Four Inexpensive Ways to Market Your Business and Find Your Ideal Customers

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Every business owner knows the importance of marketing.

They know that having a strong marketing strategy is the key to gaining new customers for their business. Customers are key components to the success of any business. Without customers, which provide much needed finances that help your business thrive, your business is destined for failure. So the burning question on the mind of the small business owner would be, how can they get in front of their desired customers and grow their businesses without breaking the bank.

As mentioned earlier in this article, the key to growing a business is having a strong marketing strategy. Depending on the size of your business, you may not have access to a marketing department. In fact, you may be the marketing department at this moment.

No matter where you stand, this article will show you four free or inexpensive ways to grow your business by using organic marketing efforts.

Organic marketing consists of those marketing efforts that will work for you over the long- term. This form of marketing is free, but does require some elbow work.

1. Create a blog for your business. Blogging is one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies you can introduce in order to get the message of your business out to those who need to see it.

A blog can educate your audience about your business, and the articles can be tailored to meet the informational needs of your industry.

This is a low-cost strategy, because you will want to add your blog as an asset to your business; which means you will want to buy a domain and hosting for it.

Some companies build their blogs on sites they do not own; such as Blogger and WordPress.com. While these sites are used by many first-time bloggers, it is not ideal for someone who wants to have full control over what they can do with their blog.

Free blogging platforms often come with stipulations. Paying for your domain name and using a site that you have control over, such as one you would build with WordPress.org, is best for your brand.

2. Start an email list. This is an often overlooked method for marketing a business; though it is cost-effective. There is a bit of a learning curve involved with the set up and management of email lists, but many of the companies who offer these services, have tutorials and teams who are ready to walk you through the entire set up process.

Many of the email marketing platforms have free trials.

The free trials allow you an opportunity to try these platforms on for size to see which one will fit your needs; as well as the needs of your business.

3. Utilize social media. Depending on the type of business you own, you should choose a social media platform to market your services on.

If you are a stylist, Instagram would be a great place to show off photos of how you made your clients look their best.

A hairdresser could share photos and tips on the latest hairstyle they completed for one of their clients.

If photos are not exactly your thing, you may want to utilize LinkedIn. If your audience is composed of professionals, this platform will allow you to make connections with them, and share your content in a way that makes you stand out to those who could use your services.

Facebook is also a platform you can use to promote your business. With the ability to create groups, you could even build communities for those who engage with your business, allowing them to connect with others who love what your business stands for.

Social media is free to use, but if you have the budget, you can always hire someone to setup and run your social media account for you.

4. Create an eBook. Company owners probably don’t see themselves as authors; and the thought of writing a long and drawn out book probably puts a sour taste in their mouth.

But there is a form of eBook that can actually help to grow your list of prospective customers.

Have you ever seen a commercial, asking you to call a number to get their free eBook fo learn more about whatever it was that they were talking about on the commercial?

Those books that people call to get are eBooks, and they are a form of a lead magnet.

A lead magnet is something of value that you give away for free in exchange for a name, email address, or some other form of contact information.

You can then use the information that you collect to build a list of people who are interested in the information that you have to offer on a particular product or service.

These eBooks are simple PDFs that are downloaded by the person who gave their information.

eBooks are inexpensive to make, because all you need is a word processing program and the ability to save the file that you create as a PDF.

In order to grow your business, it is imperative that you be creative. It may mean taking advantage of tools you may have otherwise never thought of considering.

While you may have never given much thought to writing an eBook, launching into the social media waters, or even starting a blog, these are all cost-effective strategies that don’t cost you much, but can help you grow your business in exponential ways.

The Good Cop by Brad Parks – Murder or Suicide in Newark, New Jersey? Mystery Book Review

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“The Good Cop” is the latest mystery novel by award-winning author, Brad Parks, featuring Carter Ross.

Carter Ross, 32, is an investigative reporter for the Newark-Eagle Examiner, New Jersey’s largest newspaper; and he loves his job, “One of the fundamental things I believe as a writer is that words have the power to move people.”

His commitment to journalism often leads him down a path of peril to expose the truth; and in Parks’s fourth book, mystery, mayhem, and mirth continues.

Darius Kipps, a twelve-year veteran of the Newark Police Department, dies in the Fourth Precinct’s shower stall from a gunshot wound to the head; and authorities rule it a suicide.

Why would Darius kill himself when he loved his job, and his wife and kids, especially his long-awaited 5-month-old son, Jacquille?

