LED HDTV Reviews

Filed Under (Home and Family) by admin on 23-12-2011

Today’s televisions could be entirely unrecognizable using their earlier variations within the marketplace. Up in order to now, the most hi-tech TV’s that have been around were the actual heavy, monochrome versions. But these times, slender models filled with flat, colorful displays are already the fad.
TV innovation might have just attained its peak using the arrival of individuals high-definition TV’s that may generate realistic as well as high-resolution pictures. HDTV’s can be viewed being a globally trend, with numerous companies launching superior-quality choices at each release date. And the most recent improvement to this extensive type of fantastic technology may be the LG 55LW6500. This specific kind of TV provides enjoyment as well as technology like absolutely no other.
What is really a LED HDTV?
LED or Gentle Emitting Diodes is understood to be a technology made to enhance the backlighting associated with LCD HDTV’s. Whilst LCD TV’s function Cold Cathode Neon Lamps (CCFL’s), LED technology functions using numerous LED tubes setup all around about the edge or at the back of the TV display. This lets the display to provide lighter in weight and deeper colors for pictures and for this reason, the images appear as much livelier and additionally realistic.
All these (empty) tubes also allow this sort of Read more reviews on the Samsung UN60D8000 being slimmer in comparison with other sorts associated with HDTV’s, because the source of light is often intentionally located directly behind or on the sides from the display and the actual over-all size from the TV set significantly minimized. With several diffusion layers as well as light pipes, slimmer LED HDTV’s might be possible. You can actually find LED HDTV’s which may be just a thick.
LED and LCD HDTV’s are usually different with each other due to the backlighting, with the previous using LED bulbs and also the latter using fluorescent tubes. By using this, LED TV’s offer significantly more attractive and innovative options in comparison with their LCD counterparts perform. A LED HIGH DEFINITION TV is practically just a TELEVISION that integrates the actual LED technology. Nonetheless, most electronics manufacturers still decide to refer to these things as separate types of TV; nevertheless, in doing this it creates additional misunderstandings to clients.
LED backlights can in fact appear in 3 kinds, each one featuring its own layout associated with LED tubes within the TV set. The first kind is Powerful RGB LEDs that may feature colors from excellent contrast percentages. The LED tube backlights with this design are located at the rear of the panel. Another one is actually full-array LEDs in which the backlights are positioned powering the display. Nevertheless, full-array LEDs tend to be incapable in exhibiting a quicker image display since its LED tubes cannot brighten or darkish individually. Finally, there’s also the actual Edge LEDs which provides an infinitely more uniformly distributed color car screen. Edge LEDs may produce images much more accurately since their own backlights are distributed through the display screen.
Because LED’s could be individually controlled it’s straightforward for the actual LED tubes to automatically switch off to show the actual deepest shade of black because of its images, while however, lighten up wisely to brighten the actual display and deliver the right contrast. Both of those functions of the actual LED tubes enable these phones provide an amazing contrast ratio through the screen. This equates to improved, more vibrant and desired pictures.
Read more reviews on the hdtv reviews.

E Cigs Review

Filed Under (Health and Fitness) by admin on 02-12-2011

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No one can make a heavy smoker get rid of this habit if he/she does not wish to do that. At the same time, there is an ideal way to reduce the potential health risks these people face to a minimum. Just make sure this person is aware of smokeless cigarettes and their benefits. The best way to do that is to offer a good e cigs review to him/her in order to provide this person with valuable information related to this device. Read the rest of this entry »

Online Payday Loans No Credit Check at paydayloansnocreditcheck.biz

Filed Under (Finance) by admin on 30-06-2011

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Being busy with your everyday duties, you might not always have enough time for traditional retail lending. Fortunately, most of the companies give you a brilliant opportunity to acquire payday loans online. You will normally be asked to fill in an application form that requires some personal data in order to define your eligibility. Realized via reliable web-based mechanisms, online payday loans no credit check are completely confidential and secure. To make your life easier and the whole application process more convenient, companies ensure that their controlling systems will not take much time or effort. Providing no credit check and no fax payday loans, they have established a reliable system that guarantees quick approval and pursues the highest level of safety. Keep in mind that cash is transferred directly to your account. With payday advance loans you will finally be able to forget about late payments, extra fees, and charges.
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5 Ways Customer Service Managers are Implementing to Increase Customer Focus

Filed Under (Business) by admin on 12-06-2011

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According to a Forum Corporation survey of commercial customers lost by 14 major service and manufacturing companies:

15% found a better service/product

15% found a cheaper service/product

20% cited “lack of contact and individual attention from the company”

50% said; “contact from old suppliers” personnel was poor in quality”

These days, it seems that everyone from dog walkers to dotcoms is making “customer service” their mission. Department, discount and convenience stores have all transformed the workers who used to be known as “sales clerks” into “customer service associates”- in theory at least. A recent survey of large corporation CEOs revealed that 67% had customer service earmarked as their top priority. Here are the 5 ways successful managers should implement to increase customer focus.

