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Pros and Cons of Freeze Drying

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Freeze drying is also popularly known as lyophilization. In freeze drying food items are frozen at first and then places into a vacuum chamber to get rid of all the moisture. Once all the moisture is removed from the food items they are then vacuum packed into airtight containers. This process requires complex modern equipments and so cannot be done at home by individuals.

There are numerous advantages of using freeze drying. Let us explore them one by one. Freeze drying preserves all the flavor and necessary vitamins in the food item as there is no heat damage to final product. Yeast and bacteria cannot survive on freeze dried food and so it is perfectly safe to consume it. It is very light in weight and easy to carry and therefore is very famous among astronauts, hikers or campers. It does not cause shrinkage or toughening of the dried food. The food product’s taste and smell remains unchanged. Also it has a long shelf life so can be easily stored for long period of time. It is very easy to rehydrate the food items; you just need to add water to it and they regain their normal texture. On the downside, the equipments needed in this process are expensive and so the freeze dried food items are in-turn expensive. More space is needed to store the food item since it remains full size.

As you can see, the advantages of freeze dried food far outweigh the negatives. Since the taste and smell of the food is maintained in this process it is the best method to store food products over a period of time.

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Source by Mike Finn

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Tips For Cost-Effective Air Conditioning

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While centralized air conditioning definitely consumes more power than the small ones on the window, or the split air conditioners in recent times, it is possible to cut down cooling costs by following some of air conditioning tips listed here, irrespective of the type of air conditioning.

Air Conditioning Tips for Cost-Effective Cooling

Here are some sure-fire ways to make summers more pleasant and easy on the pockets:

Opt for Energy Star Products

Opt for air conditioners with an energy star rating to ensure that the device consumes relatively lesser energy than other conventional units in the market. The type of air conditioner really doesn’t matter, for both central and window energy star ACs offer the same cooling effects as their non-energy star counterparts, but consume lesser power. Energy star centralized ACs reportedly consume 14% less energy while the window units can function on at least 10% lesser energy than conventional units.

Do not hesitate to replace inefficient air conditioning units with energy star products if the old units have served their time. While energy star products tend to be slightly pricier, the costs are recoverable with lower energy bills over time. Energy efficiency figures tend to vary from one product to another, though!

Thermostat Settings

Installing programmable thermostats to control the level of cooling is a neat way to cut down power consumption and, hence, the costs. It is perfectly okay to set the temperature to a couple of degrees lower than usual when at home – an ideal setting of 78 degrees keeps the space comfortably cool without overburdening the cooling system. Any drastic changes in temperature do tend to consume more energy.

However, turning up the temperature to fall just a tad less than the temperature outdoors (usually 85 degrees) when away from home, ensures a minimum load on the air conditioning unit, allowing it to quickly cool down when needed.

Ventilation, Insulation and Glazing

A well-ventilated attic space allows most of the heat absorbed by the roofing to dissipate before it gets to the room ceiling. Again, as cooler air tends to settle down, it is important to ensure that all vents in the basement are sealed to prevent the cool air from escaping into the open.

Insulating the home ensures that the cooling, once achieved, is not compromised by unwanted air drafts into or out of the home’s interiors. Sealing cracks and crevices, especially filling gaps around doors and windows, utility ducts, etc. will help maintain the space’s chillness for a longer time.

Glazing glass window panes, or using tinted panes, or those with special UV reflective coatings can help keep heat from being absorbed into homes via the glass on windows and doors.

Limit Heat Generation During The Day

Air conditioning systems work to cool interior spaces by removing heat. One or more constant sources of heat within the home during the day force the unit to work extra-time to achieve the set temperature. Home appliances, bright lights, and even personal computers generate a great deal of heat during their normal operations. Limiting the use of heat-generating devices and appliances during the day time not only helps save energy, but also prevents cooling systems from extra strain.

Home Décor

From wall paints to upholstery and curtains, it is a known fact that dark colors tend to absorb heat and then dissipate them. Settling for reflective, light-colored paints for exterior walls, and pastel shaded upholstery and drapes can help minimize heat absorption. Placing furniture pieces away from direct sunlight also helps prevent them from imbibing heat. In fact, keeping heavy pieces of furniture away from A/C vents will enable free circulation of cooled air.

