We hear a lot these days about more books actually being sold ‘outside’ the traditional bookstore. Think about it. When was the last time you actually took time to linger and explore the bookshelves? When did you last impulsively grab a book, flip it over, read the blurbs, and finger through a few chapters? Let’s face it, most of us are too hurried.

So What’s The Point?

If you don’t take the time to browse, why expect your potential customer to do so?

Try This:

Grab about five copies of your book, and head for the “Ma and Pa” stores in your hometown area. Pick a time when you know it won’t be too busy. Talk to the owner or manager. Ask him if you may set up a small display on his counter. Offer him a percentage of each sale.

Get Impulsive!

Go for the impulse buyers! Haven’t you at one time, while waiting at a cash register, seen a small display of books on the counter? Before it was your turn to get checked out, you grabbed it, became excited, and added it to your other purchases? Maybe it was a novel set in your locale. People love reading tales taking place in their familiar surroundings.

They think, “Oh, I’ve driven that road! I know where it is!

Where’s the next landmark? Have to find out!” They feel they become a “part” of it.

Is your book set in your region? Try your local gift shops, bed and breakfast inns, pharmacies, hair salon, even the little “quick stops.” You get the picture.

Is the hero in your book of Italian descent? Is there a lot of ethnicity? Head for the specialty shops like that little corner deli. Pesto. Gnochi. Fresh-baked focaccia. Get your book on that counter!

Maybe kayaking through turbulent river rapids is a large part of your novel. Or sky diving, race car driving, hang gliding, deep sea diving. Head on out to the sporting goods stores.

Whatever, go for it. Take control.

Another Idea

Grab your books and get a booth at the local festivals taking place in and around your area. Maybe share one with an author friend. In my area, there are different festivals every weekend throughout the summer and early fall. In the winter, many craft fairs. Think “thousands of potential customers!”

What Are You Waiting For?

I know you’re thinking, “But I only want to write!” That may be so. Promoting is time consuming. But what’s the alternative? Your book just sets there and gathers dust. So ease on out of that chair, and head on out. Let people know about your book. Talk it up. Readers who love your book will add another dimension to your promotion – word-of-mouth advertising!

Start Small and Think Big

Some stores you approach may not work! Granted. But you’ll get the ball rolling and your mind spinning. “Where else can I sell my book?” You’ll find yourself eyeing every little store as a possibility, while driving your car or strolling the sidewalks of your hometown. Who knows, you may even become your hometown’s next “celebrity!” Give it a try!

About The Author

Mary Holzrichter

Do you enjoy reading quality fast paced action novels? Do you like to write them? Either way, visit http://ActionTales.com” target=_new>http://ActionTales.com. We offer some great titles for readers and an unbeatable publishing deal for authors.

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For many romantic travelers, that is the question.

The decision of whether to travel or not during these troubled times is a personal one, a choice only the two of you can make. But whether you choose to make an international or a domestic trip, you still can travel and enjoy all the romance and freedom that come with getting away from home.

Whether your reason is security, budget, or just a shortage of time, consider a vacation in your own hometown! Think about these options:

Rent an RV for a weekend rendezvous where the bed is never more than a few steps away!

Check into weekend specials at city hotels that primarily function as business hotels. Many offer special weekend leisure packages — you might get a romantic suite for the price of a standard room during the week.

Take off driving down local backroads. At each intersection, flip a coin to chart your course.

Act like tourists in your own hometown — down to the cameras and clothes. Be sure to ask people to take your picture at local landmarks.

Book a stay in a romantic bed and breakfast near your home.

Plan a day trip within a few hours of your hometown.

Schedule a day’s vacation in your own hometown. How many sites have you missed that you would have visited if you were a vacationer in your hometown?

About The Author

Husband and wife team Paris Permenter and John Bigley edit the award-winning http://Lovetripper.com” target=new>Lovetripper.com (http://www.lovetripper.com” target=new>www.lovetripper.com), a romantic travel magazine and resource featuring honeymoons, destination weddings, and romantic getaways worldwide.
editors@lovetripper.com“>editors@lovetripper.com

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Several years ago I received a call from a woman who said she had been planning all year to take a two-week trip to Hawaii. She told me how she had madly spent the day trying to clean up her office before she left. Then she raced home, feeling frantic about how she was going to get everything done there before she left. Slowly she had that sinking feeling that although she could get away from it for two weeks, she would have to come back to it — sooner or later. Suddenly it occurred to her that she could use the money she was going to spend on her vacation on getting her act together — and not have to go back to chaos! So instead of going away for her vacation, she stayed home. She spent her vacation money, and one week of her vacation, organizing her home. The next week she went to a nearby resort to relax — and she truly did, knowing that she could return to a home about which she didn’t have to feel guilty.

I found a delightful definition of vacation” in Webster’s: a time of respite from something.” A good first step to organizing your vacation is identifying what it is from which you need a respite.

If your job is boring, a 10-day trip on the Colorado River might be just the thing. If you’ve been eating fast food on the run for months, how about a week at a bed and breakfast which serves terrific home-cooked meals? Have you always wanted to learn to play tennis? Hire a local coach (many high school teachers would be delighted to have some extra income) and spend time on the local court. If one of the joys of being away from home is not having to cook, have meals catered to your home for a week — with clean up. It’s considerably less expensive than a week in a hotel.

Ironically, we often go on vacations to have quality time with the family — but end up squabbling because of weariness and unmet expectations. Children today need real quality time with their parents — a lazy afternoon at the pool or a game of golf. When I lived near Washington, D.C., August was my favorite month to spend time in the city, because everyone else was gone on vacation!

