What is TikTok

tiktokIs TikTok safe to use?

As of my last update in December 2022, TikTok has become a popular social media platform, but there were concerns about its safety and privacy practices. Here are some factors to consider:

  1. Privacy Concerns: TikTok collects a significant amount of user data, including location information, device information, and browsing history. This raised concerns about how this data was being used and shared.
  2. Data Security: There were reports of vulnerabilities and potential security risks in the TikTok app, which could expose user data to potential breaches or unauthorized access.
  3. Content Exposure: The nature of TikTok, being a video-sharing platform, means that users can potentially share personal information unintentionally or expose themselves to cyber bullying and online harassment.
  4. Age Restrictions: TikTok has a minimum age requirement, but enforcing it can be challenging. Younger users might be exposed to content that’s not suitable for their age.
  5. Inappropriate Content: Like any social media platform, TikTok can host a range of content, including inappropriate or explicit material. The platform does have some content moderation measures in place, but they might not catch everything.
  6. User Experience: The addictive nature of TikTok might lead to excessive screen time, which can have implications for mental health and productivity.

creative challengeTo determine if TikTok is safe for you to use, consider the following steps:

  1. Review Privacy Settings: Take a look at the app’s privacy settings and customize them to your comfort level. Limit the amount of personal information you share on the platform.
  2. Check Permissions: Be cautious about granting permissions to access your camera, microphone, and location. Only provide these permissions when necessary.
  3. Understand Content: Familiarize yourself with the types of content shared on TikTok and be mindful of what you engage with.
  4. Monitor Usage: Keep track of your usage time on the app and ensure it doesn’t interfere with your daily responsibilities or well-being.
  5. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest privacy and security concerns related to TikTok and other social media platforms.
  6. Talk to Young Users: If you’re a parent or guardian of a young user, have an open conversation about the potential risks and responsible usage of TikTok.

Remember that the safety of any online platform can evolve over time, and it’s important to stay updated on current trends and news related to TikTok’s safety measures and practices.

What age group uses TikTok the most?

TikTok was most popular among younger age groups, particularly teenagers and young adults. The platform gained significant traction among users in their teens and early twenties. However, this popularity might have continued to evolve since then.

TikTok’s user base varies by region and demographic factors, but it generally appeals to:

  1. Teenagers: TikTok became especially popular among teenagers, offering them a platform for creative expression and entertainment.
  2. Young Adults: Users in their early twenties also make up a substantial portion of TikTok’s user base. Many college students and young professionals use the app.
  3. Younger Users: There are also users below the age of 13 on TikTok, although the platform’s terms of service officially require users to be at least 13 years old.

It’s worth noting that the age distribution on social media platforms can change over time, and newer data might provide more accurate insights into the current demographics of TikTok users. If you’re interested in the most up-to-date information, I recommend checking recent surveys or studies about TikTok’s user demographics.

What is the biggest use of tiktok?

TikTok is primarily used as a short-form video-sharing platform where users can create, share, and discover videos set to music. The biggest use of TikTok is for entertainment and creative expression. Here are some of the main ways in which people use TikTok:

  1. Video Creation: Users create short videos, typically ranging from 15 seconds to 3 minutes, often set to music. These videos can showcase a wide range of content, including lip-syncing, dancing, comedy skits, tutorials, challenges, and more.
  2. Entertainment: TikTok is a hub for discovering entertaining and engaging content. Users scroll through their “For You” page to watch videos from a diverse range of creators, exploring trending challenges, memes, and creative ideas.
  3. Trends and Challenges: TikTok is known for viral challenges and trends that spread rapidly throughout the platform. Users participate in these challenges by creating their own videos that adhere to a specific theme or concept.
  4. Music Discovery: Many songs become popular on TikTok due to their use in viral videos. This has led to increased exposure for artists and has even influenced music charts and streaming platforms.
  5. Creativity and Artistic Expression: TikTok provides a platform for users to express their creativity through visual storytelling, video editing, and innovative ideas.
  6. Personal Branding: Some users use TikTok as a way to build their personal brand and gain a following. This has led to the rise of social media influencers and content creators on the platform.
  7. Educational Content: TikTok is also used to share informative and educational content. Users create videos that teach various skills, provide tips, or share knowledge on a wide range of subjects.
  8. Social Interaction: TikTok has a strong sense of community, with users engaging through comments, likes, shares, and duets (videos that are created in response to another user’s video). It can serve as a way for people to connect and interact with others who share similar interests.
  9. Business and Marketing: Brands and businesses have also started using TikTok as a marketing platform to reach younger audiences and promote their products or services.

The way people use TikTok can vary widely based on their interests, age, and cultural context. The platform’s dynamic nature and ability to quickly spread content have contributed to its popularity as a space for entertainment and creativity.

looking-at-phoneDoes TikTok save your data?

Yes, TikTok collects and saves user data. Like many other social media platforms, TikTok gathers various types of data from its users. This data can include:

  1. User Profile Information: This includes the information you provide when you create an account, such as your username, profile picture, and bio.
  2. Usage Data: TikTok collects information about how you interact with the app, such as the videos you watch, the accounts you follow, the likes and comments you make, and the hashtags you use.
  3. Device Information: The app collects data about your device, including its type, operating system, unique device identifiers, and other technical information.
  4. Location Data: If you allow TikTok to access your location, the app can collect information about your precise or general location.
  5. Contact Information: If you grant permission, TikTok can access your phone’s contact list, which helps the app suggest friends to follow.
  6. Metadata: This includes information about the videos you upload, such as the time and date of the video, the location where it was recorded, and the captions and hashtags you include.

It’s important to note that TikTok has faced scrutiny and criticism regarding its data privacy practices. Concerns have been raised about how the collected data is used, shared, and potentially accessed by third parties. TikTok’s ownership by a Chinese company, ByteDance, has also led to concerns about potential connections to the Chinese government and data security.

To address some of these concerns, TikTok has taken steps to enhance transparency and privacy for its users. For instance, they’ve introduced features that allow users to control who can comment on their videos, who can duet with them, and more. They’ve also published guidelines on how they handle user data and have set up a Trust and Safety Hub to provide more information about their safety and security practices.

However, it’s always a good practice to review an app’s privacy policy and settings to understand how your data is being used and take appropriate steps to protect your privacy online.

Can anyone use TikTok?

TikTok has age restrictions in place, and its terms of service officially require users to be at least 13 years old to create an account and use the platform. However, like with many online platforms, enforcing these age restrictions can be challenging.

TikTok offers a separate app called “TikTok for Younger Users” that is designed for users under the age of 13. This version provides a more limited experience and additional privacy protections to comply with child online privacy laws, such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the United States.

It’s important to note that while TikTok has these age restrictions, some younger users might still find ways to access the platform by providing false information about their age. Parents and guardians are encouraged to have conversations with their children about online safety and responsible internet usage, especially when it comes to social media platforms like TikTok.

 

Different ways to generate passive income

Different ways to generate passive income, you can consider the following methods:

Rental income: Rent out a property you own, such as a house, apartment, or office space.

Rental income 2Rental income refers to the money earned from renting out a property or any other asset that you own. It typically applies to residential or commercial real estate properties, but it can also include income from renting out other assets like vehicles or equipment. The rental income is generated when a tenant pays you regular payments, usually every month, in exchange for the right to use and occupy the property or asset. This income can be an important source of passive income for many individuals and can contribute to their overall financial stability.

  • Dividend income: Invest in stocks that pay regular dividends to shareholders. This requires investing in dividend-paying companies.

Dividend income refers to the portion of earnings distributed by a corporation to its shareholders. When a company makes a profit, it can choose to reinvest the earnings back into the business or distribute a portion of it to its shareholders in the form of dividends. These dividends can be paid in cash or additional shares of the company’s stock. Dividend income can provide a steady stream of passive income for investors who own dividend-paying stocks or funds.

Peer-to-peer lending: Platforms exist where you can lend money to individuals or businesses and earn interest on those loans.

Peer-to-peer lending, also known as P2P lending or marketplace lending, is a form of lending where individuals or businesses can borrow money directly from other individuals or investors, bypassing traditional financial institutions such as banks. P2P lending platforms connect borrowers with lenders, allowing borrowers to access funding and lenders to earn returns on their investments.

  • Here’s how it generally works: borrowers apply for a loan on a P2P lending platform, providing necessary information such as loan amount, purpose, and repayment terms.

Lenders then assess the borrower’s creditworthiness and decide whether to fund the loan based on factors like credit history, income, and risk appetite. Successful loans are funded by multiple lenders, often in small increments, spreading the risk among various investors. Once the loan is funded, borrowers make regular repayments, which include principal and interest, back to the lenders.

P2P lending offers benefits to both borrowers and lenders. Borrowers may find it easier to access loans, especially if they have limited credit history or face challenges getting approved by traditional lenders.

 They may also benefit from potentially lower interest rates compared to conventional sources. On the other hand, lenders have the opportunity to diversify their investment portfolios and earn potentially higher returns compared to traditional savings or investment options.

  • It’s important to note that P2P lending carries risks. Borrowers should carefully consider their ability to repay the loan, and lenders should assess the creditworthiness of borrowers before investing. Additionally, P2P lending platforms generally charge fees, and there is always a risk of default or late payments.

Peer-to-peer lending, or P2P lending, does carry risks. While it can provide investment opportunities and access to funding for borrowers, there are certain risks involved. Some of the key risks associated with P2P lending include:

  • Default Risk: Borrowers may default on their loans, leading to potential losses for lenders.
  • Lack of Regulation: P2P lending platforms may not be as strictly regulated as traditional financial institutions, which can increase the risk of fraud or unethical practices.
  • Platform Risk: There is a risk that the P2P lending platform itself may fail or face financial difficulties, which can impact the lenders and borrowers.
  • Illiquidity: Unlike traditional investments, P2P loans are often not easily tradable or have limited secondary markets, making it difficult to exit the investment early if needed.
  • Economic and Market Risks: P2P lending can be influenced by economic and market conditions. Downturns in the economy or a decline in the creditworthiness of borrowers can increase the risk of defaults.

It’s essential for individuals to carefully consider these risks, conduct thorough research, and diversify their investments when participating in P2P lending.

  • Creating and selling digital products: Develop digital products like e-books, online courses, or software that can be sold repeatedly without much extra effort.

Various popular types of digital products can be created and sold.

Some examples include:

  • eBooks: These are electronic books that can be written on a wide range of topics and sold online.
  • Online courses: Digital courses provide instruction and knowledge on specific subjects and can be delivered through videos, lectures, or interactive modules.
  • Stock photos and videos: Photographers and videographers can sell their high-quality visual content for others to use in their projects.
  • Software and mobile apps: Creating useful software programs or mobile applications can be a lucrative digital product.
  • Graphic design templates: Designers can create templates for websites, social media posts, logos, and more, which can be sold to businesses or individuals.
  • Music, audio, and sound effects: Musicians and sound engineers can create original music tracks, audio recordings, or sound effects for use in various media projects.
  • Web design themes and templates: Designing and selling website or blog themes/templates for popular content management systems like WordPress or Shopify.
  •  Virtual art and assets: Digital artists can create and sell digital art, illustrations, 3D models, or virtual assets for use in

digital marketplaceIn the digital marketplace, virtual art and assets are typically bought and sold using various methods, depending on the platform and the type of asset.

Here are some common ways:

  1. Direct Transactions: Buyers and sellers can engage in direct transactions using peer-to-peer platforms or marketplaces. They negotiate the price and terms directly with each other. Once an agreement is reached, the buyer typically sends payment, and the seller transfers the ownership rights or provides access to the virtual art or asset.
  2. Auctions: Virtual art and assets can also be sold through online auctions where potential buyers place bids and the highest bidder wins the item. Auction platforms facilitate the bidding process, and the seller sets a starting price and duration for the auction.
  3. NFT Marketplaces: Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) have gained popularity for selling virtual art and assets. NFTs are unique digital tokens that represent ownership or proof of authenticity of a particular item. They are typically bought and sold on specific NFT marketplaces, where buyers can make offers or purchase NFTs at a set price.
  4. Third-Party Platforms: Some platforms specialize in selling virtual assets for specific purposes like gaming or virtual reality. These platforms often have their own in-app or in-game currencies that facilitate buying and selling of assets within their ecosystem.

When buying or selling virtual art and assets, it’s important to research the marketplace, understands the terms of ownership, and ensure the authenticity and legitimacy of the transaction.

Different ways to generate passive incomeDigital marketing services: Offering digital marketing services like SEO consulting, social media management, or content creation can also be sold as digital products.

Digital marketing services refer to the various strategies and techniques used to promote products, services, or brands using digital channels. These services typically include:

  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimizing websites to improve their visibility and rankings on search engine result pages.
  • Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising: Running paid online advertising campaigns on platforms like Google Ads, Bing Ads, or social media channels to drive targeted traffic and conversions.
  • Social Media Marketing: Utilizing social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to engage with the target audience, increase brand awareness, and drive website traffic.
  • Content Marketing: Creating and distributing valuable and relevant content in various formats (blogs, articles, videos, infographics) to attract and engage a specific target audience.
  • Email Marketing: Sending targeted email campaigns to nurture leads, promote products/services, build customer relationships, and increase conversions.
  • Influencer Marketing: Collaborating with influential individuals, bloggers, or social media personalities to endorse products/services and reach a wider audience.
  • Online Reputation Management (ORM): Managing and monitoring a brand’s online reputation by tracking customer reviews, mentions, and feedback on various platforms and addressing any negative sentiment.
  • Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): Improving website design, user experience, and content to optimize conversions and increase the percentage of website visitors who take desired actions.
  • Mobile Marketing: Optimizing marketing strategies for mobile devices, including mobile-friendly websites, mobile apps, SMS marketing, and location-based marketing.
  • Analytics and Reporting: Utilizing data analytics tools to track, measure, and analyze the effectiveness of digital marketing campaigns, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.

Digital marketing services are tailored based on business goals, target audience, industry, and budget to achieve maximum reach, engagement, and conversions in the online space.

These are just a few examples, and the possibilities for creating and selling digital products are vast. It ultimately depends on your skills, interests, and target audience.

Rental incomeAffiliate marketing: Promote products or services offered by others and earn a commission for each successful sale or referral.

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing strategy where individuals or businesses promote products or services for a commission on each sale they generate. It involves three main parties: the merchant (seller or advertiser), the affiliate (promoter or publisher), and the consumer.

In affiliate marketing, affiliates promote the merchant’s products or services through various channels such as websites, blogs, social media, email marketing, or paid advertising. They use unique affiliate links or codes that track the referrals they bring to the merchant’s website. When a consumer purchases through the affiliate’s link, the affiliate earns a commission on that sale.

Affiliate marketing is a popular method of earning passive income for many individuals, as it allows them to monetize their online presence or marketing skills. It benefits merchants by expanding their reach and boosting sales without incurring upfront marketing costs. Meanwhile, consumers can discover products or services through affiliates they trust or relate to.

  • Royalties from creative work: If you are an artist, writer, musician, or photographer, you can earn passive income through royalties when your work is used or sold.

Royalties are payments made to the original creator or copyright holder of a creative work for the ongoing use or distribution of that work. They are a form of compensation for the intellectual property rights associated with the creative work. Royalties can be earned from various sources such as books, music, films, patents, trademarks, and more.

In the context of creative work, royalties are typically earned by creators such as authors, musicians, filmmakers, and other artists. These royalties are often paid based on factors like the sales, usage, or performance of the work. For example, authors receive book royalties based on the number of books sold, musicians earn royalties from their songs being streamed or downloaded, and filmmakers receive royalties from their films being shown in theaters or distributed through other channels.

The payment of royalties ensures that creators continue to benefit financially from their work, even after the initial creation or sale. It helps protect their rights and encourages them to create more original content. The specific terms and conditions of royalty agreements can vary, but they generally provide a fair compensation mechanism for creative work in various industries.

  • Real estate crowdfunding: Invest in real estate projects through crowdfunding platforms, allowing you to a Real estate crowdfunding is a type of investment model that allows multiple individuals to pool their funds together online to invest in real estate projects. It utilizes crowdfunding platforms to connect investors with real estate developers or property owners who are seeking funding for their projects. This model allows investors to participate in real estate investments with smaller amounts of money compared to traditional methods of real estate investing. It also provides access to a wider range of investment opportunities, as investors can choose from various property types, locations, and investment strategies.
  • High-yield savings accounts or bonds: By saving money in high-yield savings accounts or investing in bonds, you can receive interest income regularly. 

When it comes to choosing between high-yield savings accounts and bonds, there are a few factors to consider.

