•sends you a cashier’s check for correct amount of money but then demands a refund, requesting that you repay with your own money. See scheme above for how this trick works.

These warning signs, of course, are only for a handful of frauds and scams out there. Conmen are good at what they do, trying to separate you from your money. That’s why it’s best to always follow these golden rules of online commerce whenever buying or selling on an Internet auction or classified site.

Keep your common sense. No matter how good a deal seems, or how much clients say they want to pay, always remember old adage: “If it sounds too good to be true….”

Do your business locally. Try to buy and sell from your neighbors as much as possible. It’s safer, more convenient, and better for your local economy. What’s more, it saves you trouble of dealing with foreign vendors and buyers. Though they may be legit, dealing with them can be complicated because of different legal systems and customs, which can make any conflict difficult.

Seal deal with plastic. Paying for items with credit cards, and allowing your customers to charge for purchases, is a great all-around business decision. Under U.S. law, all plastic purchases are protected from fraud and allowed to be disputed in case of problems.

Meet at middle man. Intermediary services are virtual middle men that protect both buyers and sellers from cyber shysters. Services like Escrow act as a holding pen for both payment and sale items until both buyer and seller are content. Only then will Escrow finish a transaction.

Purchase with PayPal. As Escrow and credit cards do, PayPal guards against fraud for both buyers and sellers. It’s a secure and reliable way to transfer money over Internet. No wonder PayPal is most popular online money transfer service.

As you can see, odds are actually in your favor when it comes to doing business on online classified or auction sites. The resource of internet is far too valuable than to be taken away by a few crooks and conmen. It simply comes down to being smart, sensible, and observant whenever buying or selling on Web. Then again, that’s what all good business is about, whether you’re doing it in a mall or on information superhighway.

8. Talk with a friend about your topic to flesh out ideas, titles, and content. Tape-record conversation so you don’t miss anything. You would be surprised at how much we think we hear and how we actually do.

9. Write an email to a friend to tell him or her what you want to accomplish. If you are stuck, say so and ask for help.

10. Check in with your vibrational energy and do something to switch it into high gear. Take a shower. Go for a walk or dance naked in moonlight.

11. Hire someone to transcribe your recording so that you can stay focused on creative end of speaking.

12. Authentic, flat-out, raw laughter frees psyche and opens creativity process.

13. Find a setting with lots of trees and flowers and feel nature. If weather permits, take off your shoes and socks and feel grass between your toes. Nature has a way of freeing our spirit to let out flow of our best material.

14. If you are used to practicing your speech in a quiet place, create noise and practice. You will learn to speak with distractions.

15. Go for a quiet leisurely drive and practice your vowels, outlook expand your voice range.

That was exciting, wasn’t it? Post this list in a conspicuous place so that it is readily available when needed. Do one or two of these daily to keep your thought process clear and attracting. Your audience is waiting.

(c) Copyright 2005, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.