Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
How To Make Money On-Line
How to make money on the Internet has the attention of a lot of people. The key to making money on the Internet is to focus on what you have to offer and then employ the proper marketing strategy.
Internet marketing is much like the game of chess, for in the game of chess all of the pieces lie before you and your opponent. Every move that you make, no matter how slight it may be will have powerful impact later in the game. As in chess, Internet marketing is clear and open for everyone to see, there are no secrets, cards, or dice involved in making your moves. Every move that you make in your Internet Marketing plans has long-term affects on you and your business.
Also as in chess there is strategy and tactics, strategy is the abstract reason part of chess, figuring out what combinations of moves to make to secure a position. So too in Internet marketing, you need to put theory first so as to have a plan to follow. The tactics part of Internet marketing like chess is the act of doing the job, e.g. making a Website, blob, and writing articles about your industry.
As we have seen the way to make money on-line is much like the game of chess so let us examine this and see what we can do.
First, you need to asses yourself and your product and service. This is the theoretical part of the plan, you must do a lot of thinking before you can set to task. You need to know what it is that you offer but also how will the customers on-line understand it and use it, try and think out of your shoes the best you can. It is wise to seek the advice of others that can help you step back from your work and get a good perspective.
Second, you need to make a Website and bog, this is the tactics part of your marketing plan. Be sure to have a credit card merchant on your site so as to collect money on-line. The website will be your base of operations and the blog will be your agent to bring customers to your site. This is the hands-on get to work part of your job and it will take hours and hours. Just the time it will take you to figure out the best keyword phrases will take many hours much less the designing and implementation of your Website.
Third, you need to write articles and post them to your blog, this is very important because it shows that you are an authority in your field and will establish you.
fourth, you must optimize your Website and blog so that it will be seen on the Internet with the keywords you have chosen.
If you follow these steps you will make money on the Internet.
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
Your comments are welcome!
Your comments are welcome!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Seeds Grow Into Trees
Seeds grow into trees. So the saying goes, but what does it mean? There are many ways that one can look at this but as a man of Fine Art and Philosophy I will take this from a more aesthetic perspective.
The key to the phrase lies in the word "seed" for this it the item that is unknown. The point to be made here is that when you are in the midst of things you have the tendency to do things out of context because you are busy. How often have your said "I will put it here for now" and then years pass.
However, the point here is deeper and more profound than setting things in a place for an unknown duration of time. What is profound is the gravity of things that can portend from ill thought out plans. It is addressing wisdom and your actions, it beckons you to stop and reflect on your actions and to process your thoughts very carefully on what the long-term effects will be.
Consider your family, will you not take the time to carefully choose the best schools for your children or the best areas to live in. No matter where you live and where you are educated the long-term of that choice you made will be profound on everyone concerned. Seeds are very small in comparison to the large trees they become.
The bottom line is to be wise! Think carefully on the important things you do for they will live with you for years.
Stephen F. Condren
The key to the phrase lies in the word "seed" for this it the item that is unknown. The point to be made here is that when you are in the midst of things you have the tendency to do things out of context because you are busy. How often have your said "I will put it here for now" and then years pass.
However, the point here is deeper and more profound than setting things in a place for an unknown duration of time. What is profound is the gravity of things that can portend from ill thought out plans. It is addressing wisdom and your actions, it beckons you to stop and reflect on your actions and to process your thoughts very carefully on what the long-term effects will be.
Consider your family, will you not take the time to carefully choose the best schools for your children or the best areas to live in. No matter where you live and where you are educated the long-term of that choice you made will be profound on everyone concerned. Seeds are very small in comparison to the large trees they become.
The bottom line is to be wise! Think carefully on the important things you do for they will live with you for years.
Stephen F. Condren
It Is My Task To Show You The Stars!
It is not my task to teach you to do things as I do, for that is limited and narrow which at best would only make you like me. It is my task to show you the stars so that you may chart your own course for yourself and those after you!
The above inspiring words are words that need to be reflected up for we all are in our journey and as time passes we seem to lose our way. If we stop and reflect and think not about ourselves but rather think and focus on those that we love it will enhance your life as well.
Stop and look at those around you and ask yourself how can best can you interact with them? What can you find out about then in a loving caring way so that you may be of service to them? Dwell on things the will be enriching for others and see how you can be a steward of good service.
What costs many people so much in life is the fact that they do not take the time to stop and think. For they get caught up in their job or with other people that do not have your best interest in mind. If you consider the words written above you will realize the all is fleeting and that we have a very short time here, so we must do what we can while we are here to be of service to others.
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
The above inspiring words are words that need to be reflected up for we all are in our journey and as time passes we seem to lose our way. If we stop and reflect and think not about ourselves but rather think and focus on those that we love it will enhance your life as well.
Stop and look at those around you and ask yourself how can best can you interact with them? What can you find out about then in a loving caring way so that you may be of service to them? Dwell on things the will be enriching for others and see how you can be a steward of good service.
What costs many people so much in life is the fact that they do not take the time to stop and think. For they get caught up in their job or with other people that do not have your best interest in mind. If you consider the words written above you will realize the all is fleeting and that we have a very short time here, so we must do what we can while we are here to be of service to others.
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
The Wheel Pales Without the Axle
The wheel pales without the axle. This is a fact that cannot be denied for the real use of the wheel is when it is utilized in conjunction with an axle. This holds true from a child's red wagon to the largest Semi's on the road.
I bring this up to illustrate that even something so fundamental and core to our being as the wheel it is relatively useless when out of context or not aligned with other objects. The key is socialization for that brings things together much like interacting with people. Thus when things are brought together you have a more cohesive and better functioning system.
When you bring things together you are in the creative process and thus making choices as where to align the various things that have been placed before you. You look over everything carefully and then start the selection process carefully choosing each item so that it will fit exactly as you want. When you are done choosing you have your creation, be it a wedding cake or automobile the creative process is at work.
However, much like writing an article the product is always subject to modification and improvement which may mean adjusting items that you have selected or even completely removing them all together. All in all the point here is that when you want to create something you have to be aware of the weaknesses and strengths of the items you are choosing and remember that you can really only know this when the item is in place juxtaposed with the other items you have selected. Watch and see how things work collectively not individually and you will see results!
