http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/writing/click-here-and-find-out-how-to-shut-down-article-plagiarism.html http://www.articletrader.com/writing/click-here-and-find-out-how-to-shut-down-article-plagiarism.html Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500
A few lazy individuals have plagiarized a number of my articles for their blogs and websites. These sloths deliberately copied my hard work, verbatim, without my biography and Internet links. So far, dishonest webmasters with Google adSense blogs or directories have committed all violations.

I decided to nose around until I pinpointed contact information for the violators. However, these troublemakers are usually adept at concealing e-mail addresses and configuring blogs so that nobody is able to post comments.

As a result, I contacted Google. Google has zero tolerance for copyright infringements. Such violations reflect poorly on their corporate image, and they respond rapidly to legitimate complaints. Performing a search for: 'digital millennium copyright act google.com' will locate a page with full instructions and company contact information. The page also displays links to appropriate websites with more particulars about the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

My next step was to contact the hosting company for each of the violators. It is often difficult to unearth a valid e-mail address. You can try generic addresses like abuse@'hostingwebsite', info@'hostingwebsite', webmaster@'hostingwebsite', etc. You may have to visit the webhost online and complete a support request. Alternatively, you may need to spend some time on the telephone.

My final action was to type out a document similar to the one below. I then faxed it to Google and the hosting companies, while I continued to monitor the violating websites. In some cases, pirated content would disappear for a few days, and then the bootlegged articles would reappear.

--- BEGIN SAMPLE COPYRIGHT VIOLATION DOCUMENT ---

All of the articles on the following pages are a violation of my intellectual copyright and the copyright of the article directory from which they were copied:

(Link to first web page)
(Link to second web page)
(Link to third web page), etc.

The articles were copied from here:

(Link to author summary webpage at article directory from which articles were plagiarized)

The copied text blatantly violates the publisher's terms of service, clearly linked to on the above page:

(Link to the article directory's terms of service page)

Every article is a direct copy and paste of my work from the above article directory, without the applicable copyright notice and links to my site or to the article directory, as required in their terms of service.

I hereby avow, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information in this notification is accurate and that I am the copyright owner.

Type your name here.
Sign here.

--- END SAMPLE COPYRIGHT VIOLATION DOCUMENT ---

You may have to change the wording of the document to match whatever is appropriate for your situation. It is important to provide complete contact information: your postal/email addresses and fax/cell/telephone numbers.

Remember to include a copyright notice with each of your articles, similar to the one below. Let's all work together to transform the Net into an honest environment; let's clear out the vermin who prey on the intellectual property of others.

(c)Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.


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Kathy is an author and webmaster who writes articles on many topics for 1st Rate Articles, travel articles for 111 Travel Directory, and foreign language articles, as well as German short stories and poetry, for A-Language-Guide.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/weight-loss/nobody-wants-to-do-it-but-most-of-at-least-think-about-it.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/weight-loss/nobody-wants-to-do-it-but-most-of-at-least-think-about-it.html Mon, 06 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Curious? Here it is: D-I-E-T. Yes, I hate the 'diet' word, too - which is why I'm writing this article.

Something occurred to me while I was watching yet another rerun on TV. It requires a reduction of 3500 calories to lose one pound. So, how many calories would a person have to cut every day to lose one pound per year? The math is simple: 3500 divided by 365 equals about 10 calories per day. Ten calories! That's not much!

Yes, So What?

Here is where it gets interesting. If you can cut 10 calories from your daily food consumption, you will lose one pound over the coming year. Hey - I put ten times that number of calories on a piece of buttered toast! If I could do without one piece of toast a day, I would eliminate about 100 calories of butter. Add the actual calorie count of the bread (100 calories for the brand I like), and I cut a total of 200 calories. By eliminating just this one thing, I could lose 20 pounds over the next year without really dieting!