High-yield savings accounts: These are typically offered by banks and financial institutions and offer higher interest rates compared to traditional savings accounts. They are considered low-risk investments, as they are insured by the FDIC (up to $250,000 per depositor). High-yield savings accounts provide easy access to your funds and can be a good option for short-term savings goals or as an emergency fund. However, the interest rates may fluctuate over time, and inflation could erode the real return on your investment.Dividend income

Bonds: Bonds are debt instruments issued by governments, municipalities, or corporations to raise capital. When you invest in a bond, you are essentially lending money to the issuer in exchange for regular interest payments (coupon payments) and the return of the principal amount at maturity. Bonds offer a fixed income stream and are available in various types, such as government bonds, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, etc. They typically have a longer investment horizon and can provide relatively stable returns. However, bonds carry some level of risk, including interest rate risk and credit risk.

The choice between high-yield savings accounts and bonds depends on your investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. High-yield savings accounts are suitable for short-term savings or funds you may need quick access to, while bonds can be considered for longer-term investments that offer a fixed income stream. It’s always a good idea to diversify your portfolio by considering both options or seeking guidance from a financial advisor to align your investments with your specific financial situation.

Remember, generating passive income often requires initial effort, time, and sometimes capital, depending on the method chosen. It’s essential to do thorough research and consider your financial goals and risk tolerance before pursuing any passive income streams.

 

Unleashing the Power of Self-Motivation

Introduction

Unleashing the Power of Self Motivation 6Unleashing the Power of Self-Motivation requires Self-motivation and is a powerful tool that can propel us toward achieving our goals and aspirations. It is the driving force that keeps us going, even in the face of adversity. This article explores the concept of self-motivation, its importance, and practical strategies to enhance it.

Understanding Self-Motivation

Self-motivation is an intrinsic drive to pursue our goals and ambitions without external influence. It is the inner strength that pushes us to take action and make progress, even when things get tough. It is the fuel that powers our journey toward success, irrespective of the obstacles we encounter.

The Importance of Self-Motivation

Self Esteem is crucial for several reasons. It fosters resilience, enabling us to bounce back from setbacks and keep going. It enhances productivity and efficiency, as motivated individuals are more likely to take initiative and perform tasks effectively. Moreover, self-motivation promotes personal growth and development, as it encourages continuous learning and improvement.

Strategies to Enhance Self-Motivation

  1. Set Clear Goals: Having clear, specific, and achievable goals provides a sense of direction. It gives us something to strive for and keeps us focused. Write down your goals and revisit them regularly to keep your motivation levels high.
  2. Break Down Tasks: Large tasks can seem overwhelming and may dampen your motivation. Break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes the process less daunting and provides a sense of accomplishment as you complete each task.
  3. Maintain a Positive Attitude: A positive mindset can significantly influence your motivation levels. Cultivate a positive attitude by focusing on your strengths, celebrating your achievements, and maintaining a gratitude journal.
  4. Practice Self-Care: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep can boost your energy levels and enhance your mood, thereby improving your motivation. Additionally, engage in activities you enjoy relieving stress and maintain a balanced lifestyle.
  5. Surround Yourself with Positivity: The people and environment around you can significantly impact your motivation. Surround yourself with positive, supportive individuals who inspire and encourage you. Also, create a conducive environment that promotes focus and productivity.
  6. Embrace Challenges: View challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. They provide valuable learning experiences and enhance your problem-solving skills, thereby boosting your confidence and motivation.
  7. Practice Self-Reflection: Regular self-reflection helps you understand your motivations, strengths, and areas for improvement. It provides insights into your progress toward your goals and helps you make necessary adjustments to stay on track.
  8. Stay Committed: Commitment is key to maintaining motivation. Stay committed to your goals, even when faced with difficulties. Remember why you started and how far you’ve come and use this as motivation to keep going.
  9. Reward Yourself: Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Rewards provide positive reinforcement, boost your morale, and motivate you to continue working towards your goals.
  10. Seek Continuous Learning: Embrace a growth mindset and seek continuous learning. This not only enhances your skills and knowledge but also keeps you motivated and engaged.

Does self-motivation work for anyone?

Yes, self-motivation can work for anyone. It’s a universal concept that applies to all individuals, regardless of their age, profession, or background. However, techniques for self-motivation and the effectiveness of self-motivation can vary from person to person, as it largely depends on one’s mindset, attitude, and willingness to take action!

Unleashing the Power of Self Motivation 3Self-motivation is not a trait that people either have or don’t have. It’s a skill that can be developed and strengthened over time. It requires practice, patience, and persistence. Some people might naturally be more self-motivated than others, but everyone can improve their self-motivation.  

It’s also important to note that self-motivation is not a one-size-fits-all concept. What motivates one person might not motivate another. Therefore, each individual must understand what drives them, set personal goals that align with their values and aspirations, and develop a personal strategy for maintaining motivation.

Starting on the path of self-motivation involves a few key steps:

Set Clear Goals: The first step towards self-motivation is to set clear, specific, and achievable goals. These goals should be something you genuinely want to achieve, not something you think you should do or what others expect of you.

They should be “SMART”: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Identify You’re ‘Why’: Understanding why you want to achieve your goals is crucial. This ‘why’ is the reason behind your goals and will serve as a powerful motivator when you face challenges or setbacks.

Develop a Positive Mindset: Cultivate positive techniques for a self-motivation mindset. Believe in your abilities and maintain a positive attitude towards your goals and the journey to achieve them. This mindset will help you overcome obstacles and keep you motivated.

Create a Plan: Once you have clear goals and a strong ‘why’, create a plan to achieve them. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable tasks and set a timeline for each. This will make the process less overwhelming and more manageable.

Take Action: Start working on your plan. Take small steps towards your goals every day. Remember, progress, no matter how small, is still progress.

Celebrate Small Wins: Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. This will boost your confidence and motivation.

Stay Consistent: Consistency is key in the journey of self-motivation. Stay committed to your goals and keep working towards them, even when things get tough.

Practice Self-Care: Don’t forget to take care of your physical and mental health. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and relaxation techniques can help maintain your energy levels and keep you motivated.

 Remember, self-motivation is a journey, not a destination. It requires continuous effort and commitment. But with the right mindset and strategies, you can enhance your self-motivation and achieve your goals.

 Conclusion

Self-motivation is the key to success and a vital ingredient for success. It is the inner spark that ignites our passion and drives us towards our goals. By implementing the strategies outlined above, you can enhance your self-motivation and set yourself on the path to success. Remember, the journey towards achieving your goals is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay patient, stay motivated, and self-motivation is my strength keep moving forward.

Unleashing the Power of Self Motivation 4

 

The iPhone 15: The Future of Smartphones

iphone-15“Experience the Future of Smartphones with the New iPhone 15!”

Introduction

The new iPhone 15 is the latest flagship device from Apple, and it’s packed with features that make it one of the most advanced smartphones on the market. It has a sleek design, powerful processor, and a range of features that make it a great choice for anyone looking for a top-of-the-line device. The iPhone 15 also has a range of new features, such as an improved camera, longer battery life, and improved security. With its impressive specs and features, the iPhone 15 is sure to be a hit with users.

What to Expect from the New iPhone 15’s Camera Features

The upcoming iPhone 15 is expected to feature a range of advanced camera features that will revolutionize the way users take photos and videos. With the latest A15 Bionic chip, the iPhone 15 will be able to capture stunning images and videos with improved clarity and detail.

The iPhone 15 will feature a triple-lens camera system, with a 12MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. This will allow users to capture a variety of perspectives and angles, and will also enable them to zoom in and out with ease. Additionally, the iPhone 15 will feature a new Night Mode feature, which will allow users to take photos in low-light conditions without sacrificing image quality.

The iPhone 15 will also feature a new ProRAW format, which will allow users to capture photos in a RAW format that can be edited in post-production. This will give users more control over their images, allowing them to adjust the exposure, color, and other settings to create the perfect shot.

Finally, the iPhone 15 will feature an improved Portrait Mode, which will allow users to take stunning portrait shots with improved depth and clarity. The iPhone 15 will also feature a new Depth Control feature, which will allow users to adjust the depth of field in their photos.

Overall, the iPhone 15 is expected to feature a range of advanced camera features that will revolutionize the way users take photos and videos. With its triple-lens camera system, Night Mode, ProRAW format, and improved Portrait Mode, the iPhone 15 will be the perfect device for capturing stunning images and videos.

How the New iPhone 15 Will Change the Smartphone Industry

The introduction of the new iPhone 15 is set to revolutionize the smartphone industry. Apple has long been a leader in the industry, and the new iPhone 15 is sure to take the company to the next level. With its cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and powerful features, the iPhone 15 is poised to be the most advanced smartphone on the market.

iphone

The iPhone 15 will feature a 5G network, allowing users to access the internet at speeds up to 10 times faster than current 4G networks. This will enable users to stream movies, download large files, and browse the web with ease. The phone will also feature a powerful A14 processor, which will provide users with a smooth and responsive experience.

The iPhone 15 will also feature a new OLED display, which will provide users with a brighter and more vibrant viewing experience. The phone will also feature a larger battery, allowing users to use their device for longer periods of time without needing to recharge.

The iPhone 15 will also feature a new facial recognition system, allowing users to unlock their device with just a glance. This will provide users with an added layer of security, as well as convenience.

Finally, the iPhone 15 will feature a new augmented reality (AR) feature, allowing users to interact with their environment in a more immersive way. This will allow users to play games, explore virtual worlds, and more.

The iPhone 15 is sure to be a game-changer in the smartphone industry. With its cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and powerful features, the iPhone 15 is sure to revolutionize the way we use our devices.

Exploring the New iPhone 15’s Innovative Design Features

The new iPhone 15 is set to revolutionize the smartphone industry with its innovative design features. This latest model from Apple is packed with cutting-edge technology that will make it the most advanced device on the market.

The iPhone 15 features a sleek, modern design that is sure to turn heads. Its all-glass body is made from a special type of glass that is both durable and lightweight. The device is also water-resistant, making it ideal for use in any environment.

The iPhone 15 Pro model has a larger display than its predecessors, with a 5.8-inch OLED screen that offers a stunning visual experience. The device also features an improved camera system, with a triple-lens rear camera and a 12-megapixel front-facing camera. This allows users to take stunning photos and videos with ease.

The iPhone 15 also features a powerful A14 Bionic processor, which is the fastest chip ever used in a smartphone. This allows the device to run faster and smoother than ever before. The device also has an improved battery life, with up to 20 hours of video playback.

The iPhone 15 also features a new facial recognition system, which allows users to unlock their device with just a glance. This feature is secure and convenient, making it easier than ever to keep your device safe.

The iPhone 15 is sure to be a hit with consumers, thanks to its innovative design features. With its sleek design, powerful processor, and improved camera system, the device is sure to be a must-have for anyone looking for the latest and greatest in smartphone technology.

Conclusion

The new iPhone 15 is an impressive device that offers a great combination of features and performance. It has a powerful processor, a beautiful display, and a great camera. It also has a long battery life and a range of features that make it a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful and reliable smartphone. With its sleek design and powerful specs, the iPhone 15 is sure to be a hit with consumers.

Unlocking the Power of Schema Markup

Schema Markup

The first to know is Schema markup is a type of structured data that helps search engines understand the content of a webpage more clearly. It uses a specific vocabulary of tags or microdata to annotate the various elements on a webpage such as text, images, videos, and other types of content.

By using schema markup, webmasters and content creators can provide search engines with more detailed information about their content. This can help search engines create more accurate and informative search results pages, which can improve the visibility and click-through rates of a webpage.

Schema Markup

Schema markup is particularly useful for websites that provide information about businesses, products, events, reviews, and other types of content that require more detailed and structured information. It can also be used to provide additional context to search engines about the relationship between different elements on a webpage, such as an author, publisher, and date of publication.

Some common examples of schema markup include the use of tags to indicate the price of a product, the date and location of an event, the rating of a review, and the name and address of a business. There are many different types of schema markup available, and webmasters can choose the ones that are most relevant to their content.

 

Schema Markup and Common SEO Mistakes 77In today’s digital world, having a website is not enough to succeed in online marketing. A website must be optimized for search engines to drive traffic and achieve a high-ranking search engine results page (SERP). One of the best ways to improve a website’s SEO is through schema markup. But what exactly is schema markup, and how can it benefit your website?

What is Schema Markup

Schema Markup Schema markup is a type of structured data markup that can be used to improve the visibility of a website in search engine result pages. It is a code, usually written in HTML, that helps search engines better understand the content of a website and display it in a more meaningful way. Schema markup can be used to provide search engines with additional information about a website, such as its type, the person who created it, and the topics it covers. Common SEO Mistakes

1. Not optimizing page titles and meta descriptions: Page titles and meta descriptions should be optimized with keywords to help improve the visibility of your website in search engine result pages.

2. Not using relevant keywords: Keywords should be used throughout the content on your website to help improve the visibility of your website in search engine result pages.

3. Not optimizing images: Images should be optimized with relevant keywords to help improve the visibility of your website in search engine result pages.

4. Not setting up a sitemap: A sitemap should be created to help search engines easily navigate through your website and index it’s content.

5. Not building backlinks: Backlinks should be built from other websites.

Schema Markup 2Benefits of Schema Markup for SEO Schema markup

You need to improve visibility in search results: Schema helps search engines understand the content on a website, making it easier for them to display relevant information in search results. For example, if you have a recipe website, schema markup can help search engines display your recipes with images, ratings, and other important details directly in search results.

Increased click-through rates: When search engines display rich snippets with schema markup in search results, it can attract more clicks from potential visitors. These rich snippets can include images, reviews, ratings, and other important information that can make your website stand out from the competition.Schema Markup and Common SEO Mistakes

Better user experience

Schema markup can help search engines understand the context of a website’s content, making it easier for visitors to quickly find what they are looking for. This can lead to a better user experience and increased engagement on your website.

How Does Schema Markup Work

Schema code examples markup works by adding structured data to a website’s HTML code. This structured data can include information about the website’s content, such as its author, publishing date, ratings, and more. Once this structured data is added to a website, search engines can use it to create rich snippets, which are enhanced search results that include additional information beyond the page title and description.

For example, if you have a local business website, you can use schema markup to provide search engines with your business name, address, phone number, and other important details. This information can then be displayed in search results as a rich snippet, which can help potential customers find and contact your business more easily.

Best Practices for Optimizing Schema Markup Use relevant schema types

Choosing schema types relevant to your website’s content is essential. Choosing an appropriate schema type helps search engines understand the content better, leading to better visibility in search results. For example, if your website is a recipe website, using the recipe schema markup is more relevant than using the event schema markup.

Use specific properties: Use specific properties within your schema markup to provide more context to search engines about your content. For example, if you’re creating schema markup for a recipe, including information about cooking time, ingredient list, and nutritional information. The more specific information you provide, the better search engines can understand and display your content in search results.Schema Markup and Common SEO Mistakes 22

Use JSON-LD format to implement your schema markup. It is considered the best format because it is easy to implement, supports all schema types, and has better compatibility with search engines. Test your schema markup

Use Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool to test your schema markup and ensure that it is working correctly. This tool helps you identify any errors or issues with your schema markup and provides suggestions on how to fix them.

Keep your schema markup up to date

As your website’s content changes, update your schema markup to ensure that it remains accurate. For example, if you’ve added new products to your online store, update your schema markup to include information about these products.

Consider hiring an expert

Consider hiring an expert

Implementing Google schema guidelines can often be confusing if you don’t know what you’re doing. An SEO specialist can help ensure that your website’s schema markup is optimized and meets best practices, which can lead to improved search engine visibility.

JSONSchema Markup Summed Up

Schema markup is a powerful tool for improving the visibility and performance of websites in search engine results pages. By providing additional context to search engines about your website’s content, schema markup can help you achieve a higher ranking in search results, attract more traffic to your website, and provide a better user experience for visitors. Implementing schema markup can be a complex process, but by following best practices, you can ensure that your website is optimized for search engines and provide better visibility for your content.

To sum up, Schema markup is a valuable tool that website owners can use to provide more context to search engines about their content. By implementing schema markup correctly and following best practices, website owners can improve their website’s visibility in search results, attract more traffic, and provide a better user experience for visitors.

Common SEO Mistakes to Avoid

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a critical aspect of any digital marketing strategy. It is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). However, many businesses make common SEO mistakes that can hurt their rankings and ultimately affect their bottom line. In this blog post, we’ll highlight 10 common SEO mistakes to avoid, along with actionable tips to help you optimize your website and improve your search engine rankings.

Schema Markup and Common SEO Mistakes 77In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is more important than ever. With over 3.5 billion searches per day on Google alone, businesses cannot afford to neglect their search engine optimization (SEO) strategy. However, implementing a successful SEO Strategy schema markup can be challenging, especially for those who are new to the field. There are several common SEO mistakes that businesses make, which can negatively impact their website’s search engine rankings. In this post, we’ll discuss the 10 most common SEO mistakes to avoid, along with tips on how to avoid them.