Stephen F. Condren
I bring this up to illustrate that even something so fundamental and core to our being as the wheel it is relatively useless when out of context or not aligned with other objects. The key is socialization for that brings things together much like interacting with people. Thus when things are brought together you have a more cohesive and better functioning system.
When you bring things together you are in the creative process and thus making choices as where to align the various things that have been placed before you. You look over everything carefully and then start the selection process carefully choosing each item so that it will fit exactly as you want. When you are done choosing you have your creation, be it a wedding cake or automobile the creative process is at work.
However, much like writing an article the product is always subject to modification and improvement which may mean adjusting items that you have selected or even completely removing them all together. All in all the point here is that when you want to create something you have to be aware of the weaknesses and strengths of the items you are choosing and remember that you can really only know this when the item is in place juxtaposed with the other items you have selected. Watch and see how things work collectively not individually and you will see results!
Stephen F. Condren
Is Photography Art?
Is Photography Art? If so how is so?
The above question is almost a rhetorical one for one special reason - you cannot muster up facts to support your claim. In other words there are no facts available at any level to answer the question. The sad point here is that it lies in the hands of opinion and opinion at any level is folly.
As an artist and a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago I have the proper credentials to speak on this topic. It is my conviction that photography is not art but does require artistic assistance in delivery. The main reason that I say this is do to the fact that a mechanical object (or electronic digital device) is the agent of photographic depiction not the human at any level. For anything to be a work of art it has to come from a human being.
Rather than view photographs as works of art it is more prudent to view photographs taken by an artist! For it is the artist that has that special mind or "eye" for that which is artistic, much in the same manner as a musician has and understanding and sensitivity to that which is musical.
The artist possesses the acumen to create wonderful images through these mechanical objects. To pose the question "is a photographer and artist?" is folly for the question obviously bespeaks the answer! A photographer is a photographer not an artist.
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
The above question is almost a rhetorical one for one special reason - you cannot muster up facts to support your claim. In other words there are no facts available at any level to answer the question. The sad point here is that it lies in the hands of opinion and opinion at any level is folly.
As an artist and a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago I have the proper credentials to speak on this topic. It is my conviction that photography is not art but does require artistic assistance in delivery. The main reason that I say this is do to the fact that a mechanical object (or electronic digital device) is the agent of photographic depiction not the human at any level. For anything to be a work of art it has to come from a human being.
Rather than view photographs as works of art it is more prudent to view photographs taken by an artist! For it is the artist that has that special mind or "eye" for that which is artistic, much in the same manner as a musician has and understanding and sensitivity to that which is musical.
The artist possesses the acumen to create wonderful images through these mechanical objects. To pose the question "is a photographer and artist?" is folly for the question obviously bespeaks the answer! A photographer is a photographer not an artist.
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Robert J. Loescher
Robert J. Loescher was the director for art history, theory and criticism at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He was the most stimulating and illuminating professor of Art History that I have ever known.
As a student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where I majored in Drawing & Painting I took a number of Art History courses under professor Loescher. His classes were always sought after and you had to get in line early in hopes to get in.
As a senior editor of the Encyclopedia Britannica it went without saying that you knew that you were dealing with a first rank scholar. However, what one never knows is how good is the professor at delivery and instruction? You can be the greatest authority on a topic but if you fumble around and grope over papers you are of little value to your students. This was certainly not the case with professor Loescher!
If there is one word that I could use to describe professor Loescher (and there are many) I would say that he was inspiring! He possessed the uncanny ability to take his vast knowledge and delivery it to you in such a way that it all made sense. Further, professor Loescher had a gift for keep his students spell-bound. He was alway up beat and jovial, it was common for him to make witty side commentaries such at turning the Pantheon into a disco when teaching on that subject, or his famous "more is more" in his Baroque Art History classes.
In my last year at the school I was one credit short for graduation and he gladly made arrangements for me to take his East Asian Art course for 4 credits and in turn I did a special project for him and on the last day of class gave my presentation to the class, which was on Japanese Art. I had lived in Japan for two years and had much to offer the class with my drawings and slides. Being a man of vision professor Loescher grasped this when I approached him and was pleased to be of assistance in helping me and at the same time offer something more to his students. He always put the students first and for that I am grateful and will always remember him. Because of professor Robert J. Loescher I was able to graduate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago!
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
As a student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where I majored in Drawing & Painting I took a number of Art History courses under professor Loescher. His classes were always sought after and you had to get in line early in hopes to get in.
As a senior editor of the Encyclopedia Britannica it went without saying that you knew that you were dealing with a first rank scholar. However, what one never knows is how good is the professor at delivery and instruction? You can be the greatest authority on a topic but if you fumble around and grope over papers you are of little value to your students. This was certainly not the case with professor Loescher!
If there is one word that I could use to describe professor Loescher (and there are many) I would say that he was inspiring! He possessed the uncanny ability to take his vast knowledge and delivery it to you in such a way that it all made sense. Further, professor Loescher had a gift for keep his students spell-bound. He was alway up beat and jovial, it was common for him to make witty side commentaries such at turning the Pantheon into a disco when teaching on that subject, or his famous "more is more" in his Baroque Art History classes.
In my last year at the school I was one credit short for graduation and he gladly made arrangements for me to take his East Asian Art course for 4 credits and in turn I did a special project for him and on the last day of class gave my presentation to the class, which was on Japanese Art. I had lived in Japan for two years and had much to offer the class with my drawings and slides. Being a man of vision professor Loescher grasped this when I approached him and was pleased to be of assistance in helping me and at the same time offer something more to his students. He always put the students first and for that I am grateful and will always remember him. Because of professor Robert J. Loescher I was able to graduate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago!
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
Cupid Chastised: Homo-Erotic Art
In the Galleries of the Art Institute of Chicago hangs an amazing painting by the 16th Century Italian, Baroque artist Bartolomeo Manfredi. The name of the piece is "Cupid Chastised".
This painting depicts Mars (the god of war) striking Cupid with a whip while Venus (the goddess of love) crouched to the side attempts to stop Mars from his assault on the young Cupid. The scene shows Mars dressed in Roman garb with a striking red toga, Venus in a stola, and cupid naked with quiver, bow, and arrows.
