Is Private School Right For My Child?

You are considering a private school. Why is that? If you believe that by sticking your child in a private school that things will just get better for them, you may be making a big mistake. That is, you should send your child to a private school only if it is going to benefit him, not you. Many parents decide that secluding their child in this type of school will allow them to do better and avoid the problems that teens face. Yet, what you do not know is that they are probably going to face then anyway.

Drugs, alcohol, sex, and other teen pressures will happen no matter where they go and what they do. Instead of making a private school a punishment or a way to try and shield them from this, deal with these problems and then determine if this type of educational environment is right for your child.

When Is It Right?

To know when your child may be better off in a private school, ask yourself these questions.

• Do you feel that the school that they are currently in is not capable of providing the academics that you feel are necessary for your child?
• Have you tried to work with your teen on how to handle peer pressure, but feel that there is too much danger where they are nonetheless?
• Will your child react that this private school is a punishment or will you try to explain to them that this will help them to become a better student?
• Does the private school provide for the academics you need your child to have, the type of discipline that you believe in and the means to enforce it?
• Will you still commit to helping your child through the problems they face, one on one even if they are not at a school locally?
• What do you really want to accomplish from the private setting? Is this realistic?

Take some time to determine what a private school really can offer your child. In most cases, they will still be faced with all the temptations that other teens are. Making the right choice can happen if you to talk to your child, their teachers and your spouse.

Boring After School Activities

Why does Lisa grumble when it is time for her to go for her piano lessons? How come Johnny abhors the sight of his skates now? After all, these children were very enthusiastic about the programs when they started off. What happened? Parents are often confused by the disturbing and often incongruous signals they receive from their children. One day the kids are excited about the new theatre class and in just a few short weeks they wail and moan when it's time to go.

The first thing a family should do when a child begins resisting a previously loved activity is to listen and investigate. Do not jump into conclusions. A little bit of intelligent sleuthing is required. Ask your child what he or she does in the class. Find out what exactly is the cause of the problem. Then ask the teachers the same questions. Compare notes. You may stumble on some important clues. Usually, children start out on an activity thinking it's all fun. But when they realize that they cannot just hang out and that they need to follow rules etc, they begin to resist. Your child may feel stifled if the program is too structured. If the discipline is too rigorous or the activity too painful (like a karate class) some children balk. Use your own instincts. Does the program feel like fun? Would you want to attend it yourself? Are they offering enough motivation to keep the child interested?

The teacher-to-child ratio is also an important factor. Children need attention. If the number of teachers is just enough to handle a class, it is possible that your child is not receiving enough attention. State recommendations usually specify that there must be 1 teacher for 15 children. 

Children try to avoid problems they cannot solve. If there are no perceivable problems with the class and the teachers, perhaps you need to have a chat with your child. If your judgment says that the place is good and the activity engaging enough, then it's time to work with your child. More often than not, social pressures may be at work here. Does your child have friends there? If she is lonely or miserable because of the lack of friends, help her find a friend. If she finds a friend, she will get more involved in the activities 

If your best efforts do not pay off, and your child still resists that fantastic guitar classes, then it's time to let go. Shift your child to some other program. If he or she still retains interest in guitars, you can take it up after a few months. Never force the child, especially when it comes to extra-curricular activities. Since they are 'extra', they must bring in extra happiness and extra enthusiasm too.

Benefits Of A Good After School Program

Children grow up in a society that demands expertise in everything. You really cannot sit back and decide that learning from textbooks is enough for the overall development of your child. It's the age of specialization and your child cannot afford to miss out on this window of opportunity. So, scour your locality for the most advantageous programs and enroll them for the ones you think are the best.

After school programs are basically designed to develop a talent or a skill that is ignored by regular schools. These programs could be educational or recreational in nature. Whatever type they are, they basically aim to keep the child active and interested. 

The most important advantage of a good after school program is that it widens your child's area of interests. He or she is introduced to new things, sometimes interesting, sometimes challenging. Mastering a new art form or a new skill increases the child's self-esteem. It also allows you to introduce your child to new career options. A child attending a music class may decide that she likes it so much that she wants to make a career out of it in the long run. 

Socialization is another great advantage of after school programs. Children get to meet others who share their interests and make new friendships. An acting class or a soccer class can be lots of fun. Many of these programs coach children for performances or matches. Performing on stage or playing a match can be a great experience for a young child. 

After school programs keep your teenager busy. He or she thus has some amount of protection from destructive habits like drugs and alcohol. Surveys indicate that children who are kept busy through diverse absorbing activities are less prone to abuse, depression and burnout. Significant increase in achievement and attendance and a reduction in drop out rates are other advantages of a good after school programs.

