Unfortunately, for many new to landlording, attracting Purple Martins is exceedingly difficult. There are a few important tips and techniques that can make the task a bit easier, but ultimately, patience and consistency are the key ingredients to a successful martin colony. With that in mind, let's explore a few of those tips, including birdhouse location, controlling predators and competitors, and some additional tools that can improve your results.

Purple Martin Real Estate

They say the three rules of real estate are "location, location, location." The same holds true when putting up a birdhouse. Different birds have different preferences for nesting locations, so to attract Purple Martins, give them what they want. The birdhouse should be placed at least thirty feet from human housing. Do not put it more than 120 feet away, though - Purple Martins have come to associate people with protection, so they do not want to be too far away. These birds are amazing flyers capable of spectacular aerial feats; however, they require a direct flight path into their birdhouse, so make sure you place your Purple Martin birdhouse at least forty feet away from any trees that are taller than the birdhouse. How high above ground should the birdhouse be? The answer to that question is from ten to twenty feet. Most mounting poles specifically designed for Purple Martin houses will top out at twelve to fifteen feet, which is considered by most experts to be the optimum height.

There are two other considerations concerning the location of your birdhouse. First, there should be a source of water nearby. What's that? You haven't moved into your fancy lake house yet? As long as the martins can find water within a few miles, it is okay, whether it is a lake, river, pond, or even a surface well like those provided for cattle.

The other important thing to mention is that we are talking about Purple Martins that nest east of the Rocky Mountains. There is a sub-species of martin that lives in parts of the desert Southwest, and another along the Pacific coast, but they nest in their ancestral ways, in abandoned woodpecker holes and other natural cavities. The Pacific coast sub-species is beginning to use Purple Martin gourds and single-unit birdhouses.

Controlling Predators and Competitors

Other cavity nesting birds may compete with Purple Martins for your birdhouse. If you find Tree Swallows or Bluebirds trying to nest within, you should put up a birdhouse specifically for them, and move their nest. It is a violation of federal law to harm our native birds, so no aggressive action is to be taken. The same cannot be said for non-native birds, like English House Sparrows and European Starlings. You may use deadly force to control these birds, so long as you do not violate other local laws. For instance, it may not be a good idea to unload on them with a hunting rifle; your neighbors will not appreciate it, and your expensive Purple Martin birdhouse will be full of holes (unless you shoot as badly as I do).

Unfortunately, sometimes predator species like hawks and owls may attack your Purple Martin colony. It is a part of the circle of life, as they say. Many birdhouses can be purchased with attachable owl guards, and the nesting compartments are usually sufficiently deep to provide a measure of protection.

A Little Extra Help

Over the years, Purple Martin experts developed some tools that may be great aids in attracting the oft-beloved birds. The dawn song of the Purple Martin, sung in spring as the birds circle overhead or perch nearby, is an effective attractant. You may try to learn how to sing like a martin, but your success is doubtful, and your family may worry for your sanity. Instead, buy a specially recorded CD, and play it in the early morning hours in spring.

Another helpful and clever resource is the Purple Martin decoy. These wooden or plastic look-alikes are placed on the birdhouse or on perches attached to the birdhouse. Since Purple Martins are gregarious birds, they may well stop by to say hello.

In conclusion, I must again emphasize the importance of the location of your new Purple Martin birdhouse. It must be near - but not too near - your own house, and away from trees. When dealing with other bird species, be a competitor with the predators (owls, hawks, etc.), and be a predator of non-native competitors (English House Sparrows and European Starlings). Avail yourself of whatever help you can find, including products such as audio recordings of Purple Martin vocalizations and decoys. Finally, I will offer two words that many Purple Martin landlords find are crucial to their success: Be patient!

Originally, Purple Martins nested in abandoned woodpecker holes, decaying trees, or wherever they could find a cavity big enough to contain their nest. Native Americans initiated the human connection with the birds. Gourds were hollowed out and hung from poles or tree branches to cure, to be later used as water vessels. The people were probably surprised when first they saw a pair of steel-blue martins making a cozy abode in their beverage ware!