As for me, I head for the North Carolina beach with my husband’s family. For me it will be a respite from hose and high heels, from my computer and calendar — with lots of time for love and laughter — a real vacation!

Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger’s Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at http://www.ProductiveEnvironment.com” target=_new>www.ProductiveEnvironment.com

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Since 1994, the number of farmers’ markets around the country also has more than doubled, the article said.

I find these two bits of information especially interesting because small family farms have been disappearing from the countryside at an alarming rate over the past 30 years. According to statistics from the U.S. Census of Agriculture and the American Farm Bureau Federation, since 1969, the United States has lost 85 percent of its dairy farms.

Why do I care that the United States has lost so many dairy farms? I grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, which has always been known as America’s Dairyland. Except that today, in areas where there used to be farms all up and down the roads, there isn’t a single farm left. During the same time period in which the United States lost 85 percent of its dairy farms, Wisconsin has lost 70 percent of its dairy farms.

So what is going on here?

Family farms have disappeared. Subdivisions have taken over what were once cornfields and hayfields and pastures. Creameries have been abandoned or converted to other uses. Feed mills have been torn down to make room for parking lots. And yet — FFA has the highest membership that it’s had for the last 22 years? And in the past 10 years, the number of farmers’ markets has more than doubled?

The Reader’s Digest article speculates that the reason for the increases in FFA membership and farmers’ markets is that as the United States has lost more and more farms, and as more and more people live in cities or suburbs or subdivisions, farm life has become a fascinating subject for those who have never experienced it.

I have discovered through my own research that agricultural tourism is on the rise, as well. It used to be that if you wanted to visit a farm, you had to have a grandma and grandpa or an aunt and uncle who owned a farm. Now all you have to do is go to the Internet, type in “farm tours” on Google, and websites come up that direct you to farms which have been converted to bed-and-breakfasts, farms that conduct tours of their day-to-day operations, farms that have been made into museums, and farms that give hay rides and have pumpkin patches and corn mazes.

Through a series of political, cultural and social decisions, Americans created an atmosphere that forced small family farmers to go out of business. Although now that the family farmers are all but gone, Americans have decided they are interested in knowing more about life on the farm.

What’s next? One-room country schools? Or how about little white country churches?

Be that as it may, the increased interest in farming could mean new life for the small farms still in existence. Perhaps the adult children who left because there was no future in farming will return — not to farm the land and milk cows, but to turn those farms into bed and breakfasts, museums or to grow pumpkin patches, construct corn mazes and give hay rides.
*********************

About the Author

LeAnn R. Ralph is the author of the books “Christmas in Dairyland (True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm)” (trade paperback; July 2003) and “Give Me a Home Where the Dairy Cows Roam” (trade paperback; October 2004) and “Preserve Your Family History (A Step-by-Step Guide for Interviewing Family Members and Writing Oral Histories) (e-book; April 2004). http://ruralroute2.com

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Whether you are single, a couple, or a family, the area is well suited for virtually any type of vacation plans. Nags Head has a reputation as a top notch recreational destination. Watersports and fishing related activities abound. Let’s not forget the world renowned Oregon Fishing Inlet. This area is home to some of the top world-class deep sea fishing. There’s always the poular amuesment parks with miniature golf, waterslides, and go-karts.

The world’s tallest sand dune on the east coast calls Nags Head it’s home. Jockey’s Ridge is approximately 100 feet tall. Feeling adventurous? Jockey’s Ridge is the ideal place to hang glide. Or if you want to chill out, you can walk the beach, watch the sunrise, or enjoy a breathtaking sunset, or just explore the numerous nature trails.

There’s tons of opportunities to pick up souveniers along the way. There are outlet stores, an indoor mall and many local specialty shops. No vacation would be complete without checking out the local restaurants. There are many locally owned restaurants as well as all of the national chain restaurants. The selection of food is excellent. From chicken fingers to filet mignon. Make sure to try the seafood, since much of it is locally caught, and therefore, extremely fresh!

Right down the road (from Nags Head) is the town of Kill Devil Hills. You can easily spend a good half day here, without seeing all the sights. This town became famous when the Wright Brothers made history when they flew the first airplane here in 1903. The Wright Brothers National Memorial is made of granite, rises 61 feet into the air and is the focal point of this town. A 314-acre national park honors this momentous event with a flight museum and an airstrip. Take one of the air tours of the Outer Banks. Its a spectacular, and exciting way to get a bird’s eye view of these islands.

The Visitor’s Center, is a gorgeous glass covered structure that showcases a replica of that simple canvas-covered 605-pound doubled-winged plane, which Orville Wright flew on that history-making day. Looking at it today, it’s hard to imagine that it could even get off the ground.

A popular attraction for kids and adults alike, is kite flying. One of the reasons the Wright Brtothers picked this area was because it is so windy. This makes for consistently soaring kite flying. The Park Service supplies simple box kites and 20 feet of string. It’s normal to see dozens of kids and adults (acting like kids) laughing and with huge smiles on their faces, with their own flying contraptions in a pleasant five mile an hour breeze. When you visit, be sure to make time for touring the various museum exhibits. You can even attend a ranger conducted program, take a tour of the reconstructed camp buildings and the first flight trail area, and climb up Kill Devil Hill to view the memorial pylon.

Located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills offers residents and visitors alike, a unique and relaxing environment with plenty of fascinating, and fun things to see and do year-round.

