog:
http://www.scvtravelblog.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6808266

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The Greatest Marketing Campaign Is Legendary Customer Service

Most businesses spend more time, money and energy trying to find new customers than they spend developing an outstanding customer service experience.

Good customer service is not good enough anymore, it has to be a great "emotionally connected" legendary customer service experience. A recent Gallup survey showed a customer who is "emotionally connected" to your place of business is likely to spend 46% more money than a customer who is merely "satisfied" but not emotionally bonded.

The logic behind providing a great customer experience is simple - not only will happy customers spend more money with you but they will tell their friends and family about your business and the way you treated them, resulting in the greatest least expensive form of advertising, word of mouth.

The most difficult task for a company's leadership is developing a clear, compelling, meaningful vision of "sensational customer service" that comes alive on the front line, because front-line employees are the key to legendary customer service.

The company's excitement, passion and determination about "emotionally connecting" with customers must be known, owned and energized everyday by front line employees.

Here are eight steps to building a legendary customer service culture.

1. The company must understand, first and for most, that it is in the customer service business and not just a retail, manufacturing or professional service business. Zappos sells shoes online but they are extremely successful because they WOW customers, employees and vendors with their "total commitment" to a customer service culture. Customer service isn't a department at Zappos it is the company.

2. Make aggressive efforts to determine the unexpressed wishes, needs and wants of your customers. Great, legendary customer service is obtained by providing something more than what customers traditionally expect.

3. Select the right people. In the book, From Good to Great, Jim Collins said, "People are not your most important asset, the RIGHT people are." Most businesses do a poor job of hiring people. They hire just anyone and place them on the front-line with customers. Spend more time recruiting and hiring the right people with friendly personalities, that are passionate and enthusiastic about serving others.

4. Outline the behaviors you expect from your employees; continually communicate your passion and vision for how employees should act, speak, and respond to customer needs and requests. Train and empower employees to fix problems on the spot. An estimated 95 percent of the factors that determine the reputation of a company are in the hands of front line employees. They create impressions in the minds of customers and prospects that form an organization's reputation. They especially need to be trained and money must be spent training and continually motivating them.

5. Sustain on-going training, communication, reinforcement and recognition. Good customer service skills are not natural for most people. Effective customer service training must be reinforced and taught on a recurring basis. For example, the Ritz-Carlton hotels provide a thorough customer service training program for all of its employees during their orientation. Then each supervisor conducts a daily "huddle" to review one of the companies core values with their employees before each shift.

6. Appreciate, recognize and reward great customer service behavior. Yes, employees want to be paid well, but they also want to be treated with respect and shown appreciation. The front- line manager has the greatest impact on motivating and inspiring employees. Reward those who exceed the standards and provide training and motivation for those who do not.

7. Get feed back from your customers and reduce your defection rate. On average, businesses lose 15-20% of their customers each year to their competition. All businesses encounter a defection rate, but few do much about it. Develop a feed back system that allows the customer to make an evaluation. Measure the results and make sure employees see the scores. "You can't improve what you don't measure."

8. Seek customer complaints with enthusiasm. A 2006 study from Wharton Business College of Pennsylvania and the Verde Group found that when retail shoppers became angry with a company, only six percent contacted the company to complain. However, thirty-one percent told their family or their friends. Of that thirty-one percent, eight percent told one person and eight percent told two people.Things get more frightening. Six percent told six or more people. Out of one-hundred angry customers, according to the survey, companies stood to lose thirty-two to thirty-six other current or potential customers.

It really makes no sense to destroy good marketing by making customers angry; a bad experience will upset customers as quickly as anything else you can do. Look at customer complaints as a golden opportunity for improvement.

Bill Gates said "Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning."

Bill Glass has coached, consulted and held workshops with numerous business owners, CEO's and professionals on marketing, employee relations and creating a customer service philosophy and culture. He is a platinum expert author at EzineArticles.com and a certified business coach and an authorized marketing consultant.

He can be reached at: bill@consultbillglass.com
http://www.mastermindbusinessassociates.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6814002

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Tips for Moving With Your Pets

Pet lovers know that our pets are very special to us and we consider them to be members of our family. Like their human friends, these animals have unique personalities and particular needs. During the course of their lives, they are likely to experience at least one relocation with their human masters but, unlike plants, you can't just pack your pet up and forget about it. This will often involve planning ahead to make sure that they are as stress-free as possible during their move.

Cats and dogs pose unique moving circumstances. Cats are naturally more attached to their surroundings than they are to people. Before relocating the animal, it needs to be acclimated to its surroundings.

Dogs, on the other hand, tend to be much easier than their feline counterparts. Stay on the same feeding and walking schedule before and after the move. If the new location is close enough, try bringing your dog there ahead of time, and let it walk around. If you are moving somewhere that is close to your old home, feel free to take your dog there ahead of time and allow him to get accustomed to the new neighbor and yard. Helping to acclimate the dog to its new environment will make him feel more comfortable when you finally arrive at the new home. Always maintain an upbeat attitude when preparing your dog for the mood and use a light vocal tone.

