Book Reviews
Archived Posts from this Category
Archived Posts from this Category
Posted by Willie on 11 Jan 2008 | Tagged as: Self Development, Book Reviews, Achieving Goals, Business Management
There are a lot of misconceptions about the highly lucrative field of copywriting that it is sometimes hard to separate fact from fiction. Despite this, many people are still eager to join the ranks of the select few who are responsible for creating a buzz in the life of the ordinary citizens. If you are interested to try your luck in this truly competitive but ultimately rewarding arena, here are some easy guidelines:
Persistent, correct practice makes perfect.
This is just a modification of the adage that we are all so familiar with. Here, it is not only enough that you practice your skill, in this case, copywriting. What is essential is the consistency and accuracy of practice in order to achieve a certain level of excellence.
You should learn how to play with words. You should also be conscious of certain connotations of phrases and simple terms. Sometimes, the most basic statements are the ones that actually get noticed by the public.
Understand your target demographic.
Know the people who will benefit from your product. Imagine yourself in their shoes. A quick and cost-effective way to do this is to conduct a random survey of the respondents. Learn their likes and dislikes. Once you’ve gotten a significant pile of information, use it to your advantage. The feedback of the audience is what you will use to pitch a product. This is where the beauty of successful copywriting lies. You masterfully rephrase or reward their desires to suit your product.
Present the benefits in an appealing way.
Whether it is the sense of sight, smell, taste, hearing or touch you are aiming for, make sure you hit the nail right in the head. Use words that would evoke answers to their wants. Stimulate their intense desire by using a language they can appreciate.
If they see that the benefits far outweighs the cost, they will be persuaded by your copywriting skills.
Like any other skill, copywriting requires passion and perseverance to make it work. If you think you’ve got what it takes to soar high in this area, follow the tips written above and you’ll surely go a long way.
To learn more about the step-by-step method how to write your ads and sales letters in such a compelling way that it grabs readers’ attention instantly, read Persuasive Copywriting Secrets report.
Posted by Willie on 04 Dec 2007 | Tagged as: Health, Self Development, Book Reviews, Achieving Goals
As humans grow older, their metabolism gets slower. This affects one’s health, diet and also their hygiene. That is why it is important to know some tips on how to speed up this body process.
What is Metabolism?
When you eat, the cells in your body convert the fuel in the food into the energy that you need in order to perform your everyday tasks, from simply waking up to doing chores, thinking and growing.
The human body works like a machine, it needs to be recharged and maintained to be able to keep up with its duties. Metabolism enables your cells to grow and reproduce, keep them healthy and able to adapt to its environment. Such process is important to all life forms, if it stops, it would cause the life to end.
The Metabolic Rate
The term is synonymous to the rate your body burns calories. It is important to have more muscles in the body to have a higher metabolic rate.
Thus, explains why men, especially with the muscular body type, have higher metabolic rate than women. And it also proves why the metabolic rate slows down as people age.
Get Active
Letting your body work out, move and being active will surely help you develop more muscles that would, in turn, boost your metabolism.
There are days when you feel the need to be a bit indolent but you could keep up with your metabolism rate by getting into exercises to sweat it out and build up those needed muscles.
Being active will not only help one’s metabolic rate, it would most be useful for a person to be energized and ready for each day’s tasks.
Keep up with the coming rigorous days by staying fit while bearing in mind the importance of a higher metabolic pace.
To learn more how to Speed Up Your Metabolism read Ignite Your Metabolism report.
Posted by Willie on 23 Nov 2007 | Tagged as: Self Development, Book Reviews, Achieving Goals, Business Management, Career Builder
A great conversationalist is not born. He or she is made. You just have to practice as often as so you can by walking up to people and at the same time enabling them to also talk to you.
Smile. When people see that you are happy, this sends a message to them that you are approachable and friendly. Chances are, they will even smile back and that could already be the beginning of the conversation.
Be honest and not tactless. There are different ways of driving a point; you have to find the right words to say without offending the other person. If you have nothing nice to say, better not say anything and move on to another topic.
Listen and give your full attention. A master conversationalist is more of a listener than a talker. Give the other party time to respond; encourage them to also ask questions or express their opinions.
The previous step can only work by showing interest about the other person and their interests. Studies show that showing importance to the other person will make it easier for you to strike a conversation rather than just talking about yourself.
When you are talking with someone, always address them by their first name. This is a sign that you show importance to who they are, which also strengthens that friendship.
In a conversation, you shouldn’t complain, condemn or criticize; but rather, point out what you didn’t like in a gentle manner. Try to look at the things they have done correctly and acknowledge them.