About The Author

Elizabeth Ann Wares is an avid traveler and shares travel and vacation tips. She is the webmaster of Airfare X, a leading resource for discount airfare: http://www.airfarex.com” target=new>http://www.airfarex.com

elizabeth@airfarex.com“>elizabeth@airfarex.com

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Sylvia Acevedo needed a break from her technology job so she bought an old Victorian house to remodel into a bed and breakfast. “Being an engineer working in technology, I really felt I didn’t do a lot of tangible work. But with the bed and breakfast, at the end of the day, I felt like I had actually done something.”

And, of course, she had—because as she renovated the house, she transformed it into a beautiful B&B. She had no problem communicating with the construction crew, who were mostly Hispanic, because she grew up speaking both Spanish and English. “My mother was from Mexico and all of my grandparents lived there,” she says.

“People would see me talking to a crew of workers and I literally would have contractors stop and hand me the phone, asking me to translate for them,” she says. That’s how she realized communication between Hispanic construction workers and non-Spanish-speaking supervisors was really a problem.

Being a software engineer, Sylvia’s mind immediately went to solving the problem. “I think it’s because I’ve always been an innovator and I see things maybe in a way that provides a side-door solution. I don’t just look at the situation and say, ‘Okay, it’s a bottleneck’. I try to look at new ways to solve the problem. And in this particular situation, the problem was communication.” But she didn’t follow through on her ideas for a few more years.

After two years of renovating and running the B&B, Sylvia was ready to get back into the technology field, so she hired a manager for the bed and breakfast, and started a software development company with three others. A few years later, Sylvia and her partners later sold the software company.

“That was really interesting,” she says, “because we sold it for stock and then the stock market crashed. But that was an important learning lesson because I learned a lot about creating a company that supported intellectual property and taking it from literally concept to actually building a company.”

By this time she had also sold the B&B for a tidy little sum and was ready to solve the communication problem she saw a few years before. She realized there were a lot of non-Spanish-speaking people in the United States who were hiring people who only spoke Spanish for service jobs. “And you have a challenge because how do you direct the work that needs to be done?” she says.

The solution? The CommuniCard, easy-to-use Spanish/English communication cards. There’s a deck of housekeeping cards with pictures of the tasks and English/Spanish translations, and several accordion-folded, laminated pocket cards for the construction industry showing tools, tasks and translations, and a similar pocket card for the lawncare industry. This allows the supervisor to merely show the card to the worker to communicate. For instance, one of the cards shows a person cleaning a big window with a spray bottle in one hand while using a squeegee in the other. The wording below the illustration says, “Clean the windows. Limpia las ventanas.” So if the worker cannot speak English, or even read, it is clear what is being asked.

Before putting it into production she tested it extensively, first in Texas, and then across the United States. “I went to Northern California, Southern California, New Mexico, Colorado and across the South and Texas. I found the biggest needs were in construction and housekeeping,” she says. She began by interviewing the people who hired these workers—everyone from Junior Leaguers, to people in office settings who hired workers, to companies and construction firms. She also began to go to day-labor sites and construction sites to interview the workers. But the supervisors weren’t appreciative of her being on jobsites, even if she only spoke to workers while they were on their breaks.

“So I would approach them at bus stops, churches, and schools.” And what she learned was very informative. “We began to get a lot of feedback and the product changed dramatically as a result,” she says.

All in all, she spoke to over 4,000 people. After the informal research, it was time for something a little more elaborate. “We’ve done many focus groups, and we do them on all the products,” Sylvia says. The interviews are conducted by a professional, trained moderator who’s bilingual.

“And that’s a very important issue,” she says. “When you have a vision for a product, you really need to get customer input. But there’s also a fine line between getting too much input and not enough. I didn’t want to go into analysis paralysis or information overload.”

One of the important outcomes of the focus groups was that one person in the first focus group had such a huge need to solve the communication problem that he approached her about investing in the company. She accepted, and for a stake in the company, he paid for the initial production of the cards.

The company is now in the middle of its second year and sales are increasing. So far, they’ve sold thousands of the cards, but it’s slow going. Sylvia originally thought the product would be sold through retail stores, but she found that her previous distribution experience was no longer valid.

“My experience was dated. It was years before Wal-Mart had taken over and many of the people that I went to call on in the industry were no longer there. In fact, the businesses were gone.”

Finding a roadblock in the path to retail distribution was a big disappointment, but the company simply adjusted its thinking and found another way. Now, instead of selling through national retail chains as she had hoped, CommuniCard products are sold through trade associations and the company’s website, as well as through a few local retail stores.

To promote the innovative product, Sylvia doesn’t use traditional advertising. She has found that public relations works best because it’s such a new product that requires too much education and explaining.

It’s a low-price-point item, with the housekeeping cards selling for $15.95 and all the others selling for less than $10, so Sylvia has found that tradeshows are not particularly effective, either. “You’re competing with so many giveaways at tradeshows that I found it really diminished the value of our brand. People would say, ‘Gosh, they just gave me this really cool saw that’s worth 30 bucks and you’re not going to give me this for $10?’ So I found it to be very expensive and unproductive,” she says.

Nevertheless, in its first year of business CommuniCard — found at http://www.communicard.com — sold well over 5,000 units of the housekeeping cards, and somewhat less of the others, generating just under a $100,000 in sales.

The company has branched out into consulting as well as product sales because there’s a need for the expertise Sylvia has acquired through all her research. “Most marketing firms focus on selling consumer products to Hispanics,” she says. Instead, she focuses on solving problems. For instance, the bus company hired her to find out why so few Hispanics ride the bus.

Sylvia was also recognized in 2004 as the National Businesswoman of the Year by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

CommuniCard recently introduced a new set of cards for law enforcement, and police departments have had great interest in them. Sylvia offers to customize the cards with the police department’s badge, and this requires an order of hundreds, which customers are readily doing.

