July 28th, 2010
We recently stumbled across this article, and thought you might appreciate reading it. Be sure to post your comments and let us know how you liked it!
LCD Projector Buying Guide
Courtesy of ArticlesBase.com
There is simply no end to innovation. As one new innovation surpasses another, technology has gradually morphed into a superior force that dominated every aspect of our lives.
Every technological innovation is measured by the dint of its output. LCD projector is the name that tops the list. Today, LCD projectors are a necessity. It is an integral part of every business meetings, seminars and conferences. The origin of LCD projectors dates back to 1971 when Gene Dolgoff for the first time used liquid crystals to modulate light. And it was in 1981 when for the first time LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) projectors were introduced in the market. The technology behind these projectors is very complicated. A light beam sent from metal halide lamp through a prism. The prism segregates the light into three poly silicon panels for three different components of video signals. As light passes through these panels, the individual pixels are opened to pass and closed to block light. This very combination of pixels produces a wide range of colour in the projected image.
One of the best advantages of LCD projector is that it is highly portable.
The price of the portable machines are a relatively higher than its primitive counterparts.. The lightest model available till date weighs less than five pounds. While you buy a light weight LCD projector, you should not forget to consider the weight of the case where it is encased.
There are some important factors to be borne in mind while you settle for buying one.
Firstly, the screen resolution should suit your usage. The resolution that works fine for a PowerPoint presentation may be a total misfit for showing statistical data or numerical figures.
Secondly, the size of the lumen should be in conformity with the place where the projector would be used. More the number of people, the better should be the brightness of the images. A 1000 to 2000 lumen projector would work fine for a medium sized room. Again, while you are presenting something in a seminar, you need a projector with higher lumen.
While buying LCD projectors, one should go for quality. It is advisable that you go for the one that has a durable lamp. Most LCD projectors today have a lamp life of 1000hrs and this may go up to 4000hours. Replacement bulbs may ultimately cost you more in the long run. It is always better to refrain from using halogen lamps since they exhaust after 70 hours and produces a yellowish tinge on the images.
One must doubly ensure that the projector he buys is video compatible. While composite video input allows you to connect video players, component video inputs allows you to connect directly to DVD Players, digital VCRs and HDTV tuners. The HDTV(High definition television) signals are digital and supports a higher resolution.
Last but not the least; a projector should always be ideally positioned at the centre of the screen. If that is not done, the images are projected at an angle and may appear distorted. The keystone correction feature adjusts and enhances correct positioning of images.
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If this sounds too complicated (or expensive) to you, you might be better suited to simply rent a projector when you need one, instead of investing such a significant amount of funds into a make or model that could require extensive maintenance or quickly become obsolete. Click here to learn more about rental projectors from the country’s leading projector rental company: Projector123.com
July 26th, 2010
We hope you are enjoying this three-part series on coordinating a successful family reunion. In this final installment, we’ll look at planning food options and making the event memorable for all who attend.
Step 5: The Food
There are many different options available for this aspect of your family reunion. If you’re hosting just a one- or two-day event, it might be easiest to ask each family to bring a few prepared dishes to share. If so, you’ll want to make sure that everyone doesn’t bring repeats of the same dish, and that there are ways to heat up food or keep it cool (as appropriate). One fundraiser idea might be to create a family cookbook from each person’s favorite family recipe. It seems to work best to have just one person in charge of the cookbook project.
If your event is longer, or your family members aren’t much for cooking, then you can make arrangements with restaurants, or bring in a local catering service to provide meals. No matter which option you choose for feeding your reunion participants, this will likely factor into the budget in a significant way.
Step 6: The Memories
Can you picture it? Tender moments shared between great-grandma and the newest family member, just a few months old…All the cousins playing volleyball in the sun…Nana and her sisters laughing right out loud…these are the images that we love to remember and cherish from family gatherings, and what better way to preserve the moments than with a photo montage at the event?
