Fargo e-commerce

2007-11-23T16:34:00.000-08:00

Corporate identity. Brand design. Brochures. Advertising. New media.

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Coporate identity. Brand design. Brochures. Advertising. New media.
Full-colour printing, design, marketing & websites.

Great marketing & advertising ideas for your business! Use our full color print pieces and a professional design to create an advertising campaign that really POPS. Snag new customers and get ideas on how to keep your current ones entertained.

Posted by: Fargo Printing Media on 11/20/2007 at 4:23 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Starring Joel Heitkamp, Jack Sunday, Don Haney. KFGO

KFGO Vs WSI Check this out

Let em have it Joel

Starring Joel Heitkamp, Jack Sunday, Don Haney.
Not a KFGO Product

790-KFGO, known most commonly as “The Mighty 790” is one of America’s most popular radio stations.
KFGO has won two Peabody awards, several Edward R. Murrow awards, and numerous local and regional accolades. The most important honor though, is the loyalty of thousands of regular listeners everyday. KFGO serves eastern North Dakota, northwest Minnesota, northeast South Dakota and southern Manitoba.

Posted by: Fargo Print Media on 11/10/2007 at 2:39 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

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Fargo Printing: 2007 American Psychological Association Say's

Fargo Print Advertising Works

Print advertising is one of the many vehicles for getting your message to your target audience. It is also one of the most frequently used methods and has proven to be quite effective. To be effective, an ad must arouse readers in some way and create a desire to be "proactive." This means that it must prompt readers to call, email, go to a destination such as a website, make a purchase, or take some other action.

Print advertising works because readers see the product and can read your promotional message. All of the information readers need to place an order or to get more information, such as phone, fax, email address and point of contact, is included within the body of the ad.

So now that you've decided to place a print advertisement, what else can you do to increase visibility and sales? In other words, how can you get a good return on your print advertising investment (ROI)? Read on for some useful and effective tips.

There are several things you must consider when developing your ad.

? What do you want your ad to do? In other words, what is the primary goal of the ad. You must determine whether the purpose is to introduce your company or product, generate sales for a time-sensitive product, elicit a response to a question, or prompt the reader to request a free sample.

? Who is your target market and where will you find them? In order for an ad to be effective, it must be directed to and read by your target market. If you publish psychological tests, your market would be psychologists, clinicians, and other mental health professionals who utilize these tests in their daily work. So how do you find publications that are read by the target market you wish to reach? If you are promoting a new product or service, you may use the Web to search for publications or related media that this special group uses. You can also conduct research or hire a consultant to help you find your niche. Another area to explore is special trade associations that your audience may be members of. These organizations often have publications that are tailored to meet the specific needs of their members.

? What does your target market read? Once you've narrowed down your target audience, you must decide where you want to place your ad. Magazines, newspapers, trade publications or flyers are commonly used print publications. However, where you decide to place your print ad will depend on the product or service you are marketing. If you are promoting a new medical device, you will want to place your ad in publications widely-read by those in the medical or healthcare profession.

? How much do you spend on your print campaign? This may be one of the biggest questions you may have. Determining how much you will spend will also be largely influenced by your budget for the promotion and whether you are planning other advertising to support your print campaign. Some considerations in determining how much to spend include: your reach or the number of people in your primary market; narrowing down the primary publications read by your audience; and the actual cost to run an advertisement in these publications. Many publications offer various sizes, such as a 1/6 page, 1/2 page or full page, which can accommodate your budget. Of course, the larger the ad size, the greater the visibility you will have. But this does not mean a smaller ad will go unnoticed. With good design and typography and a strong direct message, a small ad can have significant impact. Other factors to consider when determining how much to spend on the campaign are: ad placement and color. Premium placement and the use of color will increase your response rate.

? When should you advertise and in which issues? Another thing to consider is when is the most likely time your target market would read about your product in the publication. Also, the frequency of the publication is another important consideration. The more people see and read your product, the more familiar they will be, which will result in greater sales generated. If the publication reaches your primary market, then you should consider expanding your budget to allow the print ad to run at least at a three-time frequency.

? What do I put in the ad? When designing the ad, be sure to include a graphic or headline that would catch the eyes of readers and hold their attention. There must be something about your product or service that would capture the imagination and interest of the reader. It could be something very new; an improvement over a past performance; a special "promotional" price; a health benefit; a less costly version of a product; etc.

? What other variables should be considered? Wherever you decide to advertise, timing is most important! A special issue of a magazine or journal will draw more readers, increasing your exposure. You may also want to consider the months in which you advertise. If you have time-sensitive products or services, they should be promoted a month or two before your targeted response deadline. Conferences and workshops should be advertised well in advance of the event, so people can plan ahead.

Print advertising works. Understanding advertising basics will help you get the exposure and sales you planned. By following these guidelines, you will be on your way to getting a good ROI. ?

FargoPrint.com is an online printing market that offers businesses and professionals complete e-commerce services to independently create and sell a wide variety of products, and unique merchandise.
FargoPrint.com was launched online by a local group of business professionals, no other specifics were given. The group said in a press release, they started the online printing market after they collectively saw an increase in their print and design orders outside the Fargo-Moorhead area. The printing and design site allows the group to offer their services to anyone with online capabilities.
FargoPrint.com also offers custom design and short run print
orders. Prices start at $9.99 and print products range from business cards to flyers, brochures to custom magazines. The group states their mission is to create a brand on a budget for companies and professionals of all sizes using the unique print-on-demand and e-commerce services. Local delivery is included in the final prices. The site also allows home-based businesses and professionals to link up to their market-portal. The site powers independently-run shops as well as syndicated and corporate stores, ability to do business online, including storefront development, site hosting, order management, fulfillment, secure payment processing, and quality customer service. Businesses can open a free shop with no upfront costs and no inventory to manage, according to the press release.
For more information visit www.FargoPrint.com

Posted by: Fargo Print Media on 11/07/2007 at 2:38 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Biz Online: Why big companies should fear the underdog.

Fargo Print: Business cards, Post Cards, Design, Logos, Fargo Moorhead Area

Fargo Printing: Learn internet advertising in Fargo Moorhead and promote your product or service all around the web!

Fargo ND, Internet advertising can turn your home business, micro business, or other small venture into a profitable enterprise! Learn to promote your biz effectively and inexpensively.

The Your Ads Mean Business internet advertising concepts will point the way! You’ll find many high quality internet advertising and promotional products from which to choose.

Your best bets for success are:

1) proper web site optimization
2) a sound pay per click (PPC) advertising campaign
3) fresh content updated daily
4) a sound linking strategy
5) a thorough classified advertising program

There are a growing number of products and services introduced to the fargo moorhead market every month, and your company may not stand the test of time if it lacks a well-defined brand. Differentiation is key for any product or service. In the information age, impressions come to people so fast it's virtually impossible to retain all the messages with which we're bombarded. In order to make people stop, look, and listen, it is imperative that the brand you create cuts through the clutter. The name and logo ? the "look and feel" of your communications ? is the starting point for how people perceive you.

In order to lead in your category, you want your target audience to notice and to remember you. Because the core of your brand is your name and how that name is visually expressed, there is a terrific opportunity to make these elements work for you. Take your brand development seriously, and invest what is necessary achieve your goals. This may mean hiring an outside help. For more on the definition of a brand, read What Is a Brand?

Equally important, make sure that you think through and are able to communicate your company's position and core values. If you can't articulate what differentiates you to your branding consultant, chances are they won't be able to communicate it visually. They need clear direction in order to craft a memorable, differentiated brand.

