Archive for June, 2008

Is A Premium Dog Food Really That Much Better For Your Dog?

Saturday, June 28th, 2008

==========The Scoop on Premium Dog Food========

If you’re interested in premium dog food, then I probably don’t have to tell you about the importance of diet in keeping your dog active and healthy. You already know you want something better than “average” for your furry friend.

But how much do you really know about what’s in a premium food and what your particular pet’s needs are? I’m no veterinarian but I do know a thing or two about health and nutrition. (As a family dentist who practiced for twenty years, I saw first hand the effects of poor dietary habits on human health — and particularly on human teeth!!).

Like you, your dog has to deal with the effects of stress, age, exertion, a polluted environment, and foods grown in nutrient-depleted soils. Unlike you, he has to get practically all of his nutrition from a single food. Sure , you may give him a few treats or the occasional table scrap (not too many I hope!), but otherwise he’s eating out of the same bag or can day in and day out. You want him to get complete nutrition out of that one food.

===========Complete Nutrition?===============

Even the experts seem to disagree on exactly what complete nutrition is. Maybe this explains why there are so many formulas for premium dog food out there. There’s one thing they do agree on, though: premium dog food is better for your pet than economy and grocery store brands. Although you’ll pay more, it usually holds true that you get what you pay for.

Experts also agree that, because premium foods are more nutritionally dense and easier to digest, your dog won’t need to eat as much. One study even concluded that if you fed your dog the recommended amounts on each package, you’d end up saving money on the premium formulas. That’s because your dog needs to eat a lot less of it. (You’ll save on pooper scoopers too!)

Another way to know if your dog is getting a proper diet is simply to observe him. Are his eyes bright, his coat silky and shiny, and his skin free from dryness and itching? Is he at a healthy weight? How about his energy level? This may vary from one animal to another, but as you get to know yours, you’ll know when your dog isn’t feeling up to par.

Of course, any persistent health problems should be looked into by your vet, and the same goes for any special dietary needs. But in general you’ll know if your friend is doing well on the diet you’re feeding him. If you see signs that he isn’t, try a different formula or another brand of premium dog food.

Introduce new foods gradually, especially if you have a picky eater. And while we’re on that subject, it’s always nice if your dog enjoys eating his food. This has a lot less to do with taste than it does with smell. Dogs have fewer taste buds than we do, but about 40 times as many scent receptors. So make sure he eats with gusto, and doesn’t just pick at his food.
Here are some basic guidelines you can follow:

============Essential Nutrients=============

Every dog needs the right amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. Your dog must have all these in correct proportions to stay healthy. Needs vary with life stage, breed and activity level. Dog food companies make premium dog food for all life stages, from puppy to senior. An average adult dog needs a daily intake of about five ounces for every ten pounds of weight, with essential nutrients in the following proportions:

Protein –23% of total intake
Fats –5% of total intake
Carbohydrates –65% of total intake

Additional vitamins and minerals your dog needs are: Vitamins A, D, E, B-complex, Niacin, Biotin, Folic Acid, Choline, and Pantothenic Acid; Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Zinc, Iodine, and Selenium.

It’s generally agreed that dogs do better on a protein source that’s primarily meat rather than soybeans and grains. Check the label. All US food labels must list ingredients in order of their quantity. If meat by-products are listed, they should come after the real meat, not before it. Meat by products are an inferior source of protein, and are basically what remains after the good quality meat has been removed. “Crude protein” can be a similarly poor source, since it may include parts of the animal that can’t even be digested or absorbed by the average dog (hair, beaks, etc.).

Omega fatty acids are a hot topic in human nutrition these days, and have been found to be just as important in the canine diet. Both should be present, and in the right ratio. Most premium dog food companies have done the research on this and adjusted the ratios, but as usual, ask your vet if your uncertain.

===========Wet vs. Dry============

You can buy premium dog food in just about any form, but which one is best? Again, most experts seem to agree. Dry food is less likely to allow plaque to accumulate on the teeth, less likely to harbor bacteria if left out too long, and results in firmer, more compact stools. Semi-moist foods are convenient but for some reason (I’m not sure what) don’t offer the same nutritional benefits as premium kibble or canned foods.

