Preciseleads.com now sells real-time health insurance leads on a per lead basis. The new program is called Pay-Per-Lead and was recently made available to all insurance agents and agencies nationwide.

Unique in the industry, this approach will allow both seasoned insurance agents, and newcomers an opportunity to buy as little or as many insurance leads as they require. “We’ve found that a lot of agents are skeptical of our industry,” says CEO Antonio Franzese. “By giving customers a simpler way to buy leads, we are alleviating their worries and we believe everyone will benefit.”

The Pay-Per-Lead program allows the purchase of an individual block of insurance leads online, without a long-term agreement. Agents are able to setup, and fund their own accounts. “The key to Pay-Per-Lead’s success is that its simple,” says Jaime Scott, COO of Precise Leads, Inc. “You can choose an area, add a couple filters, and you are ready to receive real-time leads n a matter of minutes.”

Precise Leads stresses that a Pay-Per-Lead account may not be appropriate for all agents. Some agents and large agencies instead will benefit greatly from the Premium account structure. However the Pay-Per-Lead account fills a niche and they say many first-time lead buyers start with a Pay-Per-Lead account and then move on to a Premium account.

Pay-Per-Lead accounts are for agents selling health insurance, life insurance, group health insurance, auto insurance, home insurance, and Medicare insurance.

For more information, visit preciseleads.com

Alan Austin-Smith's long-awaited third book has finally hit the shelves. Following on from the hugely successful 'The Fantastic Hairdresser' and 'The Fantastic Boss', his new tome will not disappoint. Aimed specifically at salon owners or people who have overall control of a salon 'the fantastic salon' is based on a principle that Alan calls 'the five pillars' - business foundations that need to be strong and tall to enable your business to stand out from the rest: Revolutionary strategies; A focus on profit; A committed team; Delighted clients; Unique marketing.

Although written primarily for its target audience, Alan's books can be adapted by anyone who runs a business / beauty salon or is in charge of a team.

We guarantee that by dipping into 'the fantastic salon' you will find something that will stir a thought, prompt an action, spark an idea. Its user-friendly format and easy-on-the-eye graphics have become a trade mark of The Fantastic Hairdresser Company and are globally recognised. 'the fantastic salon' has been designed to be read however you choose! It is your book and Alan urges you to make it your own by providing blank areas for you to write down your thoughts, action plans, reflections. Use it as an ongoing reference. Start at the back; flip through until you find a chapter that interests you or read from page one through to the end - then take action!

For more information, visit fantastichairdresser.com

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman in search of a fabulous career must be in want of networking opportunities … or so Jane Austen might say if she were writing — or more likely, blogging — today. At least that's the belief of co-authors Diane K. Danielson and Lindsey Pollak, who put fingers to keyboard, in lieu of pen to paper, and tapped out The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?). What better way is there for today's busy women to network and achieve their goals than jumping online?

Businesswomen reluctant to use Web 2.0 technology to network or market their businesses

Diane K. Danielson is the CEO and founder of the Downtown Women's Club, an online and in-person professional network that will be distributing the book to all new members. She first noticed the need for an online networking guide specifically geared towards women in 2006. "Women complain that they are too busy to network like the men, and there is data to support this," says Danielson referring to recent studies on "The Happiness Gap” between the genders due to increased work hours and women carrying a greater burden of household chores. "However, right at our fingertips, available 24/7, is an unlimited number of cost and time-efficient opportunities to network."

She, herself, has created a variety of virtual opportunities at the Downtown Women's Club website including their searchable online member directory, DWC Faces; blogs; blogrolls; discounts & freebies exchanges; and groups on social networks like LinkedIn.com and Gather.com. Yet, she still sees a reluctance to participate by many businesswomen due to unfamiliarity with the technology.

Danielson was also troubled by the number of women she met who were launching businesses with nothing more than a website as their online marketing plan. "Technology is an equalizer that can help a small business appear larger, market to a wider audience, run more efficiently, and operate with less staff. It's an opportunity I would hate to see women miss out on," advocates Danielson.

Networking survey revealed lack of interest in having an online presence in 2006

In April 2006, Danielson surveyed 1,000 businesswomen of all ages in the Downtown Women's Club Online Networking Survey - High Tech or Not High Tech, That is our Question, and found that less than 25% of women read blogs or message boards, and less than 5% either had a blog or participated in a blog for business. While the numbers may have increased somewhat since then, it appears to Danielson that businesswomen have ceded the blogosphere to the men. "We're sitting back while our male peers take control of the virtual world. This is a real shame, because blogging is not a medium that has a long history of male domination," says Danielson. "Blogging and other Web 2.0 technologies are still new, and I hope women will start using them to promote themselves, their businesses, and perhaps more importantly, their opinions."

