This Holiday Season, Choose to be Stress-Free

The holiday season is upon us, which can only mean one thing for busy parents all over the country: stress, anxiety, and busyness. What was once an exciting and enviable time of year during your younger years has quickly morphed into an overwhelming, month-long period of non-stop activity. The question is, does it have to be this way?

8 Tips for a Happy, Stress-Free Holiday Season

Between family gatherings, holiday parties, gift buying, traditions, unforeseen expenses, requesting time off from work, travel, and finding childcare for the kids while they’re out of school, the holiday season is easily one of the most stressful periods of time for young families.

If you’ve had enough of the stress and anxiety that comes between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, then maybe you should switch things up. Here are some practical tips you can implement to enjoy a happier, less stressful holiday season this year (and every year).

1. Get Rid of Expectations

Perhaps the biggest issue with the holiday season – from a stress perspective – is that there are so many expectations from everyone involved. By letting go of expectations, you can opt for gratitude instead of stress. American Addiction Centers reminds us that:

• The holiday season happens no matter what and stress doesn’t improve the experience.
• By letting go of expectations, you make room for new experiences and traditions.
• By focusing on gratitude, the little things become just as important as the big things.

Getting rid of expectations is easier said than done, but the more you consciously deal with this issue, the easier it gets.

2. Dole Out Responsibilities

Who says you have to be the one in charge of the holiday season in your family? It should be a group effort. Instead of bearing the burden of scheduling, cooking, buying gifts, and planning your child’s break from school, dole out responsibilities to each member of the family. There are age-appropriate things everyone can do; stop trying to micro-manage every last detail.

3. Spend the Holidays at Home

Do you typically travel during the holiday season? While visiting family can be nice, it’s also guaranteed to be stressful. Between packing, traveling, and spending time in someone else’s home, it’s all a bit much.

Who says you can’t spend the holidays at home this year? There’s something to be said for staying home and maximizing the time you have. Some of your family members might be disappointed, but you can’t control that. Be as polite as you can, but be firm in your decision.

4.Shop Ahead of Time

If you’re like most people, one of the worst things about December is Christmas gift shopping. Not only is it expensive when you have lots of people on your list, but you also have to deal with crowded malls and sold-out items. Want to avoid this stressful aspect of the holiday season? Shop ahead.

Shopping ahead not only allows you to spread out your spending and pay cash for everything, but it also lets you avoid the shopping rush. Buy items throughout the year and stash them in your closet. Come mid-December, all you have to do is wrap the items while watching terrible Hallmark movies.

5. Ditch Technology

One of the good things about the holiday season is that you get to see people you haven’t seen in awhile. Between family gatherings and holiday parties, it’s an excellent time for reconnecting and enjoy the company of others….unless you’re tethered to a screen the whole time.

If you want to have an enjoyable holiday season, ditch your devices and unplug. If you can’t literally ditch your phone, delete the apps you check most often. “Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, whatever your go-to app is, delete it,” Global Reach suggests. “You can always download it again later. Invest in some face-time with the people around you.”

6. Order Food

Home cooked meals are a hallmark of the holiday season, but don’t feel the pressure to cook dozens of casserole and desserts. Nobody is going to judge you for ordering food or having a meal catered. It allows you to actually enjoy the company of others, without worrying about burning the ham.

7. Create New Traditions

In many families, there’s a sort of internal pressure to do the same thing every year. Holiday traditions become sacred and switching things up can often feel like an abomination. However, don’t be afraid of creating new traditions when old ones are simply too stressful. You might discover that you actually like them.

8. Spend Time Giving

The final suggestion is to spend time giving. When you give your time, money, or resources during the holiday season, you automatically shift the focus away from yourself and towards someone or something else. Naturally, this relieves stress and forces you to put your priorities in the right place.

Give Yourself Permission to Relax

As a parent, it’s easy to feel guilty during the holiday season. You see what all of your friends are doing and think to yourself, “My kids deserve that, too.” But it’s time to stop judging the “success” of your holiday season by how many things you do or how many presents you buy.

A memorable holiday season involves spending time together and cherishing the things you hold dear. Give yourself permission to relax and you might even find enjoyment in the holiday season once again.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/this-holiday-season-choose-to-be-stress-free/

9 Necessities to Build a Website: Do You Still Need to Hire a Web Designer?

Do you want a website for your business?

Or perhaps, you want a site so you could have a place to put all your creative works?

There’s only one problem: you have no idea how to get started. Do not be too hasty to hire some tech guy yet. Let me give you some guidance and so you can see for yourself whether you need some tech guy to do the job or if you can do it on your own. You might be surprised to learn how easy building a website is.

If you are ready, please read on and learn what you can.

