If you’ve been around the Internet Marketing community
for any length of time, you’ve undoubtedly been exposed
to niche marketing. In the past 18 – 24 months, there’s
been an explosion of niche marketing information and
niche marketing websites. Niche marketing has become an
industry buzzword. But the real question is, “How can you
uncover an underexposed niche market and dominate it?”

First you need to define what a niche market really is.
Finding a true niche market is as simple as looking at an
industry and drilling down into its specific segments.
It’s kind of like peeling a banana.

Starting with an industry like brewing, we can segment
the brewing industry into commercial brewing and home
brewing. From there we can drill down into the home
brewing industry and segment it into brewing wines, beer,
and spirits. Following the beer segment, we can further
segment this category into lager and ale. Brewing ale is
a true niche market. It’s a very specific topic, which
attracts a specific audience who’s passionate about their
interest.

But simply drilling down into a defined niche market
doesn’t mean there’s money to be made. You need to tap
into a market that people are passionate about and
willing to spend their money on. Brewing beer is one of
those markets; so are golf, collector plates, stamps, and
a multitude of other niche markets.

With a bit of research, you can determine who the main
players in the market are. Often, but not always, the
main players in the market are also the ones who hold the
top 10 Google listings. Visit their websites, look at
their product selection, and determine how your website
will differ.

Peel back the layers to look at their HTML code. Try to
determine how they achieved a top 10 ranking. Often, the
top websites are not run by marketing savvy webmasters.
This gives you, the internet marketer the opportunity to
optimize your website and hit top search engine rankings
in that niche.

When you’re building your website, use this research to
build a better mouse trap. If you emulate what the top
10 websites are doing and improve on it, your site has a
good chance of getting ranked highly in the search engine
listing as well.

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This article is also available from the iClick Academy Blog
Download the first module of the iClickAcademy program for free from www.iClickAcademy.com

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But while that might be bad for business, it can be great for those travellers on a budget.

Here are some ways to score a great hotel without breaking the bank:

Check out a hotel website
When booking, first look on the website for the hotel where you’d like to stay. Often hotels have deals that are only available to people who book through their websites, rather than another online travel service. Others have a policy that will match prices if you find one that is lower. Be sure to compare that to online travel sites before booking. You can then call the hotel directly and ask if they can offer you a lower rate than you’ve found online - you’ll be surprised how often they agree.

Go in the off-season
If you’re traveling to major cities like New York or London, try planning a weekend trip. City hotels usually cater to business travelers, who mainly travel for work on weekdays. That means you’re more likely to score a good deal in an urban center on the weekend. As well, if you don’t need to be right in the downtown try choosing a hotel on the outskirts or suburbs of a big city. This can be a great money-saver, but choose carefully because you could end up spending more renting a car or paying for gas and parking than you’ll save on a hotel. As for resorts, try travelling in the off-season, such as late fall or early spring.

Look for discounts
Many hotels offer discounts to military veterans, AAA members, seniors, or corporate travellers. Check for any discounts you may qualify for before booking. Don’t be afraid to ask the hotel directly for any discounts, package rates (such as paying for two nights and getting the third for free) or complimentary upgrades. Be sure to call the hotel’s direct number, rather than a national 800 number. Individual hotels have wide latitude to set their own prices, while call centers don’t.

Join a loyalty program
Most major hotel chains have some sort of loyalty or rewards program for frequent guests. These allow you to accumulate points every time you stay in one of the chain’s hotels. Some major chains also own several hotel brands and you can use their loyalty cards at any of the parent company’s hotels. Most of these loyalty programs are free to join and the points can be used for several years with few restrictions. Many hotel chains have also partnered with major credit card companies, allowing you to earn points with any purchase that can be used toward free nights at a hotel. But not all hotel credit cards are equal. Some offer more generous sign-up bonuses than others and some come with higher annual fees or interest rates.

Rebook
Your hotel plans don’t have to end once you’ve made your reservation. Keep checking the prices on your hotel of choice. If you spot a deal or a price-drop after you’ve already booked, cancel your reservation and rebook at the lower price.

I highly recommend the European style and elegance of the Kingston Best Western Fireside Inn

Budget
Sure if you had an unlimited budget you could rent yourself a private island, or frolic with celebrities at an exclusive resort in Bora Bora or Parrot Cay. But weddings are expensive enough and you don’t want to dig yourself into an even deeper hole by adding on a pricey honeymoon. On the other hand, you don’t want to penny-pinch so much that your honeymoon is short and unmemorable. So discuss with your spouse how much you are willing to spend as a couple – and then stick to it.