Neglecting Keyword Research

One of the most technical SEO mistakes businesses make is neglecting keyword research. Keyword research is the process of identifying the search terms that users are typing into search engines to find information related to your business. You can increase your website’s visibility and attract more qualified traffic by targeting the right keywords. To avoid this mistake, start by identifying the keywords that are relevant to your business, and then use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find related keywords and phrases.

Overstuffing Keywords

While targeting the right keywords is essential, overstuffing them in your content can hurt your rankings. Keyword stuffing is the practice of using your target keywords excessively in your content, hoping to trick search engines into ranking your website higher. However, search engines are now smarter than ever and can easily detect keyword stuffing. To avoid this mistake, use your target keywords naturally throughout your content and avoid overusing them.

Ignoring Title Tags and Meta DescriptionsSchema Markup and Common SEO Mistakes help

Title tags and meta descriptions are HTML elements that provide information about your website to search engines and users. They play a critical role in helping search engines understand what your website is about and can influence whether or not users click on your website in search results. To avoid this mistake, make sure that each page on your website has a unique and descriptive title tag and meta description that accurately reflects the page’s content.

Failing to Optimize for Mobile

With over half of all internet traffic coming from mobile devices, optimizing your website for mobile is no longer optional. Mobile optimization involves designing your website to provide an optimal user experience on mobile devices. This includes using a responsive design, optimizing page speed, and making sure that your website’s layout is easy to navigate on small screens.

Not Having a Clear Site Structure

Having a clear and organized site structure is critical for both users and search engines. A clear site structure makes it easier for users to find the information they are looking for and helps search engines understand the hierarchy of your website’s content. To avoid this mistake, create a clear and logical site structure with categories and subcategories that accurately reflect your website’s content.

Schema Markup SEOForgetting About Internal Linking

Internal linking can help users navigate your website and discover related content, and it can also help search engines understand the relationship between your website’s pages. To avoid this mistake, make sure to include internal links within your content, pointing to other relevant pages on your website.

Ignoring Content Quality and Relevance

Creating high-quality, relevant content is essential for SEO success. Search engines prioritize websites that provide valuable and informative content to users. To avoid this mistake, make sure that your website’s content is well-written, informative, and provides value to your target audience.

Skipping Alt Tags on Images

Alt tags are HTML attributes that provide alternative text descriptions of images on your website. These descriptions are used by screen readers to assist visually impaired users in understanding the content of the image. Additionally, alt tags can also help search engines understand the context of your website’s images. To avoid this mistake, make sure to include descriptive alt tags for all images on your website.

Neglecting social media

While social media signals do not directly impact your website’s search engine rankings, social media can still play a critical role in your SEO strategy. By sharing your website’s content on social media, you can increase your website’s visibility, attract more traffic, and build backlinks. To avoid this mistake, make sure to include social media sharing buttons on your website’s content and actively promote your content on social media.

Focusing Too Much on Rankings

While ranking higher in search engine results pages is undoubtedly essential, it should not be the only focus of your SEO strategy. Instead, focus on creating valuable content, providing an excellent user experience, and building high-quality backlinks. Doing so will improve your website’s search engine rankings and build a strong online presence that attracts and retains users.

Conclusion

In summary, SEO is a critical aspect of any digital marketing strategy, but it can be challenging for those new to the field. By avoiding the common SEO mistakes we’ve discussed in this post, you can optimize your website and improve your search engine rankings.

Remember to prioritize keyword research, optimize your content for mobile devices, create a clear site structure, and focus on providing valuable content to your target audience. Doing so can build a strong online presence that attracts and retains users and ultimately drives business success.

 

Achieving Your Dreams Through Goal Setting

Goal setting meaning

Smart GoalsWell, another year bites the dust. Here we are in approaching a brand new year. I wonder how many of my readers resolved to ‘finally lose the weight they want to lose?’ Resolutions are great! The truth is, they hardly ever are carried through to a successful conclusion. Why is that?

Speaking from personal experience, when I used to make resolutions, I did so without a plan. Oh sure, I had a purpose in mind. What I didn’t have was a plan.

What I did have were a bunch of things I wished to accomplish without knowing whether I could or how to accomplish these wishes. What is my goal in life, setting goals and not thinking about wishes is the key.

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to get physically healthier, specifically to lose or gain weight. But, that is not enough. Having a long-term goal is only the beginning. Now, you need to set incremental goals. The incremental goals are like mile markers on the freeway. They focus on progress toward the ultimate goal.

In this hypothetical case, I would set my incremental goals at six pounds. So your first measurable goal is 174 pounds, the next is 168 pounds, and so on.

By setting incremental goals you are providing moments for celebration. You’ve reached a point on your journey that you decided is important. Now celebrate and resume focus on your next incremental goal.

Losing Weight and Goal Setting Meaning

Another problem is when so many people make New Year’s resolutions. They do so in the plural. They make a whole series of resolutions. I will lose weight, I will quit smoking, and I will get a new job. I will be nice to people. On and on goes the list. That is a recipe for failure. We should think in terms of a single 2023 New Year’s RESOLUTION.

There is nothing that will derail your plans as making too many of them at a time. One Goal at a time is all we can handle when making a lifestyle change. So, for the past few years, I made it a point to only focus on one change. When that goal is reached, I then focus on another. That way, my focus is not interrupted by the noise of other resolves.

Smart Goals 2And most of the time, it goes like this:

1. Their smart goals are fueled to the max for the first two weeks and they’re consistently going to the gym and eating healthy.

2. They break their gym streak because their days were too busy or they weren’t in the mood to go.

3. They become miserable with their diet.

4. They give up and go back to their usual routine.

5.  What is my goal in life

Whether it’s a physical health goal or not, most people fail to achieve their resolutions, and there could be several reasons why. Lack of discipline, not setting specific goals, having unrealistic expectations, etc.

Goal setting meaning

But yesterday, I watched a video where this guy talked about his weight loss journey, and how he lost 30 pounds in 10 months.

He went into things like his eating habits, his exercise routine, and how he kept himself motivated throughout his journey.

The last part is what I want to talk about because the advice he gave was so simple and so obvious, but you don’t see most people doing it.

It worked for him, and his appearance showed it. If I compare how the guy looked one year ago to what he looks like now, goal-setting is incredible.

What he said was this:

Instead of telling yourself, “This year, I want to eat healthier and exercise more,” you say, “I want to lose X number of pounds by Y date.”

Of course, this isn’t anything revolutionary. It follows the principles of SMART goals Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives is a good way to plan the steps to meet the long-term goals of your grant.

It helps you take your commitment from ideas to action:

Specific – Set real numbers for smart goals

Measurable – The goal is trackable

Achievable – The goal is realistic

Relevant – Whether or not the goal aligns with your overall objective and life goals

Time-based – Setting a deadline

This is something that was taught to us at some point during our dreaded schooling days, yet people tend to forget to set deadlines for themselves and understand the goal-setting meaning.

As I mentioned before, we humans procrastinate, and if we don’t have deadlines to meet, then nothing will get done.

Plus, it’s not less daunting to think about life goals examples and maintaining an exercise and diet routine for 10 months versus doing it for the rest of your life. And by the time you push through those 10 months, that new routine will become a habit.

Hopefully, that’ll be a good refresher for you and will help if, or when, you’re setting your 2023 smart goals.

 

Goal Setting
It means Pride, Satisfaction, Happiness, Celebration, Love, A Sense of Well Being …all the Joys of Living.

 

Laws of Attraction

Laws of Attraction

Why are we attracted to beautiful faces? Maybe because of our own thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. This idea is known as the law of attraction, which states that we attract people and experiences into our lives that are in alignment with our thoughts and emotions. For example, if someone has a positive outlook and exudes happiness and confidence, they are more likely to attract people who are also positive and confident.

However, it is also important to remember that everyone has agency and free will, and they can choose to surround themselves with whomever they wish, regardless of their energy levels or beliefs.

Every time I’ve bought the laws of attraction up in a sales meeting, there has been more attention paid to what was being said. On the other hand, whenever it’s been scheduled in a seminar, the meeting has taken longer than anticipated. More questions and comments…

attract people

Here are what the highest earning professionals do that “you” may not be doing.  What are the 10 laws of attraction:

  1. They specialize in a certain area and become experts in it.
  2. They network with other successful professionals in the same field.
  3. They set clear and measurable goals and work towards them.
  4. They are constantly learning and adapting to new trends.
  5. They are persistent and don’t give up easily.
  6. They take calculated risks and know when to take advantage of opportunities.
  7. They are strategic and creative in their approach to problem-solving.
  8. They are consistently proactive and take action to accomplish their goals.
  9. They build relationships with clients and employers.
  10. They are confident, resilient, and have a positive attitude.

  • Focus Your Attention on the Other Person

Everyone wants to be the center of attention. Is that why are we attracted to certain people to focus all of our attention on another that may not be possible? However, great results can be achieved if you only make people feel special in your presence. Most people love to talk about themselves. So, ask questions that cause people to tell you about their passions and problems. If you do, it will enhance the possibility of them becoming attracted to you and you already know how that’s done. Try to understand others from their point of view.

Ask them about their children, careers, hobbies, what they like to read and what they do in their spare time. Whenever you get people to reveal their private world to you, they become more confident in your presence, and in most cases, you’ll be considered a terrific conversationalist – and consequently, be thought of as a very attractive person to be nearby.

  • Compliment People and Their Abilities

Pay people sincere compliments and then acknowledge the compliment. Here’s a way you can make it work for you. Say you compliment an associate about some new office furniture they just bought.

Most of us would probably say, “Your new furniture looks good and suits the office.” On the other hand, the professional that understands the power of complementing the individual would say something like this. “Your new furniture looks great and suits the office. I think you have a natural talent for decorating. But you’ve never taken decorating lessons, have you?”

Everyone can give a compliment, you attract what you are the law of attraction but only someone interested in people knows how to pass on a compliment that will make the hearer feel special.

  • Focus on the Things You Have in Common

Another laws of attraction way to attract people to you is to find the things you have in common with them. The areas of commonality between you and them could be based on work, family, sports, social and/or business contacts, hobbies, interests, and so on.

  • What makes a person attractive psychology

Attractiveness is a complex and multifaceted concept in psychology that can be influenced by a variety of factors, both internal and external. Some of the most common factors that contribute to a person’s perceived physical attractiveness include their facial symmetry, skin clearness, and facial structure. Additionally, personality traits such as confidence, humor, and kindness can also contribute to a person’s overall attractiveness.

Social and cultural factors, such as media influences and personal experiences, can also play a role in determining what traits and qualities are considered attractive. Ultimately, what makes a person attractive is subjective and can vary greatly from person to person.

That way there will be no need to go out of your way to acquire this information. You’ll be able to do this as part of your contract. Alternatively, you can simply ask whatever questions come to mind, or are relative to the conversation. But remember, don’t just listen – hear what they say.

  • Talk About Third Party Success Stories

Reasons why a common mistake too many salespeople make is to tell other people how successful they are. Generally, most people you’ve just met don’t care about your successes. Other people only care about how they can benefit from the short interlude with you. It is, for this reason, the top professional salespeople concentrate on third-party stories and successes.

You attract what you are the law of attraction They tell others what their company, product, or service did for their customers, how they helped them get over a hurdle, fixed a problem, or made those clients more successful.

  • What stories do you have that others would be pleased to hear about?
  • Can you convey the situation a third party was in before you helped them?
  • Can you describe their predicament in detail without giving away too many personal details?

why are we attracted to beautiful facesThen once you’ve done that, can you provide a good-luck story relating to your third-party reference as a result of doing business with you?

Here’s a hint:

Make a list of all those you have helped. Then physically write down those “before” and “after” stories. Refine, rewrite and perfect the story, then keep on refining, rewriting, and perfecting the story until you’re happy with it. You’ll be amazed at how powerful these personal stories sound, even to you.

The danger here is you could make the stories sound “too good to be true,” and when you do that, those stories will sound too overdone.

So, remember this, if it sounds amazing to you – it will most likely sound even more amazing to them. Be careful.

  • Don’t Just Listen – Hear What is Being Said

Most of us tend to give our listening skills little more than mere lip service. Just hearing another person’s words (when they’re talking to you) is not listening effectively. Most of us think it is, but a seasoned professional salesperson knows it’s not person you want to do business with.

Does a professional salesperson listen to this way? They do this by listening to someone without thinking of what question they’re going to ask next, not thinking about their agenda, and not focusing too heavily on making a sale at that point. They know and understand that when they just listen and focus all their attention on your prospect, the prospect will automatically be drawn to the seller because the way you listen to the answer appears to the prospect to be both genuine and intense.

Do it right, and you’ll find an exchange of dialogue will take place that is both rich and engrossing. Then when that happens, the communication between two people causes an irresistible attraction.

  • The Most Important Person on This Earth

America’s motivational father, Earl Nightingale, used to say, “If you want to be successful, treat every person you come into contact with as the most important person on earth.” Modern-day American motivator, Zig Ziglar says, “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” True sales professionals, and those who understand this one point, focus all their energy, attention, and care on the person they’re with. Also, read Grant Cardone’s Seven 10X Rules for Success to get you to success!

They’ve learned to take themselves out of the equation and give others unbelievable attention without any hint of an ulterior motive or manipulation. They know we respond favorably to those that make us feel special in their presence. They also understand that to the people who go out of their way to make us feel extremely important, we will give them our respect, our friendship, our knowledge, and our business – and we will do it for life, or as long as they keep making us feel extremely important.

  • Offer to Be an Information Resource

Here’s another valuable hint overlooked by far too many within the selling profession, online eCommerce. No, better still let’s call it one of the most valuable selling tools available to you to attract attention to yourself, start applying law of attraction techniques. So why isn’t it used more often? It’s because it usually takes more effort to make this one resource work than the majority of the other resources available to salespeople.

That’s why then true sales professionals approach it systematically. You attract what you are not what you want meaning.

Once a salesperson knows something about their potential prospects, they see ways to provide information of value to them based on that something they have been made aware of. What they hone in on could be articles relating to their prospect’s hobbies, emails about things they have in common, or websites about ways to help them improve one or more aspects of their business. It could even be information related to their community, their children, or their other infatuations.

Top salespeople know that their target audience will appreciate hearing from them when they provide information the prospect can use. So, here’s a very important hint. Do not try and do any selling whatsoever when you first contact the prospect can just provide them with the information they ask for. When you do this, chances are that they will come to you when the time is right and that’s the power of this one point.

  • Send Your Good Customers Business

A personally recommended referral that could lead to a potential sale is the one thing that no one in business will ever say no to. No one in their right mind will ever turn it down – especially if it’s a good referral. The salesperson that finds business for their prospects is very likely to build a good relationship, and because of this, they will always take your calls.

They’ll even be glad to have lunches with you, and they will be more likely to give you more referrals regularly. That’s right. They’ll reciprocate by giving you their business and pass on even more referrals simply because you first sent them referrals that they could work with.

Reasons why we develop a strong personal foundationwhy are we attracted to beautiful faces

Why do I attract so much attention? you attract what you are law of attraction brings you to and top-end sales professionals belief that they have either learned to develop or can naturally acquire a special something that attracts others to them.

In fact, to outsiders, it’s considered to be a kind of special energy that either draws attention to them or, at the very worst, repels others away from them but present is always perfect physical attraction does not necessarily lead to a good relationship.

Many of the sales experts working in the training sector tend to call this a “Strong Personal Foundation.” And that foundation becomes a personal substructure for those sellers to succeed at whatever they put their minds to.

The ones who possess this “Strong Personal Foundation,” are the ones that know how to instinct will “balance” the key areas of their life, including health, money, environment, family, friends, fun, recreation, career, and personal and spiritual growth. Moreover, many of the ones that have learned to develop this “Strong Personal Foundation” tend to do so by grading each of the above areas of ‘balance’ between one and ten. A ten grade denotes excellence.

Any mark below ten is then worked on until the necessary “balance” (aspiring to be a 10) is achieved in all of the other sectors previously graded to be out of balance.

  • Specialist Knowledge

It is a fact that every top professional in every profession works hard at being a specialist in what he or she does. The top income earners in every field of endeavor are specialists at what they do. Because of the hard work that they undertake to become a specialist, they become the best, the most in-demand, the highest paid, and the most sought-after individuals because of their specialized knowledge.

Top professionals understand the psychology of attraction. Start working hard at knowing more than others in their chosen fields. They understand that if they acquire expert knowledge about something that people want to know about, that can make them particularly attractive in the field in life they have chosen to work in.

What are you good at doing presently, or what are you willing to get good at doing very shortly? Are you prepared to become even better at what you are doing now and specialize in your field of work? The fact is, the better you get, the more others will be attracted to you, and the better you get at what you do, your clients, peers, and superiors will be attracted to you and that includes your opponents as well.

At the very least you attract what you are the law of attraction, they will know about you and how well respected you have become in your craft. To have others become aware of you, all you have to ensure is they know that you exist and that you have the skills they need.

You attract who you are meaning, together with the other skills you have acquired to attract people and make them want to do business with you.

