The Consumer Salon

It is one thing for a particular individual or organization to give their extras to charity, quite another when they give not the excess but what is hard-earned money especially during times of crisis.

2008 will be a year written in history as one of the most economically crippling across all professions and industries, but more so for non-profit institutions. However, several companies have proven themselves truer to their philanthropic commitment than most. Bellevue, Washington-based information commerce authority, Intelius, is of that rare variety.

Chief executive officer and co-founder Naveen Jain stated it best when he said that an unprecedented number of Americans are in need. This made him realize his responsibility of helping out especially when others are forced to step back because of the economic crisis. Driven by his and wife Anu’s philosophy of generously giving back, Intelius has provided both financial and non-monetary aid to several institutions.

Among the recipients in 2008 are healthcare, children, youth, family, hunger, and education-focused groups. The most prominent names in Intelius’ list include Overlake Service League, Children Rights & You, United Way, HopeLink, Tree House, Children’s Hospital, America India Foundation, Seattle Art Museum, Vedic Cultural Center, Bellevue Boys and Girls Club, Bellevue School Foundation and Eastside Domestic Violence Program. For Seattle Foundation, the couple created the Anu and Naveen Jain Fund to support its community programs.

For 2008, the tally went as high as $210,000 for local and national institutions. Beyond merely doling out support, Intellius also makes it a point to develop a company culture that promotes giving. Its plans for 2009 include matching up to a considerable $250 of any amount an employee chooses to give to a qualified charitable organization. Another innovative and effective program that involves the employees in Intellius’ efforts is paid leaves when one wants to volunteer with a charity.

Have you realized online readers love useful information? The good news is you have useful information people are searching for. Sometimes, its information they already know; they just want it an easy concise manner to follow step by step. This is where your how-tos, problem/solution articles enter.

Focus on solving one problem or explaining one how-to in each article. Implement the following tips and you will be admitted to the winner’s circle of frequently published article writers:

6) Know your audience’s purpose and focus your article’s purpose just for them.

Author’s Tip: To make your copy even more attractive, personable and compelling. Choose a friend or family member to write instructions or how to just for them. Have this person in mind as you write.

7) Write a thesis and outline with 5-6 major points you want to illustrate before you write.

Compose your thesis before you write using 1-2 sentences. Then write with it nearby so that your article will always stay on track to answer the problem presented in your article.

Compose each paragraph of about 4 standard sentences (15-17 words.)

To power punch your copy, write 1-2 short sentences. One paragraph contains approximately 100 words.

10) Create 4-6 paragraphs from your outline.

Write compelling paragraphs that support your thesis, explain and give examples. Use action words and colorful nouns. Cut the passive voice. Your result will be copy that is easy to read because its focus is tight and active.

11) Review and self-edit your article.

To tighten and shorten your copy, shorten examples. Cut redundant sentences. Use bullets to clarify. Cut superfluous adjectives, adverbs, and words like “that”. Use active 1-2 syllable words for readable compelling copy.

Finally, include a short summary. Don’t leave your readers hanging. Write only a sentence or two to sum things up. Point out the benefits of your information. Use the Speedway Formula to article writing and publish faster so your prospects and clients will read them and buy from you.

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Earma Brown, 11-year author, entrepreneur and web developer eBk: Article Speedway – Put Your Articles in the Fast Lane to Sales Helps small business owners, infopreneurs and writers create effective articles. Send any email to easyarticles@articlespeedway.com to receive free 7 lesson mini-course Put Your Articles on the Speedway to Success and free article creator software or visit http://www.articlespeedway.com for more article writing resources.

What’s an article anyway, and why would I want to submit one to an ezine? That was a two-fold question and will require two answers.

An ezine article is usually composed of approximately 500 words on a single subject that would be of interest to your target market. At the end of the article, you should include a “resource box.” This box should provide such things as your name, the name of your company, your web site address, email address, and a small blurb about your product/service.

Writing an article is not hard work. All it requires is some research and note taking. Use any of multiple sources to find information about the topic that you choose to write about. Then write your article in your own words using the notes that you took during your research. It’s not difficult and it’s something that you learned to do early in school (grade school probably). Write in a conversational tone. Write like you are talking to your best friend.

Now, I’ll answer the second question. The reasons to submit this article to an ezine are varied, but not difficult to understand. They all boost your bottom line.

1. The submission of the article will help identify your business (web site) in the Internet marketplace. This is normally called “branding.”

2. Article submission provides publicity, virtually free.

3. Someone may like your writing style and hire you to write articles or ebooks for them.

4. The published article will drive traffic to your web site.

5. If the publisher of the ezine that you submit your article to maintains an archive, your article may be read many months later. Traffic may still be driven to your site this way.

6. People will come to know you as an expert on your subject.

7. You might get your article published in free ebooks that are distributed all over the web. This will drive more traffic to your web site.

8. This will help you become a trusted vendor of information.

9. If you allow anyone to publish your article or email it to a friend, you will gain further exposure for free.

10. Webmasters may read your article and display it on their web site. You get additional free exposure.

11. If you send out an ezine, you could offer to swap articles with other ezine publishers for free. This provides more publicity without expense.

So, there are quite a few benefits that you could receive from publishing small articles like this one. If that isn’t enough reasons for publishing your own articles, I don’t know what else you’d need. Don’t forget to provide enough valuable information. The more knowledge you supply, the more valuable you become. Provide real value and you will always have people clamoring for more.

Legal Requirements

• Bodily Injury Liability: $10,000/$20,000 Limit
• Property Damage Liability: $10,000 Limit

Florida is a no-fault state. The conventions of a no-fault auto insurance system state that the insurer covers the costs for damages resulting from an accident no matter who created the accident. These specific rules change by state. Quarrels over who is are diminished with this kind of system, but simultaneously, Florida drivers give up some of their legal rights to sue the other parties involved.

To facilitate payment for the expenses incurred from an automobile accident, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is included in your insurance coverage. Florida law requires a minimum Personal Injury Protection (PIP) auto insurance coverage of $10,000 for a single person and $20,000 for all people involved.

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury insurance coverage is for when you are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have a Florida auto insurance policy at all, or doesn’t have enough insurance policy to compensate for related expenses. Underinsured Motorist insurance policy is not obligatory in the state of Florida, but if you don’t purchase it and are in an accident with an underinsured motorist, you may wind up paying for all of the medical expenses.

The mean insurance premium for Florida motorists was $1,104 in 2003; the United States average was $914. Some people believe Florida and auto insurance companies determine the rates, so they don’t watch for lower rates. Auto insurance companies divide their rates differently so an individual’s rate will vary with each company. Shopping around at insurance comparison sites can assist you find more affordable rates. One way of getting lower auto insurance is to employ auto insurance comparison sites. These websites will allow you promptly receive and compare rate quotes from a bunch of insurers.

In 2007, average auto insurance saw their first lessening in about 8 years. 2007 had a .5% to 1% fall in insurance rates from 2006. However, the next year in 2008, insurance costs were again going up and continued to do so through the first half of 2009.

Insurance websites help shoppers lower rates of their insurance policy. They bring competition instantly to the consumer and lower your rates using the internet! Employing the web can help you check if you’re paying too much for insurance and if you can receive special offers.