1. Targeted recruiting and hiring. Today’s managers are faced with the challenge of recruiting and hiring people who value customers. The concern far exceeds hiring the right talent; it includes the awareness of hiring for the cultural fit of their organization. It is true that a strong correlation exists between hiring the right customer service talent and customer satisfaction, effective productivity and increased bottom line profitability.

2. Listen for what customers really need. While the extra effort being put forth to be customer focused is encouraging, there is a big difference between customer service and customer satisfaction. This is where many companies get confused and customer service efforts can go awry. Customer satisfaction is an outcome; customer service is a means or strategy for achieving that outcome. To move toward greater customer satisfaction, businesses must focus on what it is that, indeed, satisfies the customer instead of just focusing on the activities themselves.

3. Handle tough customers with tact. Quality of service is what distinguishes one company from another. Far more than in product-producing companies, in service organizations. The actions of people are the key to quality. The leadership skills of managers in service organizations can contribute significantly to the quality of customer service efforts.

4. Conduct customer surveys. Develop and implement a customer survey program. This will attempt to understand customers’ satisfaction with the company, its products and services. Companies will ask key questions about the customers’ experiences and determine the overall level of customer satisfaction. Compare results of survey against internal performance measurements to ensure their validity. Managers will use such survey results to understand customer expectation and increase customer loyalty.

5. Motivate employees to be customer-focused. Managers need to create a sense of enthusiasm and energy that would be powerful and contagious for their employees and customers. Employee excitement, know how and determination offer insights to the growth of customer base and success of any organization.

Incorporating true customer focus into company practices simply makes good business sense. It not only helps good managers become better managers, but more effective leaders. Bringing with it continual improvement, it also aids organizations so that they are better able to take advantage of, and adapt to, the changing environment that is today’s marketplace.

Business can’t exist without customers, and customers don’t let businesses exist without customer service. This all-important aspect of your company begins with becoming customer-focused. Instead of viewing things from your business’ perspective, you must learn to view circumstances from that of your clients. To stay successful, customer satisfaction is a must!

Tips & Tactics

o Pay attention to customer feedback:

It’s the only way you’ll really know what they want

o Embrace Technology:

It can help you save tremendously on customer service costs.

o Make customer satisfaction a priority:

From the top executives down, give your corporate culture a customer-focused angle.

How to Buy a Home With Good Feng Shui

Filed Under (Home Improvement) by admin on 11-06-2011

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Buying a home is usually a stressful experience. So much rides on a new home because this is where you relax, have fun, sleep, eat; in short, it’s the place central to your life. Not only that, but homes usually cost a whole lot of money and represent our single largest investment. Most homebuyers can usually find the objective requirements of house hunting, such as location, size, and price. But, there are also intangible factors when searching for a new home, but most people don’t know what to look for.

Helping you find the flaws

This is where feng shui comes in. Using feng shui, you’ll be able to spot the problems -or the potential — in a house that exist outside of the objective requirements of number of bedrooms, amount of storage, etc. These are features that you might not notice, and a realtor will seldom, if ever, point out to you. But, with this checklist, you can at least feel more confident about your decision to go with a particular property.

Look at the space with “feng shui eyes”

When you are looking at a house – or any space for that matter – and considering whether to buy it, it helps to look at it with “feng shui eyes.” You will want to do this once you have considered all the other objective aspects of the house, such as square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, living areas, location, price, etc.

The next step is to run down a checklist of the subjective feng shui considerations that will help you make a feng shui assessment. Even if you aren’t house hunting, this list can give you some important information that might be very revealing about the house you are already in!

The list below provides some of the more serious feng shui problems.

Exterior

Street: Is house at the end of a cul-de-sac, dead end or T-junction?

Topography. Is the lot sloped away at the back? Avoid yards that slope down toward the rear. Select home with a rise at the rear. Is house below street grade? This will make for a constant “uphill” struggle while you live here.

Landscape. Is there a tree or pole directly in front of the front door? Dead trees or shrubs? Dead lawn?

