Creating Value With Streaming Video Content

Having a corporate or promotional video for your company is often viewed as something of an expensive luxury ? useful, but rarely considered to be an essential marketing tool. Whilst many businesses can understand the benefits of having a corporate video, all too often they are put off by the perceived cost and subsequently find it hard to justify commercially. Furthermore, the process of making a video can at times, appear complex and intimidating, with an array of technical terms and processes.

Streaming video provides a number of useful opportunities for maximising the potential of an existing corporate video. And compared to other distribution media such as DVD or CD-ROMs it also offers a cost-effective solution for broadcasting a new corporate presentation to a wider audience.

Although streaming video is certainly not a new concept and has been around for some time, it's now easier than ever to add streaming video content to your website. The technology required to enable video streaming is widely available, it's relatively inexpensive and with the dramatic growth in high speed, broadband internet connections, a growing number of internet users can now view high quality, streaming video on their computers.

In this article, leading corporate video & business television producer, John Howarth, explains some of the ways in which streaming video content can be made to work effectively for your business and produce tangible results.

Provide Compelling Content

Try to provide content that creates a real interest for the viewer. Instead of simply informing them of your key corporate values ? the typical narrative being 'how successful we are, the great products & services we offer, our featured clients' - why not turn the message into something that is actually useful and engaging to watch.

Take for example a company that manufactures kitchen products. Whilst you could produce a video to establish company values by highlighting such areas as quality of craftsmanship and original design of the product, this information is almost certainly available more easily on the web pages. It could be far more interesting for the viewer to provide them with a series of recipes, which feature the products being used in context.

Another technique is to provide content that is not centrally focused to your company's core products & services. For example, your company sponsors a sports event or art exhibition. How about showing some clips from the event, with company branding around it? By using more recognisable and popular content, you are creating a wider 'reach' for the video, with the added possibility of gaining increased website traffic.

Re-Package Content

Lets say you already have a corporate video, it's around ten minutes long and you currently distribute it on a video tape format or DVD. The most obvious solution would be to have it transferred to a streaming format in it's entirety and loaded up onto your website. Whilst a ten minute corporate video sequence may be useful as a backdrop display in a trade exhibition or screened to a captive audience in a conference, it's often far too long to use as a streaming video clip on your website. Who really has the time to sit and watch a corporate video clip for this length of time? It's often far more useful to break the sequence down into a series of individual clips or re-edit into a shorter, condensed version that has greater impact.

Following on from this, you might also want to distribute streaming video clips around different areas on your website. This way, the clips featured can be targeted to match ? and complement - the page content. For example, on a page detailing company clients and case studies, the video clip could feature customer testimonials; situated on a contact details page, the video sequence could feature some generic shots of company locations and building exterior shots.

Brand The Video

Whatever streaming video clips you use, try to ensure they are branded with your corporate identity. This could be a small logo in the top corner of the screen or a 'picture frame' wrapped around the moving images. Taking it a step further, you may want to add an introduction sequence with animated corporate logos at the beginning and end of every sequence. Another option is to create an HTML or Flash 'player' customised with your corporate identity. The video clip would then play within this frame and could be complemented by some animated product or service information around it.

When reviewing website statistics, it is frequently pages featuring streaming video content that are the most 'sticky' and have the longest viewing times by site visitors. Use this factor to your advantage - it's an ideal opportunity to get your core brand values, products and services across to the site visitor.

About The Author

John Howarth is creative director of Blue Tuna Limited, a leading UK-based corporate communications & multi-media production agency. Past projects include live streaming for leading online bookmaker, Blue Square and the launch of the UK's of the first club soccer channel, Boro TV for NTL.

www.bluetuna.tv

Choose Life or Death

No one, not even God can make us choose the right things. He gave us the freedom of choice where our own lives are concerned. Life is full of choices. Many of them which we assume will give us life are really only secondary to what our whole purpose is.

The world tells us we need careers, we need education, we need marriage, children, we need to be able to afford the very best of what life has to offer. In other words, we need to make ourselves "feel" fulfilled, even at the expense of hurting others.