The company has also been researching other languages to see what new products might be developed, but so far they haven’t found the right match. “When we tested the (original) cards in Chicago, people wanted cleaning cards in Polish. But that’s such a small market. We’d only be able to sell those in New York, Chicago and maybe Boston. Whereas the housekeeping cards in Spanish/English are selling across the country,” she says.

One of the things that Sylvia made sure to do was protect her idea. She has a patent pending and, of course, everything is copyrighted and trademarked. As a result of her software engineering background, she knew how important this was. She says she often urges other women inventors to protect their assets, and she has helped several either copyright or trademark their ideas.

One of the things that has surprised her is people need these products so urgently they are willing to pay FedEx delivery charges to get them overnight. “I bet we get no less than three orders per week where people want the product so fast that they’re willing to pay more in shipping than the product costs,” she says, which leads her to wonder if the product is correctly priced. “We’re constantly evaluating,” she says.

Lois Carter Fay, APR, is a 30-year veteran in the P.R. and marketing field. She works with women business owners and small business owners to help them improve their marketing and business success. She now produces three marketing ezines, Brainy Tidbits, Brainy Flash, and Success Secrets of Women Entrepreneurs. All are free. She’s also the co-author with Jim Wilson of “Sales Success! Strategies for Women,” a quick-to-read ebook containing 52 easy-to-implement sales tips. The ezines and ebook are available through her websites.

Visit http://www.MarketingIdeaShop.com” target=_new>http://www.MarketingIdeaShop.com or http://www.WomenMarketing.com” target=_new>http://www.WomenMarketing.com to learn more sales, marketing and publicity ideas and subscribe. Claim your free special report when you subscribe.

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The first thing to consider is the area of the country you will be visiting. Many towns across America offer the b&b experience but only have a handful of options for you to consider. On the other hand, if you visit our hometown of Fredericksburg, Texas (population 9,000) there are literally hundreds of b&b’s, reportedly the largest number of b&b’s per capita in the nation. Unfortunately for the unwary traveller, not all are created equal! When visiting such a popular bed and breakfast town, the research you do beforehand will greatly impact the quality of your stay.

These days it seems almost everyone makes their travel decisions and arrangements through the internet. In fact you are probably one of those individuals or you wouldn’t be reading this article. You can always begin your search by typing in your destination city or town and “bed and breakfast” into your search engine to get an idea of the options you’ll have. As you begin to view the properties, you should consider whether the b&b has the following amenities (assuming these are important to you): private bath, temperature control, full or continental breakfast, off-street parking, daily housekeeping and the ever-important factor….location.

Let’s begin with location. Proximity to the “center of action” is often a plus for many travelers; however, it sometimes comes with a drawback…noise. In our town, many visitors want to be “on Main Street,” and to be sure it is a boon at the end of the day when carrying heavy shopping bags back to your room. However, guests are sometimes surprised at the street noise which lasts throughout the night (Main Street is, after all, Highway 290)! Some visitors prefer to be a few blocks off Main with a bit more privacy yet good access to Main Street. Still others prefer a place in the country.

Making this first decision will cut the number of properties you consider by as much as 2/3. A note of caution however; if location is a prime concern of yours be very detailed in your quest. For example, many Fredericksburg bed and breakfasts advertise “Located on Main Street,” but what they don’t tell you is they are a mile and a half from the shopping district on the west end of town. In our town, the 100-300 blocks of East Main are considered the true shopping district. So if proximity to shopping is your goal, you would be better off with a cottage 3 blocks off of Main but within the 100-300 blocks than at the property a mile and a half from shopping that sounds so convenient. Remember the old addage, “Buyer Beware.”

Question number two could be whether to stay at an Inn or an individual cottage. Fredericksburg is unique in offering literally hundreds of one-couple, individual Sunday Houses or cottages in addition to numberous true multi-unit inns. One big distinction here other than the obvious over-all privacy issue is usually breakfast. In a private cottage you almost always receive a continental breakfast, left before you arrive. At a traditional “Inn” or bed and breakfast, you are often served a full gourmet breakfast at a pre-arranged time…along with other guests. So for many guests the choice comes down to continental with privacy or full-breakast served in a dining room. Either option offers lots of possibilities. But with so many different properties, there are no set rules; so check their website or ask!

One more common pitfall is something that sounds so basic but can really impact your experience: decor. Word on the street in b&b circles is that guests are increasingly looking for a “magazine spread” when they walk in the door. Nothing pleases me more than to open our guestbook and read, “When we opened the door the beautiful room just took my breath away!” Few people go to a bed and breakfast looking for the type decor they have at home…or worse, their granny’s decor! However, many b&b owners are under the false impression that they can take an empty rent-house and hang out their shingle. They may stumble upon a few unsuspecting guests…but you don’t want it to be you. Be sure and check the pictures on the website. I would never book a room that didn’t at least show photos of the exterior of the cottage or inn and the bed. Webmasters tell me that these are the two photo’s potential guests are most interested in. I would be very wary of a facility that wasn’t proud to show its exterior and at least one photo of the inside of each room. Jacuzzi tubs, hot tubs, gas fireplaces, it’s all out there for the taking…for those who do their homework. Spend a little extra time asking the right questions and you can have the most wonderful, relaxing getaway experience yet.