When you first look at this piece you are taken by the outstanding artistry of the work. The scene is very dramatic with Mars thrusting Cupid down ready to strike while Venus is off to the side in shock trying to prevent Mars from striking. The colors, composition, and facial expression are all very fine and reveal an interesting story. The painting was originally believed to be a Caravaggio and with good reason for the superb execution of chiaroscuro greatly intensifies the drama in the scene.
Upon viewing this work of art one might think that it is typical Classical Mythology with Mars chastising cupid for his entanglement with himself and Venus. However this is not the case at all, what we have here is one of the most intense scenes of Homo-eroticism in European Art!
While I was a student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago I had the privilege to take a course of European Painting by the legendary professor Robert J. Loescher. In one of our walks through the galleries of the Art Institute professor Loescher stopped the class before this famous painting and asked us to respond to it. When we finished our responses (which were all missing the point) he then explained the work of art to us.
Roman mythology is the vehicle used by Manfredi to deliver his real message which is Homo-Erotic Sadomasochism. As a gay man Manfredi usually expressed his sexuality in his works and this is the case in point here with Cupid Chastised. What we have here is Cupid depicted as a young male (a smooth hairless youth or "twink" in gay slang, not an innocent winged baby) receiving sexual gratification from Mars' strikes! Cupid's ass located dead center is clearly the focal point of this painting as he awaits Mars' strikes with the ropes. If you look at Cupid's wrist it is limp (passively submitting to Mars) not clenched as it would be in a struggle and while blind folded his mouth is open showing him in a state of complete ecstasy. Both male figures are handsome, dominant, and beautifully rendered. Whereas Venus, shoved off to the side, with her breast hanging out (a ploy to satisfy straight viewers) is rather homely looking, not much to say for the goddess of love!
Truly this virile male to male intense sexual interaction leaves all of us to reflect on our own sexual persona. As the saying goes "Do not judge a book by its cover", however, take a second look!
Stephen F. Condren - Artist.
Monday, November 22, 2010
How To Win At Chess
This article is intended for anyone that desires to improve his or her game of chess. It is clearly not the aim of this article to show you how to be the greatest chess player in the world or how to get your rating over 2000. If you want to win at chess just follow what I say in this letter and you will attain significant results.
First I suggest that you buy or borrow a book entitled "A primer of Chess" by Capablanca. It is my conviction that Capablanca (Capa) was the greatest chess player in history. Read it three times over, cover to cover.
It is imperative that you gain control of the center of the board and keep it. If you do not control the center squares then the game is lost. Make sure that before you touch any piece that you look at the next move that each adjacent piece will make contingent on the piece that you move and where you move it. No one can keep their eye and mind all over the board. If you try you will expend too much energy and grow tired by trying to second guess all of your opponents moves. Focus on the next move and its impact on adjacent pieces.
As you bring out your pieces (pawns are not pieces) make sure that you only move the piece once. Make sure that every move you make is a single move for each piece until all the pieces are out, and then castle. Try and have all of the piece out and castled by the eighth move and no later than the tenth. If this is the only piece of advice that you heed you will find that your game performance will be up 50%.
Now when it comes to taking pieces always go for the exchange. The rule is exchange knights first then bishops. This is the reason why and few people ever explain this. Knights are at their best when the board is filled with pawns and pieces because it is oafish in movement. It is extremely clumsy and awkward but on a cluttered board its power is greater than that of a queen! (See The Immortal " a chess game played in 1851 by Adolf Anderssen where he sacrifices his queen in order to secure checkmate with a knight!) No other piece has the ability to jump over pieces like the knight does. It is this unique quality that makes the knight most effective during the start of the game, when the board is cluttered. As the board clears and it becomes open the knights lose their power in proportion to the bishops gaining. That is why bishops are valued more, because they are used later in the game. It is impossible to escape the wrath of the bishops on an open board; they are like ray guns perpetually shooting at you.
When the chance comes to exchange pieces do so and of course take any stray piece that is offered to you. Your goal is to clear the board so that you can march the pawns. That is the true secret to the game of chess.
The king and pawns are what the game of chess is all about not the pieces, however, everyone else thinks just the opposite. Most people do not care if they lose a pawn or two, as long as they have their piece. This is where you can gain tremendous ground. Let your opponent exchange and when he or she does try and make the exchange move so that the pawn is moved closer to the center of the board. Also, try and prevent the pawns from doubling up (stacked) this would more than likely cost you the game.
When you can, try and exchange the queens. Almost everyone hates to exchange their queen but do it. It is in your favor because your opponent feels weaker (and there is no substance to support that) and you can then more quickly with the advancement of your pawns.
Now is the time to close in on your win. Move your king close to the middle pawns and keep the king in front of the pawns. Do not let the opponent's king get in front of your advancing pawns. This is especially true if there is only one pawn and it is yours. If the opponent's king is ever able to get in front of your single pawn and it is near the center of the board your will not win. Keep the king at the center and in front of your pawns at all times.
Finally, as you advance your pawns make sure that the squares that are adjacent to your king's are always three in a row. In other works the side of the king take 3 spaces and the other king is not able to approach those spots. Use that space as an aisle to advance your pawn to queen, your opponent will have no ability to block your pawn.
Caution! It is highly advisable after you have queened your pawn to keep checking your opponent's king as you move in to checkmate because often the game ends up as a stale-mate due to your opponent's king not being able to move and yet not being in check. This is a very common mistake.
With this advise you will find that your game is much improved. Enjoy!
Stephen F. Condren
First I suggest that you buy or borrow a book entitled "A primer of Chess" by Capablanca. It is my conviction that Capablanca (Capa) was the greatest chess player in history. Read it three times over, cover to cover.
It is imperative that you gain control of the center of the board and keep it. If you do not control the center squares then the game is lost. Make sure that before you touch any piece that you look at the next move that each adjacent piece will make contingent on the piece that you move and where you move it. No one can keep their eye and mind all over the board. If you try you will expend too much energy and grow tired by trying to second guess all of your opponents moves. Focus on the next move and its impact on adjacent pieces.