Garage. Is it ahead of the house or front door?

Neighbors. Is this house smaller than houses on either side? Do neighbors’ houses have sharp angles pointing at this house or appear to overpower or dominate the house?

Views & proximity. Can you see or is it close to church, temple or other house of worship? Can you see or is it close to funeral home, cemetery, hospital, police station, sewage treatment, abandoned building or run-down house?

Water. Is water, lake, river, ocean at the back of house or too close to front?

Lot. Regular or irregular-shaped? House sits too close to the front of lot? Does backyard fall away from the rear of the house?

Paths. Driveway ends at house instead of garage? Walkways end straight at door?

Interior

House style. Split, bi-level, or center hall colonial?

Front. Front door lines up with back door? Does front door face stairway?

Structure. Overhead or exposed beams? Ceilings too high or are they low and slanted? Skylights over sleeping areas or kitchen? Foundation cracks or problems? Serious plumbing or electrical problems?

Entrance. Do you see toilet/bathroom door from the entrance? See the kitchen/stove from the front door? See the dining room from the front door? See the bedroom from front door?

Toilets. Located in NW, SW, center, or corners of the house? Bedroom, dining area or kitchen located under or over toilet?

Staircases. Spiral staircase? Staircase stops at front door? Split or scissor-style staircase?

Hallways. Too long? Divide the house into two sections? Too dark?

Bedrooms. Over garage? Over bathroom or laundry? Have empty space below, i.e., patio area? Is master bedroom too close to the front door?

Fireplace. In the NW portion of the house? Is it in the Southeast (wealth) sector?

Major locations. Problems with or missing sections in Northwest (man), Southwest (woman), North (career), or Southeast (wealth)? Bathroom, laundry, kitchen in center of house?

Odor. Smells musty, smoky, putrid?

Enlist a professional

Still not perfectly confident? Well, a home is a major purchase and we must always consider that important point. Most people take a used car to their mechanic before buying it — and its purchase isn’t as important as a house. So, if you’re still confused or just want to proceed with the sale in confidence, why not talk to a feng shui specialist about looking about the prospective house?

A professional feng shui consultant should be able to tell you what you can expect from this location, such as good financial or business opportunities. Or, maybe you’ll find out that buying this house means your health will suffer, you’ll discover an afflicted portion of the house, such as a toilet in the SW sector that can hurt your marriage. Give serious consideration to hiring a professional.

Fortunately, most problems have a feng shui fix

It’s important to know that every house has “feng shui flaws” and that no house is perfect. However, you should be aware of what you are buying so that you are knowledgeable about what kinds of problems might be associated with the house. The good news? Most feng shui flaws can be corrected.

Cure Arthritis? Right!

Filed Under (Health and Fitness) by admin on 10-06-2011

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Arthritis sufferers are daily bombarded with new, better, more exciting treatments. Try Enbrel! Try Humira! Miracle drugs!Get your NSAIDS! Get your DMARDS! Pump more chemicals into your system. Side effects? What side effects? You have a choice; accept the side effects or get sicker and sicker.

In order to allay our fears, the drug companies publish the results of their clinical tests. This double blind study proved that that lethal chemical reduced your swelling more than another, equally lethal chemical.

Do they think they’re playing with babies? Yes. That’s exactly what they think. Arthritis is such a horrible, debilitating disease that we’ll try anything to reduce the symptoms. And that’s exactly what these awful drugs do. They reduce the symptoms, temporarily. As the symptoms creep back, your rheumatologist increases the drug or experiments with other lethal concoctions to reduce your swelling or pain. We’re told there’s NO cure for arthritis. We’re told that no one knows the cause. Really! More that thirty years ago we sent men to play golf on the moon. But we can’t pin point even one cause for this crippling disease?

It’s time for a reality check. The drug companies will continue to pump out really expensive chemicals, ostensibly helpful. Our doctors will continue to serve up the concoctions fed to them by the drug companies. Unless we refuse to go along with this travesty. We don’t need a revolution. We don’t even need to take on our doctors or the drug companies. We only need to pool our resources and conduct our own quiet experiments.

We need to experiment with our habits. Just take one aspect of our life and alter it for one month. For example, are you a heavy coffee drinker? I’m pretty well wired to the ceiling by mid-day. Cut coffee from your diet for one month. Document any changes to your system resulting from this. You may, of course, suffer withdrawal symptoms but you may also experience a very welcome reduction in arthritic pain and swelling.

