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Your Questions About Bay Area Marketing Agencies

Chris asks…

I’ve been unemployed for…wow…over a year. yikes! Decided to put up an online portfolio. feedback please?

I’ve been throwing my resume down the gaping holes of craigslist, careerbuilder, etc and talked to various employment agencies so I’m not just sitting around on my butt. I’m told that a portfolio helps but I’m still newer to graphic design. If anyone is in HR or is familiar with the hiring, interviewing process I would really appreciate a look over at the portfolio site.

I’d love a job with marketing, advertising, writing…etc. just no sales!! Dont know if the portfolio reflects that. It still needs work with the scrolling and all that…but i’m more interested on the things i can change myself like the content and background. =) thank you so much! I’m beginning to really freak out about having beeen unemployed this long…I moved to the bay area thinking things would change…but nope…still waiting.
here is the site: http://muhawi.com

admin answers:

College education? Or just planning to throw junk online and trying to get a job that way

Lisa asks…

I am frustrated with the job market and what to do with myself?

I been unemployed for sometime now. I been applying for work but get frustrated pretty quickly with the process. I think it’s driving me nuts. Obviously, I need to get a new job. What is a good way to stay motivated and pace myself? I live in the SF Bay Area, by the way.

Most of my experience consists of teaching ESL and Mathematics overseas (I have a BA, no credential). Most recently I have done software Quality Control for a prominent IT company (however my computer skills are very modest). The thought of working retail is nauseating! ….LOL

I have tried temp agencies but they are slow now, and would prefer avoiding them. Also, I have tried job boards but think with so many unemployed these companies are going to get inundated with resumes anyway.

I would appreciate your suggestions, thanks.

admin answers:

Looking for a job is one of the most frustrating things you can experience. You have to go where no one else goes. Go to the nearest Industrial Park. No one applies there. You can find the location on a zoning map at City Hall. You might drive a forklift or load a truck but you will find work..

Sharon asks…

Are you concerned about lead in food marketed toward children?

“Quantities of lead in bottled juice, juice boxes, and packaged fruit could exceed federal limits for the lunchbox-toting set, according to the Environmental Law Foundation. The Bay Area-based environmental nonprofit, which enlisted the aid of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified lab in Berkeley, tested nearly 400 samples from 150 branded products marketed to children, including apple juice, grape juice, packaged pears and peaches (including baby food), and fruit cocktail mixes. The alarming results: 125 out of 146 products—or more than 85%—contained enough lead in a single serving to warrant a warning label under California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, better known as Prop. 65.”

http://www.inhabitots.com/2010/06/11/85-of-kids-drinks-snacks-could-contain-high-levels-of-lead/

For a list of who passed and who didn’t (pdf file): http://www.envirolaw.org/documents/ProductsTestedforLeadFINAL.pdf

admin answers:

No, I’m not. My daughter doesn’t drink much juice and doesn’t eat fruit out of a can except when they have it at school parties or on the rare occasion that I just have her buy lunch rather than pack it.

I kind of have to smirk at the picture on the first link of the girl sipping out of an “organic” juice box.

Packaged foods are inherently less healthy than foods in more raw states. We aren’t health nuts by any means, but isn’t a lot of this common sense?

The last lead test my daughter had came back normal. I’m sure we’re all getting exposure in hundreds of other forms.

Richard asks…

please can any one help me in this project?

Hi, I am a student from Oman specializing in environmental engineering. Now days I am working on a project that deals with Khor [(English: estuary) is a landlocked body of water in the form of a semi-enclosed bay, the river is fed by several rivers or on the one hand, and is attached to the sea on the other hand, when mixed with salt water to freshwater]. This khor (Khor Kashmir) is located in Sohar which is a coastal city in my country. Last January a proposal was submitted to the responsible government agency for developing Khor Kashmir of Sohar as a bird-watching site. Khor Kashmir has dried out due to disconnection from the sea. This Khor is located near the fish market in Sohar and that was the first time it was disconnected from the sea then fishing harbor was built around the area and eventually the Cornish road was made. As there is still underground water table that might contain fresh or brackish water, the Khor is retaining it diverse plant life. If the water flow between the Khor and the sea can be reinstated there will be a natural habitat for shore birds to come along as witnessed during the last rain events when water pools got formed and there will be a potential for the Khor to develop as tourist attraction.
My questions are:
Should the scope include a tourism survey to determine demand?
Should the project include a bird survey or do you think there is enough information about birds at the site from existing records?
Should the project end with detailed drawings?
Should the project examine options to i) open the khor entrance, ii) keep it open?