As you bring out your pieces (pawns are not pieces) make sure that you only move the piece once. Make sure that every move you make is a single move for each piece until all the pieces are out, and then castle. Try and have all of the piece out and castled by the eighth move and no later than the tenth. If this is the only piece of advice that you heed you will find that your game performance will be up 50%.
Now when it comes to taking pieces always go for the exchange. The rule is exchange knights first then bishops. This is the reason why and few people ever explain this. Knights are at their best when the board is filled with pawns and pieces because it is oafish in movement. It is extremely clumsy and awkward but on a cluttered board its power is greater than that of a queen! (See The Immortal " a chess game played in 1851 by Adolf Anderssen where he sacrifices his queen in order to secure checkmate with a knight!) No other piece has the ability to jump over pieces like the knight does. It is this unique quality that makes the knight most effective during the start of the game, when the board is cluttered. As the board clears and it becomes open the knights lose their power in proportion to the bishops gaining. That is why bishops are valued more, because they are used later in the game. It is impossible to escape the wrath of the bishops on an open board; they are like ray guns perpetually shooting at you.
When the chance comes to exchange pieces do so and of course take any stray piece that is offered to you. Your goal is to clear the board so that you can march the pawns. That is the true secret to the game of chess.
The king and pawns are what the game of chess is all about not the pieces, however, everyone else thinks just the opposite. Most people do not care if they lose a pawn or two, as long as they have their piece. This is where you can gain tremendous ground. Let your opponent exchange and when he or she does try and make the exchange move so that the pawn is moved closer to the center of the board. Also, try and prevent the pawns from doubling up (stacked) this would more than likely cost you the game.
When you can, try and exchange the queens. Almost everyone hates to exchange their queen but do it. It is in your favor because your opponent feels weaker (and there is no substance to support that) and you can then more quickly with the advancement of your pawns.
Now is the time to close in on your win. Move your king close to the middle pawns and keep the king in front of the pawns. Do not let the opponent's king get in front of your advancing pawns. This is especially true if there is only one pawn and it is yours. If the opponent's king is ever able to get in front of your single pawn and it is near the center of the board your will not win. Keep the king at the center and in front of your pawns at all times.
Finally, as you advance your pawns make sure that the squares that are adjacent to your king's are always three in a row. In other works the side of the king take 3 spaces and the other king is not able to approach those spots. Use that space as an aisle to advance your pawn to queen, your opponent will have no ability to block your pawn.
Caution! It is highly advisable after you have queened your pawn to keep checking your opponent's king as you move in to checkmate because often the game ends up as a stale-mate due to your opponent's king not being able to move and yet not being in check. This is a very common mistake.
With this advise you will find that your game is much improved. Enjoy!
Stephen F. Condren
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Skyline Paintings
Until modern times there was not much visual distinction between larger urban cities other than a few monuments and various scattered church spires. Now we are in a new age the age of the towering skyscraper.
More than anything since the advent of the Eiffel Tower cities have come to be known for key structures that stand out and dominate the skyline, the Eiffel Tower is a case in point. Now when one thinks of Manhattan or Chicago the Empire State Building or Willis Tower come to mind almost making these structures the new mascots of our modern cities.
Cities all over the world now can be recognized by their soaring skylines of beautiful glass and steel towers. With the advent of this phenomena has come the new genre of Art called "Cityscapes". This genre of art has become if not the most popular form of modern art one of the most pervasive. Every city has galleries filled with Artist's work of the local city skylines. Of particular merit are the truly great city skylines: Hong Kong, Manhattan, and Chicago. Analogous to Skylines are the many views and cityscapes of the city, especially of the downtown.
Influenced by these great structures artist have made wonderful skyline paintings of their cities from every conceivable angle and medium. The most popular type of cityscape is the watercolor. Watercolors lend themselves to a loose and fresh feeling to the viewer without sacrificing the details of the buildings. Often the watercolors are coupled with Pen & Ink lines and washes to give detail to a particular scene.
Offices in the downtown districts of major cities have taken up many works of art from their local city to adorn their walls and galleries.
As an artist I have always taken great joy in architecture and have over the course of my career done many architectural renderings and cityscape paintings. From the perspective I get much appreciation that my colleagues have done.
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
More than anything since the advent of the Eiffel Tower cities have come to be known for key structures that stand out and dominate the skyline, the Eiffel Tower is a case in point. Now when one thinks of Manhattan or Chicago the Empire State Building or Willis Tower come to mind almost making these structures the new mascots of our modern cities.
Cities all over the world now can be recognized by their soaring skylines of beautiful glass and steel towers. With the advent of this phenomena has come the new genre of Art called "Cityscapes". This genre of art has become if not the most popular form of modern art one of the most pervasive. Every city has galleries filled with Artist's work of the local city skylines. Of particular merit are the truly great city skylines: Hong Kong, Manhattan, and Chicago. Analogous to Skylines are the many views and cityscapes of the city, especially of the downtown.
Influenced by these great structures artist have made wonderful skyline paintings of their cities from every conceivable angle and medium. The most popular type of cityscape is the watercolor. Watercolors lend themselves to a loose and fresh feeling to the viewer without sacrificing the details of the buildings. Often the watercolors are coupled with Pen & Ink lines and washes to give detail to a particular scene.
Offices in the downtown districts of major cities have taken up many works of art from their local city to adorn their walls and galleries.
As an artist I have always taken great joy in architecture and have over the course of my career done many architectural renderings and cityscape paintings. From the perspective I get much appreciation that my colleagues have done.
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
How to Drive Traffic to Your Website Naturally
If you want to get more traffic to your Website you will have to do it the old fashioned way - earn it. You should never have to pay anyone for information on this topic.
The focus of this article is to offer you a method for building up solid steady traffic to your Website. Below are key points that will help you.
Create a Website
Promote your Website Locally
Write Articles
SEO your Website
Social Media
Join Web-based groups
Create a Website: The most fundamental thing that you can do is create a Website. I suggest starting by making the site short and simple. Keep the images to a minimum and wording low. Make the home page spacious and non-cluttered. A high quality Website will bring solid steady traffic! There are many good Web hosts, however, my recommendation is to sign up with Host Gator. My reasons are that they are the most SEO astute Web host on-line and their rates are excellent.