But we miss the mark when we fail to make the choice between life and death where our eternity is concerned. The whole purpose of our being is not to serve ourselves but to serve and fellowship with God. But, unless you are aware of that choice, then most likely you chose death. Our careers, our destinies, the things we achieve while existing in this world are all secondary. They are the gifts we are given in order to help us achieve a ways and a means of earning a living while serving the Lord. But to make that our priority is the biggest misconception of man today. How do I know? It's God's word, not mine.

"I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants might live." Deu. 30:19 (Amplified)

It is this verse that God Himself lays down the law with His servant, Moses. He tells him that he and his people have the choice to either follow Him, fellowship with Him and to be blessed for it, or else they can turn from Him, do things their own way and receive the curses that will lead to eternal death.

How often have we tried to make things happen on our own and have run into trouble because we don't even consider God in the matter? It's a very simple formula really, and when taken in serious consideration, life will start working for you. That formuala is found in Mt. 6:33, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, in all it's righteousness, and all else shall be added unto you." Wow, what a promise that is!

In Deu. 30, God makes it very clear to Moses that by not choosing Him, He would (and did) send curses, not only to them, but to all future generations who continued in the disobedient journey. But, God is a loving God and also makes it very clear that upon serving Him, He promises to give all the people life and prosperity and would delight in it. God has more than enough to give and only wants to pour His gifts down on His children who choose to serve and obey Him. Why is this such a hard choice for us even today?

God made a covenant also with Abraham. He swore upon His very own name because there is no other name above His. His Word is totally inspired by Him (2 Tim. 3:16) This being truth, means that His Word and promises are not up for debate. God says what He means and He means what He says!!!

God is awesome because He gave us this information in order to make our lives here alot simpler. He doesn't want us staggering around in the dark, not knowing what our purpose is. We should never have to ask why we are here in the first place. No one is put here by mistake, even though our parents may have told us otherwise. But, even though He spells it all out in black and white, it's still our choice to believe it or not.

When we choose not to be in fellowship with a loving Father, we will always find ourselves in situtations that don't make sense, they are not what we expected and we question ourselves and our abilities, wondering what we did wrong.

Here lies the big problem. In knowing God's Word, we would then realize that it has nothing at all to do with us.

"I Am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." Jn. 15:5 (KJV)

Once we understand this concept, that we were created by God before the foundation of the earth, and for God, then we should be able to understand the meaning of the relationship we were created to have. This fellowship is developed through Christ. This fellowship doesn't promise a life with no hardships, but it will make all situations possible to endure. When we understand that God is in control, there is not one storm in life that won't turn into a calm at the end. He gives us the strength and the confidence to get through anything.

"And He said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God." Lk. 18:27 (KJV)

There is absolutely nothing too big or too small that He can't handle. All we have to do is come to Christ and ask. The choice is totally up to you and me.

God doesn't strong arm anyone, He is gentle and patient. But, perhaps if you are facing trials and troubles that just don't seem to have a way out, maybe it's time you seriously make a choice between life and death. God cannot compromise His truth. If you are longing for eternal life, and want to see His blessing manifested in your life, a choice must be made.

Unless a choice of life is made, death is inevitable and curses will come. Not only will God send curses, but you will be serving Satan, who comes to steal, kill and destroy.

While God gives you the promise of eternal life for free, Satan will promise you a certain death but it's going to cost you everything. Think about that choice because both are very real. Which do you choose, life or death?

Life with Christ is very real, He promises to never leave you nor forsake you. No matter what trials you may face, when you chose life, He will bring you out of every situation that would have otherwise been impossible.

Vivian Gordon, has been called into the teaching ministry. Her purpose is to be an ambassador for Christ, to show others who Christ is through her words, actions and deeds. She has submitted her life to serving Him in all she does. Blessings have begun to flow in her life. God is always on time, no matter how long it takes.

Consulting Versus Selling

Consulting Vs Selling, How we can make sales by not doing selling but consulting. As we know, everybody loves to buy but hates to be sold. We need to engage in non-manipulative selling, and ask deeper questions that will make the sale.

View Yourself As A Consultant

One particular self-image possessed by high-achieving salespeople is that they see themselves as consultants rather than as salespersons. They see themselves as problem solvers with their products or services rather than as vendors looking for someone who will trade them money for what they have to offer.