That said, I have also heard arguments suggesting that a diet of exclusively dry food can be a strain on a dog’s kidneys. So, to be on the safe side, check with your vet.

===========Life Stages============

Puppies need more calories and essential nutrients than adult dogs. They need up to twice as many calories per ounce of body weight and should get 25% to 30% of their energy from protein depending on the breed.

Most premium dog food brands take this into account in their puppy formulas, but it doesn’t hurt to check the label. By six to eight weeks of age a puppy should be fully weaned and eating his dry food consistently. After that, different breeds reach their mature weight at different rates, by anywhere from 9 months to 24 months old. So it’s hard to give an age or weight by which you should take your pet off puppy food. Again, your vet can help out here.

Also, remember not to try to “rush” the growing process by overfeeding. If she grows too fast, a dog can develop bone growth diseases. A puppy should get three to four meals a day because he’s growing fast but still has a small tummy, but don’t overdo it with portions size.

Adult dogs need to eat according to their size and energy requirements and should be fed two meals a day. This is frequently referred to by the premium dog food companies as a “maintenance diet”.

Unlike cats, dogs are not strictly meat eaters. In fact, a dog is more like an omnivore and will eat just about anything, whether it’s good for him or not! A certain amount of vegetable matter is part of a dog’s natural diet. Dogs love vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, zucchini, peas, and beans, and fruits such as bananas, apples, and melon. These make great low-calorie treats, too!

One thing you should never feed your dog is chocolate–it contains a chemical called theobromine which is toxic to dogs.

Senior dogs need a premium dog food that will help head off and manage the effects of aging. Since different breeds vary so much, it’s hard to give an age by which you should switch to a senior diet. The ASPCA recommends using weight as a guideline, and offers the following:

Small breeds or dogs weighing less than 20 pounds:7 years of age

Medium breeds or dogs weighing 21 to 50 pounds:7 years of age

Large breeds or dogs weighing 51 to 90 pounds:6 years of age

Giant breeds or dogs weighing 91 pounds or more:5 years of age

The ASPCA recommends that you begin dealing with the symptoms of old age before they’re obvious. Just like us, dogs will begin to accumulate more body fat as they age even as they consume fewer calories. (At least we’re not alone!). Muscle mass will tend to decrease, but this doesn’t mean you should lower your older dog’s protein intake. If anything, protein is more important than ever to help maintain muscle mass, so avoid senior dog food formulas with reduced protein.

One thing you will want to feed him less of is calories. Obesity is a real problem with adult dogs, and many owners don’t even realize their dog is overweight. Aside from portion size and calorie content, one way to avoid an overweight dog is to resist giving him table scraps. Most human food isn’t good for your dog.

===========How Much to Feed============

How’s your dog’s weight? You should be able to feel your dog’s backbone and ribs with light finger pressure, but not actually see them. If you have to “dig” to find them, your dog is overweight and if you can actually see her ribs, she’s underweight.

If you’re not sure how much to feed, you’ll love the interactive Dog Food Calculator on PetsMart’s home page! It’s the result of considerable research that has been published in scientific journals and accepted by industry experts. You can determine the right amount of food to feed your dog and find out how long that 40-lb bag will last!

===========Supplements============

If you’re all ready feeding a nutritionally complete premium dog food, do you still need supplements? This is another hotly debated topic. As a rule, it seems that most dogs do just fine without supplements. For certain dogs and certain conditions supplements can make a differenced. For example, a dog who isn’t thriving and there’s no other medical explanation for it might improve with supplements. Or, dogs with certain skin conditions have been known to improve on supplements. Since there’s a danger of doing more harm than good, you should definitely discuss supplements with your vet.

If you do decide to use one, pick one that’s made from natural sources and is designed as a multivitamin formulated specifically for dogs. That way she’ll get everything in the right amounts and ratios. Add it to the diet twice weekly so you won’t overwhelm or suppress your dog’s own internal regulating mechanisms.