After interviewing Darius’s widow, Mimi, Carter is convinced that his death may not have been a suicide; and his latest adventure begins.

Carter lives a simple, single, life in Bloomfield, New Jersey with his cat Deadline; and sports a boring, limited wardrobe of pleated pants in two colors, two colors of shirts and three shades of neckties.

“You have to know what flavor of ice cream you are in this world, and I am vanilla,” Carter says.

Tommy Hernandez returns as the newspaper’s intern-turned permanent temporary status employee. He’s a 24-year-old, second generation Cuban American who is “gay as the day is long.” Carter and Tommy enjoy a professional alliance and chide each other’s proclivities.

“You know, if you are really going to convert to my side, you’re going to have to do something about those pants,” Hernandez says.

Sexy, Tina Thompson, 39, is Carter’s boss. The duo engages in an on-off romance, with each one having a different agenda. Tina, aware of her dwindling biological clock, simply wants Carter to father her child. He wants more.

Conflict arises when Tina realizes she has competition for Carter’s attention from Kira O’Brien, the newspaper’s recently hired, young librarian.

Kira invites Carter to an absinthe-drinking party at her friend Paul’s loft. His Goth-like appearance includes various piercings and tattoos and black nail polish.

Paul is enrolled in a multidisciplinary “Death Studies” Ph. D. program at Rutgers-Newark; and interns at the Essex County Medical Examiner’s Office, which provides him a key for after-hours entry.

After drinking his mint green liquid concoction, the trio sets out to examine Darius Kipps’s body at the morgue, which makes for a freaky, fact-finding experience regarding his death.

Newark Eagle-Examiner intern, Geoff Ginsburg earned the newsroom’s nickname of “Ruthie,” after Supreme Court justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. To monitor Carter, she assigns Ruthie a collaborative story on Newark Public housing with him.

Aware of her ploy, Carter comically counters her game by delegating a story to Ruthie involving Gluten-free, organic food coloring, home pregnancy tests and newly installed toilets at Newark Housing Authority town houses.

The Reverend Doctor Alvin LeRioux (aka Pastor Al) is a 300-pound, expensive suit-wearing man who leads the Redeemer Love Christian Church. He calls a press conference with Mimi Kipps, demanding an investigation into her husband’s death.

Carter is suspicious of his intentions, especially when he later requests the investigation end.

Carter soon finds himself deep in Black Mafia Family waters; and his beatnik Chevy Malibu is no match for the bullet-spewing, silver E-class Mercedes with tinted windows determined to gun him down.

Red Dot Enterprises drives the storyline, as it promotes gunrunning of old, low-caliber, weapons via the I-95 Corridor, which includes the New Jersey Turnpike.

“The Good Cop” features Parks’s trademark humor throughout. While visiting Pastor Al’s church, Carter says, “I passed a sign on a stanchion that read, PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE WHILE IN GOD’S HOUSE, and complied, just in case God was ready to hit me with His version of roaming charges.”

Anyone with Newark, New Jersey or regional ties will experience a special affinity for Parks’s narratives, as the city serves as their central setting. The Garden State Parkway, Irvine Turner Boulevard; and lines like “I’m still a Jersey guy. Aggressive driving is a state birthright,” are relatable.

Parks’s Acknowledgements exemplify why he’s a successful writer. Beyond perfunctory gratitude towards his agent and publisher, etc., Parks acknowledges he has a great life, both personally and professionally; and he appreciates his readership.

Read any book by Brad Parks and you’ll vicariously experience his eupeptic presence.

Brad Parks’s publisher, Minotaur Books, features many talented mystery writers, including Linda Castillo and Paul Doiron. Castillo’s main character, Kate Burkholder, is a former Amish woman-turned detective. Paul Doiron features Maine game warden, Mike Bowditch. Castillo’s new book “Her Last Breath,” will be published June 18, 2013. Paul Doiron will release “Massacre Pond,” on July 16, 2013. To discover more about these authors, visit: http://www.minotaurbooks.com.

Motivation in the 21st Century

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Throughout history, one important aspect of all facets of education (including music) revolve around the ways that a teacher helps to motivate their students. A teacher can be most-effective when the student trusts in the teacher. This relationship between teacher and student creates the natural love of learning that is nurtured by the teacher and is grown by the student. An important way that a good teacher helps to continue nurturing this love of learning is by accessing various types of motivation to give the student goals that they can achieve. In the field of education, there are two important types of motivation: intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation.