That’s just one suggestion. We have lots more. Feed-back from our brave experimenters will eventually allow us to make real recommendations. The revolution has started!

Anamchara – Beyond Positive Thinking

Filed Under (Self Improvement) by admin on 09-06-2011

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One of the most well known books ever written on success is James Allan’s “As a man thinketh.”

This book advocates thinking in a positive manner in order to create the life you dream of having. It suggests all you have to do is change your internal dialogue and you can begin to adopt a successful mind set. After an unspecified time you will then “have it all.”

For some this approach has undoubtedly worked.

For many others it has manifestly not done so. There are more books written and read on positive thinking than on most any other subject. This has made some difference to people’s lives but real change has not manifested for too many others.

I think this is because the writing of James Allen has been understood only at a surface level. In his wonderful book “As a man thinketh,” he writes: -

“As a man thinketh in his heart so is he, not only embraces the whole of a mans being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance.”

Note the language.

It is a form of language you do not hear in today’s personal growth market. I think this is why it is not so well understood. James Allen clearly states, “As a man thinketh in his heart…” He is, to my mind, talking about clearly making an emotional connection with one’s heart.

This is where all positive change begins.

The heart speaks to one’s being and not only to the intellect. The intellect is only a part of the wholeness of our humanity. Thinking positive thoughts can go some way to creating a wonderful experience of what it means to be alive. However, being alive is not just an intellectual experience. It is a when fully allowed a free flowing experience of delight.

The heart knows things that the head can never imagine.

The heart embraces the imagination. James Allen uses the word “embrace” in the above passage. The mind does not embrace. It rationalises. The mind operates in a linear fashion. It moves from point A to point B. An embrace is something that encircles you. A circle is complete it is not something that is partial. A circle is more holistic.

James Allen goes on to say that this “thinketh of the heart” is so comprehensive it affects all conditions and circumstances. It is in effect transformative. It changes ones relationship to life and living.

I personally think James Allan would have been better naming his wonderful book “As a man feels.” This I think would guide many others to the experience of “embracing a man’s being. It would more clearly focus one on the free flow of feeling within the body allied to ones purpose and values.

This connection with your purpose and values at the heart level raises passion. This is the real power that will “reach out to every condition and circumstance.” This will be a warmer and more powerful experience than the cool application of simply repeating positive words and phrases.

Remember you are already forever enough no matter how much positive thinking you may apply to your being. Remember that the Blessing is already here and you are it.

The Art Of Persuasive Pitching

Filed Under (Business) by admin on 08-06-2011

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Media placement is an art. Practicing it often requires as much attention to approach and style as it does to the focus of your story. While it’s important to know how to use creative formatting techniques that can enhance editorial reception to a story (see article, “Using Publicity As A Creative Marketing Tool”) publicists can benefit from mastering some useful tips prior to approaching, by e-mail, snail mail or phone, the keepers of the media gate.

Some Basic Assumptions:

* Always tell the truth. Make sure your product or service does what it says it does and your information is accurate. If a question is put to you that you do not have an answer for, indicate to the reporter you’ll get back with the information. If you don’t, the info will come from someone else–and not necessarily from a source that will help your organization. Never “imagine” or “fudge” an answer. Remember, candor equals credibility. If your organization has taken an action that has reaped negative consequences, counsel your client to admit the mistake (unless the client is constrained from doing so by legal counsel). Negativity can also be mitigated if you can anticipate a reporter’s tough question, and frame an answer that puts the action into historical perspective; or by developing a positioning statement that lessens the harshness implied in the question. (For example, when a poisonous substance infiltrated Tylenol bottles, the company issued the statement that “we are victims too”).

* Know your outlet before you call. Have you read the magazine or newspaper in advance? Have you watched the tv program? Have you listened to the radio show? With print media, do you know the specific beat of the editor or reporter you intend to make contact with? Have you read his/her stories? It’s fine to cold call but don’t cold call blindly (unless there really is vagueness about that person’s turf).

* Attitude. There are some p.r. people whose emotional lives seem to count on an editor’s acceptance; and who feel like failures when the editor says “no.” “Unattachment” is the best attitude. “Unattachment” doesn’t mean “detachment” or “apathy.” It means coming from a centered place, with self-confidence in yourself and your ability to communicate a story effectively – but without being attached to the outcome. You’ll find this a liberating approach, one that disallows you from becoming intimidated by an editor or producer, and one that enables you to return to the same person in the future with no regrets. When an editor perceives that you are not overly emotionally invested in a story, you may actually get a better hearing. Be warm & polite, professional…and clear. See that individual as a peer and colleague. If they’re brusque in the moment, they may be having a bad day. Simply ask if there’s a better time to get back to them.

