http://activerain.com/blogs/secondself Take a trip with me through the land of Real Estate Virtual Assistance. Learn about what we do, how we do it and some of the interesting (and sometimes funny) experiences along the way. Lots of great information, latest trends, tips and tools and freebies for success in your real estate business. en-us http://activerain.com/blogsview/1374461/cookie-exchange-bakers-start-your-engines <p><strong>When was the last time you participated in a Cookie Exchange?</strong> A few years back, about 10 -12 of us would get together each year and drink wine, eat yummy food, exchange gifts and our favorite Christmas cookies. It was a blast! Alas, like so many other things, that little tradition fell to the wayside.</p> <p>So, right here, right now, I am reviving the Cookie Exchange with my fellow food lovers. Below is one of my favorite cookie recipes. Please share your's. Take moment to see<strong> <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1370678/super-duper-chocolate-kisses-cookies " title="Super Duper Chocolate Kisses Cookie Video" target="_blank">Heather's Super Duper Chocolate Kisses Cookies slideshow tutoria</a>l</strong>. It's great!</p> <p><strong>Sandies</strong></p> <p>1 cup softened butter</p> <p>1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar</p> <p>1 tablespoon water</p> <p>1 teaspoon vanilla</p> <p>2 cups all-purpose flour</p> <p>1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans</p> <p>1 cup sifted powdered sugar</p> <p>1. Beat butter with electric mixer on medium 30 seconds. Add the 1/2 cup pwdered sugar. Beat until combined, scraping bowl. Beat in water and vanilla. Beat in as much flour as you can. Stir in any remaining flour. Stir in pecans.</p> <p>2. Shape dough into 1 inch balls or 2x1/2 inch logs. Please 1" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 325 degree oven about 15 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer to wire rack; let cool. Gently shake cooled cookies in a plastic bag with 1 cup of powdered sugar.</p> <p>NOTE: For cocoa sandies, prepare as above except add 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder with the flour.</p> <p>Now, it's your turn to add your favorite cookie recipe to the cookie exchange.&nbsp; I'll look forward to it!</p> <p>I'd like to extend a personal invitation for you to join our <strong><a href="http://activerain.com/groups/bonappetit" title="Bon Appetit Group" target="_blank">Bon Appetit Group</a></strong> where you'll find other great recipes and fun!</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:39:17 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1374461/cookie-exchange-bakers-start-your-engines http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372748/practice-doesn-t-make-you-perfect <p><p>Love this post!&nbsp; I was brought up to be perfect.&nbsp; It's an impossibility so I don't recommend it.&nbsp; When I saw Heather's headline, it caught my attention.&nbsp; Take a minute to read - it makes perfect sense.</p></p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1369441/practice-doesn-t-make-you-perfect">Heather Chavez, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 412-4469 (Second Self Virtual Assistance)</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/8/5/6/4/ar125999595546588.jpg" height="200" alt="Practice doesn't make you perfect." style="border: 1px solid black; margin: 5px; float: left;" width="300" /><big><big>When I was a flautist in high school, my music teacher always told us: <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>"Practice doesn't make perfect.&nbsp; PERFECT practice makes perfect."</strong></span>&nbsp; You mean that I won't be able to be a "perfect musician" just by practicing the same piece of music the same way over and over again until I am dizzy and need to lay down and rest?&nbsp; <span style="color: #cc0000;">The HELL you say!</span>&nbsp; What my music teacher was trying to teach us was that you had to listen to what you played and how you played it, adjust the tonality where necessary, watch the breathing and keep on top of the notes so that you would become better and better each time.&nbsp; <span style="color: #990000;">Perfection is really being the very best that you can be at whatever you are trying to achieve.</span></big></big></p> <p><big><big>If you think about it, this really can relate to just about any aspect in life.&nbsp; If we keep doing the same thing over and over again without making adjustments to become "perfect", we will only remain average.&nbsp; If you want to be the best at your job, you need to find what works and practice to be "perfect".&nbsp; This doesn't happen overnight.&nbsp; <span style="color: #990000;">It takes time and effort to create the very best you that you can be.</span>&nbsp; Whatever that very best is...is "perfect".</big></big></p> <p><big><big>Don't get me wrong.&nbsp; <span style="color: #990000;">I'm not saying you have to be absolutely perfect.</span>&nbsp; That's something that only God can be.&nbsp; If you're happy being adequate, that's perfectly fine.&nbsp; However, I am a competitive soul.&nbsp; I wasn't happy until I was first chair.&nbsp; Of course, the hours upon hours and years upon years of "perfect practice" didn't hurt.</big></big></p> <p><big></big></p> <p><big><strong><a href="http://bingowhore.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Heather Chavez, Real Estate Virtual Assistant</a> - <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank">Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!</a></strong></big></p><div class="agent_signature"><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll227/hchavez2003/independentlab.jpg" border="0" alt="Second Self Virtual Assistance - http://www.thinksecondself.com" width="400" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1unv.com/fzu134/c.map" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br /></a></p></div></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:41:35 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372748/practice-doesn-t-make-you-perfect http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372735/practice-doesn-t-make-you-perfect <p><p>Love this post!&nbsp; I was brought up to be perfect.&nbsp; It's an impossibility so I don't recommend it.&nbsp; When I saw Heather's headline, it caught my attention.&nbsp; Take a minute to read - it makes perfect sense.</p></p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1369441/practice-doesn-t-make-you-perfect">Heather Chavez, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 412-4469 (Second Self Virtual Assistance)</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/8/5/6/4/ar125999595546588.jpg" height="200" alt="Practice doesn't make you perfect." style="border: 1px solid black; margin: 5px; float: left;" width="300" /><big><big>When I was a flautist in high school, my music teacher always told us: <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>"Practice doesn't make perfect.&nbsp; PERFECT practice makes perfect."</strong></span>&nbsp; You mean that I won't be able to be a "perfect musician" just by practicing the same piece of music the same way over and over again until I am dizzy and need to lay down and rest?&nbsp; <span style="color: #cc0000;">The HELL you say!</span>&nbsp; What my music teacher was trying to teach us was that you had to listen to what you played and how you played it, adjust the tonality where necessary, watch the breathing and keep on top of the notes so that you would become better and better each time.&nbsp; <span style="color: #990000;">Perfection is really being the very best that you can be at whatever you are trying to achieve.</span></big></big></p> <p><big><big>If you think about it, this really can relate to just about any aspect in life.&nbsp; If we keep doing the same thing over and over again without making adjustments to become "perfect", we will only remain average.&nbsp; If you want to be the best at your job, you need to find what works and practice to be "perfect".&nbsp; This doesn't happen overnight.&nbsp; <span style="color: #990000;">It takes time and effort to create the very best you that you can be.</span>&nbsp; Whatever that very best is...is "perfect".</big></big></p> <p><big><big>Don't get me wrong.&nbsp; <span style="color: #990000;">I'm not saying you have to be absolutely perfect.</span>&nbsp; That's something that only God can be.&nbsp; If you're happy being adequate, that's perfectly fine.&nbsp; However, I am a competitive soul.&nbsp; I wasn't happy until I was first chair.&nbsp; Of course, the hours upon hours and years upon years of "perfect practice" didn't hurt.</big></big></p> <p><big></big></p> <p><big><strong><a href="http://bingowhore.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Heather Chavez, Real Estate Virtual Assistant</a> - <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank">Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!</a></strong></big></p><div class="agent_signature"><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll227/hchavez2003/independentlab.jpg" border="0" alt="Second Self Virtual Assistance - http://www.thinksecondself.com" width="400" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1unv.com/fzu134/c.map" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br /></a></p></div></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:37:21 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372735/practice-doesn-t-make-you-perfect http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372734/practice-doesn-t-make-you-perfect <p><p>Love this post!&nbsp; I was brought up to be perfect.&nbsp; It's an impossibility so I don't recommend it.&nbsp; When I saw Heather's headline, it caught my attention.&nbsp; Take a minute to read - it makes perfect sense.</p></p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1369441/practice-doesn-t-make-you-perfect">Heather Chavez, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 412-4469 (Second Self Virtual Assistance)</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/8/5/6/4/ar125999595546588.jpg" height="200" alt="Practice doesn't make you perfect." style="border: 1px solid black; margin: 5px; float: left;" width="300" /><big><big>When I was a flautist in high school, my music teacher always told us: <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>"Practice doesn't make perfect.&nbsp; PERFECT practice makes perfect."