In that same survey, Danielson found that one-third of the women admitted that they had never searched for themselves online, or if they had, they didn't find anything. In a world where recruiters and the media use the web as a resource, once again, Danielson and co-author Lindsey Pollak see this as a missed career opportunity. Says Pollak, "I've seen how proper email etiquette, having an online presence, and blogging both on my own and with others has improved my business. I wanted to help other women do the same."

The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking aims to make women comfortable in the virtual world

The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?) is a "how to" manual jam-packed with tips and tactics - but written in a fun, friendly and familiar format. That's where Jane Austen comes in. Throughout the book, the reader can follow the antics of Wendy, a Jane Austen-like character, whose blog excerpts appear in each chapter. Why Jane? Both Danielson and Pollak agree that "Good manners is at the root of good networking. No matter what the medium."

Some of the online networking tips that run throughout the book include:

Savvy Tip #5: Do the one-minute search test before you hit the send button. If you're approaching a new contact via email, take one minute to search his or her name on the web. If there's a wealth of information out there, and it's easily discoverable within 60 seconds, then it's likely that person will assume you have, at a minimum, that base knowledge before you make contact.

Savvy Tip #8: Don't be a networking bully. We know that your product, service, or dynamic personality would brighten other people's day, and if they can't figure out how, then you would love to explain it to them. However, you can't assume that at the particular moment you sent your email, the other person really wants his or her day brightened by you. This is where networking differs from sales. Your earnest persistence may come off as bullying if you don't leave some "wiggle room" for your contact to politely decline your request to connect.

Savvy Tip #15: Avoid online identity theft. We're not talking about the online theft of your bank account, but someone innocently co-opting your online image. It happens, especially if you have a somewhat common name. The best way to stand out from the crowd is to populate the web with content by, or about, you. You also might consider using a nickname professionally or your middle initial. Both will help distinguish you from any online "twins."

The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?) is 140 pages, and is available at Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com, as well as through the Downtown Women's Club, where new members who join for $49.99/year will receive a complimentary copy in their welcome goodybag.

For more information, visit downtownwomensclub.com

When salespeople are called upon to close more sales, managers often hear a litany of excuses for non-performance. "These leads are horrible." "I can't get through their voice mail." "Our price is too high." Yet top producers manage to sell under the same conditions.

"Poor sales performers are usually not aware that little things make a big difference in closing the sale," says Michael Dalton Johnson, Editor of the bestselling new book, Top Dog Sales Secrets. Johnson cites five common reasons for poor sales performance.

Insulting the buyer's intelligence. "'Mr. Jones, would you like to save money on your long distance phone bill?' Polling prospects with lame questions in an attempt to get them to say yes is manipulative and insulting and buyers resent it," says Johnson. "Instead, ask open-ended questions to discover their needs. Treat them with respect by tailoring your questions to their company, industry and circumstances."

Not enough information. Top sales professionals take the time to visit the website of their prospect's company. "Check out their competition, industry association and trade journals," advises Johnson. "Read your prospect's bio if you can. Find it online," he adds. "Remember: the more you learn, the more you earn. If you do not understand what your prospects do, and what issues they face, how can you expect to determine how your product or service can best help them?"

Misdirected sales pitches. Oops! Here again, salespeople fail to do their homework, and end up pitching someone who has no decision-making authority. "This hurts," says Johnson, "because it is usually hard to get a second bite of the apple."

Poor listening skills. Most poor-performing salespeople are far too busy talking to listen effectively, according to Johnson. Sales stars pay attention to what their customers are saying and how they are saying it, including their non-verbal communication. Good listening skills provide salespeople with most of the answers to their qualifying questions without even asking them. They learn about customers' needs, what their hot buttons are, and then offer specific answers. "Simply put: when your customer talks, you sell," says Johnson. "When you talk, you lose."

Not answering every buyer's number one question. Buyers want to know, "What's in it for me?" Even in a business-to-business sale, sales professionals need to show prospects what's in it for them personally. How does the buyer personally gain? Will they look good to their boss? Will they save time and effort? Will they make their customers or employees happy? There's a subtle but very important difference between, "Your company will save over $50,000 a year with our product" and "You will save your company over $50,000 a year with our product." "People want to be heroes," says Johnson. "Make it so."

Johnson's advice is excerpted from the bestselling book, Top Dog Sales Secrets, authored by 50 renowned sales lecturers, consultants, and corporate trainers. Top Dog Sales Secrets is available directly from the publisher or from Amazon.com and other online retailers.

For more information, visit salesdog.com