By definition, extrinsic motivation is the type by which the teacher includes objects, rewards, and other “prizes” that are offered to the student for a “job well done”. The effect is this: the student works for the reward and receives the reward all within a short period of time. As such, extrinsic motivations are organized, worked for and achieved all within a short period of time. As soon as one series of extrinsic motivation triggers are completed, another set must be created and distributed by the teacher. An example of such extrinsic motivation would be the use of stickers to offer to students as a reward for their progress or conduct in class. The reward is given when the various tasks associated with the sticker are completed; the next task that warrants an additional sticker is provided to reset the previous task. As such, the motivational circle continues.

On the other hand, intrinsic motivation, by definition, offers the student internal rewards for a job well done through the actions that the student presents to the teacher. Essentially, by working hard or completing a task and thus receiving a strong sense of accomplishment for completing such a task in a successful fashion, the student not only receives accolades from the teacher, they also feel good for completing the tasks. There are no outward rewards, as is the case with extrinsic motivation. Instead, the motivation comes to the student through the feeling of accomplishment that comes with the completion of each task they set out to complete. This sense of accomplishment is the internal reward that nourishes the natural internal desire to learn that is within each student.

A good teacher is able to juggle both of these types of motivation. In the setting of the private music lesson, the teacher has the opportunity to get to know the student well enough in order to decide what tactics to use to help encourage continuous motivation. With the advent of various technological tools, the task for helping to motivate students has become increasingly easier.

In a series of surveys that were published in 2013 and 2014, facts were provided which stated that over 1-in-4 children under the age of 8 know how to use a computer, tablet, or smart phone. In the same study, it was calculated that 1-in-3 children between the ages of 9-13 had mastered the use of such technologies that they could confidently teach an adult to troubleshoot problems. Children that used technology for educational purposes in the home had a greater sense of problem solving skills and a higher ability to complete tasks when a reward was provided (such as the collection of points, completion of a level of a game, or the completion of the game itself). This use of extrinsic motivation to offer reward for the completion of tasks allows the student to have fun while completing the task at hand.

For all of us that have studied music as children, currently have children studying music, or teach music, we know that the challenge that we all face is this: learning a musical skill takes a lot of effort and time to succeed. The proper amount of time to master skills associated within music take many years. Many masters of performance art such as professional musicians, singers, record artists and recording engineers will all agree to this fact. All individuals of the same pedigree will also agree that at one point along the way, at least one teacher inspired them to thrive in their musical studies. This teacher, usually known and remembered by name, created the spark for musical growth that creates a life-long love of learning. This is strong proof to argue that intrinsic motivation is the powerful resource to help nurture life-long success.

There are many interesting tools that a music teacher can use including various apps on a series of topics including music theory, music history, ear training and recording techniques. In addition, there are many programs such as YouTube, Garage Band, Ever Note, among others. Each of these tools offer a cornucopia of options for any music teacher and music student to create a fun environment to increase motivation. No longer do students have to sit at their instrument and only have books as their primary resource to learning. By using the many multitudes of tools available, teachers have the option to create a personalized studio that fits the needs of many of learning environments. This allows the student to enter a world of vast possibilities that were not available 15 years ago.

The trick for every teacher is to create be willing to embrace this new generation of technological advancement while nurturing intrinsic motivation in an extrinsically motivated environment. In conclusion, there are many tools available to all music teachers, parents, and students in this new generation of technology within the 21st century. It is important to observe that these tools as mentioned will help encourage everyone to have fun while enjoying their musical studies yet these tools are not only secrets to success. The teacher must know how to motivate students to “keep going” through the successes and challenges that naturally come to all music students. The mixture of extrinsic and intrinsic motivational triggers will help to create the next generation of musicians, music enthusiasts and music appreciators. This is the main goal that will help keep music alive and thriving for the next generation and beyond.

MyPowerMall – Is It Worth It?

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MyPowerMall.com seems to be a site slightly different from the run of the mill. For starters, this site pulls at your heartstrings by talking about bringing change in the world through giving to charity. By using the term “5 million for change”, and “together we can change the world”, MyPowerMall wants to use the combined power of a large group of people to affect change across the world. A lofty ideal, indeed.

