If you've heard about arthritis, you would most likely have associated it with older patients, and with a lot of body pain. There are many things about arthritis, however, that make it a unique, and yes, painful disease. Sadly, arthritis is not only confined to the old, and it can actually come in a variety of forms.
The term arthritis itself is derived from the Greek words for joint and inflammation, and covers a group of health conditions that affect the body's joints. Arthritis has been known and recorded for centuries. The first case was reported to date as far back as 4500 BC. Very simply, arthritis involves swelling of the joints, such that mere movement can cause body pains.
Such joints are sensitive to changes in the weather, and elder patients suffering from arthritis claim that their pains are greatest in the morning, when they first rise. Younger patients can also suffer from arthritis – the arthritic joint pain is not usually the general feature of juvenile arthritis, but the tendency to move, or the refusal to move at all, as in the case of especially young children.
To diagnose arthritis and distinguish it from routine or simple joint pain, physicians conduct a battery of blood tests and x-rays. Some blood tests can check for the presence of certain antibodies, since some forms of arthritis arise out of the body's immune system launching an attack on itself, making these forms of arthritis autoimmune disorders. X-rays, on the other hands, can show eroding bone or cartilage.
Once arthritis is diagnosed, treatment can proceed. Treatment can come in the form of surgery or drug treatment. Those dealing with arthritis must also undergo occupational and physical therapy sessions, so that they can recover the use of their limbs and keep their blood flow constant. In all types of therapy, doctors ensure that stress on the affected joints is reduced, and pain is successfully managed.
The types of therapy to be used depend on the type of arthritis with which the patient is afflicted. A few common types include the following.<
• Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease, where the body's immune system launches an attack on the joints, then moves on to affect other bodily organs such as the skin, heart, and lungs.
• Psoriatic arthritis is also an autoimmune disorder with symptoms similar to rheumatoid arthritis. It is common in patients affected by psoriasis, a skin disease.
• Septic arthritis is the wearing away of cartilage due to bacterial accumulation in and attack on the joints. This is usually caused by cuts or gashes that penetrate to the level of the bone, and are left untreated or unwashed.
• Osteoarthritis is caused by the wearing away of cartilage that protects the bone. Because of the great pain they experience, patients with osteoarthritis may refuse to move, causing their muscles to atrophy.
• Gout is a form of arthritis caused by the accumulation of crystals of uric acid in joints. Those affected with gout have to take a low purine diet, or to stay away from high-protein foods such as sardines and certain types of fish, some mussels, sweatbreads such as kidneys and brains of animals, and alcohol.
If you think you have arthritis, consult a doctor about your condition and have the necessary tests performed. If all signs point to a positive diagnosis, be sure to follow all instructions to the hilt: take all the medications prescribed, avoid all the foods that have to be avoided, and attend all therapy sessions if you are required to do so.
If you know someone with arthritis, or are living with someone afflicted with the disease, take a role in monitoring the patient's progress by making sure that the patient follows the therapy regimen, or by watching the patient well following surgery. Arthritis is a disease that requires patience, both on the part of the afflicted and the caregiver, so obey all instructions and ask questions if necessary.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Submitting Your Manuscript: Getting Started
I am often asked "Do you know of a publisher who would be interested in my book?" There's no easy way to answer this question. You see, according to the PMA Newsletter, there are over 86,000 publishers in existence (http://parapub.com/statistics). It would be impossible to know what each one is looking for at any given time. However you do know that you're not going to submit your manuscript or book proposal to 86,000 publishers. It would be a waste of your time and money. To improve your chances in the submission process, you have to do your homework. Here are a few tips so your research will be most effective:
Publishing Houses: Get the Facts
Can you submit your manuscript to more than one place at a time? Depends on where you're sending it. Unfortunately, each publishing house has its own set of rules for reviewing a manuscript that will have multiple submissions. You have to find out what those rules are. You can check out the 2006 Writer's Market, published by Writer's Digest. It's an excellent source for publisher's guidelines. So is the website, Literary Marketplace.