Domain name

Before anything else, you must think of a name for your planned website. Remember that the name you choose will be the one to bear your crafts or your company itself.

If you are building a website for your company, it is best that you choose a name after it.

If you want a site for your blog, try to keep it snappy and easy to remember. And of course, it has to be relevant to the content you are planning to put in it.

For example:

www.feedster.com

www.youtube.com

If you are going for a service-based content, keep the name close to the kind of service that you want to cater to the public like if you are into essay writing services it should look like these:

http://essaylook.com

http://wedoessay.com

Like I said, you should keep it relevant and easy to remember. Then you can go straight to domain name providers such as GoDaddy.com and Names.co.uk to buy your chosen domain address.

Prices can vary from $10-$20 per year or so.

Business Email Address

What will make your website sound more professional?

Get a business email address with your website domain name address on it. Like if your domain is www.essaytwist.com, your business email address should be like admin@essaytwist.com.

The importance of an email for your website is simple logic: because people would want to reach you. If they have questions and inquiries, all they have to do is send you an email.

Names.co.uk has a free customized email that comes when you buy a domain from them.

Website Builder Software

You will need a website builder software if you want your site to be complete with all features.

If you know some coding, you can create one for yourself using a notepad but if you have no idea on how to make one from scratch, I suggest you get help from WordPress, Wix or Weebly. They offer free use of website builder, most especially Wix which has a very easy to follow steps on how to customize your site.

Hosting

A hosting site is where you keep all your files and settings for your website.

Yes, your domain name address does not have that ability so you will need a hosting site. It acts as a storage facility. There are 4 types of website hosting:

• Free Hosting- this is the kind of hosting that you can get from free website providers if you do not want to spend a dime. The 3 sites mentioned above offer this kind of service (WordPress, Weebly, and Wix).
• Shared Hosting- You share a server with other websites. So if one of the websites gains a lot of traffic, yours will feel the lag every now and then.
• VPS Hosting- You still share a server with other website but you have a bigger capacity.
• Dedicated Hosting- If you do not want to share a server, you should choose this as you will have the server all to yourself. Note that this is only advisable if you have a large business enterprise that expects a huge capacity of files and traffic. If you are just starting out, this type of hosting does not suit you as this is only going to be a waste of money.

These are some of the popular hosting providers:

-GoDaddy.com

-Bluehost.com

-Hostgator.com

Hosting service ranges from $3-$30 per month, depending on how many features you will require for your hosting site.

Website Template Design

If you know a thing or two about Android’s Nova launcher, Apex launcher, and Hola launcher, then that is what a website template design is for.

It is a pre-made website design to give your website a professional look based on your taste. Of course, you can always customize it the way you want it to be. There are thousands of customization tools available out there. Word Press is one of them. They have paid and free templates.

Logo

The logo will be your website’s brand. Like your domain name, it will represent your website so try to choose or create one that suits your website.

Consider the content and the name of your domain when creating one.

If you have a creative side in you, I would suggest making your own. Use Photoshop, Windows paint or any image editor for this activity.

Google Analytics

If you want to monitor your website, you will need Google Analytics.

It is a tool to show you how many people are visiting your site, how long they are staying, and which page they visit next.

Content and Tools

Once you are done building your site, you will have to fill it with content. From article posts, videos, images and everything else that relates to your creativity or your company.

Also, you can put some tools on your sites like antivirus, junk cleaners and much more. Some are free and some are paid so you can choose for yourself. Tools are available from Weebly, Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.

Do you think you can create your own website now?

If you have some more insights and ideas to add, please feel free to comment below so we can talk about it.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/9-necessities-to-build-a-website-do-you-still-need-to-hire-a-web-designer/

How to Build a Killer Instagram Marketing Strategy

Social networking sites are a great way of marketing your products online. Using the right social platform and appropriate marketing strategies can boost your product sale to another level. But when it comes to online marketing, business owners usually prefer Facebook over any other social networking site.

However, new research has shown that Instagram has over 800 million active users and about 30 percent of online users prefer Instagram over Facebook. The statistics show that Instagram, too, can prove to be an outstanding platform for endorsing your products and boosting your company’s bottom line. But in order to do so, you need the right type of marketing plan.

Making Instagram Work for Your Business

Unlike Facebook, Instagram seems a little complicated for business owners as they claim that there aren’t enough ways of promoting their product there. But the truth is that most of the owners are unaware of the appropriate marketing strategies that are required to gain maximum customers from Instagram.

So the question now arises—how do you build a killer Instagram Marketing Strategy to top your sales charts? If you don’t know how to answer this question, then sit back and relax as we reveal all the secrets needed to create an exceptional and functional marketing strategy on Instagram.

It all starts with a plan!