When you visit the site you are immediately asked to click on resources which the site claims are free. For example in the link to-Together we can Change the world, the site claims that it will offer you complimentary tools which you can use for projects seemingly charitable or as help to the community. Yes, the Project tools link leads you to a page where free e books can be downloaded. However, the emphasis seems to be on selling books written by the founder of the website Ginny Dye. Books she has written on American History and also some “Business Coaching” books. These books are priced from around $15 to $47.

Furthermore, when you click on the link to “Fireflies from the heart”, a resource to give you inspirational quotes for everyday of the year, it does not seem to work properly. You are asked to click on any day of the year to get an instant inspirational quote, but many of the links do not work.

The Shop Smart link takes you to a shopping mall. MyPowerMall has tied up with many retailers from whom they get a rebate for every sale made. The site claims that this amount goes to charity.

Perusing the complete website of MyPowerMall, it seems that it is a good place to get some shopping done. You can go directly to the site of the retailer, so you are assured that you do not pay any more than the normal price. The fact that MyPowerMall has leveraged a discount from the retailer and they claim that that amount will go to a helping cause makes you feel good shopping there.

From the information available on the site, it seems that they do not generate any revenue from the shopping mall. They claim that all the money generated from the retailer goes to charity. The revenue generation then, must be focusing on the sale of the self help and history books written by the founder Ginny Dye.

There seems be an effort to promote change in the world by encouraging you to participate in community programs and other charitable projects with helpful links to various charitable organizations.

In conclusion, you may not make any money through MyPowerMall. However you may get motivated to participate in changing the world.

What is your opinion regarding MyPowerMall.com? Feel free to share it with us by posting your own review below.

Tin Manufacturing and Processing

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Manufacturing of tin involves the extraction of tin from its ore, which is casseterite. During the manufacturing process, there are several other materials used such as limestone, silica and salt. The caseterrite ore is first purified to remove the chemical and physical impurities. In this process, the ore is passed through a vibrating chamber to remove the physical and the chemical impurities. After this, the ore is made more concentrated by the addition of a few chemicals. As the ore gets more concentrated, it floats to the top of the chamber from where it is collected.

The tin that is collected in this manner is not 100% pure. It is around 80% pure. The 80% pure tin is then subjected to a process where it becomes 95% pure. In this purification process, some magnetic force is applied to the tin, which removes the iron particles from the tin.

Then the tin is subjected to a process called smelting. In this smelting process, the concentrated tin is mixed with carbon and heated in a furnace to about 1400 degree centigrade. During this heating process, limestone and silica are added to the mixture of tin and carbon. This is done to remove any more impurities present in the tin.

At the end of the smelting process, the tin obtained is crude tin. This crude tin is then agitated with steam and by this process the impurities get collected at the top and can be removed manually. The tin that is now obtained is 99.8% pure.

There are no useful byproducts obtained as a result of the manufacturing process. Waste products include the sand, stone and soil that are rejected during the mining and smelting process. The slag produced during the smelting and refining process contains arsenic, lead and other poisonous materials that are harmful to the environment. But tin itself is not harmful to the environment.

The application of tin for commercial purposes is on the rise and will continue to rise. As materials like cadmium and lead are harmful and poisonous, efforts are on to replace these materials with tin. In the soldering process, lead and tin combined was used as the solder. Now efforts are underway to replace this combination with tin and silver as a solder. In shotgun shells, lead shots are slowly getting replaced with tin shots. Thus due to the positive environmental effects of tin, it is slowly replacing the harmful materials such as lead and graphite.

Nine Music Artists Named After Attire

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Always a painful undertaking, my bi-yearly trip to pay my insurance bill did have a pleasant consequence today. A conversation with my agent about music, prompted by the tee shirt I was wearing, eased the fact that almost three thousand dollars would be deducted from my already meager savings.

Since he recognized the Elvis Costello album cover on my chest, the agent told me he liked most of the early records like My Aim Is True, Armed Forces and Get Happy. He then explained that he once played drums in an Elvis Costello cover band, and he in particular loved to play “Watching the Detectives.”

That long extinct band lasted just a few months, he said, and as far as he knew there were no other such groups around. When I got home I made an unsuccessful internet search for that band, which he had identified as The Red Shoes after one of Costello’s most famous characteristics.

That name made me think of other groups who referred to themselves as articles of clothing or accesories. Here are the nine I came up wth.

Plain White T’s

The pop quintet hit it big with “Hey There Delilah” and they have been releasing power pop records like Big Bad World ever since.

The Jo Boxers

“Just Got Lucky” has endured as their most recognizable songs, many of which sparkle with that New Wave sheen from the Eighties.

