That means that the sites that are updated the most often (like news sites, blogs, and active forums) get the most attention and get preference in the rankings. 

And that makes sense doesn’t it? I mean, think about it from a searcher’s perspective… you want the most recent, relevant information when YOU do a search, right? 

So keep this in mind for your own website or blog … 

The more often you publish new content, the more recent AND relevant you are… and the better your site ranks in Google.

Don’t have time to create new and relevant content?

Consider using these resources to ensure that your blog or website is updated with fresh, compelling content.

• Private Label Rights Articles (PLR) are a fantastic way to add new content to your website or blog and fill up your newsletter or autoresponder. With EasyPLR.com you choose only the content you need. No more getting locked into memberships that send you articles from a variety of topics each month. If you need PLR articles about Health and Wellness, you can choose from our Health PLR article packs. If you need Baby PLR, grab just the articles that you need. You are in complete control.
• Need An Article.com. Made to order content is precisely what your website needs to gain in popularity and in traffic. At Need an Article you can rapidly order just what you want, using the keywords that you specify. Your order is filled to the letter in a very short time. They are quick and VERY affordable.

I tell you all this because many of my clients are titans of the fitness industry and last week I was getting personal emails from so many of them celebrating the life of legendary UCLA Basketball Coach John Wooden who passed away on June 4, 2010 at the age of 99 that it sent me on a quest for more information about this leader of athletes. I needed to know what lessons could be learned from a man who lived such a rich live and who left it with so much love, respect and sheer admiration from people who knew him through the years.

My friend and client Todd Durkin shared his thoughts about Coach Wooden thusly:

Dear Denise,   

I hope you are doing fantastic.  All is well here in San Diego. 

One of the coaches I always loved was John Wooden.  By now, most of you know that the legendary basketball coach from UCLA who won 10 national championships, passed away last week at the age of 99.  

I read quite a bit of the articles and clips on his life last week and wanted to share a few IMPACTFUL ones.

As a coach, John Wooden convinced college athletes the first thing they needed to learn to be successful was to put on their socks and shoes correctly. He did the same drill every season, despite resistance and chuckles.

Wooden was good at making those around him feel special.

 ”I think it’s so important for a leader to lead by actions, not just by talk,” Wooden said. “He or she must truly care for people as individuals and show real love while they’re under their supervision. And listen. They must listen. Real leaders listen. And show a great amount of respect.”

But I think the best story is that which stems from his father, Joshua Wooden.  His Dad was instrumental in shaping Wooden’s character. He gave him a seven-point creed to live his life by, and Wooden kept that same sheet of paper with the handwritten creeds in his pocket for decades.

When the paper was finally worn out, Wooden had cards of the creed made, and he handed them out to others.

The seven creeds aimed at making the most of oneself are:

1. Be true to yourself.
2. Make each day your masterpiece.
3. Help others.
4. Drink deeply from good books.
5. Make friendship a fine art.
6. Build a shelter against a rainy day.
7. Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.

That my friends is IMPACT and I thank Coach Wooden for the wisdom he passed down to many, many generations.  A legend will be missed!

Todd Durkin, MA, CSCS,
Owner, Fitness Quest 10
Head, Under Armour Performance Training Council

If you have been struggling with, or wanting to learn more about Photoshop this article will be very helpful to you.

Enjoy!

“Which Program Should I Buy… Photoshop or Photoshop Elements?” Which One Is Right for You?

by Kimberly Bohannon

If you’re in the market for an image editing software, chances are you’re choosing between Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.

Both are excellent software for manipulating digital photographs and images. In this article, I’ll discuss some of the ways the two software are different. Hopefully, after reading this, you can make an informed decision.

Keep in mind Adobe’s intentions when you consider each one. In their website, Adobe says that Photoshop CS4 (the latest version) is ideal for “professional photographers, serious amateur photographers, graphic designers, web designers.”

Unfortunately, Adobe doesn’t tell us whom Photoshop Elements is ideal for. It does say you can “get creative,” “enhance your photos,” “share and protect all your memories” with Elements.

This hints at a more consumer-level (rather than professional) user who manages images for personal use. With this in mind, Photoshop and Photoshop Elements differ in three main areas: price, ease of use, and features. Let’s go over each one.

1. Price

Adobe Photoshop costs a whopping $699, while Photoshop Elements is $99.