 

This Article is by Peter Collins

 

 

Working from Home: The New Normal

working from home (WFH)The workforce is now remote 

So many people are now in the workforce from home (WFH) 100% of the time. Hopefully, if this is the case for you, you can maintain results and productivity and stay positive during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.  While a lot of us are used to living the entrepreneur life from a home office, it’s still a big adjustment to have to self-isolate and stop all face-to-face interactions with coworkers and clients. 

I encourage you to use this time to take a closer look at your overall business goals, focus on your health (both physical and mental) and self-care, and enjoy some family time at home. I think many small business owners are having to pivot their marketing strategy, and what they do when the coronavirus passes could look quite different from what they did before. 

Team Communication Tools 

This is probably the biggest WFH product decision you’ll have to make. Your team needs a reliable and easy-to-use tool that lets them instantly message coworkers. The right one for you depends on your business needs and challenges, team size, and budget.

  1. You may have heard of Slack. This tool gives you the ability to create channels around multiple topics and invite users. From marketing content ideas to social media tactics to office dog photos, your team can create relevant channels for easy chat and collaboration.

It also integrates with many useful tools, including Outlook Calendar, Twitter, HubSpot, and Salesforce, so you can see what’s going on at all times right in the Slack app (no need to click in and out of your daily calendar or Twitter feed, for example). There are SO MANY fun and creative emojis you can use too, making remote messaging in a challenging time like this a little more lighthearted. 

Another popular platform is Discord. Popular with gamers, this voice, video, and text tool aren’t just for talking to coworkers, but for finding like-minded communities and new friends.  You can create “servers” and “channels” for specific topics, similar like you do for Slack channels. While Slack has more business integrations, Discord has voice channels, so you can easily chat with team members. Discord also lets you set user roles and permissions.

Flock is a cloud-based team communication tool with video and audio calling, screen sharing, text chat, integration with other business applications, and more. You can tag colleagues in comments and to-do lists, upload documents, images, and videos, and set reminders and due dates. Polls, code snippet sharing, and group discussions are available, and it integrates with other apps such as Trello, GitHub, Google Drive, and Asana.

Team Collaboration Tools

Managing Your Workforce Remotely 7Your workforce is now remote. Your employees need to be able to share their work, whether they’re creating a marketing strategy or editing a press release. Here are a few that might fit your small business needs.

  • G/Suite is a Google product that’s made up of cloud computing, productivity, and collaboration tools, software, and products. In one suite of tools, it offers email, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation decks, shared calendars, cloud storage, and more.

You can comment and make suggestions on specific documents through Google Sheets and Docs, edit documents online simultaneously and collaborate on projects and documents. It’s easy to give users permission to specific files.

  • Evernote: This is more than a note-taking app. Evernote helps you capture, prioritize and share ideas, track projects, and to-do lists. I find it super helpful for note-taking but also as a sort of “digital filing cabinet” that simplifies organization.

There’s a free, basic, and business package; compare your options here. 

CRM stands for “Customer Relationship Management,” and CRM tools help you with things like inbound lead management, sales tracking, social tracking, and newsletter delivery. Here are three to consider:

  • MailChimp is an all-in-one marketing platform with tools to create everything from emails to postcards. They have a great selection of templates to choose from that can then be further modified to suit your brand. Their intuitive interface and thorough reporting are great, but things can get expensive as your subscriber list or number of emails increase. You can compare their different plans here. 
  • Constant Contact has always been a big rival with MailChimp being the brand name in email marketing. It’s a huge company and a great option if Facebook is a big part of your online marketing strategy. Constant Contact has an email option that is designed so users can easily share your newsletter on Facebook. 

working from home (WFH) 2This option can be considered the most social media-friendly and has all the major features of the others noted. If your online marketing involves Hootsuite (you can integrate this into Hootsuite) and you focus your efforts on gaining traction on social media then this is a great newsletter tool for you.

AWeber is an extremely popular option and is recommended by many professional marketing companies. It gives you five plans to choose from and a long list of features such as unlimited email marketing campaigns, follow-ups, lists, and Auto Responders.

Many people believe their Auto Responder platform is superior to other companies, allowing businesses to automate the process of delivering personalized emails to customers on a schedule.

Project Management Tools

A collaborative task management tool lets everyone track and manage all of their projects. Think of it as an online scheduler, taskmaster, and collaboration tool to manage your team’s workflows. 

Asana is one of the leading tools and gets a lot of positive feedback. It allows everyone on your team to follow the whole workflow of a project in an easy visual tool. You’ll always know where your team is at and who’s responsible for what and when.

From daily reminders on a task that’s due, to the ability to easily add collaborators or assign teammates a sub-task of a project, Asana makes it simple to see what everyone’s day, week, and month looks like (but you can easily move things around if plans change).

Monday.com is a pretty simple, intuitive visual team management tool (it’s a project management platform). It runs processes, workflows, and projects in one digital workspace. Visually, it looks the same as a collection of very customized spreadsheets, in which every team member can log their tasks and update them with status reports and other relevant information.

That means that every person can see all active tasks and keep count of their progress. Team members can work on multiple projects without getting lost by using Monday’s weekly overview. The workflow can be customized just about any way you want it to communicate priority, what’s done, not done, and so on. The colorful designs and big buttons don’t hurt either!

Social Media Management Tools

Managing Your Workforce Remotely 99Many small businesses will already have a social media management tool set up. A social media management tool allows you to manage all of your accounts from one dashboard, which saves you both time and frustration. These tools share remote work statistics and content at the best possible times throughout the day, so your followers and fans see your updates more often. It’s a smarter and more efficient way to schedule and share your social media posts.

The best part about these tools is the built-in analytics system, which will give you a glimpse into what’s performing well, and when your social media posts are making the most impact.

Here are two social media management tools we use:

  • Buffer shows your scheduled posts and analytics (how in-depth those analytics get depends on the plan you choose). Many small business owners choose Buffer because of its sleek, clean interface that’s easy for beginners to get the hang of.
  • I find that while Buffer is great for less demanding social media needs, Hootsuite is where it’s at if you want to see your timelines, replies, and more across all your social networks. Both Buffer and Hootsuite offer free and paid plans, so you can always try them out and see which one feels like a better fit for your small business. 

How do we make this scenario work?

With the advancements in technology that we have seen in recent years, together with demand from employees for more flexible hours, it’s not surprising that we have seen the rise of the remote worker.

While such workers certainly make a certain amount of business sense, they do have their disadvantages – not least the difficulty of keeping them motivated throughout the day and getting them to buy into your firm’s ideas and vision.

Here are three great tips to help ensure that your remote workers are as productive as can be.

  • Invest in conference call software

Your workers not sharing an office with you can make it trickier to keep them informed of changes to their schedule or communicate difficult ideas. While you could use email, not all remote workers even check their inboxes regularly.

This is where Skype or other video calling software can come in useful, enabling quicker and more intuitive communication and collaboration. Or what about signing up for a Google Drive account so that you can more easily share and work on documents with your team members?

The main advantages of an IP telephony solution include:

  • Hosted VoIP is becoming the way of business today.
  • Reduced call charges/fees
  • No longer a PBX maintenance contract
  • No cost to upgrade the most unexpected
  • Free calls between users all over the world
  • Immediately change the settings directly in the browser
  • Listen to the messages on the move
  • Billing is flexible & can be based on a single user or a whole site
  • Add another user basically & effortlessly, without the trouble of updating
  • All functions & parameters to be with you & the phone method, ideal for mobile offices at no additional cost
  • Wherever you are, you still appear to call the office

  • Trust your remote workers

Hiring a team to work from home can have its disadvantages – not least an inability to closely monitor how much work they are doing throughout the day. However, if you bombard them with calls and emails asking for a progress report, you may find that their productivity drops still further.

Ultimately, you will need to be able to trust your remote workers to get their work done while understanding that they are not confined to rigid 9-5 working hours. When you allow your remote workers to get on with their tasks, a great number of them will reward you with very high-quality work.

  • Insist on meeting up

Many workers enjoy the quieter, less disruptive environment that remote working affords them. However, they may also be surrounded by distractions if they are working from home, and their concentration levels may dip as a result.

So, why not invite your remote team to an in-person catch-up? This is a great chance for everyone to get to know each other, discuss any issues and collaborate on ideas. Not only that, but it also shows that you care about them as their employer, and value them as a part of your company. Such meetings could therefore truly re-focus and inspire your remote team.

And while it’s not a tool your entire workforce might use, I’m liking Money Minder Online software during these uncertain times. It not only gives you a place to track your spending, but you also get insights into your spending habits, and you can look ahead to improve your cash flow, clear your debt, and start saving for your big goals.

 

Harnessing Mental Endurance

Mental Toughness

Through the years I have had the chance to coach many professionals and one thing I can tell you without reservation is the ideal players were all mentally tough. It’s a tough concept to describe until you see it, but it’s apparent when you see a player which has it.Mental Toughness 13

To explain my point, not every one of the best athletes gets it. Not, every big-league player is mentally tough and many never reach the large leagues which have great mental toughness. It’s not about ability, I’ve coached many great athletes that didn’t possess a clue about being mentally tough and would fold under pressure. They might work well when there was nothing at risk, however, when this game is at balance, or even the competition was tough, they often failed.

However, I’ve witnessed many players with average skills, but mentally tough, perform in such a way nobody thought they might perform. A clutch hit, a vital bunt, and an excellent defensive play that stopped a rally, mentally tough players complete the job. Actually, the higher the pressure, the greater they perform.

Something I’ve arrived at and understood with experience is the fact that mental toughness will not be an inborn DNA trait, but instead one which is developed with time and contact with adverse conditions. Preparation for mental toughness starts with experiences at an early age. Parents can enjoy a vital role to start the entire process of training mental toughness, however, they need assistance as you go along.

A disciplined educational system with higher expectations and good classroom rules, together with tough, but fair coaches (or mentors in alternative activities) having a positive mindset, is important to creating a child mentally, whether or not they are a sports athlete usually are not.

 

Mental Toughness 000

This is among the lot of reasons why all children need to engage in balanced organized extracurricular activities at an early age: Karate, gymnastics, ballet, music, scouts, children, and youth activities at church or youth sports will play a role in starting to instill the discipline and structure that is required to build up mentally.

Notice I said start to play a role. It requires some time and preparation.

Growth and development of mental toughness (and leadership skills) are other reasons why athletes have to be involved with an effective training course when they may be 14 or fifteen years old.

A training course not just helps you to build power, strength, and agility, but is essential in developing mentally. Players ought to be accountable to some mentor (trainer, coach, etc.) along with the camaraderie and pressure of the small peer group, even when it’s only a couple of others.

In case a player is involved with a training course sooner than 14 or 15, it ought to be with regards to agility and speed training, together with teaching the correct approaches to strength conditioning without weights. Before any training course begins, please talk to your child’s physician throughout their annual physical, as the creation of each child is different.

Defining Mental Toughness

Mental Toughness-10

Mental toughness is having the psychological advantage that enables someone to perform at peak maximum effort and efficiency throughout the demands which are put on them during training, practice, or competition. Specifically, once the demands are greatest or even the conditions become adverse.

Whenever the requirements would be the greatest occurs when the characteristics of mental toughness would be the best shown.

A few of the many characteristics which are evident whenever a player is a mentally tough include:

– Self-confidence

– Self-motivation

– Focus

– Concentration

– Composure

– Calmness

– Poise

– Self-control

– Positive Energy

– Determination

– Persistence

– Leadership

Please be aware, this doesn’t imply that the result is a win, oftentimes these attributes can display the most throughout a loss, especially a detailed loss to some tough opponent or during adverse conditions. But with time along with careful training, the mental toughness of skilled players concerns to light in championships won.

Developing Mental Toughness

To be mentally tough you must practice attributes that lead to mental toughness. If only there have been an equation to adhere to, however, there is not. It requires some perseverance underneath the right leadership to build up mental toughness. Parents, educators, coaches, as well as other mentors, should be systematically active in the training process.

Few athletes require the amount of mental toughness, brute strength, and physical prowess that boxers take into the ring for every fight. Boxing is an extremely tough sport on every level, but it can also be one of the most rewarding.

While taking a beating on the canvas is a challenge best left to the pros, the average person can enjoy tons of health benefits from some time in the ring without the repeated right hooks to the face. Let’s look at four reasons why boxing gyms should replace your regular gym in the quest to improve your health, strength, and mental fortitude.

Mental Toughness 6

Your time in the world is just as mental as it is physical. This sport forces you to push yourself through fatigue, endure pain, and dish out a few solid hits along the way. By pushing you past your limits and giving you valuable self-defense techniques, fighting can bolster your confidence in daily life. Succeeding in the ring requires courage, Zen-like concentration, and self-esteem.

Sparring with a trainer or partner at the gym allows you to summon these key mental qualities in a fight scene. Once you’ve learned to exercise these traits in the ring, they’ll become more available to you during the trials of day-to-day living.

If you’re looking for a new style of exercise that will shape you up mentally and physically, it may be time to abandon the treadmills and free weights to step inside the ring. Seek out local boxing gyms that offer the services, equipment, and training programs you need to start floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee.

Also, it requires failure and the opportunity to recover. Lots of people develop mental toughness with the experience of failure. Good parents usually do not want their kids to fail and I also realize that. These days, way too many blame others for your failure.

Athletes face a lot of challenges in their careers, whether it is new opponents or their private limitations. Developing mental training, however, can make it easier so they can discover the following:

Rugby-Mental Toughness

Better self-esteem – Performance anxiety management – Emotional control – Positive thinking – Better focus – Better self-assurance – The capability to manage challenges and obstacles better.

 

  1. Goal setting

Setting goals gives a sports athlete something to appear to and help. It can be what leads the mental training skill further down their list known as motivation. It also encourages positive thinking, increased energy, better self-esteem along with growth just as one athlete and person.

  1. Focus & Concentration

What this means is keeping the mind in the present. Everybody is allowed the rare wandering thought, however, when looking at competitive moments it could change everything. It can cause hesitation or distraction. Instead, discover ways to keep the mind inside the moment and so on thoughts products you plan to complete next instead of the mistakes that have already happened and should not be changed.

  1. Imagery & Visualization

Imagery requires over to be able to place a picture in your thoughts. It’s about re-creating moments or pulling on memories to create a new and vivid scenario in your head. This requires that you be much better aware of your surroundings, yourself and just what you happen to be capable of doing. In the long run, it could improve your skill, success, and assurance when under pressure and enable you better overcome your emotions and reactions.

  1. Relaxation & Stress Management

Relaxation could be the opposite of stress as well as for those moments when you don’t have time to relax, obtaining a strategy to manage your stress threshold and concentrate that energy elsewhere is going to help in the long run. Your ultimate challenge with stress is muscle tension and the way it might clutter your head. Learn how to focus the mind, banish fear with full confidence and relax tensed muscles with the right techniques.

  1. Self-Confidence

There’s a lot to get said regarding the success of the confident athlete. If you are that certain of your abilities, there is no room for doubt. Instead, you’ve got a stronger wish to succeed and to strive further along with your goals and it changes the way you think, focus, and react. Confidence-building exercises are usually a great source along with other great skills.

  1. Motivation

An athlete’s success will depend on his degree of motivation from both an inner desire in addition to outside factors. Finding out how to take your desires and set these phones use to inspire you might help enhance a player’s performance and overall motivation.

  1. Self-talk & Positive Thinking

Your thoughts have a strong relation to the way we perform physically. A sports athlete who thinks negatively or nit-picks their mistakes and flaws internally isn’t any good at competing. Some could imagine that pointing out the negative is a superb motivator, however, exercising positive thought can better motivate improvement and success.

  1. Flow in Sport

What this means is something beyond concentration while focusing. It must employ immersing yourself inside the moment and from the sport itself. This is simply not some abstract and fantastical notion. Instead, flow in sports is a situation that wants the mind and body to be in sync to try and do the most beneficial and effortless performance. Learning these kinds of flow by learning how to control your mind can cause incredible performance.

­­­­­Mental Toughness 4

Parents are quick to blame the teacher for problems in class or perhaps a coach once the child will not be excelling in an activity. Mental toughness is unable to be developed properly when blaming others. The contrary is the situation.

 

 

 

 

Uncovering the Ugly Truths of Your Online Business

Hard Truths About Your Online Business Presence

Your Online Business PresenceBusting the Fairy Tales, You Keep Being Told to Do

We’ve been living in a fairy tale this past week. Well, more like a nightmare with this scorching heat that has engulfed the Southeast with record-breaking temperatures!

When I was younger, I couldn’t handle the heat at all. I was prone to heat exhaustion – and that was in temperatures nowhere near the heat we just experienced!

Back then, it was standard to earn a summer income picking berries at a local farm. I wasn’t too fond of picking strawberries because we’d have to crawl on our knees all day. But raspberries were great – as long as you came prepared with long-sleeved shirts to avoid the prickly bushes.