Most after school programs have children interacting with one or more adult. This allows them to benefit from positive relationships with adults. Children often find it difficult to confide in parents and teachers, but may open up with other adults. 

Many children are put into recreational after school programs so that they reduce weight and remain healthy. A newly emerging trend shows that about 15% children below the age of 16 are obese. Parents who cannot put their children on a strict diet resort to sports and games to burn fat. With cases of child diabetes on the increase, this has become a prime focus of many after school programs.

A good after school program has many benefits. It keeps the child entertained as well as busy, and thus prevents children from becoming addicted to TVs and PCs. By giving them ways to burn up their excess energy and explore their creativity, after school programs help to shape the overall personality of the child.

A Home-Based After School Program

So, your son's school does not offer any extracurricular activities. You are worried of depriving your child of all that extra knowledge and fun. What should you do?

After school activities need not be taught in a school-like environment by professional teachers in a structured and timely manner. There is a lot YOU can do to support your child's academic, physical and social development. Do not be too concerned about formal programs, as many of our children are already over-scheduled. 

Obviously, school is top priority for children. They need to go to school, and finish their homework. They should then do their daily reading or writing work etc. This may take about 30-60 minutes. In the course of his daily work, your child may develop certain academic preferences and interests. In that case, you can try and find a program in a college or a community center that will help him and encourage him. In the age of the Internet, information is really not a rarity. Allow him to use the net to find more information about thing that he likes. Encouraging the child to do independent research to gain in-depth knowledge is something that no formal program does. 

If you are concerned about the lack of social life, enroll him or her in a club - a reading club maybe. Visit public libraries or even the theatre, if your child is interested. It is not necessary for your child to make friends with children his own age. A parent-child book club is another interesting option. If you can round up a number of like-minded children and their parents, you may well start your own after-school program. 

When there is no organized group activity, look to your community. Many children love to get involved in social problems. They get their first real taste of suffering, charity and community help from such experiences. Volunteering for clean-up sessions, adult education programs etc could be a real eye-opener for your child. The lessons thus learnt are invaluable.

If physical activity or the lack of it is your major concern, enroll your child for some dancing classes. If organized sports are impossible to get, try to enroll her in a gym. She may find friends there and may take to the treadmill. 

Your child does not necessarily have to be a part of an organized group to benefit from after-school activities. There are various avenues open in front of you. Roping in the enthusiasm of your children in daily household activities like cooking, cleaning etc can also provide them with a refreshing extracurricular experience. Moreover, it will improve family ties too.

The Proper Way To Advertise A Seminar

Online seminars are very common these days. And a lot of experts have found their way doing business online and are currently sharing what they know about a certain concept, product, or program to everybody else that has internet connection. If you want to know what you have to do in order to advertise a paid or free seminar properly, here are good tips to follow:

1. Create A Media Kit.

Your media kit has to be created and presented in the most comprehensive form. Since this is going to be an online opportunity, it is best that you create your media kit in a web-based format so that other websites can easily upload it. However, you should not limit yourself to this format alone. You also have to create media kits in CD and DVD form, as these can be easily handed out to interested parties. When creating media kits on CD's and DVD's, make sure that you include a good background of the seminar, the speakers, and the seminar's importance. 

2. Send Out Invitations. 

Other than the media kit, you also have to send out invitations to your prospects and to people who might be interested in your seminar. You can get a mailing list from companies that specialize in their acquisition. But that is not always the best way to get the addresses of interested people. It is still best that you use your own resources when getting these lists. For example, you can get the email and physical addresses of the members of an organization that you are a member of. Like the rotary club, the local architect's club, or any other public groups you might belong to. 

3. Call Possible Attendees. 

The power of telemarketing is still potent these days. No other tool will allow you to reach your prospects in real time and talk to them personally than a telephone. Whenever you're planning a seminar, consider hiring a firm that can do cold telephone calls to prospective attendees. But more than that, the people you'll hire should be able to answer possible questions about the seminar too. They should also take on the job of calling back and confirming their attendance, along with reminding them of the time and location of the seminar when it is near. 

4. Make Yourself Available.

If you are the person who is going to hold the seminar and speak on it as well, it is best that you make yourself public. Make yourself available through chat and forums. Use the tri-media whenever you can. You can also buy airtime in television or promote directly at radio shows. The more people know about you and the seminar you are holding, the more people will be interested in joining. 

