Checks Unlimited - Business

Douglas Firebaugh asked:


have YOU been?

Unless you have lived in a cave the last 4 years, you have probably heard of this. It is a rocking hot social networking site that seems to be almost everywhere today. It is on the news. It is on the radio. It is on the minds of millions of folks a day.

It is called “Facebook” and over 175 million people are active on this site.

Ok- I know that you may be asking,” A LAW about facebook?” Yes, 10 of them for marketing and business success in what you do. I am a marketer and have been for 20 years. I built a training and consulting business that does business in over 20 countries, because of social media and the internet. And there are marketing laws that all marketers and business professionals must follow if they are going to have Success in the marketplace online.

It is the same for Facebook.

Lets cover them briefly:

1) The Law of Visibility on Facebook.

You MUST be visible on facebook of you are going to get your message out. You must spend time on facebook and get to know people. You must put yourself together a “facebook blueprint” and work it. How many hours a week are you going to be seen on FB? How many times are you going to befriend someone this week? How many times are you going to upload photos this week? All of these things put you in the ‘Visibility Zone” on facebook, and on the radar as far as people on facebook. Be SEEN and be THERE on a daily basis.

2) The Law of the Powerful Facebook Profile.

Why would people want to get to know you? One of the first things they check out is your facebook profile. What does it say- but better yet- what does it DO? Does it make people curious and want to get to know you? Does it make them think? Does it make them smile? Does it make them see that you have Value for their life and can help change it?

Powerful facebook profiles are NOT based on what is said in your profile- but what it DOES.

Does it direct them to DO something? Does it tell them you are person they MUST know? Or someone that has a nice picture and a nice profile- with no magnetism? Put yourself OUT THERE and tell the world WHY they need you as a friend, and get them to take action towards YOU.

3) The Law of the Facebook WALL.

You MUST use your Wall to market or message. many folks regard their Wall as a communication utility like email. It is not that. You already have a facebook email. The Wall is for you to BUILD- BRICK BY BRICK- MESSAGE BY MESSAGE- NOTE BY NOTE- VIDEO BY VIDEO- your Brand on Facebook. Every time something happens with you- it goes on your Wall. Don’t stare at the wall- CLIMB THE SUCKER and make your message the PEAK of the page- and keep yourself out there with the Wall. And answer the messages on your Wall. Thank people for sharing with you their visit or message. This will show up on THEIR wall. This will set you apart from most on facebook. The Wall is simply a BILLBOARD of what you are doing and your friends are doing on Facebook. Use it often and wisely.

4) The Law of Your Facebook Network.

You are part of a local facebook network and you have access to that network to befriend them. I live in Birmingham Michigan, and the network i am a part of is the Detroit network. There are 640,926 people in my network that I could potentially MEET LIVE in a local place and get to know them and connect with them. You have local folks as well. Where do you find your network?

Click on “settings” and then click on “network.” You will find it there. This is a GOLD MINE of people in your local area to CONNECT and Construct new trust bridges that may lead to business down the road.

5) The Law of the Facebook Notifications.

This is an overlooked and rarely talked about utility. Notifications are part of your “facebook email system.” Go to “email” at the top of your Facebook profile page, and then click on “notifications.”This is list of who is thinking about you, talking about you, including you in tags, and generally is pointing to you. This is a GOLD MINE of people that have PROVEN they are behind you and willing to make you a part of their Facebook experience. Pay attention to the facebook notifications. Thank them for their thoughts of you on their Wall and let them know you appreciate it. Include them as well on your tags and other activity on facebook. The notifications are GOLD and is a prospecting Vault of Leads. And make sure you stay CONNECTED to them.

6) The Law of Facebook Link Love.

The Link application on Facebook is a HOT commodity. It allows you to post a link that you like and then sends it out on the news feed that is on your home page. It picks up the image that you want on the link page, and allows it to be a LIVE link. Send out other people’s LINK and givem some LOVE. Do NOT just send out your own links. Let others do that. Find interesting links of others and send them out.

WHY? EXPOSURE for you. You will be given credit for the link. People LOVE link love. If you send out a LOT of other people’s links on facebook, they will start sending out YOUR links. Been there done that.

7) The Law of Facebook Groups.

Join groups. Join a LOT of Groups. Start your OWN groups. The join MORE groups. Why? Here are a few reasons: EXPOSURE. CONNECTION to other Group members. AUTHORITY. Start your own and be a Leader. INCREASE YOUR REACH.Groups extend your reach into Facebook. MULTIPLIED PROSPECTS. There are more people in a group — then on a profile page.

