Bankhead

I get frequent emails from my newsletter readers wondering why their eBay auctions aren't working.

You might have the most brilliant auction description page with a fantastic set of pictures offering a superb item at an incredible price. But the page counter shows after seven days of your auction that its only been seen by 3 people. Has that happened to any of your auctions?

If it has, I always start at the same point. The auction title.

In 99% of cases, the reason for low viewing figures is that your auction title isn't smart enough.

Here are a few facts. At the end of this small list youll understand the secret power of eBay auction titles:

a) 79 million times each day buyers use eBay's search box to locate items in which they are interested.

b) eBay's standard search system takes the search words keyed in, and compares them with the titles in its database of 10 million auctions. (Note it doesnt compare them with sub-titles, or auction descriptions)

c) If an auction title doesn't contain the words keyed into the search box, the auction wont get returned in the search results list. And thats another of the 79 million searches youve missed out on!

d) If an auction isn't returned in a search list, it cant be clicked on to have the auction description viewed.

So, the whole of eBay's default search system relies on matching keywords with auction titles. And thats the secret power of auction titles. If your title contains words which buyers are searching upon, your auction will be returned time and again in search return lists.

Lets say you want to create a new auction. Remember, your auction title has three functions:

1) To contain keywords. (Number one on this list for the reason you now know!)

2) To persuade buyers to click through to your auction description page

3) To convey what the item is

To decide on the keywords to use, you have to think like a buyer. What words would be used by a person interested in searching for an item like yours?

At this stage, just list them. Don't put the words into a sentence yet. Spend as long as you like on this exercise. The more effective you are with this, the less likely you are to have one of those sleepy auctions that rarely gets a visitor.

Having listed as many keywords as you can think of, you have to decide which are the strongest. Remember, you only have 55 precious characters for your auction title.

Taking your best keywords, you now create your auction title. It's not an English exam, so it doesn't matter if it doesn't scan like a sentence.

You can add a power word or two if you've space. By this I mean words like stunning, limited edition, unique, rare, new, one-off, exclusive, distinctive, dramatic etc. These are words which can influence buyers to click through to your auction description. They wont be searched on by buyers, so use them sparingly. For the same reason, I dont advocate the use of "clever" words like l@@k or w0w!

Finally, do the words in your title convey what the item is? If so, that's it. You've created a powerful and compelling auction title. And your title will appear more often in search return lists. And, as you know, thats the key!

If you can get your auction to appear more often in search return lists, more buyers will view your auction description page. The more people that visit your auction description page, the more likely you are to make a sale at an acceptable price.

Now you know the secret power, why not create a new title today for one of your auctions? If you do, believe me youll get your fair share of the 79 million eBay daily searchers.

Brian McGregor is an eBay and internet entrepreneur. He recently created the 'eBay Master Class' for eBay sellers. For your free copy, please go to http://www.workwinners.com/ebm-request.htm

Which cars are the safest cars in the United States, you may wonder. Is it BMW, Ford, Chevy? As far as car security matters, only eight of the 2004 model cars on the market have earned perfect scores in crash tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Here are the criterias: To pass the auto security test, the vehicle had to get perfect marks in all of the following categories:

• five-star ratings--the highest available--in NHTSA's frontal and side vehicle crash tests
• five-star rollover resistance ratings

or

• ratings of "good," (highest available), which includes an overall rating,plus individual ratings in the following categories:

• The frontal offset crash test structure/safety cage
• head/neck injury measures
• chest injury measures
• left and right leg/foot injury measures
• restraints/dummy kinematics

• ratings of "good" for head restraint design and the performance of bumpers in low-speed auto crash tests.

Side impact auto crash tests were also conducted for all vehicle brands but no car received perfect marks in those tests.

According to automotive experts, vehicle crash testing is still the best and most objective method for determining which cars are truly the safest. And this does not necessarely mean vehicles equipped with most advanced technology. The difference between a good auto crash test rating and a bad one is significant:

• A five-star rating means a chance of serious injury of 10% or less in a car crash at 35 mph>/li>

• a one-star rating means a chance of 46% or more.

The list might amaze you. Here are the 8 safest motorcars in USA in 2004:

• Audi A4
• Ford Crown Victoria
• Lincoln Town Car
• Mercury Grand Marquis
• Mercury Marauder
• Toyota Corolla
• VW New Beetle
• Volvo S80

Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet publisher. He runs the website cheap-used-cars.w-eland.com Terje gives advice and helps people with automotive issues like finding car parts online as well as auto owners insurance

Raffles are one of the most popular and cost effective ways to raise money for a non profit organization. However, it would not be a raffle if you had nothing to give away!

So what kind of prizes should you have? First of all, put yourself in your potential supporters shoes - What if someone comes up to you and says they are selling raffle tickets? What prize would you like to win?

Here are some prizes that attract many peoples attention:

Cars - Sports cars, Luxury cars, SUVs in this years model. Another great alternative is a completely restored classic / collectors car. You may or may not be able to get this donated. If not, consider other types of prizes, since your profit will be higher if all items are donated.

Travel - Always a winner. Roundtrip Airfare, a package deal, a cruise, hotel stays, even airline miles all make great prizes. Most people love to travel and the biggest obstacle is usually cost. Now if they win this raffle, theyll just have to take some vacation time and go.

