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DCW CHRISTMAS PARTY!
CONTESTS BEGIN!!
We have a new contest beginning this week - Christmas Short Stories.
Read along for details.
1. Just For Our Ezine
Subscribers - WINTER CARE TIPS
Send me your tried and tested tips to get yourself prepared for
winter. Tips may be for beauty, skincare, makeup, health, fitness
etc. Anything that you do to equip yourself for the winters. Send
your tips to me at
lata@dotcomwomen.com with Winter Care Tips in the subject
and ALL of the following info: Your Name, Your Country, Category
of the tip (Beauty, Health etc.). You can send in more than one
tip.
Prizes:
1st prize - Beauty Tips 4 a New You eBook by
L'Exquisite Inc Esthetics & Nails
worth $19.95
2nd prize - Unwind Bath Salt by
ARBONNE
Independent Consultant Ann Phelps worth $18.50
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 2.
Just For Our Forum Members - GIFT IDEAS UNDER $25
Post practical gift suggestions for this Christmas under $25. All
details available at the forums -
http://www.dotcomwomen.com/forums You have to register at
the forums to be able to post your entries. Registration is FREE!!
Prizes: Holiday Duo Delight Candle set by
Kathi's Partyshop
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3. 'A MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS'
- Travel Writing Contest (Open for all women)
Send us your most memorable Christmas Travel experience. You do NOT
have to be a writer to participate. We will do any editing, if
needed. For details, visit
http://www.dotcomwomen.com/christmas/travel_writing.html
That's all for this week. Keep watching this space
for Christmas Party updates and special 'Just for Subscribers'
contests.
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4. 'CHRISTMAS SHORT STORIES
(Fiction)' Writing Contest (Open for all women)
Send in a Christmas-themed short story. For details, visit
http://www.dotcomwomen.com/christmas/christmas_stories.html
That's all for this week. Keep watching this space
for Christmas Party updates and special 'Just for Subscribers'
contests.
HOT TOPICS AT THE FORUMS
The DCW Message Forums is an online meeting place for women. It is
the perfect place to meet other online women, discuss business, ask
for help, get resources, share recipes, crafts and much more! Come
and meet Dot Com Women and don't feel shy if you don't know the
"how-to's". Everyone's helpful and friendly :) Join the discussion
at
http://www.dotcomwomen.com/forums
DCW Members at the Expo Connection
Many DCW members set up their tables at the Online Expo
Connection. Read about their preparations, anxieties and success!
Topic Started by: Pennie Mills
(Forum: Online Parties)
Ryze?
To Ryze or to not to Ryze? Ryze is the hottest networking place
online - but does everyone agree? Find out what everyone has to say.
A must for those who are yet unable to decide whether to join or
not.
Topic Started by: Suzy Miner
(Forum: General Discussion)
Christmas Gift Exchange - Progress
The Christmas Gift Exchange lists have been sent out! What's
everyone doing? Read about the preparations for the Gift Exchange.
Topic Started by: Lata
(Forum: Christmas Gift Exchange)
Hello from UK
Anna is the hottest new member on the forums. A talented crafter,
Anna's introduction has made it to the 'Hot Topics'
Topic Started by: bumblebee
(Forum: Introduce Yourself)
Word Game
An Online Game! Very simple and very addicting - come on over and
have a look.
Topic Started by: Lata
(Forum: General Discussion)
New Forums Added! Slow Cooker/Crockpot Recipes, Vegan Recipes,
Christmas Biz Specials.
LET'S TALK BUSINESS
Postcard Marketing Your Small Business
Written by DCW Member Eileen Parzek, ?© 2003
One of the best marketing strategies a business or organization can
use is postcards. Even before the arrival of online postcard
printing and mailing services, postcards had a good reputation
amongst guerilla marketers because:
>> They are fast, easy and relatively cheap - making them a boon to
small business owners who are short on cash and time, yet need to
build their brand and stay in front of their customers.
>> A beautiful, full color glossy postcard is not going in the trash
without first being read.
>> You can add a personal note. Plus, postcards create a pleasant
emotional response because they are usually received by friends and
family.
>> When you advertise your business anywhere else, your competition
knows it. But when you use postcards to communicate with your
customers, it is direct to them and your competition will have no
idea.
With the new web technologies for postcards, it's
super-convenient to just send one or as many as you need without the
effort of hand writing, addressing and mailing each one.
What is particularly nice about postcards is that nearly any
business or organization can benefit from a structured, targeted
postcard marketing strategy. Take a look at some of the ways
postcards can be used.
Thank you notes. You can send a quick thank you to anyone for
any reason and they will be so surprised and pleased that you took
the time. If someone sends you a referral or business lead, gives
you some information you needed, mentions you in an article - send
them a note that shows you appreciate it!
A follow-up offer or service. Within 30 days after a purchase
of a product or completion of a service, send them a discounted
offer for a related service or product. Don't miss the opportunity
for an after-sale contact.
Gift certificates or coupons. Show your best customers that
you appreciate them by sending a gift certificate that they can use
any time in the next year. Even better, leave a space on it for them
to fill out a friend or colleagues name and give it to someone else
to introduce them to your business.
Announce a new project or completed work. Postcards are
perfect for photographers, web designers, architects, graphic
artists, or anyone else who wants to keep their clients in the loop
on what they are working on, with something visual and tangible.
Secret sales and pre-sales for preferred customers. Treat
your existing and favorite clients to a sale that no one else knows
about - or give them an advanced peak at your new product line.
Introduce products or services. Postcards are an economical
way to inform people about your product or services, or announce new
ones.
Announce a new web site. Create an announcement of your new
web presence and invite everyone you know to come check it out.