Before achieving any goal, it’s very important to plan everything out. Similarly, when planning an Instagram marketing strategy, you have to lay the foundations and to set your goal first. Different owners can have different goals and there are some ways to accomplish all.

For instance, if you aim to gain followers on Instagram fast then you have to follow a different plan as compared to someone who is using Instagram to create more awareness of their brand. Therefore, you should have a clear idea of what you are aiming for so that you can follow the right path to achieve it.

Know your targeted audience

It’s extremely important to know your targeted audience as it gives you a window to the people who are actually viewing your content on Instagram. Once you get to know your audience, you can customize your content accordingly. If your account is being followed by younger people then you can target them by modifying your product and profile in ways that can attract them.

Moreover, Instagram allows you to know where most of your followers are from along with their age limits. Using this information wisely, you can come up with content that is more retable and engaging for your audience, leading to an increase in your product awareness.

Give your account a serious makeover

If you want to create an Instagram marketing strategy that will turn the tables for you then optimizing your profile is a must! Your profile reflects your brand, and it should be nothing but perfect. Every detail on your profile can make a difference and there are a lot of things that need serious consideration and here’s a quick list to begin from:

1. This first thing that catches one’s eyes on Instagram is your profile’s bio. It’s up to you how you can provide the catchiest and detailed description of your business or product in less than 150 words. The bio shouldn’t only be precise but should also reflect your brand. You can use the tagline of your product or even can write a small description. You can take ideas from some of the top brands and how they keep their bios simple yet engaging.
2. Instagram is all about visual content and the way you post speaks a lot about your product. Your every post should somehow represent your brand. But it should be done in a way that your brand’s profile gives way more than what’s expected.
3. To make your profile more interesting, you can go with a theme. There’s a range of themes to choose from. You can either choose a color theme or something abstract. Your every post should bear the theme in order to keep the profile coherent and appealing.
4. Always incorporate your brand logo in every post. You don’t have to use it as a watermark but placing it wisely in every picture can make a huge difference.
5. If you have a website, make sure you link it everywhere. From your bio to every post, adding your website can help you gain more traffic and audience can learn more about your product by visiting the website.

The art of using hashtags

One of the main reasons why Instagram can prove extremely beneficial for your product is that it comes with a ton of hashtags. The fact that you can search hashtags on Instagram can really change the deal for your business. When building an exceptional Instagram marketing strategy, it’s very important to use correct and relatable hashtags.

Using the appropriate hashtags makes your content more accessible. The description of the picture you post usually is limited to the audience that is already following you but with hashtags, you can expand your promotions to people outside your circle.

There are three basic categories of hashtags: industry, trending, and company. You should analyze your post and then add the hashtags accordingly. It’s highly recommended that you add trending hashtags to your post so that a large number of people can discover it. Additionally, you can also create your own unique hashtags that include your brand name or taglines to make finding you a unique experience.

Be creative with your content

Instagram is like an open canvas where you can paint every post as beautifully as you can. Therefore, coming up with something unique and attractive is the foremost objective. Considering the online competition in today’s world, thinking out of the box is mandatory. You should come up with ideas that not only represent your product but should do so in a way that’s also engaging.

There are a number of ways to do it. You can add behind the scenes pictures or videos of your office or employees. You can do affordable giveaways or you can even conduct live interactive sessions with your followers to get to know them more. You just have to keep improvising and trying out new things.

Be consistent

The key to a successful Instagram marketing strategy is consistency. With competition abounding in every field, inconsistency can be the reason why your followers are choosing other products over yours. That’s why it’s essential that your Instagram profile is up to date. You can set a posting frequency by assigning at least 3 pictures or videos per week.

This will provide fresh content for the audience and will keep them engaged and curious about your product.

Following the above-mentioned tips and tricks can help you create an aesthetic Instagram profile for your brand that can win you more followers as well as boost up your product sales to a level you’ve never imagined!

 

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/how-to-build-a-killer-instagram-marketing-strategy/

10 Ways Businesses Can Reduce Their Expenses

Business expenses are a part of running a company and reducing those expenses should be one of the primary aims of the business owner. When expenses are allowed to pile up unchecked, it can take a toll on the company’s profitability. If expenses are allowed to overwhelm the company budget then the company may have to close its doors for good.

Reducing expenses, whether it be commercial electricity or payroll, requires a concentrated effort. But when the company’s books show expenses going down and profitability on the rise then all of the efforts to bring down spending are worth it.

Insurance Costs

It can be easy for a business owner to take business expenses for granted, especially when it comes to paying for commercial insurance. When you have the right coverage for your business through a reputable broker, you can save money. But if you never do any due diligence when it comes to your insurance then you’ll be stuck with programs that cost way too much.