Hollywod Argyles

Singles like the one about a cave man named Alley Oop made a star of this guy whose name is associated with socks.

Los Straightjackets

These guys were the dominant instrumental guitar band of the Nineties, cranking out albums blending metal, rockabilly and jazz.

Corduroy

Denim would seem a more likely pants material to inspire a band name, but this acid jazz quartet went with an even heavier material.

The Cardigans

Nina Persson fronted this Swedish band who had consistent chart success in the late Nineties, topped by “Lovefool.”

The Psychedelic Furs

PETA might not be big fans of these “Pretty In Pink” musicians if their name did indeed refer to clothing or something to be worn.

Golden Earring

“Radar Love” made the Top Ten” but the Dutch rockers had to wait another twenty years to reach that mark again, when they scored with “The Twilight Zone.”

Boots Randolph

Saxophone was relatively unknown in country music before Randolph showed Nashville that brass could enhance honky tonk tunes.

Car Shopping: Ways To Get The Automobile Of Your Respective Ambitions

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Are you unclear about yourself when shopping for an automobile? You may feel as if you got conned before. This is why you must not assume that the vehicle salesman can be your buddy. Read on to discover more ideas. Do not permit a salesperson sell you with a vehicle you can’t genuinely afford to pay for. Regularly, people are talked into purchasing a sports car once the salesman shows them how great they search in it. Recognize that a person selling you the vehicle has an interest in commission payment, when they sell a costly vehicle, they get compensated a lot more. Check on the web for deals. Some of the finest bargains are available on the net. Once you have located the right car, you may drive to the dealership providing the motor vehicle or go to your car dealership and have them purchase the car for yourself. Obtain the dearest dependable dealership to save cash on gasoline. Usually do not go auto buying by yourself. Given that they aren’t the one generating the final decision, they could possibly help you avoid an agreement that isn’t the best to suit your needs. They can be anybody from your Mum into a colleague.

Have discussions with all those you understand the things they may possibly know personally. How can they enjoy the autos they own? Do they really really feel they paid out a good cost? Have they heard about some other autos that may be far better? When you would like to buy an automobile, this can be one method of getting some important info to help you get started out. In no way reveal the trade-in, everything you have lower, or what you wish until you have a cost ironed out. All those are items that need to further decrease the very best cost obtained. This should help you get yourself a much better bargain. Don’t consider about getting an auto coming from a car dealership. You could be shocked to discover the vehicle you want is easily offered by a non-public proprietor or tiny great deal. Check out on the internet or perhaps in classifieds to get autos available for purchase in your area. Analyze an auto by renting a similar brand name. Rent the automobile for any Saturday and Sunday to truly discover how the auto pushes. Continue a long road escape to see how the auto appears approximately the misuse. It will help you feel a lot less anxious when selecting the car. When you want to purchase vehicles, you must have a friend together with you that has very little fascination with your car acquire. A great friend can steer you away from producing an emotional or impulsive decision. You must go on a friend with you when shopping to enable them to support. Check with the dealership to let you possess the automobile examined through the technician you possess.

This auto mechanic should be 1 you can rely on. Avoid using the dealer’s mechanic. He or she can provide a wise idea of in which the vehicle holders. Do not purchase a second hand car without doing some investigation. It really is possible to use certain web sites to find out the need for a vehicle. In order to find out of the amount of a vehicle, go ahead and use NADA or Kelly Glowing blue Publication. In the event the dealer attempts to get additional than what these options say, leave. Each and every salesman which you experience could have an alternative individuality. Despite the fact that auto sales representatives are renowned for employing high-pressure strategies, these methods are losing performance. An increasing number of car dealerships now realize that if they do not drive buyers, the customers will probably be happier and can get back to provide them with a lot more business. Tend not to think twice to walk far from an overbearing salesman. You can actually get a more sympathetic salesperson. Mileage and fuel overall economy needs to be important factors when shopping for a fresh vehicle. It can be more expensive to acquire a gasoline efficient auto, but you’ll save more after a while. Consider this when you’re thinking of getting a brand new automobile and think about your financial budget long lasting as well.