See how easy it can be? The key point is that you must be willing to accept a slow, sustained weight loss. You probably didn't gain the weight all in one month - so why would you expect to lose it in one month? Slow weight loss that doesn't change your lifestyle too drastically is easier to manage, and is kinder to your heart.

By the way, be sure to check the link at the end of this article for a longer version with even more tips - and links to websites with calorie-counters and food nutrition data.

Some Realistic Examples

Do you pick up a coffee on your way to work every morning? How many sugar packets and creamers do you use? Cut out one creamer and one sugar packet for a net saving of 45 calories, or 4 1/2 pounds per year of weight loss.

If you drink 2 cups of whole milk daily and switch to 1% instead, you will save 80 calories per day, or 8 pounds per year.

If you grab a chocolate bar on your way home from work, start reading labels. You may be able to change to a different brand and cut 50 calories or more - for a loss of 5+ pounds per year.

Order a McDonalds Big Mac without the cheese and save 70 calories.

Turn yourself into an avid label reader. Know which brands and restaurant meals will save you a few calories. Remember - the saving doesn't have to be huge. The idea is to make small changes without feeling deprived or cheated. Once you start looking at your eating patterns, you may be amazed at how many naughty habits you have acquired - resulting in all that excess padding on your body.

Add Some Spice to Your Life

Scientific studies show that spicy foods such as chili and cayenne pepper boost the metabolism for as many as 3 hours after ingestion.

Let's Review the Math

10 calories per day x 365 days per year = 1 pound of weight loss

Be a label-conscious consumer.

Check the Internet for restaurant menus with calorie counts.

Pick up a pocket-sized calorie counter.

Try spicy foods whenever possible.

Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

Take it slow and don't make dramatic lifestyle changes that you won't be able to maintain.

Don't deprive yourself of all the goodies and desserts you like - just go for modified versions or smaller portions.

Consult your physician if you need to lose a large amount of weight or if you have any medical concerns that must be addressed.

You can do it! Live the healthy life you want and deserve.

(c)Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.


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Read a longer version of this weight loss article at 1st Rate Articles. Kathy is a webmaster and author who writes travel articles for 111 Travel Directory.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/are-you-using-foreign-language-audio-to-its-full-potential.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/are-you-using-foreign-language-audio-to-its-full-potential.html Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500
However, well-produced MP3s, CDs, and other types of foreign language recordings will work well if you know how to use them properly. This article provides several tips for utilizing your audio recordings to squeeze the most benefit out of every listening experience.

The Brain Creates a Map to Familiar Sounds

The brains of infants and young children catalogue all the sounds they hear. As we grow older, our brains associate those sounds with words, and later with specific spellings after we learn to read. Many foreign languages contain sounds we do not use in our native language. When our brains hear these unfamiliar sounds, they draw from the existing map, and tell our ears that we are hearing something we already know.

Take for example, the German words 'Bach' and 'mich'. The 'ch' combinations are for different sounds that do not have an equivalent in English. An English speaker might hear 'back' and 'meesh'. Even though both German words end with the same letters, the pronunciations are different. Increasing treble levels on a recording often makes it easier to distinguish the differences in such sounds.

Adjusting treble also makes it easier to decipher sounds such as 'f' and 's' in words like 'auffahren' and 'ausfahren'; 'm' and 'n' in words such as 'dem' and 'den'; or to pick out tiny variations in vowel combinations like 'Meer' and 'mehr'.

Coping with Different Volume Levels

If you have purchased or downloaded foreign language audio from different sources, you probably need to adjust the volume when you switch from one recording to another. MP3Gain is a free software download that will non-destructively change the volume of MP3 files. MP3Gain works well on Windows XP and Windows Vista. There is also a MacMP3Gain available for Macintosh users.

vOLume VARiatiONS witHIN A forEIGN LAnGUaGE AUDio RECordING

Was the above title confusing to your eyes? Volume variations within a recording confuse your ears as well. With good audio software, you can normalize the volume for an entire file, or modify selected portions.

Full Speed Ahead - Or?