Every business should get at least two quotes from reputable brokers each year on their insurance costs. A new broker may see ways to save money that the current broker has missed. By getting competitive quotes, you can get the coverage you need at a price that fits your budget.

Managing Unused Office Space

If you’re at a point where your staffing is ideal but you still have a lot of open office space then you need to make a decision. You can’t keep paying for office space you don’t use because that is ruining your budget but moving is a huge expense. Your solution is to sublease your extra space and get it to start generating revenue for your business.

Take Advantage Of Outsourcing

If your company isn’t an accounting firm then why are you investing so much money in an in-house accounting department? If your company isn’t a computer support company then you’re just wasting money maintaining your own internal support staff.

You need to examine outsourcing your non-critical business operations to save a lot of money on operating costs. When you outsource your computer support department, you no longer have to buy equipment, train technicians, and maintain expensive data centers.

Energy Costs

Every business has monthly energy bills and there are many ways to bring those bills down. The easiest way to minimize a company’s commercial electricity bill is to simply reduce consumption. This can be accomplished in multiple ways, from buying energy-efficient equipment to installing smart thermostats.

The other, lesser-known way, is to switch to your electricity provider. Many states have deregulated their energy markets allowing alternative suppliers compete for your business. Now, you can instantly compare commercial electricity rates online, choose a longer-term fixed rate plan, and save thousands of dollars a year on your energy bill.

Finally, any business should perform an energy audit every few years to make sure your electricity consumption is optimal. There are multiple companies performing an audit and finding one should not be a problem. Overall, your realized savings could be significant.

Use Telecommuting to Your Advantage

Telecommuting is the act of allowing some of your employees to work from home. It’s a concept that is often shunned by businesses but for all of the wrong reasons. Employees that just take phone calls and put data into your computer network don’t need to take up space in your office, run up your energy bills, and add to the maintenance costs of your facility.

Companies often want to have all employees onsite because of the need to be in control of employee actions. But telecommuting will save your company thousands of dollars per year, per employee. You can create strict guidelines for accountability for telecommuting employees and get the same productivity from them that you would get if they came to the office every day.

Stop Traveling

In the days before the Internet, companies spent huge amounts of money on travel expenses to meet with clients face-to-face. With the evolution of Internet conferencing, you can now have your meetings without ever leaving the office. Many small businesses around the world are turning to Internet conferencing to have face-to-face meetings without the associated travel costs.

Use Independent Contractors

Why hire a website designer and take on all of the extra payroll taxes and office overhead expenses when you can simply use an independent contractor? When you hire an independent contractor, it’s up to the contractor to supply all of the tools and knowledge to get the job done. Your company simply pays the contract rate which is always less expensive than hiring an employee.

Since independent contractors are not employees, you don’t have to pay for benefits, payroll taxes or office space. It’s up to the contractor to meet your guidelines for each project and deliver professional results by your deadline.

Utilize Interns

College students looking to gain valuable experience are constantly looking for internships to help fill in their resumes. If you have predictable times of the year where you need additional staffing but want to avoid the costs of hiring seasonal people then consider hiring interns.

Internships are either paid or not paid but even paying internships pay well below what a standard employee would make. Your interns get the valuable industry experience they need and your company gets the help it needs at a fraction of the cost.

Review the Invoices You Pay

Did you know that many of your vendors offer discounts ranging from one to five percent off of their invoices if you pay them early? You need to review the account terms you have with your vendors and take advantage of these types of discounts. You should also look at switching from vendors who do not offer discounts to those that do.

Be Critical of Employee Productivity

Your company spends a lot of money recruiting, hiring, training, and maintaining employees. If you have employees that traditionally underperform then they’re just costing your company money. You need to build up your resolve and dismiss your hesitation to fire and replace employees who are burning through your bottom line.

Managing business expenses should be an ongoing process that’s done in a comprehensive manner. The more focus you put on keeping down expenses, the more profit you’ll have at the end of every business quarter.

 

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/ways-businesses-can-reduce-expenses/

How to Create Memories through Corporate Gifts

When it comes to corporate gifts, there are many luxuries that companies could purchase. These gifts can range from a luxury trip of scuba diving and golf to corporate gift baskets. Corporate clients tend to remember those companies that give them a physical expensive gift as it shows appreciation for something accomplished.

When you’re the one giving the gifts to your client, one of the best gifts is a luxury watch. Not only is it a practical, easy gift to give, but it’s something that can be used every day by your client. When they look at their watch each day, they’ll remember it’s a gift from your company.

There’s a saying that goes “gifts create memories,” and this is true when it comes to a corporate relationship.

Today, we’ll be going through a short list of the most popular luxury watches that would make the perfect corporate gift. Let’s get started!