=======Special Diets==========

There are many reasons why a dog might be put on a special diet. Some dogs are very sensitive to certain ingredients in commercial dog foods. Even if you’re feeding her the best of premium dog food , if your dog isn’t thriving, it’s possible her diet is a problem for her. Owners have resorted to alternative diets — holistic, raw foods, even kosher — to optimize their pet’s health. Some choose these diets simply because they believe they’re better, not because their dog is having any issues.

We’ll discuss special diets in a future article. For now, I hope you’ve gained some useful insights about the benefits of premium dog food over and above economy brands.

EzineArticles Expert Author Carolyn Schweitzer

© 2004, Carolyn Schweitzer. Lifelong dog-lover, power-shopper, and former family dentist Carolyn Schweitzer is owner and editor of Great-Dog-Gift.com where she offers a wide range of choices for dog gift shoppers, plus shopping and gift-giving tips. (Also advice on dog care and feeding.)

Visit the site to learn which human foods can be hazardous to your dogs health

You can reach Carolyn by email at netbrainer@verizon.net.

Winclear :Clearing Search Field History

Friday, June 27th, 2008

Spyware Doctor also has an OnGuard system that effectively immunizes and protects your system against hundreds of online privacy threats even while you work. The Spyware Doctor allows you to perform fast scanning and detection at Windows start-up so that you will be alerted with a list of the potential threats identified and provides spyware blocking features to give you continuous protection. There are enhanced search and sorting options so any suspicious activity can be easily traced.

There are quite a lot of keyloggers currently available on the market. Quality depends and so does the price. Keyloggers are usually very simple to install, setup and use and require no special skills from the user. Most of them cost around $30, though there are more sophisticated species that may cost a little bit more. Keylogger software usually operates in the invisible mode and children don’t know their parents have an eye on them. Data loggers, key loggers are just a few programs which harvest info from your computer. Winclear is the only program created specially to auto remove such spywares. Still it is advisable to compare numerous spyware detectors available in the market and choose the one which best fits an individual’s need. That is why every computer owner needs winclear.

Protect With Winclear :Indian History Search Ancestory
If you are one of the people who would want to keep an eye on the computer and Internet usage of your children, staff and spouses, what you need is computer spy software. This computer program, also known as keylogger, will provide you with all the information you will need to determine if your mate is cheating, if your children are in contact with dangerous individuals, or if your employees are sharing confidential information with outsiders or are wasting time playing games during office hours. Winclear is the only software which is capable of removing keylogger programs. People now a days love their computer as if they are not going to live with out it. Winclear has been the industry leader in fighting keyloggers for the last 8 years.

Winclear:
For example suppose you need a password for a bank account an email account an internet forum you visit and maybe you use a password to log on to your own computer (you should). That is the reason why you need Winclear installed onto your computer. This computer monitoring software can even tell you the time and content of all messages and e-mails sent using the computer you are monitoring. Protect your computer security by using Winclear! More about Winclear here: Winclear.

Duct Tape

Thursday, June 26th, 2008

Search through any tool kit, and a common item found is duct tape. This strong, multi-purpose adhesive tape, usually measuring 1.88 inches wide, has evolved from its original purpose of joining together broken equipments. It is now a much sought-after material for creating novelty articles and fashion items, including a classy tuxedo. Duct tape is available in a wide range of colors. Transparent tapes are also available. Duct tape is often called ‘the ultimate material’ owing to its strength and versatility.

Duct tape was developed during the Second World War as a waterproof tape for sealing ammunition cases. It was called “duck tape” because of its water resistance quality. The army gradually widened its usage by utilizing it for fixing military equipments, guns, vehicles and even parts of aircrafts. The housing boom following the war saw duct tape being used for a variety of repair work. An important use of the tape was fixing air conditioning and heating ducts. This earned the tape its present name, duct tape.

Duct tape’s strength and versatility were famously displayed during the Apollo 13 mission of 1970. Following an explosion, the spacecraft’s lunar module had to be used as a lifeboat for saving the onboard astronauts. The spacecraft’s carbon dioxide filters had to be modified to fit round the lunar module’s receptacles. A workaround solution was made using duct tape and other materials available on board.