Approach Them As Clients

They do not approach their customers with hat in hand, hoping for a sale. They approach their "clients" with the attitude that they are consultants calling on the prospect to help him or her solve a problem or achieve a goal.

Ask Questions And Listen Carefully

Seeing themselves as consultants, they ask questions carefully and listen intently. They focus all of their energies on understanding the customer's situation so that they can make intelligent recommendations based on what the customer really wants and needs.

Become An Expert In Your Field

As consultants, they recognize that they must be experts, authorities in their field. They know their products and services from one end to the other. They invest many hours familiarizing themselves with every single detail of what they sell, and of what their competitors sell as well. They know the strengths and weaknesses, the advantages and shortcomings, the features and benefits of what they are offering. They have excellent product knowledge, which their customers can sense and which gives both themselves and their customers greater confidence throughout the sales conversation.

Differentiate Yourself from Your Competitors

Top salespeople, positioning themselves as consultants, see themselves as resources for their clients. They see themselves and carry themselves as advisors, mentors and friends. They become emotionally involved in their transactions and they are generally concerned that their product or service be the ideal solution to the real needs of the prospects they are dealing with. They differentiate themselves from their competitors by being more concerned with helping their prospects than with selling their products or services. Their customers often feel that they care more about them than they care about making a sale. And it's true.

Action Exercises

Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.

First, see yourself as a problem-solver rather than as a salesperson. Take sufficient time to understand the prospect's real need before you start selling.

Second, think of ways to tailor your product or service to your customer's needs so that he sees what you sell as the ideal solution for him.

Gordon Goh is author of the free, informative website Simply Motivation offering quality useful tips for Motivation.

Generating Publicity: Will The Media Be Interested In My Product/Business?

When it comes to launching a new business or product, some marketing consultants might say that EVERY product is appropriate for a publicity or media exposure campaign. That is true to a degree, but as a PR/publicity professional and former media person, I would qualify that statement by saying that although new products would benefit from a solid publicity campaign, not all businesses or products and their pitches will grab the attention of the media.

A number of strategically generated features or product mentions in magazines, newspapers and TV/radio/cable shows nationwide can lend strong credibility to a new product. That "media bullhorn" can also do wonders toward educating consumers about your product. But does your product -- and it's media pitch -- have what it takes to attract the media into giving you coverage in their pages or on their airwaves? As I mentioned, many products or businesses can generate some type of publicity and media interest, but in my professional experience, the types of products and pitches that lend themselves to the best media exposure include:

• home/garden products

• kitchen/cooking/food products

• consumer electronics

• automotive accessories

• home repair/DIY tools

• personal health/medical/fitness products

• recreational/outdoor products

• experts (business, health, technology)

If you have a new or under-publicized product in one of these categories, the media could be a good friend to you. However, you first have be a friend to the media. Your product (and pitch) needs to have what the media calls a "news peg" -- that gives them a logical and newsworthy reason to feature YOUR product as opposed to the 200 other media pitches that are on their desks right now. Additionally, you need to make it as easy as possible for them to do your story or they WILL move onto a competitor's pitch and product that is easier to cover.

• Can you provide a media sample?

• Do you have quality photos of the product?

• How can the product be purchased: in stores, catalogs, online, by phone?

• Can you arrange a quick interview if needed?

Products/services that don't really lend themselves to media interest or publicity are things like:

• website developers

• cell phone/printer cartridge sales

• vitamin supplements

• insurance

• financial planning

• MLM/downline schemes

I'm not implying that these types of businesses aren't media worthy. I'm simply saying that from a media interest, editorial standpoint, there are thousands of competing product and businesses like these on the market and unless they are offering something truly unique, they lack that "news peg" that will attract the media's attention. If you are launching, let's say, a new garden tool that is very similar to many other garden tools on the market, don't expect much interest from the media in putting together a feature. You can create that news peg by answering a few questions:

• How does your product differ from competing products already on the market?

• Why should the media and subsequent consumers be interested in your product?

• Does it provide a solution to an existing problem for consumers?