Three Immortal Luxury Watches

Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 390

The Parmigiani brand is considered as one the world’s most luxurious watch brands. The Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 390 is a manual winding watch that has 80 hours of power reserve and unique in every single perspective as it’s automobile inspired.

The Parmigiani Bugatti Type 390 has a cylindrical mechanical caliber PF390 with flying tourbillon with a triangular barrel coupling system. It has a 12 degree articulated case and has the world’s smallest ball bearing. The watch also has rose and white gold options each within their own 10-piece limited editions.

It’s different from any other luxury watch as it has a lot going for it, just as the Bugatti itself. If you want to create an unforgettable memory then this is the perfect gift for someone who seems to have everything.

A. Lange & Söhne

This luxury watch is a simple but elegant reminder of how luxury should look with its hand winded functionality. This watch has the classic 18k rose gold case with a crocodile strap. It has a secondary watch for 12-hour world time with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a 72-hour power reserve. The watch does include the date along with having a day-night indicator and is water resistant up to 30 meters.

ROLEX Deepsea Deep Blue

The Rolex is a classic luxury watch with designs from solid gold to stainless steel with titanium parts for those times when you need a watch to be waterproof for practicality. The Rolex Deepsea Blue is one of those watches where it makes for a perfect gift for any person who loves to go scuba diving and needs a watch to be reliable enough to go on those deep dives.

The Rolex Deepsea is water resistant up to 3900 meters (12,800 feet)—thanks to its stainless steel and titanium design. It also shows the hour, seconds, and the date with a 50-hour power reserve.

Final Insights

Giving the perfect corporate gift to clients can sometimes be a challenge. You have a lot of choices that can range from unique experiences to simplified choices. However, luxury watches tend to be a practical high-end gift that will no doubt create a long-lasting impression.

We hope that this small list of luxury watches we presented today can give you an idea of what’s trending and give you a unique perspective on what’s available today!

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/create-memories-through-corporate-gifts/

Here’s What Your Addiction is Doing to Your Children

Drug or alcohol related addiction is something that plagues millions of Americans every year. For many, these addictions go on for years, decades, or even a lifetime. And while you may recognize the destruction you’re causing, are you aware that your addiction is also impacting your children in a rather dramatic manner?

Exploring the Impact of Parental Addiction on Children

Olivia Pennelle grew up in a family where her father was an alcoholic. His chronic abuse and dependency affected her family in more ways than one –eventually splitting the family up and fostering addictions and abuse in Olivia’s own life. While she’s since gone through recovery and has been sober for a handful of years now, she knows just how impactful it can be to grow up in a household with an addicted parent.

“I was undeserving of that childhood,” Olivia writes for Rehabs.com. “It always breaks my heart when I hear of other children affected by substance abuse. Sometimes, I want to shake people and tell them how their destructive behavior influences their child’s emotional well-being for the rest of their life. No child should be born into such a tangled mess – one that will take years in therapy to unravel.

As a parent who is currently suffering through an addiction, or has a tendency to abuse drugs or alcohol in certain situations, it’s imperative that you recognize the pain and damage your addiction can cause your kids.

1. Abusive Relationships

Whether you realize it or not, your substance abuse problem more than likely manifests itself in other forms of abuse towards your spouse and/or children. In many cases, this looks like verbal abuse, physical abuse, or even sexual abuse. Obviously, the impact of these types of abuse can be far-reaching and detrimental on a child’s development.

2. Premature Responsibility

Kids should have time to be kids. They should be out riding bikes, participating in sports, playing with friends, and having tea parties in the living room. They shouldn’t be cooking meals, washing dishes, and making sure their parents get out of bed in the morning.

When a parent abuses drugs or alcohol, they often force children to prematurely adopt responsibilities that are meant for much older kids (or even adults). While this doesn’t always end up being a negative in the long run, it unjustly robs young kids of their childhood.

3. Skewed View of Family

Growing up, you always think your family is normal. It isn’t until you go away to college or move out of the house for the first time that you start to recognize your version of normal is different from the next person’s.

For kids that grow up in households with addiction, they assume that substance abuse is normal. This creates a skewed view of family that can take a lifetime to correct.

4. Financial Instability

Where there is abuse and addiction, there is almost always financial instability. This indirectly impacts your kids and provides an incorrect picture of what it looks like to be smart with money.

5. Codependency

Codependency is the psychological relationship that often forms between two people, one of whom has an illness or addiction that requires support. While it’s often present in a spousal relationship, it can form when a child is forced to care for an addicted parent.

The problem with experiencing codependency at a young age is that it often leads children to seek it out in future relationships. As a result, they find themselves in cycles of abuse and/or addiction because it’s the only way they know how to live.