My first-year picking wasn’t so great. It was a hot summer, and I often had to leave by noon, feeling the heat exhaustion kick in. I’d spend the afternoon laying on the couch with a cold compress on my head, feeling sick to my stomach and trying to tame my raging headache.

It only took a few days like that for me to figure out a way to stop losing half a day of picking money. And that was to get up at dawn and be at the patch long before anyone else showed up … including the hot sun!

I was quite proud of how I had a couple of flats all set to get weighed before the raspberry boss showed up. They didn’t make up for all of the time lost, but at least some of it was salvaged by not doing what everyone else was doing.

artificial-intelligenceAre there things you are doing in your business that everyone else is doing… but just aren’t working out? Every day I read on social media or watch a video of someone telling entrepreneurs what they “should” be doing to make a lot of money in their business.

I cringe every time I see these bold statements of fact. Because they rarely are true for everyone.

 

So today, I’m sharing 3 of these online business fairy tales that need to be busted wide open!

Fairy Tale #1 SINGLE-PAGE WEBSITES OR LANDING PAGES WILL GET YOU A SIX-FIGURE INCOME

The Busted Truth: • Maybe true, perhaps if you spend several thousand marketing dollars to continuously promote them. And if the ads aren’t done right or the landing page isn’t perfect, you won’t get conversions and you’ll be out of a lot of time, effort and money.

  • This model is not sustainable. It’s feast or famine and only works when your marketing engine is revved high and you have a large following who will buy anything you come up with because you’re just that good.
  • This tactic will not get you to the place of running a business. It’s simply a tactic the ‘gurus’ use to get you to believe that landing pages and single-page websites will grow your business.

Your Online Business Presence 2

 

Fairy Tale #2 YOU’LL GET TO THE TOP OF THE SEARCH ENGINES, GUARANTEED!

The Busted Truth:

• No, never believe anyone who promises you this. It’s something no one should promise because no one knows what the Google algorithms are that make a site rise to the top (except, of course, for employees themselves). The people who are making those promises are desperate for your business and will tell you anything to get a sale. Would you do business with anyone who does not include their business domain name or phone number in their correspondence?

  • They think you have ‘sucker’ written across your forehead and you are easy prey for their false promises.
  • If they were so good at SEO, then they would have droves of qualified traffic going to their website. They’d be so busy they would never need to cold call or cold email you with those fake promises, to begin with!
  • SEO is complex and it’s hard to find people who know what they are doing.
  • The best thing to do is to vet the people you’re considering hiring. Ask for referrals and speak with their happy clients to get a good sense of the integrity of that person or agency.

Your Online Business Presence 4

 

Fairy Tale #3 SAVE YOUR MONEY ON AN EXPENSIVE WEBSITE – ANYONE CAN BUILD A SITE NOWADAYS!

The Busted Truth:

• Sorry but… knowing how to use a calculator doesn’t make you a mathematician. Meaning, just because someone (or you) knows how to install a WordPress theme, doesn’t make them a qualified website developer.

 

There’s so much more to creating a website that will get you the sales and conversions you want and need than just installing a WordPress theme, changing out the colors and photos, and calling it a day.

  • Namely, your website must address these critical components: brand design, user experience, layout elements, copywriting, and brand messaging and SEO. Each of these areas requires an expert who understands them to deliver you a website that gets you the results you want.
  • And if you think setting up a 3rd party (cheap) website will do the trick, it won’t. They are horrible with SEO, and more importantly, you don’t own your website with them! You will end up paying more in the long run than if you had built a proper website, to begin with.

The Moral of this fairy tale story is; Hire a full-service agency that has all of those experts working for you as a team, and you will get way further ahead than if you try to go the cheap route.

Branding – to ensure the right impression is given to the ideal target audience, right away. Messaging – to ensure the right headlines and text are written in a way that will assure the visitor they are in the right place, and also get them excited they found the perfect solution to their challenge.

SEO – to ensure those looking for solutions to their challenges on Google and other search engines will find your website listing in their search results.

Performance – to ensure while the visitor is on the website, they don’t get frustrated by a slow rendering site, it fails miserably on their phone, or there are broken links that take them nowhere. Credibility on your website matters. These subtle nuances are often completely missed by the non-professional web developer who wants to build their website themselves or hire someone with little experience, all to save some money.

webmaster-webpage-designThe opposite happens, the website ends up giving the wrong impression to those visiting it, so they end up leaving right away.

Or the website doesn’t convey the right message to reflect how much your business can help those visitors.

Or the website is never found in the first place because it landed on page 20 in the search results.

Or the site was awkward, clunky, and frustrating to use, so the users give up and move on to a competitor’s website.

So, if you built your website yourself, or had a non-professional build it for you, it would be wise to take a step back and look at it through the lens of your prospective client.

Your Online Business Presence 6Four Clarifying Website Questions that will Save you Time, Energy, and Money

Is it as amazing as you think? Get opinions from others?

Is it truly conveying the right message to the right people?

Is it SEO optimized so your target audience will find it?

Is it frustrating for new users who aren’t as familiar with it as you are?

webpage-developmentP.S. If you liked what you read (and heard) here, you will want to sign up for our newsletter where you’ll get notified every week of our blog posts, announcements, and business-building strategies. Click here to also receive our free website guide

 

Increase Engagement with Your Blog

Make Your Blog More EngagingMake Your Blog More Engaging

Simple Blogging Tips to Get You More Raving Fans

Knowing how to make your blog engaging is one of the most important elements of any smart digital marketing strategy.

I encourage all small business entrepreneurs to start blogging because a blog can dramatically increase brand awareness and drive quality traffic to your website. In today’s digital landscape, using blogs to convert just makes sense.

But of course, this only works if you understand how to write an engaging blog, and what makes a good blog post. Even if you think of yourself as a writer, blogging is a very different animal, and it requires some special know-how.

So, let’s explore 9 key elements of a good blog post.

  • Update your blog frequently or don’t bother at all
  • I know it sounds harsh, but you must (must!) update your blog frequently.
  • There are two reasons to add new posts to your blog on a frequent and consistent basis. The first one is that if someone visits your blog and sees that the last article posted was 6 or more months ago, then their immediate impression will be that you are no longer in business.
  • Yes, it will be that drastic! They won’t assume that you’re too busy to tend to your blog. What they WILL assume is that you’ve abandoned your website, and therefore business as well.
  • Moreover, as we explored in our recent article on personal branding for businesswomen, people judge a book by its cover (or, in this case, by its neglected blog page).
  • Whether intuitively or directly, most people believe that how you do one thing is how you do everything. If your blog is haphazard, poorly written, or nonexistent, that will reflect on your business whether you want it to or not.
  • The other reason to update your blog frequently is for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). The more you write and post successful blog articles, the more Google and other search engines will see that you are actively updating your website. And they tend to reward fresh content and websites that stay updated.
  • So how often should you post? Let me put it this way: once a month is better than every 6 months, once a week is better than once a month, and every day is better than once a week. You get the idea.

Provide substance over quantityMake Your Blog More Engaging 2

OK, maybe you think I’m contracting Tip #1 here. Yes, you should post as much as you possibly can. But you should only post quality content as much as you possibly can.

The key word here is quality. You want your blog posts to be engaging. This isn’t your space to wax poetic or list what you had for dinner last night. This is your space to showcase your business to potential customers.

To write a blog post that converts, you must write about topics your target market wants to learn about. This is why doing your research on your ideal client is critical.

You want to write about things that potential and existing customers will find interesting, valuable, informative, entertaining, or captivating. Write for them, not just for the sake of having something posted.

So be sure to write about topics that your target market will find of interest and value. And always have a purpose in mind: what do you want your readers to get out of this article and what do you want them to do/know after reading?

Learn more about how to create blog content to attract your ideal target customer on our website.

blogging-wp-pegusasGive them a reason to keep coming back

One of your objectives when writing blog is to create a community – a place for people to keep coming back to get more of what you’re offering.

This means your blog posts must be entertaining, informative, compelling, and/or emotionally charged to keep people engaged and wanting to come back for more.

You know you have accomplished this when you get lots of subscribers and lots of comments on each post where your followers are eager to add their two cents worth.

Be specific to one thought, idea, or topic on your blog posts

I get it. You’re passionate about your business. You sit down and you want to just share every thought that comes to your head.

It’s great that you’re so passionate. And it’s great that you have so many ideas. But you don’t have to squeeze them all into one post. It’s much better to stick to one topic for each blog post.

This might turn out to be harder than you’d think. If you’re anything like me, that one specific topic will compel you to explain in more detail an idea you’ve shared and the next thing you know, you’re going down a rabbit hole.

But remember Tip #1 – you want to update your blog regularly. So, save all those ideas and rabbit holes for new posts!

Include at least one large image to create an engaging blog post

Images are a must for blogger. Not only do images help your readers get a visual idea of what the article is about, but they also help break up the text, emphasize important points, and create more interest than just a long article full of text.

Using images in website design is one of the simplest things you can do to make your website more popular – both with users and with search engines.

There are many reasons to use images on your website. Images and graphics can:

  • Improve your SEO
  • Help brand your company
  • Create more user engagement
  • Ultimately, a more attractive website just performs better

Of course, images will only work if you use them properly, and we’ll cover best practices below – see best practices for using images on your website here.

And learn how (and where) to choose the right images for your website on our website.

Don’t use 3rd party blogging services

Be sure to host your blog on your domain (where your website is hosted). Do not use 3rd party services like Tumblr or WordPress for your business blog.

Unfortunately, because these services are free and usually easy to set up, they make it very tempting to go that route instead of hiring a web developer to install WordPress and theme it to match the look and feel of the rest of your website.

But using these services negates the whole SEO reason why you want to be blogging in the first place.

Essentially what you are doing is sending people to THEIR services instead of to YOUR website – and that, at the end of the day, is the whole point of blogging! If you are just sending them to a 3rd part blog, you’ve missed that boat entirely.

Fix the spelling and grammar mistakes

Honestly, this shouldn’t have to be said. But – oh my goodness – does it ever need to be said!

I remember once reading someone’s blog post and it was so hard to read due to grammar mistakes that I gave up. The irony is, she was a copywriter! Can you guess what impression her readers have on her ability to write well? Not so great.

Understandably, not everyone has a Master’s degree in English. I don’t either. And more than likely, if you look hard enough, you’ll find mistakes in my writing. But that’s not the point here, nor the expectation. The goal is to write something very readable and not full of obvious mistakes.

If you’re one of those people who has great ideas and lots of information to share but are terrible in the English department, this is the time to hire someone to help you how to write a blog. We do this a lot for our clients – they will send us their rough draft, and we’ll edit it, make it look pretty, add it to their blog, and SEO optimize the post. Easy for the non-writer.

It’s a simple equation: the more time people spend on your website, the more likely they are to convert into a lead or sale.

  • So, do your website visitors like what they see when they land on your site, or are they leaving after a few seconds?
  • Are they choosing to buy something from you, or abandoning their cart before making a purchase?
  • It can be a big challenge to figure out ways to increase online conversions and time spent on your site.
  • That’s why I’m sharing seven eCommerce and business website marketing strategies to help you keep people on your website longer.

Make Your Blog More Engaging 3Make your blog article easy to scan

When you take the time to write out a great article for your blog, you want to make sure that the people coming to visit stick around long enough to read the whole thing, right?

Aside from having a compelling title and a well-written article, one way to improve your blog readers’ retention is by making your blog posts easy to scan and read.

Since a mere 16% of people read online text word for word, it’s critical to ensure your main message comes across when someone simply scans and reads your article.

To do this, it’s best to break the text up with headlines, sub-headlines, bolding, images, and bullet points. But don’t overdo it on the bullet points!

Now, I’ve witnessed many people who hear that one should use bullets in their articles or email promos and write the entire thing in bullets! We’re after balance here folks – don’t stress your reader by overdoing it in any of these tactics and you’ll do great.

(And notice how many bullets I’ve used in this article?)

Make Your Blog More Engaging2Create long-form content

How do you truly captivate your audience? Usually, it’s in one of two ways: by connecting with a personal story, or by impressing with your expertise.

In both of these cases, a few hundred words likely won’t cut it.

In today’s world of online marketing, content should be lengthy (but not wordy), visually compelling, and, preferably, interactive.

And a word to the wise: when it comes to SEO, the longer the better (assuming, of course, that ‘the length is also well-written and interesting).

I know.

It’s a big puzzle to put together.

You have to post frequently, and you also have to post long articles, but those articles also have to be nicely formatted, well-written, and targeted at your desired audience. 

 

Harness the Power of Video in Email Marketing

Use Video in Email Marketing

Use Video in Email MarketingIt’s not news that video is at the forefront of marketing these days.

From creating videos for your website to hosting Facebook Live sessions, this marketing tool has transformed from a nice-to-have to a must-have if you want to effectively engage with your audience and build a loyal following who will be more likely to purchase from you.

 

Video-based marketing is a great way to stand out from the multiple messages people get in their inboxes every day, not to mention how effective it is on social media.

This article focuses on how to use video in email marketing. Keep reading for some technical tips on using video in your emails, and advice on the creative aspects for some inspiration.

How To Use Video in Email Marketing

I’ve talked about using video many times in the past, but in case you’re still not convinced or haven’t thought to use video in your email marketing efforts, it’s time to pay close attention.

According to a study from B2B Decision Labs, when people are going through their emails, they tend to be in a negative emotional state, but when study participants watched a video email, it decreased their negative feelings and transitioned them to more of a neutral emotional state. So, when people are going through their inboxes, and they come across a video email, they’re going to feel better than they did reading through all those text emails, and they’ll be more likely to interact with it.

Indeed, a survey from Vidyard showed just that. More than 70 percent of respondents said video emails receive more opens, clicks, and responses than text-based emails.

The Benefits of Video Marketing. It saves time. You can create short, engaging pieces of video much more quickly than it will take you to write an 800-word blog. It also gives info to your viewer in an easy-to-understand way. It can help with SEO. Your Google search ranking can improve if your footage is viewed and shared by enough people. It’s cost-effective. You don’t need CGI effects or animation to make something great. A video can be much more affordable to produce than a blog or ad. It grabs attention. Especially when added to your newsletter, a video captures your audience’s attention and compels them to want to watch.

technical-Use Video in Email MarketingThe Technical Part of Video Email Marketing

When it comes to using video in your email marketing, there are several technical aspects to consider.

You have to make sure your videos are mobile-friendly and confirm that they’re compatible with as many email services as possible, and if you do run into issues, you have to come up with a workaround.

That being said, before we get into the fun stuff, let’s go over some of the more technical details of using video in your emails.

Ensure Your Videos Will Play

Before you start brainstorming ways to use video in your emails, you need to know how they’ll play in different email clients, or whether they’ll play at all.

There are over 30 major email clients, including Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Apple Mail, and Yahoo Mail, and some of them don’t support the requirements for using email with video.

Traditionally, marketers would use HTML5 (Hypertext Markup Language) to code HTML video directly into an email, but recipients with certain email clients aren’t able to play it. Many popular email providers will only show a fallback image, and your marketing message will be lost in the crowd.

Fortunately, some of the popular services make it easy to share across all providers by using a screen capture image of your video and linking it to the original content on your blog, YouTube, Vimeo, or similar sites.

This gives the appearance of there being an actual video in your email and avoids technical issues with your email provider. Instead of having to learn HTML5, there are also third-party services that can create a video snippet for you to include right in the body of your newsletter.

Check out Playable to embed a short video in your next newsletter. Playable will replace the video with an image of your choice if the email service provider doesn’t support the video technology.

No matter what tool you use, it’s crucial to test your campaign before you send it out. You’ll need to have accounts on all of the popular email platforms so you can see how your footage works on each of them.

Use Video in Email Marketing9Sound like a lot of work? Maybe you’d prefer to leave the heavy lifting to a professional marketing company that’s been helping clients create successful email campaigns since 2003.

Make Sure You’re Mobile According to data from Constant Contact, approximately 60 percent of the emails sent from their service are opened on mobile devices. This shows just how important it is to ensure you’re keeping mobile devices in mind when using videos in your email marketing.

Fortunately, email marketing services like Mailchimp and Constant Contact let you test and see how your messaging will look before you send it out.

Still, it’s important to keep the file size as low as possible so the video doesn’t need to buffer to start playing. Mobile devices don’t have the fastest download speed.

A good tip is to take a 10-second snippet of your video to use in the newsletter. That snippet can then link to the full feature on your blog.

Also, always make sure the auto-play is off, especially on mobile. Most people don’t appreciate having something start playing (often noisily) as they sit in the office or on a bus; they prefer to click the play button themselves.

Use Video in Email Marketing2The Creative Aspects of Video Email Marketing Now that we’ve got the technical stuff out of the way, let’s look at how you can create content that will engage your viewers and increase the traffic on your website.

