TeaCast - Tea beverage, culture, health, and business

Do you want to start selling tea on the internet? We quickly review a checklist of items you will need to get going. No prior experience required, just the motivation and determination to learn. In the second half of the show, we will discuss the most insightful, practical part of e-commerce - Search Engine Optimization. Max Thomas, Founder, Thunder Internet Marketing (www.thunderinternetmarketing.com). Mr. Thomas will describe strategies for improving your search engine ranking. This includes SEO, keyword strategies, link strategies and website analytics.

Victoria, British Columbia is home to one of the society's most beloved traditions - Afternoon Tea. Our special guest this week is, Rob Anderson, Afternoon Tea Manager, Fairmont Empress. Overlooking Victoria's sparkling Inner Harbor in the stately Afternoon Tea Lobby or under the hand-painted ceiling of the Library, Afternoon Tea is an absolute 'must do' for all who visit Victoria. Come with us for a virtual tour of this majestic tea room that has entertained and delighted hotel guests and international visitors for nearly a century. More information on Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress can be found at http://www.fairmont.com/empress/GuestServices/Restaurants/AfternoonTea.htm

We'll discuss green tea--the leaf and the beverage -- as well as some prominent varieties. Call with your questions or share your stories of how you prepare and enjoy green tea.

Tea and its cultural traditions are often viewed as a foundation for communication among friends and acquaintances. But how has the dynamics of how we interact changed with the emergence of social networking resources, such as Twitter, MySpace and Facebook? And what impact might this be having on a younger generation that may use these resources as a primary means of daily communication. This is sure to be our most lively exchange yet! Please join us.

SPECIAL GUEST - Monty Dickinson, President, SCORE - San Diego Chapter. SCORE is a national association of active and retired businesspeople who volunteer to share their expertise with small businesses and new startups. Mr. Dickinson will guide us through the range of services you can find at SCORE and how you can benefit from networking with other experienced business professionals. Time permitting, we will also examine the first step in starting a business - namely, we will focus on the profile of the entrepreneur and see if we can outline some key positive characteristics that many successful entrepreneurs share. Ideas and discussion will likely be of interest to anyone starting a business. Whether you are a new business owner or navigating your existing business through difficult times, this is a show you won't want to miss!

Want to learn how to properly prepare a cup of tea? Tune in and learn the basics of water quality, temperature, time for preparing tea. We will discuss everything you need to get started making tea at home, at the office, or even for the road! Live tea tasting: chinese oolong Live herbal tasting: jasmine

Without giving it much thought, many of us understand tea to be a beverage - just water and leaves. To others, it's a way of life. We kick off our premier blogtalkradio.com broadcast with an invitation for you to tell us what makes a cup of tea so enjoyable? How might you prepare tea for yourself and to entertain your guests? What are your favorite memories while enjoying a cup? We can make the world a little closer - one cup at a time! Live tea tasting: Darjeeling Seeyok Live herb tasting: Peppermint