1. Editor's Musings
2. Article: Learned Any Secrets Yet? By Cathy Bryant
3. Internet Sites Reviewed
4. Recommended
5. Freebies and Other Good Deals
6. Joke of the Week

1. Editor's Musings

Some days ya just can'
t think about anything to muse about… and this is one of these days for me. Perhaps I'm preoccupied because I've recently booked a flight to Calgary in October. I'll be spending a few days with a friend, getting in a golf game, and visiting with my son and daughter-in-law, and of course, the two grandkids.

In absence of anything significant to report, I invite you to visit the link below and view an absolutely stunning multimedia presentation of scenes from beautiful Vancouver. Just don't forget to come back to the Roundup, okay? www.vancouverscenes.com

2. Article: Learned Any Secrets Yet? by Cathy Bryant

I mean, REAL secrets about business success - the ones that will make you rich?

You know as well as I that there really isn't any such thing as a secret - just a truth that you haven't discovered yet. (I read that somewhere and I don't know who said it - but it is profound).

The SECRET is - discover your own truths - the ones that will help grow your business. Use your imagination; it's amazing what the mind can conjure up if we slow down and listen to our natural intuition.

Having been in various businesses over the years, I have learned that opportunities exist everywhere! For example, just recently my daughter signed a lease on an apartment in her college town, only to discover two weeks before she was to move in that major repairs needed to be made. When we asked the landlord about it, he refused to do them - and also refused to let her out of the lease.

Naturally, that prompted good ol' mom to undertake a serious investigation of the options my daughter had to get out from under this lease so that she could find a more suitable place to live.

And guess what I discovered?

That this landlord had violated a federal statute when he failed to provide her with something he is required by law to give her when renting this particular type of rental unit.

But he didn't do it deliberately - he just wasn't familiar with the law. So if he wasn't familiar with it, how many OTHER landlords aren't?

See where I'm going here?

My research further revealed that only about 30% of landlords are complying with this regulation, even though the law has been in effect since 1996. And if it is discovered that they are not providing this information to lessees, they can be subject to substantial fines and penalties - up to $10,000 per violation.

So do you think they might spend $15-$20 on a packet that
a) informs them of this law,
b) provides information regarding compliance with the law, and  c) includes a copy of the form they are to provide tenants?

I think they might.

Just one example of how an everyday occurrence can put the germ of an idea in one's mind about another unique way to earn money.

Finding a need somewhere - no matter how obscure you may think it is - means that someone needs to fill it. Perhaps that someone could be you!

Don't be afraid to let your mind "wander." Although you may think it's a waste of time, daydreaming about business opportunities and ways to generate an income can bring to the surface ideas that may never occur to you otherwise. And that's what being an entrepreneur is all about!

3. Product Recommendation

Link Tracker Software -- ABSOLUTELY FREE!

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to replace ROIBOT as my link tracking service. I was becoming disillusioned with the ROIBOT offering and decided it was time to look elsewhere.

After a bit of research, I was almost embarrassed to discover that a completely free, totally effective link tracking script had been under my nose all along, but I had paid no attention to it. Instead, I had been paying almost $30 a month Canadian for a service that did this tracking for me. What was I thinking?

In case you don't know link tracking's purpose, I have an article describing it at this link: www.nightcats.com/samples/ad-tracking.html

In short, ad tracking, or link tracking software allows you to test the effectiveness of a particular ad, banner, email signature, etc. Suppose you published two different ads for the same product. By using a special ad-tracking link, you could tell which ad generated the most hits… and therefore you would know which ad worked better. Your bottom line improves because you abandon the ads and links that are low-functioning and increase the ones that work better.

The free software that I had been ignoring is Link Tracker, a script that is distributed freely to anyone who signs up as an affiliate for Ken Evoy's Five Pillar Affiliate Program.

And… even better -- it's okay with Ken if you sign up just to get the free script. He thinks his products are good enough that you'll be enticed once you see what he has to offer. So, even if you've no interest in selling any of the 5 Pillar Products, you can sign up and get the free Link Tracker -- ethically and legally!

The script is easy to use, and easy to install. However, if you aren't into installation, you can pay to have it installed by a pro.

Here's what the script does:
1. Generates a special link for each web address that you enter.
2. Tracks the number of hits AND unique visitors that you get on each special link.
3. Reports the number of clicks AND the number of unique visitors for each special link for each hour in the last 24 hour period. You know how many hits and unique visitors a link generated in total, as well as how many for EACH HOUR!
4. Summarizes the above information for the month, as well as for the previous 90 days.
5. Reports the referring pages that delivered each hit.

Sign up here and get yours now.

Internet Sites -- reviewed by June Campbell

*** Leave a Message for Posterity
You are invited to submit a message to be sent into space. When the message returns to earth in 50,000 years time, your message will amaze and inspire whoever's around to read it at that time.

*** Al Qaeda News
Reporters from around the globe report on the latest news about al Qaeda.

*** Working Humor
Subscribe to I-Laugh and get the latest jokes, cartoons, and discussion about the role of humor in business and humor in the work place.

*** ENOUGH!
John Counsel, moderator of I-Sales, is spitting mad about what's happening in New York City following last year's tragedy. He's telling the story of the little people who continue to be hurt by what Counsel calls corporate greed -- and he's calling on YOU to help.

4. Freebies and Good Deals

A. SAVE BIG BUCKS!
Discover how to stay safe from online scams - AND receive dozens of discounts from reputable online companies. Join the iCop Consumer Membership Program and find out who - and what - to avoid online! This may be the MOST important organization you'll ever join! It can save YOU big bucks! Subscribe NOW!

b. Did you know that subscribers to Bob Osgoodby's Free Ezine "Tip of the Day" get a Free Ad for their Business on his Web Page? Subscribe at: this link. Great Business and Computer Tips Monday thru Friday Instructions to place your ad are in the Newsletter

c. WHERE WRITERS, PUBLISHERS & ONLINE ENTREPRENEURS CONNECT
Looking for the best ezines to subscribe to? Searching for great articles? Need some awesome content for your web site? Marketing-Seek.com has got it for you! We'll also update you monthly on the latest submissions into the article database - plus, we'll give you two versions to choose from! Just highlight or save the print copy and paste it into any ezine, magazine, or web page. Nothing could be easier! What'cha waiting for? Signup today.
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http://www.marketing-seek.com/newsletter/index.shtml

d. Sentience-- the ezine for coaches, counselors and people interested in self growth. Published weekly. Subscribe

e. MOTIVATIONAL MEMO
www.motivationalmemo.com
"...where Quality Motivational Content is Paramount!"
A weekly eZine that is designed to inspire you to become better, to do better and to achieve more in every area of your life.
Subscribe FREE today: Click Here

f. 10,000 Free Ad sites are located at
www.ecki.com/links
Try Our Online Classified ad Submitter demo
www.ecki.com/submitter

6. Another Lawyer Joke

A lawyer was on his cell phone, calling a locksmith.

"I locked my keys in my sports car!" he lamented.

"Do you think you can make it a little sooner?" pleaded the lawyer. "My top is down and it’s starting to rain."

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"How to Booklets"-- topics include business proposal writing, business plan writing, brochure writing,an independant contractor's agreement, a sample joint venture agreement and more. Click www.nightcats.com