Will not search for a dealer just before performing some investigation into it. Make queries to find out if existing customers are satisfied. Also, you can examination this department to determine if these are on his or her video game. Stick to a car dealership that has knowledgeable staff on hand. If you discover out it comes with an advertising and marketing cost inside your car’s price, notify the car dealership to eliminate it. You must not be accountable for that. When they demand, threaten just to walk. They are going to stop you and present in. Be sure you look for discounts ahead of obtaining a motor vehicle. A lot of auto product sales places offer you a rebate to create the selling just a little quicker in the end. Car dealerships that aren’t that ethical may not even tell you about this rebate and get that cash without the need of at any time telling you about it. You don’t have to accept the first offer given to you. Unless you consider you will get a good price you possibly will not be. You should work out. As a result, you need to utilize the techniques specified herein in case you are to achieve genuine good results.

The Monarch Riflescope 8-32x50ED SF BDC Monarch Series of Riflescopes

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The test was carried out on the Monarch Riflescope 8-32x50ED SF with BDC reticule that is top of the range in Nikon’s Monarch range, coming in the shops at around $700 – $800 against a list price of $980. You might be able to get it cheaper than $700 but I haven’t found it.

It is certainly a beautiful-looking instrument, and was crystal clear all the way down to the x32 zoom. However, let’s start with a discussion about the company itself, because if you are going to purchase a Nikon riflescope you want to know the background. This instrument has to be reliable under all conditions, so how does Nikon stand in the riflescope market.

The company is well known for its optical products, most people being familiar with the Nikon camera range. Over the past few years, the firm has being trying to make a name for itself in the hunting scope market, and now offers a range of hunting optical equipment including binoculars, rangefinders and spotting scopes and now riflescopes particularly designed for the higher end of the hunting market. So the Monarch has not just appeared from nowhere, but has a good pedigree.

The riflescope range offered by Nikon is the Prostaff, the Buckmaster and the Monarch, in that order. The Prostaff are the entry level products, intended predominantly for amateurs seeking a telescopic sight for their rifle, but not wanting to pay too much. However, they are good quality, and you get a lot for what you pay. It’s a pity that the quality of the other two ranges does not increase proportionate to their price, but that would likely be impossible to achieve.

While the Prostaff range offers a good quality basic scope, the Buckmasters are better in that they offer a wider range of magnifications and objective dimensions, and also better light transmission. These are three very important properties in a riflescope, and while they are important improvements, the jump in price from that of the Prostaff is a bit too steep to warrant just these differences. And then we come to the Monarch, and it is that on which we will focus (sorry!).

This is Nikons best, beating the other two hands down in all features. The problem with the Monarch is that that there is too many of them: they are subdivided into a range of different products and it is not easy for the uneducated to know which is best for their needs. For example, you can choose from the Monarch original UCC 3-9×40, the African, the Gold, the X series or just the plain Monarch, which I shall refer to as the standard. So what’s the difference between these?

It would take too long a review to explain the differences between all the Monarch models, so I shall stick to the standard 17″ long Monarch Riflescope 8-32x50ED SF with BDC which is excellent for serious hunters.

Magnification

The entire range offers the 1″ main tube that Americans prefer, and 4x magnification range. The starting power options start at 2 and increase to a total of 7 possible starting points to 8, through 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and 6. With these magnification ranges come the objectives: 2-8×32; 2.5-10×42; 3-12×42; 4-16×42; 4-16×50; 5-20×44; 6-24×50; 8-32×50. With various other options, you can purchase 24 different scopes in the standard Monarch range.

Of these, this review is of the last in that line-up, the 8-32×50 with ED labeled glass, standing for Extra-low Dispersion that offers improved sharpness and color-correction, particularly at higher powers (20x or over). Our scope also had a BDC – bullet drop correction – reticule that compensates for bullet drop over specified distances on the reticule. The actual model number we tested was Nikon #8480, the pinnacle of the Monarch series.

Eye Relief

Anybody familiar with Nikon Monarch scopes will know about the Eye Box technology that offers four inches of eye relief and 4x power magnification. What that means is that you can aim with your eye 4 inches from the eyepiece – this offers at least four inches recoil before the eyepiece hits your eyebrow. When I tested the scope the 4″ was OK at 32x power, but al lower power you could take your eye even further away, but only by about an inch or so. The Nikon Monarch riflescope 8-32x50ED is better than many variable power scopes where the optimum eye relief varies considerably with power. It is better to be fairly constant so you can get used to a certain stance in shooting – you don’t want to be switching too much between powers with a variable power riflescope.