One of the greatest ways to score an amazing honeymoon on a budget is to travel in the off-season. Whether this means rescheduling your wedding, or holding off on the honeymoon for a few months, you can often find incredible deals if you’re willing to compromise on your dates. Many places such as Bermuda are busiest in the summer – which is traditionally the most popular time for a wedding. But by travelling in the fall or early spring, you can often find high-class hotels at a deep discount.

Another way to have a wonderful, yet inexpensive, honeymoon is to stick close to home. While you might dream of jetting off to an exotic location, try searching for romantic getaways within driving distance from where you live. You would be amazed at the beautiful destinations that lurk in your own backyard. This kind of honeymoon can make you feel like you’re worlds away – without having to spend like you are.

Discuss the type of Honeymoon you want
Maybe you’re the kind of couple who dreams of a relaxing walk on the beach. Or maybe your idea of romance is scuba diving with sharks. The key is to discuss your dream honeymoon with your significant other and then be willing to compromise if the two of you have very different ideas of what you consider to be a romantic vacation. Often something like a cruise can be an ideal solution for couples who can’t agree on what they want. Many cruises offer both relaxation and pampering but with plenty of opportunities for on-shore adventure activities.

Get off the beaten path
One way to design a memorable honeymoon is to skip the usual resorts and tourist activities. For instance, instead of opting for an escorted tour, try renting bikes and exploring your honeymoon destination on wheels. You’ll still be able to see all the highlights your destination has to offer without the crowds of a tour– and you’re likely to discover some hidden gems along the way.
Another great way to plan a unique visit and save some money is to do as the locals do. It’s great to try out the expensive restaurants designed for tourists. But try saving your high-priced meals for dinner, and then dining at local spots for your other meals. Or check out a farmer’s market for fresh local produce and baked goods.

Don’t be Shy
Hotels and tour operators often have deals that cater exclusively to travellers on their honeymoon.  If you are using a travel agent, let them know you’re newlyweds. In fact, tell everyone – tour groups, hotels, and restaurants. You may find yourself getting small perks and upgrades, such as chocolates on your pillow at a hotel, or a restaurant table overlooking the water for your special occasion.

I highly recommend the European style and elegance of the Kingston Best Western Fireside Inn

Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or a first date, there are a few easy things you can do to create an intimate dinner without spending a fortune.

But here are some tips for pulling off the perfect romantic evening. Don’t worry if everything doesn’t go as planned. For most partners, it’s the thought that counts.

Keep It Simple

A simple meal, a few candles, a great bottle of wine and a bouquet of fresh flowers are often all that’s required for a memorably intimate evening.

Think you want to impress with boeuf bourguignon when all you’ve ever cooked is Chef Boyardee? Think again. Tonight is not the night for wild experimentation. A nice cut of beef, a fresh salad, a great bottle of wine and a few candles scream romance more than an elaborate seven-course menu ever can.

Do your research

What are your sweetheart’s favourite foods? What are his or her allergies (nothing kills romance quite like anaphylactic shock) While the perfect meal may be a no-brainer if you’ve been with your partner for years, it can be hard to figure out what to cook on a first date. So stick with a simple staple meal like a chicken or fish dish. Or you could prepare a variety of small, simple dishes that give your date some variety to choose from.

Don’t forget about dessert – the most romantic of them all. When in doubt, go for chocolate. A bowl of fresh fruit is also a no-fail dessert if you’re trying to keep things light. Pair dessert with some coffee or tea, or an aperitif.

Go Light

Really rich dishes can also be overwhelming and hard on the stomach. Indigestion is hardly the ideal end to a romantic evening. Pasta dishes with light sauce and plenty of vegetables are good options, or a nicely grilled piece of fish with a side of salad or veggies. Wine is the drink of choice for a romantic evening – red is good with meats and rich pastas, while whites are perfect with fish.

Prepare in advance

Do as much advanced preparation as you can so that you’re not rushing around on the night of the dinner. Look for recipes that don’t require you to do everything right before you cook the meal. Foods that need to marinate overnight before being cooked can be a great option. Prepare it a day ahead, stick it in the fridge and then cook it right before you serve. You can also start chopping vegetables and mixing sauces the night before so you’re not going crazy the next day. Advanced preparation can also make it easier to clean up after cooking on the night of the dinner. Filthy kitchens are pretty unromantic.

Create a mood

You don’t need Martha Stewart’s skills to set an impressive table romantic evening. Soft lighting and a few candles should suffice. Keep table settings clean and simple. Quiet music can add a nice touch as long as it doesn’t hamper the conversation. While scents such as vanilla and cinnamon always seem to inspire feelings of romance, they can also interfere with the taste of your meal. The scent of your delicious meal should be enough.

