Donnette

Due to the popularity and ease of use of digital cameras, they are everywhere. They are showing up at all the usual places and some disturbing places as well, such as romantically lit restaurants and lounges. More disturbing are the cell phone cameras, which can be quite stealthy no matter where they are.

If someone takes a picture, whether its of you or of someone else and you are also inadvertently (or intentionally?) included, where do you think your privacy rights end and are there any limits to what the photographer can do with that picture?

Lets say you are with a person of the opposite sex, this person could be a client, financial planner, a coach, cousin or insurance salesperson, you get the idea, not your spouse, and someone includes you in a picture. Many pictures end up on the internet today, some in private blogs and some on public websites where people compare and swap their pictures with other amateur photographers. How keen are you on explaining to co-workers, family members or even your spouse what was going on?

Professional photographers are very good at obscuring non-subject items in pictures using aperture (depth of field), light and focus, but amateurs just point and shoot. Should these amateurs be permitted to post these pictures of you on the net or do you feel there should be some restrictions in place to protect you.

I am assuming you are a moral and ethical person, but do you like the idea of having pictures of you posted on these internet swap meets and blogs? How far do you think you should be able to go if someone does post a questionable picture of you and someone else? Do you think these amateur photographers should be held to a higher standard as to what they can do with pictures of people from whom they have not obtained a release?

I have seen pictures on the internet that would embarrass me to no end (if I were stupid enough to do what those people were doing) and I cannot believe the photographer had permission to post such stuff, either. Do you believe there should be more control, or am I just too sensitive?

I hope I got you thinking

JW

Jw has been taking pictures for over fifty years and has graduated from both photography and art schools. He recently went online to help people who were struggling with digital cameras and photography in general. His blog address is: http://www.digitalphotographing.com/blog/?cat=7 and he would like to read your comments. His email address is admin@digitalphotographing.com. Although he may use your comments in future articles, he will give you credit unless you wish to remain anonymous.

A lot of groups want to accept credit card donations or fundraising auction payments online, but don't know how to do it. There are three main ways to accept payments online: use PayPal, use a nonprofit credit card processing service, or get your own merchant account.

PayPal
PayPal is by far the easiest way to handle credit card processing for donations and auction payments. Why? Because they are a division of eBay, the world's largest auction company.

With PayPal, you register for an account using an email address that will serve as the access point for your account. You verify the email address by clicking a link in an email sent by PayPal and your account is operational.

Most groups will want to set up a Business Account with PayPal so they can wire their funds from PayPal to their checking account. PayPal requires you to verify your bank account information by making a small deposit to your account and having you confirm the amount deposited.

Within PayPal, you select Merchant Services and then Donations, then enter some basic information that enable you to track your donations. Then, you select one of four donation buttons to use on your website. That's all it takes!

Accepting online payments for fundraising auction items is just as simple. All you need to do is email your winning bidder a PayPal payment link for their purchase. They don't need to have a PayPal account, just a Visa, MasterCard, or other valid credit card.

Nonprofit Credit Card Processing
For handling larger volumes of credit card transactions on a regular basis, you'll want to step up to a more robust platform. The good news is that there are several companies who provide credit card processing for nonprofits at very reasonable rates.

Network For Good is one organization that I highly recommend. They handle everything for a low monthly fee of $29.95 and 3% of total donations.

You can customize your donation pages to match your website and have tax-deductible receipts emailed automatically. In addition, they also handle recurring donations.

Other solutions blend in with donor management software such as DonorPerfect so you can track donations and follow up in the future with each donor's history on file.

Merchant Account Credit Card Service
Let me start off by saying that there is no such thing as a free merchant account. There are always costs involved and anyone claiming to provide a free merchant account is only shifting those costs into other fees and higher processing charges.

Your best bet is usually your own bank. Larger banks offer merchant accounts at competitive rates and they are already familiar with your organization. Still, there is an awful lot of paperwork involved in setting up merchant account credit card services, so be prepared to spend a couple of hours filling out the forms.

You should also know that banks and credit card companies charge much higher transaction fees for so-called internet merchant accounts. That's because there is a higher incidence in fraudulent purchases in online transactions.

