My 2¢ Worth

o you know your screen resolution? Do you even know what that is? Many people don't, so perhaps a few words about screen resolution are in order.

he resolution of a monitor indicates how densely packed the pixels are. Generally speaking, the more pixels (expressed in dots per inch  {dpi} ), the sharper the display. Most modern monitors can display 1024 by 768 pixels. Some higher-end models can display 1280 by 1024, or even 1600 by 1200.

creen resolution signifies the number of dots (pixels) on the entire screen of your monitor. For example, a 640-by-480 pixel screen is capable of displaying 640 distinct dots on each of 480 lines. This translates into different dpi measurements depending on the size of the screen. For example, a 15-inch VGA monitor (640x480) can display about 50 dots per inch.

he most common screen resolution today is 800 by 600 and most people are comfortable with that. You may, however, adjust your resolution higher and gain some screen real estate as images and icons will be smaller.

ou can set the number of pixels your monitor displays in the Display Properties dialog box. Simply click ...

• Start
• Settings
• Control Panel
• Display
• Settings

Then adjust the slider and click OK.

f you don't like the display, simply go back and reset it to your previous settings — so make a note of your current settings. Web TV users, you cannot change your screen resolution. You're pretty much stuck with the resolution of your television set, roughly 544 × 372.

f you don't understand the explanation above and all that dots per inch stuff; don't worry. It's not important for most people. Just be aware, however, that you may change your resolution.

Feature Article

Growing Your Business With Your Marketing Priorities

by: Charlie Cook Marketing for Success

None of us have enough time in the day to get everything done, but small business owners and entrepreneurs like you are particularly pressed. You wear so many hats; there is a seemingly infinite list of tasks to accomplish each day, from providing services to clients, managing product distribution and delivery, to keeping accounting in order.

You try to fit in some marketing when you can, but you're not sure which activities are essential to do each week or each month to build a steady stream of clients. You make some calls, send out a mailing or put up a web site, but you still have that nagging feeling that if you knew which marketing activities translated into the most new business, you could be more successful.

You want more clients or, if not more clients, higher paying clients. So, what are the most important marketing tasks to do in order to attract more of the right type of prospects?

Build and Maintain Relationships with Prospects Your number one marketing priority should be to build relationships with lots of qualified prospects. It sounds obvious, but remember that the reason to advertise, network or to have a web site is to generate leads, leads you can then convert to sales. Take a look at the number of years you've been in business and the size of your prospect list.

If your advertising, networking and web site are working, you should be able to generate new leads and a growing list of qualified prospects each month. A successful website, for example, can generate hundreds, if not thousands, of new leads monthly.

George recently signed up for my coaching services. He has been in business for over ten years, but his prospect list consists of less than 150 names. George should have contact information for thousands of prospects by n0w. Even without an active web based lead generation strategy, if George had added every prospect and client to his list over ten years his list should contain over a thousand interested people.

How many more s.ales could you close if twice as many - or ten times as many - people know how you could help them?

The first step is to get prospects' attention with your marketing message and materials. Then you want prospects to take the next step; to contact you, buy from you right away, or add their name to your mailing list. Offering f.ree, relevant information such as a report or f.ree workshop will prompt your prospects to give you their contact information and increase the results generated by your advertisements and mailings.

How big is your target market? What percentage of this group is on your mailing list?

Your goal is to help as many people in your target market learn what you do and to get them to give you their contact information. Once you have their permission to stay in touch, you can go to work building a relationship with them.

Demonstrate what you do so they understand its value and you establish your credibility. When they know and trust you, they'll be happy to tell you what they need and to buy your products and services.

So how can you incorporate lead generation and building relationships with prospects into your weekly schedule?

1. Each week reach out to get the attention of people who haven't heard from you. Do this through your advertising, web site marketing, articles, mailings or cold calls (if you know how to use them). But don't spend a dime on any of these unless you have a strategy in place for converting this attention into s.ales and qualified leads.

2. Set aside time each week or at least each month to stay in touch with your list of qualified prospects and past clients. As your list grows, use your time to focus on past clients first and use a mass mailing or email to stay in touch with other prospects. Share an idea your prospects they can use and they'll be reminded again and again how much you know and why they should buy your products and services.

3. Use your communication with prospects and clients to help them identify what they need and understand how your products and services can help them. You may think that doing this once should be enough, but most people are too busy to read every mailing they get or to remember the details until its pressing or important for them to act on. With regular correspondence you'll increase the chances of putting your information in front of your prospects when they are ready to buy.

4. Set aside time each day to contact qualified prospects. If someone has sent you an email, left a ph0ne message or otherwise expressed interest in your products, pick up the ph0ne and call them. Quickly identify whether they have the authority and interest to contract with you and either continue the conversation or move on to your next lead.

Get attention; build your list of qualified leads; regularly help prospects with your ideas; and respond to your most qualified prospects promptly when they request services. Do these four things every week and every month and you'll soon have many more prospects eager to learn how you can help them, eager to buy from you and more new clients than you ever thought possible.

**************

2005 C In Mind Communications, LLC. All rights reserved. The author, Charlie Cook, helps service professionals, small business owners and marketing professionals attract more clients and be more successful. Sign up to receive the F.ree Marketing Plan eBook, '7 Steps to get more clients and grow your business' at www.marketingforsuccess.com

Custom text in the status bar of the browser

Display your own custom text in the browser window's status bar by adding the following JavaScript to your source code. This can be placed in either the <head> or <body> section of your page, however, I suggest putting it in the <body> as close to the bottom as possible for faster page load times.

Replace the text in red with your own custom message.

<script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript">
<!-- ;//
function SB_MESS()
{ status="Your_Status_Bar_Message"
setTimeout('SB_MESS()',1); }SB_MESS();
// -->
</script>

* Get these syndicated tip feeds for yourweb site, free. *

Second Article

Having an Online Business & Keeping 'Unity of Purpose' in the Family

by: Susan Nichols Vector Central Marketing

Since my husband and I both work toward the same goal online, this has unified us in our ambitions and purpose. In my opinion, this is the key to family harmony when one or more family members work on the internet: "Unity of Purpose."

Even if both spouses do not work on the Internet, unity is still the key. Communicate about the "extra" hours, walk away from the computer when your spouse needs you, and remember that family is 'more' important than this screen and keyboard in front of you that can sometimes 'consume' your every waking moment!

As I write, I realize that this ties in with an article I wrote "Do You Have Online Tunnel Vision?" www.vectorcentral.com/article-onlinetunnelvision.html. Online Tunnel Vision definitely applies in the matter of family. We can be so directed and goal oriented in our online business, that we forget the 'real' structure of life, family, health, and home!

If you feel you must spend 12 hours a day at the computer, then assessment needs to be taken on your life, health, and especially your loved ones. So, organize with your spouse and family. Communicate your needs and listen - "hear" his/her needs. If you have to drop something or reorganize your online time in order to put your spouse and family first, then do so because the days of life are only one at a time.

May your day be blessed!

**************

Susan Nichols is the editor/publisher of the "Interactive Marketing Ezine" & the "Online Income Opportunities," which provide essential marketing methods to generate your online success! Free weekly ad with subscription. www.vectorcentral.com

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