The holidays may be behind us, but many of the gifts we received this year will be just the beginning of a new hobby or pastime.  Whether it’s the history buff on your list who started a new collection of Civil War flags, or the sports fan who started decorating his basement with NFL pennants, it’s possible that the holidays were the start of a new trend.  Let’s face it; we all have someone on our list who is consistently hard to buy for, whether it’s a birthday gift, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day or Christmas.  Whatever the occasion, banners and flags are a wonderful way to surprise that special person.

Colorful and more exciting than a poster or print, banners and flags may seem more like an advertising gimmick for a favorite team, but every sports fan and hobbyist appreciates a gift that relates to their favorite things.   When you buy banners and flags for your loved ones, you don’t even need to leave the house to go shopping. They can all be purchased from the comfort of your computer desk or laptop, directly from FlagPro.com.

It’s amazing how much information can be gathered by simply doing a search on the Internet.  The other day I was trying to learn more about average click-through rates for digital advertising and email blasts, and I accidently ran into an article about promotional banners and flags.  Now, this wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but after scanning the first few paragraphs I learned something new.  Despite the growing trend toward digital advertising and behavioral targeting; there is nothing quite as effective for driving store traffic as a well-positioned promotional flags.

After reading this and finding a website called FlagPro.com, I also learned that most of these flags are much less expensive than your typical impression-based campaign.  People are creatures of habit, and we spend a lot more time online than we ever did.  As a result, it’s easy to ignore the ads that land on the right-hand rail of a web page, even if they are targeted to your individual needs.  On the flip side, a colorful three-dimensional banner that’s waving in the wind is difficult to ignore, especially if it points out a big sales event, new product offering or limited time offer.  Promotional banners and flags have a way of inviting you into a store that you may never have considered visiting, and they catch you while you are already out on the road.

As Christians look for books and devotionals that inspire and instruct them in their walk with Jesus Christ, the best way to do this is with a discipleship study.  But with so many discipleship books available, how do you know which one is best?  A great way to find out more about these books is to read the Discipleship Inside Out section at NavPress.com. NavPress is the publishing arm of the Colorado Springs ministry organizations known as The Navigators.  Also the publisher of many best-selling Christian books, many people remember them for the Discipleship Journal.

In case you’ve never heard of the Discipleship Journal (DJ), it is a well-known resource for all Christians, and highly regarded by ministry leaders.  DJ has been used as a discipleship study for decades, and many pastors have held onto dog-eared copies of this periodical for just as long.  As a result, NavPress is now selling a special hardbound sleeve that can store DJ archives on your bookshelf.  But for those who prefer a searchable digital format over paper, NavPress has recently released a CD-ROM archive that covers the first 25 years of Discipleship Journal.

If you ask a group of Pikes Peak realtors how the housing market will do this year, you will probably get a variety of answers.  That’s because, like many American towns, the Colorado Springs real estate market has recovered faster in some areas than in others.  But as we round the bend into a new year, analysts are taking another look at how the Colorado Springs real estate market is performing.

Are Pikes Peak realtors still looking at 2012 with as much optimism as they were in early 2011?  How has the market changed and which neighborhoods are moving houses the fastest?  Most of this information can be found in regular updates posted on the PPAR website (Pikes Peak Association of Realtors), but the best way to stay on top of the real estate trends is to work with a qualified and experienced agent.

The holidays are almost here and it’s time to start crossing items off of your to-do list, but that’s not always easy when you don’t know what to buy people.  If you haven’t found the perfect gift for that “hard to buy for” person, then why not consider some themed banners and flags?  These might not seem like a holiday gift item, but that depends on where you shop.  Online flag stores sell some of the most unique and sought-after flags to be found anywhere.

 

Consider this the next time you drive around your immediate area; in just one 15 minute trip you will probably see several different types of banners and flags.  Some will be in the front garden of your neighbor’s house, while others are a flying from flag poles in front of businesses.  Still others are going to be on cars, front porches, shop windows and street corners.  But most of these banners and flags are for commercial use, so maybe you’re not seeing the “gift” in this yet.