You can hire someone to make the site for you or build it yourself like I have done. I have chosen Dreamweaver as my Web page editor. I would recommend for you to purchase and learn a Web page editor and create the Website yourself. You will not be charged for this and above all you will have incredible flexibility in making changes and accessing your Website. Be encouraged for you will be surprised how easy it is to learn and manage a Web page editor.
Be sure to welcome your viewers to your site and tell them what the site is about - be focused. Show that you are an authority on your topic and demonstrate this by listing credentials such as: College Degrees, Professional Certificates (Teacher's, Physical Therapists, etc.), Awards, Books, Journals, and Published Reports (all pertinent press releases are highly recommended).
Promote your Website locally: Make lots of business cards and go out and meet people! Go to bars, clubs, user groups, and trade associations to promote what you do and have your Website as a support vehicle. Remember that you are your best agent and that your Website is your aid.
For example, as an artist that does House Portraits for Realtors I attend Realtor trade expos around the country where I have a booth and promote my art. While I am there I have a bowl where all the passing agents can drop their business cards. When I return home I take these cards and contact each agent on the phone and ask for their permission to send them a link to my Website. I have only received positive responses to my request and most people are glad that I took the time to call!
I have composed a form letter that has links to my Website and I email this to them. This has directly given me one of the most valuable things you can possess: back-links! Back-links are very important because your Website attains higher page rank with good solid links to it. It is important to get high quality links to your site that are related to your area of expertise. The more high quality links to your site the higher your page ranking will be.
Important! In your Website make a "Link to us" page with a large link button to it prominently placed on the upper portion of your home page. Design this "Link to us" page so that it is very spacious and clean. Prominently place your icons front and center with almost no wording. Make it so that your viewers only "click" or "copy/paste" your links. The more you write and ask them to do the more you will lose your viewers for people do not like to read and they hate to follow instructions. Everyone throws away the instructions manual on devices that they buy so too they will toss your page away with an "X". Do not put any kind of code (HTML, Hexadecimal, Binary) on this page - that is a killer!
Whatever your business is you need to go out and meet people and tell them about your Website, it will work for you.
Write Articles: It goes without saying as I write this very article how important it is to establish yourself with authority. By writing articles not only do you achieve high Internet visibility you also are letting people know that you are an authority in your field. People do business with individuals that are informed and established. By writing good informative articles you are putting yourself in excellent light.
When you write articles be sure to write clearly on topics that you are an authority on which are helpful and informative to other readers. Utilize good grammar and make your message clean and clear, avoid obtuse wording and phrases to impress people. Write articles about your area of expertise and be on topic at all times. It is foolish and non-productive to write random articles just to get your name out. You will find that this practice will only lower the credibility of your Website as an on-line resource. Be prudent and only offer your readers high quality content filled articles.
SEO: This is a vast topic and I will just say a few things. In your title block (HTML source code) write a solid cogent title of two or three short phrases to your home page not longer than 65 characters (including spaces). Write a short and informative description, and list common keywords that are germane to your business. Do this for each new page that you make for your site and be sure to have a different set of phrases in the title block for each new page. Above all read as many articles and blogs on SEO as you can to stay on top of this science.
Do not stuff your Website with variations on your keywords or worse engage in Website cloaking, this will only get you into trouble and can even get your site permanently banned. Rather, write a good solid introduction clearly explaining to your viewers what you have to offer. Then, wisely utilize the keywords that you have in your title block into the body of your text. The search engine crawls will see and register these words and use them in ranking your site. Do not repeat keywords over and over it is bad for your site. Remember, Google wants your Website to be a good resource so keep that in mind as you develop your site. See Google Analytics for more details on working with data and techniques for enhancing your site.
SEO astute Web hosts such as Host Gator have in-depth resource tools and pages of data about SEO for your Website. These pages show you all kinds of data from who has visited your site to the exact number of back-links to your site.
Social Media: A great way to get back-links to your Website is through Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Linked-in, and others. What makes this so important is that most people do not have a Website but almost everyone is on Facebook or has a Blog. To get back-links you need to have the other person put your link on their blog so it is active. If your link is just sitting on their desktop it is no good to you, it has to be on a dynamic link platform like their blog or Facebook.
In your "Link to us" page have icons to facebook, twitter, and others prominently displayed as hyper-links. Below these icons have your URL posted with a short note to make it a link. It is very prudent to have a hyper-link below your URL to a Website of your choice with instructions on How do I make a link to another Webpage? See sample below:
"copy/paste" URL below and link to your Website or Blog.
YourWebsite.com
How do I make a link to another Webpage?
It is strongly recommended that you create a business page in facebook with links to your Website because this page is accessible to viewers without having to sign into facebook and more importantly it is displayed on Google searches!
Join Web-based groups: Sign-up to Web-based forums like "Help Forum" in Google's Webmaster Tools. These groups are indispensable for they will put you in touch with people that know a lot about the Web. You can learn about Website guide lines and protocol as well as share questions and discuss topics that are important to you.
With the downturn of the economy people more than ever have been turning to the Internet to make money to help make ends meet. Because of this there has been an increase of Websites and Blogs touting claims that they can get your Website to the top 10 search engine list quickly and provide you thousands of hits weekly to your Website for a "small fee" or some kind of subscription. Be prudent and go to trusted sources such as Google, Yahoo, Colleges, and Universities for Web-based user groups.
In closing I would like to say that the best way to build solid traffic to your Website is to follow my guidelines stated above. Please avoid the marketers that want your money for promoting your Website. Everything that you need to know about developing and marketing your Website is available for free!
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
The focus of this article is to offer you a method for building up solid steady traffic to your Website. Below are key points that will help you.
Create a Website
Promote your Website Locally
Write Articles
SEO your Website
Social Media
Join Web-based groups
Create a Website: The most fundamental thing that you can do is create a Website. I suggest starting by making the site short and simple. Keep the images to a minimum and wording low. Make the home page spacious and non-cluttered. A high quality Website will bring solid steady traffic! There are many good Web hosts, however, my recommendation is to sign up with Host Gator. My reasons are that they are the most SEO astute Web host on-line and their rates are excellent.