Although duct tape’s strength lies in its ability to hold together materials and broken parts, creative people have found a variety of other uses. Craftsmen and designers use duct tape to create a range of decorative objects and accessories such as handbags, wallets, purses, belts and even formal wear. There are even exclusive duct tape handbags belonging to famous fashion labels. Perhaps the most diverse use was reported in a medical paper published in October 15, 2002, that states that the duct tape is effective in treating warts.

Duct Tape provides detailed information on Duct Tape, Duct Tape Crafts, Duct Tape Wallets, Duct Tape Fashion and more. Duct Tape is affiliated with Electrician Jobs .

Animal Actors

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008

Remember the cute little doggie in the movie “As Good as it Gets”, or the monkey in the television series, “Friends”? These are some of the most sought after actors there areanimal talent is out therebut much more scarce. After all, at what point in his or her life does a monkey or a cat or a bird or a cute little doggie say “I want to be an actor, mommy. Can you take me to some classes, find me a manager or get me an audition?” Honestly, it is likely the filmmakers who worry most about trained animal talent. But sometimes, the animal role in a film, television series or play can be absolutely vital to the success of it.

For example, in the film “Arachnophobia” there are more spiders than you can countso how did the directors get spiders trained to move the right way, to come down from the shower curtain into the drain. I assume that in some cases there had to be many takes. The filmmakers also had to choose a type of spider that looked dangerous and scary but that would not actually harm the cast if anything got out of hand. I know that in many scenes when the spiders were supposed to run or move in a certain direction, the filmmakers used hotplates under the sets where the spiders were walking. The spiders would walk away from the hotplates in the direction that the script called for them to go. Animal talent of this sort is not as necessary anymore, at least as far as spiders are concerned. If you might recall, the spiders, and most of the other animals used in the Harry Potter movies are all computer generated.

As far as the cute little doggie with the cute little face in “As Good as it Gets” goesthat precious little guy should have gotten an award as best supporting actor! He had been trained to walk over cracks in the sidewalk, to look as if he were about to cry, and became one of the most pivotal and dimensional characters in the whole movie. This puppy was able to convey human emotion to the point where the audience got choked up over it.

I am sure there are schools to train for animal talent in such detail that these types of four-legged stars are possible. And I’m sure that there are some pet owners who envision their own pets on the silver screen one day. However, I would venture to guess that the ratio of animal talent versus the human talent out there is little (in animals) to too much (in humans). For human actors the casting directors question iswho will be best for the part. Far animal talent, the question that casting directors will be asking isis there an animal out there that can do what we need it to do? The answer is not always yesand animals like the dog in “As Good as it Gets” can’t be computer generated. They need to be genuine and interactive. Plainly put a good animal actor is quite hard to find.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on fur boots and fashion please visit Acting Talent.

Video Comes To Web Sites, Blogs, Ipods — How You Can Profit!

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008

Surely you’ve noticed the enthusiastic talk lately about how easy it is to put video on your web site or blog. In the past you had to enlist the help of a professional producer to get even the most simplistic video on your site. That could cost several thousand dollars, and even then, most visitors would have a hard time viewing your video.

No more. Today’s technology has leaped forward to make professional-looking video a reality for any site or blog. You can also easily deliver video to iPods and embeded in emails.

Imagine sending an email to a customer that includes a video that shows her how to use your product or service. Your sales conversion rate skyrockets!

Got valuable information people will pay to know? Create a video showing how to do the task, then sell pay-per-view opportunities to see your video. The technology to do this is simple, ready, and dirt cheap.

And you don’t have to have fancy equipment or complicated training to use this stuff. It’s all cheap or free, and you needn’t do anything more than point and click your way through the user-friendly system.

Even more exciting than how you can use this new video technology to sell your current products and services, is how HUGE the opportunity is to make money on the massive social trend this video technology is unleashing.

Just take a moment to remember how instant messaging has taken over. Now millions of people worldwide check AIM and other IM accounts throughout the day to see who’s online. Cell phone text messaging has also taken over in schools and offices worldwide.