admin answers:

Your training in engineering may be otherwise excellent but it seems to have left out one practical aspect. Always include any studies you can get funded for. You might have to hire temporary help to do this. That’s a relatively cheap way to determine the value of the consultants for future work. In addition, the company makes money on everyone they hire. I have been flown, at company expense, from the US to the Middle East for environmental impact work and I am sure that the company made a lot of money from my expertise, such as it is.

A few other notes. Surveys can quantify the cost-benefit analysis and are probably more often right than wrong. A good biologist will do both a field survey and a literature survey; there may have been changes. Always have drawings. Politicians rarely read but some look at pictures. Always consider all possible options, no matter what you think of them.

Mandy asks…

i need a help in my project?

admin answers:

1. Tourism survey: I’m not sure how valuable this will be. People often cannot imagine what a development will be like before it is started, so they will be basing their answers to you on what the place looks like now. Since I don’t know what it looks like now, or how you envision it in the future, I can’t guess as to how your survey would come out, and whether it would truly reflect the demand generated from the project.

2. Bird survey: This depends on the depth of the previous bird surveys, and how well established the area is as a place for bird watching. If you already have a good survey from a respected individual or institution, you probably don’t need another, unless it was done a very long time ago. If you have reason to believe new species are now visiting the area, especially if those species can be a big tourist draw, you should document those species. (Such species, either due to size or unusual appearance, are informally described by biologists as “charismatic fauna.”)

3. It is always a good idea to include drawings as to how the place will look in the future. Technical detail may not be necessary at this point.

4. Definitely explore options. Even when one option is clearly superior to others, it’s a good idea to show why your preferred option is best. People like the idea that they have had input into what is being done.

Your Questions About Bay Area Fastrak

Richard asks…

SF Bay Area Fastrak sensor question on dash?

I just received my Fastrak inside sensor. It will only be used a few times a year. So, my question is “Will the device work if placed on my dash when I approach the toll booths”? I don’t want to mount it to the windshield nor the lower dash via velcro but keep it in my glove box until needed.

admin answers:

In North Texas, we use the same technology for our tollways, the driver is issued a “Tolltag” with velcro strips for the windshield. I have used mine on the dash, or lend it to the kids or out of town guests who use it on the dash…never a problem. Here, some of the tollbooths or exits have a red/green light (mostly those that accept change as well), you can test your scanner at those places that give a signal (if those operate in your area). Hope you get some local answers as well.

Ruth asks…

What is the Bay Area FasTrak? How does the money and credit situation work?

admin answers:

This is directly from the FasTrak website:

Is there a charge for the toll tag or for opening a FasTrak® account?

There is no fee for the toll tag and no service charge to open and maintain a FasTrak® account, but you must keep a minimum balance in your prepaid account. Your account can be automatically kept above this minimum by authorizing regular payments from your credit card.

To establish an account using a credit card, an initial prepaid balance of $25 per toll tag will be charged to your card. To establish an account with cash or check, an initial prepaid balance of $50 per toll tag is due at the time the account is opened.

Basically a minimum balance must be in the account, you authorize what they can take out of your checking/credit card account to put onto the FasTrak account. Just check out their FAQ on the website it’s pretty thorough

Chris asks…

bay area fastrak question?

I used fastrak yesterday and i went 50mph and the fastrak did not beep i saw camera flashing will i get a ticket? but my license plate number is on the account. what should i do?

admin answers:

As long as your license matches the fast track, you’re ok. Mines never beeps, but they are never late to charge me $88 a month.. =( raising toll soon, they are voting on how to raise the toll..

William asks…

Bay Area Fastrak Question?

I bought fastrak toll tag at costco but i activate it online but i bought 1 toll tag what do i do now?

admin answers:

The transponder should have come with adhesive strips. You stick it on the inside of your windshield either near the rearview mirror or lower corners.