For many, the price will dictate their choice. Keep in mind, some professionals use Elements even for their work. They use workarounds such as add-ons and other tools to get Elements to do what they need to accomplish. But more on that later.

2. Ease of Use

With Photoshop geared towards professional image users, you can expect it to be more difficult to use. Elements has a more intuitive, more user-friendly interface.

However, if you’re already familiar with photo editing software, such as earlier versions of Photoshop, then this won’t be much of an issue.

3. Features

As you might have guessed, the differences in price and ease of use stem from differences in features. Photoshop has functionalities which Elements doesn’t have… and vice versa. For example, Photoshop has more robust features for manipulating the finer details of a digital image. Here are just some features in Photoshop, which aren’t in Elements:

- CMYK and LAB color modes

- Ability to work with 16-bit and 32-bit images

- Layer masks and layer comps

- Adjustment layers for color balance, curves and selective color

- Advanced text formatting, including putting text on a path

But don’t ditch Elements yet. It also has features you won’t find in Photoshop, such as:

- Automatic red-eye removal

- Cookie cutter tool, background templates and artwork

- Photo Organizer, which lets you tag photos and later find them quickly through tags. Photo Organizer also lets you share your photos by creating online galleries, slideshows, photo books and more.

As mentioned earlier, many Elements users find they can do with Elements a lot of the things Photoshop can do. Some of the functionalities are there but need to be “unlocked.” Add-ons and tools for Photoshop Elements are developed by users of both software. Some are free, while others you need to pay for. These will enhance Elements to be able to do more of the things Photoshop can do.

Whichever software you choose, you have to know how to use it in order to achieve the images you want.

If you decide that Photoshop is for you, check out Learn Photoshop Now. The video tutorials are like looking over the shoulder of a seasoned Photoshop user.

Should you go with Elements, Learn Elements Now will help you master the software in a short time.

Photoshop or Photoshop Elements? Both are powerful software for perfecting your digital images. Choose the one that best meets your needs within the resources you have.

By attending as many free classes as you like, you will be trained, motivated and inspired by these speakers and authors, many of whom command top dollar for a single keynote speech. The only caveat is that the calls are not recorded or transcribed so be sure to be on the call or calls that you sign up for.

I registered today for several myself and will be learning from Bob Proctor, Joe Vitale, Jay Conrad Levinson, T. Harv Eker, and of course, Dr. Jack! Oh, and did I mention Libby Gill who will be appearing on my “Your Partner In Success Radio Show” this month?

About Dr. Jack Singer

Dr. Jack Singer is a licensed Clinical, Sports and Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, author, trainer and consultant. His expertise includes a Doctorate in Industrial / Organizational Psychology and a Post-Doctorate in Clinical / Sports Psychology. Jack has been recognized with Diplomates from the American Academy of Behavioral Medicine, the Society of Police and Criminal Psychology, and he has been awarded with a special Diplomate in Sports Psychology from the National Institute of Sports Professionals. He has a special Certification in Clinical Hypnosis from the American Academy of Clinical Hypnosis and Jack has taught in the Psychology departments of seven universities, including four years as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Dr. Jack has been in private practice and consulting for 33 years and the rich variety of Dr. Jack’s experience ranges from training serious athletes and teams to consistently reach peak performance levels…to working with couples and families to resolve relationship issues, to designing team building re-TREATS for Fortune 1000 corporations, and large legal and medical practices.

Teleclass Description:

So many people are overwhelmed these days with the stressors of job insecurity, economic disasters, the housing market collapse, the threat of world terrorism knocking on our doorsteps, and even the potential impact of global warming. Yet, despite these terrific challenges, some people continue to thrive, relaxed, optimistic and healthy. Are these people just blessed genetically or have they learned how to be resilient, despite the inevitable challenges they face daily? The answer is that they have learned the skills necessary to cover themselves with psychological Teflon and buffer themselves from these stressors.

In this class you will learn how to recognize the exact causes of your stress, how to empower yourself to overcome those stresses and build resiliency skills that can last you a lifetime. The end result is that you will bring life to your years and add years to your life.

Tuition: No Cost

Grab your seat here!

From: customersupport@yourofficeontheweb.com [mailto:customersupport@yourofficeontheweb.com]
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 12:02 PM
To: mail @ yourofficeontheweb.com
Subject: The settings for the mail@yourofficeontheweb.com were changed

Dear user of the yourofficeontheweb.com mailing service!