The first time you listen to an unfamiliar recording, resist the temptation to slow down the tempo. Play it several times at normal speed. You will pick up a few more words each time through. If there are some sections that seem incomprehensible, play those portions more slowly and listen to them several times. After you have learned the vocabulary for a new piece, try playing it more quickly than recorded. This technique gives the brain and ears a good workout!

Don't Stop Learning When You Go to Bed

Listening to foreign language audio while you sleep speeds up the learning process. Try reviewing vocabulary for a recording just before you go to bed, listening to the audio while you sleep, and reviewing the vocabulary again when you wake up. Many people from around the world have successfully used this amazing sleep-learning technique.

Involve Your Entire Body

Do you listen to audio while walking or working out? Try to incorporate body movements and facial expressions.

For example, consider the following sentences: 'Are the children upstairs? No, they are downstairs.' As you hear the first sentence, look up, raise your eyebrows in a questioning manner, and point up if possible while you repeat the phrase with exaggerated facial expressions. Create a mental image of children playing at the top of a flight of stairs. For the second sentence, shake your head and look down.

Similar to Pavlov's dogs or an athlete in training, this stimulates and maps a brain-body reflex. The more senses you involve while learning, the faster and more complete the process becomes.

Work it - Work it - Work it!

Your brain needs exercise and stimulation to work at peak efficiency. Apply the tips in this article, and you will push your brain to use more of its potential.

(c)Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.


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Here is a longer version of this foreign language article with even more tips. You will also find several German-English short stories and more language articles.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/7-practical-travel-gizmos-for-your-next-car-excursion.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/7-practical-travel-gizmos-for-your-next-car-excursion.html Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500
1. Universal USB Car Charger

Electronic wonders like iPods and MP3 players make it easy to enjoy music and watch videos. However, many devices require recharging via computer USB ports. How can you accomplish this when you are stuck in a vehicle?

A universal USB car charger solves the dilemma. The most versatile of these chargers will plug into AC current as well as a vehicle's power point or cigarette lighter. Use your device's USB cable to connect to the charger's pseudo-USB port, and it will recharge without a computer.

Keywords for searching: USB car charger adapter

If you would like to construct your own adapter, you can splice together a 5-volt car charger and a USB female plug. Many websites publish complete instructions.

Keywords for searching: how to make USB car charger

2. Mobile Rechargeable Battery Charger

You may own a GPS, digital camera, or PIM that uses rechargeable batteries instead of alkalines. Rechargeables are a great environmental alternative - until they run down in the middle of a road trip. Fortunately, there are car chargers available. Carry one in your glove box.

Keywords for searching: vehicle charger rechargeable batteries

3. Solar-Powered Rechargeable Battery Charger

You can use a solar-powered system to recharge your batteries if the sun is shining. The best of these systems will also work with your vehicle's cigarette lighter as well as household current. If you do your research well, you may even locate one with special adapters for your PDA or cell phone.

Keywords for searching: solar powered battery charger

4. Portable Water Heater

Many automotive and travel shops sell small water heaters that look like household kettles. These plug into your car's power point, enabling you to enjoy coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or soup - anytime - anywhere.

Keywords for searching: portable kettle car

If you have an infant who requires a warm bottle at feeding time, try to find an immersible heater. These devices have a small heating coil that you can immerse in any liquid. Heat a bit of water in an appropriate container, and then leave the baby bottle in the water until it reaches the proper temperature.

Keywords for searching: portable car immersion beverage heater

5. Portable Hand-Held UV Water Purifier

Tainted drinking water can quickly cause a case of the trots - also known as 'travelers' diarrhea' or 'Montezuma's revenge'. The answer? Purchase a portable pen-sized ultraviolet water purifier. UV light effectively kills bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. These sterilizers are so tiny that you can carry them practically anywhere - stowed in the glove compartment, in a purse or shirt pocket, or in the baby's diaper bag.

