I’ve spent the last few months at various educational conferences and tradeshows, and one of the hottest topics at each conference has been the use of podcasts in and for the classroom.

So . . . that’s why I’m excited to tell that I want to give you (freebies . . . no charge, no hidden costs, no sweat) access to three online podcasting courses. These online little jewels (each about 90 minutes long) take you all the way through the podcasting basics and simple-to-understand terminology to integrating podcasts in the classroom. Each course is written by a been-there-done-that-in-the-classroom teacher.

Good, yummy, useful stuff. Check ‘em out.

We normally sell these courses to entire school districts for their teachers’ professional development needs, and the charge is normally in the $25 per course per teacher range, but . . . for you, again, no charge, no hidden costs, no sweat.

To sign up:

Existing Contributors at Teachbits:

1. Go to http://freecourses.howtomaster.com and use your Teachbits ID and password – they’ll work here as well.

1. If you are a contributor and don’t remember your Teachbits ID and password, go here to retrieve it: http://www.teachbits.com/forgot.asp

Existing Buyer/User at Teachbits, but Not Yet a Contributor?

1. You’ll need to be a Contributor (no charge for that either) at Teachbits, so you should first upgrade your account from Buyer to Contributor status. (Don’t worry, you won’t have to contribute any learning materials unless you want to.) If you are a Buyer/User you already have a user name and password.

1. If you are a Buyer/User and don’t remember your Teachbits ID and password, go here to retrieve it: http://www.teachbits.com/forgot.asp

1. Go to http://www.teachbits.com/sell/ to upgrade your account (no charge) to a Contributor. Use PODCAST as your free passcode.

1. Go to http://freecourses.howtomaster.com and use your Teachbits ID and password – they’ll work here as well.

Not a Buyer or Contributor at Teachbits, but Want the Free Podcasting Courses?

1. Go to http://www.teachbits.com/sell/ to create your account (no charge) as a Contributor.

1. Go to http://freecourses.howtomaster.com and use your Teachbits ID and password – they’ll work here as well. Use PODCAST as your free passcode.

Questions or problems? Simply send me an email at mwerner@infosourcelearning.com and we’ll get on the case.

Happy podcasting to you,
Michael

Position Details
Flash animators will be responsible for animating graphics for a Web-based e-Learning product.

All positions are contract/freelance positions, for work on an “as-needed” basis. Work may be done offsite or, in some instances, onsite.

Requirements
• Ability to articulate creative ideas.
• Ability to work under aggressive deadlines.
• A solid working knowledge of the latest versions of Photoshop and Flash and understanding of the strengths and limitations of each.
• Own a copy of CS3 with Flash.

About Us
InfoSource Learning is a developer and turnkey custom solution provider of high quality Web-based training (WBT) for the education, corporate and government training markets.
InfoSource Learning’s “How To Master” online training libraries cover areas such as basic PC literacy for educators, teacher professional development skills, and classroom technology integration skills. The courseware features a content-rich environment of interactive, self-paced learning and testing, built on the premise that people “learn-by-doing.” With InfoSource Learning’s interactive learning approach the learner actively participates with lessons by clicking on objects on the screen to achieve lesson objectives, instead of sitting idly and watching a video or presentation.

Applications
To apply, please send resume, payment rate requests and requirements, and relevant work samples to developmen t@ infosourcelearning.com.

For an upcoming online course we’re writing/creating over at InfoSource Learning (a leader in training solutions for 25 years), we’re looking someone who’s the hotshot of effective meetings.

He or she would be a person who’s taught thousands of business people, worked with Fortune 500-type organizations, and written a book or two on the topic.

Sort of the “Tom Peters of meetings.”

We need someone like this to be a “spokesperson” for part of the course.

Ideas welcomed and appreciated. Think this could be you or maybe someone you know? Tell us.

When you go to the site, you’re asked to match a word to its synonym. For every word you get correct, 20 grains of rice are donated to the United Nations.

I’ve played a few rounds on the site (am up to 1000 grains now) and I can tell you - these words are challenging! This would be great for building your own vocabulary, or if you are a teacher, for students seeking a challenge. I cracked some of the words through knowledge of prefixes and suffixes, so it could be incorporated into a lesson on those, too.

If you are looking for a business and/or Web site idea - maybe this will inspire you. ‘Tis the season to give a little back to others!

Wordpreneur is all about writing for dough, and there are a ton-o-sites with that same focus. However, what makes Eldon’s site different is his slightly-offbeat-yet-laser-focused attitude and take on all things writing and publishing.

You don’t get the same-old-same-old at Wordpreneur; rather, you get one guy’s been-there-done-that take on the world of writing and publishing.

