99% Of Bloggers Will Fail

What makes a dedicated blogger?

Blogging is about being passionate, about writing regularly, not about putting one post /article up and let your site site there for days, weeks and years. The best way to describe blogging is like having your own personal diary for whatever niche you are in. So just like a diary, it is there to be filled out, to be up to date with life, and for those who wish to have a public diary to share with the world about your feelings and desires, then blogging may be a great interest to you and so then you make it a duty, not just a hobby.

But how does one make a living from being a blogger?

This is when you post subtly and have affiliate links in your posts or even better recommendations of products that you get commissions from each time you post about it from affiliate sites. There are many full time bloggers, who make lots of money from blogging, I

How do you get a blog up and running?

You chase him and he starts running.. (That was just a joke) No seriously, you can easily get a blog up by following some simple steps as I have outlined here.

But why will bloggers fail?

Well the truth is, most people who decide to get into blogging do it for the wrong reasons, usually to make some part time income, which of course is great, but you should never get into it purely for that reason, because a majority of the time, if you are posting just for the sake of self promotion then you will fail. First and foremost you must decide a niche and then stick to that niche.

You might have an interest in Classic wooden surfboards, so you post about your surfing experiences with your board everyday or week when you go surfing, some days you can post about some interesting experiences along the way, like perhaps a walk along the beach, and a sand castle you thought was great, so you take a photo of this and post it on your blog, then you might post a Billabong surfboard competition that is coming up or that you recently watched. And then you might post about some surf gear ($$) Or surfing books you have read ($$).blogging to the bank

The additional luxuries that come with being a blogger, is you can do it from anywhere in the world and even from home, as long as you have internet connection you can blog. But most of all as great as all that seems, newbies who think they will get into blogging, get up their blog, perhaps post regularly, then one day, stop, that’s it. Their blog is dead, they lost the community of visitors they once had, and lose motivation. Another thing is bloggers should never aim to high with earning online, start at a low reasonable figure and work your way up, this way you will not disappoint yourself.

Rome was not built in a day, it takes months and years of dedication just like anything in life and you need to grow your blogging business the same way. like I said earlier, treat it as a duty not a hobby and you will succeed. Just like you have to brush your teeth, and have a shower, you should make commitment to blog, then it will be easy to fit into your daily schedule, the most important thing is once you decide to start, never give up.

Once you get the hang of things you can then get more advanced and set up multiple automated blog sites for multiple income streams, but i suggest you learn the passionate and normal way of blogging first.

Good Luck!

Daniel Lew – Founder of GSEO.net is an internet marketer and affiliate marketing blogger and has been providing SEO consulting and services to clients globally for over 5 years.

NY Giants’ Suffocating Defense Paces Victory Over Tampa Bay

The New York Giants used a potent ground attack and a suffocating defense to shut out the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-0 on Sunday. The Giants amassed 397 total yards including 226 on the ground, while the defense held Tampa to 86 yards of total offense and five first downs. The statistical disparity was staggering–the Giants ran 76 total plays to 36 for Tampa Bay, and held the ball for a mind boggling 43:38 to 16:22 for the Bucs.

The Giants easily covered as -6 road favorites, improving their ATS mark to 3-0 on the season as well. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are 0-3 both straight up and against the spread. The 24 points went well UNDER the posted total of 46.

After the contest Giants coach Tom Coughlin talked about his teams priorities for the week:

“We had a game in which we didn’t play very well against the run, so we knew that we would be tested and we would have to rise up and do a better job there. We also knew we needed to rush the ball better than we had, so we did a pretty good job with that.”

Over in the Bucs locker room, head coach Raheem Morris-who is still looking for his first victory at the helm of a NFL team”had little positive to say about his teams performance:

“They beat us down. We were beat by a grown-man team, a team we want to be like one day. They came in here and took it to us. Out-manned us, out-gunned us. … It wasn’t even close.”

“We have no choice but to get better than this performance. You get five first downs and you’re 0-for-9 on third down. You have 86 yards total offense. It was completely disastrous.”

Giants running back Brandon Jacobs gave much of the credit for the victory to his defense:

“Our defense was very, very, very impressive. I knew they would come out with a chip on their shoulder.”

Impressive enough to leave Bucs receiver Michael Clayton hanging his head and looking for answers:

“It was disappointing, a little bit embarrassing. We have to play better.”