Optical Properties

The Monarch 8-32x50ED was particularly clear and bright, even for the 50 objective lens. The ED glass has been explained, but it sure makes a difference to the clarity, particularly at higher magnifications. Apparently this ED glass has been used on Nikon’s telephoto lenses as standard, and has been applied to the Monarch riflescope – but only to the 8-32×50 as far as I can ascertain. It also offers excellent color compensation.

Nikon also have what they refer to as an ‘Ultra Clear Coat’ on their lenses, claiming it to boost the transmission of light through them to 95% as compared to the 90% of the lower-priced basic Prostaff range. This really is excellent, particularly in low light conditions.

The SF in the model name we tested means that it is fitted with a side parallax adjustment, SF standing for Side Focus. This works as normal, only it has a locking device whereby you pull out a locking ring to free the adjustment, make your adjustment, and then push the ring in to lock it in place. The adjustment then can’t be moved by accident. The adjustment moves in 1/8 MOA clicks offering precise parallax adjustment at ranges from 50 yards to infinity. The same 1/8 MOA adjustment is available on the accessory target-style windage and elevation adjustment knobs and caps.

Bullet Drop Compensation

Nikon’s Monarch BDC models offer BDC reticules which possess four circles on the bottom half of the vertical reticule axis, corresponding to 200, 300, 400 and 500 yard holdovers for standard cartridges. For magnum cartridges, with higher muzzle velocities of about 300 fps, they are each 100 yards higher.

Simply target using the appropriate circle for the appropriate range and cartridge type. This is a fairly simple no-frills BDC system that still requires a bit of skill and know-how to use accurately. BDC does not come as standard, but each scope can be configured using the system, so if you want it you have to specify.

Unexpected Extras

The model we tested came with a couple of useful accessories: a sunshade and two flip-up lens caps. That makes sure you can’t lose your lens caps. Apparently they are only available with this scope model, although they can be ordered as after sales accessories from Nikon for lower priced models such as the Prostaff and Buckmaster range.

Conclusions

This is a good riflescope with some very useful features. The standard book price tag is possibly a bit high but you can it for over $200 less online, so in that respect it is very well priced for what you get. The glass is very clear with excellent color and the extra features are worth having, particularly the side parallax locking ring that helps maintain the setting even when knocked.

Perhaps the 32 power magnification is a bit high for this scope, unless you have a rest or bipod when using it, and the 20 MOA internal adjustment is perhaps not quite enough for longer distances. Nevertheless, for its intended use it is a magnificent riflescope and you will have to look far and wide to get better value for money (at the online price) than the Nikon Monarch 8-32x50ED SF BDC.

How To Write A Song

On: By: admin

Did you ever wish that it was your song playing on the radio? It could be. It is not that hard once you know the formula. With a little creativity, a little knowledge, a little luck and a good formula to follow, your song could be one of the next biggest hits.

Songwriting comes easy for some, and is very difficult for others. I have actually written songs in my sleep, and immediately upon awaking, written it as quickly as I could get the words on down on paper.

What I want to discuss here is popular songwriting, like the songs you hear on the radio. A good pop song, whether rock, country, middle of the road, is composed of two things: a catchy tune and some good lyrics.

There is a formula that most great songwriters use to write great songs. It regards the structure used to write a song. Granted, it is music and it is art, so the rules are not hard and fast. But if you want to increase your chances of getting your song on the radio, it is a good starting point.

Here is the formula. Verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus.

Write that down on paper leaving plenty of space between each word and this will be your script.

Verse

The verse is the part of the song that tells the story, the part that leads to the chorus. Each verse is usually different, telling a different part of, or adding to, the story. It usually explains how you got to the things you are singing about in the chorus.

Chorus.

The chorus is the part of the song that is repeated after each verse. The lyrics are usually the same each time the chorus comes around. The verse usually leads to the chorus, and the chorus is usually the pay off for listening to the verse. Does that make sense?

Here is a lame example (you did not think I would give you my best work, did you?):

(verse)

My dog is sick, he’s got a tick

He’s my best friend, don’t let it end

(chorus)

Oh, woe is me, can’t you see

Woe is me, will I ever be free

(verse)

My car broke down, just out of town

It got towed in, but it’s broke again

(chorus)

Oh, woe is me, can’t you see

Woe is me, will I ever be free

Now, if you would kindly stop laughing at my lame song for a minute, I want you to think about whether or not you understand my point. Songwriting is story telling. The verse tells the problems, the chorus expresses the results or the emotions.