6. Isolation and Loneliness

The nuclear family is supposed to provide safety, security, and a sense of acceptance, but families with addictions and substance abuse often do more to propagate isolation and loneliness than anything else.

“We feel left out in the cold, as if we’re floating above the heads of those we yearn to be connected to, out there on our own so to speak,” Dr. Tian Dayton says. “We feel unseen and misunderstood and this experience over and over and over again can morph into a sort of cumulative trauma that informs both our sense of who we are and who we are to others. It becomes the learning that we build upon and carry into all of our interactions.”

7. Increased Risk of Addiction

“Numerous scientific studies reveal that alcohol and drug dependence runs in families. Research conducted on twins and adopted children has shown the impact of genetics in relation to alcohol and drug dependence, and in recent years, researchers have identified numerous genes as affecting risk for dependence on alcohol and drugs,” the NCADD explains. “And while no specific “addiction” gene has been identified, a number of different genetic and biological factors make someone more or less vulnerable to becoming an addict.”

When a child has a genetic disposition that makes them more likely to become an addict, exposure to a parent’s addiction can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. It’s what they see and know, which makes it more comfortable for them.

Your Consequences Go Beyond You

It’s easy to assume that your addiction and substance abuse problems are isolated, but this is never true. When you abuse alcohol or drugs, you leave a wake of destruction behind. Unfortunately, your kids take the brunt of the force. If you need help, get it. You have more than yourself to worry about – your child’s future is on the line.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/heres-what-your-addiction-is-doing-to-your-children/

Philip Kapneck: Maryland Trade Ambassador and Job Creator

Today, I interviewed a former official of the Maryland State Government who worked for many years with Maryland Trade Ambassador, Philip Kapneck.

Alan Gray: Thank you for doing this.

I’m happy to help tell the story.

Ambassador Kapneck served the State for 40 years, through consecutive administrations. That must be unprecendented.

Yes, Ambassador Phillip Kapneck served 40 years as Maryland Trade Ambassador. Once in a lifetime, a person of this magnitude will create such a success in the business world that his efforts will always be remembered as an outstanding achievement. It was outstanding in the past, the present, and those of us who know government service also believe, the future. No one else was able to come close to what Ambassador Kapneck was able to achieve.

Just over 40 years ago, the governor started the ball rolling, to generate business and create more jobs. Successive administrations continued the appointment.

Governor Mandel and the State of Maryland made the best choice possible, choosing Philip Kapneck as their trade ambassador.

He was selected many times, to continue his work and the amazing job he was doing. Every four years when Republicans or Democrats were elected president or governor, he was reappointed to continue that amazing work.

The aim was to help European companies to set up operations in the state, and create more jobs.

Ambassador Kapneck’s first base of operations was in Brussels Belgium. The aim was to attract European business and industry to stimulate the US Economy and job market. If they could attract thousands of businesses, they could get hundreds and thousands of Americans to work.

And that was very successful.

Every week, manufacturers and businesses from overseas wanted to set up their companies in the USA.

Ambassador Kapneck had brought so many companies from overseas to assist the many people needing jobs. He accomplished things that were never done before, and shattered all previous records on the books.

He created such a huge demand for European businesses to start up in the USA that the number of companies wanting to come to America to start up was almost unbelievable.

Did the companies only come to Maryland?

If the companies initially came to Maryland, but preferred to check another state for some reason, Ambassador Kapneck would talk to other governors to get their thoughts.

They talked about what could be achieved if the company came to the USA, even if it would help another state, where people were looking for work. This would create jobs there. After that, other states started advertising for companies to come to their state to see what they had to offer.

Did that reduce the number of companies coming to Maryland?

Europeans were still asking to speak to “Ambassador Philip Kapneck.” He still seemed to be the number 1 contact for those European companies wanting to set up in the USA. The reason is that he was the first to set up in Brussels and he had the confidence of the Europeans. He was honest, helpful and bilingual, plus he had a great personality and this attracted companies to deal with him first, whether he was over there in Brussels at the time or back in the USA.

In many cases, European families who set up their business in the USA were doing well, they would tell their families in Europe, to contact Ambassador Kapneck who could assist them.

What do you think is Philip Kapneck’s greatest achievement?

Philip Kapneck will be remembered most as the man who gave 40 years of service helping people get jobs, attracting business and industry to the USA, caring for his fellow man, and creating the most amazing number of jobs what no-one else has ever created in the history of our country.

It will be written in future history books that Ambassador Philip Kapneck was able to turn around the state’s economy 360 degrees by attracting foreign business and manufacturing to America and employing millions of people who were looking for jobs.

The timing was perfect and businesses took off like a jet plane.

Thank you for passing on this information, I appreciate it.