While reviewing these resources you should also note what kind of material the company publishes and what kinds of manuscripts and proposals they would like to see. Another way to get more specific information on this topic is to go to your local bookstore and look at books similar to yours. Note the publisher as well as the agent and editor who handled the book (they're usually mentioned in the acknowledgments). Granted, a publisher might turn your manuscript down if they feel they've "been there, done that", but on the other hand if the company has had success with the subject matter they may be scouring the landscape to find more of the same!
Looking for an Agent
Your research may tell you that the publishers who seem right for you don't accept unsolicited manuscripts. That means you'll need an agent so you'll have to start your submission process with literary agencies. If that's the case, the 2006 Guide to Literary Agents is a great place to begin your search. Writer's Digest publishes this hefty tome listing more than 600 non-fee charging agents.
All of the agents listed in the guide adhere to the ethical guides established by the Association of Author's Representatives (AAR). Members of AAR are forbidden from charging fees. So in one book you get the security of knowing the agent you're dealing with is on the level, plus you get a full understanding of what material the agent represents. That means you won't be sending your manuscript out on a fruitless--and costly mission.
Manuscript Mechanics
Don't get too caught up in the specifics of what your manuscript should look like. Your research will tell you if the agent or publisher wants your manuscript a certain way, but for the most part as long as it's double-spaced and printed with a clear, easy-to-read 12-point font such as Courier or Arial you should be fine. Put your name, book title and page numbers on each page and--this is key--don't staple anything. Leaving the pages loose make it easy for the recipient to make copies. This is necessary because usually more than one person will be reading your work.
One note: These days more and more agencies and publishing houses are accepting electronic submissions. Find out if this is the case for your targets. You can save yourself some money and a trip to the post office!
The Entrepreneurial Mindset
Banish all fear. I know that's easier said than done, but look at it this way. If writing is something you really want to do, then manuscript submissions will become a regular part of your life. You don't want to go through your days and nights in a constant state of submission angst! It makes me feel tired just to think of what that would be like!
Instead put yourself in the mindset of being a writer and a businessperson. Your writing is your product. You will put out the best product possible. Know that the bulk of your rejections will have nothing to do with the quality of your product so don't take it personally. You move on to the next prospect with the same positive attitude that the next one may be the right one. Know that writing is part of your work. Being afraid isn't.
Publishing Houses: Get the Facts
Can you submit your manuscript to more than one place at a time? Depends on where you're sending it. Unfortunately, each publishing house has its own set of rules for reviewing a manuscript that will have multiple submissions. You have to find out what those rules are. You can check out the 2006 Writer's Market, published by Writer's Digest. It's an excellent source for publisher's guidelines. So is the website, Literary Marketplace.
While reviewing these resources you should also note what kind of material the company publishes and what kinds of manuscripts and proposals they would like to see. Another way to get more specific information on this topic is to go to your local bookstore and look at books similar to yours. Note the publisher as well as the agent and editor who handled the book (they're usually mentioned in the acknowledgments). Granted, a publisher might turn your manuscript down if they feel they've "been there, done that", but on the other hand if the company has had success with the subject matter they may be scouring the landscape to find more of the same!
Looking for an Agent
Your research may tell you that the publishers who seem right for you don't accept unsolicited manuscripts. That means you'll need an agent so you'll have to start your submission process with literary agencies. If that's the case, the 2006 Guide to Literary Agents is a great place to begin your search. Writer's Digest publishes this hefty tome listing more than 600 non-fee charging agents.
All of the agents listed in the guide adhere to the ethical guides established by the Association of Author's Representatives (AAR). Members of AAR are forbidden from charging fees. So in one book you get the security of knowing the agent you're dealing with is on the level, plus you get a full understanding of what material the agent represents. That means you won't be sending your manuscript out on a fruitless--and costly mission.
Manuscript Mechanics
Don't get too caught up in the specifics of what your manuscript should look like. Your research will tell you if the agent or publisher wants your manuscript a certain way, but for the most part as long as it's double-spaced and printed with a clear, easy-to-read 12-point font such as Courier or Arial you should be fine. Put your name, book title and page numbers on each page and--this is key--don't staple anything. Leaving the pages loose make it easy for the recipient to make copies. This is necessary because usually more than one person will be reading your work.