We are informing you that because of the security upgrade of the mailing service your mailbox (mail @ yourofficeontheweb.com) settings were changed. In order to apply the new set of settings click on the following link:

I have removed the link so it doesn’t get clicked on accidentally but can tell you that there is a very long URL that they are asking me to click on.

Best regards, yourofficeontheweb.com Technical Support.

A different email for another address looked like it was a newsletter type of thing and informed me that my default setting for my mailbox had changed and I needed to download and execute a new settings file for my mailbox.

DO NOT click on anything in these emails. If you are in any kind of doubt about your email settings contact your web developer or hosting company but exercise extreme caution with these types of emails.

You can also report phishing to US-CERT who is collecting phishing email messages and web site locations so that they can help people avoid becoming victims of phishing scams.

Methods of Reporting Phishing Email to US-CERT

In Outlook Express, you can create a new message and drag and drop the phishing email into the new message. Address the message to phishing-report@us-cert.gov and send it.

In Outlook Express you can also open the email message and select File > Properties > Details. The email headers will appear. You can copy these as you normally copy text and include it in a new message to phishing-report@us-cert.gov.  

If you cannot forward the email message, at a minimum, please send the URL of the phishing web site.

If the suspicious mail in question includes a file attachment, it is safer to simply highlight the message and forward it. Some configurations, especially in Windows environments, may allow the execution of arbitrary code upon opening and viewing a malicious email message.

This information courtesy of US-Cert.com

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Denise Griffitts found on this Website as long as Denise Griffitt’s name and contact information is included. Denise Griffitts, Virtual Assistance Industry Expert, http://denisegriffitts.com, info @ virtualassistantindustry.com, 888-719-6711.

Most entrepreneurs understand the concept of accountability in business, meaning that to accomplish the daily, weekly, monthly, annual tasks necessary for achieving success, one must possess both accountability and responsibility. Most successful entrepreneurs also understand the benefits of having business mentors or coaches who can encourage, challenge, motivate, inspire and mentor you to meet and exceed your professional targets.

Do you have people in your business, social or online networks whose work you admire and respect? Consider approaching them. If you have ever heard me speak in teleseminars or interviews you already know that I consistently state that “online entrepreneurs are the most generous people in the world”. Don’t be afraid to ask a well-known online professional for help. You will be amazed at how many very successful business professionals actually do want to help you succeed. In fact my observation has been that those who are most successful; financially, emotionally and spiritually are the most likely to want to help others excel.

Consider joining a mastermind group of people who demonstrate the behavior, attitude and success that you want for yourself. Be willing to challenge your own thinking and answer tough questions.

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Denise Griffitts found on this Website as long as Denise Griffitt’s name and contact information is included. Denise Griffitts, Virtual Assistance Industry Expert, http://denisegriffitts.com, info @ virtualassistantindustry.com, 888-719-6711.

Proper care of a child begins at the pre-natal stage when the mother is informed of both detrimental and positive courses to take during the pregnancy. After the child is born you take him to a pediatrician, not to a friend of a friend who finished a couple of years of medical school. When your child starts walking, you look for just the right shoes, not for the cheapest or cutest ones. Your child needs good supportive shoes that will protect the little one’s foot from the hazards of the outside world. And when it’s time for the child to start school, we oftentimes move to a new neighborhood simply because it is in a great school district. We do everything we possibly can for our children without being told to. It is human instinct to want the best for those you love.

Sadly, this is not always the case with our business needs. For all the comparisons, when people start new businesses, they often make a mistake of going to sources that are grossly inadequate or simply not the best. When planning a family most people sit down and map out just what needs to be taken care of from pre-natal care to a college savings plans. They have huge expectations for their family and strive mightily each day to realize those expectations. So why in the world would a new business owner not exercise the same due diligence with the very thing that will allow their family to prosper financially as it grows?

Is self employment right for you?

Working for yourself, much as starting a new family means that ALL responsibilities rest on your shoulders.

Do you have a support system in place?

If this was a new family you were planning instead of a business you would naturally enlist the support of family and friends. Have you created a strong support structure for those times when you are overwhelmed, need assistance, or even financial help? Plan on hiring or retaining professional service providers such as a bookkeeper, a virtual assistant, or a business coach and make sure that you educate your family about the help you will need from them.