Ceiling fans can help take the pinch off the summer heat, especially when used along with air conditioners. Once the interiors are sufficiently cool, ceiling fans can be used to circulate air to all parts of the room.

Home Exteriors

The green cover in the immediate outdoor environment also plays a vital role in keeping home interiors cool and comfortable. Plants and shrubs around the home offer respite against the heat. Placing air conditioning condenser units in a sheltered, clutter-free spot ensures that hot air from the home is efficiently flushed out.

Changing the filters regularly and keeping air conditioned units in good shape with basic maintenance are mandatory to boost savings.

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Source by Dave Adamson

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Choosing the Best Commercial Fridge for Your Cafe

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If you have a café, you will need a good quality commercial fridge. Although many small cafes try to make do with domestic appliances because they are cheaper, in the end they find that the money they hope to save has been wasted.

In a commercial kitchen is essential to store food at the correct low temperatures and in the correct manner. To do this, a domestic fridge is not suitable. A commercial fridge is the only appliance that can do the job of storing food well in a food service environment.

If you need a new fridge for your business, first identify an excellent supplier that has a solid track record of dealing with catering and food service customers. They should also have a good selection of different kinds of commercial refrigeration. For example, low temperature freezers, a serve over the counter display fridge, larder fridges and freezers or chest freezers. The list of options for commercial refrigeration is huge, and the best suppliers will be able to give you many different models to choose from.

Think about the nature of your business and speak to your supplier for advice so that you can choose the right appliance. For example, if your business is a café, you may need an ‘over the counter display fridge’ and a patisserie so you can display the food for your customers. Or if you are a restaurant, you will need suitable fridges and freezers to store all the foods required for a busy weekly service.

You should also consider the space you have on your premises. It will be important to house appliances where they can be easily reached. Safety is also a factor to take into consideration. The best suppliers will be able to help you choose the right model and decide the best place to install it.

Remember, the suppliers of commercial refrigeration appliances are not just sales people. They are specialists in the food service industry and they will have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the types of equipment a well-run and busy commercial kitchen will need. They will know the best way to design your kitchen and where your fridges and freezers should be located. They will also be able to advise and help you with maintenance and cleaning of your commercial appliances.

With a good supplier you will be able to source excellent equipment to help you run your business well.

Commercial refrigeration is an investment and should be taken seriously. So by picking a reputable supplier you can trust that the items you buy will be well made, reliable and robust. You are also more likely to get a much better return on your investment, and value for money, than you would if you tried to buy second hand or domestic appliances.

Choosing a good fridge and freezer for your café or coffee shop is not difficult, it just takes, care, planning and help from the right team of professionals who understand the business and know what you need to succeed.

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Source by Hussein Traboulsi

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Cooking Frozen Packaged Meals in a Toaster Oven

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Many people buy a toaster oven so that they don’t have to turn on their energy hogging full-sized oven for small meals. Then, to their dismay, they notice that most prepackaged frozen meals have this warning: “Do not cook in a toaster oven.” These countertop ovens are just smaller versions of normal ovens, so is it really a bad idea to cook frozen meals in them?

First, lets look at the differences between toaster ovens and full-sized conventional ovens. Both produce dry heat and in general, both have the same temperature range. The method of heating varies from oven to oven, with conventional models using either gas or electricity as the primary energy source. Toaster ovens rely solely on electric heat, but this is no different from many regular ovens out there. So why would you not be able to cook a frozen meal in a toaster oven?

I had some idea of why this would be, but rather than rely on conjecture I went straight to the source. I contacted four major companies whose products warned against using a toaster oven. All four gave me the same answer: uneven and unpredictable heating could lead to improperly cooked food. This can lead to food poisoning.

I have tested many toaster ovens throughout the years and I can tell you that they do not all have uneven and unpredictable heating, but many do. The issue with many is a discrepancy between the heat setting and actual internal oven temperature. You may have set the oven to 375 degrees F as directed by the package instructions but have an actual temperature of much less than that. This is especially true with cheap models that are poorly insulated. This can lead to undercooked foods which can be dangerous to consume.