Serve food! Did you know that food is very useful in striking a conversation? This is the reason that cocktails are served before the meal itself; so if there are guests coming over, make sure there is something ready to be served.
You too can be come a great conversationalist. So, smile, show some respect and interest to whoever you are talking to and you will be just fine.
To learn more how to be a Great Conversationalist read How to be a Master Communicator e-book.
Posted by Willie on 14 Nov 2007 | Tagged as: Self Development, Book Reviews, Achieving Goals, Career Builder
Although it will not be the sole reason why you might get that coveted job position, a resume is a written proof of your qualifications. It does perk up the interviewer’s interest if they get to read all the skills and knowledge you can offer the company if they choose to hire you. So it would be best to prepare a resume that will do justice to your abilities. Read on and find out just how…
1. Don’t make the mistake of writing in the narrative form. It would look really lengthy and boring. I’m sure they don’t have all day. Also, try to avoid stating it in the third person or the first person. For example, “he is a fast-learner” or “I am hardworking”.
2. Do away with fancy borders or pictures. Resumes should look formal and professional. Unless you are applying for the art department, keep the “décor” to a minimum.
3. Keep the facts straight. You would not want to be caught writing something that’s not true. Remember, a few phone calls to check on the accuracy of your qualifications is all it takes to get your name off the list. Stick to reality. Your resume should not be fictional or fabricated.
4. State achievements or experiences briefly. Don’t focus on too much detail. If the recruiter wants to know more, there’s the interview portion for that.
5. Make sure you use the right sequence in stating your job experiences. That is, the most recent one should be on top, and not the other way around.
6. Don’t jot down experiences or trainings that are not necessarily related to the job you are applying for. This also works the same with hobbies or interests. If its not in line with the work description, by all means, skip it.
7. Limit your resume to two pages or less. You will be taking up too much time if you pass three pages or more, and you’re not the only applicant for the job, ok? So stop the urge of writing an epic story of your conquests and achievements.
Remember these tips when you have the need to pass yet another resume. They are little details you might want to consider when you apply for that next big job. Keep your fingers crossed, best of luck!
To learn more about How to Ace Your Job Interview read Your Dream Job in a Handshake report.
Posted by Willie on 07 Nov 2007 | Tagged as: Self Development, Book Reviews, Achieving Goals, Habits
Let’s face it, most women celebrate their femininity on clothes, jewelries, perfumes, bags and lots and lots of shoes. And women just love shopping, even if it’s a little over the budget or equivalent to a month’s worth of groceries. If you end up buying things out of compulsion and not of necessity, then you’d better read on…
Compulsive spending can lead to a lot of problems, both financially (of course) and socially. It can strain your relationships, even your work environment. Imagine having debts all over the place—with officemates and friends alike). Not such a pretty scene right? It won’t go too well with those new Blahniks…
Here are ways to cut up your spending at the mall…
1. Try putting off buying that “gorgeous thing” on display. Say this slowly and mean it. Is it something I badly need? Is it a matter of life and death? Think of it ten times or more. Then if you lose sleep over that particular pair of shoes…go ahead and buy it.
2. Scour the mall first. Whenever you spot a particular bag, don’t opt to buy it ASAP. Visit a few more stalls or boutiques. Chances are, they might have the exact item or something quite similar but cheaper.
3. Take advantage of “sale day”. While doing so, make sure you check closely for damages or flaws in the goods you want to buy. If you end up wearing something stained or a shoe with a strap missing then you got less than what you bargained for.
4. Quality doesn’t mean it has to be branded. Let’s face it, that blouse won’t get a second look if it doesn’t have Tommy Hilfiger or Nike sprawled in front. Most of the time buyers are paying for the “brand”. You’ll find the same quality for less if you stop being too particular.
5. Limit your cash or leave some of your credit cards at home. This way you’ll be a lot less tempted to try on that four-digit dress.
Remember, shopping isn’t necessarily a bad thing. What matters is that you shop wisely and overcome the compulsion to overspend. Happy shopping!
To learn more about how to stand on top of your addiction and eventually emerge victorious in your battle for a free and wonderful life in less time read Overcoming Addiction report.
Posted by Willie on 02 Nov 2007 | Tagged as: Self Development, Book Reviews, Achieving Goals, Career Builder
Get real, one day you won’t be the same 12-year-old whose only concerns involve not missing the bus and passing Algebra. One day, you’ll wake up and realize you need to land a job to pay the bills and support the independent “you”.
When you come to realize this, you will need all the preparation you can get to be able to convince your future employer that you are indeed the best there is for the job. So how do you do this?
