Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Space News in Cyberspace

The subject of Space - interplanetary space; outer space; satellites, spacecraft; space missions, is Big Business! Space and related subjects, is therefore one of the biggest news topics after perhaps general politics and world economy, but no longer is this just true of newspapers and television channels. Space news is just as pervasive on the Internet or in cyberspace, if not more so. The Internet and the news industry were made for each other, it is little wonder then that news related websites account for approximately 60-65% of all Internet traffic and that space news related sites account for approximately 30% of this, according to various estimates.
With one technological milestone after the other being breached and broken; especially in computing and telecommunications, space related activity in general has proliferated over recent years, and with it the space news business. The most obvious sources of space related news on the Internet, are websites of the various national/regional space administration bodies, such as NASA; CNES; ESA; ISRO; JAXA; CNSA; BIS; DLR; and ASRI.
However, news items on these sites are sometimes, and understandably so, biased towards their own particular sphere of activity; not always, but in general. As a result, hundreds of independent space news related sites, have sprung up over recent years in an effort to provide more even coverage of space related activity and events, such as Space Daily; SPACE.com; Sky & Telescope; Aon Space, which is to do with space finance; SatNews.com and others. These are truly professional and well thought out sites, with easy to follow page layout schemes and interesting and informative articles that will appeal to most readers. The space enthusiast is truly spoilt for choice.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

News Photography Business

We now live in a world where people choose to get their news from their iPhones, Blackberrys and online, the newspapers taking big financial losses. Newspaper subscriptions and advertising revenues are way down and some newspaper are even closing up shop altogether. For those newspaper that are still operational upper level management are cutting back staff at a remarkable rate. Many professional photojournalists, editors and reporters are being laid off or forced to do twice the amount of work they were originally hired to do. However the demand for quality news photos and videos remains high. With reduced amount of staff photographers newspapers must still provide photos for their newspaper daily, but it isn't always that easy.
As newspapers continue to struggle to provide the best news coverage with their reduced staff they often turn to freelance photographers also known as Stringers to fill the pages with breaking news photos as well as video clips for their website. These newspaper Stringers earn anywhere from $75-200 per photo and sometimes even more for video content that is used on a national television show.
Breaking into the news photo business isn't as hard as it may sound and you can actually get started today if you have the proper equipment and motivation.
What are some of the things you will need to get started?
  1. Digital SLR camera
  2. Police Scanner
  3. Cellphone
  4. Laptop with wireless access
  5. Reliable vehicle
  6. Long zoom lens 70-200mm is fine
As a Stringer you will be spending a majority of your time monitoring your police scanner and listening for major car crashes, fires, shootings, SWAT stand offs and even severe weather such as brush fires and tornadoes happening in your town.
The objective is to get to the scene and make dramatic photos of the scene before newspaper or television photographers get there. The best time to hunt for news is late at night from 12am-4am as this is when most of the news staff is off, meaning no competition for you. It is possible to get exclusive content during the day but is usually more difficult because of the increased competition and traffic.
A reliable stringer with proven results can also accept photo assignments from newspapers, magazines and TV stations around the world adding to the money you make nightly chasing spot news.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Business Articles Can Help You Grow Your Company

Whether you already own a business or anticipate launching a business, it pays to do your research and stay abreast of issues that could affect your company. In the past, understanding business management and trends may have required an MBA degree or attending expensive seminars. Today, however, the Internet provides a wealth of information completely free of charge. By regularly reading business articles, you can gain insight into a variety of issues affecting companies like yours.
Taking a Cue from the Experts
Experts, business owners, and consultants routinely post valuable information on a wide range of topics to article content hubs, also known as article directories. For example, you can find dozens of articles about customer service, with topics ranging from how to effectively resolve customer complaints to using customer service to build customer loyalty to the pros and cons of using retail greeters. If you're getting ready to launch a business, you can find step-by-step guides to writing a business plan, how to incorporate flexibility into your strategic plan, and how to diversify your revenue streams.
Similarly, you can keep abreast of the specific issues affecting your business by reading business news articles and business ethics articles. Likewise, small business articles can help you avoid many of the pitfalls that besiege owners of small companies, and prompt you to adopt best practices for your industry.
Valuable Marketing Tips
It's always a challenge to stay a step ahead of the game and market your business in a way that gives you a competitive edge. This is especially true when it comes to Internet marketing, since cutting edge strategies quickly and fluidly changes in response to the needs of the marketplace. An article content directory that emphasizes business articles can provide a wealth of information on topics ranging from email marketing, pay-per-click advertising, traffic building, Web design and development, and copywriting.
Scouting for Business Opportunities
Whether you're ready to launch a new business or simply wish to diversify your revenue streams, a business-oriented article content directory will showcase new business opportunities. It will also contain business articles that will help you evaluate opportunities and provide benchmarks to determine whether or not you are achieving your goals. Other articles will help to motivate you by giving you pointers on setting goals, visualizing success, and convincing those around you to buy into your dream.
Sharing Your Knowledge
If you have experience in business issues - whether on general business topics or in a narrow specialty - consider using an article content directory to share your knowledge. Your advice, tips, and roadmap to success are certain to help others who are seeking guidance. When you do, you have the added benefit of being able to promote your business or website by including a hyperlink in the resource box of your article.
Expanding Your Website
Your company's website serves to both create brand awareness and to provide visitors with valuable information that will encourage them to return often. Article content directories often allow website owners to reprint articles on their own sites, as long as proper attribution is given and the author's resource box remains intact. Reprinting business articles and other articles on topics of interest to your visitors can help you add high-value content to your website and expand its reach.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Marketing Your New Home Business on a Budget