It won't make any difference to them that your transactions are mostly nonprofit donations. You're still tarred with the same broad brush of high risk, even though you're accepting credit card donations!

You can shop around and compare rate structures and upfront costs, but it's a buyer beware situation. Your final rates aren't set until the underwriting department of the merchant account provider assesses your risk level.

In addition, a board member or top executive may have to provide a personal guarantee to cover potential chargebacks after payment has already been released to your bank account.

One main advantage of having your own merchant account is the ability to process credit card payments onsite at a charity event. That greatly simplifies running a large silent auction or live auction fundraiser.

Accept Credit Card Donations Summary
It makes sense to accept donations on your website. PayPal makes it simple for even the smallest of groups to accept credit cards online.

Network For Good and similar organizations provide a transitional platform that allows growing nonprofit groups to present a more professional donation system, including tax receipts and recurring payments.

Having your own merchant account service is the final step for the largest organizations. Installation may be more complex than you think because your payment processing needs to be integrated with all your other systems.

Whichever one you choose, keep the donor's needs paramount and you'll be pleased with the increased flow of donations.

Kimberly Reynolds writes for national publications about nonprofit fund raising, how to accept credit card donations for your fundraiser, and nonprofit fundraiser events. Find more school fund raiser ideas on her website, FundraiserHelp.com

Doctor, are you constantly asking your staff to show you the money, read on.

A doctor not only treats patients for their various physical needs but runs a business at the same time. Doctors have large overhead expenses. They pay rent, salaries, utilities, medical supplies and many other expenses. They also have to maintain their own private family home and family expenses.

Have you noticed that single practice doctors are now mostly in the past. Multiple doctors networking together is now what is expected. This cuts down on some of the overhead.

Since HMO's and other insurance plans have taken over medical insurance for most people, the medical doctor also has to change. For instance, remember the days when you actually had ten(10) minutes with the doctor. Now you may only have five (5)minutes.

The reason is money. HMO's and other insurance companies have cut the reimbursement to doctors. The doctor has to make up the difference in revenue by seeing patients in volume.

Many older doctors are now retiring thanks to HMO's and other insurance plans. The doctors are confused and angry with the change in medical care. When they went to medical school, it did not include fighting with insurance companies for medical care for their patients.

Doctors do ever wonder why your office is not bringing in as much revenue as it should? Read on.

I worked in several doctors offices over the years and I have been a patient in many. As a patient, I always observe the receptionist. I watch the interchange between the receptionist and the patients as they come up to the window to check in. Is the receptionist courteous and polite to the patient?

RECEPTIONISTS RESPONSIBILITIES:

(1) Be aware of money owed by the patient from a previous visit.

(2) Collect co pays.

(3) Make sure the patient has given you the correct insurance information. Call the insurance company and find out if the deductible has been met for the year or if there is a co pay owed.

(4) If a cash patient make sure you collect the money before the patient leaves the office.

If an arrangement has been made between the office and the patient to pay part now and part later, make sure the patient is well aware of this before they vanish forever into the sunset.

(5) Make a copy of the front and back of the insurance card.

(6) If the patient needs a referral or authorization make sure it is in the chart ahead of time. Going back and trying to get a retro leads to more paperwork and an angry patient.

(7) Make sure you have the patients correct address.

(8) Answers the phone and makes appointments.

RECEPTIONISTS multitask constantly though out the day. They have an important job. They are the spokesperson for the doctor. When a patient checks in or out of the office is when the money is collected from the patient. It can easily be missed.

MEDICAL INSURANCE BILLING:

(1) Send the claim form out correctly the first time to the medical insurance company. Take the time to check it over and make sure all information has been keyed into the computer correctly.

(2) If a mistake was made and you receive and Explanation of Benefits (EOB) back requesting medical records or whatever is needed to get the claim paid, do it immediately. This will cut down on the number of angry patient calls to you.

Billers you may not like the piles of denied Explanation of Benefits you receive back from the insurance companies but they are pure gold for getting the claim paid. The balance is usually the patients responsibility.

