How to effectively advertise events in uk for free

How To Effectively Advertise Events In Uk For Free

Advertising is one of the most important aspects of planning an event. Without advertising, no one will know about your event and you will have no attendees. This article will cover how do you go about advertising your local event and what is the easiest and most cost-effective way to advertise your event? How do you reach your full potential audience and let them know about your event?

There are any number of ways to promote your event; from highly costly to absolutely free, and all budgets in between but here I am listing some of easiest ways to advertise your events for free.

1) Free classified sites:Although, at first glance, it may seem that free classified sites on the internet are geared exclusively toward people looking to buy and sell items; they can help you tremendously by catching the eye of another potential attendee to your event. Some of the online classified ad websites have an events category, like Adsglobe.co.uk and I would suggest using as many as you can for your geographic area. There are numerous classified ad websites some are local, while others are national or even international, and the size of your event will determine which resources you will use. Posting an advertisement also will not take much time and it is free of cost and easy to post.

2) Press Releases:A Press Release forms the very beginning of a public relations campaign. Press releases can bring high quality prospects to your site. You can optimize your press release for targeted keywords. When someone goes to Google or any other search engine to type the keyword, your press release can show up in the search engine results. As a result, it is a great way to have people read about your event.

3) Social networking sites: Social media sites create an effective way for you to advertise your events for free. Twitter, Facebook, Myspace and YouTube are amongst hundreds of other sites are easy ways to generate a lot of buzz quickly. These days even some people are creating virtual tours or videos of their events and posting it on the net. By using these sites you will not only   be able to publicize your event quickly, but cheaply as well.

4) Get your own Blog: Get your own blog and advertise your events on it, complete with digital photos. Before the event, during and after the event blog about it. Blogging beforehand can alert others about your event and encourage them to learn more or register to attend.

5) Live stream your event: If your event is a conference or educational platform, consider live streaming it via web video. You can broadcast your event live over the Internet. This helps expand your audience and interact with them, even if they are not present in person at your event.

6) Word of Mouth: Simply put, talk about your event with others. Information spreads easily through people talking with each other. Individuals are more likely to attend an event if their friend is going and speaks highly of it. It is important to make your event sound interesting and unique when talking about it with others so that they will in turn pass the information along and get more people to want to come to the competition.

7) Listing in Community Newspapers and Websites : In addition to writing press releases and contacting media for publicity, simply listing your event in the Community Events section of newspapers and on community websites is a simple and effective way to reach your audience. Many people tend to read the «Events» section to quickly see what is going on and so this tactic works very well.

How to select the best wholesale supplier

How to Select the Best Wholesale Supplier

Copyright (c) 2009 Steven Holmes

As a retailer I’m often approached by new wholesale, hoping to wrestle my custom away from my existing suppliers. Promises of huge discounts, ever-changing product ranges and a far superior level of service to the one provided by my long-standing wholesaler. The problem is that in the early days of my retail career, when margins were the only thing I cared about, I was seduced by these promises and changed my supplier on a number of occasions, invariably to be disappointed each time. This taught me a valuable lesson — once you’ve found a reliable supplier who provides you with the correct goods, on time, and with a level of customer service that isn’t offensive, stick with them unless you’re absolutely certain that someone can do better.

Of course the number of wholesalers you have to choose from varies greatly from product to product so you may have your mind made up for you. If not though, the key considerations you should bare in mind are as follows:

Reputation — Don’t be afraid to ask other people, even if they are the competition. Try to get the opinion of at least one person who has worked with the supplier before. If the reaction is positive then at least you have a first-hand referral. If a supplier has a reputation for being bad just avoid them. Your shop’s success relies on a continuous flow of stock, so anything that gets in the way of this could be damaging. It’s vert easy to be tempted into using a supplier with a bad reputation because they have the lowest prices. You will regret it!

Language — The way the retail industry is now, a huge number of wholesalers/suppliers are based overseas. Ensure that any overseas supplier you use has a member of staff who is a fluent speaker of your language, unless you happen to be a fluent speaker of there’s. It is vitally important that you can communicate clearly with your suppliers

Payment Terms — Choose a supplier whose payment terms fit with the finances of your business. Very few suppliers these days will ask for the full amount up front but if they do, and to do so would stretch you financially, walk away. Instead choose a wholesaler who operates a sale-or-return policy or a credit policy. This will give you enough time to generate the funds needed to pay for the stock, without putting your business at risk.

