A vulture is often referred to as a bird of prey. Contrary to other birds of prey, vultures prey on carcasses. Scammers can be likened to vultures, with a difference. Scammers prey on live, innocent and unwitting people trying out their luck in online business. Between the two, I find the vultures more honorable. They do what they do for survival. Scammers do what they do out of greed.
Scammers and their tools:
A scammer is one who, through fraudulent or deceptive acts or practices maliciously deprive innocent and naïve victims of their resources and opportunities. They do it purely for personal gain. They do it with such finesse that their victims would be unaware that they are set up for the kill until it is too late. Among the most common subjects of scammers are:
o Big earnings within a specific time, i.e., US $500 a day 30 mins after signing up;
o Becoming a millionaire in one week;
o No selling, no website, no cold calling, just cash in your account 24/7;
o Turning your websites into cash registers;
o Sales pages full of testimonials, short of details;
o Free access to information but an "Add to Cart" at the end of their endless sales pages;
o Winning a lottery you never heard of nor bought a ticket for;
o Being the beneficiary of a deceased person's estate from places you never heard of like Burkina Fasso.
When I started my online business I fell for one who promised to have my blog blasted to hundreds of blog directories and as many search engines. But I couldn't even get in touch with him for support.
Scammers and the clothes they wear:
With very strict anti-spamming laws, scammers have devised other means of hiding their dark intents by making use of safe lists, list builders and traffic exchanges. Through these media, they can still reach you by:
o Phishing:
This is the criminally fraudulent act of trying to get sensitive information like usernames, passwords, email addresses, credit card numbers by masquerading as a trustworthy entity or site in an electronic communication medium. Layman's term for "identity theft."
o Acting as bank examiners, business partners, or something:
I received an email from a guy in China offering me a partnership in his business, mostly in the U.S. The scheme was that I am going to collect from his clients. Once they pay, I am to take out my commission and deposit the rest to my credit card. The catch is I am to give him my credit card number.
In others, you will be contacted by somebody about a fraudulent activity in your bank account, with the offer of investigating or correcting it. Once you give your bank account details, you have been had.
o Fund administrator:
Everyday I get email notices of having won a lottery or being designated the sole heir of a dead millionaire or an ATM card with millions of dollars in it. At the end is always the request for a fee to facilitate the release of such funds.
These scams are going on and alive as manifested by the emails I receive each day. Could someone out there be foolish enough to fall for these? Since it has never faded away, it is easy to surmise that some poor souls have been falling for these.
Joseph Dabon
http://homebizresources.net/, the site for those looking for work-at-home job opportunities.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Dabon
Google Maps Can Help Promote Your Business Online, A Brief Guide
Sometimes just searching for you company name or category for your business just isn't enough. Especially if you are a new business or you have only recently had your website uploaded to the internet. In most cases this can be remedied by some standard techniques by your web developer or SEO specialist.
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and PPC (Pay-Per-Click) are modern methods to gain higher standing on many of the most popular search engines on the internet. This competitive world of online business and advertising, just having a website does not simply mean it will be found easily, as it will need to be promoted using different methods.
The term SEO refers to an organic online marking approach for your website, but it is something you will need to continue with in an effective manner, to see true positive long-term results. Where as PPC is an instant method to gain front page positions for your desired search engine, like Google. But this comes at a cost (per click) and sometimes depending on you market sector or the type of key search terms you are targeting this can be expensive. Also when you cease PPC advertising, your advertisement listing will disappear.
One current method that is reasonably simple to set up and effective in promoting your business online is "Google Places" with the use of Google Maps. It's relatively straight forward, even if you have just a general understanding of computers and the internet you should be able to set up a simple profile on Google Places or alternatively get your web developer to help you with getting this up and running for your business.
First you will need to log-in and setup a Google places profile, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the online form, along with a link to your website and your contact information. At this point you will also be permitted to upload a selection of photos, these should reflect your products, services or your premises.
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and PPC (Pay-Per-Click) are modern methods to gain higher standing on many of the most popular search engines on the internet. This competitive world of online business and advertising, just having a website does not simply mean it will be found easily, as it will need to be promoted using different methods.
The term SEO refers to an organic online marking approach for your website, but it is something you will need to continue with in an effective manner, to see true positive long-term results. Where as PPC is an instant method to gain front page positions for your desired search engine, like Google. But this comes at a cost (per click) and sometimes depending on you market sector or the type of key search terms you are targeting this can be expensive. Also when you cease PPC advertising, your advertisement listing will disappear.
One current method that is reasonably simple to set up and effective in promoting your business online is "Google Places" with the use of Google Maps. It's relatively straight forward, even if you have just a general understanding of computers and the internet you should be able to set up a simple profile on Google Places or alternatively get your web developer to help you with getting this up and running for your business.
First you will need to log-in and setup a Google places profile, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the online form, along with a link to your website and your contact information. At this point you will also be permitted to upload a selection of photos, these should reflect your products, services or your premises.
Once you have submitted your information you will have to wait for a verification code to activate your Google places listing. This is usually sent through to you in the form of a postcard from Google, with your unique activation code. Once entered your unique activation code, your business Google listing will be live and visible on the Google search engine for all to see.