Consider how vast the change will be when people can send personal videos to computers, iPods, and even cell phones. That technology is already available, and people worldwide are starting to jump on board.

You can already sign up to earn commissions when people start to use this technology. Just consider that MySpace has 62 million members and Friendster has 24 million members. The demand for technology that builds online communities is proven. The rush to incorporate video into this already established social trend will be the Net’s next Gold Rush — and it could easily dwarf what we’ve seen before.

BJ Patel is a distributor for BeSeenCafe, an online video community offering Video Blogging, Live Video Chat, Video E-mail, Live Video Broadcasting, Pay-Per-View Video Broadcasting, Video-Casting to iPods, and more! Get started at www.cantaffordnotto.co.uk Reach BJ at jivanjis@yahoo.com.

Networking with a Purpose – Reap the Benefits

Saturday, June 21st, 2008

Years ago when I attended what were termed as “Networking Events” we basically walked around smiling and exchanging business cards. Networking when performed with a plan and with panache, however, can reap huge benefits including client leads, helpful referrals, needed information, or business. Let’s take a look at networking with a purpose that produces results.

Know why you are networking. Before attending any kind of event, trade show, and/or gathering, ask yourself why you are taking the time to do this. Making a networking plan with goals that will add value to the time you spend. I often attend gatherings to touch base with people I know, plus meet at least one new person, and learn at least one new piece of information or find the solution to one problem. I even suggest jotting down your goals and the questions you are planning to ask those you meet. When we ask someone for advice or a solution, they are not only flattered by the attention, we also get the answers to a nagging question.

Focus on one or two conversations. There was a time when I would set my networking goal to talk with as many people as possible. It was lively and fun, but from a follow up business standpoint, not very fruitful. I now focus on having one or two in-depth conversations, take down some notes on a business card, and follow-up within a few days. This takes the superficial quality out of the meeting and I have made some excellent on-going contacts. By dropping a handwritten note or card to someone, along with a brief article about a topic you discussed, you will make a long-lasting impression. So few people take the time to write notes today, your gesture will be unforgettable.

Handle business cards with professionalism and thought. At a networking event situation, I only exchange cards with those I want to follow-up with. I am always ready. I wear a jacket or outfit with two pockets – one with my cards and one for the cards I am handed. This makes the transition of cards smooth and easy. Also, I always have up-to-date cards with me. I feel that there is nothing more unprofessional than someone handing me a card with a phone number or other information crossed out or written in. Business cards are so reasonably priced, there is no excuse for handing out a poor excuse for a card.

Be on the lookout for networking opportunities. When attending meetings, seminars, classes, and presentations by others, you will have a chance to meet and talk with people who are attending because they have similar interests. Being active in associations and clubs in your field of endeavor is a great way to make contacts and become known as a good and dependable worker. I am always on the lookout for networking opportunities that pop up during my daily routines. I often see people at the grocery store, the library, and coffee shops and after striking up a conversation, we will exchange business cards.

Remember, networking in today’s tough market is a necessity. Moreover, with a bit of imagination, the opportunities to make it successful are all around us. Go to it, have fun, and make lots of excellent contacts!

Chris King is a free agent, professional speaker, storyteller, writer, website creator / designer, and fitness instructor. Chris has what she calls a “Portfolio Career” –many careers at the same time. If you wonder if you could handle and love having a “Portfolio Career” you will find a free assessment to take at http://www.creativekeys.net/portfoliocareertest.htm Sign up for her eclectic E-newsletter, Portfolio Potpourri, at http://www.freelanceliving.com You will find Chris’ business website at http://www.creativekeys.biz

The PropertyIndex.com Company: Your Prominent Cosmopolitan Property Info Hub

Saturday, June 21st, 2008

Property Index can help with overseas property investment, view the properties available for investment.