Later, European colonists and frontiersmen took note of the ties between Purple Martins and the Natives. In 1831, a man named Alexander Wilson observed, "Even the solitary Indian seems to have a particular respect for this bird." ["Thanks to Native Americans, Purple Martins Underwent a Complete Tradition Shift" - James R. Hill, III] The Native Americans may have nurtured the relationship with Purple Martins because of the massive amounts of insects they eat. (It is important to understand, though, that mosquitoes are not on the martins' menu; that myth was an invention of unscrupulous marketers trying to sell more birdhouses!) It is also quite possible that the Natives simply enjoyed the aerobatic feats of these nimble flyers, as many people do today.

As people expanded into the Purple Martins' territory, there were fewer and fewer places for martins and other birds to nest. Luckily, people already knew how to provide homes for the martins, at least in a rudimentary fashion.

However, our encroachment continued, and the pressure on Purple Martin populations increased exponentially. Urban expansion, suburban sprawl, road building, deforestation, river damming, and many of our other activities nearly spelled the end for the enchanting, gregarious martins.

Finally, concerned citizens began to try to reverse the downward trend in the number of Purple Martins. New types of housing were developed, eventually evolving into the multi-unit bird apartments that can now be seen all across the eastern half of the United States and southeastern Canada. The designs and specifications of Purple Martin birdhouses continue to change as we learn more about these wonderful birds. The large, mansion-like houses, made of wood, plastic, aluminum, or some combination of these, supplanted the natural gourds as the favorites of Purple Martin landlords; but the gourds, like the martins themselves, are making a comeback. Many people spend days carving and curing gourds to hang from wires or mount on poles. The birdhouse manufacturers have also thrown their hats into the ring, producing durable, attractive artificial Purple Martin gourds that the birds seem to love.

The Purple Martin enthusiasts began to spread the word about the plight of the birds, and, over time, more and more people ventured into the realm of Purple Martin landlording. The number of martins nesting in the U.S. and Canada has rebounded significantly, though the population is still meager in comparison to its former size.

The prevalence of competitors like European Starlings and English House Sparrows, coupled with the effects of human society will prevent Purple Martins from reestablishing their former number, but there is no reason why they cannot have a robust and healthy population. Their fate is now in our hands. We, who initiated the Purple Martin Connection so long ago, can make all the difference.

Tip #1) Point Your Snowball in the Right Direction

Many people struggling under the burden of heavy credit card debt use a debt snowball method. Unfortunately, many of these folks were given faulty information when they learned of this approach. They were told to focus on paying off the card with the lowest balance first, then to move on to the nest lowest balance card, and so on. This arrangement of a debt snowball could leave you in debt for months or years longer than necessary, and it could cost you thousands of dollars in interest.

The proper way to arrange your debt snowball is to pay off the card with the highest APR - the Annual Percentage Rate, or interest rate - first. Going after the low balance cards can be tempting; it can gratify you quicker, because it takes less time to pay off the first card. That gratification is fleeting, however, because the interest is the real killer. It will take you much longer to pay off all your cards, especially if your highest balance card also carries the highest APR. How important is it to you to become debt free? Would you trade a small, short-term victory for your long-term financial freedom? Think big, stay focused, and do it right. Tackle the high APR's first.

Tip #2) Negotiate a Better Deal.

Your debt does not exist in a vacuum. Things can change, and you can be the author of that change. Call your credit card companies and ask them to lower your APR. It is just that easy - kind of. First, you must make sure that your account is in good standing. That means you have not gone over your limit, and you have make your payments on time, for at least the last three months. Some credit card companies may require six months in good standing before they will deal, but, rest assured, they will treat their best customers better than they will treat others. After they lower your APR - and if your account is in good shape, they will - you may need to rearrange your debt snowball, as per Tip #1.

Tip #3) Use Balance Transfers - With Caution!

Balance transfers can be a boon to those who are committed to eliminating their credit card debt as quickly as possible. Ironically, they are often a financial nightmare for just those same people. When used prudently, balance transfers provide debt-ridden individuals a way to pay down balances much more rapidly. Used unwisely, balance transfer fees add up to more debt, and the time limit on the offer expires, exposing the debtor to those pesky, inflated interest rates.

It is important to remember that a balance transfer, from the credit card company's perspective, is a business deal. They will make you an enticing offer, but there is a price. The offer will be low or no interest for three, six, or twelve months, and the price will likely come in the form of a Balance Transfer Fee of up to three percent of the amount transferred. That is still better than the ten to twenty percent interest you would normally pay on the amount over the course of a year.