One note: These days more and more agencies and publishing houses are accepting electronic submissions. Find out if this is the case for your targets. You can save yourself some money and a trip to the post office!
The Entrepreneurial Mindset
Banish all fear. I know that's easier said than done, but look at it this way. If writing is something you really want to do, then manuscript submissions will become a regular part of your life. You don't want to go through your days and nights in a constant state of submission angst! It makes me feel tired just to think of what that would be like!
Instead put yourself in the mindset of being a writer and a businessperson. Your writing is your product. You will put out the best product possible. Know that the bulk of your rejections will have nothing to do with the quality of your product so don't take it personally. You move on to the next prospect with the same positive attitude that the next one may be the right one. Know that writing is part of your work. Being afraid isn't.
The NEW Secrets to Copywriting That Sells
Anyone who has worked with me over the past 25 years knows that my mantra has always been "benefits, benefits, benefits." Benefit headlines … benefit copy … benefit subheads … benefit captions … anything to hammer home the customer benefits.
Benefits are still a vital key, but today, copywriting needs much more than just benefits. To sell the most, copywriting needs to connect at a much deeper and more dramatic level than ever before.
There are 6 main reasons why. I call them The New Secrets to Copywriting That Sells.
1. The "Yahoogle" effect
Thanks to mega search engines like Yahoo and Google, tons of information on just about any topic, product or service is literally at your fingertips … for free.
Here's what that means to your marketing:
• Internet search engine rankings for your business/product/service are vital. Most people search on the internet for things they are interested in.
• People won't pay for information they can get online for free. You can't succeed selling generic basic plain vanilla information any more.
• You can't get away with outrageous claims. Everything you say can be checked out in an instant.
• Many people comparison shop on the internet before making any purchase.
Solutions:
• Use search engine optimization (SEO) to get your website ranked high.
• Most businesses will have to use Pay-Per-Click advertising for their best keywords and phrases.
• Copywriting must uncover and feature the unique advantages and superiority of whatever is being sold.
• Your offering must be extremely differentiated from the competition – or else you'll end up having to compete on low prices alone.
• You must make it clear – very quickly – that you are providing something they can't find elsewhere online for free.
2. Advertising Overload Filter
In today's hectic, media-frenzied world, people are bombarded by hundreds or even thousands of advertising messages every single day. Therefore, to maintain their sanity, most people have become more immune to advertising.
They can't possibly devote their full attention to every message they receive, so they've learned to "scan" and "filter" the messages they receive in a matter of a split-second or two.
So, to succeed today – marketing must cut through the "advertising filter" and get attention and interest from target prospects.
Solutions:
• Don't send out "advertising." Instead – send out valuable helpful information. Make it something that will obviously benefit your prospect just by reading it. Weave your sales pitch into this helpful information.
• Make your marketing look and sound valuable.
• Use specific numbers.
• Make a great offer. You can "buy" a new customer this way and profit from their Lifetime Value (LV).
• Consider a free offer to get prospects/customers into your marketing funnel.
• Be outrageous, crazy, unique – if appropriate.
• Be personal, corny, homey – if appropriate.
3. Super SKEPTICISM
You may be the most honest person in the world. Your company may be the most honest in the world. But all your potential customer knows is there are a lot of dishonest people out there.<
Internet scams, ID theft, companies going bankrupt, and credit card fraud are all in the headlines almost daily. And many people simply disregard claims that sound "too good to be true" today more than ever.
To succeed today, you need to add heavy credibility to your marketing. This will reduce the risk or fear people may have about doing business with you.
Solutions:
• Show the number of years you've been in business, membership in trade organizations, awards won, etc.
• Offer a free sample or free trial.
• Offer a risk-free, money-back guarantee.
• Sign your name to the ad or sales letter.
• Use a photo of the person writing, product photo, business photo, employees photo.
• Use customer testimonials extensively.
• Use case studies.
• Use lots of specifics.
• List your physical address, phone, fax, email and business hours.
• Have an "expert" be your spokesperson.
• Acknowledge any doubts or "sneaking suspicions" your prospect may already have, and give them valuable, factual information to support your product/service.
• Don't make claims that could sound "too good to be true" – even if they are true.