You need a plan with clear objectives or else you’re just sending content out into the world and hoping it will be seen and loved. Why are you creating this campaign? Are you trying to generate leads? Looking to boost brand awareness? Aiming to increase your followers? Once you’ve identified your objectives and goals, then you can start thinking about the actual emails, and the content you want to produce.

As mentioned, the best way to do this is to host the full-length video in a blog post, landing page, or on a video-sharing site like YouTube, and then incorporate a small snippet of that video in your email marketing campaign, which links to the full-length version.

Tips For Using Video in Email Campaigns

  1. Use the word “video” in your subject line Using the word “video” in your subject lines can encourage people to open your emails. In a study from Super Office, simply adding the word “video” to the subject line increased their open rates by six percent. That might not sound like a lot, but considering how many marketing emails end up in the trash bin, it’s a pretty big deal.
  2. Choose the right format There are some very simple and affordable ways to incorporate video into your marketing emails. For instance, in the survey from Vidyard I referenced above, sales professionals were asked about three video email formats and which ones receive the highest response rate. These formats included screen shares, selfie-style videos, and hybrids of the two.

Use Video in Email Marketing7More than half of respondents said the hybrid-style videos got the highest response rates, 31 percent said the selfie-style videos performed best, and only 15 percent said screen shares got the most responses. This should give you some things to consider when choosing a format, and it’s also good to know that all these videos are easy and inexpensive to produce.

  1. Showcase your products Whether you’re looking for something economical or extravagant, video email campaigns are an incredibly effective way to show off your products. If you can only afford to do a screen share or selfie-style video, you can still do a great job of highlighting what you have to offer. But if you have the budget for something more elaborate, it can be that much more effective.
  2. Emphasize your values Aside from showing off your products, another way to use video in your email marketing is to emphasize what you stand for, and what you support. Mailchimp did a great job of this by partnering with Reese Witherspoon’s media company, Hello Sunshine, to create a series of videos celebrating female entrepreneurs.

The videos have nothing to do with the service Mailchimp offers, but they help to generate interest in the brand by underscoring its values.

  1. Make tutorials Your product or service solves a problem, so how can you show this to your clients? There are many ways to accomplish this. You can make a traditional tutorial or how-to video where you simply explain how to use your product or service, or you can take more of a lifestyle branding angle where you give consumers a short explanation of how you can improve their lives.

mobile-phone-Use Video in Email MarketingAlso known as an explainer video, this format is loved by both marketers and consumers alike. A survey from Wyzowl found this format is the one most commonly used by marketers today, and 96 percent of respondents said they’ve watched an explainer video to learn about a service or product.

So, whether you’re a life coach shooting some footage while you’re on vacation, or a wellness provider offering viewers a glimpse of your dinner prep process, get creative and get shooting!

 

Email marketing with video can substantially increase your open rates, engagement, leads, and sales.

However, not every email should contain one. If you start using this tactic every time you send out a newsletter, subscribers might stop paying attention. Using video in newsletter campaigns is a great way to stand out from the crowd, but don’t bombard people with videos and neglect your other tactics in the process.

 

Property Investment Strategies for Beginners

Property InvestmentProperty Investment

Have you considered real estate investing? If so, now is the right time. More and more people are leaping and investing in the rental market today as a way to supplement their income, or as a business venture in its own right. There are several things to consider, as with any large investment, but it can be a really good way to make significant returns.

Property Investment locations are one of many things to consider when renting out a single home, or when undertaking large-scale property management. My city Atlanta, for example, offers a lot to potential investors because of its continued popularity with renters. Although, even if you have already picked out the perfect location, it’s important to know the pros and the cons before deciding if it’s the right move for you.

When deciding where to invest in a property many variables need careful consideration. Atlanta, Georgia is an up-and-coming investment hub, and given that property management in Metro Atlanta is well supported with excellent services, it is a location worth investigating.

The job market is healthy and growing even in this economic time. Between March 2021 and the same month, a year later, the city added 22,900 private sector jobs, demonstrating a growth rate of 5.3%. Metro Atlanta Regional Economic Development places it as the top metro area for economic growth and strategic investment in tech innovation.

It is also worth noting that this city has a bustling international airport, 19 colleges, and universities. It has also been rated as one of the top 100 places in the USA for business and careers.

Property Investment 3Pros of Investing

Tax Benefits

You may well be able to reduce your tax burden as a result of deductions you can make from your real estate investment. Fees that you pay towards property management, maintenance, and insurance can often be deducted leaving you with a smaller tax bill.

Appreciation

With a little luck, it’s not uncommon to find that your home will appreciate significantly over time. This can be even more effective at generating profit if you’re able to carry out repairs and maintenance that bring the property to a higher standard. To find out about great areas that are undervalued you can turn to a company that does property Investment. Atlanta, Georgia is just one example of an area that insider knowledge can help with when it comes to appreciation.

Regular Income

Maybe it goes without saying, but the single biggest pro of investing in the rental market is the fact you’ll have regular, recurring income. Not only that, but rental market fluctuations mean that sometimes your rental value will increase year on year without any material changes being made to the building.

Cons of Investing

Lots of Cash Upfront

To get the most out of the market, you’ll likely need more cash upfront than you would for other types of investments. A quarter of the value of the property is a good amount to aim for when it comes to an investor’s down payment.

Time Intensive

Your time is every bit as valuable as the property you’ll be purchasing, so it’s good to be aware that investing in the rental market can be very time intensive. A handy way around this is to engage a property management company to handle the laborious aspects of the process.

Unpredictable Tenants

Ultimately, your tenants are the source of your income, so you wouldn’t want to lease your building to anybody who won’t take care of it, or who would delay or miss rental payments. There are checks that you can do to help with this aspect but, again, it’s good to have some professionals there to take care of tenant relationships where possible.

Property Investment2Professional Property Management

There are a lot of things to think about when deciding to invest in the rental market, and although there is every chance you’ll make a good return on your investment, having people to help you is always a good thing. For that reason, it’s important to engage a company that can help you with every aspect of property management. Big and small cities will always have eager renters, but having expert property managers can ensure that you experience as few hiccups as possible.

What Do They Do?

The management company is not just there to collect rental payments; they can also provide an excellent bespoke service to take care of things like:

  • Sourcing tenants for your property
  • Organizing maintenance and repairs
  • Managing bills and payments
  • Inspecting the property
  • Making sure the building is compliant with legal requirements

This is a simple but effective rule: always do your research before reaching out. Even if you’re short on time, a quick 30-minute internet scroll can reveal a wealth of information about a service provider. Be sure to check out customer reviews for honest opinions that can help point you in the right direction. It’s also worth checking out the larger directories for a more comprehensive list of companies in your area. From here you can begin to compare a few companies that you like the look of.

Don’t take anything for granted, that every company will have all the necessary credentials (you’ll be surprised how silver-tongued some firms can be!) Make sure that your agent is fully licensed; this is a promise of protection and will ensure that everything is managed professionally and appropriately within the legal requirements.

Why It’s So Important

Your time is important, and so is your property. That’s why engaging a management company ensures that you get the most out of your investment without having to operate as an on-the-ground landlord, which can be time-consuming and fraught with difficulty. Whether you need new tenants ASAP, or your current lease needs updating, you’ll be glad you hired a company to handle rental management. Here in Atlanta, GA it’s a competitive and exciting rental market right now, so if you’re thinking of investing, then the organizational know-how of trained professionals can give you the edge.

The cost of living here in Atlanta is higher than the average but there are more options for outdoor activities compared to neighboring cities. The average commute time here is 21-60 minutes, compared with hours in other places, and the climate is desirable – which is a plus when you have more time on your hands.

Summary of cost of living in Atlanta, GA, USA:

Family of four estimated monthly costs is $3,701.49 without rent.

A single person’s estimated monthly costs are $1,045.74 without rent.

Atlanta is 27.36% less expensive than New York

Rent in Atlanta is, on average, 52.35% lower than in New York.

 

 

 

 

Live Your Best Life

Change Your LifeChange Your Life

Two years ago, when I was on vacation in Morocco, I was sitting in a local coffee shop by the beachfront Marina with my family, I started to think about what was the BIG change that made me successful in my own online business.

After some thought, I came up with 4 principles that I thought were the main kickstarter for me…

Maybe only those with a certain mindset will be able to truly see it. Change your life and feel completely better!  This is just one of several ways lucky people create their fortunes.

To put these simple principles into action, here are four tips, (if you like) for creating more luck Expect Good Things to Happen. This is so powerful and rewires your brain. It programs you to find good things. In many cases, those good things were already there, just waiting to be discovered. But mental programming is strong. It makes us overlook “treasures” that are right in front of our noses.

The brain has to process a ton of input every day — and not everything we see makes its way to our conscious mind.

Fortunately, by focusing your conscious attention on the good rather than the bad, you can “train” your mind to find things that contribute positively to your life.

This becomes a great habit to have in your locker. How to change your life completely;  Because there are things you may have otherwise overlooked. Follow the steps to change.

Ok, what’s holding you up? Are you dealing with a state of unhappiness that is not usually influenced by circumstances or certain events as most people tend to believe, but it is rather influenced by your way of thinking, gaining a more positive mindset can be the solution you needed to change your life around.

Only you can change your life; certain aspects might be preventing you from truly experiencing the beauty of life and the beauty that lies within you. How to change your life for the better; there are a few amazing solutions that you can seek, to acquire the happiness and inner peace you have always desired to have, one example is slowing the aging process. 

Your journey toward happiness often lies in your self-esteem, and if there is anything that can affect that negatively is your lack of confidence in your physical appearance. If you have been dealing with self-esteem issues due to being overweight, then doing something about it will be necessary.

Making a change in your life to lose weight and achieving a better body image will not be possible if you do not change your perspective on the weight loss process, improve your lifestyle, and focus on the long-term results. If you need advice on how to lose weight, resorting to a specialist for counseling might be the answer you needed.

When you are talking about aging, you should not think about the physical implications that the passing of time has, but the mental ones. The moment you no longer feel young and full of life is the moment you start to age. It does not matter if you are 19 years old or 55, as long as you know how to change your mindset and know how to keep yourself motivated, feeling the way you did in your 20s will be possible.

You can become that joyful, active, adventurous, and passionate spirit you used to be by overcoming certain limits you have created for yourself.

Because in theory it might seem easy to obtain that life change you desire, but in reality, things can be quite difficult if you do not adopt the right mindset-changing methods, resorting to a specialist for advice will be more than beneficial. Just by searching on the internet, you will be able to find someone who can provide you with incredible solutions to any problems you might be dealing with, starting with apathy and tiredness and up to weight or confidence problems.

Discussing with someone who is experienced and knows the right ways of change your life someone’s negative way of thinking, will offer you guidance and as long as you believe making this change is possible, they will push you towards a more fulfilling and happy life. You can find such an expert even by searching online.

Let’s take the first step towards a positive change in your life that lies within your mindset. There are ways in which you can become more positive, in terms of how you view life, so pursuing a few effective methods or increasing positivity can truly help you turn your life around for the better.

  • Be Grateful

Change Your LifeWhen you start looking for things to be thankful for, you’re likely to find more and more reasons to feel grateful.

And really, gratitude is just another word for feeling lucky.

In my experience, gratitude leads to more energy and motivation. As such, it’s much easier to create positive life changes when you have a firm foundation of gratitude.

A daily gratitude journal (which can be as simple as writing down one thing you’re grateful for) is a great place to start.

There are a lot of people today that receive spiritual counseling. They are getting help navigating the world around them, and they are making progress slowly. There are a lot of great things that come with this. If you are struggling with your life, and aren’t sure where to turn, consider the beauty of counseling, and how it can help you change things for the better. Finding guidance is a lot easier than you may think. At first glance, this may seem a bit much, but honestly, it’s something that is going to prove amazing, if you find the right resource.

Finding A Counselor

Believe it or not, some counselors can be found through medical means. Some insurance plans even cover counseling and mental health visits. You’re going to find that these visits can help you have someone to talk to about your daily routine, life, and anything that is bothering you. While this may not be a “cure”, it can definitely shine a light on the issues that you may be facing. Sometimes, all you need is a fresh set of eyes to look at what you’re dealing with on a regular basis. You’ll find that this can help you in a lot of different ways, and finding a counselor can be made simple.

When in doubt, look online for the benefits that come with spiritual counseling. You’ll see that it’s more than just about raising your mood and evaluating your mindfulness. There’s a lot to consider here, and a lot of it can help you see life in a new manner. As long as you approach the spiritual awakening with some lifestyle change, you will no doubt benefit from what a spiritual counselor can offer. Even if you’ve never gone this route, test the waters once, and see why so many go this route overall. Finding help is not difficult, especially in these modern times.

  • Be Generous

What goes around comes around. You never know if someone you help may find their way to success, or how that favor might be unexpectedly returned to you

That doesn’t mean you should do nice things with the intent of someone owing you a favor, though. Instead, developing genuine relationships is key.

It also doesn’t mean you should overextend yourself, trying to help everyone to the point where you’re exhausted. and not making time for yourself Instead, it’s about finding balance.

That balance will look a little different for everyone, depending on your life and obligations.

But even when life is busy, you’re likely to find occasions now and again when you feel inspired and capable of giving someone else a helping hand.

  • Trying New Things

If what you’re currently doing hasn’t gotten you closer to where you want to be, then take a long look at yourself, isn’t it time to take 2023 by the horns? Change your life.

Don’t get stuck in a rut. Do something different.

I don’t know why people are constantly doing the same thing over, and over again, and expecting different results.

Several life coaches I know argue that by changing up your routine, you open yourself to new possibilities.

There are both emotional and practical factors at play here …the brain needs new challenges.

On the practical side, trying something new will introduce you to new people, places, and ideas. Any of these things could lead to an unexpected opportunity in your professional or personal life.

Change your life. On the emotional side, consider this: Often, we get stuck in our routines. Even if we think we’re open to change, it’s hard to get out of our comfort zone and change our habits. (And yes, I’ve been guilty of this myself in the past.)

Foods For Better Health

There are stories in everything: Big stories, little stories, and the most important stories are in health. Finding the right story is paramount to success in reaching your goal. Any of us never leave our comfort zone unless we’re forced to. We are known as creatures of habits and when we’re confronted with a major change in life our routine is interrupted and we’re plunged into the unknown. Gaining new experience, and new knowledge and positively changing the way of thinking is the beginning of something ‘new’. Health is no different; nothing will change unless you make it happen. Only in the last decade or so research has uncovered how we can take control of our health.

The message over recent times has been very clear: Some foods are good for us and some are not. Research and tests have found that extracts from natural and whole foods are more effective in healing and can sustain optimal health better than anything else.

Can food save our lives?

There are many testimonials and facts of people who survived aggressive cancers through changing diets and lifestyles. The name “lifestyle” can often be misleading and also be called industrialized or westernized world diet, which mainly consists of fried fatty foods, takeaway, fast foods, artificial flavors, sugar unhealthy snacks, soft drinks, and sodas loaded with artificial sugars. These are only some of the foods causing the most of bad health; at the same time, it answers that burning question: The right food can save our lives.

Being or become healthy we have to avoid processed, genetically modified enhanced junk some of which we are eating every day. As long as we keep buying it and perpetuate the conglomerates, in return they continue to give us more and all of this with no objections from our governments.

On the other hand, can we expect governments to take the initiative to warn people or even ban these substances from being used that are linked to many carcinogenic products endangering millions of people’s lives?

This is why we must gain knowledge, read and learn how to avoid the things that can hurt us and see through those commercials that try to brainwash us.

What we don’t know not only can hurt us, it can take years of our life.

Foods for better health

The power of natural foods hasn’t been realized for some decades, or maybe forgotten or just exchanged for the often better-tasting processed ones. Boosting your immune system with whole foods, vegetables and fruits is the only sustainable way to optimal health. The most powerful way to up our mineral and vitamin consumption is by making drinks fresh from plants every day, by either blending or juicing vegetables and fruits together. Green drinks make you feel energetic, improve your skin and appearance, and help to drop those kilos at the same time.

Have a salad and a few sticks of celery before your meal; these raw greens and other veggies will ensure that we are getting our enzyme intake. Enzymes help to digest food better and make us feel full faster since they contain lots of fiber. Any fermented vegetables and fruits are excellent and good for your gut health. Cultured cabbage like sauerkraut and other vegetables are easily made in your kitchen to your taste.

Or create a very powerful miracle drink: All you need is one potato, one carrot, and one apple to make the juice; you can add some lemon or lime for better taste, put them all through the juicer, and drink while it’s fresh an hour before your meal.

Benefits

 Strengthens the immune system, is good for eyesight and red eyes eliminate pain and muscle ache, assists bowel movement, eliminates constipation, good for acne and skin problems, lessens menstrual pain, and assists hay fever sufferers. According to some feedback it has prevented cancer cells to grow, prevented kidney, liver, and pancreas disease, and as well can cure ulcers. It can lower blood pressure and prevent heart attacks. For best results drink it first thing in the morning one hour before breakfast and late afternoon and make it fresh every time.