Bottom line -- an expertly maintained publicity campaign can help forge wonderfully reciprocal, mutually beneficial relationships with the media. Reciprocal, in that the media constantly need interesting information to put together their product profiles and business features -- and YOU need constant media exposure to get the word out. If your product or business can meet the media standards mentioned above, you could benefit greatly from some solid nationwide media exposure. Getting your product mentioned in print articles and on TV/radio shows nationwide will help spread the word to customers -- and at a fraction of the cost of a nationwide advertising campaign.

About The Author

Todd Brabender is the President of Spread The News Public Relations, Inc. His business specializes in generating media exposure and publicity for innovative products, businesses, experts and inventions. Free Publicity Consultations offered online: http://www.spreadthenewspr.com; todd@spreadthenewspr.com; (785) 842-8909

Develop Your Childs Genius - Developing Leadership Qualities

Often I have heard that leaders are born, not made. Do you think this is true? How many times did you read a biography of a great leader, and discovered that as a child, he has been quiet, reserved and rather shy? Are those natural qualities of a leader? Of course not! These people have developed their leadership qualities later in life.

Would you like your child to be a leader?

What are the qualities of a leader?

Here are some of the qualities required to be a leader, and how you can encourage the development of these qualities in your child.

* Integrity - remember to be a good example, a role model for your child. Parents teach by example, and integrity is a quality kids learn from their parents. Talk with your child about integrity. One tool that is very helpful is story telling. Look for books that tell about the value of integrity. To find more resources for stories that promote values in kids, look at http://www.all-gifted-children.com, under "Resources". You can find it at Inspirational Kids Stories on the web. You can also make up your own stories, that tell about the value of integrity.

* Courage - always praise courage. When your child shows courage, notice it and praise it. Praise courage wherever you see an expression of it. Story telling is also very effective in this case.

* Creative, independent thinking. In order to develop this quality, it is very helpful to ask questions. When you talk with your child about any subject at all, always ask open questions, that encourage creative thinking. Use the "One Step Farther" principle. After you have gotten all the obvious answers, ask one more question, to come up with a deeper, more creative idea. Questions like "why", "what would happen if...", "how do you think did it feel...", encourage your child to think creatively. Talk to your child, encourage independent thinking.

* Confidence - this is one of the most important qualities required for success in general. To develop confidence in your child, avoid criticizing your child, praise your child sincerely and often, develop a habit to talk about your child's strengths and achievements with him every day. Remember to make it a point to bring up at least one good quality of your child every day. If you adopt it as a routine, over time it will do wonders for your child. It takes only a few minutes to mention an achievement or a strength (a good quality). Encourage your child, repeat the phrase "you can do it" often.

* A leader takes responsibility. When something goes wrong, sometimes it makes us feel better if we can blame something else or someone else. A leader takes responsibility. Make sure your child knows that he is the "boss" in his life. His success is his responsibility. We are not victims of our environment, we have control over our life. Teach your child to "come from a place of power". When your child blames someone else or something else for a mishap, or comes up with excuses, you have an opportunity to encourage your child to assume responsibility. Make sure that your child knows that it is Ok to make mistakes. Mistakes are an opportunity to learn.

You can help your child draw conclusions, without "making him wrong", by asking: "what did you learn from this?", "what do you think went wrong?", "why do you think this happened?", "how could you avoid this?" and again "what do you think would happen if...?". Your child should understand that he has no control over other people, and is not expected to have control over other people's actions, but he has full control over his own reaction. This will give your child the feeling of power, as opposed to "being a victim".

The conversations that you hold with your child have a profound effect on your child's future. Make sure you take the time to talk with your child every day, to be involved with what is happening in your child's life. To support, encourage and inspire. By doing that, you are being a leader, and you are developing your child's leadership skills.

For the last 26 years, Esther Andrews has studied, researched and practiced the ways to develop a child's intelligence. She also served as the principal of the School for Gifted Education. As a result of this experience, she developed her own method and philosophy, that proved to be extremely successful with her own 2 highly gifted children.

In her web site, http://www.all-gifted-children.com, she helps parents develop their child's genius, and provide for their kids the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential.

Defeating Crime With Digital Camera Cell Phones

The newest techno gadget, which is reshaping the way teenagers interact is the Digital Picture Camera 3G Cell Phone. As more and more people have these and as higher bandwidth and video compression technologies are introduced we will see a whole new realm of communication. As people communicate on cell phones with video and pictures we will see a decrease in crime.