Every family reunion deserves to have a nostalgic journey down memory lane, complete with photos of key events, family members, and memories of days gone by. You can put one of two committee members in charge of creating the video montage, and they it’s easy to arrange for a rental projector to showcase the images at your event.
You can either set your videos to music, or let the band or DJ play throughout the showing.
If you’re feeling extra-creative (or you have a technically savvy person on your planning committee), they can easily create a photo montage from images captured during the reunion itself. Schedule a showing towards the end of the event, and be sure to include candid shots as well as composed images.
If you want to take it a step further, burn the montage to DVD and sell extra copies at cost (or build it into the cost of admission and send each adult home with a copy). It’s a simple way to help the memories last a lifetime.
Ready to rent a projector for your family reunion? It’s as easy as 1-2-3 when you choose Projector123.com for all your rental projector needs. We’ll even ship your LCD projector to the exact place you need it. Just click here to get started now.
July 23rd, 2010
In the prior installment, we looked at considerations for crafting the guest list, as well as choosing a committee to assist you in planning this event. In this next installment, we’ll cover two key factors: choosing a location and setting a budget.
 Step 3: The Location, Date and Time
This is where it really pays to poll some of your family members before selecting a location. Consider where most of your family members live, how easy it is for them to travel, and be sure to consider the size of your event before selecting a location.
The venue chosen may dictate available times for your event, but when choosing a date, be sure to pick a weekend when the children are off of school (if travel is required). If all of your family members live within fairly close proximity of each other (less than a day’s drive, for example), any weekend should be fine. Keep in mind that major holiday weekends like Labor Day typically mean higher travel expenses for folks (with increased lodging costs and fuel prices), as well as a likelihood of a venue booking up early.
One easy way to poll your family members is by using a free tool called SurveyMonkey.com. Alternatively, your committee co-members can call or email family members directly to gauge interest in the venue as well as the date / time.
Once a firm date is selected and the venue is booked, you can send out a “save the date” announcement, to help your out-of-town family members begin planning their trip and making necessary arrangements for traveling to the reunion. This also helps to build interest, and you may discover that new committee members volunteer themselves once the “save the date” card is received.
Step 4: The Budget
Consider the majority of your family here (not just your own financial situation). Can folks afford to pay for admission to the reunion, and if so, how much? Again, this is a step where it would be important to poll family members rather than making assumptions. Once you have a general idea how much folks are willing and able to pay for their participation, you can begin to form a budget, to ensure that you plan an appropriate event. If it’s going to be a high-ticket event (for example, a family cruise), be sure to give people plenty of time to plan for the added expense, and to begin saving.
Remember that unless you use an email invitation service like evite.com and a free internet calling service like Skype, you will likely have administrative expenses for postage, invitation, save-the-date postcards, nametags, decorations, and long distance fees. Some families hold fundraising events for such expenses, while others simply build it into the cost of participation.
In our next and final installment, we’ll look at two things everyone remembers from any major gathering: the food, and the memories made there.
In the meantime, as soon as you’ve set the time and date for your reunion, be sure to visit Projector123.com to reserve your rental projector for your event. There’s no need to lug it around during travel, because Projector123 can ship your projector rental directly to the location of your event (or even to the home of the closest relative). Click here to get started now.
July 21st, 2010
If you’ve decided to take the reigns and plan a family reunion this year, here are some simple steps to help you get started and to ensure that your gathering is a raging success.
 Step 1: The Guest List
Essentially, this part of the planning process is all about how big you envision the reunion to be. Will you include just 3 generations of a single family (grandparents, parents, children), or will you extend the reach to both sides of the family (grandparents and their siblings, parents and their children and grandchildren; and parents’ siblings, children and grandchildren)?
In planning your guest list, you might consider how often the families get together currently. Has it been awhile since the last wedding (or funeral) where all the cousins got together? Does it seem like the family is “due” for another get-together, with nothing on the books as of yet?