Do you have a strong business concept and a business marketing plan in place?

Have you clearly defined who your market is for your product or service? Is your business plan actually written down on paper and includes start up and operating cost projections? Do you know how many employees you will need? How about insurance, office furniture and supplies, software, web development, social media marketing?

Why you absolutely need to hire professionals to help you.

One of the biggest and most costly mistakes that home-based, or small business owners make is trying to do it all themselves. By not concentrating on the core activities that only you can do and by trying to wear all hats at all times, you completely lose control of your own schedule. Some tasks demand your personal attention but others do not. In fact, outsourcing many tasks such as information technology tasks (social media marketing, web or blog development, etc.) to an outsourcing partner such as a highly technically savvy virtual assistant saves your company money by saving time.

Elena M. enlisted the help of her cousin to design a website for her business. She bought a template for a simple brochure-style website. The cousin was enthusiastic about this opportunity, yet life kept getting in the way. It took 2 months to launch the site and every time Elena needed to make changes, she had to wait for days. The site is not particularly professional in appearance and is almost impossible to update in a timely fashion.

Aaron B. wrote a sales letter for his technology start-up. He asked an old college friend to edit it because he remembered the guy getting As in English Comp class and on his term papers. The results were less than compelling, down to a few grammatical errors that weren’t caught by word processing software.

Ken Z. felt overwhelmed by his new business’ to-do list and needed to make more room for networking when he hired a virtual assistance company. Unfortunately, he decided to go with a lowest bidder whose work was unacceptable because of low quality and had to be redone by another multi-VA company. The time and money wasted was considerable.

These business owners went through significant issues and ended up paying a lot more than originally expected because of their choices. Why didn’t Elena M. hire a professional web designer and Aaron B. – a copywriter? Why did Ken Z. go with the lowest bidder? And why do hundreds of fledgling entrepreneurs repeat these mistakes every single day?

The first reason that comes to mind is money. When you contact a friend or a relative or select the lowest bidder, you get work done for free or incredibly cheaply. But when true costs are taken into account, it really gets to be very expensive. Some of these costs include:

Your time – a friend you enlist to help you has only limited experience with projects similar to yours. As such, she doesn’t have tools and processes in place to efficiently keep track of every aspect of the project. As a result, you will end up spending too much time overseeing every single detail of your request.

Delayed launch – when you don’t get paid for your work, you tend to put it on the backburner. Elena M. found it out the hard way when her cousin kept apologizing for not getting work done because of various events in his life, including a birthday, several holidays, and a weekend out with friends and a few evenings spent working on paid projects.

Poor quality – grammatical errors in Aaron B.’s copy did nothing to help him win customers. In this case, his friend had no quality control processes in place other than running a simple spell check, which proved woefully insufficient. Of course, grammatical errors can be corrected and a website can be redesigned. But by the time these problems are discovered and taken care of, you might lose a few clients or damage your company’s reputation. You have lost both time and money.

Additional costs – Ken Z. ended up hiring a new vendor that spent time undoing all the mistakes the lowest bidder made which made Ken’s project that much more expensive. He learned that it would have been much more cost effective and less time consuming to get it right the first time by a professional.

Damaged relationships – involving close friends and relatives in your business is in this way may lead to arguments and open or hidden resentment. It is one thing to “fire” a contractor since most of the time she can be replaced fairly easily. It is quite another thing to “fire” a close friend.

The sad thing is that for all the trouble you put yourself through, the end product – whether a website, a sales letter, or a data file – is barely above average and that’s if you are lucky. If you expect outstanding results, you need to hire the best help, not the cheapest.

There is, of course, an upside to this situation – you learn a heck of a lesson. The downside is you lose time, money, opportunities, potential customers, and quite possibly damage great relationships with friends and family.

Instead of calling in favors and looking for the cheap solutions, recognize that what your baby – your business – needs at the moment is the right start in life. It needs the best expertise, advice, assistance. Look for help accordingly to your business needs.

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Denise Griffitts found on this Website as long as Denise Griffitt’s name and contact information is included. Denise Griffitts, Virtual Assistance Industry Expert, http://denisegriffitts.com, info @ virtualassistantindustry.com, 888-719-6711.