Product Range — Differentiation is absolutely critical in retail. If you sell products that are different to the competition then you can sell them at a higher price because of exclusivity. If your products are the same as everyone else’s then the shop with the cheapest prices will get the sale. If possible, find a wholesaler who offers a wide range of original products that are exclusive to them only. For example, if you’re in the market for a wholesale costume jewellery or wholesale fashion jewellery supplier, you will probably find that a number of wholesalers in India or the Far East stock exactly the same products. In this situation it would be advisable to go direct to the manufacturers.

Price — Of course price is an important element. If you can’t make a decent margin on the products you sell, your business will fail. The reason, however, that I have left price til last is because, in my opinion, it shouldn’t be your primary focus.

Indusrty's best cordless impact drills

Indusrty's Best Cordless Impact Drills

Impact drills are not just brawn, on the contrary, they offer quite a bit of brain as well. With power and versatility, one of these tools does a great deal more than simply drive screws; with the help of a brilliant, self-triggering impacting mechanism, these tools move through concrete and other seemingly impossible materials with striking ease. Ultimately, a good impact drill can make life easier on many counts, but finding the one that best suits you isn’t always as easy as simply enjoying its benefits. I’d like to help you define your search for the best fitting impactor by high-lighting the industry’s toughest, most impressive impact drills — some, with price-tags that will surprise you.

For heavy-duty users Makita’s BTD141 (18v) cordless impact driver truly packs a wallop incorporating new features and a maximum torque motor to deliver 1,330 in/lbs of torque. Remaining compact and lightweight despite all that big power, the tool weighs only 3.4 lbs — this ergonomic shape distributes pressure evenly throughout the tool for comfortable, easy control. A built-in LED light illuminates work spaces, and a high quality heat-hardened steel proprietary hammer and anvil significantly increase the tool’s overall life and durability. The tool also has an electric brake for immediate stops which not only increases your safety, but also minimizes kickback, otherwise known as «the enemy». Additionally utilizing lithium ion battery technology and an exclusive charging system that optimizes battery life and produces more than twice as many cycles, the tool is powerful, durable and terribly efficient. It’s slim, cordless design renders this impactor both mobile and maneuverable an ultimately an ideal choice for everyone from the most industrial workers to the most average homeowner. This BTD141 impact kit ranges in price from $270 — $300.

Another heavy-duty impactor comes in green from Hitachi. Their WH14DL (14.4v) cordless impact driver is built with big power and smooth innovation to master every industrial impacting application from decking to heavy-duty construction projects. Also utilizing lithium ion battery technology, the impactor delivers a perfect union of power, controllability, and durable longevity. Big torque (1,240 in/lbs) allows you to easily complete rough jobs, and the tool’s industrial grade, two-piece motor (equip with heavy gauge copper coils) is one of the strongest in the business. The tool’s two-step speed switch allows users to select between Power-Mode (0 — 2,600 RPM) or Save-Mode (0 — 2,000 RPM) for ultimate control over each task, and with Hitachi’s unique Cool Flow system emitting a steady stream of air into the motor, the impactor can run harder and longer, minimizing the risk of burnout and totally increasing your productivity. At only 3.3 lbs the tool is portable and simple to control and operate providing craftsmen with surprising power in an ultra-compact design. Additionally, the tool’s brushes are externally accessible for the easiest maintenance and replacements, and perhaps most importantly, the tool is covered under Hitachi’s unmatched 10-year warranty. pricing at about $240 — $260, the WH14DL kit is an exceptional tool at a great buy.

In this particular instance, high-quality and high-price don’t necessarily coincide. Pricing from around $195 — $225 Makita’s BTD142HW is an elite tool for a remarkably good value. For the ultimate in high-quality this 18v cordless impact driver provides users with both striking power and an innovative, durable, design. Employing Makita’s superior battery technology and exclusive lithium ion charging system, the tool’s toughness and battery life is virtually unmatched. Producing more than twice as many charging cycles, this system ensures the tool is durable through even the toughest applications. Additionally, with a jaw-dropping power-to-weight ratio, the tool flaunts 1,280 in/lbs of torque while still weighing only 2.8 lbs; this compact design renders the BTD142HW incredibly comfortable to use while the tool’s four-pole, Makita-built motor efficiently delivers high-torque to complete your jobs more efficiently. The impactor’s proprietary hammer and anvil are made with the highest quality (heat-hardened) steel for superior durability, and externally accessible brushes contribute to the tool’s overall serviceability and longevity. An electric brake system additionally ensures safer operation and that as you work, you enjoy vastly minimized kickback, which, if you’ll kindly remember, is «the enemy.» Ultimately, with compact portability and serious power, the tool promises high-quality results, smooth operation, and an overall performance that will consistently, continually impress.