Because the criminals will realize they will be caught on phone, by a number of possible passers by if they try any criminal activities. The eyes and ears of the society will evolve in scope and with that we will see random acts of theft, violence decrease. Of course there will always be the smart criminal who tries to figure out in advance a specific plan to evade detection, although the common criminality we generally see will surely render more favorable crime statistics.

Those areas where people have more cash flow such as the Suburbs of large cities or in the Downtown techno sector crowds we will see lessened crime. Although the will then be a "Criminal Divide" in areas where less techno savvy people reside.

This of course will also decrease as the price of the technology and cell phones comes down due to economies of scale, numbers of units sold and number of participants on the 3G or 3G plus systems. Many times disruptive technologies have severe effects in our economy or society at large. In this case the technologies unintended consequences brings with it a more virtuous society and decreased crime. That is a good thing. If you plan on buying a new phone, perhaps one with a camera in it is smart. SmartPhones can decrease crime. For more ideas on decreasing crime why not contact your local police department's community based policing officer or volunteer to start a Neighborhood "Mobile" Watch Program?

http://www.lancewinslow.org/nmwp.shtml

Who knows, a teenager on a skateboard may actually get a picture of an International Terrorist taking pictures of important infrastructures, or a license plate of a car, which seems to be out of place and prevent the next attack? Technology has it's advantages, all too often we discuss the problems and complain about the issues of privacy. Millions of teenagers cruising around with cell phones will prevent abductions from pedophiles, rapists or child molesters. Camera Cell phones, may prevent shopping mall car thieves as more of them will be caught. Camera Cell phones are here to stay and they are getting better all the time, soon we will have full video feed phones, wireless PDAs all with GPS instant coordinate tracking. One call brings it all to the authorities, video, location, time and your basic: "Who, What, When, Where and How"

http://www.eurotechnology.com/wirelessjapan2003/docomo.foma.html

It's growing and it is growing fast, goodness will win over evil and crime not only doesn't pay, it cannot last.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

Information About Debt Consolidation Loans with Bad Credit

Finding debt consolidation loans with bad credit can be quite a task? after all, a lot of lenders don't want to take a risk on someone who is such an obvious credit risk. Luckily, however, a lot of lenders will take that risk; it's simply a matter of knowing what they're looking for, and how best to approach them for a loan. Asking around to see which banks and lending companies offer debt consolidation loans with bad credit is a good start, and from there it's simply a matter of presenting yourself in the best possible light in order to improve your chances of getting the money that you need.

Debt consolidation at a glance

Before applying for debt consolidation loans with bad credit, it helps to know exactly what debt consolidation is. Basically, consolidating your debt means that you're getting a loan that will be applied toward your outstanding debts? either paying them off completely, or paying off a portion of the debt to make the rest more manageable. This leaves you with the loan payment as either your only payment to make or at least one of a few payments to make, and making it easier for you to repay fewer debts than when you had the larger amount. Debt consolidation loans with bad credit are almost always secured loans, meaning that you've got collateral (such as a car or real estate) on the line to ensure that you repay what you've borrowed.

Getting the most from your loan

To get the best value and lowest interest rate when trying to get debt consolidation loans with bad credit, it's best to use your most valuable property as your collateral and ask for considerably less than its total value. This insures that the lender will get their money back one way or another, and usually makes them much more willing to issue debt consolidation loans with bad credit. Paying off as much of your debt as you can before applying is a good idea, too? it shows that you're serious about getting out of debt, and are making a legitimate effort. If it looks like you really want to fix your debt and credit problems, then you're more likely to be eligible for lower interest rates and better terms for debt consolidation loans with bad credit.

Shopping around for the best value

Even though you're applying for debt consolidation loans with bad credit, it doesn't mean that you have to accept the first offer that comes your way. Shop around with several lenders and compare their rates, seeing what terms one lender offers and whether other banks or finance companies can offer you something comparable. This will help you to get the most out of your money, and ensure that you have less to repay.

You may freely reprint this article provided the following author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:

About The Author

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

Life lessons - An Inpirational Story

Ju was physically abused as a child. She lived with a mother who was diagnosed with post depression and a father who was a wife abuser.