</strong></span>&nbsp; You mean that I won't be able to be a "perfect musician" just by practicing the same piece of music the same way over and over again until I am dizzy and need to lay down and rest?&nbsp; <span style="color: #cc0000;">The HELL you say!</span>&nbsp; What my music teacher was trying to teach us was that you had to listen to what you played and how you played it, adjust the tonality where necessary, watch the breathing and keep on top of the notes so that you would become better and better each time.&nbsp; <span style="color: #990000;">Perfection is really being the very best that you can be at whatever you are trying to achieve.</span></big></big></p> <p><big><big>If you think about it, this really can relate to just about any aspect in life.&nbsp; If we keep doing the same thing over and over again without making adjustments to become "perfect", we will only remain average.&nbsp; If you want to be the best at your job, you need to find what works and practice to be "perfect".&nbsp; This doesn't happen overnight.&nbsp; <span style="color: #990000;">It takes time and effort to create the very best you that you can be.</span>&nbsp; Whatever that very best is...is "perfect".</big></big></p> <p><big><big>Don't get me wrong.&nbsp; <span style="color: #990000;">I'm not saying you have to be absolutely perfect.</span>&nbsp; That's something that only God can be.&nbsp; If you're happy being adequate, that's perfectly fine.&nbsp; However, I am a competitive soul.&nbsp; I wasn't happy until I was first chair.&nbsp; Of course, the hours upon hours and years upon years of "perfect practice" didn't hurt.</big></big></p> <p><big></big></p> <p><big><strong><a href="http://bingowhore.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Heather Chavez, Real Estate Virtual Assistant</a> - <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank">Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!</a></strong></big></p><div class="agent_signature"><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll227/hchavez2003/independentlab.jpg" border="0" alt="Second Self Virtual Assistance - http://www.thinksecondself.com" width="400" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1unv.com/fzu134/c.map" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br /></a></p></div></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:36:44 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372734/practice-doesn-t-make-you-perfect http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372733/practice-doesn-t-make-you-perfect <p><p>Love this post!&nbsp; I was brought up to be perfect.&nbsp; It's an impossibility so I don't recommend it.&nbsp; When I saw Heather's headline, it caught my attention.&nbsp; Take a minute to read - it makes perfect sense.</p></p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1369441/practice-doesn-t-make-you-perfect">Heather Chavez, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 412-4469 (Second Self Virtual Assistance)</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/8/5/6/4/ar125999595546588.jpg" height="200" alt="Practice doesn't make you perfect." style="border: 1px solid black; margin: 5px; float: left;" width="300" /><big><big>When I was a flautist in high school, my music teacher always told us: <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>"Practice doesn't make perfect.&nbsp; PERFECT practice makes perfect."</strong></span>&nbsp; You mean that I won't be able to be a "perfect musician" just by practicing the same piece of music the same way over and over again until I am dizzy and need to lay down and rest?&nbsp; <span style="color: #cc0000;">The HELL you say!</span>&nbsp; What my music teacher was trying to teach us was that you had to listen to what you played and how you played it, adjust the tonality where necessary, watch the breathing and keep on top of the notes so that you would become better and better each time.&nbsp; <span style="color: #990000;">Perfection is really being the very best that you can be at whatever you are trying to achieve.</span></big></big></p> <p><big><big>If you think about it, this really can relate to just about any aspect in life.&nbsp; If we keep doing the same thing over and over again without making adjustments to become "perfect", we will only remain average.&nbsp; If you want to be the best at your job, you need to find what works and practice to be "perfect".&nbsp; This doesn't happen overnight.&nbsp; <span style="color: #990000;">It takes time and effort to create the very best you that you can be.</span>&nbsp; Whatever that very best is...is "perfect".</big></big></p> <p><big><big>Don't get me wrong.&nbsp; <span style="color: #990000;">I'm not saying you have to be absolutely perfect.</span>&nbsp; That's something that only God can be.&nbsp; If you're happy being adequate, that's perfectly fine.&nbsp; However, I am a competitive soul.&nbsp; I wasn't happy until I was first chair.&nbsp; Of course, the hours upon hours and years upon years of "perfect practice" didn't hurt.</big></big></p> <p><big></big></p> <p><big><strong><a href="http://bingowhore.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Heather Chavez, Real Estate Virtual Assistant</a> - <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank">Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!</a></strong></big></p><div class="agent_signature"><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll227/hchavez2003/independentlab.jpg" border="0" alt="Second Self Virtual Assistance - http://www.thinksecondself.com" width="400" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1unv.com/fzu134/c.map" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br /></a></p></div></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:36:19 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372733/practice-doesn-t-make-you-perfect http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372511/cookie-exchange-bakers-start-your-engines <p><strong>When was the last time you participated in a Cookie Exchange?</strong>&nbsp; A few years back, about 10 -12 of us would get together each year and drink wine, eat yummy food, exchange gifts and our favorite Christmas cookies.&nbsp; It was a blast!&nbsp; Alas, like so many other things, that little tradition fell to the wayside.</p> <p>So, right here, right now, I am reviving the Cookie Exchange with my fellow food lovers.&nbsp; Below is one of my favorite cookie recipes.&nbsp;Please share your's.</p> <p>Take moment to see <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1370678/super-duper-chocolate-kisses-cookies" title="Super Duper Chocolate Kisses Cookies" target="_blank">Heather's Super Duper Chocolate Kisses Cookies</a> slideshow tutorial.&nbsp; It's great!</p> <p>&nbsp;<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sandies</span></strong></p> <p>1 cup softened butter</p> <p>1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar</p> <p>1 tablespoon water</p> <p>1 teaspoon vanilla</p> <p>2 cups all-purpose flour</p> <p>1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans</p> <p>1 cup sifted powdered sugar</p> <ol> <li>Beat butter with electric mixer on medium 30 seconds.&nbsp; Add the 1/2 cup pwdered sugar.&nbsp; Beat until combined, scraping bowl.&nbsp; Beat in water and vanilla.&nbsp; Beat in as much flour as you can.&nbsp; Stir in any remaining flour.&nbsp; Stir in pecans.</li> <li>Shape dough into 1 inch balls or 2x1/2 inch logs.&nbsp; Please 1" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.&nbsp; Bake in a 325 degree oven about 15 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.&nbsp; Transfer to wire rack; let cool.&nbsp; Gently shake cooled cookies in a plastic bag with 1 cup of powdered sugar.</li> </ol> <p>NOTE: For cocoa sandies, prepare as above except add 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder with the flour.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:55:27 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372511/cookie-exchange-bakers-start-your-engines http://activerain.com/blogsview/1366627/how-to-create-a-superb-email-campaign <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/2/9/3/2/ar125987047923921.jpg" height="225" alt="How to create an effective email campaign" width="225" style="float: right; margin: 5px; border: black 1px solid;" />Have you ever wondered <strong>how you can create a superb email campaign</strong>?&nbsp; It's not as easy as just sending an email blast out to all your contacts every other day and hope for the best.&nbsp; Today's customers are much more savvy than in the past and need to be treated as such.&nbsp; With that in mind, here are just a few ways you can <strong><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank">create a superb email campaign</a></strong> to capture leads and keep them coming back:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Allow&nbsp;the Reader a&nbsp;Choice</strong> - Don't use sly "tricks" to try to capture leads, like automatically checking a box on the registration forms on your site.&nbsp; If someone is filling out a form and doesn't see that this box has been checked, the emails you send them might be considered an invasion of their privacy, turning them off of using your services.&nbsp; When a subscriber reaches the 12 month mark, send them a quick email to ask if they wish to continue receiving your emails as a courtesy.</li> <li><strong>High Email Volume = SPAM</strong>&nbsp;- An ISP sees a high amount of email as possible SPAM and can penalize you for such by marking them as possible SPAM to the recipient or even blocking your email from being sent altogether.&nbsp; To avoid looking like SPAM, make sure any "unsubscribe" requests are followed within the 10-day window required by law, monitor any SPAM complaints you may receive and resolve them, use a unique IP address when possible and create a double-opt process for your forms (after someone clicks on the submit button, have a pop-up window ask them to confirm that this is what they really wanted to do).</li> <li><strong>Keep Mailing Lists Up-to-Date</strong> - They say that "cleanliness is next to godliness".&nbsp; The same is true for mailing lists.&nbsp; A "dirty list" is one that has several bad, duplicate or out-of-date email addresses on it.&nbsp; Go through your list at least every few months to clean up your list.&nbsp; If you send a monthly newsletter, some services will send you a list of emails that were bounced back.&nbsp; You can use this list to clean up your&nbsp;address book.&nbsp; This will keep your email campaigns running efficiently.