Appealing to users of all levels and price-ranges, Bosch’s PS40-2A is known for its exceptional quality and innovative design. This 10.8v impact fastening driver boasts a sleek, compact design coupled with the most force in its class. powered by a high-performance motor boasting 1,800 RPM (3,000 BPM), and with a hammer and anvil system producing 800in/lbs of torque, the impactor delivers exceptionally fast fastening and an ultra smooth, high-performance. Powered by Bosch’s Litheon technology, batteries built for a totally optimized performance, the tool remains lightweight (at only 2.2 lbs) while still maintaining big power. A variable speed trigger produces a wide range of speed options for greater versatility in a variety of applications, and with a 1/4″ hex quick change chuck that can instantly change from drill bits to driving bits, the tool is incomparably efficient and convenient on the job. The impactor additionally has 3 LED lights integrated into the front of the tool to illuminate dark or tight spaces, and pricing from around $160 — $190, the PS40-2A impact drill kit has the power for heavy-duty effectiveness, at a really great price.

Boasting the smarts of automatic impact and the underrated awesomeness of portable power, any of these impactors are certain to help you achieve the best resutls with an efficient and rewarding power tool.

How to benefit from working with speakers bureaus

How to Benefit From Working With Speakers Bureaus

What Speakers Bureaus Do For You

The bureau’s job is to know where and how to find the right speaker for your event, send you materials to review, schedule conference calls, secure / contract the speaker and facilitate financial arrangements. Like travel agents, speaker bureaus smooth the process for securing talent for your event and charge you nothing while saving you enormous amounts of time. Since speaker bureaus get paid from the speakers fee, they receive compensation only when you book a speaker they suggest.

Bureaus act as partners for researching speakers and finding the perfect match for your event. They can assist with determining the appropriate mix of content, personality and entertainment for the presentation. Finding the right speakers who can meet your needs and budget is the bureau’s objective.

Bureaus generally represent a large roster of speakers (ranging from local business experts to worldwide celebrities), and can also book speakers they don’t exclusively represent. Speakers bureaus work with professional speakers who are seasoned experts and have demonstrated excellent speaking skills, professionalism and expertise of their topic. The bureau interviews them, checks their references, reviews their performances in person or on tape and determines that they will deliver the best presentation for your event.

Bureau Process

First, bureaus will ask you about the goals and objectives for your event and about your company / division. During the interview, a bureau agent will listen to your program needs and assess what type of speaker would fit your program objectives and budget. Is your company downsizing? Experiencing tremendous change & growth? Sales slow? Company morale low? Conference theme?

Next, your bureau agent will research the large pool of available speakers to develop a short list of the top candidates for your event. Your agent will then send you you press kits and/or videos of the speakers you find most interesting. Finally, they will confirm availability for the speaker(s) you have chosen and will arrange all contracting, finances and specific presentation and travel requirements.

How to Maximize Your Bureau Relationship

Using Multiple Sources to Find Your Speaker

Since speaker bureau services are free, meeting planners will often contact numerous bureaus to help find a speaker. This can lead to confusion and wasted time. Instead of developing a close relationship with your chosen bureau and receiving a few excellent speaker suggestions for your event, you will receive piles of speaker kits (many duplicates) and dozens of calls from various bureau agents and speakers.

By using numerous bureaus, you can quickly diminish the time savings you would gain in the first place. Often, bureaus will not devote much time to these «multiple bureau» projects since they have less chance in closing a deal and the speakers they work with will be confused from multiple bureau contacts.

For example, a meeting planner contacts five bureaus and five bureaus send them four speakers for review (many are duplicates). What do they do then? Who do they choose to book the speaker? The meeting planner will have all five bureaus calling them to find out what their decision is and how they can help.