* That said, believe in your story and believe in yourself. The best p.r. people see themselves as resources of news and information who work with journalists to fill valuable time & print space.

* Be more empathetic than sympathetic. Being empathetic enables you to build on what was said and resond with alternate approaches. Being sympathetic means you’ve probably foreclosed the possibility of an alternate approach.

* Get out of the reporter’s way. When you’re providing a reporter, editor or producer information where the story is time-sensitive, relay the information and get out of the way. There’s a time for pitching an idea, and there’s a time for simply relaying information. In the case of the latter, act like an editorial assistant. Do your job and get out. You’ll earn the journalist’s respect when you do so.

* Don’t waste their time. When you call, communicate in sharp and crystallized fashion, the essence of the story. Keep it brief, respect deadlines and ask in advance if the moment is ok for that editor/ producer. NEVER call when you know an editor is under deadline pressure. Keep your message on-point and as brief as possible, but craft it in a compelling and creative way that will earn attention.

* Personalize. I’ve seen too many impersonal, photocopied pitch letters, whether via e-mail or snail mail. If you send something in advance to a call, or as a follow-up to a call, personalize. Don’t be overly chummy (unless you’ve been on good terms with that journalist for a long time). But keep sensitive to the fact that you’re a human being, and you’re communicating with a human being. For e-mails, craft a provocative phrase in the “subject” area. Too many e-mail messages get unread without a compelling lead.

* Listen to the editor. It’s as important to listen as it is to talk. Be sensitive to any verbal feedback, cues or clues that can assist you in fine-tuning your pitch. Keep your antennae fully extended.

* Respect the ‘no’ and be prepared for it. Ask quick, important questions: What is it about this story that doesn’t seem right for you? Is there anyone else for whom this story might work better? Suggest how the story can be adapted to the outlet’s needs. Best of all, suggest three to five different angles in advance. This reduces chances for rejection.

* But when you get your final no, let it go and release it. YOU haven’t been rejected, just your story. And if you’ve handled the approach professionally and cordially, you’ll always be able to come back with another story at another time. Regard your list of cultivated contacts as resources and investments for the long-haul, not for quick fix purposes.

* Occasionally, pass along an item of interest that lies outside your own sphere of self-interest. Be someone who’s not always out to get something. Also, supply your most important contacts with your home phone number.

* Get out from behind your desk. The better you get to know the journalist on a one-to-one basis, the better your chance of a receptive ear.

* Getting beyond voice mail. Leave a succinct, provocative, targeted message. If you don’t hear from them in two days, try calling early, or leave a message with an editorial assistant or colleague. Call back that other person to learn if your message was received and if there’s a return message. Sometimes, you can ask the switchboard for the department that person works in, rather than a specific voice mail.

Remember that an editor or producer is buying you as well as your story. The bottom line is trust. It’s up to you to earn it.

It Makes Sense to Add AdSense to Your Blog

Filed Under (Internet and Businesses Online) by admin on 07-06-2011

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Google AdSense is easy to install on a web page or blog and constitutes additional source of income without spending anything. You have to apply on-line for Google AdSense Program and generally approval comes from Google within two days. Those having AdWord account can use AdWord e-mail address and password for AdSense account also. After acceptance of application, Google confirms creation of your Adsense account thru e-mail. You get a code for AdSense text ads and another code for AdSense search. These codes are to be installed on web page or blog and within minutes the page will start displaying ads from Google, and a Google search bar. AdSense is available in dozen languages worldwide.

The code for AdSense can be placed on any of your web pages. I think placing it on your blog will give you distinct advantage because blogs have several points in their favor. They are easily indexed by search engines. Recently two of my simple blogs were indexed by Google within 2-3 days of submission of URL’s which I think is quite fast. With Yahoo! it is even easier – just add the URL of your blog to your My Yahoo page and Yahoo! will start accessing it immediately. GoogleAlert is a free tool that can be used to know when your blog is indexed by Google.

You can have your blog up and running in minutes free of cost from several sites that provide this service. I personally use blogger.com. With blogs you do not need to worry about designing websites, registering domain name or hiring web site hosting service. You simply write your content on the blog and it is ready for publication.

An excellent article by John Taylor on creating blog is re-published here:

http://sanjay-j.com/art1ab33.html

With AdSense wide range of options is available – number of ads for display, shape and size of display, color schemes. More than 200 colors are available from which you can choose color for border, background and text. 24 pre-set color palettes are readily available; in addition you can have your own custom-palette to match with the appearance of your web page. Similarly, color schemes are available for Google search bar.