Keywords for searching: portable hand-held UV water purifier

6. Multi-Tool

Many different types of multi-tools are available - with combinations of tools that might include nail clippers, screwdrivers, penknives, pliers, scissors, can openers, corkscrews, and other handy gizmos. Hunt around in the stores or online until you find one that contains everything you might need for your next road trip.

Keywords for searching: multi tool camping travel

7. Repair Kit for Eyeglasses

Don't pass over this tip just because you have perfect vision. Whenever you go outside, you should don a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. Eliminate the nuisance of loose hinge screws or a missing nose pad with a speedy field repair. Eyeglass repair kits are cheap and small. You can find them in most pharmacies, department stores, and grocery outlets. If necessary, try the Internet search below.

Keywords for searching: repair kit for eyeglasses

These are just some of the devices that can make your holiday more enjoyable. Whenever you travel, make a note of any little glitches you encounter. After you return home, get on the Net and look for a solution. If you can't find anything, maybe you should develop a new invention and become the next Dean Kamen!

(Dean Kamen: inventor of the Segway)

(c)Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.


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Try an internet search engine to track down the travel gadgets mentioned in this article. Are you searching for a bed and breakfast to stay in on your next road trip? 111 Travel Directory may be able to help. 1000 Tips 4 Trips has over 1000 travel tips - submitted by travelers just like you.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/internet/affiliate-programs/how-you-can-earn-cash-via-a-well-known-and-reputable-website.html http://www.articletrader.com/internet/affiliate-programs/how-you-can-earn-cash-via-a-well-known-and-reputable-website.html Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500
No, this isn't Google AdSense or some other kind of pay-per-click or pay-per-impression program. This is a great system that can be used for blogs, article directories, link directories, or any type of website that uses a common wrapper or footer for pages. It is also good for smaller sites with individually coded pages, although the installation time will require a one-time investment of a few seconds for each page.

All you have to do is add a little snippet of Javascript to the bottom of your webpages. You earn a percentage of sales based on links created from keywords already in the text of your site. No tweaking or fiddling - exactly the same code for every page - and you don't have to make design decisions about where to place it.

Enter - TA DA! Amazon.com.

You can sign up for the Amazon affiliate program, copy and paste a bit of Javascript code, and soon you will see little clickable 'links' on your pages that highlight books or merchandise at Amazon when you mouse over them. You control the colors, whether or not links will open in a new window, what you want to be able to sell (just 'books'? only 'computer and video games'? strictly 'clothing and accessories'? or 'everything').

How to Sign Up and Install on your Website

1. Set up an account by clicking on the 'Join Associates' link near the bottom of the Amazon site.

2. Go to the affiliate area and click on the following:

Tools ... Build Links ... Context Links

3. Access the 'Select Locale' flyout menu to choose the most appropriate Amazon site for your audience - i.e., United States, United Kingdom, France, etc.

4. Choose your options. Select 'Advanced Options' if you don't want to sell everything that Amazon offers. You can restrict the products to a specific group or several groups, if you wish.

5. Copy the code given into the appropriate files on your website. The code should appear just before the closing 'body' tag.

A Few Notes

You can disallow any portion of a page. The 'Context Links FAQ' section explains how - or you can access a longer version of this article as described in the author resource box for more information.

Amazon context links do not appear the first time you load a page, like they do with AdSense and other programs. It may take anywhere from a few minutes to three or four hours before you see the first ads on a new page.

Because the Javascript is installed at the bottom of your pages, load times are not increased.

Dynamic pages are monitored by Amazon, and once the spider calculates the frequency of updates, it spiders accordingly so that new content is included in the linking process.

Give it a try! Your website visitors already trust Amazon - and the links will provide useful content in a relatively unobtrusive manner. If you want to see how the program looks and works, visit some of the article directories in the author's resource box, and load a few of the newest articles. What have you got to lose?

(c)Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.