Is there a way around this problem? There certainly is! Accurate instant-read thermometers are easy to find and inexpensive. Many have probes that can be left inside the oven while it is in use. This will allow you to ensure the internal oven temperature is where it needs to be. This will take care of any issues regarding unpredictable heating or temperature.

Uneven heating is much more difficult to overcome. Many inexpensive toaster ovens cook food very unevenly, leaving some portions of the food burnt while others are raw or undercooked. This isn’t just a problem with frozen meals; it is problematic with anything you cook. The problem is just amplified when you start with a product that is frozen rather than room temperature or close to it. I would never attempt to cook a frozen meal in an appliance that has issues with uneven heating. I would also not want to use that appliance for any of my other cooking needs.

So is it safe to cook a frozen meal in a toaster oven? I would say the answer to that is “maybe.” You probably should not risk it unless you are absolutely sure the appliance you are using cooks things evenly and accurately. Use a thermometer to monitor your actual temperature and check the internal temperature of the food once it is done. Most packaged foods will tell you what the internal temperature of the food needs to be for that food to be safe. There are also temperature guidelines provided by most local health departments. Use those if you are unsure of what the target temperature of the finished product needs to be.

Visit Toaster Oven Reviews to find the best toaster oven for frozen meals and so much more. You will find thousands of reviews as well as a handy buying guide to help you along the way.

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Source by Heather Krasovec

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Electromagnetic Charges in Food!

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“Taking in foods that take away more energy than they provide will lower Your bodies ability to deal with the natural processes of Digestion, assimilation and elimination.”

Our bodies operate on a subtle electromagnetic current. Nerve signals are in fact electrical charges-your brain, heart, and all organs emit and create a Field of electrical current.

Your body’s cells communicate with each other with pulses of Electricity. When we eat food our body breaks down the food particles into there Smallest size (COLLOIDS). A colloid is the smallest possible form of nutrient particle (generally – The size ranges from .01 to .00001 of a micron in diameter).

Then these nutrient particles are then carried to our cells through an Electrical charge. When you are choosing something to eat for high Energy, remember foods like fast foods, processed foods have low energy Frequencies, we are not providing the body with the electrical energy it Needs. By doing this we are requiring our body to exhaust electrical nerve Energy To run the digestive system to break down the food in your body.

This Basically means that the food that we are eating actually is taking more Energy than it is giving.

(The energy and foods we consume is measured In Megahertz, MHz)

Megahertz is a technical name for the electrical frequency charge Around Food. The foods we eat must be living and energetically – alive foods that Carry the proper nutrients to our cells and our body. If not we will become tired and sick.

Your probably asking yourself what percentage of energy (MHz) do I need in my food to become and stay healthy.

The megahertz charge range from 0 to 250 plus of MHz. Here are some Examples of the foods that we eat and the energy they provide.

Canned foods are the worst with 0 MHz, chocolate cake 1-3 MHz, Kentucky Fried chicken-3, Big Mac-5, vitamin/mineral supp 10 to 30, raw almonds 40 To 50, fruits-60 to 70,green vegetables 70 to 90. So if you want your body to be full of vibrancy and high electromagnetic Energy, (which will result in your body being able to properly Function, not to mention helping our bodies aging process as well) which foods will you try to eat?

Eat live and water enriched foods instead of processed foods. If anyone is interested in learning more about your bodies own Electromagnetic energy there is a good book called “Sick And Tired”, The Author’s Name is Dr. Robert Young. I met him in Hawaii When I was at a Tony Robbins seminar.

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Source by James Spicer

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What Kind of Refrigeration Is Best for a Restaurant?

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From large multi-deck chillers and patisserie display cabinets to upright and under-counter fridges, specialist refrigeration equipment is essential to the running of a restaurant.

Commercial refrigerators are designed to keep temperatures between 34°F and 40°F. The ability to preserve food at the specified temperature, a compressor ventilation component and stainless steel finishes are typical of restaurant refrigeration equipment.