</li> <li><strong>It's the Quality, Not the Quantity</strong> - It doesn't matter if you have 1,000 names or 100 names on your email list.&nbsp; If the contacts aren't of any quality, those 1,000 names don't mean much.&nbsp; Focus on who your core demographic is and add those people to your contact list.</li> <li><strong>Respect a Reader's Privacy</strong> - Make sure to include a <strong><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Privacy_Policy.html" title="Privacy Statement" target="_blank">privacy statement</a></strong> with your opt-in form.&nbsp; It doesn't have to be elaborate.&nbsp; But, a few words can go a long way in reassuring someone that their information will not be shared or sold to anyone, creating a sense of security.&nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Format the Email for the Recipients Inbox</strong> - If the reader can't find the information they want quickly, they will delete.&nbsp; So, make sure that you put your company name in the "from" line so the reader can easily recognize it, create a quick subject line that grabs the reader's attention and gives a quick description of what the email is about&nbsp;in no more than 50 characters, use text and html colors/layout instead of lots of images in the email in case the images are disabled and&nbsp;put all important things at the top of the email instead of at the bottom (such as a call to action or newsletter contents).</li> <li><strong>Use&nbsp;Yourself as a Test Subject</strong>&nbsp;- Always make sure to send yourself a test&nbsp;email before you send out the entire campaign.&nbsp; This will allow you to fix any errors that may arise.</li> </ol> <p>These are only a few tips on <strong>how to create a superb email campaign</strong>.&nbsp; There are several more.&nbsp; If you have any questions about your email campaign, <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Contact_Us.html" target="_blank">please contact me</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><strong>Pamela Cendejas, Real Estate Virtual Assistant&nbsp;- Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!</strong></a></p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:03:19 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1366627/how-to-create-a-superb-email-campaign http://activerain.com/blogsview/1360953/have-a-party-help-a-charity <p>Who doesn't love a party?!&nbsp; A few years ago a chef named Lydia Walshin of the<a href="http://www.theperfectpantry.com/" title="The Perfect Pantry" target="_blank"> Perfect Pantry</a> started an organization called, <a href="http://www.dropinanddecorate.org/" title="Drop in and Decorate" target="_blank">Drop In and Decorate</a>.&nbsp; It's a simple thing to do but can pack a big punch for your community members in need.</p> <p>All you have to do is bake some cookies and invite your friends, neighbors, relatives, etc. to come over and help you decorate them.&nbsp; Better yet, get them to also bake some cookies and bring them over to decorate.&nbsp; Then, donate them to your local non-profit agencies who help support those in need.</p> <p>December 4th is National Cookie Day.&nbsp; Invite some people over and start decorating!</p> <p>Here's a link to help you get started with those <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/search/delegate.do?fnSearchString=christmas+cookies&amp;fnSearchType=site" title="Crhistmas Cookie Recipes" target="_blank">cookie recipes</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:52:37 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1360953/have-a-party-help-a-charity http://activerain.com/blogsview/1354948/effective-link-building-on-bing <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/5/0/7/7/ar125916974977052.jpg" height="94" alt="Effective link building on Bing" width="206" style="float: right;" />Yes, Google is the dominant force in search engines at the moment.&nbsp; But that doesn't mean you should ignore Yahoo and Bing altogether&nbsp;in <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank">your link building efforts</a>.&nbsp; While Yahoo's share of searches is declining, Bing's is continually on the rise.&nbsp; And, if Microsoft's deal with Yahoo goes through, Bing will pretty much take over Yahoo anyway.&nbsp; Here are some tips to create <strong>effective link building on Bing</strong>:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Branding</strong> - Create your brand and market it everywhere: website, blog, forums, social media, etc.</li> <li><strong>Network</strong> - Seek out "professionals" in your field, industry experts, bloggers, etc., and build a rapport with them so they are well aware of who you and your brand are.&nbsp; That can go a long way in <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Business_Building_Tools.html" target="_blank">upping your "expert" quotient</a> with search engines.</li> <li><strong>Press Releases</strong> - Don't underestimate the power of a press release.&nbsp; Places like <a href="prlog.org" target="_blank">prlog.org</a> allow you to create and distribute a press release for free to places like Google News and creates an RSS feed for distribution.</li> <li><strong>Article Submissions</strong> - Creating and submitting articles about your areas of expertise to article directories, like <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/" target="_blank">ezinearticles.com</a>, both increases your online presence and makes you appear to be an expert; two things search engines value most.</li> <li><strong>Interact on Blogs and Forums</strong> - Blog posts and forum discussions are great ways to interact with other professionals and possible clients as well as give advice and show your "smarts". </li> <li><strong>Social Networking</strong> - I can't stress this enough!&nbsp; Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Twitter, Trulia, Zillow,&nbsp;etc.&nbsp; You can create a link back to your site in your profile on all of these places.&nbsp; Make sure you connect with "experts" in your field on all of these sites.</li> <li><strong>Newsletters</strong> - Create an email newsletter to let your contacts know about new and important information.&nbsp; Use your sphere of influence to create a larger internet presence.</li> </ol> <p>When considering your <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank">search engine optimization</a>, concentrating only on Google may not be as effective as you want.&nbsp; Don't forget to use <strong>effective link building on Bing</strong> as well.&nbsp; It's definitely an "up and comer".&nbsp; Remember: If you need help with any of this, <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank">your real estate virtual assistant</a> can help!</p> <p><a href="http://real-estate-support.com" target="_blank"><strong>Pamela Cendejas, Real Estate Virtual Assistant</strong></a><strong> - </strong><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><strong>Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!</strong></a></p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:22:49 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1354948/effective-link-building-on-bing http://activerain.com/blogsview/1345981/how-to-increase-your-traffic-from-twitter <p><a href="http://www.twitter.com/secondself" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/9/3/5/6/ar125867202765391.jpg" height="83" alt="Follow Second Self on Twitter" width="224" style="float: left; margin: 5px;" /></a>By now, I'm sure you've heard all about Twitter.&nbsp; Even Oprah has hopped on the Twitter bandwagon and tweets regularly.&nbsp; Thousands upon thousands of businesses have found major benefits in Twitter as well.&nbsp; Here are a few simple and easy ways to <strong>increase your traffic from Twitter</strong>:</p> <p>1. <strong>Include a link to your Twitter account on your blogs</strong>, website or any other internet materials you use.&nbsp; There are several online resources that provide cute, free Twitter buttons to use for this.</p> <p>2. <strong>Don't use up ALL 140 characters in a tweet.</strong>&nbsp; You need to leave a few spaces for people to retweet your tweet if they find it retweetable.&nbsp; A good rule of thumb is to leave enough additional space to accommodate your username plus 5 spaces.&nbsp; Otherwise, someone who retweets your tweet will have to modify your original tweet to make it fit.</p> <p>3. <strong>Make sure your Twitter presence is visible throughout your website.</strong>&nbsp; Don't just set it in one place and forget it.&nbsp; Adding it to your nav bar will make it eye-catching no matter what page a web visitor is on.</p> <p>4. <strong>Add your Twitter username and web address to all marketing materials</strong>: business cards, signatures on emails and blogs, etc.</p> <p>5. <strong>Use your own content for Tweets.</strong>&nbsp; Simply retweeting will not get people to notice you.&nbsp; You have something to say, so say it.</p> <p>6. <strong>Tweet, tweet and tweet some more.</strong>&nbsp; Actively engage with others on Twitter.&nbsp; Just setting up a Twitter account is not enough.&nbsp; You need to tweet with others to get a nice network going.</p> <p>The bottom line is that you just can't pass up an opportunity to promote yourself.&nbsp; And Twitter is a great way to do that.&nbsp; By implementing these simple tips, you should see an <strong>increase in your traffic from Twitter</strong> in no time.&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><strong>Pamela Cendejas, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!</strong></a></p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:07:37 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1345981/how-to-increase-your-traffic-from-twitter http://activerain.com/blogsview/1343666/free-martha-stewart-cookbook- <p><p>My Active Rain buddy, Debra Walsh, posted this on my <a href="http://activerain.com/groups/bonappetit" title="Bon Appetit Group" target="_blank">Bon Appetit</a> group.&nbsp; If you're looking for some great Thanksgiving recipes, downloard this FREE 56 page cookbook.&nbsp; Thank you, Debra.</p></p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1342941/free-martha-stewart-cookbook-">Debra Walsh Orange Cty NY Real Estate 845.355.8439 (Minisink Valley Homes Slate Hill, NY - Realtor)</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p><big style="color: #cc33cc; font-family: Verdana;">If you are looking for some new Thanksgiving recipes then <a href="http://www.sirius.com/thanksgiving" title="Martha Stewart Cookbook" target="_blank">click here</a> to download <a href="http://www.sirius.com/thanksgiving" title="Cookbook" target="_blank">Martha Stewart's FREE Thanksgiving Cookbook</a>. &nbsp;I have downloaded it myself and it is a 56 page color cookbook with a table of contents. &nbsp;There are five chapters from Soups &amp; Starters to Desserts and Wine &amp; Entertaining. &nbsp; Enjoy!