Posted by: Fargo Print Media on 10/27/2007 at 3:46 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Online Media: Women in Business

Fargo Woman in Focus Mary Johnson

Mary Johnson, CPA

Born: Coronado, CA, 1957, grew up in Kindred, ND
Education: B.S. Physical Education and minor in Accounting, Concordia 1979
Business: President & CEO, Union State Bank since 1998
Community Volunteering: Vocational Training Center Board of Directors, Bethany Homes, Inc. Board of Directors, non-profit and civic boards, professional organizations, first female member of Lake Agassiz Kiwanis

Once out of college, this Concordia phy ed major fully intended on teaching and falling back on the accounting profession if needed. Mary did not teach and her career path led directly to the accounting profession which she found to be a better match for her. Out of college, she joined Charles Bailly & Co. where she practiced accounting for four and a half years.

Mary went on to gain a variety of professional experience. After practicing accounting, Mary moved on to positions in commercial lending at First Bank and US Bank. Eventually, she worked for Lutheran Health Systems advising business entities with their financial planning, challenges and business growth. From Charles Bailly & Co and beyond, Mary has utilized her keen accounting and analytical skills to serve clients in the business world.

When asked what her favorite employment was before her current position at Union State Bank, Mary said it was as a commercial lender at First Bank. Another favorite was working with the healthcare companies through Lutheran Health Systems.

Now years later, Mary said maturity and experience have greatly added to her business perspective in banking and have developed her keen sense of problem solving and resilience to steadily accomplish business goals for Union State Bank.

Mary is proud of Union State Bank’s niche in the locally competitive business of banking. Mary and her staff pride themselves on their unique style of friendliness and personal service. Walking in to Union State Bank, you immediately feel a comfort combined with the business atmosphere—a neighborhood feel with staff knowing customers’ names, and the business of relationship building—easy accessed advice and services to meet people’s banking needs.

Behind the front counters, Union State Bank is very aware of trends in banking. Mary pointed out that electronic capabilities are opening up numerous client service possibilities and that competition is coming from non banking entities such as mortgage companies. And, because of customer internet usage, they also strive to build non- traditional ways of maintaining distant banking relationships.

Mary feels that her biggest career obstacle was not having a pre-ordained career path—that she did not set out to be a bank president. She happened to find out that she loved banking because it meant coming up with solutions for people every day. She added that sometimes it is better to be a woman in banking because she can feel a two-way trust building with clients and it is comfortable to say,” Let’s find a solution.”

Her business inspiration comes from several people. Her husband says ‘you can do anything – you’re capable.’ Mary also lists several others that are encouraging to her in business. Mary said that Dr. Hamilton, chair of the Union State Bank board of directors is very empowering, intelligent and forward thinking about their business and Mary is quick to mention Nick Hammerstein and Pam Anderson, both of Fargo, who she serves with on local nonprofit boards.

A normal work day for Mary includes many phone calls and finding solutions one-on-one or in small group situations. Sharp and focused, Mary takes on issues and quickly finds solutions for both customers and employees.

All in all, Mary is a commercial lender, works to match staff objectives to the needs and growth of the bank, meets compliance issues and consults to bank customers. Mary is continually learning by reading trade journals and internet information, working with vendors and taking part in educational offerings through Eide Bailly.

Mary’s plans for the bank are to position the bank to continue to grow and to be careful not to try to be all things to all people and lose their effective business niche. When Mary joined Union Sate Bank as president & CEO nine years ago the bank’s assets were $18,500 and today they are at $50 million. Clearly, she is doing it right.
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Posted by: Fargo Print Media on 10/24/2007 at 11:10 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Moorhead Home Builder Profile Chad Peda

Fargo Moorhead Builder Profile Chad Peda

Hometown: Fargo, ND

Your first job was: Leather craftsman, made it by hand and started selling it as a teenager.
Favorite type of music: Classic Rock, 70’s Rock, Country, Variety, if it has a rhythm.
Professional training: 14 years of Sales & Marketing
Your favorite thing about building: At 6 years old I nailed scrap wood together in my parents shed and now I do the same thin, just a little neater, for families and businesses in the community.
I ignite my sales by: I service my clients from the first call to every call.
Favorite restaurant: The Neighbors Restaurant in Horace, great food and worth the drive!
When I cook at home I like to…: Create something new every time
One thing every homebuyer should keep in mind when building a home: Ask for what you want to have and make sure you get it…it’s your home!
Your favorite charity is and why: Big Brothers, Big Sisters make a difference for them!

I have experienced many different fields in my years of employment. For me the childhood dream became my passion, from building small wooden boxes in Dad’s shed at age 6 to challenging myself today with tearing apart a clients home to make it new to fulfill their wants and needs. It is my passion. I love what I do and strive to do it well day in day out, from new construction to remodels and additions. Whether your home or your business, I enjoy building and fulfilling your dreams. I’m looking forward to meeting you soon, take care.

Find More Local Builders
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Posted by: Fargo Print Media on 10/24/2007 at 10:55 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Moorhead Builder Profile Dan Parrow

Dan Parrow
Business: Interstate Remodeling, Inc / ISR Homes
Contact Info: Jennifer Hogenson-Jensen with Real Estate Services,
Your first job was: Roofing for my dad as a teenager.
Favorite type of music: Contemporary Christian.
Professional training: One year in the Carpentry program at Northwest Tech and a degree in Sales & Marketing from Northwest Tech.

Your favorite thing about building: Working with the homebuyers and sub-contractors.
Did you or do you have a mentor? My dad Harold.
I ignite my sales by: Open houses every Sunday from 1:00 to 4:30 and the use of our web site, www.isrhomes.com
Favorite restaurant: Olive Garden.
When I cook at home I like to… Cook anything Italian.
One thing every homebuyer should keep in mind when building a home: Know the builder and know the sub-contractors that are or may be working on your home.
Your favorite charity is and why: The church I attend has been going to Latin America for a number of years building schools. I have been a part of this for the past six years working for two weeks each February.

Interstate remodeling / ISR Homes’ aim is to build you more than an exceptional home. We’re committed to supporting you in every stage – from the start of your search, to the planning and building stage, and extending on to when you live in and maintain your home.

Red River Home Guide

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Posted by: Fargo Printing Media on 10/23/2007 at 8:29 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

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Fargo Print: Save Money with us Locally

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We create marketing communications to support every aspect of your communications strategy. We generate the delivery vehicles for success, which may include branded print, multimedia, packaging and direct marketing materials. As a creative provider that develops and implements your marketing communications across all channels, we will effectively promote your image, products and services. Our comprehensive promotional tools are developed for your exact objectives.