On moving day, people are often going in and out of the house and leaving doors open. It's usually best to prepare a room for them to stay during the packing and loading process, that is stocked with some food, water and toys for them. Place a sign on the outside of the door for the movers to ensure that the door remains closed throughout the day. This closed environment protects the animal from running away.

If you are flying to your new home, choosing a nonstop flight will cut down on the travel time and make your pets more comfortable. Pets don't typically take too well to flying, so minimizing your time in the air will be most beneficial for them. Check for counter-to-counter services with the individual airlines to make sure your pet is carried on and off the plane by an airline employee, not with regular luggage. The service may be more expensive than other methods of transportation, but it can keep your pet calm and secure.

For other small animals like hamsters, mice, rabbits, snakes and gerbils, they can be carried along with you during your move in a regular manner. Make sure that the pet has a clean cage, enough food, and access to water. If you are afraid that your pet may become agitated during the move, cover the cage with a cloth to make the ride more comfortable.

Avoid playing loud music or letting the car become too warm or too cold, as these fluctuations might cause great harm to such small creatures.

Movers.com is an online moving resource dedicated to providing its customers with free moving quotes from some of the top moving companies in the business, as well as helpful moving guides and videos.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6808011

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Broken Sword 2: The Smoking Mirror Review and Tips

Broken Sword 2: The Smoking Mirror is a point-and-click adventure game by Revolution Software Limited that has been flawlessly ported to iOS devices.
In this sequel to Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars, you start off as George Stobbart, whose girlfriend, Nico, was kidnapped. He himself is now trapped in a burning house, tied to a chair. You need to get him out of the house and begin a lengthy and dangerous journey to rescue Nico.
Once George rescues Nico, you'll get to play as her at several different points throughout the game. The two occasionally split up, sometimes by choice and other times by force, and have to use their own inventory and wits to solve the puzzles ahead of them.
Besides offering plenty of exploration and puzzles for adventure gamers, the Broken Sword series is full of humor and sarcasm that sets it apart from other games in the genre. For instance, you pick up a tequila worm in the first room, and can show it to just about everyone you meet in your travels to see what their reactions are to it. You don't need to talk to every non-playable character or exhaust all your discussion topics, but you'll miss out on some real gems if you don't. Broken Sword 2 is a game you should take your time with and really savor it.
The 2D graphics are charming and look great even on a small iPhone screen. The soundtrack is also perfect for the game, always changing for the location and plot line to immerse you in the game. It's a real work of art.
If you're a point-and-click adventure fan, you won't want to miss out on this game. It's available on PC, iPod, iPhone and iPad, so you have plenty of ways to get ahold of it.
If you need some help, here are a few tips and cheats:
1. For touch screens, swipe your finger around the screen to see which items you can interact with. That way you won't miss anything important.
2. Try mixing items by dragging one to the other if none of your items are doing the job on their own.
3. Some portions of the game require precise timing or you could die! Make sure to save frequently and in different save slots so you won't have to play too much of the game over if you lose.
That should help you get started on your Broken Sword 2 adventure. Enjoy!

If you need more help with the game, see my Broken Sword 2 walkthrough: http://www.appunwrapper.com/2011/12/24/broken-sword-2-the-smoking-mirror-remastered-walkthrough/
-AppUnwrapper
In-Depth iPhone Game Reviews, Walkthroughs and Giveaways
http://www.appunwrapper.com
Twitter: AppUnwrapper

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Z

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A Review Of That Classic, Sonic CD!

This article is going to be taking a very in-depth look at that aged classic from SEGA, "Sonic CD". Initially released on the, "Sega CD", which as SEGA's disc add on for their 16 bit Genesis console, this game is a favorite among many gamers all over the globe. Many people that never really favored the company as a developer of software will admit to enjoying a good game of Sonic behind closed doors. While initially only available for SEGA CD, this title has also been released for PC, and even Nintendo's pre-Wii effort, "Game Cube". Even a version of this title has been ported over to android for play on cellphones and tablets! There are a number of reasons why this title has enjoyed so much success on so many formats.
First Glance At Sonic CD!
At first glance, the look of the game is very similar to the look of the original, 16 bit Sonic title. One noticeable difference is the level of extra detail and vivid color that only a game stored on a digital disk could be capable of. The details present in the animation are also more appealing to the eye; again this is due to the additional amount of storage that a CD-ROM disc is capable of. The look isn't beyond 16 bit, it is simply 16 bit with more storage capacity. The look of this title truly is 16 bit taken to its very limit. When initially released on the Genesis's disc drive, the look of this particular title was blowing the minds of many gamers! Newer gamers might consider Sonic CD to be dated, however it is the most state of the art that 16 bit was capable of at the time.
In many ways this game is similar to the original Sonic for Genesis. This title, once again, resembles the first Sonic effort in the way that it plays however there are additional game play moves that the player is capable of. There is, of particular importance to mention, the addition of the "spin dash" and also the "super peal out". These two moves compliment the simplistic formula that was established in Sonic part 1. The notion of rings is still the same in this title. A player has to collect and also keep rings. If a player comes into contact with a baddie then immediately collecting as many spilled rings as possible is within the player's best interest if he or she does not want to lose a life.
As with the original Sonic game, any player that is able to maintain at least 50 of Sonic's rings at the end of any act will have the opportunity to grab a giant ring that will take them to a bonus level. These bonus levels are very similar to the bonus levels of the original Sonic title which were a favorite amongst classic gamers. The bonus rings in this version take place on the familiar three-dimensional plane that players must cleverly navigate through.
Our Take On Sonic CD!
No matter which format a player utilizes, the controls on Sonic CD are very simple. This game, much like Sonic part 1, is a title that is easy to learn yet difficult to master. Players that enjoy two dimensional side-scrollers will like the very fast paced nature of a Sonic game. It is the fast paced nature of the original Sonic that likely sparked the title into a successful franchise. Most players were used to side-scrolling while solving puzzles however many of them had never before tried anything as fast as Sonic. Players that are trying this title for the first time will likely warmly embrace the fast-paced mascot that stood for everything that the power house "Genesis" was to a generation who was going beyond 8 bit graphics for the first time!