Though the Property Index must be rated a new kid on the block organization, (they were set up in March 2007), they were quick to achieve expert status. As a matter of fact, they are a quite unpretentious organization focused on proposing guidance to anyone intending to rent property across the globe. Their affirmation: to be of assistance to you to laser target squarely what’s needed very swiftly plus, naturally, sans pain. Real estate can easily be found all over the world at the moment, undoubtedly the fanciest area being properties for sale in Spain. It should really be dead easy to list a slew of the marvelous realty you can purchase in Spain, one motive for picking real estate here being properties for sale and the terrific option of spending your life among such a fervent people.

This is one of the truly well-liked areas at the moment, and in view of the gorgeous landscape and the wonderful climate surrounding you all year, who could say no? Real estate in Spain is immersed in culture, art and history, this area of the world has been and still is home to more than a few indigenous civilizations. About 25-30 years back you would find a mere trickle of English people in search of realty in Spain. Ask any person who has relocated to Spain and they’ll corroborate it. There are those who would insist on seeing it as a vogue and others insist on seeing it as a near to an addiction. The people intending to move to this area range from young urban couples keen on a challenge to retirees looking to loosen up.

Note that there could be hitches when acquiring realty abroad — you’ll have to cover a million procedures whether planning, popping in or completing. If you only miss just a single minor step that may definitely generate large hitches plus, most importantly, financial loss. Obviously and expectably with this popular area, realty may well be extraordinarily upscale in this destination and that’s unquestionably due to the increasing market demand. This notwithstanding, homebuyers are fussy in a place characterized by fair geography and great scenery. Indeed it’s able to offer the whole shebang any of us could hanker after, and lots more.

Miss Cleo Was a Fake… NO – Really? YES Maaan!

Friday, June 20th, 2008

With her Jamaican accent Miss Cleo, a self proclaimed psychic and shaman would give you the answers to all life’s mysteries… for up to 9.95 per minute.

Turns out, Miss Cleo was not born in Jamaica at all. A birth certificate showing that Miss Cleo was in reality Youree Dell Harris, an American born in Los Angeles in 1962.

According to the FTC, the purportedly “renowned psychic” whose ads promote “free” readings to callers seeking advice, is the subject of a federal district court complaint filed by the Federal Trade Commission. The charges include:

-Deceptively misrepresent, in their advertising, that a “reading” will be provided at no cost.

- Through their agents, misrepresent the cost of the calls by claiming that consumers’ free minutes have not expired, that the consumer had been awarded additional free time, or that the consumer will not be charged while on hold.

- Falsely represent that consumers are legally required to pay for services even though, in many instances, no such legal obligation exists; and engages in unfair practices by frequently and repeatedly calling consumers, including consumers who had previously indicated they did not wish to receive such calls, and by failing to provide consumers with a reasonable method to stop such calls.

Our Advice…

This genre brings in the “riff-raff.” Anybody can call themselves a medium, get a 900 number/website & prey on the lonely, desperate people of the world. Save your money and time and AVOID at all costs people that call themselves psychics, palmists, clairvoyants, futurists, astrologists, numerologists, mediums, trancers or witches.

Unless…

They have a record over a period of time with a successful and satisfied client list. Most reputable firms will allow to check their references without question, email addresses, telephone numbers etc. If they don’t beware! Some people do have a gift in this area and can give you quality readings and enlightenment beyond what a “normal person” can do. It’s simply a matter of detecting the scams.

Most of the firms that offer psychic and horoscope readings online, the good ones anyway, have a very detailed personal information section that requires your input. Think of it like signing up for a personals site. The ones that require lots of information from you usually get the best results. This makes your reading more personal and specific. The bad ones will give you only canned replies and fluff.

This article may be distributed and reproduced in full with credit to: http://www.onlinepsychicnow.com and http://www.onlinepsychicnow.com/psychic-articles.html

The Psychic and Online Horoscope Review. We review and recommend only the best psychic and horoscope sites based on our strict rating criteria. Along with our tips, secrets & reviews we are sure you’ll find what your looking for!

PC Monitors – Looking for an Alternative to Plastic?

Thursday, June 19th, 2008

Many manufacturers use the Thin Film Transistor (TFT) technology to improve colour screens they provide to consumers.