You can hire someone to make the site for you or build it yourself like I have done. I have chosen Dreamweaver as my Web page editor. I would recommend for you to purchase and learn a Web page editor and create the Website yourself. You will not be charged for this and above all you will have incredible flexibility in making changes and accessing your Website. Be encouraged for you will be surprised how easy it is to learn and manage a Web page editor.
Be sure to welcome your viewers to your site and tell them what the site is about - be focused. Show that you are an authority on your topic and demonstrate this by listing credentials such as: College Degrees, Professional Certificates (Teacher's, Physical Therapists, etc.), Awards, Books, Journals, and Published Reports (all pertinent press releases are highly recommended).
Promote your Website locally: Make lots of business cards and go out and meet people! Go to bars, clubs, user groups, and trade associations to promote what you do and have your Website as a support vehicle. Remember that you are your best agent and that your Website is your aid.
For example, as an artist that does House Portraits for Realtors I attend Realtor trade expos around the country where I have a booth and promote my art. While I am there I have a bowl where all the passing agents can drop their business cards. When I return home I take these cards and contact each agent on the phone and ask for their permission to send them a link to my Website. I have only received positive responses to my request and most people are glad that I took the time to call!
I have composed a form letter that has links to my Website and I email this to them. This has directly given me one of the most valuable things you can possess: back-links! Back-links are very important because your Website attains higher page rank with good solid links to it. It is important to get high quality links to your site that are related to your area of expertise. The more high quality links to your site the higher your page ranking will be.
Important! In your Website make a "Link to us" page with a large link button to it prominently placed on the upper portion of your home page. Design this "Link to us" page so that it is very spacious and clean. Prominently place your icons front and center with almost no wording. Make it so that your viewers only "click" or "copy/paste" your links. The more you write and ask them to do the more you will lose your viewers for people do not like to read and they hate to follow instructions. Everyone throws away the instructions manual on devices that they buy so too they will toss your page away with an "X". Do not put any kind of code (HTML, Hexadecimal, Binary) on this page - that is a killer!
Whatever your business is you need to go out and meet people and tell them about your Website, it will work for you.
Write Articles: It goes without saying as I write this very article how important it is to establish yourself with authority. By writing articles not only do you achieve high Internet visibility you also are letting people know that you are an authority in your field. People do business with individuals that are informed and established. By writing good informative articles you are putting yourself in excellent light.
When you write articles be sure to write clearly on topics that you are an authority on which are helpful and informative to other readers. Utilize good grammar and make your message clean and clear, avoid obtuse wording and phrases to impress people. Write articles about your area of expertise and be on topic at all times. It is foolish and non-productive to write random articles just to get your name out. You will find that this practice will only lower the credibility of your Website as an on-line resource. Be prudent and only offer your readers high quality content filled articles.
SEO: This is a vast topic and I will just say a few things. In your title block (HTML source code) write a solid cogent title of two or three short phrases to your home page not longer than 65 characters (including spaces). Write a short and informative description, and list common keywords that are germane to your business. Do this for each new page that you make for your site and be sure to have a different set of phrases in the title block for each new page. Above all read as many articles and blogs on SEO as you can to stay on top of this science.
Do not stuff your Website with variations on your keywords or worse engage in Website cloaking, this will only get you into trouble and can even get your site permanently banned. Rather, write a good solid introduction clearly explaining to your viewers what you have to offer. Then, wisely utilize the keywords that you have in your title block into the body of your text. The search engine crawls will see and register these words and use them in ranking your site. Do not repeat keywords over and over it is bad for your site. Remember, Google wants your Website to be a good resource so keep that in mind as you develop your site. See Google Analytics for more details on working with data and techniques for enhancing your site.
SEO astute Web hosts such as Host Gator have in-depth resource tools and pages of data about SEO for your Website. These pages show you all kinds of data from who has visited your site to the exact number of back-links to your site.
Social Media: A great way to get back-links to your Website is through Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Linked-in, and others. What makes this so important is that most people do not have a Website but almost everyone is on Facebook or has a Blog. To get back-links you need to have the other person put your link on their blog so it is active. If your link is just sitting on their desktop it is no good to you, it has to be on a dynamic link platform like their blog or Facebook.
In your "Link to us" page have icons to facebook, twitter, and others prominently displayed as hyper-links. Below these icons have your URL posted with a short note to make it a link. It is very prudent to have a hyper-link below your URL to a Website of your choice with instructions on How do I make a link to another Webpage? See sample below:
"copy/paste" URL below and link to your Website or Blog.
YourWebsite.com
How do I make a link to another Webpage?
It is strongly recommended that you create a business page in facebook with links to your Website because this page is accessible to viewers without having to sign into facebook and more importantly it is displayed on Google searches!
Join Web-based groups: Sign-up to Web-based forums like "Help Forum" in Google's Webmaster Tools. These groups are indispensable for they will put you in touch with people that know a lot about the Web. You can learn about Website guide lines and protocol as well as share questions and discuss topics that are important to you.
With the downturn of the economy people more than ever have been turning to the Internet to make money to help make ends meet. Because of this there has been an increase of Websites and Blogs touting claims that they can get your Website to the top 10 search engine list quickly and provide you thousands of hits weekly to your Website for a "small fee" or some kind of subscription. Be prudent and go to trusted sources such as Google, Yahoo, Colleges, and Universities for Web-based user groups.
In closing I would like to say that the best way to build solid traffic to your Website is to follow my guidelines stated above. Please avoid the marketers that want your money for promoting your Website. Everything that you need to know about developing and marketing your Website is available for free!
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
House Drawings
Realtors have found that giving a House Drawing to their client's as a closing gift if perhaps the finest gift they can offer. The House Drawing hangs on the walls of their client and is a permanent source of referrals for years.
Now that you have decided to give a House Drawing to your client the first question you need to ask is where do I go to get it done? Simply Google House Drawings and look at the choices available. There are many fine artists to choose from so you need guidelines to work from in choosing.