When you drive through the toll plaza, just drive straight through the tollbooths identified as Fastrak–no need to stop.

Your credit card will be charged again automatically when your balance gets low.

Steven asks…

bay area fastrak violation?

so i was on the richmond bridge and i don’t know if i got a ticket or not but the toll tag did beep but i saw the camera flash. will i get a ticket?

admin answers:

Maybe it didn’t completely pick up your fastrak unit. If it took a picture of your license plate, and it is on file with fastrak you will have no problem. I have forgotten my fastrak before, and passed through. I was worried about the same thing, but then they just billed my account because my license plate was on file. I even helped a friend out who doesn’t have fastrak and passed through by accident, he got the violation in the mail. I called the people at fastrak and told them I was driving the vehicle, and lied, telling them that somehow it didn’t pick up my transponder, and they just billed my account for the 4 dollar toll and told me to disregard the violation!

Your Questions About Internet Marketing Forum

Laura asks…

What is, spam free, Internet Marketing forum?

I’m looking for a forum about marketing and SEO. I don’t like Digital Point because their forum is cluttered with useless content and a lot of spam. Does anyone have an idea of where I can post and be bombarded with spam?

admin answers:

Wickedfire or the Warrior forum are good places to check.

Lizzie asks…

Whats the best website/forum for tips on internet marketing?

Would like some information on internet marketing, any decent websites or forums out there that provide useful up to date information?

admin answers:

Hi there,

This greatly depends on what you are looking for. There are many great online blogs and website offering tips on internet marketing. Here are some of them for you to check out you may well have already checked some of them out.

Hope this helps.

Jenny asks…

Which serious online forum could I join to learn more about Internet marketing and making business online?

Thank you!

admin answers:

By far the best forum I have found is the Warrior Forum ( warriorforum.com/forum ) . The people are generally friendly, and there’s a wide range of experience – from “newbies” to experienced marketers.

You can find my name on my blog below, and I use my real name on the forum, so I hope to see you over there!

Daniel asks…

Can The Internet Marketing of Adult Industry fukc The Crisis?

What do you think?

Which is The Best (e)Book or Blog/Site/Forum about The Internet Marketing of Adult Entertainment Industry?

admin answers:

Adult Entertainment Industry is going downhill. There are many websites out there now that have everything you could possibly ever want to watch or see for FREE.

The only thing you can do is put advertisements on your website if you plan to make one. Since the websites are free, they draw MILLIONS of visitors and viewers… Which advertisers would gladly pay you for to be on the site if it gets popular enough.

John asks…

In terms of Affiliate Marketing, do internet forums do well in attracting traffic?

Or would another type of site be more profitable?

admin answers:

NO — because:

1 – many forum owners and administrators don’t like people spamming their forum and putting in links; or merely using their forum to advertise their affiliate programs

2 – you can get traffic, but not a lot of traffic. You will have to spam a lot of forums with your affiliate links to be able to get a sizeable traffic

Getting traffic should be a multi-pronged approach, and not just using 1 strategy. Examples include

Send out press releases. While outfits charge as much as $650 per release, there are free press release submission places on the Web. Press releases allow you to (a) attract media attention; (b) get more back links to your website without sending each website an email request; and (c) get more visibility especially if your press release gets in Google News or Yahoo News.

Http://www.prleap.com/sign_up.html
http://i-newswire.com/
http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/
http://www.pressbox.co.uk/cgi-bin/links/add.cgi
http://www.pr.com/press-releases
http://www.prfree.com/
http://www.clickpress.com/releases/index.shtml
http://www.theopenpress.com/
http://www.przoom.com/
http://www.prweb.com
http://www.newswiretoday.com/
http://www.free-press-release.com/

Submit articles. Write articles and submit them to websites accepting author submissions. You get exposure for your business; establishes you as an authority in your field, and allows you to get backlinks for your website. If 50 websites publish your article and it contains a link back to your website, then you easily get 50 links from a single article. The more links you have, the greater your chances for increasing your search engine rankings.

Here is a comprehensive list of where to submit your articles http://answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=AhzreGmnCUicOoyedqypscUjzKIX?qid=1006022407481

Your Questions About Marketing Plan

Steven asks…

Marketing Plan?