In a TFT screen an extra matrix of transistors are connected to a LCD panel. These transistors drive the pixels removing ghosting and slow response speed that has affect previous pc monitor displays of days gone by.

The liquid crystal elements of each pixel are arranged so that in their normal state (with no voltage applied) the light coming through the passive filter is polarized so as to pass through the screen. When a voltage is applied the liquid crystal elements twist up to ninety degrees in reference to the voltage, changing their polarization and blocking the light’s path.

So it’s fair to say that the technology involved in the display aspect of a pc monitor has had several technological advances over the years. With all this emerging technology has a lot of though really gone in to the finish of a pc monitor?

Have you ever wondered what equipment would be suitable for a study in the deepest jungle on gorillas or other dangerous wildlife where the need to blend in is paramount to your very survival? What better material than bamboo. I mean it’s shiny and strong and really would look the part. Why not take a break from the normal plastic pc monitors and accessories and try something new more adventurous even. Re live your dreams and aspirations in getting away from the mundane struggle of mass produced plastic.

Why not try one hundred percent original bamboo mold fifth teen inch and seventeen inch tft lcd monitors. The units are of the highest quality and come in an array of different styles. The units also offer tv tuner capabilities allowing you to watch your favorite programs while you work.

Matching accessories include bamboo keyboards polished to a fine finish and a bamboo mouse to really send a message out to your colleagues or family that you are proud to be different.

Are you tired of seeing the same old products just dotted all over the internet with small price variations from site to site, Same old brands all competing for your hard earned cash. Well we sell brands but we also offer something a bit different for the more adventurous among you. We source the latest stuff from across the world! currently in our offerings are portable dvd players with extra features like TV, radio and games but as and when something else raises its head that we feel is pretty cool well… we grab it. James Hovey (Product Researcher) http://www.planetgadgets.com

Affiliate Marketing: Choosing the Right Product to Promote

Thursday, June 19th, 2008

Part of being a successful affiliate marketer is making wise decisions about the products and services you will promote. The product is not the sole factor in one’s success, but it is a key consideration.

With online business booming like never before, the selection of products available for promotion continues to grow. There are new products launched every day and it can be hard to decide where one wants to devote their attention. Consider these factors when selecting a product.

Does it fit your list?

Your list is your income. You have carefully cultivated a good mailing list of people who may be great prospects. Consider your best list(s) and what they would be most likely to embrace. If you can find a product that matches your list well, you will undoubtedly sell a great deal more than if you attempt to offer them something that may not be appealing.

How’s the commission?

Your commission is going to determine your income, in many respects. It must be considered along with other factors before making a decision. Look both in terms of the net dollar value of each sale and at the percentage of the sales price offered. You need to keep both in mind, because a higher margin item with a lower price may be a better performer than a lower margin item that would net a fortune per sale. That’s because you will need to consider how many items you think you’d be able to sell at the disparate price points.

How’s the product?

The quickest way to sour your hard-earned list and to render it useless is by selling them an inferior product. You work hard to develop trust and credibility. Don’t ruin that long-term money making power by pitching a low-quality product to them. Not only does that raise ethical questions, it can also crush a list’s future financial viability.

What’s the competition like?

It’s fine to take on the crowd, but one will usually do better in a less crowded playing field. If a product is so popular with other affiliates that it risks overexposure, find something else. Why compete with thousands of other marketers if you can find a product you can sell in sufficient volume without having to worry about what everyone else is doing?

By looking at factors like these, you can make solid decisions regarding which products you should promote. Once you understand how it matches up with your list, the nature of the commission paid, the quality of the product and the nature of the competition, you are well-positioned to choose the perfect item to promote.

Choosing the right product can require some research and a great deal of consideration, but the end result is well worth it. If you are dealing with the right kinds of products for you, you are one step ahead of many affiliate marketers.

David Cooper is the editor of the Affiliate Marketing Articles Newsletter. David specializes in helping affiliate marketers choose the right affiliate products and services to promote. Subscribe to his FREE newsletter at: http://www.affiliatemarketingarticles.com