The hardest part of a new home business is letting everyone know who you are, what you offer and how they can contact you. There are many secrets to marketing your business and understanding which ones work for your business model is the key.
The problem with most people is that when they start their home business, they expect a profit within the first month. They start by jumping in and signing up for every type of advertising and they find themselves broke before they make their first sale. Most people who experience this blame their small business and do not take responsibility for their own mistakes. Take your time. It takes 6 months to a year to be profitable in a business. Spend just a little time each day marketing your business. Limit yourself to $20 to $50 per month for advertising. You can spend more, but you may not see any improvement in results. You can spend a lot less and get just as much in return. You decide.
There are many types of media that you can advertise in such as internet, radio, newspaper, magazines, etc. Many people will try to use all the methods of advertising at once. The problem is you will not be able to determine what advertising method is working for you and which one is wasting your money. Only 10% of people will tell you how they found your business, so don't rely on asking them. Another statistic is that it takes people three times to hear or read an ad before they consider purchasing something. Keep your advertising on long enough to make a difference.
Roll out your advertising and marketing in blocks. Select one method and focus your marketing dollars. Then after a period of time, depending on whether it has been successful or not, change your advertising method again. Many businesses call these "campaigns". Keep track of your campaigns and the money generated from them.
Here are some low cost methods of advertising for you to consider for you campaigns...
WORD OF MOUTH - This is the cheapest kind of advertising on the planet and the most powerful. It works based on a customer having an enjoyable experience with the service and/or products you have provided. Because of their great experience, they will spread the word to the family, friends and co workers without even having to ask them. We have all experienced this when our friends talk about a great restaurant or how much they enjoy their vehicle.
BUSINESS CARDS - You can usually pick up 500 business cards for about $20. When you do, hand them out. Do not give more than a couple of cards to each person. If they need more cards from you, they will ask. Other suggestions are to leave them in areas such as taxis, car washes, restaurant lobbies, phone booths, etc.
Some people are known to network with others on a regular basis. Some of these people are also known to be always looking for an extra few bucks. With these people, you can suggest to them that if they write their name on the back of one of your business cards and the card is presented to you, then you will pay a referral fee to them. You do not have to offer much --- sometimes one dollar is enough. Look at your home business and your offerings and decide how much would be a good referral fee.
PRESS RELEASES - Press Releases are a good source for generating news about your home business. The business editor at your local newspaper is always on the lookout for a good business story to fill the business news section of the newspaper.
Ensure you do your research on how to write a press release. There is a right way and a wrong way. Once complete, forward your release to a business editor or reporter. They will be more inclined to run your story if you buy some advertising, but may still print your release for free in a special events and openings section.
NON-PRIMETIME ADS ON RADIO AND TELEVISION - Ever been up late and notice all the infomercials on TV. They have selected this time because it is a money making time. Non-primetime ads do not have to fight with all the major brands that have millions worth advertising set aside. Television primetime is 7pm to 10pm and radio is 8am to 5pm.
Non Prime time radio and TV can offer you the best rate of return for your dollar. If it can keep the infomercial companies profitable, it certainly can help your business too.
From Chris Slaviks' experience, one of the best ways to attain everything is to start a home business. Having a home business allows ordinary people to attain a lifestyle they didn't believe possible---especially following such a difficult economic time. Now, through his website, [http://www.Chris-Home-Biz.com], Chris is giving people the free information and inspiration they need to be as successful as they've dreamed. Sign up for a free 360 page ebook called Dotcomology that will help you start a new home business or tune your existing one.