It’s my pleasure. Philip Kapneck, just like most of us in government service, never wants notoriety, but his achievements have been so outstanding, that people should know what he has done, and what is possible when someone sets out to do good for his fellow man.

Learn more about Philip Kapneck on his LinkedIn page.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/philip-kapneck-maryland-trade-ambassador-and-job-creator/

Top 6 Digital Marketing Trends That WIll Be Big This 2018

Digital marketing is constantly evolving.

However, there’s one element of this industry that stays consistent—growth. Over the next four years, the market for digital ads is expected to double. By 2020, nearly $113.18 billion will be spent on digital ads.

Getting your digital marketing strategy right is tricky. Not only is this a crowded and noisy space but the barriers to entry are so low that it becomes difficult for quality brands to stand out. Furthermore, most digital marketing is dominated by tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Instagram, so you have to work within the confines of their platforms while reaching out to your potential customers.

The tech giants are also constantly on the move and the platforms keep evolving. Staying up to date is essential if you want to invest in your digital strategy effectively.

Emerging trends in the industry could be driving this evolution further. Keeping up with what’s new and how bigger players are getting creative can help keep your branding and marketing fresh. Here are the top six digital marketing trends you need to be aware of as we enter this coming 2018:

1.     Influencer Marketing

While influencers had a breakout moment in 2017, they will be more closely associated with digital ads going forward. Most influencers already fall into the category of micro, macro, or mega. Now the bigger, more well-known influencers are likely to be seen in a variety of ads, such as banner ads or TV ads.

It is, after all, very hard to ignore an ad that features Beyonce or Richard Branson and marketers can be trusted to leverage this influence. To find out more about how to make ads yourself, check out sites like Bannersnack to get an idea of what you can create.

This sort of influencer-led marketing is more than just a passing phase. It’s an inherently effective technique that has the potential to grow much larger and more entrenched over the foreseeable future.

These influencers are experts in their field and have demonstrated an ability to gather social currency. Essentially, people trust them and they have the ability to casually mention your brand in the right context to an audience that’s more willing to pay attention.

This is a powerful social validation force that has evolved from traditional celebrity endorsements. Now, a YouTuber who knows a thing or two about personal finances can recommend your money saving app or financial advice services. Monitor social media and pay attention to content creators in your niche who have a loyal and vast audience.

2.     Machine Learning

Combining human creativity with machine learning tools could unlock value in a ton of industries. Digital marketing could be one of the earliest. The way machine learning enables predictive analysis could finally let clever marketers shift their content and strategy based on customer behavior.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence are already being applied in a number of data-driven fields like healthcare and finance. Digital marketing is a great fit for this new and developing technology. Google’s RankBrain has already changed the way search works and sites are ranked. Nowadays, it seems that all search queries are handled by their AI algorithm.

Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are adopting similar algorithms to rank their news feed, adverts, and social content. Since no one beyond the managers of these tech giants knows how the algorithms rank content, it’s important to raise the bar and quality of your content. A

Focusing on long-form, journalistic, and relevant content is now more important than ever. There’s simply no substitute for good content as we enter 2018.

3.     Micro Moments

Mobile search and browsing have led to the rise of the micro-moments. These are intent-rich moments where a user makes a reflexive turn to a device for more information or a quick buy. Companies that can use these valuable micro moments to their advantage will reap the benefits next year.

Micro-moments are getting more attention as marketers realize that users are spending most of their online hours on a smartphone. Quick and spontaneous actions are more likely to occur on the most approachable and convenient device so targeting the smartphone is essential.

Google’s own website has an interesting take on micro-moments They describe these as fleeting moments of want. The consumer wants to buy, learn, go somewhere or do something in these crucial moments. A lot of people turn to their smartphone while travelling to see if there’s an interesting place around them.

They could quickly use their phone to make sure your product is available nearby or check to see if they can price match a physical store they’re standing in. Catching them at the right time is essential for a digital marketing expert who wants to squeeze every bit of efficiency from the advertising and marketing budget.

4.     Dark Social

Social Media marketing has had a great run with people communicating out in the open on public forums like Twitter and Facebook.

However, marketing is gradually shifting to the dark social circles which are less monitored, like messaging apps and native mobile apps. A recent study found that nearly half of all internet users aged 55 or above share exclusively on dark social. Chat groups on Whatsapp or Facebook messenger could be instrumental in a marketing strategy from next year.

Considering that nearly 70% of all social media sharing activity happens through dark social channels like private messages and personal tweets, it helps to get your marketing strategy built around shareability and relatability.

There are some interesting tools you can use to make it easier for people to share your content or monitor their dark social activities. However, your best bet is to simply make your content great. Better content will ultimately be shared more and get you higher traffic from these dark parts of public social networks.