Business cards, Post Cards, Web Design, Logos, Fargo Moorhead
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Posted by: Fargo Printing Media on 10/23/2007 at 12:17 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Builder Profile Fargo

Find a Great Local Fargo Moorhead Builder: Bob Pearson Eid-Co

Name: Bob Pearson
Business: Eid-Co Homes, a residential home building company
Hometown: Grand Forks, N.D.
Your first job was: As a courtesy boy and stockman at Red Owl in Grand Forks beginning in 1962. I ultimately became a store manager in West Fargo in 1970.
Favorite type of music: “Big Band” sounds of the 20’ through the early 50’s. Some country is OK also.
Professional training: On going education and training offered through the National Home Builders Association and through the National Association of Realtors.
Your favorite thing about building: Being instrumental in assisting young people/families in purchasing their first home. Knowing that in the majority of cases, homeownership has the greatest potential toward gaining long-term financial security for those acquiring their first home. My best
Did you or do you have a mentor? Morris Pyle got me started in Real Estate as a new home sales associate with Eid-Co Homes in 1974. At the time I remember thinking that I’m simply not the salesman type. Morris’ response was, “Approach selling real estate as being a problem solver. “You’
I ignite my sales by: Our furnished model homes and a state-of-the-art web site are very well received by our customers. We at Eid-Co Homes focus on providing homes that meet the needs of our customers and that represent an excellent value in the market place.
Favorite restaurant: The Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Ponderosa, as well as the café in the Fargo Holiday Inn provide good value and consistent quality…one eating place would be boring.
When I cook at home I like to… grill a thick steak along with a salad and buttered French bread. A “plain old” hamburger hot dish also hits the spot a few times a month.
One thing every homebuyer should keep in mind when building a home: The most important thing is to explore the entire market in your price range so that you become an “informed” buyer. Many of the people that you may want to count on for advice have not been in the home market recently, and therefore, their advice may not be pertinent or accurate today. A great Realtor is priceless…ask acquaintances about their Realtor experiences…and choose the one you are most comfortable with.
Your favorite charity is and why: The Make-A –Wish Foundation. A young person hurting is such a difficult condition for me to accept. Therefore, if there is a way to lessen the pain and uncertainties these kids and their families are confronted with, it’s appropriate that we do something. They are entitled to a few hours or days of distraction and happiness.

Red River Home Guide

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Posted by: Fargo Printing Media on 10/23/2007 at 12:16 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Blog Media: Fargo Is'nt Boring

I found this in a blog and thought it was of some interest Submitted by Fargo Visitor Mz.Sasa

Before going to Fargo, I watched the movie, and since I'm not from the Midwest, I got a huge kick out of it. This weekend, my co-worker and I took a spur-of-the-moment trip to Fargo to visit friends. They hadn't seen the movie, so we watched it, but no one else really thought it was funny!Anyway, that was a random aside.Fargo was great. It had cute shops, restaurants and cubbyhole hangouts. It also had interesting places to see, like the largest all-sports store in the world (Scheels) and Space Aliens Grill and Bar (yes, I realize this isn't unique to Fargo).I'm not sure I would take a trip there, as I would Chicago or New York, if I didn't know someone who could show me the sights, but it turned out to be a neat place.
Yeahhhhhhhhh Fargo aint boring!

Successful Fargo Women

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Posted by: Fargo Print Media on 10/20/2007 at 3:53 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Printing: North Dakota Dependency Ratio Expected to Increase

North Dakota Dependency Ratio Expected to Increase
A decline in North Dakota’s youth during the past couple of decades, combined with the bulk of baby boomers moving through the prime labor force, has resulted in a declining dependency ratio (fewer dependents per worker)

Fargo, ND - According to 2006 population estimates released by the Census Bureau, for every 100 working-age residents in North Dakota, there were approximately 53 nonworking-age residents. In other words, there were approximately two workers providing for every one dependent.

If the current age distribution patterns continue, 2020 projections indicate that this ratio will rise to 71 nonworking-age residents for every 100 residents of working age. In addition, 18 counties in the state are projected to have more dependents than workers by 2020.

“This is a situation that should raise concern among policymakers,” says Richard Rathge, director of the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University. “We have a limited window of opportunity to position ourselves for this reality and I think the time to start planning is now.”

This month’s “Population Bulletin,” a monthly publication from the North Dakota State Data Center, focuses on North Dakota’s dependency ratio. It measures the dependence that nonworking-age people have on working-age people. It indicates the economic responsibility of those who are economically active in providing for those who are not. The dependency ratio combines the proportion of people who are not of working age, either because they are less than 16 years old or because they are age 65 or older, and compares this total with the proportion of people who are of working age (16 to 64).

A decline in North Dakota’s youth during the past couple of decades, combined with the bulk of baby boomers moving through the prime labor force, has resulted in a declining dependency ratio (fewer dependents per worker). The dependency ratio, which was 64 nonworking-age residents per 100 working-age residents in 1990, declined to 58 per 100 in 2000, 55 per 100 in 2003 and 53 per100 in 2006. However, baby boomers soon will be leaving the labor force and entering retirement. In fact, the leading edge of the baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) turned 60 in 2006.

As the dependency ratio increases, so does potential for concern among communities faced with an older, nonworking population. In 1990, the majority of nonworking-age residents in North Dakota were youth less than 16 years old. By 2020, retirement-age residents age 65 and older will capture the majority of nonworking-age residents. This shift in age structure will impact the types of decisions needed to provide services to an older, nonworking populatio.

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Posted by: Fargo Print Media on 10/18/2007 at 11:50 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Breaking News Fargo ND: Can you make it on social security in Fargo?

Part 3 of 5: Baby Boomers' forecast and 401K's

This series has focused thus far on the modern-day middle-aged employee. Part one profiled a single man pulling in 52K a year, the other was a family of four making $80K a year. We analyzed their foundational expenses based on guidelines from the American Consumer Credit Counseling Center and what a modern professional needs to stay competitive and mobile. Both interviews profiled professionals becoming more familair with the definition of “living within their means” and adjusting to lopsided increases in “insurances, fees and taxes.”

The next two installments will focus more on the survival within a real marketplace since our next subjects already have more established buying habits and less loans or obligations.
We will profile an individual living on social security and a pension in North Fargo. The individual lives alone, has been retired for ten years and does receive a monthly supplement pension of $450. The house is paid off and so is the car. His television is often turned off and is cable-free. Like last month, our subject has elected to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature relating to income and living environments.

The following a breakdown of the retiree’s monthly budget:

The Paychecks
Monthly Social Security Check - $662
Pension - $450
Net Income - $1112

Utilities & Professional Amenities
Phone - Land Line - $50
City of Fargo - $35
Xcel - $200
Total Utilities - $285

Additional Expenses
Newspaper Subscriptions - $30
Health/Pharmacy - $200
Total Other Expenses - $230

Shelter Expenses
House Mortgage - $0
Monthly Property Taxes - $220
Monthly Insurance - $50
Total Shelter Expenses - $270

Transportation Expenses
Auto Payment 1 - $0
Auto Insurance 1 - $40
Gasoline/Repair 1 - $100
Total Transportation - $140

Total Monthly Bills - $925
Total Monthly Income - $1112

Entering Retirement - 1997
Annual Property Taxes: $1,420
Cost of a gallon of regular gas: $1.11
Cost of a dozen eggs: $0.87
Cost of a gallon of milk: $2.88

Ten Years into Retirement - 2007
Annual Property Taxes: $2,177
Cost of a gallon of regular gas: $3.11
Cost of a dozen eggs: $1.58
Cost of a gallon of milk: $3.76

Change in annual property taxes: $757 (+53%)
Change in a gallon of regular gas: $2.00 (+180%)
Change in a dozen eggs: $0.71 (+81%)
Change in a gallon of milk: $0.88 (+30%)

Social Security and retirement research facts according to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the federal agency insuring pensions:

According to a recent government study, which analyzed over 17 million participants with about 45,000 different 401K plans, on an average, the study concludes 401K recipients will have about three times what they had for a salary. For example, if someone was making 40K-50K for their career, they would have about $150K. This amount is expected to be used up in seven to eigth years. A potential problem surfaces because life expectancy is seventeen years after retirement, leaving retirees nine to ten years to live off just social security.

If everyone were to cash in their pensions this year, the current pension program would be $450 billion dollars underfunded.

Currently over 18,000 companies have underfunded their pensions and in the next five years many more major corporations are scheduled to default on their pensions.