Additionally, consider where the potential attendees are located geographically. Perhaps it would be easier to get one side of the family together in one location, and plan a separate, future gathering for the other side of the family in another location. Alternatively, if people in your family love to travel or in good enough health to make a trip, then the more the merrier.
In planning your guest list, it really comes down to what kind of event you (and your family) would most like to attend.
Step 2: The Committee
Planning a family reunion can be an arduous task, and while it’s sure to be well worth the effort, there’s no reason to think you’ve got to plan it alone. Solicit assistance from cousins and other family members who are willing to help create a successful event. In choosing who to approach for assistance, consider these useful attributes:
- enjoys talking on the phone, connecting with family members
- wields influence in the family, especially among other key family members
- possesses resources like free time, extra funds, excellent cooking skills, savvy organizational skills, event planning experience, etc.
- is easy to work with, is reliable, is well-organized and resourceful
If the family is spread far and wide, consider that it’s not necessary for the committee members to gather for a physical, in-person meeting. Much of the planning and legwork can be done via phone or email, and your role as the event coordinator is to delegate tasks and follow up with committee members to ensure they have what they require (and are completing their assigned tasks successfully). Though it’s your duty to ensure follow-through, remember that planning this event should be fun and lighthearted, so don’t become a taskmaster or you might soon find your committee disintegrating! Keep the mood light and bright and remember to acknowledge and appreciate your co-coordinators’ efforts.
Be sure to join us for part 2 of “How to Coordinate a Family Reunion.” In the meantime, it’s not too early to visit Projector123.com and see what kinds of rental projectors are available for your event. Click here to learn more.
July 19th, 2010
If you’re considering renting a projector for the first time, you might feel a bit overwhelmed in determining which projector to rent. Read on to see just how easy it is to select the right projector rental for your presentation.
 First, consider the environment.
No, projectors aren’t harmful to the environment – we mean consider the presentation environment (the room or facility in which you’ll be presenting). How much ambient light will be present? If you’re presenting at a trade show, you can count on bright lights and plenty of ‘em, which means you’ll likely need a high-lumen projector. The same is true if your presentation will be held outdoors during daylight hours or under bright sunlight. A 3000-lumen projector shines extra-bright, offering vivid color saturation and crisp image projection even in the brightest of conditions. If you can somehow position your display screen in the shade, it’s all the better for participant viewing.
Alternatively, if you’re presenting indoors, odds are there will be at least some ambient light (to assist your attendees in note-taking, finding their way out of the room to take a call or use the bathroom, and to help you maintain eye contact with the participants). Generally speaking, if the room is exceptionally dim (almost completely dark), then a low-lumen projector would suffice (though this is rarely the case). Most presentation environments feature dimmed ambient light, which makes a 2000-lumen projector a wise choice.
Next, consider your audience size.
Approximately how many people will be in attendance? The greater the audience, the bigger the required image for viewing. The larger the image, the higher lumen count that is required to maintain clarity of the images. Small to mid-size audiences are well-served with a 2000-lumen projector, while larger audiences (100+) require a 3000-lumen projector for crisp, clear image projection.
Finally, consider the purpose.
Specifically, what kind of material are you presenting, and in what format? Highly detailed charts or graphics may require higher lumen counts, while less detailed images and large-font text are well served with a 2000-lumen rental projector. Before you rent a projector, be sure to find out whether or not the unit is HD-compatible, if you plan to present highly detailed graphics and charts. Additionally, whether or not you plan to incorporate video or moving images can become a factor in the decision whether to select a 2000-lumen or 3000-lumen rental projector.
If in doubt, check in with the rental projector company to ask for assistance in deciding which projector to rent, and expect them to ask you about the three factors covered in this article: presentation environment, audience size, and type of material being presented. Good luck and have a great presentation!
The skilled, friendly customer service reps at Projector123.com can easily help you determine which rental projector is perfect for your next event. Click here to get started and you’ll be amazed at how easy the entire process can be!