Plus, Sarte is funny and a bit of a curmudgeon . . . he won’t mince words when he has something to say, review, rate, or analyze.

Really good stuff; check ‘er out.

Article marketing has captured the imagination of many striving to earn a dollar online over the past 12 months. It’s simplicity is an appealing alternative to some of the more technical aspects of internet marketing.

One of the best learning environments online, Portal Feeder 2.0 preaches the importance of resisting the “too good to be true offers” which inundate our inboxes everyday and learn to build a business with
a solid foundation.

Some of these techniques may work for a short time however, nothing beats solid long term building strategies which can withstand sustainability issues in time.

Article marketing should form part of your overall strategy and done right, can generate tons of free traffic to your sites over a long period of time.

But is it a simple process? How are you doing with your article marketing? Are you getting the traffic you thought you would and are people clicking through to your site from your resource box?

These are all valid questions and ones you should consider carefully before spending the time and effort on crafting an article on your chosen topic. After all, why waste the time and effort in producing an article if it’s just going to become another “square byte” of wasted real estate online.

Let’s take a look at some of the deadly article marketing sins you should avoid to ensure you achieve ongoing success with your writing online.

1. Craft a compelling title. Include your keyword in the title usually at the beginning.

2. Depending on how long your keyword or keyword phrase is, include it twice in the title. You could also use your main keyword and a synonym but again, watch the length of your title.

3. Avoid writing your article in the me. Do not use “I” statements. This is especially important when crafting an article aimed at directing a reader to your resource box to view your offer.

4. Avoid writing the article as a news story. If it’s an offer you have, the article should be offering a solution to a problem. People go online looking for solutions to problems and if you don’t have it, they will quickly move on.

5. Avoid using a closing paragraph. A good article marketer will end his piece in such a way that the resource box will act as the closing paragraph.

6. Your resource box must be compelling enough for people to want to click through to your site. Mention benefits in your resource box.

There is pain in the online learning process and it’s one of reasons over 90% of hopefuls don’t make it. If you have the patience and work ethic, then success will come your way. Articles have the ability to act as your own personal team of salespeople for a very long time.

Once you master the skill of article marketing, you’ll be light years ahead of most of the struggling internet marketers online today.

I have been using the Google Adsense Program to generate extra income online for some time now. I have gained a lot of experience from using the program. I feel it’s become necessary to share the pros and cons of the program with those that may be considering using it in this article. But first, I need to explain a bit what the program is.

What is Google Adsense?

Google Adsense is an affiliate marketing program. In Google Adsense, Google act as the intermediary between the affiliates and the merchants. The merchant, or the advertiser, would simply sign up with Google and provide the latter with text ads pertaining to their products. These ads, which is actually a link to the advertiser’s website, would then appear on Google searches as well as on the websites owned by the affiliates, or by those webmasters who have signed up with the Google Adsense program.

In Google Adsense, all the webmaster has to do is place a code on his website and Google takes care of the rest. The ads that Google would place on your site would generally be relevant to the content of your site. This would be advantageous both for you and for the advertiser, as the visitors of your site would more or less be actually interested with the products being advertised.

The Google Adsense program compensates the affiliate in a pay-per-click basis. The advertisers would pay Google a certain amount each time their ad on your site is clicked and Google would then forward this amount to you through checks, although only after Google have deducted their share of the amount. Google Adsense checks are usually delivered monthly if you earning reaches $100.00. Also, the Google Adsense program provides webmasters with a tracking tool that allows them to monitor the earnings they actually get from a certain ad.

Now that you understand what Google Adsense is, here are the pros:

1. They are great for webmasters creating content websites. It used to be these webmasters worried about how to cover the expenses of running their websites. With Google Adsense, these worries became a thing of the past. All they have to do now is write their content and add adsense to it and make money.

2. Google Adsense makes the internet better for the users. Webmasters can now concentrate on publishing quality content. Quality content makes the internet better for the users.

3. Once a webmaster creates quality content, it can generate income for years to come. All the webmaster has to do is update the content from time to time and the income will keep coming in.

4. If a webmaster has the time, the webmaster can publish multiple websites. You can use one Google Adsense account on multiple websites. You don’t have to go through the hassle of applying for another account with Google.

Below are the cons of the Google Adsense program:

1. The Adsense account can be closed by Google at any time. There are horror stories of webmasters waking up and seeing their account closed. They all of a sudden lose their source of income.

Usually, one of the reasons that makes Google close an account is click fraud. The problem is that the click fraud my not be committed by the webmaster.

2. The Google Adsense program does not provide residual income. So, you can’t continue to reap the reward of your hard work over and over as you do with residual income programs.

3. Most content websites depend on search engines for traffic. When the search engines shuffle their ranking algorithms, the traffic may drop. This drop will result in less traffic and income.

