VALENTINE'S DAY

 "To love and be loved is to feel the sun on both sides"

VALENTINES DAY kind of breaks up the slower winter months.  It is a special time that is fun, colorful and full of suprises.  Some choose Valentines Day for a Wedding--Vegas seems to be a popular, fun and fairly easy wedding destination.  A time to Tie the Knot.  Romance is in the air!

Unique and Memorable Gifts or Suprises are always appreciated.  This year do something that will make the entire neighborhood aware of the Surprise!  Rent a Yard Card or Lawn Display and display your feelings with Yard Display.  Imagine the Smiles!

Hand Made Valentine gifts are fun for children to make.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Marty Miller; Entrepreneur, Business Owner, Writer and Blogger
www.homeandhealthtips.com/

GET STARTED ON YOUR 2011 BUSINESS!

ORGANIZE FOR THE NEW YEAR

* Clean out old files ----hard to do, not a fun job, but gratifying once you rid yourself of unneccessary papers and things you have collected.
* Update your database--very important.
* Think of new ways to create business and NEW customers.
* Thank your repeat customers---send a postcard letting them know you are still in business.
* Inventory your products to see if you need to purchase new things, refresh or refurbish them, or add new products or delete those that are not working for you.
* Start the year with a GOOD method of filing, not only for tax purposes, but for keeping you "on track".
* Get on new Yard Card Directories and improve your Internet visibility. See a SUPER special for joining in Jan. at:  http://www.yardcarddirectory.com/join.html
* Join business clubs or Chamber of Commerce--great way to meet people and get your service known.
* Refresh your website with new content & photos--put the name of your STATE on your website Home Page! Customers often search by State.
* Start an Advisory Board with 3-8 other business people so that you can share experiences, support each other.
* Start the New Year with a positive attitude!
* Take Care of Yourself and Stay Healthy    www.healthandhometips.com/
   
"Your outcome has much to do with your attitude."

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Marty Miller    www.yardcarddirectory.com/   www.lawnexpressions.com/

THANKSGIVING DAY 2010

Thanksgiving is a special time to gather with family and friends and share memories. As with many families, we always have each person at the table, including children, say something for which they are thankful.
 An excellent website having to do with the origin of Thanksgiving, traditions, recipes, stories & jokes is www.thanksgiving-day.org/  Great website!  For the Thanksgiving story visit http://www.2020tech.com/thanks/ 

I would like to do a little "Turkey Talk" regarding turkey preparation. Although this has nothing to do with the Yard Card-Lawn Display Industry--cooking is another passion of mine. Proper cooking of a turkey is imperative if you do not wish to spend the evening or the next day in the ER with food poisoning.

1. Cook a fresh turkey within 3 days.
2. Thaw a turkey in a refrigerator or for quicker thawing use a chest cooler with ice or frozen cold packs. (It should be started in the fridge about 4 days ahead of the day you wish to cook it and spend no more than 2 days in a COLD cooler.)
3. Do NOT thaw a turkey at room temp as bacteria will grow.
4. If you stuff your turkey, place an unpeeled apple in the opening rather than sewing it closed. The dressing will pick up a nice apple flavor and the apple will absorb extra grease. (APPLE NOT EDIBLE--altho' it WILL lookl like a baked apple, after removing from turkey)
5. I rub the turkey with mayonaise and salt and pepper it. After putting in a roasting pan, I tent the turkey with aluminum foil and place it in a 425 degree oven for 1/2-1 hr., depending on size of turkey. I then turn it down to 325 degrees for the duration.
6. I remove the foil about 1-2 hrs. before I think it is done. It will brown the skin.
7. DO NOT overcook or undercook a turkey. If it does not have a pop-up timer or meat thermometer, move the turkey leg back & forth to see if it is a little loose.
Then cut into the breast mid turkey--you do not want to see pink meat.

"We may give without loving, but we cannot love without giving." author unknown

Have a good Thankful Holiday! Marty Miller

For those looking for yard cards or lawn displays for special occasions during the Holidays please find companies listed at www.yardcarddirectory.com/

BUSINESS ATTITUDE IN THE FALL MONTHS

With Fall here and cooler weather starting in many states, it is sometimes difficult to keep up the good attitude. In the Yard Card & Lawn Display business, in many areas of the country, rain and snowstorms are in the near future.  It may not seem as fun putting up a Yard Display either early in the morning or late at night, both with more cold and physical discomfort than the rest of the day. It is important to keep in mind how happy the recipient of your display will be when they see your work!  A new mother coming home from the hospital with her baby sees the STORK in the yard and it brings her a smile.  A person who has a birthday comes out to get their newspaper and sees a "Happy Birthday Sign" knows someone cares!