</big></p> <p><big style="color: #cc33cc; font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="Thanksgiving Dinner" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/2/4/3/ar125850908734216.jpg" height="267" alt="turkey, meal, thanksgiving, cooking" style="vertical-align: bottom;" width="400" /><br /></big> <p>&nbsp;</p> </p><div class="agent_signature"><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><big><big></big></big></p> <p><big><big> <p><big><big><big><small>If you are thinking of buying or selling in the Sullivan or Orange County, NY&nbsp;area we would be happy to assist you!&nbsp; Please contact me or visit <a href="http://www.minisinkvalleyhomes.com/" title="Minisink Valley Homes" target="_blank">our website</a> for more information.&nbsp; </small></big></big></big></p> <p><big><big><big><small></small></big></big></big></p> <p><big><big><big><small><a href="http://debbieminisinkvalleyhomes.org.mlxchange.com/?Page=45408" title="HOME SEARCH" target="_blank">SEARCH HOMES IN ORANGE COUNTY, NY</a></small></big></big></big></p> <p><big><big><big><small></small></big></big></big></p> <p><big><big><big><small></small></big></big></big></p> <p><big><big><big><small></small></big></big></big></p> </big></big></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><big><big></big></big></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><big><big><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/"><big><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85723/minisinkdebbie/4af6840031b1842f3173304f0a38f8ea.png" border="0" alt="" /></big></a><big>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <small>GRI, ABR, CHMS, RECS, REM</small></big></big><br /></big></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><small><strong></strong>&nbsp;<br /><strong>&nbsp;<big><big><big>Minisink Valley Homes&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Office 845-355-8439</big></big></big></strong></small><big>&nbsp;</big></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><big><a href="mailto:debbiewalsh40@yahoo.com"><strong><big>debbiewalsh@minisinkvalleyhomes.com</big></strong></a>&nbsp;</big></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><big>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://debbieminisinkvalleyhomes.org.mlxchange.com/"><strong><big>http://debbieminisinkvalleyhomes.org.mlxchange.com</big></strong></a></big></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/MinisinkDebbie"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/MinisinkDebbie" title="MinisinkDebbie" target="_blank"><img title="twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/5/4/8/0/ar125547298908455.png" height="83" alt="twitter" width="224" style="vertical-align: middle;" /></a> </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=OrangeCountyNyRealEstate&amp;loc=en_US" title="Subscribe to Blog" target="_blank"><img title="subscribe" src="http://activerain.comhttp://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/7/4/8/6/ar124235007868479.jpg" height="75" alt="subscribe" width="501" /></a></p></div></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:35:15 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1343666/free-martha-stewart-cookbook- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1334149/how-youtube-can-promote-you-and-your-business <p>Have you ever thought about <strong>how YouTube can promote you as well as your business</strong>?  It's really quite easy and the YouTube account is free.  With millions of people accessing and sharing videos via YouTube every month, you would be crazy not to consider using YouTube for <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank">promotional purposes</a>.  Here are only a few of the ways you can use YouTube to promote you and your business:</p> <p>1. <strong>Personal Virtual Tours</strong> - While a "professional" virtual tour is really not much more than a bunch of still photos put together and set to music, you can be your own virtual tour director by doing your own walkthrough of a listing, providing your own narration and pointing out the most interesting features of the property.  You can make the video as long as you want.  But, try to keep it under 10 minutes for the best impact.</p> <p>2. <strong>Promotional Videos</strong> - If you have hired a "professional" to create a promotional video of you, your business or your community or you create one yourself, YouTube allows you to upload it to your account, where it will provide an embed code for you to use this video on your blog or website.</p> <p>3. <strong>Company-Sponsored Events</strong> - Is your company sponsoring a local event?  You can create a video to promote the event before it happens and also use footage from the event to show website visitors or blog readers what your company is involved with.</p> <p>4. <strong>Testimonials</strong> - When you have helped another family purchase their dream home, whip out that camera and make a video testimonial of the happy homeowners in front of their new home discussing how they feel about using your services.</p> <p>Using video is a great way to capture the attention of your website or blog visitor, keeping them on your site longer to encourage them to check other parts of your site or blog out.  You can also promote your video on several directories to get even more exposure.  There are countless ways you can <strong>use YouTube to promote you and your business</strong>.  You are only limited by your imagination.  If you have any questions, <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Contact_Us.html" target="_blank">please contact me</a>.  I'm happy to help.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><object height="364" width="445"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WX_MPsq3qXQ&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;color1=0x5d1719&amp;color2=0xcd311b&amp;border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WX_MPsq3qXQ&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;color1=0x5d1719&amp;color2=0xcd311b&amp;border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="364" width="445"></embed></object></p> <p><a href="http://www.real-estate-support.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Pamela Cendejas, Real Estate Virtual Assistant</strong></a><strong> - </strong><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><strong>Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!</strong></a></p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:34:28 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1334149/how-youtube-can-promote-you-and-your-business http://activerain.com/blogsview/1330555/a-gal-s-gotta-eat-suggestion-for-moving-guide <p><strong>Many real estate agents provide their buyers with a Moving Guide</strong>. Sometimes they purchase the guide, Moving <img title="Moving Day Guide" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/7/9/3/6/ar125788421363973.jpg" height="189" alt="Moving Guide" width="200" style="margin: 5px; float: right;" />Daysometimes they write it themselves and sometimes they have an assistant put it together for them.</p> <p>The Moving Guide usually contains basically the same thing:</p> <ul> <li>List of what to do a month, week and day before the move</li> <li>Printable labels for moving boxes</li> <li>Important phone numbers</li> <li>Map of the area</li> <li>Tips for Packing</li> <li>Tips for moving with children and pets</li> <li>Change of Address postcards</li> <li>Return address labels with new address <br /></li> </ul> <p>The list can be as long or short as the real estate agent's mind will make it. I have yet to see, however, a list that contains <strong>meal planning when moving</strong>. I have to admit, it's really not something that I ever thought of until I moved.</p> <p>My move was made over a period of a week. So, the ever-popular pizza, burgers, tacos and other take-out got really old, really quick. I also found that I didn't always want to take time away from packing and moving in order to eat. One day, I only ate raisins. I don't recommend it.&nbsp; The result was not pretty.</p> <p>So, I thought of a great idea for adding to your<strong> Moving Guide - Moving Day Meals</strong>. You can create a list of easy-to-make recipes that can be frozen and then popped into the microwave. Offer suggestions such as keeping cold cuts, cheese, bread and condiments handy for quick sandwiches. Don't forget the snacks!</p> <p>One of the most welcomed items in your Moving Day Meals packet would be a gift card to a local casual eatery. And, since I've recently experienced the stress of moving, I would suggest that the gift card be to a place that serves alcohol - lots and lots of alcohol.</p> <p>Your buyers will thank you!</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:16:18 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1330555/a-gal-s-gotta-eat-suggestion-for-moving-guide http://activerain.com/blogsview/1330546/a-gal-s-gotta-eat-suggestion-for-moving-guide <p><strong>Many real estate agents provide their buyers with a Moving Guide.</strong>&nbsp; Sometimes they purchase the guide, <img title="Moving Day" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/6/4/7/0/ar125788373807464.jpg" height="189" alt="Moving Day" width="200" style="float: right;" />sometimes they write it themselves and sometimes they have an assistant put it together for them.&nbsp; They usually contain basically the same thing:</p> <ul> <li><strong>List of what to do a month, week and day before the move</strong></li> <li><strong>Printable labels for moving boxes</strong></li> <li><strong>Important phone numbers</strong></li> <li><strong>Map of the area</strong></li> <li><strong>Tips for Packing</strong></li> <li><strong>Tips for moving with children and pets</strong></li> <li><strong>Change of Address postcards</strong></li> <li><strong>Return address labels with new address</strong></li> </ul> <p>The list can be as long or short as the real estate agent's mind will make it.&nbsp; I have yet to see, however, a list that contains <strong>meal planning when moving</strong>.&nbsp; I have to admit, it's really not something that I ever thought of until I moved.