Pension experts now say the average employee has to put away about 18% of our salary for your retirement, every year over your entire career. Otherwise, they warn, you may not be able to afford the “predictable expenses.” Currently less than 10% of employees contribute the maximum amount. - Brooks Hamilton, Pension Expert & Corporate Tax Consultant of 30 years

According to the Depart. of Labor, in 1974 the company put in 89% to a fund and the employee 11%. Today the employee puts in 51%. Over the past thirty years, there has been a cost shift of 40% from contributions made by the employee.

Next month: How much does a NDSU graduate need to make after graduation?

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Posted by: Fargo Print Media on 10/18/2007 at 2:15 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Super Agent Diane Nordhougen

Fargo Real Estate: Super Agent Profile Diane Nordhougen

Red River Home Guide Superagent Profile

Name: Diane Nordhougen
Employed By: Park Company Realtors, 28 N. 10th St, Fargo, ND 58102
Hometown: Averill, MN
Your first job was: Waitress in Dilworth, MN
Favorite type of music: All kinds, especially light rock and easy listening
Professional training: Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), Certification for Internet Professionalism (e-Pro)
Your favorite about selling real estate: Meeting new people and assisting them through good and bad times while selling or buying their home…making a difference one home at a time.
Did you or do you have a real estate mentor?: Yes, several that I watched and admired over the years.
I ignite my real estate sales by: Constantly staying in touch with my clients!
Favorite restaurant: Jonny Carino’s
When I cook at home I like to… : Have friends and family join us!
One thing every homebuyer should keep in mind when searching for a home: Get pre-approved before you start looking and then determine what you want for payment costs. Sick to your budget so you don’t overextend yourself and become house poor.

The Red River Home Guide of Fargo ND

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Posted by: Fargo Real Estate & Print Media on 10/14/2007 at 5:06 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo News Media: The Rock 102 Girl

interview with the Wahpeton graduate on 102 billboard

Melissa Duerr, model from the "Turn us on" billboard, talks about life as a model.

Wahpeton, ND - On any given day, drivers winding through Fargo may pass a number of billboards without giving them a single thought, but life-long residents of Wahpeton will surely recognize the new one featuring the blond-haired and blue-eyed Melissa Duerr.

The 2002 Wahpeton High School graduate headed to Fargo to work as a booking agent at Academie Agencie and never turned back. She credits those first years at the agency for helping her realize the importance of being its top model and giving her the necessary steps she needed.

At 19, Duerr learned the ropes of the modeling industry as a booker, scheduling all of the appointments for models."All of the knowledge I learned behind the scenes helped me build my career as a model," she said. "As a booking agent, I realized how certain qualities are important, as far as just being reliable and committed. So I guess that's how I got interested in modeling."

After realizing that she wanted to pursue a career in modeling, she spent one year at the Salon Professional Academy, a cosmetology school in Fargo.

"There's no client that never needs to hire a makeup artist, and I just did it myself," she said. "It all works together."

Then Duerr started teaching a runway instruction class at the agency, doing hair and make-up for the photo shoots. It wasn't too long before she began work as a full-time hair stylist and makeup artist at Hair Success in North Fargo, and this year she added to the busy roster by teaching a class on wardrobe, which covers the basics on incorporating personal style with the rules of fashion.

As she juggles regular work with modeling, days can get long. On an average morning, Duerr is ready to work from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. as a model or teaching a class, and then from 2:30-9 p.m. she heads to her station at Hair Success.

"It gets pretty busy, but it's fun," she said. "I enjoy it."

Modeling jobs usually arrive at the last minute, and Duerr will get a call only a day or two before the job will begin. One of her first shoots was for a promotional bit in Las Vegas called "Hotwalkers", and would be featured in various gambling spots around the city. She was nervous.

"I did whatever I possibly could, but I was so nervous because I didn't know how the pics would turn out," she said. "But when I saw them I was surprised, because the pics were actually phenomenal. I guess you just have to try your best and put everything into it."

At the shoot, Duerr met CarriDee English, the Fargo native who went on to win Season 8 of Bravo's America's Next Top Model. The two became close friends for awhile, "but I haven't heard from her since," she laughed.

Duerr has been seen in spreads for Microsoft Magazine and the The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, as well as being featured annually in the KFYR Bismarck and KVLY Bridal show. One year she attended the International Model and Talent Convention in New York City, which gathers all of the agents and models around the world in one setting. Duerr found a surprising perk at this particular event.

"I got an opportunity to judge a makeup competition for thousands of models, and I was sitting next to the this lady who just happened to be the makeup artist from Seinfeld," she laughed. "Here's little me from Fargo, but they all said I was welcome to judge. It's kind of funny, I just happened to be at the right place at the right time."

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Fargo Moorheads Super Agents

Fargo Real Estate: Super Agent Profile Carlita Dietz

Hometown: born in Wishek, ND, but moved to Fargo at 5.
Favorite type of Music: Hard rock, but since I've had children I've gotten all of the Laurie Berkner CD memorized.
Professional training: Bachelor of Social Work with Double Major in Spanish from MSUM. Licensed Social worker in MN from 1995-1999. Licensed real estate agent since 2000 in ND and 2005 in MN. Realtor since 2003, I think. Licensed General Contractor in MN since 2005 also. (No additional real estate designations.
My favorite thing about selling real estate: My broker allows me to work from home, on my own schedule. This allows me to be a mother to my kids, and still make a good living.
Did you or do you have a real estate mentor?: I was introduced to real estate by my Broker, Paul Krabbenhoft, in 1999. I was working full-time in a construction/development office, so residential real estate was a natural transition. I have great respect for Paul, and I love working for him. He's taught me so much.
I ignite my real estate sales by... making every sale a personal one. Everyone wants a friendly relationship with their real estate agent, right? I treat my buyers and sellers as friends, while still representing them professionally. Clients don't want to be talked down too, or have an agent spewing out stuff that just goes right over their heads.
Favorite restaurant: Nothing fancy. With my Family...we love Acapulco Restaurant (on 13th Ave.), or Chinese Buffets!
When I cook at home I like to...get the kids out of the kitchen, turn on the radio, find a nice bottle of wine and cook up some pasta.
One thing every homebuyer should keep in mind when searching for a home: There is no such thing as "one perfect home", even when you build custom, you realize things that you could have done differently. Find a house that has most of the characteristics that you want now, as well as look at the home's potential. Will it suit your needs 5 or 10 years from now?
My favorite charity is: the local Disabled American Veterans chapter. My brother was paralyzed from an accident nearly 6 years ago, while he was active duty in the army. The DAV has been such a source of support and encouragement for him. He has been able to attend a ski clinic in Colorado and wheel chair games in Alaska that the DAV sponsors. They are tremendous!