The Giants will play at Kansas City this Sunday as they try to maintain their unbeaten 2009 regular season record. New York is a -9 road favorite with the total set at 42. Theyll host the Oakland Raiders the following Sunday before playing at New Orleans on October 18. Tampa Bay will play their next two games on the road, beginning this weekend against the Washington Redskins. The Redskins are -7 home favorites with the total set at 37.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and respected authority on soccer betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Northern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.

Find Out Some Very Nice Credit Debt Answers

Most people without doubt encounter some debt difficulty at one point or another in their life. At times, the only way out is to try to get unsecured loans credit debt solutions. Having quite a few offers available on the market, how could you receive the best deal?

Listed below are a few steps that may help you obtain the best rates of interest with a long repayment period.

Analyze what you can do for credit debt options. While this may sound obvious, it truly is shocking how many men and women neglect to make inquires with their financial institution and evaluate these types of loan offers with a variety of financial establishments. Research and shopping around is definitely time spent well.

Start looking past the statements. Several loan companies offer a flat rate to all their potential customers, on the other hand you should never forget that lots of institutions often use financial risk based pricing for poor credit loans. The interest rate quoted in an advertisement may appear appealing but some vary according to the forecasted risk.

Look at the reimbursement time period. A great deal of borrowers prefer to get a long pay back term. Lengthier repayment conditions and terms are helpful if you need a smaller monthly payment. These kinds of financial loans charge much more interest with time.

Examine costs of larger financial loans with smaller sized loans. The quantity of cash you would like to borrow could have an impact on the rate of interest you must pay. This is due to numerous individual loan companies use tiered based structure with cheaper rates for greater loans.

Understand what redemption fees and penalties are. To be able to pay off your loan early, pay attention to redemption penalties. There could be redemption fees and penalties in the event you redeem your personal loan before the agreed upon time frame.

Analyze the small print. This is a great and simple way to guarantee that you are prepared for a number of different circumstances. Uncover what happens if you redeem early or in the event you default, for instance.

Find out specifics with regards to consolidated personal loans. Consolidating debts is effective in lots of circumstances. Consider utilizing a well planned pay back schedule that meets your own spending plan. There are numerous choices to think about when researching the best personal loans.

By being persistent and following credit repair tips you can turn your credit situation around. If we want to repair our credit, we have to deal with the emotional as well as the numerical side of money. Use loan calculators to estimate your finances and keep your credit rating in good shape. Best Way To Fix My Credit

Tribal Cross Tats – The Talk On The Town

It won’t be an exaggeration, if one says that tats are the latest heartthrob of the young generation. Traversing its path from the days where it used to be mere symbols of faith, the tat has found its way into the field of fashion where today it poses to be one of many strong contenders in the field of body art. Its uniqueness and a choice of wide variety of tattoos at present, provides the tat seeker with a large menu to pick from.

The ones in demand among the youngsters at present are the classic tribal religious tat, angel winged tribal cross tattoo, floral tribal cross tat, henna tribal tattoo and Celtic tribal religious tattoo. The one that is most popular among these is the classic tattoo. Being broader than the other tats these tats are easily visible figure. Their broad nature and sharp edges make them very evident and appealing. These tattoos work best option for the people who want a traditional touch to their tats. Though simple, this form of tribal tat is popular.

The angel winged tribal cross tattoo, which can be seen on the lower backs of many girls today, has derived its present form from the simple angel wings. Being exclusively designed for women, these tats symbolize love and faith. Though, as a convention the tribal tats are done using black ink, the violation is seen here with the intention of providing the tat a feminine touch. The wings can be achieved out of different bright colors as per the option of the tat seeker. It is in these tattoos, that the blend of tradition and fashion is seen. The cross is sometimes done in the same color as the wings, but otherwise a different color is opted for it.

Next in line is the floral tribal religious tat. It is among the earlier versions of the tattoos designed exclusively for women. The world ‘floral’ stands for the application of flowers in this tat. Initially, a number of flowers were inked on the sides of the religious. But most butterfly tattoos artists today suggest, just two roses lest the charm of the religious should be lost. This tattoo, which once used to be the most opted for by girls, is not in such great demand at present.

Above mentioned are just the main versions of the tribal religious tattoo. With innovative ideas flowing into the tat industry every day, more intricate and exquisite designs are expected soon.