What you must never do if you carry significant debt is to apply for new credit solely based on a balance transfer offer. You should try to transfer balances from higher rate cards to low rate cards that you already own. Call your credit card company to see if they can make you an offer. If you get a good offer from a card that normally carries a high rate, be absolutely sure you can pay off the amount transferred within the time limit of the deal. Otherwise, you will end up losing money in interest.

The most important thing is to commit yourself to your future financial freedom and to get started. Focus on the high interest cards first, so that you pay less in interest and get out of debt quicker. Never be afraid to call your credit card companies to ask if they can provide help, as in reducing your Annual Percentage Rate. Remember that a balance transfer is like fire - it can be incredibly beneficial or immeasurably harmful, depending on how wisely you put it to use.

The first three mistakes fall within the category of "Guideline Awareness." The rule of thumb is to be familiar with the guidelines of the directories where you submit your articles, so that you can better use them to your advantage.

Mistake #1: Failure to Use Hyperlinks in Article Body

Some article directories will not allow any hyperlinks in the body, but most will allow from one to three. Convert your target keywords to hyperlinks to the extent possible; this will bring your website direct traffic through clicks and it will help to improve your site's search engine rankings for that keyword.

Mistake #2: Ineffective Use of Author Resource Box

The author resource box, sometimes called the boilerplate, is an area where you can sell yourself. This is important, because the article itself should not be used for overt advertising, only for teaching and informing. Use your name, or a pen name; over time, people will associate the mane with the topic, and you will be established as a trusted expert in your field. Once they trust that you know your stuff, they will not hesitate to visit your site and buy your product or service.

Mistake #3: Article Length - Too Short or Too Long

Webmasters, bloggers, and newsletter publishers are constantly in need of fresh, original content. That is what makes article marketing so powerful. When someone picks up your article and publishes it on the web or in a mass-email, it multiplies your exposure. However, many people write a paltry 100 words to submit to an article directory, which amounts to little more than a dictionary definition of their chosen topic. At the other end of the spectrum, some people will submit works of more than 2000 words; on the web or in a newsletter, that is an epic-length tome.

Opinions vary as to the optimum length of an article, nut the consensus is between 400 and 900 words. It should be long enough to thoroughly explain the subject, but short enough to read quickly and easily.

The next three mistakes concern the actual submission of articles to directories. They are not so much "rules" as they are strong suggestions to maximize your results.

Mistake #4: Submitting to Too Few Article Directories

After the effort of writing the piece itself, it may seem like a tedious chore to submit the work to twenty directories. If it is too much for you, there are services that will manually submit your articles for you. If you cannot afford such luxuries, then you must do it yourself. Do not compromise on this; it is critical to your success. Find at least twelve article directories for starters, and build from there. Once you get to about twenty, you are doing well.

Mistake #5: Using the Same Pen Name for Different Topics

If you have multiple websites in different niches, use a unique pen name for each topic. It's all about credibility. If Sally McMarketer writes about designer dog collars, can she be equally trusted as an expert on high-performance fuel-injectors? In reality, it is not uncommon for people to have proficiencies in multiple areas, but unless you personally know the dog collar/fuel-injector guru, it seems unlikely.

Mistake #6: Submitting Website Content as Articles

One of the worst things an article marketer can do is to take the content directly from their website and submit it in article form to the directories. Remember, you want to submit your work to twelve to twenty article directories or so in order to get traffic and backlinks to your website. However, if the articles contain the exact same information as your website, the search engines will view it as duplicate content, which may be downgraded in the rankings. Besides, readers of your articles will be a bit put off if they click on one of your well-placed hyperlinks only to see the same old stuff on your site. Keep your website content unique.

Article marketing, like any good, profitable endeavor, requires work, education, and practice. You can, and should, constantly refine your techniques in search of ever better results. If you can avoid the six misstates discussed above, you will be well on your way to becoming a proficient marketer with a growing, moneymaking business.

In the following paragraphs, we will discuss what purple martin scouts really are, when to get purple martin birdhouses up and ready for them, and why being a purple martin landlord is an important role.

When a Scout Is Not a Scout

It was once believed that the early arriving martins would somehow communicate with other purple martins upon finding a suitable nesting site, but such is not the case. They are often still referred to as "scouts" out of habit and familiarity, but it is a misnomer. Early birds of the purple martin variety are simply adults that know where they are going. They get preferred seating, one might say.