Her parent divorced and left six of them with her mother. She left school at 15 and went to work waiting tables to help her mother feed them all.

At 18 she met and fell in love and was married soon after. Then she found out that her husband drank too much, slept around with other women, a wife abuser and took drugs.

She was divorced at age 20 with two children. Her husband took their son away and handed him to his friend. He was sent to jail for an offence with the law.

Her husband's friend did not want to hand the boy over to her and demanded money in exchange. The child had scars on his chest due to burnt from cigarette butts. That was what he got for crying out for food.

She finally managed to get her son back. She left her children in her mother's care while she left to find a job.

At 28 she had an accident. Her dress caught fire and she suffered 2nd degree burns.

With that her self-esteem and self-confidence went down the pit. She was depressed. She attempted suicides several times and was given psychiatric treatments.

After a major surgery and lots of counseling and support from relatives and friends, she started her life all over again even with one partly deformed hand and fingers.

Her anxiety was all the time still present. It was tougher to find a job. She felt like a disabled person.

The one thing that kept her going in spite of her misfortune was her will to be able to feed herself and sent money for her children. She did not want to ask for financial support.

At 38 she was diagnosed with cancer of the cervix. That was a big blow to her. She went through another depression episode.

"Why me?" was the question she repeatedly asked. Of course when she asked that question, she got all the wrong answers. She felt more depressed. She blamed her father, her mother and everyone for what brought her sufferings. Worst, she blamed herself.

She agreed to go for the treatments, chemotherapy and cesium, because she did not want to go through the pains.

This was when she took the time to look within her. She thought that she might not live long enough so she decided to reconnect with her children. It was not easy especially with her son who had gone through his own childhood trauma.

She turned to her family for moral support and she turned to God.

Now eight years later, she is still alive. Waking up and able to breathe for another day is a gift for her.

She has two grandchildren whom she adores and that give her much joy. She takes some jobs every now and then when her health permits and rests when she needs it.

Her question has changed. She now asks what is it she could do to get more out of what is left?

Things happen and happen to us all. Life does not play favorites. Everyone has a story to tell.

It is how we handle it that matters. We do not have to wait until a major catastrophe interrupts us to think of what we should do with our lives.

It is up to us to make or break us. No one can tell our brain and mind what to do. No one can tell us what to think of and what to put inside our head.

We have the power to think what we want to think. To forget past hurts or to linger with them.

We can decide, plan and take action on what we want to have, do or be. At least when the universe intervenes, we know that we have done our best.

Fatimah Musa provides information, tips and quotes written to help people become aware that any future growth starts with their personal growth. You can visit Fatimah at http://www.about-personal-growth.com

A Guide to Non-Typical Catfish Fishing Techniques Part III

Method 2

The second method that works really well for me is drift fishing. Lets start by explaining how drifting works. It's really pretty simple: you cast out bait and drag it behind or from the side of your boat while the wind pushes you along.

Where to Fish

The majority of Cat-men that I know all use the same rig, although their tackle will differ from one guy to the next. Whatever tackle they use, they are all dragging some kind of bait on the bottom. The big difference between most drifters and myself, however, is that I usually do not drift in water any shallower than 30 feet deep while most others like to fish much shallower, such as 10-20 feet deep.

The shallow waters of most lakes contain a few big fish and lots of little ones resulting in lots of action, but not too many that will test your string. I have said before that Blue Cats can and will live and feed in deep water. My best day of drifting, as far as numbers of fish weighing between 3-20 lbs. goes, occurred last December. In one drift I caught and released 47 Blue Cats. These fish all came off of a huge flat that runs parallel to the main river channel with an average depth of 45 ft. Its surface has a few small humps and a couple of old ditches running across it. People drive by me and look in disbelief when they see me drifting in 30 to 50 ft of water, but when that fish locator shows big fish marks on the bottom at those kind of depths I have a pretty good idea of what's down there.

Not all lakes are as easy to drift: some have gobs of timber and some have tons of rock on the bottom. The best lakes I have found have had some silting or massive mud flats that were old fields at one time. Simple structures like old ditches that carve across mud flats give Blue Cats a place to ambush their prey and might give them a little relief in the water column when the water is at its coldest or warmest. Look at these flats from different angles and ask yourself, "How does the bank look?" Could the surface under the water look similar to the structures above the water? Chances are that it will be pretty close.