Gaming Info And Deals is located in Central New Jersey. We started out as a bunch of friends that loved the gaming experience. Hours a day we spent trying to be the best at whatever game we were playing at that time. Searching the web for blogs or information that would get us to the next level was a daily occurrence. Tired of searching the web, we decided to pool our knowledge and create this site. The site is for the serious gamer. Daily blogs and discounted gaming sites are our main focus. Hope you enjoy the site and all of it's content.
Thanks,
Nancy E. Surace
Gaming Info And Deals LLC.
http://www.gaminginfoanddeals.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_E_Surace

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Final Fantasy Versus XIII Review

Final Fantasy Versus XIII is an upcoming title scheduled for release for the PS3 console. There has been little to no information since the time it was announced. Therefore a lot of people have been asking "Where is the content? What will be different? Why is it taking so long??" and we are right there with them. However, seeing as how FINAL FANTASY Versus XIII has yet been released there just is not much out there. That being said we have gathered information straight from the director and footage that we have run across so far...so here is...a look inside the game.
While unveiled at E3 in 2006 there has been little information other than a mention here or a picture there. The first big flow of information was a brief demo video shown during the Tokyo Game Show back in 2009. It depicted Noctis (main protagonist) running through a city which shifted from day to night, then to a field full of large creatures. Another short video had Noctis waiting on a highway for a car during the day. As he gets in the car it drives off. The footage was displayed in real time, and had significantly improved the lighting, character models and environments. The director of FINAL FANTASY Versus XIII (Tetsuya Nomura) has stated he aims to create previously unseen "tricky" battle sequences, reminiscent of the Advent Children film (CGI film). Nomura has revealed the game will be action oriented, and will play like a more realistic version of Kingdom Hearts with some elements of a third-person shooter similar to Dirge of Cerberus.
Then it seemed like it was years before we saw the next bit of info....oh wait it was. At Square Enix's conference in January 2011, a long section of gameplay footage was shown in a new trailer. It depicted Noctis walking right after the scene with Stella (the antagonists), and running after several explosions happen. Noctis is shown fighting against several enemies, which include soldiers, a Behemoth, and various monsters. The damage dealt by the attacks is shown on screen similar to other previous FINAL FANTASY titles. As shown in the trailer, Noctis can have characters assist him during battles somewhat like the paradigm system of FINAL FANTASY XIII. Players will be able to switch between characters on the fly, allowing the opportunity to create multi-character combos.
Since then little snippets of videos and screenshots have been released periodically. The battle system of Final Fantasy Versus XIII is to draw the nostalgic feeling from old Final Fantasy titles and blend it with a whole new concept. The action and pace will be similar to what is found in Kingdom Hearts but united with new mechanics. Battles will take place in real-time environments using all regions of the field, from up high buildings to down low streets. Nomura has said the power of the PS3 will feature battles that take place in areas with great differences in height, just like in the trailer, and will have to fight using the full environment. This means fighting what is both in front of the player and above and below much like how the battle system in Kingdom Hearts is based upon.
Another trailer shows Noctis selecting from a number of different weapons and warping around to defeat the enemy soldiers in front of him. The various weapons in the game will have different methods of attack, and some will even be usable as shields to go along with Noctis's crystal power (unique power for characters similar to the limit break system of Final Fantasy VII). There will be a sub window that copies Noctis's expression that will be shown at the bottom of the screen to go along with these powers.
While we understand that it takes time to make great games and weed out the bugs we are itching to get our hands on this game. And since there has been so little information it just makes us want to see it even more and we are sure you are the same way. Hope this article made it a little easier to find out what is out there and pique your interest in Final Fantasy Versus XIII.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josh_C_Brewer

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