Remember special days. Send your contacts a holiday greeting
or thank you note for Thanksgiving. If you keep track of special
dates in your customer's lives like birthdays or anniversaries, you
can send them a colorful postcard letting them know you are thinking
of them.
Reminders. Businesses that rely on repeat business can take
advantage of postcards to send reminders and its not just for
dentists any more! Why not remind your past customers of upcoming
birthdays or anniversaries, or special holidays like secretaries'
day or thanksgiving, at just the right time? Or perhaps your
database tells you when they have likely run out of whatever they
bought so you can send them a reminder that its time to visit you
again.
Just staying in touch. People like to be remembered and
postcards are an economical and easy way to say "thinking of you."
Recognition. Send out a postcard to let people know your good
news about accomplishments and awards or reviews you have received.
Invitations to an event. Postcards can be used to announce
seminars you are speaking at, open houses, book signings, and any
variety of special events.
Think about all the ways you can use postcards, and then explore the
many ways that you can automate the process of sending them out
quickly and cheaply. This is one of those marketing strategies which
looks much more costly than it really is, and will return more than
you put into it. The best part is, practically any small business
can benefit.
?© 2003 Eileen P. Parzek, SOHO It Goes!
Eileen 'Turtle' Parzek is a veteran marketing designer and
online communications consultant who has been working from home and
virtually since 1995. Her business, SOHO It Goes! (www.soho-it-goes.com)
specializes in providing technology driven design, marketing and
communication services to small businesses and organizations.
FITNESS
What holds you back from Exercise?
by DCW Member Kay Hilts
Ok, so you woke up one morning and decided, "I am going to lose
this weight". Perhaps it was a New Years Resolution or an after
the summer, "no way am i wearing a bikini this year" revelation.
Your all hyped up, buy the latest books, videos, exercise
equipment, or tapes and are all pumped up to get fit.
Then one day you wake up and realized those books, videos
machines, and tapes are collecting dust and wonder the following
year why your making the same resolutions and you still won't fit
into the bikini.
The answers lie within you.
Are you fully committed to your program? In the past year, what
have been your excuses to get yourself out of doing the exercises?
Time? hate to sweat? too many gawking eyes? no energy? Somethings
always coming up to prevent it? health problems, boring, too old,
other???
Most excuses are manageable. You simply must recognize the excuse
and problem solve. Come up with solutions to your excuses and most
of all ask yourself "Do you REALLY want to lose the weight and
achieve better health?"
Journal writing is an excellent way to get things into perspective
and keep them in focus. Journal writing does not need to be
spectacular or a huge chore. Set your clock for 10-15 minutes in
your "wind down time" and simply write. Examine your negative
thoughts, plan goals and schedule fitness into your schedule. Plan
your meals ahead of time, recognize your successes and track your
daily or weekly results. Reflect back and see how things are
progressing or see where things are hindering your progress.
Remember, you do not have to be committed to one type of exercise.
Variety makes it fun, don't be afraid to try something new or
different.
You wouldn't plan a trip or complete work at a job without knowing
exactly how your getting there or knowing what to do. Your weight
loss strategy needs planning too and a clear "map" of how you plan
to achieve it could be your road to success.
Keeping track of the milestones on your journey, seeing how far
you have come and visualizing your end goal are excellent ways to
keep you focused.
IF your overweight or obese, there is no time like the present, to
eliminate your excuses to not do the work it requires to lose the
weight. The health risks alone should be motivation to move. More
than 60%+ of Americans are overweight. It has passed cigarette
smoking in statistics of "population facing risk factors leading
to death". It is an epidemic and is not getting any better. The
message is spreading - North Americans are the highest percentage
in the world of overweight people. It's time to do something about
it.
One choice, one decision to really commit to a plan and stick to
it, realizing you are SO worth the effort, could save your life
and lower those statistics. The movement to get North Americans
fit and healthy has started. Ready for your journey?
About the AuthorKay Hilts is a Fitness Trainer
and Life Coach to the Dynamite Diva Spa Gals (SPA meaning Some
Personal Attention). The mission of the Dynamite Diva Spa Gals is
to help as many people as possible achieve success in their weight
loss goals. Visit Kay at
http://kaylg.tripod.com/
FOOD
Cranberry Sauce
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
1 pound cranberries, fresh or frozen
1 orange, cut, seeds discarded
2 cups sugar
Combine cranberries and orange in bowl of food processor. Chop
into fine small bits being careful not to over puree.
Put mixture into a mixing bowl; add sugar and stir well.
Transfer mixture to a storage container; cover rightly. Allow to
soften in refrigerator (although it can be served right away).
CONTESTS
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DCW Christmas Party!
A Whole lot of contests for you! Win prizes worth more than
$1000.
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Scavenger Hunt at 'An Enchanted Letter'
Win book bundles and fully personalized Letters from Santa,
the Christmas Angel, Tooth Fairy, or the Easter Bunny.
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All
American Moms
Are you an All American Mom?
Submit your profile and tell us why you deserve to be
recognized as the All American Mom of the month. If your
profile is chosen, you will receive the gift of your choice
from our prize-bank and an award you can display on your web
site proclaiming you as our All American Mom of the month!
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LadiesBlend.com Contest
Enter daily to win fabulous custom
scented Bath & Body Product(s) to be awarded each month!
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My Awesome Candles
Enter to win beautiful candles and other prizes! The names
will be drawn the 1st of December (just in time for
christmas). Contest Sponsors Needed.
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Celebrations - Contest from 'Heart Filled Baskets'
To enter the
contest all you need to do is send an email to
Grattonsbaskets@aol.com
, with the word "Celebration" in the subject
line.
If you have a
contest going on, send me the details and I will publish it
on the Contests page. Send me your entries at
lata@dotcomwomen.com Subject - Contest Listings.
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