Stay-Informed.org

The online business arena has grown by leaps and bounds.  There are online businesses that represent just about every industry. Competition is pretty fierce online. Getting your business name recognized online is the same as getting it recognized if you had a typical brick and mortar business. Company recognition is very important.

Historically networking has always been important to growing a business.  Word of mouth advertising is the perfect way to grow a business because well its free.  Meeting people and sharing ideas and strategies is a great way to grow your business as well. Things have not changed that much, of course now instead of cocktails after work or a quick game of golf the face of networking has changed a bit.

The answer to networking in the relatively new (comparatively speaking) online world of course occurs online.  The venues instead of a golf course or a lounge are now chat rooms and social networking sites. It takes some getting use to but networking online may even be easier than actually having to go out and talk to people.

Typically a social networking site will require joining the site.  There usually is not a fee for joining or there may be a very reasonable fee associated with joining.  Once the initial setup is done; than it is time to move on to your profile.

Creating a profile is something that should be taken seriously.  This is the first thing that people will read about you, so you want it to be real but if at all possible witty also.  The idea is to sell yourself through your profile, to get people interested in who you are.  Promoting your business through social networking sites will take a bit of finesse because most die hard web surfers have become a bit desensitized to typical promotional activities on the web. So getting your profile noticed is a great way to break the ice and let people take a look at who you are.

Join groups on the social networking site where you think the members of the groups will be receptive to your business, and that seems interesting to you.  There is no sense in wasting your time and anyone else’s by joining in on discussions where your business just will not prove to be interesting to anyone.  This will just be a study in futility. There is no point in wasting time.

Be patient, have fun get to know some people, promoting your business is important but promoting over time will surely result in the most returns.  Scope out people that seem to be like minded or that might benefit greatly from your business, those are the folks that will be most interested in talking with you.

Using a social networking site to promote your business is a great way not only to get to promote your business but also a great way to meet people. The exposure is tremendous and the people you meet could potentially become much more than clients.

Alaska Cruise Excursions 

Everyone who is interested inAlaskan cruises knows of the unparalleled scenery you witness on this greatvacation.  The glaciers and crystal clearwaters are awfully exciting; there is very modest sightseeing to be done andthe towns in and of themselves don’t offer much amusement. In spite of this,there is plenty to do at every port outside of the town.  Anyone who loves hiking, fishing, whalewatching, and glacier trekking won’t be bored for a second on their Alaskancruise excursions

So what are they like?

The actual ports you stop atare not awfully thrilling; there is very modest sightseeing to be done and thetowns in and of themselves don’t provide much entertainment.  Nevertheless, there is plenty to do at eachport outside of the town.  Any person wholoves hiking, fishing, whale watching, and glacier trekking won’t be bored fora second on their Alaskan cruise excursions

Detailed thoughts for portexcursions:

Every cruise lines will stopat the following four ports.  The portsyou stop at after these original four depend on what direction the cruise lineyou’re on chooses to take.

Juneau: Thisis perhaps the most well-liked port stop on any Alaskan cruise.  Even as Juneau has all the standardattractions, such as trekking and fishing, they are mainly well known for theirunblemished rainforest which is filled with exotic wildlife. Who can go toAlaska without getting up close and personal with a glacier? Mendenhall Glacieris the biggest and most accessible glacier in Juneau and is located right upthe road from down town Juneau. Depending on what time of year it is and howlong your port stop will be will dictate exactly what you will have enough timeto do and see.  The summer monthsMay-December offers up close and personal tours into the rainforest where youare bound to see an abundance of wildlife. If you are not the outdoorsy typeJuneau has great shopping with local shops housing some of the best localartisans wears. The winter months offer great skiing, and other cold weathersports. Juneau is an outdoor paradise, with plenty of indoor opportunities forfun.

Ketchikan:Ketchikan’s main attraction is their striking Orea beach, which takes you on acharming walk beside coastal forests. Ketchikan also boasts being the leader inzip line tours.  The Herring Covelocation is chock full of wildlife. Tours are set out for half days and fulldays and some are available by the hour. Rental cars are also available by thehour which is perfect for short port stops. There are bear and wildlife toursand special night tour opportunities to view the Northern Lights. There arefishing expeditions, whale watching and other on sea opportunities as well. Thedinning is chockfull of local fare, of course fish is number one on the list.Shopping, dinning and cultural interests are abundantly available.

Sitka: Takea walk all the way through the Open bird habitat, get a pass to set off to thenational park, or better yet take a jet boat ride  across the coastal waters. Sitka enjoys aunique combination of Russian and Tlingit culture. The native home of theKiksadi Tlingit Indians and taken over by Russia before it was sold to America,Sitka offers a unique cultural center that chronicles the history of the areaand include ancient artifacts. Also home to the Alaskan Raptor Center, whereAlaskan birds of prey who have fallen ill or injured are nursed back to healthand released, visitors are welcome from 8-4 from May to September, call aheadin winter months for scheduling. Visit the oldest Russian building that isstill in one piece, built in 1842 the Russian Bishop House is a living piece ofhistory. Whatever you decide to do you will not be disappointed. This is a richhistorical area with plenty to offer every taste.

Wrangell: Isone of the newer stops on the cruise circuit. The chief attraction at Wrangellis similar to Juneau in that they have a long rainforest walk which climaxes ata striking one hundred foot waterfall drop. There are flight seeing tours, thatwill soar over the fjords and glaciers. How about golf Alaskan style? Wrangellis the host of the only USGA golf course in Southeast Alaska. Visit the AnanBear and Wildlife observatory to see black and brown bears lunching on Salmon.The scenery, the culture and wildlife is astounding. Garnet ledge is where theworld renowned Wrangell Garnets come from. A temporary mining pass that isavailable at the Wrangell Museum will permit visitors to mine a fewgarnets  to take home with them! 

Regardless of wherever yourcruise takes you from here, almost every port you visit will offer fishing,trekking, and whale watching at the home of the notorious humpback whale.