Find more about cross tattoos and tribal cross tattoos

Shopping For The Ideal Brown Leather Briefcase

A brown leather briefcase is a sound investment for a business wardrobe. It goes with most color combinations and expresses classic style. As well as looking great, this accessory can help you to be more efficient and productive at work by keeping your organized. Simply put, a briefcase can deliver both great design and practicality. The following suggestions show what you should be looking for when shopping for leather briefcases.

Consider carefully how and when you are going to use the briefcase. Your travel and work habits inform what design you should choose. Some of the design features outlined below show how a briefcase will accommodate your personal approach to work.

A briefcase that isn’t very bulky is a key feature that many people look for. The case should also include ample room for storing supplies and essentials. Thankfully, the best business accessory designers have managed to combine a compact style with practicality.

Most professionals use some items regularly, such as phones and pagers. Other items such as work directories and reference books, may be used less often. That’s why it makes sense to have a briefcase with outside pockets for easy access as well as concealed compartments for items that are less frequently used.

Front pockets for small accessories which you need close at hand are a convenient feature. In addition, an outside pocket for newspapers, magazines and other reading materials is handy when travelling. The briefcase should also include front and back compartments so that you can keep files organized. If you are one of the majority of professionals who use a laptop computer, make sure to select a briefcase with a padded sleeve for safe laptop storage. Zipper interior pockets are also helpful, providing concealed storage for valuables.

Particularly if you use your briefcase regularly, comfort is very important. Look for a shock-absorbent shoulder strap that does not slip. This can make carrying your briefcase easier and more comfortable.

Finally, look for a leather briefcase that fits into your lifestyle. For instance, if you travel by plane a lot, you will appreciate a compact size that can easily stored in an overhead compartment. You can even find types that include zipper attachments so that they can piggy back on other rolling suitcases and luggage. It’s easy to see that a brown leather briefcase is a worthwhile investment, not only for style but for practical use.

Kara T. Fox is a publicist for MyBriefcases.com the premier retailer of amazing and unique Briefcase Laptop and Handmade Leather Bags . Featuring free shipping and a 100% Price Match Guarantee! Visit now!

Super Saver Wins Muddy Kentucky Derby

In the muddy mess of a rain soaked Churchill Downs, jockey Calvin Borel continued his mastery of the track as he guided Super Saver to victory in the Kentucky Derby. Super Saver had gone off as an 8-1 choice behind 6-1 favorite Looking At Lucky, and Borel took the ‘Run For The Roses’ for the second consecutive year and an unprecedented third time in four years. Borel was aboard 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird in 2009 and rode Street Sense in 2007.

Borel became the ninth jockey to win the Kentucky Derby at least three times. Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack both won it five times while Bill Shoemaker has won it four times. Angel Cordero Jr., Kent Desormeaux, Gary Stevens, Issac Murphy and Earl Sande are the others to have won three Derbies.

After the race Bob Baffert, who watched race favorite Lookin At Lucky finish sixth, gave Borel his due credit:

“This Calvin Borel, you got to give him credit, he knows how to win this race. He gets right on top of that rail, takes advantage. Smart rider; he owns this track. The thing about Calvin is he takes control of the race. He’s great here. He’s a great rider and he can get it done.”

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas concurred:

“Used to be Pat Day, now I think Calvin owns Churchill Downs. He’s got a great feel for it and they’re running for him and his confidence is sky high. He’s just a great rider, too, a great horseman in a lot of ways.”

Super Saver’s trainer Todd Pletcher also praised Borel:

“I said earlier in the week that Calvin Borel is a great rider anywhere he goes, but for some reason at Churchill Downs he’s even five lengths better. He’s just figured out Churchill Downs. He knows how to ride this track, he gets along with the colt really well.”

Super Saver won by 2 lengths over second place Ice Box. Paddy O’Prado finished third. Make Music for Me was fourth, followed by Noble’s Promise, Lookin At Lucky, Dublin, Stately Victor, Mission Impazible, Devil May Care, American Lion and Jackson Bend.Discreetly Mine was 13th, followed by Dean’s Kitten, Conveyance, Homeboykris, Sidney’s Candy, Line of David, Awesome Act and Backtalk.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and respected authority on football betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.