&nbsp;</p> <p>My move was made over a period of a week.&nbsp; So, the ever-popular pizza, burgers, tacos and other take-out got really old, really quick.&nbsp; I also found that I didn't always want to take time away from packing and moving in order to eat.&nbsp; One day, I only ate raisins.&nbsp; The result was not pretty.</p> <p>So, I thought of a great idea for adding to your <strong>Moving Guide - Moving Day Meals</strong>.&nbsp; You can create a list of easy-to-make recipes that can be frozen and then popped into the microwave.&nbsp; Offer suggestions such as keeping cold cuts, cheese, bread and condiments handy for quick sandwiches.&nbsp; Don't forget the snacks!&nbsp;</p> <p>One of the most welcomed items in your Moving Day Meals packet would be a gift card to a local casual eatery.&nbsp; And, since I've recently experienced the stress of moving, I would suggest that the gift card be to a place that serves alcohol - lots and lots of alcohol.</p> <p>Your buyers will thank you!</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:10:22 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1330546/a-gal-s-gotta-eat-suggestion-for-moving-guide http://activerain.com/blogsview/1330262/this-is-why-some-animals-eat-their-young <p><strong>I get emails all the time with jokes and the inevitable, "Pass this on to ten people immediately or your dog will get warts" or some equally stupid message.&nbsp; I don't expect you to pass this on (unless you just can't help yourself), just enjoy a giggle.</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I was having trouble with my computer. So, I called Richard, the 11-year-old next door whose bedroom looks like <img title="Super Computer Boy" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/9/1/9/0/ar125787616809193.jpg" height="225" alt="Super Computer Boy" width="189" style="margin: 5px; float: right;" />Mission Control and asked him to come over.</p> <p>Richard clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem. As he was walking away, I called after him and asked, "So, what was wrong?".</p> <p>He replied, "It was an ID ten T error." I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, "An ID ten T error? What's that? In case I need to fix it again."</p> <p>Richard grinned, "Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?" "No", I replied. "Write it down", he said, "and I think you'll figure it out."</p> <p>So I wrote down, ID10T.</p> <p>I used to like the little guy.</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:07:37 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1330262/this-is-why-some-animals-eat-their-young http://activerain.com/blogsview/1330240/this-is-why-some-animals-eat-their-young <p>I was having trouble with my computer.&nbsp; So, I called Richard, the 11-year-old next door whose bedroom looks like <img title="Super Computer Boy" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/6/4/0/3/ar12578757730462.jpg" height="225" alt="Super Computer Boy" width="189" style="margin: 5px; float: right;" />Mission Control and asked him to come over.</p> <p>Richard clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem.</p> <p>As he was walking away, I called after him and asked, "So, what was wrong?".</p> <p>He replied, "It was an ID ten T error."</p> <p>I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, "An ID ten T error?&nbsp; What's that?&nbsp; In case I need to fix it again."</p> <p>Richard grinned, "Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?"</p> <p>"No", I replied.</p> <p>"Write it down", he said, "and I think you'll figure it out."</p> <p>So I wrote down, ID10T.</p> <p>I used to like the little guy.</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:57:49 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1330240/this-is-why-some-animals-eat-their-young http://activerain.com/blogsview/1326534/what-every-buyer-should-discuss-before-selecting-an-agent-to-purchase-a-home- <p><p>Carra Riley has written yet another insightful, information-packed blog that I think everyone can benefit by.</p> <p>Thank you, Carra, for being so generous with your knowledge.</p> <p>~Pamela</p></p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1325921/what-every-buyer-should-discuss-before-selecting-an-agent-to-purchase-a-home-">Carra Riley CRB, CRS, GRI (Carra Riley Inc.- Real Estate Consultant, Author, Speaker )</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p><strong>There are&nbsp;four simple reasons the time is right to buy a home NOW! </strong></p> <p><strong>1.</strong>&nbsp; The <strong>inventory</strong> to select from is <strong>high.</strong></p> <p><strong>2.</strong>&nbsp; The <strong>interest rates</strong> are very <strong>affordable.</strong></p> <p><strong>3.&nbsp; </strong>New legislation created a <strong>STIMULUS package</strong> to encourage home sales.</p> <p><strong>4.</strong>&nbsp;The buyers <strong>market could soon be turning</strong> into a sellers market.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="Purple design" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/6/6/0/6/ar125766891960663.jpg" height="240" alt="Purple design" style="margin: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" /></p> <p>On November 6, 2009 the&nbsp;President signed an&nbsp;extension for the&nbsp;<strong>first-time home buyer credit of&nbsp;$8,000.</strong>&nbsp;The legislation also&nbsp;<strong>INCLUDED a move up&nbsp;buyers credit&nbsp;for a&nbsp;$6,500. </strong>&nbsp;With basic principles of supply and demand&nbsp;incorporating the stimulus package, the real estate market should get ready to rock again!&nbsp;Today's buyer&nbsp;is going to receive <strong>financial advantages to BUY NOW.</strong></p> <p>The extension and new credit apply to home <strong>purchases</strong> <strong>occurring between November 6, 2009</strong> and <strong>April 30,</strong> <strong>2010.</strong> Purchases signed by the April 30 deadline have until <strong>July 1, 2010 to close</strong>. Military personnel serving abroad have an extra year, with the tax credit set to expire June 30, 2011.</p> <p><strong>IT MAKES SENSE TO BUY REAL ESTATE NOW!</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>If you are a buyer, looking to connect with a professional Real Estate agent&nbsp;to help you find your dream home, there are a few questions you should ask before deciding <strong>who you want to work with.</strong></p> <p><strong>You should interview an agent&nbsp;you select to&nbsp;work with just like you would if you were hiring an employee to work for you in business.&nbsp; <br /></strong><br /><strong>Knowledge IS power.</strong>&nbsp; As a buyer, you&nbsp;make any&nbsp;sale work.&nbsp; The loan or cash&nbsp;you bring to the transaction enables&nbsp;the&nbsp;closing to take place. <strong>Nothing happens in real estate without a buyer.</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;Working with the right agent is of utmost importance to represent you in the transaction.&nbsp; My suggestion is&nbsp;to <strong>talk to at least three agents to compare and find the one who fits and relates to you and your needs.</strong>&nbsp; <br /><br />Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases most people make in their lives, so connecting with the right individual who you want to make your <strong>Real Estate agent for life</strong> is very important.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Real Estate agent you select&nbsp;to work with could possibly&nbsp;be a friend an confidant&nbsp;for a very&nbsp;long time.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Selecting&nbsp;the agent with the&nbsp;same care you would&nbsp;pick an attorney or account will make your home buying journey much easier.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>Start your&nbsp;agent selection process on the Internet.&nbsp;<img title="puzzle pieces" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/8/0/0/ar12576753400856.jpg" height="200" alt="puzzle" style="float: right; margin: 5px;" width="300" /> </strong></p> <p><strong>Read Real Estate&nbsp;blogs.</strong>&nbsp; See what the agent is talking about and how they present themselves as a professional.&nbsp; See if they know about the area you are interested in and how much information they are sharing with the public. Determine if the person you want to interview&nbsp;looks like an&nbsp;authority in real estate.</p> <p><strong>Google the Real Estate agents&nbsp;name.</strong>&nbsp; See what cyberspace says about the possible candidate.&nbsp;READ all the information.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Check websites.</strong>&nbsp; Look for references and testimonials&nbsp;to select the three candidates you want to interview.&nbsp; Do they have an interactive&nbsp;website&nbsp;site to start looking for homes or a place where you can get free information about the home sale process.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Once you have selected several agents to interview discuss the home sale process and how you fit into the transaction&nbsp;along with&nbsp;how they will work with you and communicate. Below are 12&nbsp;points to start with. </strong></p> <p>Each state may have different variations on&nbsp;regulations with reference to <strong>disclosure of agency</strong> and who a real estate&nbsp;agent works for.&nbsp;Each agent will discuss specific answers to questions based on State Law.</p> <p><strong>1.&nbsp; Discuss agency in your state.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /></strong>Ask the agent&nbsp;to explain buyer agency and seller agency so&nbsp;you understand&nbsp;who works for&nbsp;you and&nbsp;&nbsp;how&nbsp;the&nbsp;representation&nbsp;process works.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; a.&nbsp; Do you sign a buyer agency contract?&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; b.&nbsp; How long is the contract?</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; c.&nbsp; Can the contract be terminated&nbsp;and what are the details. &nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;d.&nbsp; Get a&nbsp;copy and go over&nbsp;ALL of it till you understand what it means. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2.</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Discuss Loan Pre-approval process.</strong></p> <p><strong>As a&nbsp;buyer&nbsp;you should be pre-approved BEFORE you go out to look for a home.