5. Create Catchy Posters And Banners.

For offline promotion of a seminar, posters are still the best tools. Create posters of your seminar and include the face of your primary speaker. Be sure to use bold letters so people can read it from afar. Put these posters in places where there are lots of foot traffic such as malls, market places, bus stops, theater houses, schools, and churches. Be sure to get the necessary permission before posting them though. As for an online advertising strategy, you can use banners instead of posters. Make your banners look as professional as they should. Have them created by a graphics expert if your resources would allow you to. Be careful not to make your banner very disturbing to the eye of visitors. It has to be eye catching without getting people annoyed. 

6. Use Mobile Messaging. 

Mobile phones are becoming more and more a potent advertising medium these days as well. Don't ignore the presence of these gadgets because everybody owns a mobile phone nowadays. A simple text message informing people of your upcoming seminar is a good way to promote it. In some places, you might need to get a special access number in order to get this service. 

These are the different ways to promote your seminar, be it online or offline, paid or free. To make your event successful, you need as many attendees as you can get. Seminar promotion could be a rather challenging task. It is but important that you devote adequate time and effort to it.

Finessing The Financing

Entrepreneurs, whether big or small, venture into the world of business for many reasons. A handful could choose to undertake entrepreneurship because it is what their hearts dictate. But it is a reality that many would like to engage in business because they are attracted by the idea of having large profits. It is, of course, useless to go into business and not get anything in return. This is called the law of life. 

Making profits is not as easy as learning the alphabet. It could eat up hours and requires tedious labors. Office procedures often include encoding and filing or producing business forms that would make work much easier. But these are incidental when compared to the most important aspect of keeping the business afloat by keeping track of the flow of money.

One good way to know the goings-on of the business is to keep track of the revenues and, most especially, the expenses. To be able to do this, cost accounting is a necessity. Back in the days, cost accounting was all done manually. But with today's technological advances (spelled computers), keeping the books of the company is a lot faster. 

A computerized program in accounting could help in the creation of invoices and also in writing out checks. Other benefits include increase in efficiency (less human errors), easier analysis of the company's financial standing and also the easy set up of payroll and processing of credit cards. 

It is important to begin by hiring a good accountant. If you weren't born with the characteristics of an expert bean counter, then it is necessary to go and look for one. A good accountant should have an eye for detail and be highly organized. Nowadays, since everything is processed through computers, an extensive background in computer programs is also a must. 

Now that the accountant is in the office, the next most important step is to have a goal date for the cost accounting system to be assembled. Should you opt to use the fiscal year or the calendar year on your business? Start dates should be days when all the account balances are made available for financial calculation. These, in layman's terms, mean the point of beginning. Make sure that there are no transactions or reports that do come before the start date. A good start date is often the end of each month.

As the start date is set, all transactions that transpire from the start date until the present date should be entered. The accounts payable, accounts receivables, liabilities from credit cards, bank accounts and even revenue and expense accounts are now known as the current account balance for the company. Also, fixed assets and other possible assets such as trademarks, patents or copyrights should also be considered. To be able to set up the balances for each of these aspects, it is crucial to know the beginning balances of each. 

New businesses begin with zero balances but if your business has been going on for awhile and you want to improve on cost accounting, it is imperative to look up old records and to determine the start date (with the beginning balance already computed). When the beginning balances are all set, a chart of these accounts should be set up for easier access and management. There are now software programs on the market that take care of this (all that the accountant needs to do now is to enter amounts and do updates each time, often done monthly). 

Reconciliation of all these amounts should not only be done by the company's accountants but also from other external sources (which means that the company has to undergo auditing). The amounts from the company's records should match the external sources computations. If they do not, then its time to find the errors and start correcting them. Look into all aspects the assets, liabilities, and the equity. 

With all the balances set in place, the cost accounting system is ready to roll with just a little guidance. The entry of data and keeping track of all other financial reports would be much, much easier it may not be a breeze but it would definitely keep tax accountants a good, few miles away.

Finding Speakers And Experts

Other than the topics, the main attraction of every seminar is the speaker. Seminars are such big business these days that sometimes, the personality of the speaker is the bigger draw. When so much rides on who leads your seminar, it's important that you put some effort and research in finding speakers and experts. 

Selecting Speakers

Unlike trainers, seminar speakers are not required to get certifications, unless they will be dealing with a specialized subject matter. You'll want a speaker who has the background, experience, reputation and expertise that will sell the seminar and help it succeed. Don't focus too much on the fees the speaker is charging. Someone who charges a low rate does so for a reason. The question here is: why? Often, in the seminar business, the quality of a speaker is directly proportional to how much he charges. Not always but often. So do be careful.