Attitude is most important.  It is more important than circumstances. Each day we have a choice regarding our attitude for the day or the day's work.  We cannot change the inevitable, but we can change our attitude towards it.  It is a small percentage as to what happens to us in relation to how we view, handle or react to what is happening. Put a smile on your face, meet the day with gratitude and caring and you will be happier doing your job.

If you have ideas regarding the Yard Card Business during the colder months, please share them below in the "comments" section. 

FIND a Yard Card or Lawn Display company near you.  www.yardcarddirectory.com/

"Cheerfulness is the atmosphere under which all things thrive" Jean Paul Richter
"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine." ~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book


Enjoy the beauty of the Fall!

Marty Miller   http://www.yardcarddirectory.com/     www.lawnexpressions.com/

Marketing and Advertisng you Fall Business

ADVERTISING and MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS

Advertising and Marketing are two different ways of promoting your business.

Advertising is things like print media: Newspapers, magazines, television, radio, telephone book or promotionals. Donating a Sign or Display for a large event can be both advertising & marketing particularly if you are present at the event "marketing" your product or services.

Marketing is usually where YOU are physically present like: LEADS Groups, Chamber of Commerce groups, Local Business Clubs, School or Church clubs, Business forums & Advisory Boards. (another subject we will address later). The advantage to MARKETING is that you are socializing and selling yourself along with your product/service. People who Market their product or service will do much better in business. People like to do business with someone they know. You will also get support from others who run small businesses if you are in a business group environment.

The INTERNET is now the BEST way of both advertising and marketing, even though you are not physically present. People want the convenience of getting things instantly, so more consumers use the internet, rather than phone books. The best advise is to try different ways of getting your business noticed.
http://www.lawnexpressions.com/     www.yardcarddirectory.com/

"You are never fully dressed until you wear a smile!"

Have a successful FALL and read some of the previous blogs!
   Marty Miller

HALLOWEEN YARD SIGN KIT

HALLOWEEN Yard GHOSTS and MORE

Patterns Include: 23 " GHOST, 23" TOMBSTONE, 15" Ghost Crossing Sign (point to sidewalk), small designs for Bat, Cat, Trick or Treat Bag, Ghost with pumpkin and baby ghost.
                               FUN and EASY to Make!
  Instructions and colored photos of extra sample Ghosts included.

$18--Includes shipping  ORDER
Your Kit will be sent within 2 days of order receipt.
Visa and MC are accepted. Questions: call Marty at 303-979-6551 (owner of Lawn Expressions, CO)

START A YARD CARD BUSINESS

The Yard Card Business is a great venue. Questions you should think about before starting a this type of business:
       * Do I have a large enough vehicle to carry signs or yard display items?
       * Am I willing to deliver the signs/displays after dark or early morning?
       * Do I want to make signs from a start-up Kit or do I want to use the pre-made or plastic props?
       * Do I have artistic ability and would I like to paint signs?      
       * Do I have a plan to market, network or advertise my business?
       * Am I good at speaking to people on the phone?
       * Do I have a computer? Email?
       * Can I keep good business records?

If you can answer “Yes” to these questions than this may be the business for you.

If you enjoy celebrations this is a great “social expressions” business. If you have a young family, having a business like this helps teach children about responsiblity and advantages of being your own boss. Having a business is a great teacher and motivator for children & they usually love to help. (Depending on your  children’s ages you might not want younger ones actually doing the sign painting—you might end of with something you don’t want. (smile).

It is a fun business and a way to make a little extra money.

One of the places to look for a reputable company that is selling start-up Kits or Franchises is Yard Card Start-ups   These companies had to apply and be approved by Entrepreneur Magazine. I sell a Start up KIT which is detailed on www.yardcards-business.com/ and is on
Entrepreneur.com website.

" Although no one can go back in time and make a brand-new start,
anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending." Author unknown

Get your new Business started and be prepared for a Great Spring!

Marty Miller www.lawnexpressions.com/