Does anyone know of any helpful resources to help me make an individual marketing plan for the credit union I work for. I have to put the whole plan together for a Marketing class and am having a lot of trouble. Thanks in advance!

admin answers:

Marketing plan is real easy to put together. You basically what to describe what your selling/offering, to whom (clients), how (online…), and what you are going to do to promote it (ads…). Ultimately, you want to set goals, costs associated with those goals, and expected results.

Richard asks…

How to create a Marketing Plan and others?

I have a class project its about a restaurant that we are creating and will eventually open soon. I have choosen to specilize in seafood. This will be a huge resturant about 100 seats. Now, I have to write a statement for each: Vision, Mission, Long-range plan, Business plan, Marketing Plan, and a Operating Budget. The problem is is that I dont know the first thing about a restaurant business which makes it hard for me to figure out what I should wright. What could I possibly say?

admin answers:

Thats also my problem! Idk how to start that plan… Anyway i can provide you diz linked to help you
this is also came from yahoo answer … This will help alot!
Http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhNBl9Pzc0y8Yx4V7mfmvlwjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=1005123102078

Ruth asks…

I need help trying to create a marketing budget for a marketing plan?

I am making a marketing plan for a college level marketing class. This is the first marketing class I’ve ever taken, so I’m stuck on this part. I am doing my marketing plan for a private university. My budget per quarter is $65,000. What is a realistic amount to go towards social media (TV commericals, radio advertisement, etc), print advertisement, and internet marketing. These are the areas I’ve focused on in my marketing plan. Any advice?

admin answers:

Try to get some ideas with some internet marketing consultants. They are very efficient in making internet marketing through various channels like social networks. I here mentioned a source to get some good internet marketing consultation.

Betty asks…

What is the difference between Marketing objectives and Strategies in a Marketing Plan?

Doing a marketing plan for a golf course. Objectives: Increase rounds played, increase awareness. Strategies: ??? Should I use pretty much the same thing or are they going to be much different than my objectives?

admin answers:

Objective should be based on increased revenue, increased memberships, increase awareness, increased plays, etc.

Your strategy should consist of methods you plan to implement to reach that objective.

Helen asks…

In my business marketing class i have to create a marketing plan and i need help picking a product?

Some ideas I thought of were maybe a magazine, energy drink, clothing line and that’s about it lol. Does anyone have any ideas?
The Objective of this marketing plan project is as follows: “prepare a marketing plan (it is very reasonable and acceptable to perform a marketing plan on a business that you are familiar or work or would like to work). It is also intened to assist you in analysis and Problem solving.

admin answers:

Go with what you know. If you go with an energy drink, magazine, or clothing line you’ll be squarely in the world of requiring a distribution network to get your products out, otherwise you won’t sell a thing. You can also choose a D2C (direct to consumer) product if you don’t want to go into the details of getting people to ship your products, bill them on a net-30 basis, etc.

Your Questions About San Francisco Seoul

Paul asks…

Should I go to Korea Instead of Bangkok?

Hi guys,
a month ago, I’ve booked air tickets from San Francisco to Seoul, then to Bangkok for Jan 3, 2009. I’m not sure when the political unrest and demonstration at the Bangkok airports will be resolved, so I was thinking maybe my husband and I can just get off in Seoul and enjoy my two weeks in Korea instead of Bangkok. But…what can I do in the dead of winter in Korea for two weeks? Can anyone give me some pointers on where to go, sleep and eat? Would I need to buy loads of thermal wear and big coats and boots? I don’t know anyone in Korea but it might be nice to go after 30 years of leaving the country when I was a kid. Ughh…Choices, choices.

admin answers:

Personally, I’d probably just head out to Bangkok – theres much more to do than here in Korea.

No you don’t need to buy loads of thermal wear – its not that bad. Though you will need a warm winter jacket and a pair of mittens.
The winters here are comparable to Washington or Oregon State, which aren’t that bad. Seoul doesn’t get too much snow during the winter — the streets of downtown usually have no snow because its shoveled off.