Nesting Site Fidelity

Site fidelity is a term describing a very interesting characteristic of purple martin behavior. If a purple martin pair finds a birdhouse where they successfully nest and raise their young, there is a very high likelihood that they will return to that same purple martin birdhouse the next year.

For purple martin landlords, site fidelity means that the hardest part of hosting a purple martin colony is getting that first pair or two to nest. After that, the birds will probably return. Of course, the owner of a purple martin birdhouse must always be vigilant and diligent in his or her efforts. The reward of a successful colony is worth it.

If You See It, Say It

Over the last twenty to thirty years, purple martins have recovered from near-disastrous population declines, mostly because of caring people who put up and properly maintain purple martin birdhouses. These wonderful birds are not out of the woods yet, however. Opportunities for new purple martin landlords abound.

Another thing people can do to help bolster the purple martins' progress is to report sightings and breeding successes to proper organizations. There are many such institutions, like the Audubon Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the Purple Martin Conservation Association.

The PMCA has several "citizen science" projects, including the annual Scout Arrival Study. Purple martin lovers (not necessarily landlords) report to the PMCA whenever they see a purple martin scout in their area. This helps monitor the migration habits of the birds; purple martin landlords may use it to know when to open up their purple martin birdhouses in a particular area. For example, in the 2004, 2005, and 2006 seasons, the first sightings in Florida came in December of the previous year! Meanwhile, the first scout sightings in New York came in mid-April of those years. The rest of the purple martins begin arriving two to four weeks after the scouts in a given area.

Purple martin scouts, which are not scouts at all, but adult birds eager to return to a familiar birdhouse, are a welcome sight in the early months of a new year. The full population of martins completes its spring migration as late as June in its northern abodes, so there are many opportunities for purple martin landlords to begin or expand colonies. It is a happy time, indeed; so put your purple martin birdhouse up and get ready to enjoy the show!

Books

The classic tomes of knowledge. Search online bookstores, discount shops, auction sites, or go to the public library. Books will never go out of style when it comes to knowledge gathering, although the format may change. Do not forget to look for ebooks as well, but be very discriminating in your purchases. Throwing dollars after dimes is never a good idea.

Magazines, newspapers, and journals

Whether online or on paper, there are magazines covering just about every industry, niche, or topic. They will contain a lot of new, fresh information.

Websites and online forums

Add a dedicated folder to your "Favorites" on your web browser. While you are surfing the internet looking for books and magazines, you will come across websites pertaining to your niche. Even (or especially) if they are from your competitors, bookmark them. Never underestimate the vast amount of information you can glean from other webmasters and internet marketers. You can find many of these folks and their ideas in online forums, where people freely share information on a variety of topics.

Mentors and colleagues

While you are critically reviewing your newly bookmarked websites and forums, look for content that is truly in line with your mindset, and that contains well-written, valuable information. In this case, do not look to your direct competitors, because you want to find someone who can guide you in your quest for expertship. A mentor is an invaluable resource who can warn you of pitfalls and inform you to shortcuts and best practices. A mentor is an established expert with a great deal of experience, but even colleagues, or peers, with a level of experience similar to your own are powerful tools. What if you could be in several places at once? Every peer with whom you share information is another set of eyes and ears that can catapult your internet marketing results to new highs.

If you want to be an expert, do what experts do. Gather your resources, surround yourself with good people and use every tool at your disposal. Before you know it, your internet marketing campaigns will be soaring.

How the Credit Card Companies Make Money

A credit card gives you the ability to spend money that is not yours. Of course, you have to pay it back, and unless you pay off the entire balance within the first billing cycle, you will pay interest on the amount of your debt. That interest is one of the primary sources of revenue for credit card companies, but it is by no means the only source.

According to CreditCards.com, the credit card industry took in a whopping $43 billion in late payment fees, over-limit fees, and balance transfer fees in 2004. That is enough to support the entire industry, though you will never hear the CEO of a major credit card company admit it.

Let's talk about the people who do not incur late fees, over-limit fees, or balance transfer fees, and who keep their accounts in good standing. They usually have above average credit limits and below average interest rates. Why do credit card companies treat them so well if they are making so little money from these people? If they pay their balances in full each month, the credit card companies don't even get to collect finance charges; the credit card companies make zero from these folks, right? Wrong!