I never thought I'd find myself working as a Realtor. Many people think of Realtors as pushy sales people. Anyone that knows me, would agree that pushy isn't my nature. How could I make a living selling real estate? Looking at my schooling, and previous employment, I wasn't headed into sales. I have never thought of myself as a sales person. I am a representative and facilitator in the real estate transaction. I have a construction background, with abundant knowledge of materials and techniques, so I feel like I'm a resource to my clients in that way. I love what I do, and am privileged to work with great people.

www.redriverhomeguide.com
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Posted by: Fargo Real Estate & Print Media on 10/13/2007 at 11:33 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Moorheads Premier Home Lenders

Jeff Aafedt
Charter West Mortgage

Hometown: Born in Winterhaven, Florida but moved to Fargo at age 4. Graduated from Fargo North High School and NDSU in Fargo.
Your First job was: Setting trap at the west Fargo gun club at age 7.
Farorite type of music: Christian Rock.
Professional training: College, United States Air Force Pilot Training, various Type Ratings in the DC-9, Boeing 727, Airbus A-319/320 aircraft during my 21 year career at northwest airlines as a Captain and Instructor.
What does a Premier Lender do on the weekend? Continue to qualify and help people obtain affordable financing while they are looking at purchasing a home over the weekend, having to wait until Monday to find out if you can purchase a home is not a option in my opinion.
Did you or do you have a mentor? No
Highest interest rate you remember: 11% when I bought my first home in 1985, and 14% when inflation was out of Control during the Carter Presidency.
Favorite place to meet for a cup of joe?: Any espresso bar but if give the choice I would rather have a Martini at the Ho-Do.
When I cook at home I like to: Barbeque
Favorite family hangout: Our home on Long Lake in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
One thing every consumer should keep in mind when searching for a mortgage is: This is probably one if not the most important financial decision you will possibly make in a lifetime. Your home is also part of your long term investment portfolio and needs to be treated as such. It is very important to make sure that your lender off.
What is the most gratifying part of lending? On a purchase actually seeing sellers and buyers exchange keys and garage door openers and knowing my clients obtained the best financing available for their credit profile. For my refinance clients knowing I was able to save them hundreds of dollar.
Your favorite charity is and why: The Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes. Enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens is very important to me. In our community as well as probably every other we need to invest in young kids, which is our future. Since joining the board two years ago and serving as board president for the last year supporting the leadership of our Executive director Pat Petermann we have been able to increase our after school attendance from 26 kids per day to over 100. We have been able to increase our membership by over 300 kids and serve thousands of meals to individuals who need them. The club is the positive place for kids to be. Check out www.boysandgirlsclubofdetroitlakes.org to learn more. This website by the way is built and maintained by the kids and supervised by a staff member.

Find a Home Loan Professional in Fargo Moorhead here.
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Fargo WiFi Hot Spots

Fargo and the Red RIver Valley's WiFi Hot Spots

AmericInn
1423 35th St SW
Fargo, ND

Barnes & Noble
1201 42 St Sw
Fargo ND 58103

Best Western Kelly Inn
3800 Main Ave
Fargo, ND

Blimpie
1300 19th Ave N.
Fargo, ND

C'mon Inn
4338 20th Avenue
Fargo, ND

Caribou Coffee
1625 13thAve East
West Fargo, ND

Comfort Suites
415 35th St S
Fargo ND 58102

Country Inn Suites
3316 13th Avenue South
Fargo ND 58103

Days Inn and Suites
1507 19th Ave N
Fargo 58102

Econo Lodge
1401 35th St. S.
Fargo ND 58103

FedEx Kinko's
3302 13th Ave S.
Fargo ND 58103

Flying J Travel Plaza
3150 39th St. SW
I-29 & I-94 Exit 349
Fargo 58104

Fryn' Pan Family Restaurant
300 Main Ave
Fargo 58103

Green Mill Restaurant & Bar
3340 13th Ave. S.
Fargo 58103

Hector (Fargo) International Airport
FAR: 2801 32nd Ave. NW
Fargo 58102

Holiday Inn
3803 13th Ave. S
Fargo, ND

HoDo
1st Ave & Broadway
Fargo, ND

Hornbachers - Osgood
4151 45th Street South
Fargo 58104

Howard Johnson Inn Fargo
301 3rd Ave North
Fargo 58102

IHOP
1701 45th St SW
Fargo 58103

Luna Coffee & Wine Bar
1545 South University Drive
Fargo 58103

McDonalds
1234 5th St.
Fargo ND 58102

North Dakota State University Libraries
1201 Albrecht Avenue
Fargo 58105

Old Chicago Pasta and Pizza
2551 45th St S
Fargo 58104

Ramada Plaza Suites & Conference Center Hotel
1635 42nd St Sw
Fargo 58103

Red Raven Esspresso Parlor
14 Roberts St
Fargo 58103

Ristreto Coffee & Tea
5050 13th Ave S
Fargo 58103

Select Inn
1921 44th St S
Fargo 58103

Starbucks Fargo
2511 Kirsten Lane South
Fargo , ND

Starbucks Fargo
1601 S. University Drive
Fargo, ND

Wingate Inn - Fargo
4429 19th Avenue SW
Fargo 58103

The UPS Store
1100 19th Avenue N
Fargo, ND

Fargo WiFi People

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Posted by: Fargo Print Media on 10/13/2007 at 10:56 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Printing: Tips on writing a print advertisement

A good advertisement should have:

an interesting headline
clear design
well-written copy

Headline

A good headline should catch the reader's attention and make them want to read on. It might ask a question or inspire curiosity. For example, a bed manufacturer might ask if readers want to know the secret of a good night's sleep.
Don't overplay the actual message - people will feel let down if they read on and their expectations are not fulfilled.
A headline will encourage people to read on if it offers a clear benefit - such as "buy one, get one free".

Clear design

The way an advertisement looks plays a big part in attracting and retaining the reader's interest.
Avoid small or complicated typefaces that are difficult to read. And don't mix too many typefaces in one advertisement.
Don't clutter the layout - keep plenty of white space in the advertisement - avoid the temptation to say too much.

Well-written copy

The amount of text you include depends on the purpose and size of the advertisement. Businesses that want to advertise a sale might have a very limited amount of text accompanied by a headline and a picture of some of the items on offer.
If you're writing a lot of text, it should follow on logically from the headline, build a convincing case and prompt a response from the reader. Back up any claims with facts.
Good copy draws attention to the benefits of the product or service rather than focusing solely on the features.
All the reader wants to know is "what's in it for me?"

Remember that businesses have a duty to ensure their advertisements are legal, decent, honest and truthful.

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Posted by: Fargo Print Media on 10/13/2007 at 4:48 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Printing:Business cards, Post Cards, Design, Logos, Fargo Moorhead Area. Save Money with us Locally.

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Thanks For Considering us for your Print Business

We create marketing communications to support every aspect of your communications strategy. We generate the delivery vehicles for success, which may include branded print, multimedia, packaging and direct marketing materials. As a creative provider that develops and implements your marketing communications across all channels, we will effectively promote your image, products and services. Our comprehensive promotional tools are developed for your exact objectives.

fargoprint.com: Business cards, Post Cards, Web Design, Logos, Fargo Moorhead

Regional News Media Outlets

PRINT

Area Woman (bi-monthly)
701.280.2345
Arts Forum (quarterly)
701.237.6133
Fargo-Moorhead Magazine (bi-monthly)
701.282.3260
Cass County Reporter (weekly)
701.347.4493
High Plains Reader (weekly)
701.235.1553
North Dakota Living (monthly)
701.663.6501
OPEN Magazine (monthly)
701.232.4824
Prairie Business (monthly)
701.232.8893
The Business Journal (monthly)
701.729.2899
The Forum (daily)
701.235.7311
The Village Family Magazine (bi-monthly)
701.451.4886
West Fargo Pioneer/Midweek (weekly)
701.282.2443

TELEVISION

KVLY-TV 11 (NBC)
701.237.5211
KVRR-TV (FOX)
701.277.1515
KX4 KXJB Television (CBS)
701.282.0444
WDAY TV 6 (ABC)
701.237.6500
Prairie Public Television
701.241.6900

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AM STATIONS

KFGO The Mighty 790 AM

KFNW 1200 AM (Christian talk)
701.282.5910
KQWB 1660 AM Talk Radio (talk)
701.237.4500
KVOX 1280 AM (sports)
701.237.3767
WDAY 970 AM (talk) www.wday.com
701.237.6500

FM STATIONS

Minnesota Public Radio
218.299.3666
North Dakota Public Radio
701.241.6900
KDAM The Dam 104.7 FM (active rock)
701.280.1047
KEGK The Eagle 106.9 FM (classic hits)
701.271.8106
KFAB Outlaw Country 92.7 FM (country)
701.237.5346
KFBN Heaven 88.7 FM (Christian)
701.298.8877
KFNW Life 97.9 FM (Christian)
701.282.5910
KKBX Rock 102 – 101.9 FM (rock)
KLTA 105.1 FM (variety)
701.280.1019
KNDS Thunder Radio 105.9 FM (college radio)
701.231.6702
KPFX The Fox 107.9 (classic rock)
701.237.4949
KQWB Q98 FM (rock)
701.234.9898
KVOX Froggy 99.9 FM (country)
701.241.9936
KVRI BOB 95.1 FM (country)
701.232.4262
WDAY Y94 93.7 FM (hit music)
701.237.4487

Posted by: Fargo Print Media on 10/08/2007 at 3:49 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Print Media: Tips For Media Selection

Fargo Print:

Marketers have a wide variety of media at their disposal. Most of us think first of the advertising troika of newspapers, magazines and TV. But there are a number of other options depending upon what you are trying to accomplish.