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A longer version of this article is available at 1st Rate Articles. Use the site search engine to search for Amazon_CLS. The system is also installed in the travel articles area at 111 Travel Directory and the language articles section at A Language Guide.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/writing/2-eulogy-poems-for-a-christian-funeral-or-memorial-service.html http://www.articletrader.com/writing/2-eulogy-poems-for-a-christian-funeral-or-memorial-service.html Wed, 27 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500
However, many of the poems were quite long, and filled with flowery, unnatural language. Some of the pieces I found were written decades ago, and contained words or expressions no longer used in modern English. Most of the poetry didn't have quite the sentiment I was trying to find.

Some excellent modern poetry was copyrighted, and I couldn't pinpoint a way to contact the author for permission to use his or her work.

I ended up writing my own poem for the memorial service. Luckily, it was a 'Celebration of Life' held several weeks after the death of my relatives, so I was able to take my time.

Unfortunately, most funerals are held within a few days of a loved one's passing. Add to that the fact that we are suffering through a grieving process - and our poetic muses seem to hide away in the deep, dark recesses of our minds.

The other day I was thinking about this. If I had trouble finding a poem, others would be sure to have the same problem.

Here are a couple of poems that may be used for a funeral or memorial service. In both poems, you may exchange 'he', 'his', etc. for 'she', or 'her' where appropriate. You may even want to add a specific reference to the person's name in the title and/or text of the poem.

For example: 'He is Waiting' could be changed to 'Harold is Waiting'; or 'He's with us right now' to 'Harold's with us right now' ... etc.

If you publish these poems (or the entire article) on your website, please be sure to include the byline, copyright notice, and links. If you use one of the poems for a memorial service or funeral, please include my byline.

Eulogy - Funeral Poem Number 1:

I'll Join Him Someday

I haven't been there yet - but I'm leaving someday,
To join my loved one - he's not far away.
Can you feel his presence? his warmth? his love?
He's with us right now - looking down from above,
Watching and waiting - as we grieve and cry,
Reaching out in comfort - with a gentle sigh.
Please don't weep for him - he's with the Lord,
Protected from Satan - with just one word:
Mine!

By Kathy Steinemann

Eulogy - Funeral Poem Number 2:

He's Waiting

His face was wrinkled, his hair white as snow,
His body was tired of this world here below.
He waited patiently to hear God's call.
When it came, he was ready, and surrendered all -
To be with our Savior, in His loving care -
To join friends and family and with them share
The Lord's boundless love and endless grace;
He is with Jesus now in His warm embrace;
He waits again patiently - for you and me,
Till we leave this Earth, finally free,
To meet him again and share his delight,
As we enter the city that has no night.

By Kathy Steinemann

(c)Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.


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Kathy creates German-English poetry and short stories for A-Language-Guide. She also writes general articles for 1st Rate Articles, and travel articles for 111 Travel Directory.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/writing/attention-authors-and-writers-looking-for-article-sites.html http://www.articletrader.com/writing/attention-authors-and-writers-looking-for-article-sites.html Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500
This article contains some important tips and advice. Don't write another article until you read it - and be sure to check the author's resource box for a page containing links to several article sites.

Before You Start Looking for Article Directories, You Need a Great Article

Your article must be well written, interesting, and informative. Advertising hype will frustrate your audience, causing readers to scan the first few words and then disappear; your carefully crafted resource box will never generate any clickthroughs. Conscientious editors will reject such lackluster content.

What Distinguishes a Good Article Directory from the Rest of the Pack?

1. The best sites moderate all content. As a result, they provide better quality than unmoderated directories. Web owners looking for syndicated content will search these sites because they have confidence in them. The expression: 'Content is King' should actually be: Good Content is King.

2. The best article directories display submission dates with articles. An editorial containing statistics about 'current inflation' that has a three-year-old submission date will be much less valuable than one written last month.

3. Great article websites will list the most recent articles on their homepage, and may also have a comprehensive 'New Articles' section.