Aoki Shocks Alverez, Stakes Claim As Best Lightweight In MMA

In one of the highlight matches of the DREAM/K-1 Fields Dynamite! New Years Eve megacard, Japanese submission machine Shinya Aoki used a heel hook to submit a top notch opponent in Eddie Alverez at 1:32 of the first round. With the victory, Aoki sets up a rematch against reigning DREAM lightweight champion Joachim Hansen.

When the Aoki/Alverez fight was first announced, there was some speculation that Aoki had chosen one of the worst possible stylistic matchups for him. A product of tough Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia, he grew up not far from where much of the exterior scenes were shot for the first Rocky movie. Though Alverez escaped the areas cycle of crime, he did so by earning respect on the streets for his toughness–basically, he was such a feared street fighter that no one would mess with him. With this sort of toughness and heart bred into him, and a solid background in boxing and amateur wrestling hes become one of the best all round fighters in MMA and among the best in the world at the weight.

Alverez received an enthusiastic reaction from the fans in Tokyo’s Saitama Super Arena as he made his way to the ring on New Years Eve”his run to the DREAM lightweight finals and particularly the epic battle with Hansen has made him a highly respected and popular fighter in Japan. The reaction he received was nothing like Aoki’s, however, who was cheered like a rock star as he bounced to the ring.

As the two fighters stood for referee instructions, it was striking how much taller and rangier Aoki was than his opponent. The two men respectfully touched gloves and bowed slightly before heading back to their corner for the opening bell of what most anticipated would be a lengthy chess match between two of the best fighters at the weight.

For the first minute of the match, it appeared that a slow feeling out process was underway. Alverez was the aggressor for most of the first minute, coming forward while using his jab as a range finder. Aoki flashed a couple of leg kicks, but never connected with any. Alverez landed the first blows of the contest, connecting with a nice three punch combination that displayed his lightning fast hands. Aoki danced away, however, and wasn’t hurt by the attack.

What happened next can only be described as unbelievable”the sequence started when Aoki grabbed Alverez’s ankle after a kick and appeared to go for what looked like a standing anklelock submission. Alverez managed to extricate his ankle and seeing that Aoki was off balance took the opportunity to go for his own takedown with a move that looked more like a judo throw than a traditional wrestling move. Against 99.9% of the other fighters in the world, Alverez would have ended up on top and started working in full or half guard.

When Alverez landed, however, Aoki wasn’t there. In one single, almost gravity defying motion he’d used the momentum from the takedown to shoot under Alverez and grab his leg. Alverez struggled briefly, but Aoki quickly cinched in a painful heel hook. Having prepared well for his opponent, Alverez went to counter by changing his body position and relieving the pressure but Aoki followed him move for move. Eventually, Alverez maneuvered himself into an even worse position and with an audible shout of pain was forced to tap. He got up slowly after the fight, but as of now there’s thankfully been no indication of a serious leg or joint injury.

Ever the gentleman, Aoki dropped to the canvas after the tapout to check on his opponents condition than started his postfight celebration. Aoki is known as one of the most emotional fighters in the sport, and its an even money proposition that hell start crying during his postfight speech to the crowd. This time, however, he quickly addressed the crowd in Japanese to an enthusiastic response before heading to the back.

One superlative that is no longer in dispute is Shinya Aoki’s status as the best submission artist in mixed martial arts. There’s simply no one else like him in the sport”theres plenty of good, solid submission based fighters but Aoki elevates it into an art form. Hes got the technical background to be sure, but what elevates him above the rest is his amazing ability at improvisation. This makes it downright impossible to adequately prepare to fight him, as Alverez discovered. Even if an opponent has mastered all of the defenses and counters for every known submission technique, there’s no way to defend someone who can make up effective submission moves during a fight.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and respected authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and betting odds portal sites. He lives in Southern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.

Hamlin Overcomes The Elements To Win At Martinsville

Despite a late race flat tire that necessitated an unplanned pit stop, Denny Hamlin raced like a madman down the stretch and took the checkered flag at Monday’s Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 NASCAR race at West Virginia’s Martinsville Speedway. The race had been originally scheduled for Sunday, but was moved to Monday due to torrential rains.

Hamlin’s success at the track didn’t escape unnoticed by NASCAR betting enthusiasts, and those that backed him as a +750 choice to win received a nice payday. Series points leader Jimmie Johnson was the betting favorite for the race. Hamlin won the fall race at Martinsville last year and won this race in 2008.