July 16th, 2010
In this final installment, we’ll wrap up the four-part series on how to grow your business with effective free workshop strategies. If you have suggestions or ideas we haven’t covered, please feel free to post a comment here and share your ideas with everyone. We love hearing from you!
This article is all about maximizing your return on investment (an investment of your time and effort) in planning and executing a successful free workshop or presentation.
One of the caveats of hosting a free event is that you can’t count on everyone who registers to actually show up for the date of your event. The statistics seem to vary depending on industry and type of event, but generally speaking, anywhere from 30% to 50% of all free presentation registrants typically attend the event for which they’ve registered. In other words, it’s important not to get too excited if you have 100 people register for your event, because only about 30 to 50 will actually show (according to generalized historical data). Using the ideas from the last installment can help ensure that you maximize attendance from your registrants, and here is a somewhat “advanced” strategy to boost your attendance.
Upsell a Workbook or Similar Relevant Product
 This approach requires a bit of preparation beforehand, but it can be well worth the extra effort. You can make your event free, and upon registration, participants can choose to purchase an optional workbook (or something else of value, related specifically to the event. For example, a DVD or CD of the video / audio from the event itself, that they can refer back to at a later time). This can provide you with some income to help offset your costs, as well as incentivizing people to show up on the day of the event (to claim what they’ve purchased).
To create a sense of urgency, state in your registration process or paperwork that this workbook (etc.) will sell for $___ (a price at least double that of the registration pre-purchase) on the day of the event. For example, you can sell a “comprehensive workbook” that covers everything you plan to cover in your presentation, plus exercises, fill-in-the-blank guides for your key talking points, contact information, a list of helpful resources, etc. for $10 prior to the event and $25 the day of the event.
The purpose the workbook is multi-fold. First, when people are paying for something (like a workbook) that they won’t receive until the day of the event, they are more likely to attend to get what they paid for. Secondly, the pre-sale of a workbook gives you a pretty good idea of how many folks will attend (as well as how many workbooks you should have printed). Third, the pre-sale of workbooks provides you with some income to help offset your costs (printing the workbooks, renting a projector, providing snacks if you so choose, etc.) Fourth, the workbook keeps people engaged during your presentation, which makes them much more likely to retain and understand the material you’re presenting. Finally, they can walk away from the event with something of value, which builds trust in you and may help you win their business.
 Collect Information and Follow up with Everyone
At your event, post a sign-in sheet and give folks a way to sign up for your newsletter or mailing list. Put out your business cards and collect theirs. It’s not enough to just collect information, you’ve got to follow through by following up with everyone who attends. In this way, you can close more sales, grow your business, and truly make your free workshop a success.
Got your event booked? Be sure to rent a projector from Projector123.com. Click here to get started and find out why business professionals throughout the country rely on us for fast, affordable, professional grade LCD rental projectors.
July 14th, 2010
In segments one and two respectively, we covered ways to find a venue in which to present a free workshop, as well as how to plan your content and delivery. In this final installment, we will explore ways to maximize attendance at your event, in order to ensure the highest possible return on this investment of your time and effort.
Ways to Maximize Attendance
1. Provide an incentive to attend
You’ve seen this method a hundred times or more – because it works! A little extra gift (or chance at winning a fabulous prize) can nudge someone who is on the fence about whether or not to attend your event. Incentives don’t have to cost a bundle; in many cases, you can partner with another local business or professional (spa, salon, massage therapist, hardware store, etc.) to negotiate a lower rate or discount on your purchase of a gift certificate, since the business or professional will get some free publicity in exchange for their participation or donation. It helps if the incentive is relevant or appealing to your target audience (e.g., a home improvement center gift card for people who are coming to your workshop to learn how to install their own sprinkler system).
Alternatively, instead of providing an incentive to every person who attends, you could invest in just one grand prize and each person who attends the workshop gets entered into a drawing to win it. Examples of grand prizes might include a weekend stay at a local resort, or something valued from a few hundred to several hundred dollars.