Your Google maps listings can be accessed on a number of devices such as; a personal computer, a tablet or even handheld devices like a smart-phone, this means people can find you even when they are on the move.
Gregory Greene is writing on behalf of Accord Group, the Accord Group for the best choice in market leading specialist Advertising Agencies. Use Accord for all your media and marketing requirements.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregory_Greene
A Guide to Managing Your Home Business Online
In the beginning, it can be difficult to manage your business, home and personal life all at once but it will get better as time goes on. You will remember and know the things that you will need to do everyday and this will mean less time reading a schedule just to remember what your next task entails.
A perfect way to manage your home business is to always remember that it is indeed a business. You want to appear professional at all times, and that will not happen if you miss deadlines and cancel important meetings to go to the movies with friends. Your business will not succeed if you don't take it seriously.
Build a Home Office
A home office will allow you to better manage your paper work and your entire home business. Without one, you may end up searching the entire home for missing files and papers that are important. If you have children and others living with you, documents could accidentally end up in the garbage or filled with doodling and crayon marks.
A personal office for you business will allow better control over your business with the help of organization. If you have a den, you could convert it into your office but if you lack a special room for your office, find a quiet corner in your home and build your business there. In a situation like that, you can get a desk that has locking doors. This will keep your private business corner private, and prevent unauthorized access to personal customer information. It will also help to prevent children and animals from getting to your important business items.
Create a Budget
A business without a budget plan runs the risk of losing money. You have to pay attention to where your money is going and coming from to be successful in what you do. If you don't have a budget it may take a while before you realize that you are losing money. With a budget in place, you can quickly assess your finances and make changes that could stop that money lose.
Create Online Business Website
All home business owners should have a website. You will be losing out on what the internet is all about. A business web page will allow you to create a special place for customers to read about your business and services that you offer.
If you only know basic html or don't know any at all, you should have a professional setup a business site for you. A website that does not look professional will turn away customers. You may also neglect SEO and other factors that are important in creating a website that is loved by search engines.
If you do have experience with building websites then it will cost less money to build it yourself. Domain names and web hosting have become incredibly cheap over the years and most web hosting sites offer special business plans under a discount. These plans are great to choose because they will often give you free domain names, business emails, forwarding, high bandwidth and more. Check reviews and see what others have to say about a web host before you pay for their services.
Accept Payments Online
If customers will buy and pay for service or products from your website, you will need to have a merchant account with a payment processor. In the past, this was difficult to do and expensive, but with millions of home business websites created, it has become easier to add payment acceptance online.
A company such as PayPal has special codes that you can add to the website. This will allow you to accept payments from PayPal members and non members who can pay with credit cards, debit cards and online checks.
A perfect way to manage your home business is to always remember that it is indeed a business. You want to appear professional at all times, and that will not happen if you miss deadlines and cancel important meetings to go to the movies with friends. Your business will not succeed if you don't take it seriously.
Build a Home Office
A home office will allow you to better manage your paper work and your entire home business. Without one, you may end up searching the entire home for missing files and papers that are important. If you have children and others living with you, documents could accidentally end up in the garbage or filled with doodling and crayon marks.
A personal office for you business will allow better control over your business with the help of organization. If you have a den, you could convert it into your office but if you lack a special room for your office, find a quiet corner in your home and build your business there. In a situation like that, you can get a desk that has locking doors. This will keep your private business corner private, and prevent unauthorized access to personal customer information. It will also help to prevent children and animals from getting to your important business items.
Create a Budget
A business without a budget plan runs the risk of losing money. You have to pay attention to where your money is going and coming from to be successful in what you do. If you don't have a budget it may take a while before you realize that you are losing money. With a budget in place, you can quickly assess your finances and make changes that could stop that money lose.
Create Online Business Website
All home business owners should have a website. You will be losing out on what the internet is all about. A business web page will allow you to create a special place for customers to read about your business and services that you offer.
If you only know basic html or don't know any at all, you should have a professional setup a business site for you. A website that does not look professional will turn away customers. You may also neglect SEO and other factors that are important in creating a website that is loved by search engines.
If you do have experience with building websites then it will cost less money to build it yourself. Domain names and web hosting have become incredibly cheap over the years and most web hosting sites offer special business plans under a discount. These plans are great to choose because they will often give you free domain names, business emails, forwarding, high bandwidth and more. Check reviews and see what others have to say about a web host before you pay for their services.
Accept Payments Online
If customers will buy and pay for service or products from your website, you will need to have a merchant account with a payment processor. In the past, this was difficult to do and expensive, but with millions of home business websites created, it has become easier to add payment acceptance online.
A company such as PayPal has special codes that you can add to the website. This will allow you to accept payments from PayPal members and non members who can pay with credit cards, debit cards and online checks.
Richard Henderson runs his own internet marketing business from home. Check out his website for info about Clickbank Profits or perhaps the traffic generation suite Traffic Kahuna [http://traffic-kahuna.com/].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rich_Henderson