1. Create a sense of urgency. Direct marketing offers that contain a deadline for consumer action can create that sense of urgency that motivates your customer to buy now.

2. Fill in the blanks. Brochures are a great vehicle for providing the detailed information about your product's many benefits.

3. Be impulsive. Signage speaks to people when they are in buying mode at the point of sale. Besides spurring impulse buying, signs also act as a reminder, connecting the dots to your other marketing efforts.

4. Get interactive. Your web-related marketing efforts can capture a consumer's attention, direct the prospect to additional information to help educate and answer questions, ask for the business and make the sale.

5. Establish intimacy. Magazines is a one-to-one medium that allows the marketer to build a close connection with the prospect.

So, before you select your media, think about what customer action you want to spur.

Lindsay M. Arneson
Public Relations & Marketing Specialist
701-261-8637
lindsay@redriverhomeguide.com

Posted by: Fargo Print Media on 10/05/2007 at 5:25 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Print Media: Creating a Brand on a Budget in Fargo Moorhead

Fargo Print: Save Money with us Locally

Typically, start-ups come to a branding consultant, because they've already stayed up late over pizza and beer, brainstorming through a thousand names and concepts. They still haven't "quite gotten it nailed" and are becoming frustrated. Don't do this. Start off on the right foot and make the small (in relative terms) investment in having your brand and identity created by a company that specializes in start-ups.

You are starting a business, and you need to spend your days (and nights) focusing on that task — talking to financial investors, building a team, developing a product or service, getting an office established; in short, realizing your dream and your unique vision. You don't need to spend your time trying to address issues that aren't your core competency.

As a small business owner with an established local market presence, there are some things you can do to sharpen up your brand without incurring fees from a full-fledged branding company. At a minimum, your business cards, letterhead, signage, and other existing corporate identity should all display a consistent usage of your company name, logo, and tag line information. If this isn't the case, an overhaul is in order. Make decisions about the color of all of your business cards — letterhead as well as the ink. It takes some discipline, but it's important to your brand to stick to those decisions for years to come.

For help with these decisions

Fargo Print Media: A Brave New Marketing World? Even in Fargo ND

Branding a Startup
For start-up and small businesses, branding often takes a backseat to all of the other considerations — such as funding and product development. This is unfortunate, for a company's brand can be vital to its success. Dollar for dollar, it is as important and needed as any other start-up activity.

HG Ad Designs Fargo Moorhead

The Red River Home Guide of Fargo Moorhead and the Lakes

fargoprint.com Media: Make Your Print Marketing Shine.

If you'd like to build a more profitable service business, the place to start is with your marketing.

It's not easy for contractors to market proactively. The telemarketing do-not-call rules are reducing outbound telemarketing opportunities.

The emerging spam laws reduce the potential to use e-mail for prospecting. Radio is a good option, but VCRs and digital video recorders give consumers "zap" power over television broadcast advertising options. And then there's print.
Print advertising and marketing options have traditionally been an effective means of soliciting new business for contractors. Print marketing can take the form of newspaper, direct mail, brochures, flyers, door hangers, billboards, and even your trucks. It offers you several advantages:
* It can be highly targeted

* You can turn it on or off at will

* It allows for the combination of emotional pull with logical reason.

In short, print marketing gives you the ability to sell!

Yet good print marketing is rare among contractors. That's being polite. In many cases, contractor print marketing is a train wreck. Fortunately, it can be improved.

Marketing can be learned. You don't necessarily need to become a marketing expert or a graphics designer, but you should know enough to recognize good marketing from bad marketing.

Improve your marketing and you'll build a more profitable service business. Here are 16 ways to make your print marketing stand out.

1 Figure out what you want to say before you say it.

Marketing is a conversation between you and your customer. Who do you want to talk with? What do you want to tell them? Make sure your point is clear.

2 Remember that people don't care about you.
Don't bore people with unnecessary information about your company. Talk about their needs, problems, and desires. Remember, consumers are ignorant about HVAC. They don't care about SEER. They're tuned into WII-FM (What's In It For Me) 24/7/365. They do care about lower utility bills or, better, extra cash to spend on other things they want.

3 Remember that you're not the buyer. You

don't necessarily think like the buyer. It doesn't matter if you like or dislike something. What matters is marketing that works, not whether you like it personally.

4 Pretend the customer is a teen.

If you have a teenager, you'll understand. Like teenagers, your customers have selective hearing, need repetition, think you're a little dense and out of touch, think you don't understand them, and act for their reasons - not yours. Customers, like teens, are narcissistic. To them, it's all about ME!

5 Concentrate on the headlines.

Five times as many people will read the headline as the copy. Great copy under a losing headline is doomed to go unread. The headline (and supporting graphic elements) must capture the reader's attention.

6 Write interesting copy,

Don't write stiff, formal copy when communicating with your customers. Lawyers write stiff, formal copy. Look what it has done for them. Instead, have a conversation. Write as though you were sending a letter to a close friend. Tell a story and engage the reader. Be interesting to create interest and stimulate desire.

7 Give people a reason to take action.

Homeowners delay replacing HVAC equipment beyond the date it should be inducted into a museum. They delay out of inertia and because no one gives them a reason to act. Tell them why they should act now.

8 Include soft offers to test media.

Marketing fails when you've got the wrong audience, timing, or offer. Including a soft offer (e.g., something free, or a can't lose no-brainer) helps you determine if you've got the right audience or media, but the wrong offer.

9 Write long copy.

While it's true that we live in a sound byte society, people will read long copy if it's well written and speaks to a recognized need or desire. Long copy gives you the ability to inform and educate, that is, to sell. Don't ask people to invest time into your marketing and then withhold the critical information they need.

10 Focus.

You might want everyone to know about everything you offer. Stop! People won't remember it all. If your spouse calls you in your car and asks you to pick up one or two items at the store on your way home, you might remember. If the list grows to five or six items, you're bound to forget something. It's worse with your marketing. Focus on a clear point you want people to remember.

11 Learn the rules of graphic design.

A touch of good graphic design can make a huge difference in the readability and effectiveness of your print media. This includes the design principles of contrast, repetition, association, and alignment. Print marketing should have a focal point that the entire layout is designed around.

12 Don't go overboard.

Just because you have 1,000 fonts and 10,000 colors on your computer doesn't mean you have to use them all. Limit yourself to two fonts for most print designs. Use color sparingly. Leave some white space.

13 Buy good lists.

Contact a list broker and spend extra for a better list. Free lists are nice, but when you're doing a mailing that costs you 37 cents each, you can end up spending a lot per lead if you only get a 1% response rate. Spend a few dollars to buy a better list that bumps your response rate to 2%, and your cost per lead drops significantly.