This is low in cost and little time involved in making it and will be a great benefit to your health. All vegetables and fruits have different benefits for different health issues. The most powerful ones are found in the cabbage family which includes broccoli, kale, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. These green leafy vegetables have the highest nutritional and protein value, also the most needed omega 3, and other fatty acids which are essential for our body.

By changing our routine, we mentally open up to positive changes and look at challenges from new angles.

Changing Your LifeTo start, this change can be as big or as small as you’d like.

For example, is it time to change your job?

Or is it time to start small, by taking a new route home from work, reading in the evening instead of watching the news, or signing up for that art class, what about that home business you’ve been considering?

If you’re not sure where to begin, I’d recommend a small change to your daily schedule (like a short morning walk) or picking up a new hobby just for fun.

Change Your Life 2

Hug someone today!

 

Unlocking Your Business Potential with a Business Coach

Business Coach, a Mentor, or a Consultant
Difference Between a Business Coach, a Mentor, or a Consultant2

Whether you want to expand your small business to another country, kick-start your career as an entrepreneur or hone your marketing skills, you may be looking for some outside support.  If you look at top business achievers, you will find one common denominator: They didn’t do it all alone.

High-performing entrepreneurs and small business owners know that if they want to truly excel, they need guidance and support. But what’s best for your professional development? a coach? a mentor? a consultant? How do you even begin to choose?

Great professional development options:

Working with a mentor. You’re getting someone who’s already walked in your shoes. They are experienced in your field and can help fast-track you along your growth path. They can offer guidance, friendship, and support; there is usually a level of personal connection as they serve as a role model to help an individual reach their potential.

This can be super valuable because it saves you from having to go through a steep learning curve and make a bunch of mistakes along the way.

Difference Between a Business Coach, a Mentor, or a Consultant4Some of the advantages include:

Getting an outside perspective. Often, we are too close and emotionally tied to our business to see what’s truly happening. It can be beneficial to get a bird’s-eye view of your situation. Often, we’re too in love with our work to know about areas that need a little work. Your mentor will probe to uncover some problem issues that may not be instantly apparent to you.

Enabling you to reach higher. Sometimes we do things for other people that we wouldn’t do for ourselves. When you have the accountability of a mentor, you may push harder to reach your goals. Because you know that you have to report your results during your mentorship, can make you go the extra mile.

Gaining business experience.  Even if you have years of corporate experience, running your own business is a new challenge. You probably know a lot about your industry, but you may not know enough about running and growing a business.

When you hire someone with experience in creating systems, marketing, delegating, and growing a business, it helps you avoid costly mistakes and grow further, and faster. And they often have proven blueprints and templates to boost your results.

Being your cheerleader. You probably know that being a business owner can be a roller coaster! Some days you’re on top of the world, and other days you doubt yourself. Maybe you wonder if you should throw in the towel because everything seems to be going wrong. Mentorship can help you stay positive and motivated, so you can keep your business moving forward.

Working with a coach. A coach takes a slightly different approach. He or she serves as an expert guiding you in a very specific area of performance. If you Google “coach” you’ll see results for performance, marketing, financial support, sales, business growth, social media support, and more.

A business coach is trained to help you figure out your roadblocks, holds you accountable for your business success and shares their tried-and-true experiences and processes to help you get ahead in your business.Difference Between a Business Coach, a Mentor, or a Consultant

 

However, it’s important to note that many coaches are self-appointed experts. They may present themselves as highly successful and knowledgeable, but many could just be one step ahead of you. Read the fine print in any document.

While they may “talk the talk”, you don’t know if they have the skills or experience to help you succeed.

Leadership Coaching to uncover people’s hidden and natural talents and assess individual skills, capabilities, and/or behaviors that impact them positively and negatively. This helps her clients understand the actions they need to take to move in the right direction to get what they want.

Working with a business coach can help you in many of the same ways mentorship can, but they’re less of a “friend” and more of a “guide.”

  • Hear more objective opinions • Increase your networking opportunities.  • Lead more strategically • Develop your personality and leadership style • Better understand yourself

Read: 30 Things Business & Marketing Coaches Wish Entrepreneurs Would Stop Doing, on our website

From the economy to the weather, struggling entrepreneurs have all sorts of reasons why their product or service isn’t selling. But have you ever considered that you might be doing things all wrong and that’s why you’re not reaching the success you’d like to see?

Here are some valuable insights from 30 successful business coaches. They’ve observed what frustrates them to no end, and these are the things that could very well be thwarting your success!

Working with a consultant. A consultant is often an expert in their field and provides you with advice. While they may sound similar to a mentor or a coach, consultants don’t work with you to improve your skills or guide you in your professional development. They usually work within your defined metrics and deliverables.

A coach A mentor A consultant

When you work with a consultant, you’re getting valuable advice from someone with niche experience and industry understanding. While a business coach or a mentor will encourage you to do your best, a consultant will focus on identifying what you need to do to accomplish your goals. 

The most common consulting methods are:

  • Strategic Advice: When a business has specific problems, a consultant can create a strategy to solve them. 
  • Done-for-you Service: Some consultants have a team to support them, so this option makes sense if a small business requires a solution, they aren’t skilled in implementing. 
  • One-Time Training: Say your management team hasn’t been meeting a certain objective. A consultant could offer them training to help them get back on track.
  • Ongoing Coaching: You can’t expect amazing results by meeting with a consultant once for four hours. Many small businesses will work with a consultant over months or years on things like a marketing plan or expanding the company globally.

Difference Between a Business Coach, a Mentor, or a Consultant3Your unique needs will determine whether you need a mentor, coach, or consultant to enhance your professional development. But each one has the power to prevent you from making bad decisions that will leave you in financial distress and conducting self-sabotage to your success, whether you realize you are doing it or not!

 

Get Your Finances in Order with Debt Consolidation

Debt Consolidation to Clean Up Your Finances

Debt ConsolidationA significant challenge that many people experience as they get older, especially those who are not the best at managing money, is the mounting debt that is against their name.

Perhaps you paid for private college or university, or you had to spend a lot of money on a car or other expenses. While you may have thought that taking out loans was responsible, as they were relatively low interest, you are now having to deal with the aftermath.

Between significant loans and regular credit card debt, you likely have a lot of monthly payments to get through. Below is a guide that explains how you can use debt consolidation loans as a way to get out of such a hole.

What is Debt Consolidation?

The concept of debt consolidation in the United States is that you are taking all the money that you owe, and combining them into a single, low-interest loan. People find this advantageous, especially if they have a lot of money to repay that could take them several years to get through.

If you were to make a list of all the money that you owe each month as a result of loans or credit card bills, you are looking at a significant percentage of your monthly income. People who are giving up 50 percent or greater of their income to debt will have a very hard time making ends meet, or saving any money.

Debt consolidation loans can come in handy during such situations. By engaging in debt consolidation in the US, you can lower the amount of money that you have to pay each month to a manageable level.

Extend Your Loans

Taking longer to pay back loans, on the surface, may not appear like the smartest way to get out of debt. The issue for a lot of people is that their monthly loans are not manageable anymore. You may have taken out two or three long-term loans, while putting money on your cards, thinking that you can handle the minimum payments.

The problem is that minimum payments can add up very quickly, and if you are only paying a modest sum on each loan, you are incurring a lot of interest charges. That puts pressure on you to quickly pay off your loans, which can eat into your monthly earnings.

Taking out a single loan that you can handle with your present earnings will make life a lot easier. Depending on your current job and credit history, you may be eligible for a debt consolidation loan that is lower interest, compared to many of the loans that you are repaying.

Rebuild Your Finances

Arranging your loans into a single, manageable payment is only the first step in getting your finances in order. Limiting how much you have to pay in loans each month will make your life easier, but does not solve the root cause of the problem.

What you must tackle is your spending, as it is overspending that likely got you into this problem. To find a solution, start by spending two months tracking every dollar you spend. Assess where you are spending the most money, and what expenditures you could eliminate without damaging your quality of life too much.Debt Consolidation3

Perhaps you are spending a lot of money when you go out on the weekends, or you love ordering take-out or delivery food. Such indulgences are great when you have a very high-paying job, but if you are struggling to save money, you may need to cut back on some luxuries to secure your long-term future.

Take Control of Your Life

Allowing debt to take over your life is not pleasant, and can have a significant impact on your personal and professional life. Not only will you find it difficult to focus at work, but your relationships with friends and family may be impacted by your constant stressing about debt.

Rather than letting the cycle of repaying various loans each month take over your life and consume your thoughts, debt consolidation offers an out. You still have to pay back the money you owe, but you can do so using a single, manageable loan.

Debt Consolidation2

You take the money from that loan, pay off all the loans and credit card debts you owe, and then start making monthly payments on the consolidation loan. Within a few years, you will be debt free. If you have made changes to your spending habits in the meantime, you will likely have significant savings by then as well.

 

The Destruction of Love: How to End a Relationship

Destroy a Relationship Destroy a Relationship

Why being mindful of clients’ perspectives can keep them supporting your business

We all have them.

Days when everything pisses us off.

I doubt there’s a human being on this planet who hasn’t been in a bad mood now and then.

And for a variety of reasons too.

But there’s one thing we business owners have an unwritten rule about (well probably it’s written somewhere by someone) is that no matter what, we don’t bring our bad mood with us when communicating with clients.

Would you agree with that fundamental principle?

But how many times have you, as a client or customer, been on the receiving end of someone’s the bad mood?

It happened to me recently and that single instance destroyed a 30-year working relationship.

I had a hair appointment with the same gal that I’ve been seeing for decades. She works out of her home and lives about 25 minutes away from me. I know exactly how long it takes for me to get to her place and am typically on time, every time.

Except for the last two appointments.

The time previous to this last visit, I had an emergency come up just before heading out the door. It was something I had to take care of or faced dire consequences (as in having a very angry client on my hands!)

It meant I was going to be about 5 minutes late for my appointment. I texted her when I was leaving stating I was hurrying over and will be a few minutes late.

She didn’t reply and never said anything when I got there. We had our usual girl talk that I very much looked forward to.

This recent time I needed to do a quick errand before my appointment. I completely misjudged how much time it would take me to get from that other location to my stylist’s place. Plus… I got lost finding my way there since I was coming from a different direction.

I didn’t want to risk taking any time to stop and text her and honestly thought I was just a minute away… except it was more like 15 minutes before I finally got there.

I’ve never been 15 minutes late for anything and I felt terrible. I apologized profusely but unfortunately; she wouldn’t hear any of it.

Destroy a Relationship3She was pissed.

So angry in fact, she first lectured me on “always” being late, citing my text from the previous appointment, and that she was sick and tired of constantly hearing, “sorry I’m late” as if I’m the only one that says that every time I walk into her room.

Stunned at how mad she was, especially knowing it was the last appointment of the day, I apologized again and tried to explain why I was late and even offered to leave with my hair wet to make up for the lateness so we would still end in time.

I didn’t know what else to do to rectify my error. She was so angry; she gave me the silent treatment and only grunted her “hold your head here” and “move to the sink” commands throughout the entire time there.

I did leave with wet hair, 15 minutes earlier than what our appointment time would have ended had I been on time, vowing to never return.

I fully realize I was the catalyst that set off her anger, and I also realize she had to have been having one hell of a bad day before I arrived, and I got the brunt of her wrath. I get it.

But as a customer, a loyal one for 30 years at that, there’s no excuse whatsoever to be treated like that.

Never.

When I have bad days like what she must have experienced, I set aside whatever is going on and treat anyone whom I speak with that day, whether it’s one of our team members, a client, a lead or even chatting on social media, with the utmost respect and kindness.

Even if they are the reason for my having a bad day. It serves no purpose whatsoever to make the other person feel worse than what I am feeling. I found this experience to be so distressing, I posted about it on Facebook.

I received a variety of responses, ranging from my owing her an apology (which I did) to justifying why she blew up, right over to demanding I fire her on the spot (which I ended up doing).

These kinds of responses go to show how we are all human and all look at experiences from our lens and history. For me, I was taken straight back to elementary school when I was the victim of bullying quite a bit. A feeling I never want to experience again! Destroy a Relationship

Others empathized with her where time is very important to them and get angry themselves when someone disrespects it. (I’m the same way – being punctual is a huge deal for me.)

One thing I have done as a result of this experience is to find the lesson behind it all. For one, I will plan my time better and ensure I give myself enough time to do what needs to be done in time!

I also learned just how fragile our relationships can be. She lost a client of 30 years – and I lost any further opportunities to visit with someone I’ve known for a long time to get some of the much-valued girl time I look forward to with each visit.

It doesn’t take much to destroy a 30-year working relationship.

Yes, I realize I could reach out and try to mend the fences but I am choosing not to. At least not right now.

At the end of the day, this lesson goes to show how important it is for us all to keep our anger in check. To realize our anger is being received by the other person, and be aware of how they are receiving it with their response. They won’t always understand where you are coming from because they’re looking at things from a different perspective.

So, what do we do when we’re having a bad day and business must go on?

If you ever find yourself feeling angry, whether justified or not, here are eight tips on what you can do to avoid creating irreparable situations with your clients:

  1. Exercise. Go for a walk, head to the gym, and box with a punching bag. Whatever works for you to do some venting.
  2. Meditate. Or just sit quietly and practice deep breathing.  Destroy a Relationship
  3. Yoga. Nothing is better at centering our emotions and getting back in touch with our bodies than practicing yoga.
  4. Watch a funny show or listen to a positive podcast. It’s amazing how quickly your anger can turn around when you’re laughing or receiving positive energy from someone else!
  5. Use anger as motivation. If you can control the scenario that’s causing your anger, then you can do something about it!
  6. Focus on something more positive. A great thing to do here is to think of something you are grateful for and focus on why you’re so grateful for it. Putting yourself in a state of gratefulness will trigger those happy endorphins and will get you out of that crappy mood fast.
  7. Get productive. Feeling on purpose can be quite energizing. If you have something that’s calling your name, get busy and shift your attention to that.
  8. Write in a journal. A great way to release that negative vibe from your body is to write it out. Keep writing until you’ve vented everything that comes to mind. Even if it’s not the same thing that got you angry in the first place – just let it all out!

I’m curious if you have ever experienced someone either getting angry with you in a business relationship or did you lose your cool and get angry with a client or service provider? How did it turn out? What lesson did you learn? And do you have any other tips on how to let go of anger to share?

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

  1. READ: Learn effective communication principles from an expert. This book from communications specialist Yvonne Douma is a must-read. It will be available on June 8th but you can get yourself on her notification list and grab some great bonuses if you purchase on launch day: REFRAME: How to Change Your Conversations to Resolve Those Messy Conflicts.
  2. WATCH: Have you ever been frustrated by the lack of customer service from another company and vowed to never do business with them again? And most certainly never told anyone else about them?
  3. READ: I guess all of us have been on the receiving end of a situation where we are not satisfied with customer service. But how do you respond? Read this great piece from Kindi Gill who shares excellent insights on managing difficult client situations: Five Tips for Managing Customer Complaints.

 

Ready to Reopen: Back to Business This Fall

Back to Business This Fall

Back to Business This Fall2As the days continue to get shorter and summer comes to an end, there’s no better time than now to do some much-needed planning and ensure you can get back to business this fall with renewed confidence.

For many businesses, the summer months tend to be much slower, and this makes it easier to neglect the business planning process when what we should be doing is kicking things into high gear in preparation for the upcoming holiday season.

I know some of you are probably wondering, “Why is she going on about business planning? Isn’t that something you do before you’ve even launched your business?”

That may be true, but writing a business plan isn’t something you just do once and never think about again.

A business plan is supposed to define your company’s objectives and determine how you plan on achieving those goals, right?

So, what makes you think the business planning process is something that ends the second your business is launched?

The truth is your business plan shouldn’t be some static document that always remains the same.

Instead, it should be a fluid strategy that morphs to meet the ever-changing needs of your business, and that means it’s a never-ending process.

At a minimum, you should be re-evaluating your business plan at least once a year, and what better time to do it than before the holiday rush?

In any case, after reading through the list of tips we’ve laid out below, you should be able to get back to business this fall armed with great ideas and inspiration to help you cap off the year on a high note.

Back to Business This Fall3Tips to Get Back to Business This Fall

  • Review & Strategize Many small business owners spend so much time working on their businesses, that they often don’t take time to work on their businesses by planning, reviewing, and strategizing.

At any rate, as the summer comes to a close, you should try to schedule some quiet time away from the office to think, dream, plan, strategize, and review.

With that in mind, here are some questions for you to ponder:

Have you met your objectives?

If so, what allowed you to do that?

If not, what was it that got in your way?

Did you reach your revenue goals?

How many new clients did you gain?

How did those clients find you?

What areas of your business were the most profitable?

Are there any undue expenses you need to keep an eye on?