Communication

Bureau agents work hard to help meeting planners locate and book the perfect speaker. It is important to clearly communicate throughout the speaker search process. Give your bureau agent as much information about your goals and your chosen event theme as you can. Provide clear and quick feedback on speakers they may suggest and keep them informed about your selection process.

We all know the meeting process can be ever changing, especially committee run selection processes. Your bureau agent knows this, so don’t be afraid to involve them in your process, even if it means letting them know the budget has been cut this year or that the theme has changed. Your bureau agent wants all your events — for years to come — to be successes.

If you are using other sources, it is always a good policy to let your bureau(s) know others you may be working with. Let them know immediately if you are considering booking a speaker from another source. This way, multiple bureaus won’t continue contacting the same speaker trying to secure «holds» for your event date.

Bureaus take care of many of the details for booking speakers — from locating the perfect speaker(s) available for your event to contracting negotiations and presentation details — which ultimately saves you time and money. Working with bureaus is a time saving and rewarding experience.

Id card security issues via lamination

Id Card Security Issues Via Lamination

The ID card market has changed over the past several years as affordable solutions have reached the marketplace. Today, someone can purchase an ID card printer for less than $2,000 that provides the ability to print plastic photo identification cards. Now there are other elements that are required such as software, digital camera and computer, but the solutions have definitely stepped down from being unreachable as far as price is concerned. There are several solutions that have been introduced to prevent fraudulent identification cards from being produced and we want to review a few to help you understand them.

One of the earliest forms of counterfeit protection methods is what is found on almost any form of paper currency regardless of its country of origin as well as on many of today’s government identification cards. It’s the line artwork found on the corners and borders and it’s called Guilloche printing. This methodology of counterfeit protection was developed when copy machines were not as sophisticated as they are today, during a time when counterfeiting required someone copying the details as an artist would copy a painting. Today with the advances on imaging and digital duplication, this form of counterfeit protection is just not sufficient; therefore there have been many new methods introduced.

Many of these new types of forgery prevention have had to do with the lamination that can be placed on top of an ID card. There are many reasons that this lamination has become one of the fullest proof methods of ensuring identification cards are original and nearly impossible to duplicate. Before we begin to discuss the different types of security placed into the lamination, it’s important to understand that presently there are only two companies in the global marketplace that produce this secure lamination technology. Each of these companies also allows the customer to register the lamination produced. This alone creates a barrier to duplication simply because of the limited sources. There are other facets that cause the technologies within lamination to be hard to duplicate and the cost barrier is one of them.

To produce a lamination for a particular purpose, a design has to be established. Producing this design can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 based on the technologies embedded into the product. Then after the design has been created and registered, there are minimum orders that must be met. Therefore, if you consider the cost of trying to duplicate an ID card utilizing this technology, you have to include the cost of the equipment plus the cost of getting a design created (if possible, because of the limited companies in the market and the registration of the imbedded marks) and then the minimum orders required to get started. Ultimately to produce a good forgery today, someone would have to spend approximately $20,000 or more US dollars to be able to do so. And again, that would be if they knew the right people that could even make something like this happen since there are presently only two organizations that produce ID card secure laminations.

Now that we’ve discussed the difficulty in duplicating the laminate and the expense involved, let me explain why the expense and difficulty. State of the art technology has been developed and embedded into these laminates including security features such as holograms, micro and nano text, laser visible imaging, and ultraviolet colors. Each of these items are available, each at a cost when it comes to producing your secure laminate for your identification card needs. Regardless of the initial cost, once these technologies have been incorporated into your overlaid laminate, you alone have the ability to purchase this exclusive custom secure design.

There are companies in the marketplace that have the ability to assist in designing your identification cards as well as assisting in the setup of security features such as RFID and the lamination techniques discussed here. One of the companies we should mention is www.FullIdentity.com: this organization specializes in producing photo identification cards for companies of all sizes as well as governments and government agencies. Some of the many projects they have underway include national identification cards for existing and emerging nations. At the present time they are unable to disclose many of the projects that have begun; however, they are stepping up as one of the leaders in the industry.

As many of the older technologies utilized to prevent fraudulent duplication of identification cards have become easily imitated, one of the best methodologies in today’s marketplace to prevent duplication is the use of highly sophisticated laminates. There are other forms of forgery prevention, but not many of them are as affordable on a per card basis as today’s laminate technologies. Who knows what the future holds, but for now, there are not many better or more affordable solutions.