Choosing the right refrigeration for your restaurant will make your kitchen run smoothly, as well as providing optimum food safety for your customers.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT

Before you commit to purchasing any restaurant refrigeration equipment, you must first determine exactly what types of chillers and fridges you need.

The size of your restaurant and the type of food you serve will be the biggest deciding factors in choosing the right commercial refrigeration.

If your kitchen space is small, you are not likely to have space – or the need – for a large walk-in fridge, so a spacious upright fridge should suffice. If you serve a variety of patisserie items or chilled drinks, you should consider choosing a specialist patisserie display fridge or upright display fridge.

The frequency of your fresh produce deliveries will also determine which type of refrigeration equipment you need for your restaurant. For example, if you receive daily deliveries of fresh or chilled produce, you will need less refrigeration space than those who get a delivery once or twice per week.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESTAURANT REFRIGERATION?

With many types of restaurant refrigeration available, it’s important to choose the right kind of chiller or fridge to best fit your commercial kitchen:

Upright storage fridges & Freezers – with less storage capacity than a walk-in fridge, an upright fridge is suitable for most restaurant kitchens. Available in a choice of sizes depending on your chilling requirements, an upright Gastronorm fridge requires less floor space than a walk in or chest fridge, with the suitability to store all fresh and perishable produce. Ideal for use in a hotel, restaurant, school or hospital canteen or any location which requires the unit to work under the high temperatures of a busy kitchen whilst providing ample storage capacity, Gastronorm upright chillers are designed to operate to 43ºC ambient, making them suitable for chilling meat.

Under counter fridges – also known as refrigeration drawers, these large capacity chiller cabinets are ideal for kitchens where space is at a premium. Depending on the size of your kitchen and your chilling needs, choose a two, three or four door under counter chiller cabinet to store seafood, poultry or meat

Reach in fridges – easy to access and with a with a large storage capacity, a reach-in fridge is the ideal refrigeration equipment for many restaurant kitchens. Suitable for all perishable and chilled produce, a reach in fridge should be situated away from the heat of the restaurant ovens

Refrigerated preparation tables – available for either pizza preparation or salad/sandwich preparation, this type of commercial refrigeration equipment should be situated in the food preparation area of the restaurant kitchen. They typically include additional drawers beneath the table top for additional chilled storage

Display fridges – specially designed to keep chilled produce at an ambient temperature whilst on display in your restaurant, a display fridge is ideal for patisserie and desserts, as well as drinks. The glass counter protects the fresh produce, whilst retaining an appealing display for your customers.

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Source by Blaise Lester

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Freezer Cookery – Advantages & Disadvantages

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Freezer ownership is both convenient and time saving, but freezer management should be dealt with carefully in order to achieve the best results as economically as possible. It is important to take care of a freezer so that it works efficiently and gives value for money. Here’s the Advantages and disadvantages of owning a freezer.

Advantages of owning a freezer are discussed in the following lines.

  • Freezing is a simple and effective way of preserving food, and, providing the basic rules are followed, it is safe. There is very little effect on the flavor, color, appearance, and nutritive value of most foods.
  • Whole meals, snacks, and parts of meals can be stored in a freezer to use at any time.
  • It is usually cheaper to buy foods such as meat in bulk, and store them in the freezer for long-term use.
  • Home-grown or ‘pick-your-own’ produce can be frozen at home, which saves money.
  • Foods can be eaten out of season.
  • Parties and other special occasions can be catered for in advance and the foods stored until they are needed.
  • ‘Emergency’ foods can be stored for unexpected guests or for when the larder is depleted
  • Freezers are inexpensive to run, if used wisely; on average they use one unit of electricity per 15 liters per week.
  • Various sizes and types of freezer are available to cater for varying needs and family size.
  • Time can be saved on shopping if food is bought in bulk for the freezer.
  • Left-over foods and items such as stock or fruit juice can be frozen for later use, to avoid wastage.

Now the disadvantages of owning a freezer for cooking are discussed below.