4. Extras such as print-friendly and email-friendly pages will result in more exposure for your articles.

5. A good article directory is free - but you should be required to register before you submit or email articles. This helps to ensure that users do not abuse the system via email spamming techniques, cuts down on poor quality submissions, and allows the webmaster more control over most types of abuse.

6. The best article sites will provide SEO-friendly URLs for your articles, like: sitedomain/Articles/Finding_a_Good_Article_Directory.html, instead of something like: sitedomain/Articles?id=222

Just because an article directory is not compliant with some of the above points does not mean that you should avoid it completely - but be aware of what to look for.

'The Rest' or 'Not-So-Good' Directories

1. Everyone hates popup ads. They annoy readers and website owners looking for content.

2. Stale content will result in lower search engine rankings, less bookmarks, and fewer visits. Don't waste your time submitting to a directory that hasn't been updated in months. Niche directories will be updated less frequently than general article sites. However, the highly targeted subject matter of a niche directory will bring you quality visitors and valuable syndications.

3. Avoid websites riddled with annoying flashy graphics, advertisements that hinder your reading enjoyment, and distracting audio/video feeds that cannot be turned off. If 75% of a page is advertising, readers become disenchanted and quickly leave. In defense of article directories, however, they have to make money somehow. Expect to see some advertising - but it should be tastefully incorporated into the design.

4. Spend some time reading the articles. If all you see in a directory is content filled with self-promotional drivel and very little useful information, avoid it.

5. If a WHOIS search shows that a directory was recently registered for only one year, this may indicate a short term, low-quality, potential 'get rich quick' domain. Search engines tend to give less credibility to this type of site.

What about Automatic Submission Software?

Avoid auto submissions - unless you can find a package that will allow you to fine tune the details for each site. The package should allow you to preview submissions - and you must resist the impulse to submit to hundreds of directories. Keep it to about 50 good quality sites. Too many instances of an article appearing on the Web virtually overnight may be interpreted as spam by search engines.

How to Find Article Directories

Try the following search in your favorite search engine:

Powered by Article Dashboard

In a brilliant SEO move, Article Dashboard has made their article software free - but each directory using their programming system displays the 'Powered by Article Dashboard' link.

More searches:

list of article websites

list of article directories

directory of article websites

list of article submission sites

list of article sites

article directories

submit articles

submit articles online

... and so on. Review each directory you find, rating it based on the criteria in this article - and remember to visit the link in the author's resource box below.

Good luck with your submissions!

(c)Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.


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This page contains a list of article directories - be sure to check it out! Kathy writes articles for 1st Rate Articles and several other websites, including travel articles for 111 Travel Directory.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/marketing/innkeepers-did-you-know-that-you-can-do-your-own-seo.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/marketing/innkeepers-did-you-know-that-you-can-do-your-own-seo.html Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500
If you run a bed and breakfast, hostel, hotel, motel, or country inn, you are probably familiar with the local recreational attractions and activities. Guess what? You can do something a hired SEO firm cannot!

Let's assume that your community has ten different popular tourist attractions. How do prospective guests find out about these attractions? An increasing number will search the Internet for information. If you provide what they are looking for on the WWW - along with a small ad for your lodging establishment - you will benefit in two ways:

1. Guests may click on your ad to find out more about your accommodations.

2. Other websites may publish your information in syndication, increasing the number of links to your website and thereby boosting your search engine popularity.

The technique is simple:

1. Write a separate article about each tourist attraction (not one article containing information about all ten).

2. Submit each article to article directories on the internet.

Each article should contain the following:

1. A compelling title that encourages the end user to read the article, something like: Did You Know that XYZ Winery is the Oldest Winery in Anytown? Note that the title is interesting and contains the name of the attraction as well as the name of your city. Try to keep the title to 60 characters or less.

2. An interesting summary paragraph that contains just enough information to pique the interest without giving too many details. The paragraph should be about 250 characters, including spaces.