Giving up the lead with ten laps remaining to head to the pit for fresh tires, Hamlin drove like a man possessed to regain the lead and take the victory. He somehow moved from 9th place to the lead in just four laps, and talked about his wild ride after the race:

“That’s hard to do. I had to bully my way through there towards the end, but everybody was just running into everyone. I flattened my tire with Matt Kenseth going down the backstretch and just somehow made it work.”

Hamlin got around seven time Martinsville winner Jeff Gordon with help from teammate Joey Logano in the shootout during the final laps and held on for the victory. Race favorite Jimmie Johnson finished 9th, which was good enough to give him the overall series points lead. Greg Biffle is second in the standings, with Matt Kenseth in third.

NASCAR will head to Phoenix, Arizona for the Subway Fresh Fit 600 a week from Saturday before moving on to Texas for a race April 18th. They’ll then head to the superspeedway at Talladega, Alabama for the second restrictor plate race of the season on April 25th.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and respected authority on football betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.

Blogging For Money: Three Vital Secrets For Success

Want to make money blogging? Hundreds of thousands of people are doing exactly that, and you can too, provided you approach it in the right way.

My blogging career started a decade ago. It was easier to make great profits in those days. Nowadays, you need to be smart. Take a close look at these three tips you need to know before you get started blogging for money.

1. Content counts. Prior to setting up your blog, decide who your audience is going to be, and get to know them. Gather details about who they are and what they are looking for. When you really speak their language, it will be easier for you to pick just the right topic to blog about.

This is a stumbling block for many people new to blogging for money. When you decide on a topic, conduct a quick search to make sure that people are actually looking for that information. If there’s no demand for your topic, you’ll have a hard time generating traffic to your blog. If this is the case, consider a different topic.

2. Readers must be able to find your content. You’ve started your blog, and you’ve created ten posts. This is just a beginning. A-list blogs have many thousands of blog posts, and the top blogs have at least ten new posts every day.

Granted, this is a huge amount of content. If you’re working alone, chances are you won’t be able to compete when it comes to sheer volume. But, pay attention to what these top blogs are doing. They’re posting at least once a day (or more), and you should plan on doing the same. The more content you have, the easier it will be for visitors to find your blog.

The first way they’ll find your content is via the RSS feed. Your feed will be indexed within a week of you creating your blog. You can speed up this indexing by submitting your blog’s RSS feed to blog directories.

3. Visitors must be able to interact with your content. After you have regular readers, you need them to respond to your content. This goes beyond them simply posting comments. You need true interaction. You want them to click your links and buy your products, whether your own products, or affiliate products, or buy your services.

If you want to be successful blogging for money, keep these three crucial tips in mind when setting up your blog. The right content that is easy to find and encourages interaction will increase your chances of success.

Become a money-making blogger. You get everything you need in Angela Booth’s powerful Lazy Rich Blogger method. Angela teaches you everything she’s learned in ten years of blogging — start today. For more free blogging tips, visit Angela’s Blogging for Dollars blog.

Be A Defensive Driver And Acquire Savings On Auto Insurance

Are you currently considering a way to reduce your automobile insurance costs? Besides installing anti-theft devices and keeping your driving records clean, one way of cutting down costs on auto insurance is by signing up for a defensive driving course.

Most insurance providers provide their clients a 10% discount on their auto insurance when they take a defensive driving class.

Road rage comprises almost a third of street accidents. Insurance firms know this therefore it’s a good advantage to them if their customers get courses on defensive driving.

Keys to Risk-free Driving

To prevent mishaps, incurring a poor driving record and making insurance claims, it seems sensible to understand how to be safe on the road when you are driving. Here are some know- how’s on defensive driving.

Safety First

First thing you ought to do to prevent mishaps when driving is by using your seat belt and make sure that you lock your car or truck. In this way, you probably would not be thrown from the automobile if you clash with another automobile.

Keep a clear head

Inattentive driving is among the numerous factors drivers have mishaps. Pay attention to your driving if you are behind the wheel. Avoid answering your cell phone or sending text messages as much as possible. Though Hands-free units are now available for your mobile phones, it’s nevertheless not advisable to take a call when driving because your attention will be divided between the road and the person that you’re speaking with.

Always be alert and aware of your surroundings

Keep in mind that you’re not the only person on the highway. You do not know exactly how other people drive therefore it’s essential that you know about your surroundings. Keep a safe distance in between your car and the vehicle in front of you. Try to keep to the 2 to 4 second principle to avoid crashing into the vehicle in front of you any time it all of a sudden hits the brakes. Check your rear and also side mirrors.