When a business sets up a merchant account, which gives them the ability to accept credit cards, they sign a contract allowing the credit card companies to collect a small fee for each transaction. This fee generally ranges from five cents to half a dollar; but when you consider how many millions of credit card transactions are executed each day, you can see that it adds up! The fact that credit card companies have several methods of generating revenue is exactly what gives you the opportunity to negotiate with them. They are not one-dimensional with their finances, and neither should you be.

Why Credit Card Companies Will Negotiate

Credit card companies make scads of money from their worst customers through late-payment fees and over-limit fees. As we now can see, their best means to make money from their best customers is to entice those customers to use their cards more often. A savvy consumer can use that fact to his or her advantage.

When to Negotiate

First, be sure your account is in good standing. To be in good standing, your account should meet these criteria:

• No late payments in the past six months


• No over-limit penalties in the past six months


• The account must be open for more than six months (obviously)

If you are not there yet, get there. If your most recent payment was a late one, don't get discouraged. Buckle down, get organized, and start making those payments on time. If you have to wait six months before you can begin negotiating, remember that financial success is an endurance race, not a sprint.

Once your account is in good standing, you are ready to call up your credit card company, unless you have too recently negotiated a new deal. Here again, the rule of thumb is six months between negotiations. You may be able to get away with once every three months with some credit card companies, but do not call more often than that. If you call too frequently, the best that could happen is nothing, so don't waste your time. Simply make a note in your calendar or planner to call your credit card companies twice a year.

How to Negotiate Your Credit Card Terms

Negotiating with your credit card company for better terms is easy, and there is no reason why every cardholder in good standing does not do this regularly. Even if you are neck deep in credit card debt, you can get a better deal as long as you make your payments on time and do not spend over your limit.

To begin, you will need your most recent credit card statement and your credit card number. Call the customer service number and push whatever buttons you have to push to speak to a human. Now, here is your script, starring "You" and the credit card company customer service "Rep."

Rep: Hello, thanks for calling Acme Card Services, how can I help you today?

You: Hi. I was just reviewing my account, and I think my APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is a bit high. I would like to have it adjusted, please.

At this point, either the rep will begin reviewing your account, or he will transfer your call to the appropriate department. In any case, you will likely be placed on hold once or twice. It is a good idea to have twenty to thirty minutes free when you call.

Rep: Yes, I see you have been maintaining your account well, so we should be able to help you.

The rep will then make you an offer. Is it the best offer you can get? Probably not. Be prepared to make a counter-offer.

You: Hmm, 15.9 percent, you say? I was really looking for about 13.9 percent. Is that possible?

Your counter-offer should be aggressive, but not ridiculous. You may have a target number in mind before you dial the phone, or you may take whatever number the rep gives you and drop it by one or two percentage points. The worst-case scenario is that you will end up with the rep's first offer; more likely, you will get a compromise offer that you will happily accept.

This simple, twice yearly procedure can save you several thousands of dollars in interest over the years. Knowing how the credit card companies make money helps you understand why they can give you a better deal. The script above, though simple in form, is all you need. It is your financial future. Don't squander it - pick up the phone and start bending it to your advantage!

The Foundation - What You Know

Your display of knowledge in the articles you write is your primary key to success. Just like the foundation of a house, if there are too many cracks in your knowledge base, everything you try to build on top of it will fall.

Expanding your knowledge base is not difficult, but it requires some effort. The rewards of a successful article marketing campaign are well worth that effort. Here are a few tips to help you get the information you need:

1. 1) Read articles about your topic
   
   A glut of good information is available online, much of it written by experienced, knowledgeable article marketers. These articles are easy to find. Use your preferred search engine and you will be presented with plenty of content. You will find relevant articles in blogs, news websites, article directories, and other information-rich sources. Read them, and absorb the material.
   
   
2. 2) Participate in online forums
   
   Forums exist for nearly any subject you can imagine. Forums allow you to get fresh information from people who are currently engaged in the topic at hand. For example, if you sell birdhouses on your website, go to a bird watching forum. People will be sharing their stories, photos, and more from the field!
   
   Many people who are new to internet marketing shudder at the thought of interacting in online forums. It is natural to feel a bit intimidated at first; it has the feel of joining a very exclusive club where members of the "old guard" scoff at the uninitiated. In actuality, that is not the case. Forums are designed to facilitate the free exchange of information among interested parties, so most of the users are happy to answer questions - even those posed by newbies.
   