These ideas are not really new. Bass and Walleye fishermen all over the U.S. use land structures to locate their fish and when it comes to locating these structures, fish locators are very valuable tools. My opinion is that you get what you pay for with electronics, but if you can find shad or baitfish with your locator as well as see the big fish marks, that's all you need.

Catchin' the Big Cats

The speed of your drift makes a huge difference. A good rule to follow is 'the colder the water, the slower you should go.' A big Blue Cat will not want to chase bait that's traveling fast in cold water, so when you are dragging bait on the bottom you should use some kind of drift sock or sea anchor. You might have to experiment with different sizes until you figure out what size slows your boat down. Manufacturers of drift socks will usually give you an estimate of the size of sock compared to the size of the boat you are using.

Furthermore, just because you are a Cat-fisherman, it doesn't mean you can't use the tools other fishermen use. Experiment with different hooks, weights, line, rods and reels, but my advice would be to eventually work your way into having an exactly matched set of at least 4 rods and reels. When you learn what works for you, you will be much happier with a matching set of gear. Having your gear match might not sound like much, but when you start catching Blue Cats over 20 lbs you'll know the limitations of your tackle. Furthermore, you wont have to worry every time you set a hook about which rod the fish hit because they will all perform the same.

Closing

Get some good gear capable of handling big fish. Get your tools so you can go out and learn your lake. Spend time learning your water before you start to fish. If you can't or don't want to spend the amount of money necessary to purchase all the equipment and cover all the various expenses, don't be afraid to take guided trips. You'll have good company from someone who knows the lake well and can teach you a great deal, plus it takes A LOT of guided trips to add up to the cost of equipping yourself.

Don't be afraid to experiment with new tactics after you start fishing. Always remember: Blue Cats are Blue Cats, they don't know what lake they're in or where they live. They will behave the same where I fish or where you fish. If you'd like, I can actually travel to your lake to prove it, as well as show you what a professional guide would do on your lake or river. Always keep your eyes on your fish finder, and get out there and try some non-typical Catfishing!

If you missed either of the first 2 parts of this article, head to this URL for the complete article: http://www.ozark-lodges-fishing-trips.com/nontypical-catfishing.htm

Copyright ? 2002-2005 Jeff Williams

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Jeff Williams runs a Truman Lake Hybrid Bass and Lake of the Ozarks Catfish Fishing Guide Service offering lodging and guided trips in Missouri. To book a trip, learn more tips, or find out how Capt. Jeff would fish your own local waters, call 1-866-HOOKSET or visit http://www.ozark-lodges-fishing-trips.com today!

Credit Education

Having credit education is like knowing how to read. It will be necessary throughout your life.

Once you learn it, you will know it forever. Once you establish good skills, they will help you to get ahead throughout your life.

So, it is vital to get the education you need or to provide this education to your children.

Did you make mistakes along the way? Teach them how to avoid these.

If you are trying to learn about credit education on your own, it is important to talk to others as first hand experience really helps to teach the basics.

Knowing that this type of education is vital is the most important aspect of all.

What is credit education?

It is a basic term that applies to knowing how to build and maintain good credit. In the beginning, credit is a dangerous thing.

We all think we will be able to pay it off and do not worry. For those that do not understand that this will not be easy, the bill comes and we wonder what we spent it on.

Or, there are those that refuse to use credit at all then have trouble later in life when they cannot purchase a car or home because they have no credit.

The middle ground is the road that will lead you to where you want to be.

Again, the best place to get the education is right in front of you. Talk to those you know who have had good and bad experiences. Find out what they did.

The most important things to know about credit are the basics.

Do not overspend.

Pay your balance off in full each month.

Make your payments on time.

Don't take on too much credit either.

Getting credit education may seem silly, but in reality it can keep you from making big purchases that you cannot afford.

In the end, you have the ultimate choice. And, it is the same as with learning to read.

Either you never learn how to and struggle your entire life or you take the time know to learn and breeze through it throughout the rest of your life.

For continually updated information, tools and resources visit the CreditAndCreditReports.com blog.