Find Out About Your Speaker's Experience.

An experienced speaker is confident, capable of keeping the audience's attention and delivering a terrific lecture. Do some research about your speaker like how long he has been speaking at seminars, what types of seminars he has conducted in the past, what industry or subject areas he focuses in and the degree of success he's had. 

Where To Find Speakers And Experts For Your Seminar

Start with locally-based speakers. If you will be conducting your seminar in the same area, look for speakers who live in the vicinity. The benefit here is two-fold; it's a lot easier to get in touch with them personally and there is no need for you to pay more for travel expenses and accommodations. That way you can keep the seminar rates low, attract more people and still earn a good profit.

You might also want to go co-op. Check with your local convention bureau and seminar planners if there are speakers who might be available on your preferred dates. It's common for speakers to handle two or three seminars in the same area, usually with different topics. 

If you wish to shop around, get in touch with a seminar agent or group that regularly conduct seminars. Established clubs are reliable sources of good quality speakers and often act as middlemen for locating and scheduling presenters. They also know which speakers are best for the type of subjects you want to discuss. 

If you need experts for the lecture or panel, ask clubs, professional associations and groups for referrals. You could also search for professionals online. Many of these men and women are often asked to speak at talks and seminars, so they should be familiar with what you have to offer.

Most agents and groups have nationwide operations or at least have contacts with speakers who may be working in your locality. They can also match you with the speaker who best fits your requirements and your budget. They also take away the hassle of searching for speakers and negotiating their fees, so there's no need for you to go through all that trouble.

If you want to do it on your own, place an ad in the newspaper detailing your speaker requirements. You can then audition each applicant to see who has the best fit.

Negotiating Speaker Fees

Generally, you could save more if you book a speaker earlier. In the seminar industry, speaker fees increase each year. By booking them early and then paying a deposit for their services (usually 30% to 50%), you can 'lock in' the cheaper fee within that period.

Some speakers charge a standard fee for their services which only vary depending on the subject, location and number of participants. You will also be paying more for experts, especially if they will be using new material. 

Although you'll want to get the best possible price for the speaker's services, there are certain unwritten rules about negotiating with seminar presenters and experts. One of these is: never negotiate to get the price down, even if your budget doesn't meet the asking price. What you should do is to trade the asking fee with value. 

For example, if the speaker has a product to promote, you could trade a portion of the fee by allowing them to use your seminar as a venue to advertise and sell their products. If you agree to have a speaker promote his products at your seminar, he might be willing to negotiate and offer a great package deal. Also, with so many speakers and experts out there, finding one is really just a matter of hard work. With a bit of effort, you should be able to hire one who matches your needs.

Fee Or Free

Your reasons for conducting a seminar will vary. Seminars may be used to sell an idea, promote a company or introduce a product. Some seminars are also used to recruit people. This can be a very rewarding and lucrative business, capable of bringing in excellent revenues once you become an established speaker. So should you charge a fee or should you offer your seminar for free? Let's examine the options and how you can still benefit from either one.

Decide On What You Want To Achieve.

You never try to organize a seminar without any idea what type of results you expect out of it. Then and only then can you decide whether to charge a fee or offer the seminar for free. The money part of conducting a seminar should also be part of your strategy. If you study seasoned seminar speakers closely, you'll see that they don't charge nothing for no reason. Unless they're doing it for charity, they are sure to get something from it. And if they do charge a fee for their efforts, they also do so based on a careful strategy.

Conducting Seminars For Free

There are several reasons why you might want to offer seminars without charging the participants. If you have a product you want to introduce, for example, a book, an e-book, a gadget, a new diet solution, etc., you could conduct a free seminar and still get something in return. 

A very efficient method of promoting your product is by conducting a seminar that is related to the use of your product. If your product is a book about jungle survival, for example, you can conduct a seminar about the topic for free and then offer your book for sale afterwards. Once you get your audience interested during the lecture, they will be forming a beeline to your product display table or kiosk to learn more and make a purchase. This is how you'll get paid. If you can get enough people to buy your product, all the expenses related to your seminar will be covered.

Conducting Seminars For A Fee

This is the route that many of the most successful speakers and consultants have taken, to excellent results. Seminars can cost anywhere from $50 to $1,000, depending on the length of the event, the speaker and the topic. Seminars that offer hands-on sessions and workshops and those that last for two or three days also cost more. 

Should you decide to charge a fee for conducting a seminar, there are several things you should consider. These are:

The Value Of The Topic

What will your audience get in exchange for their money? Is it valuable or useful enough? Is it something that they can readily implement after the seminar? Is it based on facts? Is it legal? Is the fee you charge commensurate to what they will receive in return?