Duh. Build a list in your own group and then you can become an admin and email messages to them. Make them messages of VALUE and interest.

The Law of Facebook Events.

Attend events. Attend more Events. And then attend many MORE events. Why? It allows you to leave a message on the events page wall, and create exposure. I attend at least 2 facebook events every week- to learn- and to network. Events can be found on the new Facebook page in the upper right under “Upcoming”-these are the events that are upcoming. There is one unique twist: You have birthdays under the “upcoming” tag- and you can send presents to folks. THIS will get their attention as it shows up on their wall and the news feed as well. Attend as many events as you can. make them worth your while- learn and grow from them. BUT’always leave a RSVP message about attending or not- with an encouraging message. This will show your professionalism, and caring.

Event UP! This will do you well on facebook. Put the term “events” in the search box, and it will find every event that is going on in your network of friends. It is a GOLD MINE of new possibilties of business. Become a master of events!

9) The Law of Facebook Multimedia- Videos and Photos.

People LOVE photos and videos. They are the most looked at and watched pages on facebook. Make some videos and upload them. Upload some photographs. Not only will the be seen on your wall and the facebook news feed, but also will allow you to “tag” others on these. This means that you can pick out people you have befriended and let them know you are thinking of them. And when you tag someone- it shows up on THEIR wall. Not isn’t THAT cool? It is called EXPOSURE!

10) The Law of the Facebook NEWS FEED.

This is the big kahuna of Exposure on facebook. This gets you out to ALL of your friends and creates a massive exposure vehicle that can keep your brand in front and recognized. You also will be many times on the “featured” part of the new news feed on the right. This gives you HUGE exposure. Whatever you do, like change your status, upload a video, write and publish a note, or just comment on another person’s message on the facebook news feed- it SHOWS UP in the news Feed. Be seen- and be seen often if you are trying to brand yourself on facebook.

Yes, you need to establish relationships, and build community. But if you are going to MARKET on facebook-then you need to at least get a guideline of what and how to do it. The 10 Social Media Laws of Facebook hopefully gave you some idea in your social media marketing.

blessings…doug firebaugh

Richard Walker asked:


ght (c) 2009 Richard Walker

Hand tools are important to anyone interested in woodworking. Once you get into the hobby you will need to start out by using hand tools. It is important that you make your selection of tools carefully. Careful selection and care of your tools will help you to save money on your woodworking hobby.

Tools For Cutting

There are some general hand tools that you will need to get started. These are cutting tools that are used to cut and shape wood. These tools are made for a particular purpose and are referred to as specialty tools. These basic tools are simple to use and only take basic knowledge to operate them. Basic tools will help you get used to using tools and get you through beginner projects. They will also help prepare you for future, more advanced, projects.

Saws are a basic tool that is used for cutting. There are three types of saws. Handsaws tackle large jobs, like cutting a long piece of wood into smaller pieces. Backsaws are used for joining tasks. For cutting curves there are narrow bladed saws.

Selection tips

When choosing hand tools it is important for you to choose them carefully. You want to make sure that you choose tools that will be easy to use and that will last.

When making your choice you should look for removable handles. Being able to remove the handle allows you to be able o maintenance it easier. You also want to ensure that the handle feels comfortable. You should hold it, move around with it and generally get a feel for it.

When it comes to blades you want a thin blade that works best for wood cutting. Blade quality can be tested by bending the blade and ensuring it is even and smooth. It should also produce a clear ring when tapped.

Care and Maintenance

Taking good care of your hand tools is essential to protecting your investment. Lack of care can ruin even the most well made tools.

Blade care includes checking it often for bends and for rust or dirt. You should pound blades back to their straightened shape and wipe down your blade after use. The blade will need periodic sharpening to keep it working well. If you know how to do this then you can handle sharpening. If you do not know how to do it then it is best to have it done by a professional as incorrect sharpening can damage the blade beyond repair.

Handle care involves removing the handle to clean it and replacing it is it is rotted or broken. Wood cleaner can be used to clean the handle and fine steel wool can clean any metal parts.

Lastly, good storage of your tools will help keep them in good shape. You should always hand up saws to protect the blades from being bent or nicked.