4. The Entertain-Game Society
Today, entertainment is everything. Even hard news websites are full of flash, video, audio, surveys, contests, games, etc.
So, use this new environment in your marketing as an advantage. Look for ways to entertain and get prospects involved with your marketing promotions.
Solutions:
• This can include new uses of traditional "action" devices like stickers, rub-offs and inserts.
• Personal stories/testimonials in your promotion are entertaining and engage people on a personal level.
• Surveys with results
• Self-tests with answers
• Trivia
• Celebrity spokesperson
• Games
• Streaming audio and video
• Humor – if appropriate
5. The Right Now Factor
The days of "please allow 6-8 weeks for shipping" are dead and gone … just like any company who still thinks anything close to that kind of policy is ok.
More than anything else, the internet has conditioned consumers to expect everything instantly. Instant ordering … instant payment … instant confirmation … and, in many cases, instant downloading of product.
Solution: If you are going to grab the attention of today's consumers, you must let them know you can satisfy their needs IMMEDIATELY. Play up how fast they will get their product, premium or first issue.
6. The Bonding Factor
We all want a hero, a guru, someone we can relate to, and someone we feel has our best interests at heart, right?
Today's consumer is very jaded, skeptical and frustrated with the lack of love and bonding in his life, whether consciously or subconsciously.
Today, you need to be seen as a guide and friend first, and a helpful confidant second. If you even smell like just a greedy salesperson, you will lose your advantage.
Solution: Be likeable, friendly, personal, passionate, unique and different. Be authentic – a person and company that your prospect can genuinely bond with.
Benefits are still a vital key, but today, copywriting needs much more than just benefits. To sell the most, copywriting needs to connect at a much deeper and more dramatic level than ever before.
There are 6 main reasons why. I call them The New Secrets to Copywriting That Sells.
1. The "Yahoogle" effect
Thanks to mega search engines like Yahoo and Google, tons of information on just about any topic, product or service is literally at your fingertips … for free.
Here's what that means to your marketing:
• Internet search engine rankings for your business/product/service are vital. Most people search on the internet for things they are interested in.
• People won't pay for information they can get online for free. You can't succeed selling generic basic plain vanilla information any more.
• You can't get away with outrageous claims. Everything you say can be checked out in an instant.
• Many people comparison shop on the internet before making any purchase.
Solutions:
• Use search engine optimization (SEO) to get your website ranked high.
• Most businesses will have to use Pay-Per-Click advertising for their best keywords and phrases.
• Copywriting must uncover and feature the unique advantages and superiority of whatever is being sold.
• Your offering must be extremely differentiated from the competition – or else you'll end up having to compete on low prices alone.
• You must make it clear – very quickly – that you are providing something they can't find elsewhere online for free.
2. Advertising Overload Filter
In today's hectic, media-frenzied world, people are bombarded by hundreds or even thousands of advertising messages every single day. Therefore, to maintain their sanity, most people have become more immune to advertising.
They can't possibly devote their full attention to every message they receive, so they've learned to "scan" and "filter" the messages they receive in a matter of a split-second or two.
So, to succeed today – marketing must cut through the "advertising filter" and get attention and interest from target prospects.
Solutions:
• Don't send out "advertising." Instead – send out valuable helpful information. Make it something that will obviously benefit your prospect just by reading it. Weave your sales pitch into this helpful information.
• Make your marketing look and sound valuable.
• Use specific numbers.
• Make a great offer. You can "buy" a new customer this way and profit from their Lifetime Value (LV).
• Consider a free offer to get prospects/customers into your marketing funnel.
• Be outrageous, crazy, unique – if appropriate.
• Be personal, corny, homey – if appropriate.
3. Super SKEPTICISM
You may be the most honest person in the world. Your company may be the most honest in the world. But all your potential customer knows is there are a lot of dishonest people out there.<
Internet scams, ID theft, companies going bankrupt, and credit card fraud are all in the headlines almost daily. And many people simply disregard claims that sound "too good to be true" today more than ever.
To succeed today, you need to add heavy credibility to your marketing. This will reduce the risk or fear people may have about doing business with you.
Solutions:
• Show the number of years you've been in business, membership in trade organizations, awards won, etc.