Have patience

Aggressive drivers get into incidents more often than those that aren’t. Avoid being in a hurry and follow traffic guidelines constantly. Whenever a driver is not following street rules, let him be. You don’t have to trouble oneself and copy that driver. An individual always has to be on the look out for yourself. You won’t have the ability to handle another driver’s rage but you can manage yours. Give and take is the key to safe driving.

Enrolling in a Defensive Driving Program

Depending on where you live, most of the time, you would be asked to take defensive driving courses before you can get a permit. You’d also need to sign up for a defensive driving class if you are given a ticket since you did not adhere to driving guidelines.

Presently there are a number of ways to sign up for a safe drivers course. A person can turn to your state’s DMV and inquire about their class schedules otherwise you may take these types of courses on the internet. When you’re done with this program, tell your insurance provider so the company can apply the appropriate discount on your auto insurance.

Whether you might be getting into this class to get rid of a driving ticket or perhaps simply because it is one of the needs to acquire a driver’s license, remember that a defensive driving course would be very beneficial to you ultimately. Not merely would you know the right way to drive and behave whilst driving, but you’d probably also get a price reduction on your auto insurance. Each one of these should be enough to persuade you to take a safe drivers class.

Want to find out more about what it takes to get a travel insurance international policy, then visit Craig Todd’s site today.

3 Low Cost Ways To Meet Agents & Editors

These days it’s common knowledge that it’s hard to meet an Agent or an editor through an unsolicited mailing. They are more likely to pay attention to a submission coming from someone they have met in person. To that end, writers flock to conferences so they can get some face time with real live agents and editors. And that’s great. I believe writers should get out and network. But those conferences can be pricey. It’s best to combine attending conferences with a few other strategies that are easier on your wallet. Here are 3 you may find useful.

1.) Attend Author Readings

Make a point of keeping track of writers who do work similar to yours. When they’re in the vicinity go hear them read. Sometimes–not all the time–but sometimes the author’s agent and editor will be in the audience. If they aren’t, see if you can steal a few moments with the writer and ask with whom he or she works and whether they have been pleased with the experience. You can either ask for an introduction or contact the people on your own. If you’re going to do the former, first develop a rapport with the writer and stay in touch. They may not feel comfortable referring you to their agent or editor right off the bat, but in time as they get to know you and your work, an introduction may be a possibility.

2.) Attend Classes Offered by Continuing Education Groups Such As The Learning Annex

Agents and editors are in the business of looking for the next hot writer and making a name for themselves in the publishing world. That’s why you’ll often find agents and editors teaching classes related to their work at places such as The Learning Annex, which has locations in New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Chicago, Atlanta and Boston (http://www.learningannex.com). Recent instructors include literary agent Katharine Sands, editor Marcela Landres (formerly of Simon & Schuster) and Vickie M. Stringer, founder and CEO of Triple Crown Publications. The courses can cost as little as $30 or $40 and last about three hours so you have some time to find out if the instructor can help you or point you in the direction of someone who can.

Remember the agent or editor probably has aspiring authors handing them manuscripts all the time, so make sure you stand out from the pack. Have a killer query letter and synopsis (if your book is a novel) or book proposal (for non-fiction works) at the ready. You’ll make a great impression simply because you’re not making them lug a 500-page behemoth home in their briefcase!

3.) Look for Agents and Editors Who Have Their Own Personal Websites

When you come across the name of an agent or editor who may be appropriate for you, Google them to see if they have their own websites with email addresses that may be different from their corporate mailboxes. Some are authors themselves (like literary agent Donald Maass, author of Writing the Breakout Novel) and have books of their own to promote. Email them and, again, try to develop a rapport and get a sense of what they’re working on and what they’re looking for. It’s best to know as specifically as possible before going through the trouble of making a submission. I recently heard about a writer who submitted to an agent looking for African American authors, but in fact the agent was looking for African American authors who wrote urban romance–which was not the writer’s genre at all.

One Last Note: These ideas should get you started and I hope they’ll inspire you to try other creative routes. It does get easier because you will find that as you go to more events and tell more people what you’re doing, the more likely you will be to find the connector that will build the path between you and your future agent or editor.

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