THE DOCTORS RESPONSIBILITY:

Sometimes, the workload is so heavy the biller gets stressed and frustrated and feels trapped. When this happens maybe, another person is needed to divide the workload.

The doctor needs to take a good look at how smoothly the office is running. How efficient is the receptionist in multitasking and collecting the money.

The doctors today need to be well informed on medical insurance and the various plans. This way the doctor can treat their patients according to what their medical plan will allow.

If during the doctors visit the patient needs an unexpected procedure etc., the procedure should be authorized with the insurance company before the procedure is performed. By treating the patient before the authorization is obtained, the doctor may not get paid for the procedure.

The explanation of benefits (EOB) from the insurance company will be denied for the reason. Not a covered benefit or no prior authorization.

The doctor must take a more active role in the running of the office and be aware of all the medical billing nightmares that pop up and why they happen.

DOCTOR - FIND THE HIDDEN MONEY SITTING IN YOUR COMPUTER:

Many times there are claims ready to be paid by the insurance company, the insurance biller must be trained to handle problem accounts.

The easiest way to find the hidden money is to run a print out of all your open accounts.

(l) Have they been followed up?

(2) Look at all the Explanation of Benefits denials that are probably stacked on a desk. This is a very good way to get a handle on what is actually happening to your money!

(3) Sometimes, all it takes is an appeal by phone or by letter to start communication once again with the insurance company.

These are some suggestions to look at in finding hidden money. This entire article can start revenue flying into your office.

Sometimes, all it takes is a kind word, a hand shake while saying, "good job" to your staff to motivate them into zoom mode and get the job done!

Today doctors and patients are trapped in escalating medical costs. What do we do about it? How can we change this?

WHEN THE MEDICAL INSURANCE SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK:

We start with the local, state and on to federal government.

EVERYBODY NEEDS MEDICAL CARE! I will repeat. EVERYBODY NEEDS MEDICAL CARE! Did you hear me in Washington. If the system doesn't work. CHANGE IT!

Please let me hear from you on this article or any of my other articles.

If you have a question on your medical bill when you have insurance check out my article listed below:

Horrifying Medical Bills With Insurance! Fight Back!

If you don't have medical insurance check out my article listed below:

When I Don't Have Medical Insurance! What Do I Do?

Everybody is entitled to medical care. Do you hear that Washington. If the system we have doesn't work. Change It!

Copyright 2006 Linda Meckler

I have worked in many doctors offices and what I have written is my observations. I have now become a published author of my first book "Ghost Kids Trilogy" a first of its kind adventure. Love, Family Values, and Charity burst off the pages. This is 3 books in 1 book. For ages 8-14 to adult.(Book 1) Ghost Kids: 2 real children and 2 Ghost Kids team up to get the Ghost Kids back to their parents. (Book 2) Blue Vase Mystery: Uncle Charlie the villain of the book is trapped in a magical blue vase. He wants out of the vase. In return he will tell the children where Pirates' Treasure is buried in their house. (Book 3) Pirates' Treasure-the hunt- Go on a treasure hunt with the children.

Check my website http://www.lmeckler.com My email lmecky@tns.net ISBN0-7414-2273-5. http://www.amazon.com or Infinity Publishing or http://www.buybooksontheweb.com With an order of 5 books = 40% discount. With an order of 20 book free shipping and handling.

Broadband or Internet phones function like real phones but convert voice into digital signals that are then conveyed over the Internet. The technology used is termed as, VoIP, Voice over Internet Protocol. Less expensive than regular phone services broadband phone services offer caller ID, call waiting, voice mail, call filters, hunt facilities, as well as conferencing.

Broadband phone services need a high-speed Internet connection and do work with wireless ISPs. However, there are still concerns over voice quality, reliability, and security. The advantages are:

Great savings in phone bills especially in long distance calling.

Choice of area code and addition of other inbound numbers for a small fee. This means you can have local numbers in multiple area codes around the country.

The option of a second full service line at low cost with unlimited long distance service. Can be used as a voice or fax line.