3. Well-written informational text of 500-1000 words - with useful information. There should be no advertising hype, spelling mistakes, or grammatical errors. Avoid including telephone numbers, prices, website URLs, or e-mail addresses for each attraction. All of these items are subject to change. A well-written article may remain on the Internet for years, and if interesting enough, it might be published in syndication on hundreds of websites.

4. A resource box (your ad). It could be worded something like: XYZ Bed and Breakfast is a friendly place to stay in Anytown while you visit XYZ Winery. Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you obtain tickets and tour information - and our gourmet breakfast in bed will start your day out right! Remember our website: XYZ Bed and Breakfast, Anytown, State/Province.

Be sure that you link the name of your bed and breakfast to your website. Some article directories will only allow one active link in the resource box - but most will permit three. Be creative and try to link your name or important keywords (like 'gourmet breakfast'). The links do not have to go to your main website. You can deep link to Rates, Specials, or Contact Information pages, for example.

5. Avoid article submission software. Submit manually, previewing each article and making necessary corrections before you press the final 'submit' button. When using article submission software, you cannot fine-tune format and category as easily as via manual submission. Submitting your article to hundreds of article directories overnight could also be interpreted by search engines as spam.

Some good directories to get started with: 1stratearticles.com, triple1.com/Travel, adultescapes.com, goarticles.com, articledashboard.com, buzzle.com, and ezinearticles.com.

1stratearticles.com/sample also has several other article directories listed.

Give it a try! Every back link will increase your search engine popularity, and you should acquire some valuable bookings as well.

(c)Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.


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Kathy, a webmaster since 1995, writes articles on several topics for 1st Rate Articles. She also writes travel articles for 111 Travel Directory.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/writing/need-a-gripping-title-for-your-next-article-try-these-tips.html http://www.articletrader.com/writing/need-a-gripping-title-for-your-next-article-try-these-tips.html Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Compare the following titles. Which one jumps off the page and grabs your attention?

1. An Article's Title is Important and So is the Introductory Paragraph
2. Magnetic Article Titles - How Do You Create Them? Read On!

Doesn't the second title grab more attention than the first? Why? Notice that a bit of imaginative language is used, combined with a question and a prod to continue reading.

Let's look at two more titles and decide why one is better than the other:

1. Article Marketing Does NOT Work. And Here is Why!
2. Articles Can Bring Your Website More Traffic and Increase Your Sales

The first title above emphatically contradicts a common assumption. Wouldn't an article with such a title pique your interest? Remember, however, that a controversial title must be supported by the article's content.

Two more prospective article titles:

1. Breviloquence: Do You Know Why it Is Important in Articles?
2. Terse and Concise Statements in Articles Are Very Important

Huh? Do you know what 'breviloquence' means? If not, you are likely to click on the article's title to at least find out what the term stands for. This uncommon word is combined with a question that entices the reader into the article. The second title is boring and mediocre. It may attract some attention, but not as much as the first.

Consider these titles and decide which is more interesting:

1. Articles Should Always Have Good Titles and Introductory Paragraphs
2. Hit the Mark: 10 Tips for Great Article Titles and Intros

The second title is forceful. It indicates that the article has 10 tips. Lists of tips are popular reading material. The reader is assured that the article will contain some useful information - and not just advertising hype.

Here are the last two titles for comparison:

1. Article Title Are Very Importand And Must Be Made Careful or Else
2. Article Titles Are Crucial and Must Be Constructed With Care

If you don't understand why the second title is superior, you shouldn't be an article author. Spelling and grammar mistakes are absolutely taboo. Always spell- and grammar-check your writing.

Did you notice that all of the 'good' titles were 60 characters or less? There are two reasons for keeping your titles short.

1. The average Internet user desires instant gratification. Short, snappy titles catch the eye and invite clickthroughs.

2. Many search engines display the first 60 or so characters of a title in their search results. Anything after that is cut off and further text is indicated with a '...' notation. Your brilliantly-written, long title may not make sense when the last few words are left out. Keep titles to the 60-character limit, with your most important words near the beginning.