About The Author

Tammy Jordan Sikes is a former trial attorney-turned bed and breakfast owner with several b&b’s in Fredericksburg, Texas in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. See http://www.absolutecharm.com” target=new>www.absolutecharm.com and http://www.inn-on-the-creek.com” target=new>www.inn-on-the-creek.com
tammy@tearosequilts.com“>tammy@tearosequilts.com

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Booking Hotel Lodging

Finding hotel lodging doesn’t have to be the most difficult part of planning your vacation. With convenient lodging near every major attraction you can easily find excellent several at a good price. Consider making your reservations online and in advance to get the best reservation booking deals possible, this is especially important for holiday hotel lodging accommodations due to the increase in tourism during these periods. Making your reservations last minute can be costly in the end.

Hotel Lodging Online

Some online resources for general hotel lodging bookings that can help make your planning easier include:

www.hotels.com – An excellent site for locating hotel lodging near attractions you want to visit.

www.tripreservations.com – TripReservations.com, offers great rates that are also guaranteed, making your vacation plans secure and easy.

www.orbitz.com – Use Orbitz to make your hotel lodging, car rental, and airline flight reservations all in one spot.

For example Orbitz offers daily rates from $29 that are not only in three to four star hotel lodging, but also in locations that are right next to your attraction spots here in Orlando. If you prefer a small establishment that offers a taste of Orlando hospitality you might be interested in a Bed and Breakfast like: Magnolia Inn Bed and Breakfast Higgins House Meadow Marsh Victorian Bed & Breakfast Perri House

Those who are interested in a bit more privacy and some personal space in their accommodations may be interested in renting a villa. A villa is usually a small house or part of a larger property that offers the chance to experience unique luxuries, outdoor woodland settings, or any number of options. The choices are nearly unlimited as are the locations. Take a look at Villa Vacations for more information. Another type of hotel lodging similar to Villa’s are Time Share in which you actually are partial owner of a property or apartment. There are limitations to this kind of lodging as well as added benefits. Those who are interested can find out more about Time Share Resorts and rental properties by looking at some available in the Orlando Area:

Time Share Resorts in Orlando

Time Share Resorts

Lodging in Orlando FL Online Searching online is the best way to locate a lot of lodging in Orlando FL and attractions in a short period of time. Online searches will come in handy trying to find holiday lodging accommodations. Most sites will list rates as well as hotel lodging in Orlando FL features and a map of the area. Collecting as much information as you can and then sorting through your selections is the best method to find a good hotel lodging with the least amount of effort.

Before you begin to mount your online search for lodging in Orlando FL, you need to make a few decisions.

1. What area do I want to stay in?

2. Do I want low cost, moderate, or luxury accommodations?

3. Do I want to visit Theme Parks or stay at a Resort?

4. Stay duration and dates of travel.

5. What are my preferences for lodging in Orlando FL?

These are only a few suggestions and you will want to make your own list that may be sorted by priorities such as best or lowest price. Something to remember is that prices for lodging in Orlando FL tend to climb the closer you get to the attractions and major cities like Kissimmee, Orlando, and the Disney Area in Florida. Some prime examples of online search engines that can help you locate Lodging in the U.S. are:

www.discounthotels.cc – With up to 65% discount off regular rates with contracted lodging in Orlando FL , your trip can be fun and cheap. This site lists hotel lodging, suites, villa’s, resorts, and ranches that they have special contracts with to arrange for the cheapest possible accommodations for your family. Select from over 20 locations for lodging in Orlando FL starting as low as $25 with some hotels offering the first night free! Group discounts, vacation packages, free tickets, and timeshare promotions are also given. Discount Hotels will beat any internet advertised price for the same hotel by $2.00 per night to assure you of the lowest cost for your lodging in Orlando FL.

www.Ase.net – In addition to hotel lodging this site helps you explore locations for lodging in the U.S. as well as cities around the world. It is also one of the few sites that not only allows you to select the Language you wish to view the site in, but also the currency in which amounts are displayed. You can use their handy trip planner to fill out the preferences of your trip, accommodations for yourself or family. There is also a preference for spending allowing you to get reservations for the lowest cost.

www.lodgingdepot.com– With trip planning for many locations of lodging in Orlando FL. this site gives you easy access to all the reservations, accommodations and transportation you will need. Groups and Deals are two special sections that can help save you money and make your trip affordable when visiting attractions and theme parks and lodging in Orlando FL.

Planning a Vacation including Hotel Lodging

Let’s plan a trip to visit the sunny state of Florida. Most people will visit a bookstore, or travel agency to get information on a city or location they already have in mind. In this case we have decided to use an online search to gather information about our locations. Armed with one of your favorite sites for travel information we begin by simply selecting a Florida city you wish to stay in or typing in a selection like Orlando, Kissimmee, or Davenport. The search engine may gather from a preselected list of partner hotel lodging or organizations so it is always a good idea to use more than one site when conducting a search. The website will return with results of hotel lodging, attractions and events, and often additional travel arrangements depending on the information it gathered from you before the search. Some sites will allow you to choose the arrival and departure dates as well as preferences for hotel lodging such as hotels, villas and resorts. In the end you will be able to browse through the results to seek out the best rates for hotel lodging in your selected area and timeframe.

Finding Hotel Lodging in Orlando FL

So you have decided to take a vacation and use lodging in Orlando FL. You may have already selected a city or you may be considering a few areas. Some of the best information can be found at travel agencies, book stores, and online. Some hotels will send you packages of travel and local information if requested. Some common hotel lodging to be found all over the U.S. are listed below. You can contact them to request maps, travel information, attractions that are near by and more. These chains are hoping that by providing this information you will choose to stay at one of their locations so it is a good idea to also request lodging and seasonal rates from each location you are interested in.

