* Be careful of wanna-be managers and aggressive agents that want to manage you, or even worse an unexperienced friend trying to help that does not know how to manage, conduct business, read contracts nor has any idea how much a model should get paid or residually compensated. They can cause more harm then good. There are a lot of photographers that are very controlling and feel you need their approval before you shoot with anyone.

*Remember it’s QUALITY NOT QUANTITY. It does not matter how many pictures you have, it’s how, with just a few strong pictures you still make a good impression.

*Beware of aggressive agencies, and agencies who don’t answer all your questions.

*REMEMBER! professional models get paid! No model has ever gotten rich by doing TFP. TFP helps but, only with the RIGHT photographer. If you want to make modeling a career, treat it like a business – manage yourself and be professional and think about getting paid work. If you’re on your own or just starting, its a must!

*Even if you are with an agency, you still have to hustle and don’t depend on your agency to do all the work for you.

*Also be careful of lazy agencies, that don’t call you about work or auditions. Its important for you to find out what’s up and maybe change to an agency that will get you work!

*Be careful of photographers that will shoot you for free (TFP) and sell the pictures for profit. Draw up a release and read his/her model release form saying you are ONLY TFP for portfolio use or for submission to magazines (you can even include list of magagizes that are not acceptable). For any money being made by both parties involved, the model should get some compensation. Don’t be shy of creating an agreement for your share in potential profit that will arise if your photos sell. Look at it this way. If the model took the photographers pictures and made profit off the pictures that the photographer took he/she would scream “compensation.” If you are with an agency they won’t let you sign any release to relinquish your rights to your images, especially for TFP. So, why do it voluntarily? Agencies are very weary of who you shoot with and won’t allow you to shoot with just anyone. So be careful if you are on your own. Many models shoot and shoot and repeatedly shoot (doing TFP) – they think and act like they’re a professional model not knowing their image may be used for profit, advertising etc, but without the models permission. Even worst, being exploited.

*If you are shooting stuff on location or studio and the photographer is running really late and has not showed up yet and you are there, waiting, make the right judgment call. The right call may be to leave. Unless of course you are getting paid. But, if it’s TFP, leave. Some photographers with big egos show up when they feel like it. Don’t put up with it.

*Beware of agents who wants to dub you as an escort! It’s very sad…it happens sometimes. Please don’t fall victim!

*Do full research on agencies, agents, managers, photographers on the web. Ask a lot of questions!

*Don’t let anyone disrespect you! You are as important as you think you are!

Adapted from Source:

http://www.istudio.com/1303252

Answer:  Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a technology used to place limitations like, access to or copying of, onto digital content (eBooks, music, etc.). You as the publisher or author of the ebook can determines the level of restrictions applied to an eBook. This includes how many times an eBook can be downloaded for a single purchase, and the number of devices (computers, eBook readers, etc.) to which the eBook can be transferred.

Encrypted or copy-protected eBooks can only be read on authorized computers or hand-held devices a limited number of times. An unencrypted or not copy-protected eBook can be transferred to personal computers or reading devices an unlimited number of times.

Lulu.com offers Digital Rights Management for eBook publishing, however you have to agree to their revenue sharing scheme.

And e-junkie.com offers an easier but less stronger solution where you can limit the number of downloads of the ebook.

Answer: Since your question is specific in terms of investment needed and the kind of business you are getting into, here’s a source that may be able to point you in the right direction. And if you do decide to open this or any other business, they can provide useful info on how to do so.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE): A national organization sponsored by the Small Business Administration (SBA) of over 13,000 volunteer business executives who provide free counseling, workshops and seminars to prospective and existing small business people. There are 389 chapters nationwide. For more information, call them at 1-800-634-0245 or visit their web site at: http://www.score.org

You can also get some help from EDA (Economic Development Authority). If you qualify their criteria.
EDA’s Mission: To lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

EDA targets its investment assistance on attracting private capital investment and creating higher-skill, higher-wage jobs in those communities and regions that are suffering from economic distress as described in 13 C.F.R. § 301.3.

EDA investments are focused on locally-developed, regionally-based economic development initiatives that achieve the highest return on the taxpayers’ investment and that directly contribute to economic growth. EDA is authorized to partner with non-profit organizations and units of local government.’
http://www.eda.gov

Answer: Accounting is practice of tracking a business’s income and expenses and using those figures to evaluate its financial status which involves keeping a record of all financial transactions and then preparing financial statements such as balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, tax plans, etc. A basic understanding of Accounting is a must to be successful in understanding financial statements, and in being a business leader.

Study of finance teaches how to efficiently manage, and leverage, the financial resources (capital, illiquid assets like real estate, machines, etc), and to know analyze business risks vs returns. Furthermore, by studying finance, you will learn how to invest and how to raise money, and analyze the performance of investments and loans.

Study of business is a combination of accounting, economics, finance, marketing, legal/contracts, and organizational behavior. It enables you to understand all aspects of a business, which is essential for business success. You will learn from many real-life case studies about how business problems were solved.