 2. Provide an incentive to bring a friend (or three)
You can use the same suggestions in #1 above, but offer an additional incentive for the person who brings additional friends (for example, they could get an additional entry into the grand prize drawing for each person they bring with them). Depending on your lineof work, this can also be helpful in boosting sales, as in some scenarios, people will respond to peer pressure / social proof. For example, now that I see my friend is signing up, I’m also going to sign up and we can do it together.
3. Collect a deposit
Often times, when an event is free to attend, people can subconsciously put a lower value on its benefit. This psychological phenomenon can be alleviated by collecting a small up-front deposit, which is totally refundable when they attend the event. Because people are generally more motivated to avoid pain than to seek pleasure, the potential pain of losing their deposit if they decide not to attend often provides enough incentive for them to keep their commitment and show up for your event. A deposit could be as low as $10 to $20, depending on what makes sense for your target audience.
4. Pre-Workshop Q&A
As part of the registration process, you can have people submit their most burning question about ____ (your area of expertise) and agree to answer all submitted questions during the workshop itself. This also works on a subconscious level, as people are more inclined to attend if they know they will receive something of value (the answer to their most pressing question).
Hopefully, this list has sparked your own creative ideas for ways you can maximize your efforts in conducting a free workshop. Good luck!
Remember – when you’ve booked your event, be sure to visit Projector123.com to reserve your LCD rental projector. With competitive rates and a hassle-free process from start to finish, you’ll soon discover why professionals across the USA rely on us for all their rental projector needs. Click here to get started.
July 13th, 2010
Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming wedding celebration, family reunion, employee picnic, or anniversary party, any event becomes even more special with the addition of a photo montage. It’s so easy to rent a projector and showcase your clever montage – read on to find out how you can get started now.
 Gather the Images
The first step in creating your montage involves collecting the images you’d like to use. If the images are already in digital format, you’ll be finished in a jiffy. If you’re using physical photos, you’ll need to digitally scan each photo before you can assemble your montage. If you don’t have the time or technical skills to manage this step, there are many services who can do it for you (including the photo centers at most drug store chains, like CVS and Walgreens).
Know Your Platform
Next, you’ll want to choose which software or service you’d like to use to create your montage. If you’re using a PC, Microsoft Publisher or Windows Movie Maker offer a fast and easy tool for creating a montage of photographs. If you’re on a Mac, you can use iMovie or iPhoto to create your slideshow in a snap. If you are already familiar with PowerPoint, you can even create your slideshow using the PowerPoint application (in either the Mac or the PC platform).
Alternatively, you can use an online service like Smilebox.com or FunPhotoBox.com, which allow you to import your photos and create a montage using their pre-loaded templates, music and more.
Set It to Music
The next step involves choosing music for your slideshow. It’s easy to tie music to your montage using any of the above-listed software applications or online services.
Have fun creating your photo montage, and be sure to visit Projector123.com to rent a projector so that everyone can enjoy your slideshow at your upcoming event. Click here to get started now.
July 12th, 2010
In the prior segment, we looked at ways to find a place, organization, or venue through which you could host a free workshop, lecture or presentation. In this installment, we’ll look at how to select the content you will present.
Congratulations on finding a venue through which you can host your free workshop. Next, it’s time to decide what kind of content you will present. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your presentation content.
 Know Your Audience
The cardinal rule of public speaking, this guideline keeps you on point, on par with your audience, and on your toes. Consider the presentation from your potential attendees perspective. What would be important to them? What is the greatest thing they could gain from their attendance? What kinds of problems do they have, and how can you solve them? What information or tips would be most valuable?
If you truly have no idea, then it pays to poll your potential audience members to find out what is important to them. Alternatively, you can speak to the director of the organization to find out what kinds of folks (age, demographics, professions, employment status, etc.) typically attend their events or belong to their organization. Don’t be afraid to ask pointed questions – it is essential for you to get inside the minds of your potential prospects in order to present the most appropriate information possible.