Best Western International – 800-528-1234 www.bestwestern.comDoral Hotels – 800-223-6725 Econo Lodges – 800-424-6423 www.hotelchoice.comHilton Hotels – 800-445-8667 www.hilton.comHoliday Inn – 800-462-4329 www.holiday-inn.comHoward Johnson’s – 800-446-4656 www.hojo.comHyatt Hotels – 800-233-1234 www.hyatt.comInter-Continental – 800-327-0200 www.interconti.comLa Quinta Motor Inns – 800-257-5473Marriott Hotels – 800-228-9290 www.marriott.comOmni International Hotels – 800-241-5500 Quality Inns – 800-424-6423 www.hotelchoice.comRadisson Hotels – 800-333-3333 www.radisson.comRamada Inns – 800-228-2828 www.ramada.comRed Carpet Inns International – 800-251-1962 Red Roof Inns – 800-843-7663 www.redroof.comRodeway Inns – 800-424-6423 www.hotelchoice.comSheraton Hotels – 800-325-3535 www.sheraton.comStouffer Hotels – 800-872-6338 Super 8 Motels – 800-843-1991 www.super8motels.comTravelodge International – 800-255-3050 www.travelodge.comWestin Hotels – 800-228-3000 www.westin.com

Once you have determined your location you will want to find out more about that city. Every city has unique offerings and spots that you will want to visit and experience. Much information can be found online about particular cities and about lodging in the U.S. , however, it is a good idea to call in advance to hotel lodging, and travel agencies in the area and ask about attractions that are very good or small spots that may have slipped past online resources. Some online travel engines are listed below that you can use to find more information on thousands of cities within the U.S. www.citiesunlimited.com www.resortsandlodges.com www.suite101.com

Tips for Hotel Lodging in U.S.A The following tips can be helpful in planning a trip for yourself and family to a destination in the U.S. Remember that not only can information be found online but once you arrive in the U.S. most airports provide local hotel lodging locations and information Additionally it is common for hotels to provide local attraction and event information as well as maps. Simply ask for maps and information in the lobby and you will be directed to or be given them. Use the Orlando Travel TIPS below to assist you in your Orlando FL vacation.

Orlando Travel Tip 1: Using search engines and several different tools online can save you hours of telephone calls to travel agencies, money for the calls, and the cost of the travel agent.

Orlando Travel Tip 2: A currency converter is also featured on this site to help keep costs low and understandable when you are traveling from overseas to the U.S.and exchanging foreign currency. This is an important tool when planning a vacation to a foreign country.

Orlando Travel Tip 3: If you have access to a printer, it is very smart to print out all reservations and hotel lodging as well as any tickets or rentals made online. These reservation numbers and the proof of purchase can often come in very handy once you arrive at your accommodation, villa, or resort.

Orlando Travel Tip 4: If you are searching for low cost, inexpensive hotel lodging that is also clean and comfortable, you might try looking for one of the larger national budget hotel chains. Motel Six, Comfort Inns, Econolodge, Red Roof Inns, Best Western and Days Inn all offer clean comfortable and inexpensive accommodations at cheap prices. Of course the prices may vary by location and season but can be approximately $40 to $75 per night. Double occupancy usually costs about $5 per night more. In large metropolitan areas and near attractions, the locations are usually priced higher than the just slightly further away.

The search engine allows you to sort your results by price, value, quality (in terms of Stars for hotels), or alphabetically. We will sort by price and then check mark all the selections we are most interested in to compare and print out.

Whatever you choose you are sure to enjoy and remember your Orlando FL vacation. Let Island Hideaway help you make the arrangements for your stay and great family vacation. We are listed in The Travel website today. http://www.islandhideaway.net” target=_new>http://www.islandhideaway.net

Orlando Florida Lodging Expert

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Almost without exception, each of us has traveled away from our homes and stayed in a hotel, motel, or a bed and breakfast establishment. Oftentimes we become “relaxed” while away as we fail to make ourselves aware of the dangers a fire presents especially in an unfamiliar environment. Let’s take a look at some of the things you should do to minimize your risks while away from home.

Even before embarking on a trip, fire fighting experts strongly suggest you research to find out if your hotel has a fire safety plan in place. Does the establishment have smoke detectors and a sprinkler system? In addition, you should pull together and pack a personal survival kit which includes a flashlight, a portable smoke detector, and a roll of wide duct tape. When traveling abroad you should learn the word for “fire” in the native language.

Promptly upon check in you should ask about the hotel’s evacuation plan, find out where the fire alarms are located, and check to see if there are smoke detectors and a sprinkler system in your room. If the establishment is deficient in any of these areas, strongly consider staying somewhere else.

Once you are in your room check the windows to make sure they open and close properly (if they are not the sealed type). Identify at least two ways out of the room, if available, and learn how to unlock your door in the dark. Keep your room key and flashlight by your bed and remember where they are at all times. Should a fire start in your room, leave immediately and bring your room key with you. Close the door and sound the fire alarm. Quickly walk to safety and do not use the elevator. Once you are on the ground floor, leave the building immediately.

If a fire begins elsewhere in the building take your key and a flashlight. Put the back of your hand against the door to see if it is hot and then check the hallway for smoke. If smoke has been detected, crawl low along the floor and exit by way of the first stairwell you see. Again, do not use the elevator.

If upon touching the door to your room you find it to be hot or if there’s a great amount of smoke in the hallway, the fire is nearby and you will need stay in your room. Call for help, fill the bathtub with water, and cram the bottom of the door with wet towels or a throw rug. Tape the edges of the door and, if possible, hang a sheet from a window to signal for help. If your windows are sealed, attempt to smash them open with a chair or other blunt instrument. Finally, wait for the fire professionals to come to you and never attempt to jump from your room’s window.

