How the Experts Get Foreign Dollars into US Projects

This article is about the EB-5 program used by entrepreneurs to bring in millions of dollars into US projects. My hope is that this will stimulate marketing ideas for those with smaller projects.

 

 A little  known immigration program is helping entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground or highly expanded.  It’s called EB-5. The program is supposed to expire in September  2009 and there are senators pushing to get this renewed.  Here is how the program works: The program grants temporary visas to foreigners who invest at least $500,000 in distressed areas. If an investment creates at least 10 jobs for American workers, the temporary visa can become a permanent green card. Last year, 945 EB-5 immigrants invested more than $400 million in U.S. ventures.

Some people think this is how people are buying their way to the front of the immigration line. Others feel the big benefit and helping struggling entrepreneurs with capital. Distressed areas that win "regional center" status from the U.S. government can market local ventures to overseas investors who become equity partners. Today there are 46 regional centers scattered across the country, offering investments in everything from Napa Valley vineyards to ethanol plants.

Even Aloft Hotel was able to get in on this cash infusion. There are 10,000 of these visas each year.  3,000 of them are set aside for 3,000 are set aside for those who apply under a pilot program involving a USCIS-designated "Regional Center." A Regional Center is an entity, organization or agency that has been approved as such by the Service, it focuses on a specific geographical area within the United States and  seeks to promote economic growth through increased export sales, improved regional productivity, creation of new jobs, and increased domestic capital investment. 

An alien investor can qualify for the program if they can demonstrate that a "qualified investment" is being made in a new commercial enterprise located within an approved Regional Center and show, using reasonable methodologies, that 10 or more jobs are actually created either directly or indirectly by the new commercial enterprise through revenues generated from increased exports, improved regional productivity, or job creation by using this pilot program. They have to invest at least $1 million dollars or $500,000 if the targeted area has experienced at least 150 times the national average of unemployment.

 

Vermont has been very successful in marketing this. They have welcomed 35 investors and created jobs for 350 people in Vermont. 17.5 Million dollars was brought in. They have 100% success and claim the most successful EB5 program. With this program, in 5 years an investor could be a citizen of the United States.

They also give the investors other perks. Vermont’s Jay’s Peak Program offers 2 weeks at the resort, children attending college and schools at resident rates and no day to day business management.

The main idea here what incentives can we add to what we offer to bring in investors or bring in more business? Share yours below!

 

How to Make Your Own Online Videos

I recently asked a friend to make a video for me and send it to me by email. She has no web cam and had no idea how to do it. I hope this article helps everyone.

Online video websites; there is a good chance that you have heard of them before. In fact, there is a good chance that you have even used them before. When it comes to using online video websites, most internet users only view the videos that are available. Did you know what you could also do more than that? A large number of online video websites will not only allow you to view videos, but make and share you own. Before making plans for your next online video, you are advised to think about how the process works. This is important because it will let you know what type of equipment you will need to get started.

Before uploading and sharing you newly created online video, you will first have to shoot it. To do this, you will need video recording equipment. Video recording equipment can include flipcams, camcorders, webcams, cell phones, and digital cameras. If you are looking to produce a quality video, you may want to think about using a camcorder or a webcam. Cell phones and digital cameras will work, however many only provide you with a limited amount of recording time.

Once you have created your online video, you will need to find a way to get it into your computer. Most recording devices, including the flipcam, camcorders, webcams, digital cameras, and cell phones will come with a connection cable which will automatically download the video. Once you hook your recording device up to your computer, your video should begin to load.

When it comes to movie making software, you will likely find that your computer already has a program on it. Most computers, especially ones made within the last few years, have the software programs preinstalled. If your video does not automatically load, once your recording device is hooked up to your computer, it may be a sign that your computer does not have a movie making program. If this is the case, you will need to purchase some. Movie making software programs can easily be purchased online or from a wide variety of different retail stores.

Once your video has been loaded onto your computer and recognized by movie making software, you have a number of different options. If you are satisfied with your video, as it is, you can save it and then move on. If you would like to make alterations, now would be the time to do so. Depending on the type of moving making software you have, you should easily be able to edit your video. This editing can include deleting scenes, adding captions, and the adding of music. Once you have made all of your edits, you will need to save your movie.

The final step to making an online movie is to find an online video website that you can upload your video to. While you can send the file in an email to someone, it?s very easy to add your video to YouTube. Anyone can get the video when it is there. After you follow the directions, provided by each individual online video website, your video should be displayed for the rest of the world to see.

The Secret to Killer Publicity for Your Sports Team

This article will help you create publicity on a continual basis for any sports team. There are action item you can do today to get started.

Let’s talk about why you would even want to bother with PR.

Every team needs PR or publicity. Children’s teams need PR so they can attract sponsors and visitors to the games. Even if the visitors do not have to pay, it’s more fun for everyone when there is a large involved crowd at the games. The PR can also be used to attract support before it’s needed. A team that is fully supported is less likely to be shut down when funds are tight in the schools, cities and counties.

Adult teams need publicity because it will bring in sponsors and paying customers who come to games. Paying customers tend to buy t-shirts and other things that support the team financially. Few teams can afford to survive with no money coming in.

Where do you start?

Start with your local media.  When you send the local radio stations and newspapers the stats and updates on the teams wins, along with some interesting fact about the team or a particular player, you give them something to talk about. This needs to be done each week or at least every other week. Publicity is not something you do one time and that’s it. You have to keep sending information. When a media outlet sees they can depend on you to send timely updates, they are more likely to include you.  A timely update is one that is well before the time they need to publish or be on the air.  If the local sports radio show comes on at 8 am, then this information should be sent the day before, not at 7 am when they are prepping for the show. This means you will have to find out the publish dates of the newspapers and magazines you send this information to. And send the information well before that dates. When you approach sponsors, you can show them the visibility your team already has. Everyone wants to be with winners.

Getting your press releases or media releases as I like to call them, written up and sent out is not an easy thing.  Some people can write professionally but not well. The bottom line is to stimulate the media to do a story on your team or at least mention your team.  You must keep sending them out; you can’t send out one and say it did not work. Rarely do people get written up on the first media release unless they are professional PR people and have connections to make it happen.

 

 

These strategies work for Semi-professional teams as well as children’s community teams. They are strategies the professional teams use.

Action Items:

1. Look at the team schedule and create a schedule to send out media releases

2. Get some interesting facts about the player or team to send to the media

3. Make a list of local radio, TV, magazines, newspapers and blogs that cover your local area and find out about their deadlines

4. Use the contact information to just send media release and updates

5. Send pictures as often as you can about the topic in the media release

6. Delegate one person to handle this so that when the media contacts you, they don’t get the run around as to who to talk to.

7. Always leave your contact information with media every time you connect with them.

Check out the personal media training at in the Instant Radio Star Program at http://wrightplacetv.com/instant-radio-star

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