Availability of comprehensive on-line control over call forwarding, time of forwarding or number forwarded to. E-mail notifications, voice mail messages or e-mail or voice mail, can all be arranged.

One can access voice mail by taking along the phone adapter from hotels, offices, internet cafes, and so on. The VoiP service can travel with you.

VoIP can work with:

A home office PC in which the software is loaded along with a headset or specialized broadband phone connected to the PC. Advantages of software based VoIP are that it allows integration with other software, offers lowest calling rates, uses existing hardware, utilizes few power connection, and needs little space. Disadvantages are that the system needs the computer on at all times, cannot use existing telephone equipment, and blocks valuable computer resources.

Or

With an adapter box that links the high speed net modem and the home office network or PC. Advantages of this are that it functions independently of the computer, uses landline equipment, allows vendor control of adaptor support and programming. Disadvantages are that it is not compatible with computer software, needs space and power outlets, and lends limited control. The new technology is provided by many companies like AT&T CallVantage, Broad Voice, BroadVox, Lingo, PacketB, and Vonage. The approximate costs are from US$ 14.95 to US$ 19.99 per month for residences and US$ 29.99 to US$49.95 per month for small businesses. There is a start up fee of US$ 39.94 to US$ 138.00 charged by some companies. More information on the options as well as services can be gleaned from:

What Broadband? at http://www.broadband-service-uk.com/why.html covers different broadband suppliers, has in depth articles as well as FAQs.

The Connection Store at http://broadband-phone.connection-store.com/ features broadband phone vendors, a service provider comparison, as well as articles and quick links.

Database Systems Corp at http://www.databasesystemscorp.com/psphoneservice_directory_broadband.htm has detailed information directory on broadband service providers.

Broadband Phone at http://www.broadbandtry.com/broadbandphone/ --has information about broad band phones, providers, news, as well as blogs. There are links as well as articles and resources.

Using broadband phone services can save you considerable amounts in phone bills. Make an in depth study of options in your area. Weigh the pros and cons and reap the many benefits. Technology can really work for you.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888Discuss.com/voip/, the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum for VOIP Forum including topics on online voip, voip phone, voip service providers, voip solutions, business voip, internet telephony voip and more. His article profile can be found at the premier VOIP site http://www.1866Voip.com

When things dont go to the way you want. How do we think and react? If you fail to plan then you plan to fail, is the saying. Well when it is other people involved it is not easy.

So what do we do?
You have planned meetings with a person. The meetings were scheduled in another city the day after and you have to go there by boat. Later that evening on the boat you realize that he is not on the boat. You call him. He does not answer and you go to bed.

Early next morning comes a text message on your cellular phone. It says Sorry can not be there. I call you and inform about the meetings. But he wont do that either. So you wait until nothing happens. How do you react? What are your thoughts?

Do you go crazy, shouting and yelling?
Or do you start to think -what can I learn from this?
If it happens what would be the dream scenario?
Is it our work to educate people?

What I have learned with this kind of behaviours is that I think it is not our job to teach other how to live their lives. It is a good time for your reflections about how you would treat others. Do like the bible says- treat people the way you would like to be treated it can never go wrong then.

Is it a matter in generations shifts?
It could be something in it.
I know my parents would go nuts if they were alive.

It also reminds me of what things are important in my life. Respect older people and reach out your hand for help. Assisting and ask for it. Meet people in a positive way. Greet others. Recognize each other and talk more. See others for whom they are. Walk in their shoes. See life from their perspective if they have problems.

Do not use too much of your own ego.

Most of all if you can not make yourself happy Make somebody else day worth while.

Keep smiling. Life is a blessing and so are you!

MarieLouise is working as a personal trainer and a life coach. She is also very skilled as a networker with several years experience from different MLM companies.

http://marielouisefalk.blogspot.com

Top 10 Most Effective Strategies for Collecting Golfers eMail

Digital Marketing and broadcast eMail is proving to be the most cost effective means of generating an increase in your course revenues. Using exceptional photography of your golf course, creating dynamic stationary and upgrades to your website are critical elements to effective digital marketing. Increasing the size and quality of your email database is also vitally important.