It is no easy feat but there are specifics on exuding that aura of competence and confidence…and here’s what I’m talking about…
1. Have that “look”. Don’t raise your eyebrows yet, you don’t have to get all red-carpet glamorous. Just be presentable. This means to not show up looking sloppy or untidy. The company you will be working for would like to see that you are somebody who will best represent them in front of important clients or customers.
For the professional look, ditch those jeans for slacks or a skirt in a conservative color and design. Wear light, natural make-up and limit the jewelry to earrings and a watch. Just be sure that whatever you wear, they are well-fitting and comfortable.
2. Be the “looker” with the brains to match. Nope, no need for a Harvard diploma, all you will have to do is a wee bit of company search courtesy of the World Wide Web. With a click, you will find all the basic details of your future company, including what they do and what they might be expecting of you. Take note of these facts. They might come in handy during the interview. Imagine the interviewer’s horror if you turn out not knowing a thing about the job or company you are applying for… no amount of “confidence” can make up for your “ignorance”.
3. Done with the “brains”? Now do the body… the body language that is. Posture speaks a lot about you. Slouching would make you appear too relaxed or even lazy, like you’re not trying hard enough. So keep your back straight, chin up, chest out and stomach in. Familiar enough? I’m sure you’ve heard those quotes plenty of times. But yes, they do work. Sit properly and stop making any unnecessary movement. They know you’re supposed to be nervous, no need to make them too aware of that fact.
There you have it. Those were just the basic steps to making a great first impression. When you’re on the line for the next big job, you can never be too prepared. I hope you find those suggestions helpful in landing you that coveted job position! This just might be your big break! Have fun job-hunting!
To learn more about How to Ace Your Job Interview read Your Dream Job in a Handshake report.
Posted by Willie on 25 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: Self Development, Book Reviews, Achieving Goals, Habits
What you eat and when you eat influences just how tired or invigorated you feel at the start and end of the day. So to keep your energy high, follow these simple tips in eating:
1) Eat breakfast with a balance of protein and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are basic energy fuels, but too much, ironically, can make energy drop. Your digestive system is working overtime to break down too much carbohydrates, thus causing sluggishness. Why do you think too much bread or pasta makes you sleepy? Protein, though, is not the case. Protein in moderate amounts boost energy. So eat just the right amount of protein and carbohydrates. One serving of protein and one serving of carbohydrates is enough.
2) Eat a low-fat lunch with servings of protein and carbohydrates. This applies the same principle of breakfast. A good mix of protein and carbohydrates will keep you energized.
3) Eat healthy small meals and snacks throughout the day. Doing this gives you a steady supply of fuel to maintain your energy.
4) Drink at least eight glasses of water. Remember this, even as you are feeling stressed and beating a deadline. Your tiredness or fatigue may just be a result of dehydration.
5) Eat a small meal in the evening. As your digestive system is starting to rest during this period, do not overwhelm it with too much food. Again, taxing your digestive system will make you feel tired as well.
6) Cut down on sugar and caffeine. This may give you a temporary energy high, but in the long run they can cause fatigue and bring you down to energy levels lower than before you had your sugar or caffeine fix.
7) Minimize alcohol consumption. Cells are dehydrated and the nervous system is suppressed by alcohol. This causes problems in concentration and even fatigue.
To learn more about How to Fuel Up Your Body with Unrelenting Super Energy read the Building Energy Amidst Stress and Anxiety report.
Posted by Willie on 25 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: Self Development, Book Reviews, Achieving Goals, Career Builder
Is there anything you desire that you feel you cannot have? Is what you want always far from your reach? Anything you want is yours for the taking if you can just tap into the power of your mind. With imagination and belief, you can turn your thoughts into reality. Below are some tips to help you turn your thoughts into reality.
Desire it. Passion is a strong bridge between you and what you want. Ask yourself – how much do you really want this thing you are thinking of? Is it something you can do without, or something you are really passionate about? Passion is power.
Be specific. Be very clear about what you want. What you get is only as clear as what you want. If you want a house, see it very clearly on your mind – the architectural design of the interior and exterior, the garden, and more. Set a deadline. When do you want to have that house?
Visualize. This is arguably the most powerful tool of the mind. Be the director and leading actor in your own movie. Walk through your dream house, see the sights, smell the scents, feel the feeling of being there. The subconscious brain does not differentiate between a real experience and an imagined experience. So, once you vividly imagine a scene, you are close to letting it manifest into reality. Visualize daily.