</strong>&nbsp; You should not get in the car to even look for a home&nbsp;until you know what you can qualify for. <strong>It would be a waste of everyone's&nbsp;time to contract or start looking&nbsp;for a home if&nbsp;you are&nbsp;not pre-qualified to purchase.</strong> <br /><br /><br /><strong>3.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Discuss property requirement, information.</strong></p> <p>Make a list of what the home MUST have for you to buy and a list of what the extras you&nbsp;LIKE to have.&nbsp; Be realistic in your wants.&nbsp; Describe what the bare minimum you would settle for includes.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; a.&nbsp; <strong>Location:&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp; are schools important?&nbsp; Is public transportation part of the decision? Proximity to family?&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b.&nbsp; <strong>Condition:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; will you take something that needs work?&nbsp; Can you replace carpet or paint?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Do you&nbsp;need something ready to move in?</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; c.&nbsp; <strong>Terms:</strong>&nbsp; Do you need some seller financing or are you pre-qualified for a traditional loan?</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;d.&nbsp; <strong>Home Specifics:</strong>&nbsp; bedrooms, bathrooms, lot size, garage size, zoning, basement, construction, style</p> <p><strong>4.&nbsp; Discuss the sale timing.</strong></p> <p>Do you need to wait for a lease to expire, school to get out or any event which plays a part in your ability to close prior to July 1, 2010. This applies to buyers looking for the current&nbsp;tax credit.</p> <p><strong>5.</strong> <strong>Discuss the showing process.</strong></p> <p>When will you go look at property.&nbsp; How many homes&nbsp;will you look at a time.&nbsp; How will the homes be presented to you before you go to look?&nbsp;Who will show you the homes.</p> <p><strong>6.</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Discuss the offer price determination process.</strong></p> <p>How will the value of the home you selected be evaluated.&nbsp; Will you get a market analysis of the home&nbsp;and information on&nbsp;what is going on in the area?<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br /><strong>7. Discuss the process for the offer to purchase.</strong></p> <p>What are the steps involved in writing an offer.&nbsp; How much earnest money is needed?&nbsp; When will it be deposited?&nbsp;&nbsp;When is an inspection preformed and where do I find an inspector.&nbsp; How long does it take for an answer to the offer?&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>8.&nbsp;Discuss potential&nbsp;property deficiencies.</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>How does the resolution process take place&nbsp;after an inspection?<br /><br /><strong>9.&nbsp; Discuss the loan processing and appraisal.</strong></p> <p>After the contract is accepted and the inspection completed what happens and how active is the agent going to be in the process during that time frame.&nbsp;<br /><br /><strong>10.&nbsp;Discuss Insurance and utilities.</strong></p> <p>How do you select an insurance agent is there a report on the property to aid in obtaining the insurance.&nbsp; What utility changes have to be completed prior to a closing.</p> <p><strong>11.&nbsp; Discuss the closing process. </strong></p> <p>Will closing documents be&nbsp;provided for review a minimum&nbsp;of 3 to&nbsp;5 days prior&nbsp;to close of escrow.&nbsp; Can the buyer discuss closing questions with the&nbsp;Buyer's agent, accountant and/or attorney?</p> <p><strong>12.&nbsp;Discuss the day of closing and possession.</strong></p> <p>Is there a final walk through prior to closing.&nbsp; How long will the seller have to get out of the home? When will the buyer get the keys?&nbsp; How does the title actually transfer?</p> <p><strong>The agents you interview may have much more specific lists for you to review about the buying process.</strong>&nbsp; Some agents will have a professionally prepared presentation on why you should select them and their company&nbsp;to represent you on the purchase of your new home.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Remember, buying a home&nbsp;might be the biggest investment of your life</strong>.&nbsp;&nbsp;Take&nbsp; the decision seriously, select someone you feel comfortable with on a communication level.&nbsp; Do not pick someone&nbsp;who makes you feel uneasy. &nbsp;<strong>Do&nbsp;your Internet homework.</strong> &nbsp;<strong>The transaction cannot take place without you, the buyer!</strong></p> <p><strong>Select a Real Estate Agent for life.</strong>&nbsp; Someone you can trust and create a lasting friendship and working relationship with&nbsp;who you can refer your friends to in the future.&nbsp;Your new Real Estate professional will be there for you when it is time to move again so pick the right one and make the next&nbsp;selling job, easy! &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>You will know the&nbsp;right agent&nbsp;when you meet them.</strong>&nbsp; <strong>You will connect and it will just feel good!</strong>&nbsp;<img title="Real Estate agent" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/4/3/0/8/ar125767553380344.jpg" height="199" alt="Real Estate agent and contract" style="float: right; margin: 5px;" width="300" /></p> <p><strong>The time is right to buy now!&nbsp; </strong></p> <p><strong>Start your search and&nbsp;celebrate the American dream of home ownership!</strong></p><div class="agent_signature"><p><a href="http://www.CosmicCowPie.com" title="Cosmic Cow Pie" target="_blank"><img title="Signature" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/4/1/7/ar12536593271472.jpg" height="66" alt="Carra Signature Large" width="275" style="vertical-align: text-bottom;" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.CosmicCowPie.com" title="Cosmic Cow Pie" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino; font-size: medium;"><strong>Cosmic Cow Pie</strong></span></a></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.CarraRiley.com" title="Carra Riley" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino; font-size: medium;"><strong>Carra Riley</strong></span></a></p></div></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:40:14 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1326534/what-every-buyer-should-discuss-before-selecting-an-agent-to-purchase-a-home- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1321676/web-based-tools-drive-business-growth <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/2/2/3/7/ar125745106873222.jpg" height="225" alt="Online marketing is key to business growth in today's market" width="225" style="float: left;" />Studies have found that <strong>web-based tools drive business growth</strong>.&nbsp; Even through the economic turmoil lately, small businesses are starting to see a turnaround and looking forward to a stronger period of growth in 2010.&nbsp; Traditional marketing methods are still commonplace.&nbsp; But, businesspeople who are expecting to grow their business in the next year are focusing more of their attention to online marketing.&nbsp; What are the best web-based tools to use?&nbsp; Email marketing, social media/networking and search engine marketing.&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li><strong><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank">Email Marketing</a></strong> - This includes newsletters, ezines and contact management.&nbsp; It is important to use email to try to tap those potential clients.&nbsp; But, it's equally important not to lose sight of those past clients who have brought you to the point you are today.&nbsp; Contact management is key for this.&nbsp; Providing up-to-the-minute information about the local real estate market through newsletters and ezines gives past, present and future clients a glimpse of your knowledge and experience.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank">Social Media/Networking</a></strong> - Gone are the days where the only people you meet and interact with are the&nbsp;people in your local community.&nbsp;&nbsp;Social media has redefined "networking" on a global scale.&nbsp; Networking with others on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Plaxo, etc. allows you to reach out with other colleagues as well as current and potential clients.&nbsp; This is especially important when you consider that the three major search engines (Yahoo!, Google and Bing) have&nbsp;determined that social media is so important, they need to crawl Twitter&nbsp;to keep up-to-date on the latest news.&nbsp; Social&nbsp;media is not a fad...it's here to stay.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank">Search Engine Marketing</a></strong> - With more and more buyers turning to the internet to find their next home, you want your website to be the one they see.&nbsp; Marketing your site to the search engines will help you rise in the searches for your relevant keywords and help drive traffic to your site and you.</li> </ol> <p>In today's economic climate, it's important to <strong>use web-based tools to drive your business growth</strong>.&nbsp; If you need help with your email, search engine or social media marketing, <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Contact_Us.html" target="_blank">please contact me</a> today.&nbsp; We make it our business to make your business shine.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><strong>Pamela Cendejas, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!</strong></a></p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:58:19 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1321676/web-based-tools-drive-business-growth http://activerain.com/blogsview/1310176/how-to-use-google-maps-on-your-website-or-blog <p style="text-align: center;">In a continuing effort to keep <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank">my real estate clients</a> and others "in the know" with the latest and greatest, I have stumbled upon a fantastic tool that Google has created to help make your website and blog even more visually appealing and engage your reader.&nbsp; Have you ever wondered <strong>how you could use Google Maps on your website or blog</strong>?&nbsp; Google has made it easy as pie to add a&nbsp;street map, satellite map or even a street view map of&nbsp;single&nbsp;and&nbsp;multiple addresses to your website or blog.