The larger trips such as week-long cruises or packages with airfare and hotel may draw more ticket buyers. However, travel doesnt have to be exotic to make a great prize. Even a weekend getaway within driving distance could be a great prize. As long as its a place people in your area would want to go to for a vacation. A one night stay at a local hotel is not usually as appealing.

Electronic Equipment - Big screen TVs, DVDs, and stereos. These are big incentives, especially for the guys.

Gift Certificates - For stores like Home Depot, Best Buy, and local or chain restaurants. These make great secondary prizes.

These are just a few examples. As mentioned earlier, it is important to offer a prize that your potential sellers will place a high value on. A Barbecue Grill, a Handmade Quilt, a Gourmet Dinner, all of these could be great prizes for the right audience.

Okay, okay. So I know what you are thinking. How do I go about getting these prizes?

The absolute best way is to survey the members of your organization. Every member could possibly have something of value to contribute to the prize pool. And if not, they may know somebody who can. Go for your biggest prize first, though. You need to secure that hook in order to have a viable raffle.

One of the raffle fundraisers that I organized raised over $1000, with just 5 ticket sellers! In case you are wondering, our prize was a big screen TV. The company I worked for at the time had a point system incentive program. I pooled my points with some of my co-workers to get the big prize.

I also sent out an email asking my friends and the other ticket sellers for donations. I quickly got several more donations including some nice watches. Finally I went to area restaurants and got several gift certificates for third prizes.

It's usually easy to get prizes from restaurants and some retailers such as beauty salons and video stores. Type a letter of request on your organization's letterhead. Visit businesses in your area during the afternoon when they're not as busy. Give them a copy of your letter and ask if they would be able to donate a gift certificate or other prize. Be sure to start canvassing your city about a month before your deadline, because some managers need to get approval or they may have a limited number of prizes per month they can distribute.

With a little creativity and persistence, you'll be able to get some great prizes for your raffle!

Sandra Sims has been fundraising for various charities for over 10 years. She is the publisher of Step By Step Fundraising website, which helps non profit organizations get maximum results from fundraising campaigns. Visit her website to find out more about raffle fundraisers and raffle ticket printing.

Your best friend is getting married and you are the maid (matron) of honor. What an honor that is! The only problem is that you are not sure how to plan the bachelorette party. Listed are a few games that are guaranteed fun! Please start the bachelorette party at home so your guests feel more comfortable and can get acquainted. If you decide totake the party out on the town later, you can reflect back on the fun activities from earlier in the evening!

Guess The Nuts

1 sturdy wooden hanger,
1 small salami or pepperoni,
1 pair men's cotton y-front underwear,
large safety pins,
whole walnuts,
needle and thread

Sew the leg holes and y-front of the underwear closed. Pin them on the wooden hanger using the safety pins. Fill the underwear with the walnuts making sure to count how many you put in. Place a small salami or pepperoni down the front of the underwear. When the guests arrive have them guess how many nuts are in the underwear. Encourage the players to feel the nuts! Leave the nut filled underwear hanging up for the remainder of the party, as it makes a great party decoration! The closest guess below the actual number, wins! The sausage and walnuts can be eaten at a later date!

Tape the Shape on Her Man

1 posterboard,
multi colored construction paper, scissors, clear tape, markers, 1 blindfold,
1 enlarged picture of the grooms head

On the posterboard, draw a picture of a sexy man's body from the thigh area up to and including his neck, but leave out his male member. Tape the picture of the grooms head onto the neck. Try to make this proportional, but if it's not, sometimes it's even more funny! Tape the poster to the wall at waist level.

Hand each player a piece of construction paper and have her cut out a shape of a male member. Make sure she writes her name on the back. Blindfold the first player. Fold down the square end of her playing piece and attach a loop of tape to it.Put the other end in her mouth. Spin her around 3 times and have her get on her knees to crawl over to the poster. Have her press her mouth up against the poster until her playing piece sticks. She must not use her hands to feel the poster. The player who is closest to being anatomically correct, wins! This is the big girl version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey! Wear the game pieces as name tags later in the evening.

Cucumber Race

1 cucumber per player,
1 maraschino cherry per player,
2 cans whipped cream

Divide the players into 2 equal teams. Choose one person from each team to be a captain. Seat the two captains across the room with one cherry per player and a can of the whipped cream. Have the rest of the team line up on the other end of the room and give one cucumber to each player. To begin, the first players in each line place their cucumbers between their thighs so the cucumber is horizontal to the floor. Have the players race down to their captain. The captain places some whipped cream on the end of the cucumber and places the cherry in the whipped cream. The player races back to the starting line, balancing the cherry on the cucumber. Then it is the next players turn. Continue until each player has a turn. The first team finished, wins! If a player drops her cucumber or her cherry falls off, she must start over. This game promotes team spirit!

These games are so much fun and are a great way to get the party started in the right direction!

http://bachelorettepartyshop.com We have free games and ideas on the web site along with all types of products to purchase, to make her bachelorette party the most fun! We have veils and t-shirts, food and drink items, prepackaged games, decorations, gag gifts and more! We included some bachelor items also. Some of our items can be used for birthday parties, sorority parties and girls weekend away parties! Author of "How To Host a Hilariously Fun Bachelorette Party!", Online ecommerce business for the past 7 years, 20 years experience