Saving Money

To save money on hand tools it is smarter to buy the best quality possible. Over time you will save money on maintenance and replacement if you buy quality to begin with. You should look for good value which gives you a quality tool for a reasonable price.

Keep up regular maintenance on your tools. Replacing them is much more costly than regular maintenance. Give your tools proper care and you will get long use from them.

Safety Tips

When working with tools safety must always be a top priority. You need to always work with care to keep yourself safe. Always use any guards or safety devices and follow safety precautions. You should only choose tools that are made to safety standards. Look for safety features.

Properly maintenance of the tools will also help keep you safe. Inspect them before you use them for any damage. Keep them sharp and in good condition so that there is not room for malfunction.

Choosing the right hand tools is only the start to ensuring your have a good time with your new woodworking hobby. Proper care and maintenance, buying quality tools and adhering to safety standards will allow you to have the best possible experience.

Mallory Kramer asked:


tions across the power tool industry have improved the durability, strength and maneuverability of both corded and cordless power tools. Cordless tools, it seems, are becoming vastly more popular as battery and motor technologies continue to improve. New developments like Lithium-Ion battery technology has upped the ante for cordless tools, but other innovations have certainly not left corded power tools in the dust. New advancements in corded power tool designs have made corded tools, once cumbersome and lumbering, lighter weight and far easier to handle. Corded power tools still offer unrivaled power and performance, and generally have a longer life-span; when picking a tool, however, it is still not an easy choice as cordless tools offer compact ergonomics and superior mobility.

It’s important to consider a few things before deciding which tool best suits you and your needs. The type of job and intensity of applications, the materials you intend to manipulate, and how often you will use your power tools are all factors in choosing between corded and cordless tools.

“So, what are the benefits of cordless tools?” you ask. Well, I’ll tell you. Cordless power tools allow craftsmen to take the tools to the job rather than bringing work back to your tools; bringing work back to the shop or a stable power source can be a frustrating chore if not wholly impossible. Cordless tools offer superior convenience and portability, and with greater advancements in battery technology and tool design, cordless tools now have more power, less weight, and a longer run-time than ever before. Another striking benefit of using cordless tools is, well, they’re cordless! Lugging and dragging around heavy cords can not only be a hassle but a hazard as well. For this reason, cordless tools also tend to be easier to store and transport. Cordless tools are ideal for home use and for use in high-traffic areas where cords can present a bigger safety hazard. Additionally, cordless tools are absolutely essential when working in unfinished constructions where, perhaps, there is no electrical power source available. However, it’s not all sunshine with cordless tools, although their convenience is unmatched, they can’t offer the constant high power that corded tools can. Cordless tools are less powerful to begin with and most (excluding those using Lithium-Ion batteries) lose power continuously as you work. Unlike corded, cordless power tools have a limited power source and rely on a fully charged battery to efficiently run. Cordless tools also tend to be a bit heavier and batteries can be expensive to replace.

Intrigued, you now ask, “Ah, so what then are the advantages of using corded tools?” Let me tell you. Corded power tools offer significantly more power and a constant, non-dwindling power source for continuous run-time. Corded tools offer a wider variety for more diverse applications and deliver the highest-performance for the most heavy-duty jobs. Corded tools allow users to perform without stops ensuring projects are completed without the hassle of changing and charging batteries. Because of their superior power and nonstop performance, corded tools are ideal for heavier construction jobs. They also tend to be less expensive – and you’ll never have to replace a pricey battery either. Cordless tools are a stronger, more durable tool and are essential where jobs require constant and superior power. Corded tools provide unmatched power and deliver the most professional results to even the heaviest, heartiest, beefiest applications. On the other hand, while corded tools don’t require battery replacements, they do have that lumbering cord; that heavy, fraying cord requires replacement as often as a battery does. While cords are generally less expensive to replace, they are much more frustrating and time consuming. Power cords present more problems than simply fraying or failing altogether – cords are dangerous; they present a serious electrical hazard, and are fairly easy to trip over. Corded tools also have limited mobility, and as its generally recommended to avoid using extension cords (which present an additional safety hazard) corded tools shouldn’t go too far from the power source they’re drawing from.

When choosing a tool, it is crucial to consider the capacities of of both corded and cordless types. Each offers different advantages to suit different demands and applications. Know the type of jobs you expect to perform, the type of materials you’ll be working with, and consider how often you’ll be firing up your tools – knowing these three things should help you choose precisely which tool, corded or cordless, will be your best companion on the job.