   
3. 3) Go to the library
   
   I know that one of the big advantages of article marketing is that you can do it from home, but libraries are invaluable resources for information gathering. They are a great place to work, as well. Whether you prefer to compose your first draft on paper or on a word processor, libraries fit the bill.
   
   
4. 4) Find a mentor or instructor
   
   The aforementioned online forums are a very good place to make connections. When you find a knowledgeable and helpful person, ask if they would be interested in giving you a little guidance. Try to set up a time to get in touch by phone or instant message, and ask them questions. Do not be shy. The philosopher Goethe said, "Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now."

The Frame - Shaping Your Article

Once you have gathered the necessary knowledge and information, it is time to organize it into an actionable plan. I have one word for you - outline. Outline your articles - before you begin composing - every time, without exception. Outlining gives you three significant benefits:

1. 1) You can clearly see where there are gaps in your knowledge, so that you can fill them. (You didn't think that the research part was over, did you? It never stops!)
   
   
2. 2) You can easily rearrange the parts of your article to give it a better flow and feel.
   
   
3. 3) You will often find that you can break the outline up to make two or more articles, instead of just one. In this way, simply creating an outline can multiply your article marketing productivity. How can you even think of skipping this critical step?

The Walls - It's Article Writing Time

Just as a house needs four walls, a well-written article requires four essential building blocks:

1. 1) Strong Headline
   
   This is what hooks your readers and induces them to read your article in its entirety.
   
   
2. 2) Introduction
   
   Explain your premise and topic. Briefly mention each point you intend to make. Make sure you tell the readers how they will benefit from reading this article.
   
   
3. 3) The Body
   
   Elaborate on each point that you laid out in your introduction. Be concise, but informative.
   
   
4. 4) Conclusion

Wrap up the article with a recap of your major points, and maybe give an encouraging word.

A house without walls is just a plot of land. You can bury your article marketing career there if you do not include these four elements in each of your articles.

The Paint and Trim - Revising and Redrafting

It is a good idea to put the first draft of your article away for a while before revising. Be sure to have a clear head and a fresh perspective when you come back to it. Edit for conciseness and readability. Try to make your article an efficient conveyor of information.

At this stage, you can also optimize your article for the search engines. Reword your article to use your top one or two key phrases as often as possible without rendering it unreadable.

Deep knowledge of your topic, an organized outline, a solid format, and a bit of revision and optimization - this is the blueprint for article marketing success. You have the tools, materials, and a plan. Now go to work!

First, let me clarify some terms. This article does not deal with debt consolidation loans, where a homeowner takes out a loan against the equity in his or her house in order to pay off credit card debt. This transfers the unsecured debt from credit cards to secured debt, which is the home. If you do not have equity in your home, or if you have poor credit, you probably will not qualify for one of these loans.

The topic here is a different sort of credit card debt consolidation, often called debt settlement. In this scenario, a debtor employs the services of a business that has experience dealing with credit card companies. The debt consolidator will negotiate lower interest rates, sometimes eliminating them entirely. They also may be able to negotiate a lower payoff amount. A lower interest rate combined with a reduced payoff amount results in far less time and money wasted paying off credit card debt. Additionally, you will only have to make one monthly payment to the debt consolidator, who will then disburse funds to your creditors. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? If that were all there was to the story, it would indeed be wonderful. However, there is much more to credit card debt consolidation than meets the eye.

Why Not to Consolidate

Debt consolidation or settlement, whichever you prefer, has a negative effect on the credit rating of most consumers. This is because credit scores are based largely on the debt-to-available-credit ratio. If you have $9000 in debt and only $10,000 of total credit, your debt-to-available-credit ratio is nine to one, meaning your debt is nine times as big as your usable credit. For a debt consolidator to work its magic, you must agree to have your credit accounts closed. Therefore, though you may end up with only $7000 in debt, you would have zero dollars in total credit, giving you a debt-to-available-credit ratio of infinity. That is really bad.

Another reason to resist the urge to consolidate your credit card debt is that you can do some negotiating with credit card companies on your own. You should not attempt to settle your debt directly with them, however. Again, they would require that you close your account, but they will not deal with you as kindly as they would with a professional service.