When choosing the artist for your house drawing look for these things:
Finest Artist
Price
Turn Around Time
Finest Artist: When selecting the artist to do your House Drawing check out their professional references and education. It is important to know that the artist is a professional and not an amateur working out of his or her basement. Having an artist with recognition and credentials gives status to your house drawing. Noted recognition such as "Who's Who in American Art", Professional Clubs, and Artist Societies, are to be sought after. Education is the other key item to look for. Does the artist have professional training and credentials from an established college or university? Was the artist educated in Fine Art or Art related curriculum? As an example on my Website I have made links to my credentials and education for reference.
Price: Ranking with the mastery of the artist is the cost of the house drawing. You may find the greatest artist in the world but do you want pay the greatest price? Be economical and prudent in your price range so that you can afford it and feel comfortable to do this on a repeat basis. Most artists have a price schedule for their work with assorted sizes and types. Look through these items carefully then contact them for more details.
Turn Around Time: You can have the finest Artist and the most economical price but if you do not receive your house drawing in time for the closing what good is it? Make sure that the artist can do the job for you on time.
If you follow the guidelines above you will be in good stead. Remember, a drawing of your client's home is a closing gift that will give you referrals and leads for years to come.
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
Now that you have decided to give a House Drawing to your client the first question you need to ask is where do I go to get it done? Simply Google House Drawings and look at the choices available. There are many fine artists to choose from so you need guidelines to work from in choosing.
When choosing the artist for your house drawing look for these things:
Finest Artist
Price
Turn Around Time
Finest Artist: When selecting the artist to do your House Drawing check out their professional references and education. It is important to know that the artist is a professional and not an amateur working out of his or her basement. Having an artist with recognition and credentials gives status to your house drawing. Noted recognition such as "Who's Who in American Art", Professional Clubs, and Artist Societies, are to be sought after. Education is the other key item to look for. Does the artist have professional training and credentials from an established college or university? Was the artist educated in Fine Art or Art related curriculum? As an example on my Website I have made links to my credentials and education for reference.
Price: Ranking with the mastery of the artist is the cost of the house drawing. You may find the greatest artist in the world but do you want pay the greatest price? Be economical and prudent in your price range so that you can afford it and feel comfortable to do this on a repeat basis. Most artists have a price schedule for their work with assorted sizes and types. Look through these items carefully then contact them for more details.
Turn Around Time: You can have the finest Artist and the most economical price but if you do not receive your house drawing in time for the closing what good is it? Make sure that the artist can do the job for you on time.
If you follow the guidelines above you will be in good stead. Remember, a drawing of your client's home is a closing gift that will give you referrals and leads for years to come.
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Attraction Marketing and It's Pitfalls
Perhaps the greatest scamming of all time is the current rage of Internet Marketing and Attraction Marketers. The reason for this is simple, millions of people are hard pressed for cash and are looking for a way out. These people go on line and see these wonderful video and blogs about how you can drive tidal waves of traffic to your Website in a short time.
These promoters make a point of coming across as genuine and just "regular guys" like you in hope of duping you into their lair. The fact of the matter is that most of these site and marketers are just taking advantage of people that are in need and who have hopes of getting out of their dilemma.
It is easy to spot the angle to these marketers and you must understand that there is no fraud at work here, it is all honest business. The trick is do you want to be duped into purchasing for hard cash what you can get for free! Be aware that when you see these guys selling you a product or link they are looking for your cash.
All of these Attraction Marketers have a bottom line and that is for you to buy their book, link, or video on how to increase your Website traffic and get lots of business quickly. Do not fall for this ploy to get your cash, rather be wise and do things the old fashioned way - work for it.
Yes, it is true you can make a lot of money and increase traffic to your Website but this all takes time and effort. There just is not such thing as a quick and easy formula to building up your Website traffic. It take time for your site to saturate the Internet. For example I do house portraits for Realtors as closing gifts and so I use SEO to direct traffic to my Website www.stephencondren.com which yields good results. However, it must be remembered that it takes time and work to achieve this, there is no magic or secret formula that these Attraction Marketers can offer you to make your business a success. Each business like a finger print is unique and has facets to be tailored and designed to make it successful.
My recommendation is to go and read these blogs and articles but do not act on them, just take the free information that they offer you and nothing more. You will find that as you go on from marketer to marketer you will learn a lot, more than what they have to sell to you. Take this knowledge and put it into practice, that is, make your Website and do SEO for your topics and products. The key to success here is not running out and purchasing someones product or idea, it is the gathering of their knowledge and implementing it to your Website.
Stephen F. Condren
www.stephencondren.com
These promoters make a point of coming across as genuine and just "regular guys" like you in hope of duping you into their lair. The fact of the matter is that most of these site and marketers are just taking advantage of people that are in need and who have hopes of getting out of their dilemma.
It is easy to spot the angle to these marketers and you must understand that there is no fraud at work here, it is all honest business. The trick is do you want to be duped into purchasing for hard cash what you can get for free! Be aware that when you see these guys selling you a product or link they are looking for your cash.
All of these Attraction Marketers have a bottom line and that is for you to buy their book, link, or video on how to increase your Website traffic and get lots of business quickly. Do not fall for this ploy to get your cash, rather be wise and do things the old fashioned way - work for it.
Yes, it is true you can make a lot of money and increase traffic to your Website but this all takes time and effort. There just is not such thing as a quick and easy formula to building up your Website traffic. It take time for your site to saturate the Internet. For example I do house portraits for Realtors as closing gifts and so I use SEO to direct traffic to my Website www.stephencondren.com which yields good results. However, it must be remembered that it takes time and work to achieve this, there is no magic or secret formula that these Attraction Marketers can offer you to make your business a success. Each business like a finger print is unique and has facets to be tailored and designed to make it successful.
My recommendation is to go and read these blogs and articles but do not act on them, just take the free information that they offer you and nothing more. You will find that as you go on from marketer to marketer you will learn a lot, more than what they have to sell to you. Take this knowledge and put it into practice, that is, make your Website and do SEO for your topics and products. The key to success here is not running out and purchasing someones product or idea, it is the gathering of their knowledge and implementing it to your Website.
Stephen F. Condren
www.stephencondren.com
How to sell houses
What Realtors want more than anything are referrals! However, the best referrals are those that come from previous clients that have worked with you and had a positive working relationship with you.