Do these preventative measures seem extreme to you? They may seem that way if you are not a frequent traveler. Many of the fire codes we take for granted in the USA are much lower — if not at all existent — in certain other countries. Take the necessary precautions before your trip to ensure that your stay at an establishment is a safe one.

Matt is a web designer, writer, and marketing expert. He is the manager of the Corporate Flight Attendant Community, a thriving website for business flight attendants at http://www.cabinmanagers.com” target=_new>http://www.cabinmanagers.com. Special thanks to the Little Silver {NJ} Fire Department for providing some of the useful tips found in this article.

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SELF-EMPLOYMENT AND YOU

The world of self-employment can be a personally and financially rewarding one for the right individual. Many people dream of owning their own business but don’t believe it will ever happen for them. The majority of these folks see all the positives of working for yourself, but lack the drive and determination to make the transition from employee to employer.

Self-employment is the ticket to higher earnings without limit and the right to control and work your own schedule. But it’s not easy work. A lot of self-employed people are working longer hours and weeks than ever in their own business. The difference is they are doing work they truly enjoy, and are getting paid for it!

You have the talent and ability to work on your own! Perhaps you’re just not sure what business you’d like to specialize in.

Sales aren’t just the slick folks on the automobile showroom who want to know what it will take to get you in that car today. Selling is the process by which a product reaches a consumer. It can take many forms. If you have some preconceived ideas about sales right now, erase them from your mind. Start with a clean slate by remaining open to all possibilities in your home-based businesses.

After all, if you’re marketing a product you would buy yourself, it will be easy to convince others of its value. Since you’re selecting the right business opportunity, you’ll unquestionably choose the business that has the most appeal to you. Selling something you love almost never feels like work, or real selling!

HOW TO GET STARTED

If you currently have a job, you may want to break into your home-based business on a part-time basis until you’ve built up enough earnings base to leave. There will probably be no greater feeling than when you walk out the door and into a business where you call the shots!

If you’re between jobs, then by all means go at this full-force. All you need to do is to contact the businesses listed here that interest you and begin the process of determining if this is right for you.

There may be several opportunities here that are franchises. There is no available data that says that electing to go the franchise route to start your business has any lower success rate than beginning a new business from scratch. Again, view these choices with an open mind and investigate the opportunity thoroughly before making the commitment. If you’re working part or full time, you can, perhaps, be even choosier.

THE TOP 10 WAYS TO EARN MONEY AT HOME

1. ANTIQUES

The buying and selling of antiques has been and should continue to be a very productive business, financially, for those that do it. Here, you only need an extra room in the house, or the use of your garage — and you have an office!

If you have a large home that has some antique furnishings, you might consider turning it into a showroom for your antique acquisitions and sales, providing you satisfy any local zoning regulations. The interest in antiques will survive into the foreseeable future. Many people choose to spend their free time on the weekends “antiquating” from place to place to try and pick up a few odds or ends and maybe a jewel or two. If you know anything about antiques, this may be a great opportunity for you.

For more information, check out the book, “Buying and Selling Antiques”, by Don Cline and Sara Pitzer. Your local library may be filled with other publications on this subject that can get you started quickly. Your only overhead may be inventory and advertising!

2. BAKING

Have you ever been told that you have a recipe which people would line up to get if they could? Ever had anyone tell you that you should be selling those cupcakes you make? There are a number of success stories about people who have launched successful businesses by cooking at home and then marketing to local people first. Word of mouth on a good product may start to get restaurants or bakeries interested in acquiring your culinary masterpieces. Then you progress to selling them state-wide and presto! A winning home-based business!

For more practical advice on the assorted aspects of setting up a specialty foods business, you should contact your local U.S. Department of Agriculture Home Extension Agent in your county. Since every U.S. county has such an individual, that person shouldn’t be hard to find!

3. BED AND BREAKFAST PROPRIETOR(S)

Have you ever stayed in a bed and breakfast and thought, “hey, I can do this!” You probably went on vacation and simply chalked your thought up as one of those pipedreams one gets when they stay in a beautiful spot.

Don’t toss that thought away! While it’s not easy work as the hours can be long and it’s usually a seven days per week business, it’s often something that you can work into a daily schedule. After all, it’s merely an extension of doing the housework for family, right? More and more Americans are taking after Europeans and opening their homes to travelers. If you have an extra room or two since the kids moved out, you can start a bed and breakfast in your own place!

Bed and breakfast popularity will continue as more and more vacationers and business travelers seek a different accommodation away from the predictability of the average hotel room. If they enjoy their stay, many become “repeat” customers, coming back to the same familiar surroundings time and again.

If you don’t need to do any major renovations in the house to accommodate this type of establishment, you can be off and running with very little money invested, other than advertising and some new “guest room supplies”. If your dream is to buy a bed and breakfast somewhere in a vacation paradise, there are probably houses for sale that will work for this purpose.

Whatever your design, there are several good books on the subject of starting your own bed and breakfast, including “Start Your Own Bed and Breakfast”, by Beverly Mathews. Check them out at your local library.

4. CHILD CARE

Due to the financial pressures many families face today, many parents work outside of the home to bring in enough income to pay daily living expenses. A single parent is obviously working but all too often both members of a two parent family are in the workforce.

This creates a home-based opportunity. Children must be watched, all day if they’re not in school, or, otherwise, for a brief time after school before the parents finish work for the day.

Caring for one additional child may not be that lucrative, but taking care of several children can certainly be a full-time, financially successful business. Often, taking care of several children is made somewhat easier as the youngsters often will play together.