Reference:  GSIBM.com (Graham School of Investing and Business Management)

Answer: No. It is not safe! Please dump this seller ASAP because it is most likely fraud. A vast majority of Chinese companies operating on Alibaba (and other such sites) are fraud. We have learned this from first hand experience. They are waiting to steal your money, and Western Union is the best way for them because they can vanish after receiving your money.

While we can’t blame Western Union entirely for it, we think that Western Union does not mind such fraud. Otherwise, why do they allow people/companies to operate accounts from China even after their names are listed as scam all over the web?

So yes, it is very risky if you are sending money to people that you do not know. With Western Union, there is no way to guarantee that the receiver will send you the good.

Most of these Chinese companies know that their buyers can’t reach them from Europe or America, and their police is hardly bothered. Don’t deal with Chinese suppliers on sites like Alibaba, etc…. 80% are fraud. When you buy a cheap priced product, the entire money will be gone. The scammer will attract with you very low prices, and the pre-sales will be very pushy. But once you have trasnferred the money, they will vanish. We have heard this experience from dozens of buyers. Its painful to hear these experiences.

Its better to deal with Singapore or Hong Kong based suppliers, who can be verified by someone you know in person through someone you know. If you can not personally verify a supplier, do NOT do any business. The moment you want to meet a supplier, you will see how uncomfortable they become. Some will not reply, and that’s the proof they are fraud.

Also ask for customer references. Anyone who can not give references is a fruad. They may give reasons like business confidentiality, but that’s an excuse.

Even if you have to pay more, its better to buy from places like EBay through a PowerSeller so that you have some assurance of quality and PayPal will protect your rights.

Answer: The new bankruptcy law is tougher that the old one of 1978. It tightens the requirements of those who are filing for bankruptcy and for the attorneys that are helping them.

Under the new bankruptcy law, several major changes were initiated. Here are some key points:

1. There is now a “Means Test” that is used so that you can show that you are not abusing the use of bankruptcy. Herein your monthly income is considered, minus certain expenses that are allowed. If you come out above the “median income” you will have to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
2. IRS sets up strict guidelines for what they call “allowable expenses.” Herein you will be allowed $200 per month for food and $800 per month for housing.
3. Its important to understand that there are both state and federal bankruptcy laws. You will find that some state laws are more lenient than others. However, you cannot shop around for the best deal. Instead you will have to be a resident in the state wherein you are filing for bankruptcy for a minimum of two years.
4. You will have to attend a mandatory credit-counseling course that has to be approved by the IRS within 180 days of your filing for bankruptcy. This is not a free course. Instead it will cost you approximately $75.
5. Under the new bankruptcy law there is now more paperwork that you will have to do so that you can prove that bankruptcy is necessary. Some of the things that you are going to have to provide the IRS with include: a list of all unsecured and secured creditors; proof that you have taken the credit counseling course; a detailed list of your expenses and your monthly income; liabilities and assets; your most recent tax return; your photo ID and pay stubs.
6. There are now hefty legal fees to pay because you will have to have a bankruptcy attorney “certify” that your figures are accurate. Otherwise, both you and your lawyer may face sanctions. As such, bankruptcy lawyers now have to do more investigating and fact checking than ever before in order to ensure that your information is correct.

How To Interpret The Bankruptcy Law? While there is nothing saying that you have to retain a lawyer, it is a wise decision to do so. Its can save you a lot of time as well because if you forget to file certain documents your case can be dismissed making you have to start all over again. You do not want to go through this in an attempt to save yourself some money since it will only come back to haunt you in the end. Therefore, its advisable to have an experienced bankruptcy attorney interpret the bankruptcy law for you and help you out.

Please note: the above is not a legal advice; please consult a certified legal professional for your specific case.

Answer:  First lets understand the Definitions of Trademark, Copyright, and Patent.

Trademark refers to any forms of marks which are registered to the USPTO. These are names, devices, images, and word identifying any goods which can be produce, manufactured, or natural.

Copyright is a way of protecting both unpublished and published literary, artistic and scientific works, and any forms of expressions as long as it is tangible. It means you can touch it, hear it, or see it. An essay, a play, a song, funky original choreography, HTML coding, or graphics can be protected. Laws of copyright grant the creator’s exclusive rights to distribute, display, perform, reproduce, and prepare derivative works publicly.

Patent is another form of IP (intellectual property). The right of a patent in the United States is granted by the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) to the inventors (and different countries have their own patent system, and you have to apply in each country for patent protection in that country). A patent protection prevents others from using, making, selling, importing, or offering sales of such invention over a limited period of time.

The law concerning the United States patent is stated in the Patent Act, 35 U.S.C. The act contains clarifications on using jargons resolving some confusion and complexity.