A referral from an acquaintance at work is nice and a courtesy but is it effective? Often these kind of referrals can end up being a waste of time because they do not know what they want and who to go to.
What you want are referrals from solid leads. How do you get these referrals? The answer is simple, give your clients a house portrait as a closing gift. Why? Because unlike any other gift the house portrait hangs on your clients wall permanently. This is very important to remember because this work of art is not just hanging in anyone's home it is hanging in the home of a client that has bought their home from you! Remember house portraits are personal and thoughtful which are great ways to be remembered.
I have been doing house portraits and drawings for over 25 years and I know my Realtor clients very well. I talk with time to get insight on how I can better serve them. One of the best things that I have offered to my clients is to inscribe a message on the house drawing with the Realtor's name below it. This is magic for the selling agent because their name hangs on their client's wall providing a continuous flow of referrals. Samples of this can be seen at my Website www.stephencondren.com
As a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (BFA) and Northern Illinois University (MA) I am an authority on drawing and painting which were my majors. Further I am a certified public school teacher with endorsements in Fine Art. I also have a Type #75 Certificate which entitles me to be the Principal of any school in the State of Illinois. These credentials give me the authority to speak on this topic and provide insight to working with clients and art.
People do business with people they like. If you want to build your list of clients then the best way is to give them house portraits so that your clients become your Attraction Market.
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
www.stephencondren.com
A referral from an acquaintance at work is nice and a courtesy but is it effective? Often these kind of referrals can end up being a waste of time because they do not know what they want and who to go to.
What you want are referrals from solid leads. How do you get these referrals? The answer is simple, give your clients a house portrait as a closing gift. Why? Because unlike any other gift the house portrait hangs on your clients wall permanently. This is very important to remember because this work of art is not just hanging in anyone's home it is hanging in the home of a client that has bought their home from you! Remember house portraits are personal and thoughtful which are great ways to be remembered.
I have been doing house portraits and drawings for over 25 years and I know my Realtor clients very well. I talk with time to get insight on how I can better serve them. One of the best things that I have offered to my clients is to inscribe a message on the house drawing with the Realtor's name below it. This is magic for the selling agent because their name hangs on their client's wall providing a continuous flow of referrals. Samples of this can be seen at my Website www.stephencondren.com
As a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (BFA) and Northern Illinois University (MA) I am an authority on drawing and painting which were my majors. Further I am a certified public school teacher with endorsements in Fine Art. I also have a Type #75 Certificate which entitles me to be the Principal of any school in the State of Illinois. These credentials give me the authority to speak on this topic and provide insight to working with clients and art.
People do business with people they like. If you want to build your list of clients then the best way is to give them house portraits so that your clients become your Attraction Market.
Stephen F. Condren - Artist
www.stephencondren.com
House Portraits for Realtor Referrals
For over 25 year I have been doing house portraits as Realtor closing gifts for their clients. This is a very unique gift offering to the client for unlike many closing gifts such as dinner or theater tickets this gift is unique to the client. Also, it is a responsibility to the Realtor because if for some reason the closing should not go through the Realtor still has paid for the house portrait.
What makes this closing gift very useful to the Real Estate Agent is that the house portrait hangs on the wall of their client for years and is the source of many referrals which is very important to the Realtor.
Over the years I have had the insight in how to make house portraits the premier closing gift for their clients. Since I would like to get repeat business from my Realtor client's I make it a point to do an excellent job on the creation of each house portrait. As time passed I realized that by putting an inscription from the Realtor to their client at the bottom of the house portrait it really adds a personal touch. More importantly I put the agents name at the end of the inscription making it an anchor for permanent referrals to all that entered the home and see the house portrait with the owner proudly displays.
With the advent of the Internet the marketing and production for house portraits had radically changed. Now I secure much business from the Internet due to Internet marketing and browsers such as Google and Yahoo. I have made a Website that has focused on house portraits as closing gifts and I have optimized this Website so that search engines find it easily with the key word phrases that I have embedded into the Website. My Website www.stephencondren.com has the Title Block words embedded in the body of the text on the Home Page.
What I do now to reach out to Realtors is to have designed a very user-friendly Website that they can order from. I have designed a simple three-step order process with the help of PayPal to secure orders from Real Estate agents.
The agents simply email me the picture of the home, I print it out and make a set-up sheet with all the data of the agent and their client. I take this set-up sheet and scan it then email it to my client for them to check through. Upon their approval I start on the house portrait. When finished I securely box in a FedEx box and ship it.
This system has been a great success for me and my client's love it. Best of all my clients love my fine work and inscriptions on the house portraits which put their name on the work of art! A watercolor of your client's home - the perfect closing gift!
www.stephencondren.com
What makes this closing gift very useful to the Real Estate Agent is that the house portrait hangs on the wall of their client for years and is the source of many referrals which is very important to the Realtor.
Over the years I have had the insight in how to make house portraits the premier closing gift for their clients. Since I would like to get repeat business from my Realtor client's I make it a point to do an excellent job on the creation of each house portrait. As time passed I realized that by putting an inscription from the Realtor to their client at the bottom of the house portrait it really adds a personal touch. More importantly I put the agents name at the end of the inscription making it an anchor for permanent referrals to all that entered the home and see the house portrait with the owner proudly displays.
With the advent of the Internet the marketing and production for house portraits had radically changed. Now I secure much business from the Internet due to Internet marketing and browsers such as Google and Yahoo. I have made a Website that has focused on house portraits as closing gifts and I have optimized this Website so that search engines find it easily with the key word phrases that I have embedded into the Website. My Website www.stephencondren.com has the Title Block words embedded in the body of the text on the Home Page.
What I do now to reach out to Realtors is to have designed a very user-friendly Website that they can order from. I have designed a simple three-step order process with the help of PayPal to secure orders from Real Estate agents.
The agents simply email me the picture of the home, I print it out and make a set-up sheet with all the data of the agent and their client. I take this set-up sheet and scan it then email it to my client for them to check through. Upon their approval I start on the house portrait. When finished I securely box in a FedEx box and ship it.
This system has been a great success for me and my client's love it. Best of all my clients love my fine work and inscriptions on the house portraits which put their name on the work of art! A watercolor of your client's home - the perfect closing gift!
www.stephencondren.com
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