Coverage For All Expenses

It costs money to conduct a seminar. You or your sponsors have to pay for the venue and other facilities, the speakers if you do hire them, the extra manpower such as seminar assistants and staff, cost of advertisement, handouts and giveaways, etc. If you or your speakers have to travel to the venue, that expense should be covered by seminar fees as well.

The Expertise Of The Speaker

Whether you hire the speaker or conduct the seminar on your own, your fee (or the lack of it) will depend on the expertise you will be offering. If the speaker is an SME (Subject Matter Expert), for example, you'll have more reason to charge a higher fee.

How Much Should You Charge?

That question could probably be re-phrased as: How much would you want to earn as a professional seminar speaker? It's really up to you and the goals you want to achieve. Whether you organize a seminar for free or for a fee, that will depend on the seriousness of your approach and on how much effort you want to put into it.

If you're just starting out, expect to be charging low rates. In fact, you might want to give your first few seminars for free, just to gain experience and recognizability. Once you begin experiencing success, you can start charging a fee. Depending on the industry you choose, conducting seminars can be a good source of income, with professional speakers earning anywhere from six-figure to seven-figure incomes.

Define Your Audience

There is a wealth of knowledge out there that you can tap into and turn into a highly valuable seminar. However, knowing whom to share this knowledge with is critical to the success of your efforts. Giving out a seminar without knowing and understanding who your audience will be is a careless step. Put some thought into learning how to define your audience and establish your target market.

Who Is Your Audience?

Theoretically, virtually every person who wishes to learn more insights and improve their skills can be part of your audience. If you take a closer look at your potential market, you will find the following:

Small And Medium-Sized Businesses

This group is traditionally the largest and most active audience in the industry, bringing in millions of dollars in revenue for seminar providers. They often send their representatives to participate in seminars as a means to help assimilate their skills into the organization, improve their processes and learn about updated set of skills and information.

Corporations

This is another group that could form part of your audience. Although more seasoned, this group generally sends participants to seminars in order to help their employees learn more and bring that learning back to be used within the organization. Sometimes, if they don't have in-house training resources, corporations will even hire a speaker to conduct a specific seminar on-site.

Small Groups, Clubs And Associations

This group periodically sends members to seminars to help them learn new skills and update new ones. Some groups, especially those composed of professionals, often have to go to seminars in order to comply with requirements for certain certifications related to their profession. They will also be interested in seminars that have topics related to the main theme of their annual meetings and conventions.

Individuals

This group has all sorts of reasons to attend seminars, which means that their demographics can vary greatly. Other than general interest seminars, individuals often pay for specialized trainings usually as a means for self-improvement, supplement their basic knowledge or to use for their business.

Meeting A Need

When you go into the seminar business, you'll find out that oftentimes, your audience is already there. Their needs are already present, their requirements are already set and all you have to do is provide something to fill the gap. 

When you seek out to define your audience, find out what exactly your goal is. What do you want to lecture on? What CAN you lecture on? What can your audience get out of your seminar? What is it in your seminar that will be of interest to your target audience? Who will be willing to pay for a seminar such as yours? Once you have answers to these questions, it will be easy for you to define your audience.

Location, Location And More Location

Sometimes, knowing where you will be conducting your seminar can help you define who your audience will be. Ask yourself: who will be willing to come to this seminar? Do they have the means and resources to do so? Who will have the time and interest to become a participant at a specific time and place?

Seminar Topics And Their Audience

You can also define your audience by taking a look at your seminar topics. Common offerings such as motivation, organization, goal-achievement and time and office management, for example, are big successes with small, medium and large businesses and corporations. Self-improvement topics such as positive thinking, self-esteem and even goal achievement are favorites among individuals. 

Building self-confidence, improving relationships and good communication are very popular among married couples, single parents, women's clubs and even singles' groups.

Specific topics also help you define your audience. If you can lecture about topics such as creative writing, better grammar, new trends in publishing and networking, you can attract groups of writers, would-be writers, book clubs and small publishers. Topics about new techniques in holistic, massage therapy and aromatherapy will attract masseuses, practitioners of holistic medicine, caregivers, spa owners and even hobbyists. Lecturing in a seminar about the art of fundraising and networking will interest non-profit groups, professional fundraisers, volunteers, civic clubs and even temple and church groups.

As you can see, with a little creativity, you will be able to define your audience and set your sights on a ready target market. Define your goals as a seminar speaker and assess what you have to offer. This will help simplify your search for participants who will be willing to learn from you.