You can certainly negotiate a lower interest rate while keeping your account open. Credit card companies will work with you on the rate as well as your credit limit as long as you keep your account in good standing. Call the number on the back of each of your credit cards and simply ask them to lower your interest rate. Call again every four to six months. If they say, "No," then you are in the same position you were in yesterday; but they may well say, "Yes, we would be happy to accommodate your request."

When to Take the Debt Consolidation Plunge

True financial hardship is the only situation that should give you reason to use a debt consolidation service. True financial hardship comprises injury, illness, divorce, termination of employment, or anything that causes you to have great difficulty making ends meet. Before you choose to consolidate, you should try every legal and ethical way to get back on track with your credit card debt. Get a second job, sell any nonessential household items, shop for bargains, or whatever means you can imagine. If, after all of that effort, you cannot make your monthly payments, consider debt consolidation. It is far better to consolidate your debt than to declare bankruptcy or to have your creditors file a lawsuit against you.

Hopefully, you will find a credit card debt payment plan that works for you and you will not need to call a debt consolidation service. If you are unable to avoid debt consolidation, do not feel guilty or ashamed. You are making the conscious effort to improve your life. Continue to build on that attitude. Things will get easier, but it is up to you to make that happen. Begin it today!

Thankfully, becoming such an authority is a learnable skill, not an art or inborn trait. There are three essential keys to exceptional article marketing: research, revision, and repetition.

Research

Obviously, a high degree of knowledge about a particular subject is what truly defines an expert. Naturally, reading is an invaluable way to expand your own knowledge base and broaden your horizons. Books are not the only source for your reading, however. Go on any of the many good article directories on the internet, or simply use your favorite search engine. You are very likely to find a number of articles (many written by other article marketers) on your chosen subject. Not only will you learn new things, you may find some new ideas for your own writing. Find a respectable online newsletter and subscribe to it. Learning cannot be easier than having your reading material come to you automatically.

Isaac Newton said, "If I have seen farther than others, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants." To become an expert in any field, you must emulate that attitude. The pool of collective knowledge that already exists is vast and accessible. Tap into it. Acquire a capable mentor, or interview an established expert. Asking questions may often be the most valuable and rewarding thing you can do.

When most people think of "learning," they think of books, classrooms, and teachers. Consider this - the world is your classroom, and life is your instructor. Rely on your past experience, venture fearlessly into new experience, and then write about it.

Revision

After all the research, your skull will be bursting with all the new knowledge packed within it. Now is the time to write; but anyone who simply jots down a few hundred words and quickly posts them as articles is fooling themselves if they believe they will soon be perceived as an authority. Write what you know, and then do a thorough spelling and grammar check. Next, very importantly, you would be well advised to put the article away for a while. When you come back to it later - maybe tomorrow or maybe next month - you can approach it from a fresh perspective. You will often find mistakes or omissions that you would not have caught had you immediately posted your article to a dozen article directories. Your patience will be rewarded by a growing readership, drawn to you for your clarity and veracity.

This does not mean that your article marketing productivity will be limited. When you put one article away, write an outline for your next two or three articles. Soon, you will be ready to churn out heaps of well-written, factually accurate content. You put down one article, outline two more, pick up and revise another, and post yet another polished piece of work to the article directories.

Repetition

Let's imagine that you woke up one morning with the secret to world peace. You decide that you will reveal this secret at the next town hall meeting and never again. Do you think you would be considered an expert or a hero? The answer is probably, "no." Why would people believe you? Have you compiled a body of work that would lead them to believe that you knew what you were talking about? Even if some people did believe you, would they be taken seriously by those that they tell?

If you have knowledge to share, do so often. Tell those who will listen, those who are seeking the information you have. Approach your topic from different angles and explain it in various ways. Find niches within your niche and give detailed accounts of the inner workings.

Utilize the many options available to distribute your articles. Many very good article directories will allow you to submit your work for no charge. You may use a mass-distribution service to deliver your article throughout the internet. Social networking facilities are becoming an ever more powerful method to spread your word. Be on the lookout for other methods, as well.

Success requires sincere effort and dogged determination. Article marketing is very effective, especially once you establish yourself as an expert in your industry. The good news is that article marketing gets easier with practice. With that in mind, sharpen your pencil or stretch your typing fingers, and begin your journey to the top!