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As the unemployment rate continues to rise (note: it's a lagging indicator and the perceived increase must be taken with a grain of salt), marketers are finding that their knowledge is best applied to making themselves stand out against the growing competition amongst creative professionals looking for work.  The tech-savvy have a significant advantage; Internet gurus who have been practicing interactive marketing know to use social media to position themselves as conversation starters and thought-leaders.  But even the likes of Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have become too mainstream to act as significant differentiators since they are practically a minimum requirement for a decent marketing effort.

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If you've been laid off and are finding it difficult to get motivated, one of the best things you can do with your spare time is to write about your area of expertise. There are many professional benefits to writing, including career advancement, and it's easy to get started

Build your knowledge and confidence with the following tips that will teach you how achieve career growth with the written word.

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With the right tools, an economic recession can translate to an entrepreneurial opportunity for out-of-work professionals.  Despite the down economy, interest in starting businesses has gone up 25% in the last year, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA).  If you're a go-getter who has been affected by these leaner times, now may be your chance to launch the business you've always wanted. Adopt alternatives to traditional software, switch to a digital workplace, embrace social marketing, and you'll be well on your way to a powerful, cost-effective success strategy.  Though modern technology can be intimidating, today's options offer complete, effective, and easy-to-use business solutions that won't break the bank. 

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This weekend I picked up a new Blackberry Tour and HP Mini netbook thanks to a promotion that Verizon Wireless is currently offering: Buy a Blackberry Tour and get a FREE HP Mini Netbook (with a two-year agreement on both wireless service and mobile broadband).  Total cost of hardware: $199.

Essentially, I get nearly unlimited access to the Internet all the time for $90/month.  With my montly $29.99 Blackberry data plan (unlimited data usage) and $59.99 mobile broadband plan (5GB), I can work from anywhere that receives a Verizon Wireless 3G signal; in New York City, that's virtually everywhere.  What follows will be a review of the hardware and service. Bottom line: a very worthwhile investment for the net-savvy professional.

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In today's world of information overload, getting the attention of a potential customer requires creativity.  It's true that email marketing continues to be an effective way to reach a massive number of customers and prospects at a time, but we are all familiar with the drawbacks.  Purchasing lists is expensive and often not targeted enough to be effective, and even opt-in lists within a company's database are subject to fatigue if marketers aren't careful.

Fortunately, the Internet gives organizations many avenues towards lead generation.  One particular strategy, creating contests to engage an audience and generate leads, is now feasible for companies of all sizes thanks to a few easy-to-use platforms that have recently emerged. 

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Join the Village and End Your Concerns!

via The Onion