14 Start a swipe file.

Collect junk mail. Pick up brochures when you're in retail stores. Look for examples of good marketing and bad marketing. Grab whatever catches your eye. Swipe files help you generate ideas if you're designing your own marketing. They also help you communicate with a graphics designer if you're hiring someone else to create your marketing.

15 Look around.

Ideas are everywhere. Study the marketing of other service industries. List problems your customers have that you could solve. List the products and services you offer. Each is the potential subject of a marketing piece. Look at the calendar to see if there's an upcoming holiday or event you could tie into with a marketing piece. Run searches on the Internet. There's a wealth of information and idea sources available if you'll just look around.

16 Don't worry when someone gets upset.

Somewhere, sometime, someone is going to get upset with your marketing. This probably will not be someone who is a potential buyer. Don't worry about the people who won't buy. Gauge your marketing effectiveness by the people who do buy. You don't need to please everyone. Unless you're in a very small market, 5% to 10% of your market is enough to make you very wealthy.

Give us your feedback on this article at Paul@redriverhomeguide.com

SIDEBAR
Don't bore people with unnecessary information about your company.

Talk about THEIR NEEDS, PROBLEMS, AND DESIRES.
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Fargo Printer: Launching Your Business?

Some businesses make the mistake of trying to design their own logo, business card, or website. Or they have an amateur "throw together" something for them. This is actually a VERY costly mistake. Having a logo, stationery, brochures, and other marketing materials that look unprofessional and poorly designed creates a less-than-favorable impression in the minds of new prospects and can lose you potential business.

Hire a professional, design firm to develop your logo and marketing materials. Do it right from the beginning. Here are some specific reasons why having professionals design your marketing materials is an investment in the future of your business:

1. First Impressions Count: Your logo and marketing materials are the first impression people get of your company. People often make decisions about where they make purchases based on imagery. Your appearance helps sell your company and draw in new prospects!

2. Your Branding Sets You Apart: A well-designed identity will help to differentiate your business. Without a solid brand, your core-marketing message isn't being reinforced, you aren't memorable, and you also have a problem distinguishing your company from your competitors.

3. Your Materials Sell You: Anything your company puts out in front of prospects and customers must be of the highest quality. If your logo, website, business cards, and brochure aren't professional, why would prospects think your services are any better?

4. Professional Design Enhances Credibility: People want to purchase services or products from a company that appears established, secure, and reliable. Your business needs to look sound and trustworthy. Professional materials show that you care about quality and have attention to detail.

Well-designed, strategic marketing materials will reward you again and again by driving more customers to your company and helping you to make a great first impression. Professional, high-quality marketing tools will move your prospects closer to making a purchase.

And after all, you wouldn't show up to a professional networking event in pajamas ?? so, why would you dress your business in sloppy clothes?

HG AD Design

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Posted by: Fargo Print Media on 10/04/2007 at 4:49 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo ND Real Estate: Another Great Reason to Live in Fargo Moorhead

Fargo Media: ND foreclosures second lowest in nation

Fargo, ND - North Dakota had the second lowest foreclosure rate in the nation in october, according to RealtyTrac.com, which tracks foreclosures nationally and state by state.

In the first half of 2007, North Dakota had the third lowest foreclosure rate, slightly higher than South Dakota and Vermont.

Tim Karsky, commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions, which regulates state charter banks, credit unions and money brokers, among others, said there don't seem to be a lot of the troubled sub-prime mortgages out there.

"We know they're being made," he said. "We've got some companies that specialize in making loans and helping people make loans that have less than average credit."

But he said the real estate market is still healthy enough to help people get out of those loans if they need to.

And, unlike a few of the troubled states, the number of lenders in North Dakota continues to grow:As of Aug. 31, 404 lenders were licensed in North Dakota this year, compared to 394 last year, said Bob Entringer, assistant commissioner.

That's compared to 381 as of Aug. 31 in 2005.

"We have some of the companies that have taken bankruptcy and have surrendered their licenses," Karsky said. "There's still companies getting into the market. For some of them, they still see an opportunity to make loans."

Joe Sheehan, a mortgage broker with Heartland Mortgage Co., agreed with the assessment that North Dakota borrowers aren't in trouble.

He said the state has had a lot of responsible lenders taking borrowers' situations into account before handing out home loans.

"We never had the risky loans in our market," he said. "Probably the worst loans that anyone did was interest-only."

Which, in turn, bodes well for the real estate market.

"Analyzing national real estate activity is like asking for a national weather forecast; it will vary in different areas and parts of the country. Like the weather, real estate is local,"said John VanMiddlesworth, former president of the Bismarck-Mandan Board of Realtors, in a release. "Real estate continues to prove to be a smart investment, and interest rates are favorable for consumers. The real estate market here is good."

More Updates In Fargo Real Estate

Posted by: Fargo Print: Fargo real estate on 10/03/2007 at 6:06 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Real Estate

Fargo Print: Your Alternative to the Fargo Forum: Regional Economy Real Estate North Dakota

The Monthly Skim….

The jobless report that came back in late July was slightly lower at $301,000 below the expected $310,000 and that mixed with Ben Bernanke’s statement that inflation was leveling off helped push the bond market down slightly, which in turn brought the mortgage rates up. In the middle of May until the beginning of June we saw some of the largest rate increases we had seen in 3 years. The bond took a very large drop in a 24 hour period, plummeting 94 points sending rates up quite a bit. The 30 year rates are still attractive at 6.5% - 6.75% and that should stay steady for a while now.

Many celebrated on the 19th of July as the Dow Jones hit a record high going slightly over 14,000. The stock market making its rally back tends to pull some investors out of the bond market and weigh heavier into the stock market. This too will bring rates up slightly. There has not been any more talk about the prime interest rate taking any more hikes for quite some time, in fact there has been talk about it possibly going lower…we’ll have to wait and see what happens there.

We have been seeing the woe’s at the pump with gasoline above $3/gallon and oil prices hanging in high at $75+. Gold is still above $670 an ounce and holding.

There has been quite a bit of real estate activity in our area in the last 30 days which is a good sign for our area. Some of the lakes area homes have seen a slight decline in traffic, but values should hold. Some investors that bought up lake property 2 years ago and bought on the upswing, may have to wait it out for a while to capitalize on their investment.

It has been a pretty good year so far, we’ll keep an eye on some of the economists overall outlook on where our dollar will take us

Donovan Schumacher is president and owner of Valesco Mortgage. Schumacher Can be reached at dschumacher@valescomortgage.com or by calling

Fargo Business People

Posted by: Fargo Print: real estate on 10/03/2007 at 3:39 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo in Focus News: One Fargo company has knocked the marketing ball out of the park

Fargo ND, When it comes to local advertising and marketing, Jim Ingstad and his team at Radio Fargo-Moorhead receive all the advertising awards this year. Their commitment to localism and creative marketing has really made a big splash in this marketplace.

Many people assume that being surrounded by creative talent and control over the airwaves would produce top-notch marketing campaigns consistently, but this year’s offering from Radio Fargo-Moorhead goes down the in the books.

The media mix purchased by Radio Fargo-Moorhead only illustrates how media companies from time to time go outside their own mediums to run an effective marketing campaign.

As a marketing consulting of nearly twenty years, it has been very enjoyable watching Radio Fargo-Moorhead’s radio stations reach individual success within their demos.

I am talking about more than just their muppet-themed television commercial with a harmonic Sesame Street jingle. More than their flamboyant billboards with spinning beanies, bobbers and giant lolly pops.