Try a dry run

Not everyone has the time or budget for a practice dinner, but if this is a really important evening, try a rehearsal evening. Invite some friends over and cook the meal, set the table, light the candles, and put on your best outfit. This will take some pressure off you for the big day.

Remove distractions

When it’s finally time for you and your special someone to sit down to dinner, don’t let the outside world get in your way. If you have children, let relatives take them for a night or hire a babysitter. Unplug the phone and the TV and turn off the computer. Daily life can wait, tonight is about the two of you.

I highly recommend the fine dining experience at Bistro Stefan in Kingston Ontario

Pancakes are the staple of a delicious breakfast and the highlight of a casual brunch. But for many weekend chefs, the first pancake inevitably ends up in the trash can or the belly of the family pet.

So what’s the secret to perfect pancakes? How can you master the art of cooking right from the very first pancake?

Here are a few of the most frequent pitfalls of the pancake artist:

* Leaving lumps in the batter. Although many people feel that good pancake batter should be lumpy and uneven, many chefs actually encourage cooks to completely mix the batter until it’s the consistency of rich cream. This allows the gluten to be released from the flour. For best results, whisk the batter thoroughly for several minutes to allow air into the mixture.

* Cooking right away. It’s hard to wait for breakfast, especially when it’s something as delicious as pancakes. But batter needs some time to set - at least one hour minimum, but three hours is ideal. This allows the starch to grow and expand and air bubbles to release. For lighter, fluffier pancakes, mix your batter and then cover the bowl with foil or plastic wrap and let it sit for a few hours in the fridge.

* Using a pan that is not properly seasoned. For best pancake results, start with a flat non-stick frying pan. Season the pan with a bit of vegetable oil first by heating the pan and then roll up some paper towel and carefully rub the oil into every inch of the heated pan. Leave the pan to cool down and then remove the unused oil. While not everyone can devote an entire fry pan just to pancakes, you’ll find the most success if you never wash a seasoned pan. Instead, wipe it down after cooking with a wet cloth.

* Using a pan that is either too cold or too hot. Stove temperatures vary, so there is no “perfect” setting to make pancakes. Ideally, the frying pan should be so hot that it almost smokes. But if it’s giving off plumes of bluish smoke, then it’s too hot and your pancakes will burn.

If you’re not sure if your pan is ready for cooking, throw on a few drops of water. If the water instantly evaporates on contact, your pan is too hot. If the water sits for awhile and takes its time to boil, then you need to turn up the temperature a few notches. You’ll know the pan is the right temperature when the water droplets sizzle on contact and then evaporate after a few seconds

* Pouring too much batter. Most amateur pancake chefs make the crucial mistake of overdoing it on the batter for the first pancake. This usually results in a thick, oily cake that is burned on the outside and raw in the middle. For thin crepe-style pancakes, use just enough batter to coat the bottom of the pan by turning the pan in circles. For thicker pancakes, use about half a ladle or about two or three tablespoons.

* Flipping the pancake too soon. Once you’ve poured the batter, let the pancake set for a few seconds, or until small bubbles start to form on the surface and the edges begin to look solid. Then take a spatula and gently jostle the ends of the pancake before shaking the pan to jar the cake loose. Firmly place the spatula under the entire pancake and then flip it in one quick motion. Stack pancakes on top of each other to keep them from cooling down too quickly while you continue cooking.

Follow these tips and your first pancake will wow your guests and loved ones - instead of your dog.

For the perfect breakfast in Kingston Ontario, visit Bistro Stefan

Bistro Stefan in Kingston Ontario, is a fine example of the later. Upon entering the restaurant, you’re greeted by the maître d who seats you and introduces you to your waiter or waitress. He offers you a wine list with a selection of regional and international wines, available from the vast wine cellar.

If you find it hard to choose from the succulent selections, your waiter or waitress will make suggestions based on what your preferences are. Whether you like meat, fish, poultry or even gourmet pizza, Bistro Stefan has a dish that will inspire your taste buds.

The ambiance of the restaurant is contemporary with a very elegant aura, the perfect setting for a fine dining experience. Men will feel comfortable in a shirt and sports coat and women in an evening dress.

The menu offers a delectable selection of appetizers, soups and salads, entrees, and even gourmet pizza. In addition, there’s a breakfast menu and even a Kid’s menu.