If you are searching in the self-help section of your local bookstore for books on spiritual growth, you may be looking in the wrong place.  Many women are finding that the average self-help book has an impact on their lives for a month or two, but then they gradually go back to their old ways.  The only lasting method of self improvement comes from within, and through relationship with Jesus Christ.  Many of the bestselling books at NavPress.com fall into the category of Bible study books for women.

When women think of a Bible study book, they often confuse it with a devotional book, but these topical Bible study books are more aligned with personal spiritual growth.  Books like Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow, or Becoming a Woman of Influence by Cynthia Heald are designed to mirror many of the popular self-help topics of this generation – anxiety and self-actualization.  However, they address these issues through the lens of scripture.

If you have just visited the Pikes Peak for the first time, you may already be considering a possible move to the area.  Visitors fall in love with the breathtaking beauty and excellent quality of life that comes with buying a home in Colorado Springs.  Don’t let the sluggish economy and less-than-spectacular housing market keep you from buying a home in the Pikes Peak region.  Just stay on top of market trends and you will be much more comfortable with the direction of this vibrant region.

According to the October reports from the Pikes Peak realtor association, sales were up by just over 20 percent this past month when compared with the same period in 2010.  One reason for this is the number of homeowners who remain on the sidelines, waiting it out.  However, according to the majority of Colorado Springs realtors, many believe that recovery is already underway in Colorado Springs.

Let’s face it; life is busy.  That’s why so many Bible study leaders have trouble keeping up with the demands of running a weekly Sunday school class or group study.  Without the right Bible study courses, it can almost be overwhelming.  Many leaders wait until the last minute to plan out their weekly topic of study, but a fruitful study of God’s Word requires a more disciplined approach.  If you want Bible study courses that will empower, engage and equip a group of believers in their journey of faith, then you should check out the excellent resources at NavPress.

As the online home of the Navigators, an international Christian ministry with a desire to help others grow in Christ as they “navigate” through life, NavPress offers numerous Bible study courses for Christian ministry leaders.  As a community of everyday people with a desire to help others for God’s glory, the Navigators published books by many well known Christian authors.  On NavPress.com, the publisher makes Bible study courses available for purchase, as well as many free discipleship resources for ministry leaders.

It may be hard to believe, but the best flag stores really are online.  When was the last time you walked into a nearby home store and found a vast collection of flags from around the world? Think about it; if you want a great selection of flags from college or professional sports teams, they aren’t available in your local sporting goods store.  Even the American flag can be hard to find unless you shop at flag stores online.

Why the migration to online flag stores from traditional retailers?  One reason is the ease or ordering.  As more companies start to use promotional flags as an alternative form of advertising, the need for quick online ordering became increasingly apparent.  It didn’t take long before flag stores started catering to the promotional and trade show markets and selling a combination of traditional and corporate flags.

Whether you realize it or not, the average person sees dozens of flags and banners every day.  From the flags promoting a sidewalk sale to those decorating a used car lot, promotional flags are everywhere.  Add to that the numerous American flags flown over schools, public buildings, and of course car dealerships.  Now, add to that the recent influx of sports flags from college and professional football, baseball, basketball and hockey teams, and you can see why flag stores are cropping up everywhere online.

Have you ever wondered how some people always find the best deals on new homes?  One of their best “tricks” is the MLS free listings.  There is no doubt that today’s real estate shoppers have a larger selection of homes to choose from than ever before, but if you have been looking at a specific neighborhood you may need to use the MLS free listings in a different way.  Learning how to use this service to your advantage plays an important role in helping you find a specific type of home before anyone else does.  But if you’re not checking the listings daily, you could be missing out on some golden opportunities.

How can a realtor help you use MLS free listings to your advantage?

Working with a realtor who knows the neighborhoods in Colorado Springs and how to query the MLS listings regularly on your behalf can be a great benefit to you as a buyer.  This is even more helpful when you are unfamiliar with the area or are moving here from a distance.  For example, an agent at Action Team Realty in Colorado Springs can stay on top of the MLS free listings and keep you up to speed on any new listings that meet your criteria.  These listings can be shared with you automatically by the realtor so you are able to look at them as soon as they are listed.  With an experienced agent working on finding you a home, you can focus on your family and your job.