It is the level of community involvement their staff is engaged in. I have heard countless mothers not only tell me about their child singing along to the jingle, but numerous quasi-tantrums were thrown when they forgot their Bob Tattoo at day care or couldn’t wait for a Dilly Bar. The air talent has been cultivating new listeners by popping by various activities dominated by soccer moms and children with BOB 95.1 tattoos and ice cream treats. What some may consider “guerrilla marketing” others call community involvement.

Rock 102 hit a home run when a woman from Buxton, ND publicly criticized their racy billboard in the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Of course when your advertisement is targeting men aged 18-34, and hits the front page of the newspaper due to its controversial nature, it is more like hitting a grand slam for a new rock station.

Even Y-94 created some buzz with the high school and college students by simply casting local dancers in their TV commercial. Sprint and Sprite have been using amateur talent for years with significant success.

When Ingstad’s crew at Radio Fargo-Moorhead announced they were going to put their best local foot forward, they meant it. Their marketing attack consisting of a healthy media buy, creative marketing and community involvement really hit on all cylinders. Even if you disagreed with any of the messages within the advertisements, you still can’t discount the fact each campaign hit a bullseye with their projected demographic.

The annual Crusader’s Sabin Street Dance is coming up and I couldn’t help but notice their portable sign on the outskrits of Sabin. At the bottom of the sign, they advertise “Cats and Dogs.” I might be a little out of touch as I near my 55th birthday, but are pets an acceptable guest at the street dance or is that the name of the headlining band? Knowing the Crusader’s, it is probably both.

Davis as been a resident of Fargo for 23 years and a marketing consultant for small to medium sized business for 17 years.

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Posted by: Fargo News Media on 10/03/2007 at 2:35 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo News Media: Regional Economy Slowed, But Not North Dakota

Fargo, ND - A new survey of business leaders indicates slower growth in nine Midwestern and Plains states, but not in
North Dakota.

Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss says businesses seem worried about the housing sector and the mortgage industry, though the region has been helped by strong farm income and ethanol production.

In September, the Business Conditions Index for the region improved to 56.7 from August`s 56.0. A score greater than 50 indicates growth.

North Dakota`s index rose to the highest level in the region, at 76.1 last month.

Goss says North Dakota`s economy is growing at a pace "significantly higher than the region and the nation."

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Posted by: Fargo real estate on 10/03/2007 at 2:30 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo News: your alternative to the fargo forum

Fargo, ND - The director of the state Data Center says Census Bureau figures show North Dakotans live fairly close to where they work.

The census report says North Dakotans averaged 15.5 minutes in commuting time last year. That was the shortest commute of all the states.

State Data Center Director Richard Rathge says it's also a factor in rural decline. He says that rather than increasing the commute time, people opt to move from rural areas.

The census report is based on a poll of American households, called the American Community Survey. The commute time represents the mean travel time for workers age 16 and older who did not work at home last year.

North Dakota and South Dakota traditionally have ranked among the states with the shortest commutes.

Fifty-two percent of the residents of Burleigh and Morton counties said their commute was less than 15 minutes. The Fargo area indicated a little longer travel time. About 48 percent said it took them less than 15 minutes.

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Posted by: Fargo Media on 10/03/2007 at 1:16 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo The Movie: guys at it again

Minneapolis, MN - Directors Joel and Ethan Coen have not made a movie in Minnesota since their 1996 Oscar-winning Fargo, but in March they plan to film A Serious Man, set in their hometown of St. Louis Park, a Minneapolis suburb.

The brothers helped scout locations this summer, said Lucinda Winter, executive director of the Minnesota Film and TV Board.
The film is about a Jewish college professor during the 1960s. According to the online entertainment journal FilmJerk.com, the main character is bedeviled by children who lift his wallet, a wife who wants a divorce, an intense grad student and a hot neighbor who sunbathes in the nude. With all of that, «he starts to question the value of life.

It is not autobiographical but is based on the Coen brothers' experiences, said Bob Graf, one of the film's executive producers.

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Posted by: Fargo Real Estate on 10/03/2007 at 1:08 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Real Estate: Helping Kids with the Move to Fargo Moorhead.

Fargo Media: Helping Kids with the Move to Fargo Moorhead.

Although relocating can be one of life's challenges, it is also an adventure. By guiding your child through this experience with knowledge and patience, the transition can be a piece of cake!

The home you are moving from may be the only one your child has ever known. There's a sense of familiarity there, not only with the house, but everything around it. The neighborhood friends, parks, and schools will no longer exist for them. That's why moving can be especially
troubling for children. But if parents understand what their child's concerns and needs are, a lot of distress can be avoided.

What are your kids concerned about?
· Preschool children tend to worry about being left behind or separated from their parents.
· Kids aged 6 to 12 can be concerned with how their daily routines will be affected.
· Teenagers are concerned primarily with fitting in and having their social life disrupted.

Ideas for easing their concerns include: Communicate with your child about what the new house will be like. Take them on a visit of the new home and neighborhood, but if you can't, take lots of pictures or videotape it to make them feel more comfortable with their future
surroundings.

Get information on the schools and childcare available in fargo moorhead. If you can, visit the school with your child and meet some of the teachers.
Try to get your child involved in the moving process. Have them pack some of their own special belongings and younger children can decorate the box with stickers and/or markers. Be sure to keep this "box of necessities" close at hand during the move.

Make plans together on how to decorate their room. You may want to leave their surroundings the same, but this could also be a great time for change. Maybe let them pick a color of paint for their new room or a new bed set.

Ask your child what some of the favorite things in their life now are and try to make those happen at the new house.

Most kids will have lots questions, so answer them in a positive way and be understanding of the fears they're facing. Focus on things for them to look forward to, like a first snow or their own room!

Starting over in a new place is never easy even in a great city like Fargo. If possible, find pen pals in the new location before you move so your child will have someone to interact with and learn about the area.

Contacting the Fargo Moorhead Chamber of Commerce for pamphlets on the area is another great way for your family to sit down together and visualize what the new town will be like Leaving friends behind may be one of the harder things your child has to do. Throw a going away party with their friends and take lots of pictures to make a nice scrapbook for them to look back on. Give them a stationary set or prestamped cards so they can stay in touch with friends too.

Just think, when you relieve the stress your children are feeling, you reduce your own stress and are able to focus more on other aspects of your move!

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Posted by: Fargo ND Real Estate on 10/03/2007 at 12:53 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink | Edit

Fargo Real Estate: Welcome to the Valley.... Renaissance Women

Record Number of women buying homes If you're a single woman in Fargo who wants to buy a house, the good news is the market is wide open for you. The stats from the Joint Center for Housing Studies say:
More than one in five home buyers is a single woman.
Twice as many unmarried women are buying homes than single men.
Single women make up more than one-third of the growth in real estate ownership since 1994.

Top Three Reasons Unmarried / Single Women Buy a Home
Strong desire to own her own home.
Need more space or want smaller home.
Relocate closer to job, school or family.

Real Women Who Buy Real Homes

Women home buyers come in all sizes, shapes and ages. They are divorced, never married, separated, widowed; some have children, others live with friends or partners and many live alone.

Trends for Single Women Home Buyers

*3 out of 4 women spend less than $200,000.

*Prefer 2 bedrooms or more.

*Less likely to choose new construction.

*Buy in city over suburban areas.

*Will compromise size & cost to get other amenities.

*Will not compromise on location or quality of neighborhood.

*Prefer condominiums over single family homes.

*Smaller spaces are acceptable.

*Desire security and / or gated access.

*Like to engage in social interaction with neighbors.

*Want close proximity to stores, shopping and fitness centers.

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