Here's our Top 10 Ways to Collect Golfer Email:

1. Digital Photo Shoot at Your Most Scenic Hole

You can collect emails from virtually every person who plays your course by offering to send them a digital photo of their group. Have a trained staff person stay at your most scenic hole with a digital camera and photo registration form. They should ask each group if they would like to have a complimentary digital photo taken of themselves or their group. Collect as much data as you can on this form, including special offers they may want more information on. You can download these photos to a computer and send their photos via email with thank-you note and a special offer. People will appreciate this as a classy gesture. A good data base is worth a great deal of money this is an inexpensive way to collect names.

2. Preferred Golfer Loyalty Program

The most effective strategy for successful marketing is to reward your most loyal clients. It always costs less to retain a good client than to gain a new one. Weve developed a complete marketing program that will allow you to collect as many as 5000 new eMail addresses every year. ThePreferred Golfer Loyalty package is so strong that golfers will actually pay you to give you their eMail address.

3. Website Collection

One of the primary purposes of your website should be to collect email. Your website can promote the same contest give-a-way as you do with a registration draw box. You can create a survey check box so customers will automatically be sent information on specials or sales one week before the public is informed.

4. Auto-responders and Send to a Friend

For website data collection to be done properly, you should have auto-responders set up so the people who enter your contest can opt-in to several of your emailing lists. They should also have the option to send the promotion to a friend (where you collect another email address). Our Golf eMailer program has all these data collection tools, auto-respond and broadcast capabilities.

5. E-Postcards

This free service can be an excellent addition to your website. People love to send postcards from where they play its a Bragging Right. When you have an E-Postcard, you are automatically collecting two emails: Both the sender and the receiver. Again, you should set up your collection tools with auto-responders so you can get people to opt-in to your emailing lists.

6. Joint Venture E-mail Promotions

There are many vendors and retail golf shops you work with that own large golfer databases. Resorts, hotels and your Chamber of Commerce can be excellent joint venture partners. You can create arrangements where they send your email promotions out to their databases and you pay them a referral fee for everyone who responds. This is a win/win because they make extra money from your promotion and you gain new prospective clients. Be sure to have a hot-link to your database collection tool so these people can opt-in to your mailing list.

7. Contest Registration Box

Provide a drawing for a foursome round of golf or a set of golf clubs or a trip to an exotic golf destination. You can simply put up a sign up behind an elegant glass bowl or a in a plexi-glass box and suggest people enter their business card to win. This strategy can work very well at tradeshows and public counters.

8. Lessons

You should have a student registration form for every golfer who takes lessons from your facility. If youd like a complimentary sample form that you can modify for your own use, just send me an email and Ill send you one no charge.

9. Coupon redemption

Any vouchers or coupons you use in your adverting should be redeemed with a registration form with valid email required for redemption. All specials, vouchers or coupons found online should only be unlocked by providing an eMail address first.

10. Tournament registration with give-a-way

At the tournament registration desk you should have a registration form from every golfer that they need to submit in order to qualify for a special tee gift and a return discount voucher. The most effective vouchers our clients have used previously are VIP Business Card offers.

Another way you can access golfers is through renting lists of golfer emails. It's a little more expensive but can be highly cost effective.

Renting lists can be very tricky because you can rent bad lists and get blacklisted. Make sure that your list broker 's list is a double opt-in and is strictly identified as golfers. Also, make sure to test a small batch before you roll out a ig campaign.

Having said that, I've tested marketing campaigns and havd great success with a few reputable list brokers. Typically you can rent the lists for 10 - 15 cents / lead. The most important thing you can do with thys type of campaign is to ensure that you have a great FREE offer.

If you'd like to talk more about improving the response to your advertising or email promotions, slip me a note.

If you'd like to see this HTML version of this article, "How to collect Golfer Emails,"you can view it here

In this graphic enabled version, you'll see a stunning photo of the 16th hole at SpyGlass.

Find out more about the Preferred Golfer Program at http://www.preferredgolfer.com

Colin Goehring is a Golf Marketing Specialist and Copywriter.