• Offer a free sample or free trial.
• Offer a risk-free, money-back guarantee.
• Sign your name to the ad or sales letter.
• Use a photo of the person writing, product photo, business photo, employees photo.
• Use customer testimonials extensively.
• Use case studies.
• Use lots of specifics.
• List your physical address, phone, fax, email and business hours.
• Have an "expert" be your spokesperson.
• Acknowledge any doubts or "sneaking suspicions" your prospect may already have, and give them valuable, factual information to support your product/service.
• Don't make claims that could sound "too good to be true" – even if they are true.
4. The Entertain-Game Society
Today, entertainment is everything. Even hard news websites are full of flash, video, audio, surveys, contests, games, etc.
So, use this new environment in your marketing as an advantage. Look for ways to entertain and get prospects involved with your marketing promotions.
Solutions:
• This can include new uses of traditional "action" devices like stickers, rub-offs and inserts.
• Personal stories/testimonials in your promotion are entertaining and engage people on a personal level.
• Surveys with results
• Self-tests with answers
• Trivia
• Celebrity spokesperson
• Games
• Streaming audio and video
• Humor – if appropriate
5. The Right Now Factor
The days of "please allow 6-8 weeks for shipping" are dead and gone … just like any company who still thinks anything close to that kind of policy is ok.
More than anything else, the internet has conditioned consumers to expect everything instantly. Instant ordering … instant payment … instant confirmation … and, in many cases, instant downloading of product.
Solution: If you are going to grab the attention of today's consumers, you must let them know you can satisfy their needs IMMEDIATELY. Play up how fast they will get their product, premium or first issue.
6. The Bonding Factor
We all want a hero, a guru, someone we can relate to, and someone we feel has our best interests at heart, right?
Today's consumer is very jaded, skeptical and frustrated with the lack of love and bonding in his life, whether consciously or subconsciously.
Today, you need to be seen as a guide and friend first, and a helpful confidant second. If you even smell like just a greedy salesperson, you will lose your advantage.
Solution: Be likeable, friendly, personal, passionate, unique and different. Be authentic – a person and company that your prospect can genuinely bond with.
Toshiba Qosmio G15-AV501 Notebook Computer
Purchasing a notebook computer can be a mind boggling experience with all the different makes and models out there. Toshiba has a strong entry in their Toshiba Qosmio G15-AV501 notebook computer. Let's examine why this particular model is certain to be an effective competitor.
Unlike most laptops the Qosmio takes computing to the next level. You can watch your favorite TV programs, play DVDs, or listen to music by way of its Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 operating system. Sporting a 17" screen the Qosmio offers a nifty 1440 x 900 pixels resolution perfect for TV or video watching. Other key features of the Qosmio include:
Intel Pentium M 745 Processor (Centrino), 1.8 GHz
512MB Memory
Television Tuner
Exceptionally Bright Screen
DVD±RW/CD-RW Combination, 2 Hard Drives
Wireless LAN Antenna
Remote Controller
Video Card
NVIDIA GeForce FX Go 5700
Weighs just under 10 lbs.
As much as the Qosmio is an effective performer, I have learned that the battery life is very short compared to models half its $2500. sticker price. That's right, $2500 [shop around, as prices vary]. So, only serious multimedia experts will go for this machine and they will be keeping it constantly plugged in to boot! Any software you add will be extra, therefore expect to shell out well in excess of three grand if adding a productivity package, extended warranty, shipping, handling, taxes and the like.
Still, serious multimedia fans will find the Toshiba Qosmio to be a top performer in an ever expanding sea of laptop computers. For that reason alone it is worth a special look.
Unlike most laptops the Qosmio takes computing to the next level. You can watch your favorite TV programs, play DVDs, or listen to music by way of its Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 operating system. Sporting a 17" screen the Qosmio offers a nifty 1440 x 900 pixels resolution perfect for TV or video watching. Other key features of the Qosmio include:
Intel Pentium M 745 Processor (Centrino), 1.8 GHz
512MB Memory
Television Tuner
Exceptionally Bright Screen
DVD±RW/CD-RW Combination, 2 Hard Drives
Wireless LAN Antenna
Remote Controller
Video Card
NVIDIA GeForce FX Go 5700
Weighs just under 10 lbs.