All right, now that you have that mastered, let’s tackle the bridge. Ah, yeah, there is more to the song than the pain and the release. We need the diversion. That is what the bridge is; it is the diversion from the verse and the chorus.

The bridge may have a slightly different melody to it, or it could even have a different rhythm or a different tempo (Elvis’ “Suspicious Minds” did a great job on this technique).

Let’s go back to the lame song and add a bridge:

(verse)

My dog is sick, he’s got a tick

He’s my best friend, don’t let it end

(chorus)

Oh, woe is me, can’t you see

Woe is me, will I ever be free

(verse)

My car broke down, just out of town

It got towed in, but it’s broke again

(chorus)

Oh, woe is me, can’t you see

Woe is me, will I ever be free

(bridge)

Tomorrow is a better day, I’ve got a new truck on the way

My dog just had a flea it seems, so once again I’ll live my dreams

(chorus)

Oh, woe was me, can’t you see

Woe was me, but now I’m free

The bridge offers a solution to the problems I was having. You don’t want to leave your listener on the edge of suicide, you want to give them hope.

Notice, I also changed up the wording of the chorus. This was done to reflect my new found joy.

One more thing on formula. It can be anyway you want, but most verses and chorus come in lines of 4. So, instead of this:

(verse)

Oh, woe is me, can’t you see

Woe is me, will I ever be free

(verse)

My car broke down, just out of town

It got towed in, but it’s broke again

it would be:

Oh, woe is me, can’t you see

Woe is me, will I ever be free

My car broke down, just out of town

It got towed in, but it’s broke again

The same goes for the chorus. Again, if you are creative, do it however you want. But for a new songwriter, this gives you some guidelines to scratch out and start carving out your new creation.

One more thing, do not make the notes to the melody so high that your fans cannot sing along. We are certainly all not Stevie Wonder.

Why The FDA Suppresses Natural Remedies and Cures

On: By: admin

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is designed to regulate the medications and food products in America. By testing and regulating these consumable goods, the FDA controls which products enter the marketplace and which pharmaceuticals doctors can prescribe for patients. Originally designed to help protect the health of the consumer base, the FDA has become a larger entity in a federal government heavily influenced by large, wealthy corporations who constantly lobby government officials to protect their interests. Since the FDA regulates pharmaceuticals, one of the most profitable products in America, drug companies have spent millions of dollars to push their products into the marketplace. Since the FDA can only regulate drugs and cures that originate from controlled areas (and not nature), they have passed into law a statement that only drugs and surgery can prevent and cure disease. As stated in the book Natural Cures by Kevin Trudeau, by attempting to control the consumption of pharmaceuticals, the FDA has managed to suppress any and all natural remedies and cures.

Although the FDA has a stated focus of protecting the citizens, it manages to disregard any alternative natural remedies and cures due to the management and regulation of natural remedies. Cures and remedies found in nature can neither be regulated nor patented and the FDA can therefore control neither the production value nor the consumption of the products. Because of this, the FDA cannot clear natural cures for use by the population to cure or treat diseases or conditions. Only pharmaceutical companies have the capacity to regulate the production of drugs and create a consistent product. By creating a homogenized product, the FDA can then regulate its use in the marketplace and approve these drugs for use by the general population. In this regard, the FDA manages to regulate the drug distribution, but also fails to recognize the potential of natural remedies and cures. As explained in Kevin Trudeau’s book Natural Cures, the neglect of natural remedies and cures manages to protect only the pharmaceutical industries instead of providing consumers with the best possible cure for their condition.

As one of the largest and most wealthy industries in America, drug companies create conditions in the FDA that protect only the pharmaceutical industries instead of the public. Big drug companies spend millions of dollars creating products to channel into the hands of consumers through the doors of the FDA. Whether these products are prescription grade or not, these companies are interested in profits, not necessarily the health of the consumer. Pharmaceutical companies, after all, are for-profit businesses that profit primarily from the sale of their patented drugs. By influencing the FDA and government officials through lobbyists and drug research, these companies have managed to create an environment that allows only patented drugs to enter the fields of medical science and hospitals for use on patients. As a result, the FDA ends up protecting the profits of the drug companies instead of the health of the consumer. Kevin Trudeau explains in his book Natural Cures that the FDA is only interested in the regulation of pharmaceuticals, leaving the consumer to defend his or her health. He further explains that, since the FDA does not regulate consumer health, each individual is free to choose a cure and remedy that suits the individual’s need.