For example, if you are a tax attorney presenting to a group of CPAs, you would use appropriate terminology and make certain assumptions of the audience’s understanding of the material (otherwise you would be perceived as condescending). Likewise, if you are a tax attorney presenting to a group of senior citizens, you would not make the same assumption and you would take the time to explain any industry jargon, abbreviations, or technical terms.
Less Is More
Once you know all about your audience, you can begin to compile relevant information for your presentation. Keep in mind the old adage, “less is more.” If your topic is particularly complex, choose just one or two key segments to focus on, and you can pave the way for a return invite to continue a multi-part series. If your topic is fairly simple, yet you have a unique spin on it, keep the material relevant and plan to open the floor for Q&A.
Be Mindful of Time
If you are invited to speak for an hour, plan no more than 40 minutes of material – in most cases, speakers try to include too much information, which often causes them to go over time, or else not finish. It is far more professional to finish early and open up the floor for questions and answers, rather than to go over time. Your audience will always appreciate a slightly shorter workshop rather than being inconvenienced by a presentation that runs too long. Again, if they are positively riveted by what you have to say, it’s still best to leave them wanting more (and to get invited back to present additional information).
In the next installment, we’ll look at ways to maximize attendance at your free workshop. In the meantime, why not visit Projector123.com and reserve your rental projector today? It’s fast, easy, and our competitive pricing just might surprise you. Click here to get started now.
July 9th, 2010
If you’re looking for free of low-cost ways to grow your business, there are countless reasons to choose free workshops as a business builder. Read on to learn a few simple strategies designed to maximize your time and efforts in order to make your workshop as fruitful as possible.
Besides the fact that free workshops typically cost you nothing but your time, there are many other advantages to using this tactic as a business building tool. For starters, it offers extremely targeted marketing – after all, people aren’t likely to show up for a retirement planning seminar unless they are interested in (or concerned about) this issue. Additionally, hosting a workshop or lecture automatically establishes you as an expert in your field, and you have the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in a way that isn’t boastful or obnoxious. Finally, in a workshop kind of environment, you can build a rapport with an audience, answer their most pressing questions, and give examples of how you could solve their problems. In other words, a successful free workshop helps you sell yourself without feeling “salesy” at all!
Look for Local Opportunities
Where can you host a local workshop? Once you start looking, you’ll see that the possibilities are virtually endless. Many local communities and civic organizations (such as the Rotary Club) bring in unpaid speakers to present on a variety of topics, and at the end of your presentation, you can pass out literature or business cards, speak with people to book appointments or close them, or otherwise promote your products or services.
Additionally, if your city or town has a Chamber of Commerce (even the smallest towns usually do), you can ask for a schedule of events and see what kind of presentations are offered, and whether or not your area of expertise offers a match. You may not have to join the local Chamber to present (although it may make sense for you to join, depending on the cost and the potential networking opportunities).
Remember to check with your local library and SBA (Small Business Association) to find opportunities where you can speak and offer a free educational presentation or workshop.
 Go Virtual
Depending on the nature of your business, you may be able to host a virtual workshop either by phone (teleclass) or via web (webinar). To determine whether or not this kind of format would be a match for your business, think about the kind of content you would deliver and whether or not it is easy to demonstrate or describe by phone or via computer screen demo. Additionally, consider whether you are equipped to receive orders and sales from across the globe. Setting up a virtual webinar is easy and there are many low-cost tools to help you facilitate the event. Plus, it allows you to reach out to a much broader audience of potential clients, as opposed to hosting an in-person workshop in your local area.
Once you’ve found a place to host your free workshop, the next step involves choosing content to present. Join us in the next installment for tips on how to increase attendance and gain more qualified, interested leads by giving people exactly what they want.
Need a projector rental for your upcoming free workshop? Demonstrate your professionalism and drive your key points home with a larger-than-life full color display projected from a sleek, streamlined LCD rental projector. Click here to get started now.
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