As much as the Qosmio is an effective performer, I have learned that the battery life is very short compared to models half its $2500. sticker price. That's right, $2500 [shop around, as prices vary]. So, only serious multimedia experts will go for this machine and they will be keeping it constantly plugged in to boot! Any software you add will be extra, therefore expect to shell out well in excess of three grand if adding a productivity package, extended warranty, shipping, handling, taxes and the like.
Still, serious multimedia fans will find the Toshiba Qosmio to be a top performer in an ever expanding sea of laptop computers. For that reason alone it is worth a special look.
On Networking Groups
I am about to share with you something that I talk to people about a lot. It is focused networking.
In each business, we have a target market or the perfect prospect. If you have been in a particular business for any length of time, you should know what type of person or business owner falls into this category for you. If not, it is time to figure out who this might be.
In networking for business it is important to have a well rounded networking schedule. You should attend many different types of groups in order to reach a broad spectrum of people. If you only attend a business after hours, you may run into several people who provide the same product or service as you. In this environment, it is important to know what makes you different from them. In most cases this is not a company thing, but a personal thing. When you have reached the point that you can relate what makes you different, you will do very well in a competitive environment.
One of the groups that you are likely to attend is a trade association. In my first exposure to networking many years ago, I attended meetings for a group that specialized in the creation of multimedia. I went to the meetings each month in the hope of building a relationship with others who might be able to help me find some work in the field. The opposite happened. I found myself in the ultimate competition. I should have been there to learn about trends in the industry and to get background information of my competitors, there was literally no work to be had in an environment with all of my competition!
What happens if you attend the trade association meeting of your target prospect? It is likely that you may be the only person in the room selling your product or service. If you do your homework before you go and discover the mission of the group, it is easier to prepare for that kind of opportunity.
In this environment, you may be sitting through a presentation by a speaker that you know nothing about, so to maximize your networking opportunity, arrive early and leave late. Talk to as many people as you can in the time that you have to network before the presentation begins. If you see someone in the group that you know, approach them and ask them to introduce you around in the room. This will help you to shortcut the process of meeting people. It also gives a friend an opportunity to refer you personally in a group of their peers.
It is important to be creative when looking for meetings to attend. Attend many, and you will have more opportunities to work with. Set a goal to visit all the types of groups at least once a month for maximum exposure and optimum contacts.
In each business, we have a target market or the perfect prospect. If you have been in a particular business for any length of time, you should know what type of person or business owner falls into this category for you. If not, it is time to figure out who this might be.
In networking for business it is important to have a well rounded networking schedule. You should attend many different types of groups in order to reach a broad spectrum of people. If you only attend a business after hours, you may run into several people who provide the same product or service as you. In this environment, it is important to know what makes you different from them. In most cases this is not a company thing, but a personal thing. When you have reached the point that you can relate what makes you different, you will do very well in a competitive environment.
One of the groups that you are likely to attend is a trade association. In my first exposure to networking many years ago, I attended meetings for a group that specialized in the creation of multimedia. I went to the meetings each month in the hope of building a relationship with others who might be able to help me find some work in the field. The opposite happened. I found myself in the ultimate competition. I should have been there to learn about trends in the industry and to get background information of my competitors, there was literally no work to be had in an environment with all of my competition!
What happens if you attend the trade association meeting of your target prospect? It is likely that you may be the only person in the room selling your product or service. If you do your homework before you go and discover the mission of the group, it is easier to prepare for that kind of opportunity.
In this environment, you may be sitting through a presentation by a speaker that you know nothing about, so to maximize your networking opportunity, arrive early and leave late. Talk to as many people as you can in the time that you have to network before the presentation begins. If you see someone in the group that you know, approach them and ask them to introduce you around in the room. This will help you to shortcut the process of meeting people. It also gives a friend an opportunity to refer you personally in a group of their peers.
It is important to be creative when looking for meetings to attend. Attend many, and you will have more opportunities to work with. Set a goal to visit all the types of groups at least once a month for maximum exposure and optimum contacts.
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