Which marketing activities are giving you the best return on investment?

Is every member of your team on the same page about your business objectives and what needs to be done to achieve them?

Are there people you need to follow up with who is coming back from vacation or about to go on vacation?

  • Make Goal Cards I’ve always been a firm believer in the power of focus and intention.

That being said, writing down your business goals and reviewing them as much as possible should help you keep them top of mind, while staying excited about achieving them, and avoiding getting sidetracked by things that are not in alignment with your priorities.

I love to set aside time each morning to visualize each one of my goals as if it’s already come true. This gets me engaged and enthusiastic about doing whatever it takes to make those goals materialize.

  •  Organize Your Tasks Another way to maintain that enthusiasm and stay on top of all your business goals, and the tasks that need to be completed to reach them is to break them down into action items with deadlines.

This means you need to define what you’re going to do yourself, what you can assign to a team member, and what you can outsource.

Aside from determining who’s going to do what, you’re also going to have to ensure everything’s organized in a way that’s comprehensive and easy to understand.

For example, Asana and Basecamp are excellent project management tools that make it easy to track, manage, and follow the progress of tasks, especially for teams that work remotely.

Here at eVision Media, we use EGroupware to manage all of our projects and it helps our virtual team to be more organized and productive.

This platform offers a multitude of project management tools and allows every member of our team to find whatever they need to know about a particular task using a single intuitive interface.

So, whether you choose to use one of these platforms, go with another one, or decide to use a completely different method, the important thing is to find a way to organize all your tasks so you can ensure every member of your team stays on the same page about what needs to be done when it’s due, and who’s supposed to do it.

  • Identify Required Resources If you want to ensure you’re firing on all cylinders this fall, you’ve got to take stock of everything you need to make that happen.

I know this can be incredibly overwhelming, but it’s better to do it now when you have some breathing room instead of doing it on the fly in the middle of the holiday season when there’s no time to plan.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to make sure you’re not forgetting anything:

Do I need to learn any new skills?

Do I need to hire new team members?

What do I need to make my goals happen?

Are there any industry events I should attend?

Are there any networking groups I should look into?

Should I hire a coach or mentor to help keep me on track with my goals?

Should I invest in new equipment or software so I can get things accomplished faster?

Whatever questions you end up asking yourself, the purpose of this reflection is to make sure you’ve armed yourself with everything you need to make your goals a reality.

So, make sure to go over everything meticulously and consider every possible scenario so you can be sure you’re not overlooking anything.

READ: Simplifying & Demystifying the Business Plan by simplifying-demystifying-business-plan-pamela-chatry2

Creating a business plan can be one of the most intimidating things you’ll ever do. There are a ton of things to consider, and once you start getting into the financial aspects, it can end up being downright terrifying. So, if you want to come up with a business plan, but you want to learn more about what goes into it, then this is definitely for you.

In this video, strategic business advisor and planner, Pamela Chatry, and I discuss what goes into a business plan, including what your sales and marketing should look like, determining hiring and outsourcing criteria, and much more.

  • Update Your Website Something else you can do to adjust your business plan at this critical time of year is to review your website.

This means looking for anything that’s out of date, updating it with new information about things like upcoming promotions or product launches, and changing anything else that is no longer applicable to your business.

For example, one of our clients is a Texas-based human resource and leadership consultant who runs a business called Quantum Ascendance.

Over the last several months, her business has shifted to focus mainly on helping American business owners who’ve been affected by pandemic restrictions to apply for what’s known as the employee retention credit.

So, once she made us aware of this change, we got straight to work making a banner for her website, so this new service could be featured prominently on her home page.

We also worked with her to update her site with fresh blog content related to the employee retention credit, so she can highlight her expertise and let potential clients know that she’s offering this service.

Truth be told, she was already connecting with a lot of clients through other means, including referrals and social media, but it wouldn’t be right to not showcase this service on her website, as well.

At any rate, with the holidays just around the corner, now is the time to stop neglecting your website, update it accordingly, and get it working for you instead of against you.

  • Holiday Planning If you’re planning on taking some time off over the holidays, now would be a great time to ensure all your ducks are in a row so you can relax and enjoy your vacation instead of wasting your time worrying.

First and foremost, this means making sure every single member of your team knows what’s expected of them and they understand all the protocols they’re required to follow.

That being said, no matter what kind of business you run, it’s incredibly important to have a solid set of standard operating procedures (SOP).

With this in place, even if you’re unable or unwilling to answer inquiries from your team while you’re on holiday, they’ll have something to refer to that will tell them everything they need to know.

I recently took three weeks off, which was a bit scary at first, not least because my team had to launch a website in my absence.

But I made sure to finalize our SOP before going on vacation, which ensured they knew exactly what to do, and as a result, I experienced only a few minor interruptions during my time off.

  • Scheduling If you’re running a business, you’ll probably end up with a mile-long to-do list, and that means it’s going to be very difficult to remember everything.

And if you’re anything like me, you won’t rest until everything is scheduled and organized, so you can stop worrying and get back to building your business.

If you’re looking to do this sort of schedule, two things I would recommend are creating a content calendar and a promotional calendar.

This involves planning out all the content you’re going to publish and all the promotions you plan to offer well in advance, using some sort of calendar or spreadsheet.

Everything I need to know to write each article can be found on this sheet, including the topic, due date, keywords, and notes to explain exactly what needs to be written.

But before you can do all that, you’re going to have to determine what kind of content and promotions you want to offer.

As of right now, there’s still time to have a back-to-school sale, plus Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Christmas are coming up, so you should try to take advantage of this window to sit down and figure out exactly what your plans are for these holidays.

This way, instead of scrambling to come up with ideas at the last minute or stressing about when your next article is going to be published, you can just kick back and relax with your family during the holidays, knowing everything is planned out and ready to go.

  • Advertising One way to quickly grab holiday sales is to capture the attention of potential customers by setting up ads that correspond to each holiday you’re looking to target.

For example, you can retarget people who visit your business’s Facebook page using a custom audience retargeting pixel on your website.

This means if someone is looking at gifts for dad on your website, you can retarget them with ads on their Facebook feed that feature the best gifts for dad.

Most social media platforms offer this same kind of functionality, as well, so make sure to take some time to think about where you’re getting a lot of engagement on social media so you can make the best decision about which platforms you want to target.

No doubt, social media can be an absolute goldmine for ad targeting, but despite having accounts on most of the major platforms, I still prefer advertising through Google Ads and other forms of paid search, so keep this in mind.

Paid search allows you to target users similar to how you would on social media, but instead of the ads being served to them on their social feeds, they’ll show up on Google when they search for whatever keyword(s) you’re targeting, and your link will be prominently placed within the search results.

Not sure how to do all this stuff? You should get help from a marketer who knows how to get the best results from these kinds of advertising.

  • Consider Some Cards Despite being immersed in the world of digital marketing for more than 20 years now, I will never discount the value of tried-and-true old-school marketing tactics, like sending out greeting cards.

You could just buy some greeting cards and send them out to your customers, colleagues, staff, and vendors, or target specific areas and have them delivered door-to-door, but you’d be missing out on the perfect chance to showcase your brand.

Instead, why not take this opportunity to leverage your visual brand with some custom-designed cards?

I know it sounds like a blast from the past, but greeting cards are still a great way to let your clients, colleagues, staff, and trusted vendors know how much you appreciate them.

One idea to stand out from the crowd is to send Thanksgiving or New Year’s cards instead of the typical Christmas card.

And speaking of cards, with all these holidays coming up, it’s also an appropriate time to start offering gift cards, if you’re not doing that already.

Even if you are, you can always entice people by featuring specific imagery on your cards for each holiday.

In any case, gift cards provide a terrific option for people who are shopping for those hard-to-buy-for individuals, so it’s something to consider.

  • Book Your Vacation Time Now I know this one seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many business owners leave this stuff to the last minute and allow their teams to do the same, only to end up with one massive headache right before the holidays.

Aside from booking your own vacation time as soon as possible, you should encourage team members to put in their vacation requests early, as well.

This way, you’ll have more time to work out any scheduling issues, and this will make your holiday time less stressful.

In any case, I hope these tips have inspired you to come up with some creative and profitable plans that will help you to build your business as we near the fall season.

Putting this kind of thought into your business plan, and updating it regularly, can produce truly amazing results if you go through everything in detail and make sure to cover all your bases.

Remember, the more you plan now, the easier and more successful your business will be for the rest of the year.

Do you have any further tips you can share about how you’re trying to get back to business now that summer is almost over?

Are you wondering how you’re ever going to figure out all this stuff on your own? We’ve been helping business owners to build their brands for more than 20 years, and we can help you, too. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.

To your business success, Susan Friesen

 

Start Your Career as a Bookkeeper

Become a bookkeeperBecome a bookkeeper

Bookkeeping is one of the oldest and most important professions in the world. Bookkeepers maintain accurate company records, financial transactions, and statements.

This article provides some tips on how to teach yourself how to become a bookkeeper. It will also give you some information on the skills needed to succeed in this profession.

 

Roles of a Bookkeeper

To become a bookkeeper, you’ll first need to understand what a bookkeeper does and the education and skills required to become one.

A bookkeeper’s work is to keep track of company finances by creating financial records for all transactions that occur in the company. They also maintain the company’s books and records by calculating taxes and payrolls, paying bills and invoices, reconciling bank statements, preparing financial statements and budgets, and managing investments or other assets such as stocks or bonds held.

They do this by using accounting software such as QuickBooks or Xero and following generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

As a bookkeeper, you’ll have different responsibilities depending on the size of your employer. For example, if working for a small business, you might also be responsible for handling payroll or managing inventory. If you work in public accounting, you may also be responsible for preparing tax returns.Become a bookkeeper

 

 

Skills Needed to Become a Good Bookkeeper

The main requirement for becoming a bookkeeper is knowing how to keep books. A four-year degree in accounting is not required, especially if you possess the following skills;

  • Organized and detail-oriented
  • High level of accuracy and organization
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks at once, such as bills and daily transactions
  • Ability to use computer software and adapt to new programs easily
  • The terminology and procedures involved in financial record keeping
  • Basic math skills, an understanding of debits and credits, and a working knowledge of double-entry accounting.

How to Become a bookkeeper

Step 1. Learn Accounting

To become a bookkeeper, you’ll first learn basic accounting skills. If you don’t know how to balance your checkbook, start there. Learn the difference between a debit and a credit, the difference between cash and accrual accounting, and how to use the various reports generated by accounting software.

You can practice these skills on software like QuickBooks or Quicken as you learn them. These programs are often available at local libraries or on the internet. Once you feel comfortable with these basic skills, you can seek more advanced training.

Step 2. Take Free or Low-cost Online Bookkeeping Courses

Bookkeeping coursework covers general bookkeeping principles and the specific accounting software used by many businesses. Accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, trial balance, and journal entries are covered in typical bookkeeping classes.

Free/low-cost bookkeeping courses includeBecome a bookkeeper2

  • Coursera courses

Coursera is a large online learning platform. Many free online courses are available, including courses in accounting and bookkeeping. Most of these courses are done in partnership with other online universities, are accredited, and have certificates of completion.

They offer various courses in different subjects. Some of the courses are free, and some are pay-as-you-go. You can learn and expand your knowledge on bookkeeping at Coursera at a minimal expense.

  • Corporate Finance Institute

Corporate Finance Institute is an online community college that offers specialized training in corporate finance, including stock trading and investing. You can learn from the world’s best instructors in just three months. Corporate Finance Institute also offers new students six months of free access to their online course materials. This includes a large selection of free video training courses covering topics such as stock trading and investing and bookkeeping and payroll.

  • Intuit bookkeeping basics

Intuit is the bookkeeping division of the software giant Intuit Inc., formerly QuickBooks. The QuickBooks bookkeeping software is a great place to get started with bookkeeping, but if you want to advance your career and learn more advanced techniques, you should consider enrolling in one of the company’s online courses. There are several different courses available, designed for beginners and advanced users. You can learn QuickBooks fundamentals and more advanced topics, such as the payroll module.

Step 3. Enroll In Internship ProgramsBecome a bookkeeper3

You may also want to look for an internship with a company in your area that uses bookkeepers. This will give you some hands-on experience.

Once you have completed formal training and gained some practical experience, you will be ready to seek employment as a bookkeeper for a company in your area or even as an independent contractor working from home.

 

Unlock Your Inner Artist: Learn How to Draw

Learn How to DrawLearn How to Draw

Drawing is an art that requires special skills. It’s why some people struggle with basic things like drawing a simple circle or a straight line, even after several attempts. The good news is that anyone can learn how to draw.

You can teach yourself how to draw and improve this skill. Sure, it’s easier to improve this skill for a talented person. But even if you are not, you can perfect your drawing with time and dedication. This article shares some insights on learning how to draw by yourself. Read on to learn more.

Can You Learn to Draw at Any Age?

Anyone can learn to draw regardless of their age. Well, it’s usually easier to perfect your drawing skills at a young age. However, you can still do it even if you are older. What matters is that you are dedicated and motivated to learn this skill. Contrary to what many people think, drawing isn’t only for kids. Adults can perfect this skill and use it as a hobby or even a source of income.

So, how long will it take to perfect my drawing? Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer to this. It could be a few minutes to a few hours or even many years, depending on the individual. It is a matter of prioritization and how complex the object you want to draw is. But once you master a concept, you can keep practicing and improving on it.

Steps to Teaching Yourself How to Draw

Step 1: Collect Your Art Supplies

Of course, you cannot start drawing without the needed tools. But don’t trouble yourself buying expensive art supplies since you are only starting. A simple pen, pencil, and paper will get the job done.

Step 2: Sketch Anything You Want

Choose any subject you like, preferably one that you can currently see. Please choose a meaningful subject like a flower or a pet. Also, note that drawing what you can see is much easier than using your imagination. A visible object improves your focus, and you can capture all the detail.

Step 3: Start by Drawing Short Lines

Begin to press your pencil very lightly against the paper. Pay attention to the line you are drawing without worrying about your subject. For instance, if you have picked your cat, don’t think about it yet. Instead, focus on outlining first. Your cat’s edge will be represented by the line between it and the environment.

It’s also advisable that you avoid drawing continuous lines. Rather, opt for short strokes. The shorter the strokes are, the easier it will be to draw. Also, avoid critiquing your work at this stage. Just draw fast and finish your strokes.

Step 4: Fill in the DetailsLearn How to Draw4

Now that you have an outline of your subject, you can begin working on the interior. Identify the landmarks or distinguishing marks on your subject to help you know where to draw the next line. Using the same cat example, look out for marks like a tuft of hair on the cat.

Step 5: Time to Shade in Shadows

Shading is challenging for many people, but it’s an essential step as your drawings will have more depth and light. Start by observing how the sun shines on the subject, then with a sharp pencil, shade lightly on the object. Remember to make even marks on your subject’s dark areas. As your pencil tip starts to wear away, shade shadow areas. Here, you’d want to press harder to make the marks darker.

You can perfect your shading using a shading bar. Move your pencil back and forth, starting from one end of your drawing paper, and moving across it to the other end. Remember to put more pressure when transitioning to darker marks.

Alternatively, one can use value bars. Divide a rectangle into five sections leaving one end white. Darken the other end and layer lines in the squares in between. This will bring out a different shade of gray.

How to Draw Your Art Style?Learn How to Draw2

Now, the above steps are for drawing a subject that has already been created. But to be a true artist, you must also learn to come up with unique drawings from your imagination. Here are the steps for drawing an original piece;

Step 1: Draw several shapes with your hands shaking; like you are feeling nervous. Do that until your hand relaxes. Try to draw 3D shapes as much as you can. (Skip this step if you already know how to draw perfect shapes).

Step 2: Combine blocks to form figures. Join the objects that you’ve outlined to form one imaginary object. For instance, you can make several rectangles, cylinders, and circles. Then imagine which of these blocks can join together to form an object. Once you have that picture, start linking the blocks up.

Step 3: Design a reference sheet. It’s unlikely that the first trial would be perfect. In that case, you want to make it a reference sheet that you can refer to when doing another attempt. Arrange forms to form a subject’s shape. Erase meaningless lines and refine useful ones to give the subject shape. Once done, try drawing your subject from different angles. For instance, if drawing a horse’s side view, most people would draw the nose from a square, the chest from a circle, and the ears from a triangle. However, there are various other ways you can draw this object.

Step 4: Perfect you’re drawing. Go back to the sketches and check where you made a mistake. Once you identify, draw the subject again, paying close attention to all detail. Start by drawing shapes to outline the subject, then bring out the other details.Learn How to Draw3

Step 5: Practice and more practice. The more you draw, the better you’ll become. So spare time every week to perfect your drawing skills.

If you want to go beyond being just a beginner at this or any other skill, and work toward developing a real mastery, then you are going to need a deeper and more powerful strategy. What you need is a way to hack your brain so you can develop a winning mindset. Learn How to Draw5

 

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