&nbsp; You can even create a&nbsp;widget that allows people to get detailed directions right to your office.</p> <p><strong>To create a map for one location:</strong></p> <ol> <li>Search for the location on <a href="http://maps.google.com" target="_blank">Maps.Google.com</a>.</li> <li>Specify which type of map you want: Street Map or Satellite Map.&nbsp; If you want the street view map, you can click on the Pegman icon above the map scale and drag it over to the address you want the street view of.</li> <li>Click on the "link" tab&nbsp;in the upper right corner of the map.&nbsp; </li> <li>If you would like to customize the size, you can click the "Customize and preview embedded map" link located directly below the html code.</li> <li>Copy/paste html code into blog or website.</li> </ol> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/6/3/9/0/ar125685635409364.jpg" height="332" alt="Google Maps' satellite view of Second Self Virtual Assistance" width="342" /></p> <p><strong>To create a map for multiple locations (great for pointing out sites of local community interest):</strong></p> <ol> <li>Login to your Google account.&nbsp; If you don't have a Google account, you can create one for free.</li> <li>Go to <a href="http://maps.google.com" target="_blank">Maps.Google.com</a>.</li> <li>Click on the "My Maps" link located directly below the Google Maps icon on the left hand side of the screen.</li> <li>Click the "Get Started" button located below the video tutorial.</li> <li>Click on the little blue balloon icon located in the upper left section of the map.</li> <li>Place blue balloon icon where address of 1st location is and click left mouse button to set it.</li> <li>Name the icon and add description.</li> <li>Repeat steps 5-6 for remaining locations.</li> <li>When finished placing all locations, click "Save" and "Done".</li> <li>Click "Link" tab at upper right hand corner of map.</li> <li>Follow the rest of the steps in creating a map for one location above.</li> </ol> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/2/2/8/2/ar125685642928225.jpg" height="336" alt="Google Maps' multiple locations map in Lake Havasu City, AZ" width="348" /></p> <p><strong>To create widget for clients to get directions to your office (or open house):</strong></p> <ol> <li>Go to Google Maps' <a href="http://maps.google.com/help/maps/gadgets/directions/#utm_campaign=en&amp;utm_medium=lp&amp;utm_source=en-lp-na-us-mapslanding" target="_blank">landing page</a>.</li> <li>Click "Add gadget to your site" button.</li> <li>Type in the end address (either your office address or the address of the open house) in the Gadget Settings area.</li> <li>Customize display settings if necessary.</li> <li>Click "Preview Changes" button to make sure it looks alright.</li> <li>Click "Get the Code" button to get the html code for your blog or website.</li> <li>Copy/paste html code into your blog or website.</li> </ol> <p>Any of these maps&nbsp;can be used in a variety of ways for so many different things <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank">on your website</a>.&nbsp; Use the multiple location map to <strong>show where ALL your listings are located</strong>, create a walking tour of local attractions or even list the best dining/shopping, etc. in the area so that <strong>you REALLY look like a local expert</strong>.&nbsp; The directions widget will help anyone be able to <strong>find your office or open house without any trouble at all</strong>.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Contact_Us.html" target="_blank">Let me know</a> if there is anything I can help you with.&nbsp; <strong>Google Maps can be of great use on your website or blog</strong>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><strong>Pamela Cendejas, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!</strong></a></p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:47:32 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1310176/how-to-use-google-maps-on-your-website-or-blog http://activerain.com/blogsview/1310333/colonoscopy-journal <p>This Colonoscopy Journal was written by Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist Dave Berry.&nbsp; I thought this group would enjoy reading it as much as I did.</p> <p><strong>Colonoscopy Journal</strong>: I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make an appointment for a colonoscopy. A few days later, in his office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Minneapolis. Then Andy explained the colonoscopy procedure to me in a thorough, reassuring and patient manner. I nodded thoughtfully, but I didn't really hear anything he said, because my brain was shrieking, 'HE'S GOING TO STICK A TUBE 17,000 FEET UP YOUR BEHIND!'</p> <p>I left Andy's office with some written instructions, and a prescription for a product called 'MoviPrep,' which comes in a box large enough to hold a microwave oven. I will discuss MoviPrep in detail later; for now suffice it to say that we must never allow it to fall into the hands of America 's enemies. I spent the next several days productively sitting around being nervous. Then, on the day before my colonoscopy, I began my preparation.</p> <p>In accordance with my instructions, I didn't eat any solid food that day; all I had was chicken broth, which is basically water, only with less flavor. Then, in the evening, I took the MoviPrep. You mix two packets of powder together in a one-liter plastic jug, then you fill it with lukewarm water. (For those unfamiliar with the metric system, a liter is about 32 gallons). Then you have to drink the whole jug. This takes about an hour, because MoviPrep tastes - and here I am being kind - like a mixture of goat piss and urinal cleanser, with just a hint of lemon. The instructions for MoviPrep, clearly written by somebody with a great sense of humor, state that after you drink it, 'a loose, watery bowel movement may result.' This is kind of like saying that after you jump off your roof, you may experience contact with the ground. MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. I don't want to be too graphic, here, but, have you ever seen a space-shuttle launch? This is pretty much the MoviPrep experience, with you as the shuttle. There are times when you wish the commode had a seat belt. You spend several hours pretty much confined to the bathroom, spurting violently. You eliminate everything. And then, when you figure you must be totally empty, you have to drink another liter of MoviPrep, at which point, as far as I can tell, your bowels travel into the future and start eliminating food that you have not even eaten yet.</p> <p>After an action-packed evening, I finally got to sleep. The next morning my wife drove me to the clinic. I was very nervous. Not only was I worried about the procedure, but I had been experiencing occasional return bouts of MoviPrep spurtage. I was thinking, 'What if I spurt on Andy?' How do you apologize to a friend for something like that? Flowers would not be enough.</p> <p>At the clinic I had to sign many forms acknowledging that I understood and totally agreed with whatever the heck the forms said. Then they led me to a room full of other colonoscopy people, where I went inside a little curtained space and took off my clothes and put on one of those hospital garments designed by sadist perverts, the kind that, when you put it on, makes you feel even more naked than when you are actually naked.. Then a nurse named Eddie put a little needle in a vein in my left hand. Ordinarily I would have fainted, but Eddie was very good, and I was already lying down. Eddie also told me that some people put vodka in their MoviPrep. At first I was ticked off that I hadn't thought of this, but then I pondered what would happen if you got yourself too tipsy to make it to the bathroom, so you were staggering around in full Fire Hose Mode. You would have no choice but to burn your house.</p> <p>When everything was ready, Eddie wheeled me into the procedure room, where Andy was waiting with a nurse and an anesthesiologist. I did not see the 17,000-foot tube, but I knew Andy had it hidden around there somewhere. I was seriously nervous at this point. Andy had me roll over on my left side, and the anesthesiologist began hooking something up to the needle in my hand. There was music playing in the room, and I realized that the song was 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA. I remarked to Andy that, of all the songs that could be playing during this particular procedure, 'Dancing Queen' had to be the least appropriate. 'You want me to turn it up?' said Andy, from somewhere behind me. 'Ha ha,' I said. And then it was time, the moment I had been dreading for more than a decade.</p> <p>If you are squeamish, prepare yourself, because I am going to tell you, in explicit detail, exactly what it was like. I have no idea. Really. I slept through it. One moment, ABBA was yelling 'Dancing Queen, feel the beat of the tambourine,' and the next moment, I was back in the other room, waking up in a very mellow mood. Andy was looking down at me and asking me how I felt. I felt excellent. I felt even more excellent when Andy told me that It was all over, and that my colon had passed with flying colors. I have never been prouder of an internal organ.</p> <p>On the subject of Colonoscopies... Colonoscopies are no joke, but these comments during the exam were quite humorous..... A physician claimed that the following are actual comments made by his patients (predominately male) while he was performing their colonoscopies:</p> <p>1. 'Take it easy, Doc. You're boldly going where no man has gone before!'</p> <p>2. 'Find Amelia Earhart yet?'</p> <p>3. 'Can you hear me NOW?'</p> <p>4. 'Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?'</p> <p>5. 'You know, in Arkansas , we're now legally married.'</p> <p>6. 'Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?'</p> <p>7. 'You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out...'</p> <p>8. 'Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!'</p> <p>9. 'If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!'</p> <p>10. 'Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity.'</p> <p>11. 'You used to be an executive at Enron, didn't you?'</p> <p>12. 'God, now I know why I am not gay.' And the VERY best one of all:</p> <p>13. 'Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is not up there?'</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:49:56 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1310333/colonoscopy-journal http://activerain.com/blogsview/1304102/realtors-do-you-know-the-answer-to-this-dilemna- <p>Realtors - Do You know the Answer to this Dilemna?