4. Creating content can be hard work. You’ll need to keep adding content to keep your website interesting. Without this, you visitors may dry up, which will decrease your income.

There you have it! You now know the pros and cons of the Google Adsense program. It’s up to you to decide if you want to use it to earn extra income.

About The Author

Copywrite © Kenneth Echie. Kenneth updates the latest extra income ideas at http://www.extra-income-ideas.com. Subscribe to his informative ezine by sending blank e-mail to: bye925 AT http://getresponse.com.

Digital cameras and the internet have revolutionized the world of photography. No longer is expensive equipment and years of experience required to make money taking pictures. Now all that is needed is an entrepreneurial mindset and a little determination. Here are the basics of starting your own mini-photography franchise.

-Invest in the Right Equipment

The right photography equipment can not only improve the quality of your work, but it can also save you time as well. Even if you are working on a tight budget, you should not base your purchases solely on price. Look for products that offer the best value, which means finding those that provide the best features for the least amount of money. The most important equipment you will need is a camera, computer, editing software, and possibly a bag to carry everything in.

-Gather Samples and References

As in any business, you will have to provide your customers some proof that you are competent photographer. You can do this by building samples of your work and providing references of past customers. If you are just starting out, then offer to take pictures of friends or family for free. Combine these sessions with some artistic or outdoor shots to show a variety of your talents. Put it all together in a portfolio or brochure you can hand to your clients. Just don’t skimp on the quality since this is the first impression they will have of you.

-Market Your Services

Finding the best way to advertise can be difficult, especially if you are on a budget, but the key is to be creative. Start by designing your own business card with a memorable photo on the front. Pass these out to everyone you know and leave small stacks of them in public places. For mainstream exposure, use online classified sites that let you can post your services on for free. Of course a website is also helpful, and this can be done easily by building a blog. Some photographers also use their blog to post new photographs of their work.

-Develop a Niche

When you are first starting out, there will be a period of trial and error while you learn what sells and what doesn’t. Eventually though you should find some specific niches that you enjoy focusing on and that play to your talents. Since a lot of your customers will be looking for a precise type of picture, you can increase your sales by becoming an expert in a particular category. Some examples of niches include nature, sports, and business pictures. The key is to find a profitable niche that has very few competitors so that you can dominate it without much resistance.

Getting paid to take pictures is the dream of many amateur photographers, and it is certainly an attainable one. By treating your hobby as a business, you can build a supplemental income stream while doing what you love. Just remember to do your research and start slowly before you get too far over your head.

Author: tech n roll
The choice of a blogging platform is one the most important decisions a blogger/webmaster will make in the course of their business. Blogging can be made easier or more difficult, depending on the decision that is made. For example, user-friendly features must be carefully balanced with those techniques that are being utilized to the specific weblog site. This is but one aspect of the decision to be considered.

Customizable platforms allow for greater leeway in the formation and production of a blog site; however, a novice blogger/webmaster may want to start off with a program that is easier to navigate and use, then upgrade to a more complex platform as experience is gained. Veteran blog site owners may wish to go ahead and use a customizable platform in order to project the creativity and originality they desire. Using a simpler program may prove frustrating to an “old hand”.

No blogging platform can be considered the “best”, because each platform’s “personality” and individuality is as varied as those using the platforms. There are advantages to having numerous choices, as it is likely that there is a specific platform available to meet the needs of each and every blogger.

Bloggers/webmasters should keep the goals and priorities of their weblog site uppermost in mind when searching for the right blogging platform. Reviews of platforms should be taken in context with the reviewer’s position. What may look like a negative review to an experienced weblog owner may be exactly what the beginning weblogger needs.

The list:

1. For the main search terms your site is targeting, use the biggest headlines.
2. Make sure your content is relevant to the headline or section it appears in. If your headline is about Writing Services, for example, the text explaining those writing services oughta be about, well, hmmm . . . writing services.
3. Every page of your website should have a link that takes you back to the homepage. (A lot of people do that by having their logo clickable — to return to the homepage — on all pages.)
4. All hypertext links should describe where the link takes you. Don’t use Click Here links. For example, if you want the site to take you to Teachbits.com, make Teachbits.com itself a clickable link.
5. Each page on the site should have a title that represents what’s on that page, so don’t use things like untitled or home as your page names.
6. Your home page should prominently display the linkable sections of the site.
7. Google, Search Engine Numero Uno, by mucho, places a lot of emphasis on its own PageRank calculation. Google determines PageRank, in large part, by the number of other websites that link to yours.
8. For images you load on your site, use descriptive names such as Teachbits Product List instead of labels such as file7 or image13.

Most of these things are easy to do and can dramatically improve your page’s ranking!