You can do this at home for only a small investment in basic equipment and toys for the kids in addition to the advertising of your business. There are several publications that address starting this type of business, including “Family Day Care”, by Betsy Squibb.

Another resource is the Day Care Council of America, 5730 Market Street, Oakland, CA. 94608.

5. COMPUTER SPECIALIST

The advent of the computer age has changed the concept of self-employment. Having a computer at home has opened a number of opportunities for running your own business utilizing this equipment. Companies everywhere are “outsourcing” work that can be done by someone else on their computer, out of their own home.

If you’re not that familiar with a computer, there are many low-cost (or free) seminars and classes that will teach you what equipment you need and how to use it.

If you’re a whiz in computers, you may end up working as a consultant, writing programs for companies. If you’re a beginner, you may find yourself able to obtain work as a writer, using your computer to produce copy that’s easy to edit. You can also keep accounting and payroll records for companies on your computer’s database.

Word processing software can be used not only for writers but for those that can offer secretarial services out of their house. Desktop publishing software can allow you to do newsletters for businesses and other organizations.

For more educational data, contact the Information Resources Clearinghouse at Syracuse University’s School of Education, 030 Huntington Hall, 150 Marshall Street, Syracuse, N.Y. 13244. Their phone number is (315) 443- 3640.

There are a substantial number of good publications, too. Your local library will have several books on computer occupations. If you can operate a computer, you can find work in the information age today.

6. GARDENING

If you like working in your garden each year and growing vegetables for your family to eat, it’s a definite possibility for home-based employment. Imagine clearing a little more space and growing more items that you can sell directly to the consumer.

Most produce stands will buy from you if your product is one of high quality. If you enjoy gardening, this could be your ticket! If you have some more land to use, do it! Plant what you can, when you can! Contact your local produce stands to ascertain their buying habits.

You can even inquire about your own produce stand if you have enough product. The more space you have on your land, the more likely you will be able to generate enough crops to run the business.

People love home-grown vegetables. They just don’t have the time or want to be bothered doing it themselves. That’s your open door!

For more information, consult books like “Plants for Profit,” and “A Complete Guide to Growing & Selling Greenhouse Crops”, by Francis Jozwik.

7. IMPORTER AND DISTRIBUTOR

There are a substantial number of products manufactured in other countries which can be bought inexpensively and sold here in the United States at a profitable level. The recent passages of the Congressional bills, NAFTA and GATT, may make it easier to bring in other products from other countries.

This is a business easily operated out of the home, depending on the types of stock you’re carrying. You may have to rent some storage space, but the capital required to start should essentially be limited to the products you’re buying to sell here.

Two good resources for you are:

* American Importers Association Membership Directory, 420 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017; and

* American Register of Importers and Exporters, 38 Park Row, New York, N.Y. 10038.

You can also look at books in your library such as “How To Make A Fortune In Import/Export”, by Howard R. Goldsmith, obviously an optimistic look at this type of business.

If you know the type of product you want to import and the market most likely to purchase your goods, you have great potential for a successful home-based business.

8. INTERIOR DECORATOR

While this business will require you to be out and about, meeting with customers, it’s the type of work many people would love to do. If you have a fascination for decorating a home, this could be your line of work.

Many people don’t know where to start when they are remodeling or buying a house for the first time. If you have the knowledge of colors and patterns and what looks good together, plus the expertise of knowing where to get materials and furnishings, this can be a winning home-based business for you.

One excellent resource to consult is the “Interior Design Directory”, available through Whitney Communication Corporation, 1050 E. 58th Street, New York, N.Y. 10155.

9. PHOTOGRAPHER

The sky’s the limit here! Armed with your trusty camera and some good advertising, you can do weddings, models, family portraits, passports, student photos, local newspaper coverage; almost anything that requires a picture!

You can easily start this work, part-time, and work into full-time work based on your success and inclination. Not much equipment is necessary to get going as a camera off the store shelf can often do the trick today. Picking up a tripod and having a room sufficient for developing your pictures, and you’re in business — at home!

There are a number of excellent books available in your local library to get you started on the path of professional photography.

10. SEWING & ALTERATIONS

Many people love to sew. If you’re one of them, consider offering this service out of your home. When someone buys a new outfit, it rarely fits perfectly, meaning some kind of alteration must be done.

People look long and hard to find reliable individuals to do their alterations. If you can sew, you’re well on your way to opening the doors of this type of business.

One resource you can review is “Sewing for Profit”, by Judith and Allan Smith. Or your library will have a handful of capable publications on starting up this type of business.

These are our suggestions as to the top 10 ways to earn money at home, enough to be a full-time self-employed businessperson!

But there are many other opportunities. The listings that follow may give you some other ideas you need to get started in business for yourself.

SUMMARY

Are you ready to start up your own business now?

Whether you begin from scratch or invest in a franchise, the time has never been better to get a home- based business off the ground. It’s become almost routine in the business world to work with independent contractors. Many times, it’s more cost-effective, too.

Most of these businesses do not require a substantial amount of start-up cash. Many of these franchise opportunities offer financing.

With Internet’s help, your home business can be moved online and expand globally. Your profit will be significantly improved if you can integrate your traditional business into online business.

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Julia Tang publishes Smart Online Business Tips, a fresh
and informative newsletter dedicated to supporting people
like you! To find out the best online business opportunities,
and to discover hundreds more proven and practical internet
marketing secrets, plus FREE internet marketing products
worth over $200, visit: http://www.best-internet-businesses.com” target=_new>http://www.best-internet-businesses.com
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