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It's official - I'm moving. It's something my husband and I have been comtemplating for several months. Since I'm not a huge fast food fan, I was wondering about easy make-ahead meals that we could make while in this transition. Going to a dine-in restaurant takes too much time. So, that's ruled out, too.</p> <p>To find answers, the first thing I thought of was realtors. Surely, I'm not the only person a real estate agent has worked with who wondered about this. Sure, there's lots of other stuff to handle, utilities transfers, packing up (for me that includes moving an entire office), moving, change of address, etc. But I think this might be an area that's been overlooked.</p> <p>Can you help?</p> <ul> <li>Have you created a Moving Tips Report that includes the mealtime dilema? <br /></li> <li>Do you have a recipe or two that would make a move a little easier? <br /></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;I think Realtors are really smart and creative. So, I'd love to hear from you.</p> <p>Thank you and Bon Appetit!</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:08:28 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1304102/realtors-do-you-know-the-answer-to-this-dilemna- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1304079/realtors-do-you-know-the-answer-to-this-dilemna- <p>It's official - I'm moving.&nbsp; It's something my husband and I have been comtemplating for several months.&nbsp; Since I'm not a huge fast food fan, I was wondering about easy make-ahead meals that we could make while in this transition.&nbsp; Going to a dine-in restaurant takes too much time.&nbsp; So, that's ruled out, too.</p> <p>To find answers, the first thing I thought of was realtors.&nbsp; Surely, I'm not the only person a real estate agent has worked with who wondered about this.&nbsp; Sure, there's lots of other stuff to handle, utilities transfers, packing up (for me that includes moving an entire office), moving, change of address, etc.&nbsp; But I think this might be an area that's been overlooked.</p> <p>Can you help?&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Have you created a Moving Tips Report that includes the mealtime dilema?</li> <li>Do you have a recipe or two that would make a move a little easier?</li> </ul> <p>I think Realtors are really smart and creative.&nbsp; So, I'd love to hear from you.</p> <p>Thank you and Bon Appetit!</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:01:02 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1304079/realtors-do-you-know-the-answer-to-this-dilemna- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1299118/dangerous-chocolate-cake-review <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The good news is that I met my goal of making <strong><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1294603/world-s-most-dangerous-chocolate-cake" title="The World's Most Dangerous Chocolate Cake" target="_blank">The World's Most Dangerous Chocolate Cake</a></strong> before the week ended.</p> <p>The bad news is that it didn't quite measure up to the hype.&nbsp;</p> <p>Here's the good:</p> <ul> <li>Very Chocolatey</li> <li>Very Easy</li> <li>Basic Ingredients Found in Every Pantry</li> <li>Super Fast to Make</li> <li>Minimum Clean-Up</li> <li>Great with Ice-Cream</li> </ul> <p>Here's the not-so-good:</p> <ul> <li>Cake gets tough as it cools</li> </ul> <p>Since the good list really considerably outweighs the not-so-good list , I would recommend it.&nbsp; To remove the not-so-good item from the list - eat it hot!&nbsp; That's not so hard, is it?</p> <p>If you have tried the World's Most Dangerous Chocolate Cake, please leave your review.</p> <p>Now, I'm off to try Shoshana Shay's <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1297070/microwave-chocolate-polenta" title="Microwave Chocolate Polenta" target="_blank">Microwave Chocolate Polenta</a>!</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:52:47 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1299118/dangerous-chocolate-cake-review http://activerain.com/blogsview/1297857/bing-microsoft-recognizes-importance-of-social-networking <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/8/8/2/8/ar125623058182886.jpg" height="210" alt="Microsoft recognizes the importance of social networking in search engines." width="197" style="float: left; margin: 5px; border: black 1px solid;" />Can you hear it?&nbsp; "Bing!"&nbsp; That's the sound of the lightbulb going off over Microsoft's head.&nbsp; <strong>Microsoft has recognized the power of social networking.</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;This computer software&nbsp;giant&nbsp;just announced that <strong>it will start adding status updates from both <a href="http://www.facebook.com/realestatevirtualassistance" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/secondself" target="_blank">Twitter</a> in real-time to its own search site Bing</strong>.&nbsp; Google has already responded by announcing that they, too, have signed a deal with Twitter to index updates in real time on their search site.</p> <p>Twitter has begun to gain a&nbsp;valuable reputation for its use of real-time information.&nbsp; Many times, <strong>news breaks first on Twitter before it even hits the major news&nbsp;sources</strong>, which is well ahead of search engines chiming in.&nbsp; Yahoo!&nbsp;has seen&nbsp;the value in Twitter updates.&nbsp; It&nbsp;created <strong>TweetNews</strong>, which ranks its news stories based on real-time posts on Twitter.</p> <p>It's nice to see that&nbsp;the search engines are beginning to understand the importance of social networking.&nbsp; I'm still baffled by those in the <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank">real estate industry</a> that don't see what a valuable tool this is.&nbsp; Don't be left behind.&nbsp; <strong>Let this be your "lightbulb moment".</strong>&nbsp; Get onboard the Twitter train today.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><strong>Pamela Cendejas, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!</strong></a></p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:56:46 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1297857/bing-microsoft-recognizes-importance-of-social-networking http://activerain.com/blogsview/1294618/the-world-s-most-dangerous-chocolate-cake <p>A friend of mine just emailed the following recipe to me. I haven't tried it yet but apparently you can create a chocolate cake for one in about five minutes.</p> <p>Sounds like a dream come true for chocoholics! If you give this a try, let me know if you liked it or recommend it.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE</strong><img title="World's Most Dangerous Chocolate Cake" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/7/4/0/1/ar125606653510479.jpg" height="335" alt="World's Most Dangerous Chocolate Cake" width="300" style="margin: 5px; float: right;" /></p> <p>4 tablespoons flour</p> <p>4 tablespoons sugar</p> <p>2 tablespoons cocoa</p> <p>1 egg 3 tablespoons milk</p> <p>3 tablespoons oil</p> <p>3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)</p> <p>A small splash of vanilla extract</p> <p>1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)</p> <p>Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.</p> <p>The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).</p> <p><strong>And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?</strong> Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/0/6/7/ar125562580476082.png" alt="Visit Second Self's website" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Real_Estate_Services.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/8/3/2/1/ar125562583712387.png" alt="Find out what services Second Self offers" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/code_of_ethics.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/6/7/ar125562587276656.png" alt="Second Self's business philosophy" width="188" height="26" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Opinions_Matter.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/2/4/ar125562590542451.png" alt="Our clients' opinions matter" width="188" height="26" /></a>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/2/6/1/ar125562594316214.png" alt="Frequently Asked Questions" width="188" height="26" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY"><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="border:0" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" /></span></a><a title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/activerain/ohWY" target="_new"><span style="font-size: small;">Subscribe in a reader</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinksecondself.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html" target="_blank"><img usemap="#M03z9xc" src="http://1unv.com/03z9xcs" border="0" alt="Click Here" width="549" height="281" /></a> <map name="M03z9xc"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcE"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,23,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,0,198,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39" href="http://1unv.com/0d5q0w"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,0,389,39"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281" href="http://1unv.com/i4fqio"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="23,237,198,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281" href="http://1unv.com/98sq9s"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="198,237,390,281"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcX"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,0,549,24"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcY"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,24,549,144"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264" href="http://1unv.com/03z9xcZ"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="389,144,549,264"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281" href="http://1unv.com/z1qyv4"></area> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,549,281"></area> </map> &nbsp;</p></div> Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance) Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:24:46 -0500 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1294618/the-world-s-most-dangerous-chocolate-cake