  • The initial cost of a freezer is high, but by sensible use, this cost can gradually be retrieved.
  • In order to work and run efficiently, a freezer should be well stocked, which means that plans should be made to buy or freeze more food as stocks run down.
  • To prepare a bulk buy or harvest of foods may entail a good deal of work in a short space of time.
  • There may be a tendency to fill the freezer with uneconomic commercially frozen food.
  • A family may find that it is eating more foods such as meat, shellfish, etc., just because they are in the freezer, and this may be unnecessary and expensive.
  • If storage space is limited, the freezer may have to be housed outside the kitchen and this may be inconvenient.

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Source by Muhd Asif Raza

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Festivals in Morocco

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Knowing when to be in Morocco is part of the fun of booking your trip. There are a number of Muslim and national festivals held throughout the year, and when you travel to Morocco, you may want to consider booking your vacation in conjunction with one of these events. In fact, almost every month of the year features at least one festival you can attend. The festivals are based on the lunar calendar rather than the western calendar so you will need to check with the Morocco tourism board before you book your flight if there is a specific festival you want to see.

In January, there are two festivals: New Years Day and Independence Celebration. New Years Day is a western celebration not unlike many held around the world. Independence Celebration is secular and is only one of five held throughout the year.

February is the celebration of Tafraoute and Aid Al Adha. Tafraoute celebrates the end of the winter rains found in the lower elevations of Morocco. The rains are helpful to the crops, but Moroccans also feel a celebration for the upcoming season is necessary. Aid Al Adha or A’d el-Khebir is a commemoration festival of Abraham’s sacrifice. This festival is fun to watch, but you will not be able to participate in much of it.

March and April have four celebrations: Beni Mellal, Fatih Mouharam, Ashura, and Aid el Arch. Beni Mellal celebrates the cotton harvest. Fatih Mouharam is the Islamic new year celebration. Ashura is a day of tithing celebrated by certain local groups only. Aid el Arch is a celebration to honor the coronation of King Mohammed VI.

If you visit Morocco in May, expect to find Moulay Bousselham, Berkane, El Kelia des Mgouna, Labor Day, Id el Mouloud, and Ben Aissa Moussem festivals. El Kelia des Mgouna is also known as the Rose Festival and is held to celebrate the new crops. It is one of the most popular celebrations that Westerners enjoy attending.

June is the month of the Music Festival, Independence Day, Goulimine, Tan Tan and Gnaoua Festival. The Music Festival is held in Fez, and hundreds of musicians from around the world come to celebrate music and different musical traditions. It is a sharing of cultures and traditions, and visitors leave with a new understanding of what music is in other parts of the world.

July festivals include Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival, Tetouan, Sefrou Cherry Harvest, Al Hoceima Sea Harvest, and Celebration of the Throne. Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival depicts traditional Moroccan folklore through performances, theater, music and other art forms.

The Asilah Arts Festival, Celebration of the Young, Setti Fatma, Sefrou Moussem, El Jadida, Tiznit, Immouzeer du Kandar, and Immouzer des Ida Outanane festivals are held in August. Many of these festivals are popular celebrations of Moussem.

Chechaouen and Moulay Idriss Zerhoun host their Mouseem Festivals in September. September is also when Imichil is held; this marriage festival is held in the Atlas Mountains. It offers traditional marriage customs and costumes for visitors to enjoy.

September has only one festival called the Date Festival, which is held in Erfoud. November marks Ramadan, Independence Day, Eid al Fitr, and the Harvest Festival of Erfoud. December holds Rafsae and Hajj Day. Not all of these festivals are popular among Western visitors; however, if you are there when one of these festivals is occurring, you will likely encounter music, fireworks, costumes and other traditions. Any religious festivals should not be interrupted, but observed quietly.

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Source by S. Mitchell

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US Army FAQs – What Should I Take With Me To Basic Training?

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A common question that future soldiers ask is “What should I take with me to basic training”? It’s a topic that worries those who are shipping out to basic training and fear they will be in trouble for bringing contraband to base. To ease your doubts and frustration, I’ll explain what items you can take with you to boot camp.