When the web page is opened, Google ads are placed which match with the content of the page and are highly relevant. Google finds right ads for the web page from 100,000 AdWord advertisers.

Several options are available for the ads that you would like to be displayed on your page. Ad filters can be activated which will block up to 200 URL’s of your choice which you do not want to show on your page. You may like to filter away ads from your competitors. You can even choose your own default ads for display. Google uses sensitive content filters to prevent display of sensitive material. If you find that your page is not really getting relevant ads, it may be time to look critically at the content of the page, particularly the keywords used in text, links and tags. Little SE optimization of the page should resolve this problem.

Sometimes Google places public service ads when no target ads are available. To suppress public service ad, it is possible to specify your own image ad or HTML page ad which will appear in place of public service ad. This ensures that some ad is always present there. Or, if you like, the space reserved for Adsense ads can be made to collapse.

AdSense tracker is another useful feature which tracks the ads on your pages and generates report for you. The reports can be customized based on requirement. Typically reports can give page impressions displayed, number of clicks and click-thru rates. It is also possible to check earnings any time.

Web page owner can make use of all these facilities and try to get best results. With the help of Ad tracker lot of useful information can be obtained – which ads are doing well, which color combination gets better results, which location of the web page is best for showing ads and so on. This analysis can be used to improve traffic as well as click-thru rates.

With AdSense you have virtually nothing to lose. If you have not yet installed AdSense on your website you can perhaps give it a thought. Any free space which can be created on your website to accommodate AdSense can be used to generate additional income.

How to Use Humor to Increase Sales

Filed Under (Business) by admin on 06-06-2011

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Using cartoons can help brand your marketing and drive home important messages. Although surprisingly inexpensive to acquire, humor can be one of your most powerful marketing tools.

Humor puts your readers at ease. Readers appreciate a touch of humor in an otherwise overly serious world.

Humor operates on an emotional level, driving home your message in a far more memorable way than words alone. Humor makes sensitive topics more approachable while summarizing and reinforcing points that would otherwise be lost.

Different types of humor work best in different contexts. Many speakers begin with a joke to put the audience at ease, or a story about ‘a funny thing that happened on the way to the meeting.’

But jokes and stories are less appropriate for written communications. Jokes can be misinterpreted and depend on delivery and timing for their effectiveness. Stories can take too long to tell.

Cartoons are perfect for print communications. Readers who typically check them out before reading the adjacent articles appreciate cartoons.

More important, cartoons communicate at a glance. A cartoon can attract your reader’s attention and drive home an important point in a memorable way.

The editorial page of any newspaper shows how effective humor can be in simplifying complex subjects and driving home a point of view.

Humor also adds a visual dimension to your marketing, differentiating your message from your competitor’s. Cartoons encourage readers to look at topics they might otherwise skip.

Where do you get cartoons? One of the best sources is the Cartoon Bank, www.cartoonbank.com. Here, you can license reproduction rights to cartoons that originally appeared in the New Yorker Magazine.

You can select from tens of thousands of cartoons. You can search by topic or keyword. After choosing an appropriate cartoon, you can find out how much it will cost to license it, and then you can download it.

Licensing fees are surprisingly reasonable for most business applications. For example, you can license New Yorker cartoons for use in presentations for just $19.95! For other purposes, the cost depends on where you’re going to use it and how many people will see it.

There are, of course, other sources of cartoons. If you see a cartoon you like in a newspaper or magazine, write the cartoonist in care of the publication and ask about availability and pricing. If there is a particular cartoonist whose style you like, contact the cartoonist about a custom cartoon.

This has worked very well for me and I owned total rights to use the cartoon any way I wanted.

Cartoons are great for the home page of your website, newsletters, training materials and presentation visuals.

In each case, the unexpectedness of a cartoon immediately captures your audience or reader’s attention and visually reinforces your message.

Here are some suggestions for marketing with cartoons:

1. When in doubt, leave it out. If the cartoon does not perfectly support your point, leave it out.

2. Always add the copyright information described in the licensing agreement.

3. Never run a cartoon without first obtaining a license to reproduce it.

4. Optimization. After downloading, resize and sharpen the cartoon in an image-editing program like Photoshop and export it in the proper file format.

Using humor in the form of cartoons is a powerful way to brand your marketing and drive home important messages to your prospects and clients.