Lots of affordable hotels if you stay outside of the downtown core of Seoul. Outside of Seoul you can get hotels from 30,000won – 70,000won, and in Seoul about 60,000won – 200,000won.
Http://www.lifeinkorea.com/Hotels/Korea/seoul/
http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/seoul.htm

There are tonnes of Korean restaurants and fast food (Mc Donalds, Burger King, Lotteria, Subway, etc) restaurants in Seoul — Korean food is very affordable, always fresh and very unique.

As for entertainment and things to do during winter, I’d reccommend:

Lotte World – It is an indoor amusement park, great during the winter. They also have a huge indoor pool with tonnes of slides, and a extra-large ice rink thats warm enough to skate in just a t-shirt.

Seoul Tower – The tram would be the best choice during winter. The view from the tower is AMAZING!

Namdaemun Market – Although it is outdoors, you can get great deals on everything from Korean Souvenirs, to knock-off Louis Vuitton wallets to clothes and toys. Definitely worth seeing.

If you lived in Korea 30 years ago as a kid, then you’ll see quite a change. Korea has changed tremendously within the last 10-15 years. My mom visited Korea 25 years ago and didn’t even recognize it when we moved here a little over a year ago.

Personally I’d probably go to Bangkok, theres a lot more to do there, than here in Korea. Although, Korea is a great country and very beautiful in the winter.

Donald asks…

What airports have you been to and what was the worst (why?) and best?

Buffalo-Niagara International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Munich Franz Josef Strauss Airport
Nuremberg Airport
Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport
Chicago International O’Hare Airport
Philadelphia International Airport
Des Moines International Airport
San Francisco International Airport
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
Vancouver International Airport
Seoul-Incheon International Airport
Busan-Gimhae International Airport

Vancouver has to be the worst. The customs agents and airport workers act like they’re some how above you and I saw them shouting orders at people who didn’t know where to go. Like “Over there!!” “What are you doing?!?” and rolling their eyes. It was total disorganization and chaos.
The best airport I’ve been in so far has to be the one in Munich there was lots of shops and the workers were really friendly and and stuff was easy to find. Philadelphia and Seoul-Incheon are good ones too.

admin answers:

Worst

Sydney – queues for everyhing. Impolite staff. Standing about. When you emerge into the sun you find there is a huge queue at the taxi rank.

Pisa – so small you can’t get a seat.

Palermo – queues from check-in stretch into the car park. You have to squeeze in to find which queue is the one for your flight.

Paphos – they change the gates 2 or 3 times before they get it right,. There are only 4! On one flight our plane had an engine starting problem and so needed the airport starter truck – the driver had finished work and gone home – 30 miles away and had to be called back.

Steven asks…

what’s your 10 favorite cities in the world?

You can name cities you haven’t been too if you’d like. For me it’s,

1. Berlin, Germany
2. Busan, South Korea
3. Kyoto, Japan
4. New York, USA
5. Saint Petersburg, Russia
6. San Francisco, USA
7. Seoul, South Korea
8. Singapore, Singapore
9. Tokyo, Japan
10. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

admin answers:

1. Quebec City, Canada
2. Vancouver, Canada.
3. San Francisco.
4. New Orleans (Pre Katrina – haven’t been there since.)
5. Paris.
6. Venice, Italy
7. Florence, Italy.
8. Buenos Aires.
9. New York.
10. Auckland, N.Z.

I’ve been to all of them, and they are in the order that I thought of them.

Lizzie asks…

Which of the following cities in the list below are the best to live in? (survey)?

Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Hong Kong, Dubai, Tokyo, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Auckland, Seoul, Bangkok, London, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Denver, Atlanta, Paris, Johannessburg, Sao Paulo, Honolulu, Male (Maldives), Beijing, Shanghai

admin answers:

Male in the Maldives.
Sun, sea, sand, what more do you need!

Joseph asks…

Have you ever been to any of these places?

If so, which ones:

1. London
2. Washington D.C.
3. San Francisco
4. Istanbul
5. Seoul
6. Pittsburgh
7. Johannesburg
8. Nairobi
9. Buenos Aires
10. Halifax
11. Dakar
12. Mexico City
13. Prague
14. Bucharest
15. Moscow
16. Poitiers
17. Montreal
18. Jakarta
19. Chennai
20. Kyoto

admin answers:

Washington D.C
Istanbul
&
Moscow.

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