Clothing

If you have read the official packing list on goarmy.com site, you would see that they require you to bring an extra set of clothes. To be honest, you will be issued new uniforms upon arriving to reception on the very first day and wear it till graduation day. However, it is advised that you take the clothes on your back and a comfortable pair of tennis shoes.

Documents

All you need is the certified original documents that you have given your recruiter. Those documents would be your birth certificate, social security card, certificates, identification card, marriage license, divorce decree, spouse and children documents and also have your direct deposit form. Either you or your recruiter will prepare your personal information into a manila folder so that you can give it to the reception battalion at BCT.

Technology

You can bring your electronic devices to boot camp such as an iPod, iPad, laptop, mp3 player and digital camera but expect those items to be locked away in storage. Only your cell phone is the authorized item to have and your drill sergeants will give them back from time to time when you earn privileges.

Miscellaneous

  • Small backpack that has neutral colors.
  • An inexpensive black wristwatch
  • A calling card to place calls using the phone booth. Only if you decide to not bring you cell phone.
  • An address book.
  • Stationary supplies such as a notebook, pen, envelopes and also postal stamps.

Personal Hygiene

If you believe that you can easily get dirty or smelly during your trip. It is advised that you carry a miniature hygiene kit that is acceptable within airline policies. You’ll find that it would have the most basic commodities such as a deodorant, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, a razor and also shaving cream.

Cash

Nothing is free in basic training except the food, uniforms, and laundry and also housing. Otherwise, you have to pay for hygiene supplies and also haircuts which cost $7 dollars. To access your funds, you will need to take your debit card to withdraw money from your account. They have ATM machines located near the Post Exchange (PX) store so that you can be able to withdraw bills of twenties.

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Source by Gregory Warren

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How To Start A Realtor Sign Installation Business – Tips And Strategies

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When you start a Realtor sign installation business, you have access to a wide variety of potential business sources from residential to commercial to vacant land. You will also need to establish the geographical area that you can cover reliably.

In considering how to start a Realtor sign installation business, the first consideration has to be arranging for the production of signage materials. To print custom logos and colors you will need to set up arrangements with a silk screen printing company. This is a specialized process where the pattern is created on fabric with a resist material, then ink is pressed through in multiple color passes. You are also going to want to arrange for storage of the completed signs in a covered dry area with separators to protect their surface when not in use.

The signs themselves are almost universally mounted on four by four standard construction grade Douglas Fir posts, apart from larger commercial real estate signs which occasionally may require four by six posts. The plywood for lettering should be plywood with exterior grade glue and a smooth PTS “plugged and touch sanded” surface on both sides. Half inch thickness should suffice for most applications.

You will need a good knowledge of the area to accurately locate the sign placements. A GPS device is useful here, and you will also want to be able to read County Assessor plat maps if you are going to place signs on vacant land. You will also need to check local sign ordinances in developed areas. Know the restrictions on sign placement in gated communities, within homeowner association controlled developments, and in all areas with covenants, conditions and restrictions (CCRs) such as planned unit developments or town homes.

You also need to have reliable transportation consisting of a full size pickup truck with wood separator fixtures fashioned to secure the standard yard signs during transport.

Once your production capacity and storage arrangements are in place but not yet activated, you need to secure your accounts. In addition to marketing to conventional real estate offices, you will also want to pursue the bank REO (real estate owned) departments that need to liquidate foreclosed holdings and the independent agencies that are selling foreclosed properties in bulk.

Establish your pricing and service by comparison with sign companies in areas adjacent to your service area. Much of your marketing will be establishing contacts in person with the real estate office managers in your area. Be presentable, be persistent, be cordial, and be businesslike. These people need to know they can trust you to promptly and reliably place and remove their signs.

Almost every business today can benefit from an online marketing presence. A digital camera can provide you with promotional photographs for your web site, and templates are available online to simplify the process of setting up your site. Be sure to include a call to action on every page to encourage your visitors to request an estimate by e-mail. Also obtain their name and telephone in your online form to follow up with them consistently. The forms can be found by searching online for reply forms.

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Source by Daniel Dreifus