Article writing can be an art form when executed with flair and style. Use your common sense, and take advantage of any computer tools or reference books available to you. A textbook like 'Painless Grammar' by Rebecca Elliott, PhD (Barron's Educational Series, Inc.) may save you considerable time and embarrassment.

Happy composing, folks!

©Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.

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Kathy Steinemann writes articles on many topics for 1st Rate Articles. She also writes travel articles for 111 Travel Directory.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/difficulties-fitting-in-exercise-while-you-travel-read-on.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/difficulties-fitting-in-exercise-while-you-travel-read-on.html Sat, 26 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Guess what! Exercise can easily be incorporated into your travel routine.

Effective Planning

Be sure to plan physical activities such as walking tours, hiking, bicycling, swimming, or snorkeling.

Easy Exercises

The tensing and relaxing of any muscle group increases blood flow to the area. Try the following exercises. Many can be performed while seated or standing in line - i.e., waiting in the airport, on long flights, or while sitting in a bathroom stall. Avoid germy hotel carpets and floors by performing reclining exercises on a bed or Yoga mat.

Glutes:

Clench and relax the glute muscles. Repeat several times. This movement will sculpture a rounded, toned posterior.

Abdominal Area:

1. Forcibly pull in your abs while you breathe out. Hold for a few seconds, then relax and repeat. You can do this exercise dozens of times daily.

2. Perform leg raises from a reclining position, keeping the small of your back pressed into the bed or mat. Repeat until your abs feel tired.

3. Tense and relax the muscles of the pelvic floor. This exercise tones the lower abs and the muscles that control the bladder and other nearby organs.

Calves:

Flex calf muscles while keeping your heels on the floor and raising your toes, then do the same while keeping your toes on the floor and raising your heels.

Arms, Shoulders, and Back:

1. Do pushups on the bed, or against a wall.

2. Concentrate on pulling your shoulder blades together while tensing the muscles, and then relax. Repeat often on long flights.

3. Packing a set of dumbbells is not practical when you are trying to keep your luggage light. You can set up an easy weight lifting routine with water-filled weights. An internet search for 'water filled dumbbells' will locate numerous online stores. A cheap alternative: save the empties when you buy bottled water and use them as weights instead. A bottle filled with one pint of water weighs approximately one pound. You won't bulk up with such small weights, but fast repetitions will give you an aerobic workout.

Overall Body Workouts

1. Avoid the elevator when possible and use the stairs.

2. Walking alone through strange streets can be intimidating (and even dangerous) in some areas. Instead, park outside a large shopping mall and do a brisk window-shopping tour.

3. Instead of watching TV from a sitting or reclining position, briskly walk in place, pumping your arms vigorously at the same time.

Special Equipment

In addition to the water-filled dumbbells mentioned previously, consider packing one or more of the following. They won't take much room in your suitcase or add a lot to your luggage weight.

1. Exercise resistance bands

2. Exercise fitness ball (with pump)

3. Hand grip exerciser

4. Compact non-slip Yoga mat

5. Pilates or Yoga book

6. Book of mat exercises

7. Mini stair stepper with resistance cords

Use your Imagination

This article has given you a few guidelines. With a bit of ingenuity and imagination you should be able to add to the ideas and produce an individualized system that works well for you. The big payoff will be increased energy while you travel and a brighter outlook when you return home.

Important

On long flights, get up and walk around as often as possible. This will keep your circulatory system working efficiently and help to avoid deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Do not attempt to introduce intense exercise during your vacation if you are out of shape to begin with. Check with your physician, physiotherapist, chiropractor, or other health care professional about a pre-holiday exercise routine. Ask specifically about the exercises in this article to ensure that they will not exacerbate any pre-existing problems or back injuries.

©Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.


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Looking for a bed and breakfast or hostel? Visit 111 Travel Directory before your next trip.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>