Believe. Fear and doubt stand in the way between you and your dream. Should you feel any doubts, believe that the universe will give it to you. The universe is overflowing in blessings and abundance if only you ask and believe! What you believe, the universe gives. If you believe that you will get it, the universe will give it to you. If you believe you won’t, then the universe won’t give it to you.
Take inspired action. From your daily visualizations, you may suddenly get a spark of an idea of how to get the house. Or you might meet a person who knows where you can buy your dream house. At these moments, don’t hesitate. Act!
Follow these steps and you will prove that you can indeed turn your thoughts into reality!
To learn more about mind power methods read the Discover and Unleash Your Power report.
Posted by Willie on 15 Aug 2007 | Tagged as: Self Development, Book Reviews, Achieving Goals
You can have a deeper understanding of what motivation is by learning about the effects of the opposite situation which is: a lack of motivation. What happens when you are not properly motivated? Will you be able to achieve the goals that you have set for yourself? Will you have the ability to focus and point your actions towards achieving success? Will you experience personal satisfaction upon reaching your goals? All of these may not be possible if there is a lack of motivation.
First, let us go back to the meaning of motivation. This is the reason behind a person’s action. If he commits a crime, there should be a motivation behind it. If he works doubly hard in a particular job, there is a motivation behind that. If he gets engaged in a big fight with a friend, a colleague or a family member, there is surely a reason behind his actions.
When taken positively, motivation can be the driving force behind a person’s actions to achieve his or her goal in life. These goals may be short term or long term, but the important thing to remember is that motivation is the reason behind the action that one takes to achieve a particular goal.
Now, when you go back to the consequences when there is a lack of motivation, you can easily conclude that there will be no sense of direction. If there is a lack of motivation to do good in school or with the job that you do, you will not be able to advance. If there is a lack of motivation, you will not be able to maximize your potential as a person and you cannot make use of the skills and the intelligence that you have to advance in the workplace. If there is a lack of motivation, you will just keep on doing the negative things that you are used to because there is no ‘heavy’ reason why you should change for the better in the first place. Thus, your sense of well-being will not improve, you will have no sense of direction and purpose about life in general, and your actions will basically be meaningless and seemingly without worth.
With all the disadvantages of having a lack of motivation, then it is high time that you look for something that will give purpose and direction to your life. Once you are well- motivated, you will be able to enjoy more the fruits of your labor and you will have a better chance of enjoying life because it is enriched with a renewed sense of purpose since you are properly and positively motivated.
To learn how you can develop fiery motivation read Set Your Motivation on Fire report.
Posted by Willie on 15 Aug 2007 | Tagged as: Self Development, Book Reviews, Improve Your Memory, Time Management, Achieving Goals
If you have not heard of the term mind mapping yet, now is a good time to learn about it. You will certainly be missing out on a lot of things if you are still using the old
‘listing’ technique or taking down notes when studying, mapping out a plan or drafting an outline for a project at school or at work.
Not only does mind mapping eliminate the need for tedious lists, but it also works the same way that the human brain works, so coming up with a mind map or concept map is a breeze for anybody who wants to try it out.
So how does mind mapping work? This technique involves the illustration of ideas on paper. Think of it as literally drawing a ‘map’ of what you are actually thinking.
First, what you need to do is write in the center of the paper a word which represents the main theme or central idea. From that one word, you can think of other words associated with this central idea which can be connected to the main word with the use of branches. A branch from the main theme could have a sub-branch which is another word associated with the keyword, and so on – let the process evolve from there.
Once the entire paper is filled out with your ideas, the entire illustration will merge into a whole, which you can easily remember, picture in your mind and understand.
Now that you have a basic idea of what mind mapping is, take a look at the numerous benefits of mind mapping:
• You can save a lot of time and effort when using the mind mapping technique, instead of the traditional ‘listing’ method.
If you are fond of using itemized lists when taking down notes from a lecture, or even planning a vacation trip – imagine the amount of time and effort that you will save if you will use mind mapping instead. With mind mapping, you can eliminate the unnecessary details and just concentrate on what is important to you.
• Mind maps are easier to understand and remember.
This is especially applicable for students who are studying for an exam. Use mind mapping during a lecture, and you will find that the illustration will help you remember facts better, rather than relying on the traditional notes. This is because it will be easier for you to imagine an illustration rather than memorize a bunch of lists about the topic discussed.
With mind mapping, you can use your brain to its utmost potential and enjoy the advantages of having a better time at planning, organizing your thoughts, remembering facts and analyzing data – skills that you can apply both at work and in your home life.
To learn more about Mind Mapping techniques read The Power of Mind Mapping report.
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