Please note: Subjects that are not given patent protection include mental processes, physical phenomena, abstract ideas, and nature laws. Take for instance; you can’t patent a new plant, insect, or mineral found or discovered in the wilderness. Likewise, the law of gravity couldn’t have patented by Newton and same for “E=mC2″ by Einstein. Any discovery which shows characteristics of nature is not reserved for a single person since it is free to all. Nature laws and abstract ideas are reserved for public domain. Artistic, musical, dramatic, or literary works are entitled for copyright protection. Inventions which are offensive and not useful are deprived of a patent right.

The patent law is created to serve various purposes. It is found in the U.S. Constitution, Clause 8 of Section 8 of Article I stating the power of the Congress to support the advancement of useful arts and science by giving exclusive rights to inventors and authors on their discoveries and writings over a limited period of time. Thus, a patent system was created by the Congress to reward limited monopolies to the inventors on making, selling, and using their inventions.

The inventions can be made available to the public however retaining its right from preventing others to use, sell, or make the invention. Patents are considered public records once it is issued. The patent applications of inventors must disclose the best approach for using or making their patented invention. The patent can be considered invalid if you fail in this procedure.

It is a fact that mental processes and abstract ideas are not eligible for patented rights. However, the software based on mathematical algorithms receives patent protection because it does not belong on the patent scopes. Algorithm is considered as a natural law while mathematics is the primary working tool of science and technology.

The US Supreme Court in 1981 included inventions related to software in the patent protection. It is because the function of the program only incorporates the underlying principles of mathematical algorithms. Non-physical processes are utilized by the software to operate electronically using mathematical equations or algorithms for controlling the computer program outputs. Functional application of mathematical algorithms in computer programs can be patented. Using examples from electricity or physics are not patentable. However, the methods in which electricity are utilized for transmitting information is patentable.

An invention is qualified for a patent protection if it is new, non-obvious, and useful. The invention was never used in public before an application for a patent is done. The USPTO will reject a patent if the invention is used or sold in public by the inventor or anyone for over one year before filing a patent application. Similar or identical inventions disclose publicly by others in any parts of the world can be denied of patent rights. Prior art is not anymore considered novel.

In general, the patent claims contain the preamble or the introductory paragraph. It is followed by the elements recited as steps or means to perform a specific function. The elements can be narrowly interpreted by structure, name, or defined steps. The defenses of a patent to infringement include invalidity and non-infringement.

Answer: Lets start with understanding what a mutual fund is and how it works. Mutual funds are efficiently managed firms of investment groups. The firm gathers money from other investors and invests the money on several money market funds, bond funds and stock funds. These groups of investments are called a portfolio. Imagine a group of people who place their money on several money market commodities like stocks, short-term money market instruments, bonds, other securities, and assets, or a combination of all of these; that’s a mutual fund.

The benefit from mutual funds is that they offers a diverse range of investment opportunities, and professionally managed. So in case one money market instrument does not do very well, others can act as buffers.

Like all equity investments, mutual funds also have certain risks. That is why it is very important to get sound and expert mutual fund advice from people who really know what they’re doing.

You must surely speak with Someone Who Knows. Ask for mutual fund advice from people who are not biased; meaning, do not ask the person who will get benefit if you invest or don’t invest on the mutual fund. Investing is no joke, it involves money and risk.

Check out the mutual fund’s investment policies and objectives. There are a lot of mutual funds types, and the risks may differ per investment portfolio. More conservative mutual funds are inclined to preserve capital; others on the other hand are more diverse and present long term capital growth. Still there are some who are very aggressive and invest in the stock market.

Any person, who will give you mutual fund advice, will tell you that past performance is not an indicator of good things to come. What you can do is look at the previous running of the mutual fund to gauge whether it makes for a sensible investment or not. The more volatile the fund, the riskier it is.

For you to see the various investments a mutual fund employs, look at the breakdown of its portfolio. In this way you will see if the mutual fund’s portfolio really complies with your objectives as well as that of the company.

To avoid hidden charges that might diminish your fund’s value; ask how much the mutual funds sales charge is and compare this to other mutual funds that are parallel to what you’re currently considering. It is important that your mutual fund give you appropriate services like regular reports on performance.

The best mutual fund advice this article can give you is that: You should always check the qualifications, and experience of the people who will be managing your mutual fund. Take a look at their track record and you will see whether they are trustworthy or not.

If you click the link in that email, you are taken to a site that appears to be the site that you do business with, but it isn’t. These people are trying to gain access to your account info with this email and fake website. Following are some three common signs:

1. They won’t address you by your first name, because they do not know your first name. The site that you do business with will always address you by your name.
2. If you hold your mouse cursor over the link in the email, you will see that it actually goes to a different URL than the one in the email. This is a sure sign that this is a fishing email.
3. Banks and Money Transfer companies like PayPal never request you to sign in for security measures, through email, because they know that proper security can’t be implemented using email.

—————-

Answer: Here’s a video by Cathy Pareto, founder of Cathy Pareto & Associates, certified financial planner, in Miami, Florida. How to Buy Stocks on a Budget

Her logic is of investing through a large mutual fund so that you don’t get exposed to any company specific risk, which will be in plenty during weak economic times.