From personal experience, I highly recommend the following:

Appetizer:
Coconut Crusted Shrimp With Vietnamese Dipping Sauce

Soup:
Curried Apple Squash Soup

Entree:
Centre cut 8oz AAA Filet Mignon, Grilled to Taste, Herb Forest Mushroom, Garlic Mashed Potatoes,  Lemon Rosemary Jus

Dessert:
Chocolate Fondue

Whether you live in Kingston or you’re visiting, you owe it to yourself to experience the culinary pleasures and fine dining experience of Bistro Stefan.

If you’re considering refinancing your mortgage in Canada, and specifically, in Kingston Ontario, follow these tips to pay it off as fast as possible:

Tip #1

Prepay ASAP
As soon as your mortgage broker has placed your mortgage, start making extra payments as soon as you can. Mortgages are interest-heavy upfront, so the faster you pay down your principal, the more interest savings you will achieve. The bulk of your payments in the first five to seven years of your mortgage are simply paying interest. By making extra payments, you’re principle is reduced. This will save you thousands of dollars and help you increase your equity in your property.

Tip #2

Annual Lump Sum Payments
Most lenders let you pay off 20% of your mortgage in annual lump sum payments. For many Kingston residents, who get annual bonuses or raises, this is the perfect place to dump your extra money. It cuts years off the length of your mortgage and saves you tens of thousands of dollars.

Tip #3

Keep Your Monthly Payments The Same
If you have a variable-rate mortgage and the rates go down, your payment will also go down. Instead of making smaller monthly payments, contact your lender and ask them to keep your payments the same.

Tip #4

Payment Round-Up
If your monthly mortgage payment is $862.15 and you round it up to $900, the additional $37.85 per month will chop years off your mortgage and put thousands of dollars in your pocket. Your mortgage broker can give you the exact figures for these calculations.

TIP #5

Pay Increase = Payment Increase
When you get a raise, or your income increases, apply the extra cash to your mortgage.

Tip #6

Increase Your Frequency
Change the frequency of your mortgage payments from monthly to bi-weekly, or even weekly. At the end of the year, you’ve made an additional payment and saved yourself another bundle of cash.

There are countless ways to save money on your mortgage. These six suggestions are only the tip of the iceberg. Your Kingston area mortgage broker can fill you in on an entire portfolio of ways to save money on your mortgage and cut down the length of time it takes you to pay it off.

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Terry Telford is a publisher and avid promoter of Kingston, Ontario, Canada. If you live in Canada and you’re looking for a mortgage with low monthly payments, start off at www.BestRateFinders.com

Kingston’s old world charm, combined with it’s modern style, give the city a warm and welcoming feel for the couple or family looking for a fine dining experience. Restaurants range from classic contemporary in design and cuisine to upscale modern and trendy.

If you’re celebrating an anniversary, birthday, holiday or other important date and would like to experience fine dining in a relaxed, comfortable setting, Bistro Stefan offers an international menu to please your palette. Compliment your meal with a local, national or international wine, selected from Bistro Stefan’s exclusive wine cellar and prepare for a fine dining experience you will cherish until your next visit.

Bistro Stefan strives to use high quality local ingredients in their cuisine. Local Kingston producers of meat, vegetable, and dairy products are selected with care to ensure you experience the finest dining experience that Kingston has to offer.

An opening note on the Bistro Stefan website from the Maître d’hôtel, Stéphane Ouellet, says:

This is Kingston Ontario’s Fine Dining Experience

Bistro Stefan offers you the finest dining experience in Kingston Ontario. Relax and enjoy a dinner prepared from an internationally inspired menu and complimented with a selection from our wine cellar. We offer the finest wines from the region and around the world.

Join us for dinner in our relaxed, comfortable setting. We promise you an enjoyable and memorable experience.

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Terry Telford is the publisher of Kingston East News and an avid promoter of Kingston Ontario. He highly recommends the fine dining experience at Bistro Stefan

I’d also like to thank all the wonderful people in the internet marketing community who have been my colleagues, my customers, and my friends. I may be retiring from internet marketing, but you can always contact me. I still live in the marketing world

I would especially like to thank the following people who made sales with my retirement package.

Patric Chan
John Taylor
Stanley Hamilton
G M Haim
Andrew Henry
Randolf Smith
Brian Simpson
Lee Tong Meng
Dr Leng Leng Teh
Stanley Hamilton
Jim Sheridan
David Gale
A T Doyle

I’ll keep you updated about my future endeavours.

Talk again soon.

Enjoy your day!

Terry

I am off to spend more time with my family and open an offline marketing agency, so I’m selling my Internet Marketing business.

Interested?

You can get  your copy of my business from

http://www.TerryTelford.com

Talk again soon.

Enjoy your day!

Terry