5.     Personalization

Who doesn’t appreciate a personal touch? Advertisers and marketers can finally apply big data and machine learning to create personalized experiences for online audiences. A simple inclusion of a name or personal gesture on a digital ad could have a noticeable impact.

That’s why about two-thirds of users said they were more likely to buy from a company that treated them as a person rather than a digit on a spreadsheet.

McKinsey calls personalization the holy grail of digital marketing. According to the firm, being able to tailor content and adverts to users is a magically effective way to sell products and services. In-depth data on how consumers behave while browsing online should help identify triggers and craft personalized messages.

They recommend hiring a small team of professionals who can brainstorm different perspectives of potential clients and use highly sophisticated digital tools to ensure your message is exactly on point and unique to every single user.

6.     Chat Bots

The year 2018 could be the year chat bots come of age and stop being a gimmick. Brands and companies are already using chatbots to help customers through their shopping experience and to solidify their relationship. Next year, these chatbots could become more intuitive and helpful, paving the way for mass adoption.

These chats bots have a number of superpowers as well. Since these are driven by AI, they’ll only get better with more interactions. These bots also tend to live on messaging platforms so you don’t need to get a consumer to click on a link or download an app to interact with your company. They can start experiencing your services right from the comfort of their favorite messaging app.

There are many examples of big brands that have used chatbots to boost their marketing efforts. National Geographic, for example, has an Einstein bot that helps users answer questions about space. Whole Foods has a bot that helps people discover new recipes while Aerie has a bot that helps women pick out the perfect bra.

Companies such as Harper Collins has used a bot to make the book buying experience more interactive while Duolingo helps users pick up a new language within their favorite chat window. These examples can help guide your marketing strategy and the design of your chatbots.

Final Thoughts

Digital marketing is changing all the time.

Search and social media are crucial platforms for marketers but these platforms are controlled by tech giants who keep finding new ways to fine-tune the system. Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all have algorithms that are consistently changing and that can make or break your marketing strategy overnight.

But these shifting algorithms open up new opportunities for digital marketing experts who catch onto emerging trends. Chatbots, micro moments, influencers, personalization, dark social monitoring, and machine learning are all trends that could change the nature of the industry. Keeping an eye on all these trends will be vital for any digital marketing professional as we enter the new year!

 

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/top-6-digital-marketing-trends-2018/

Investment Ideas Millennials Will Want to Know

The present generation has a lot to offer to the world.

Millennials are lucky enough to be living in the digital age and with the technological skills and know-how, to boot! For sure, young people today are afforded a lot of opportunities to establish business startups and there’s truth in the idea that the world will be driven by investments coming from these demographics.

In fact, comparisons between those who have lived through generation-X and those who have witnessed the rise of social media have shown that the present generation is earning a lot more than the previous one. Again, this has been the result of the digital revolution which made it easier for just about anybody (especially for 20-somethings with important ideas to share) to make it big.

Still, it’s not always the internet that has to be the only source for the Millennial Generation’s successes in the financial field. In fact, young people today can also do other things beyond the realm of social media that will give them a chance to grow their wallets in much of the same way as Facebook and Twitter do.

Invest in gems and bullion

An article from the Financial Post pointed out that millennials are less likely to invest in diamonds and this is attributed to a lower demand regime among members of this generation.

On the other hand, entrepreneurs and investors present a very good case for millennials to be investing in diamonds. Although they’re less interested in buying jewelry than their Gen-X counterparts, the present generation has a different mindset in that they buy diamonds and in some cases, bullion for financial security.

These precious gems and metals store value and whatever financial scenario come their way, they can always feel secure in possessing something that would still retain its value.

Still, when it comes to diamonds, millennials need to know just where to go looking for the real deal. Considering just how easy it is to manufacture fake diamonds, young people might as well ask themselves how to identify a real diamond. Luckily, there are resources online where they can find information about authenticating precious stones and gems.

Buying bitcoins

Bitcoins are basically an alien concept to most members of Generation-X, except of course for those who have already studied a lot about the cryptocurrency and decided to buy in on the action.

But for millennials whose philosophy resides in the fact that there’s always an easier way to get things done, Bitcoins appeal profoundly in this respect on account of the simplicity of the system it thrives in.

In fact, Bitcoins have become a popular investment choice for Millennials wanting to secure their futures and finance the projects of their dreams. And all of this is possible by keeping a laptop running for farming Bitcoins.

Bitcoin purchases have risen in recent months and it will continue to do so as curiosity towards this new currency enjoys steady growth. It’s only a matter of knowing where to put your money and how to buy in.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/investment-ideas-for-millennials/

5 Business Industries That Will Be Large in 2018

As 2017 draws to a close, analysts are already looking ahead to 2018 trying to predict the next big trends. One of the most discussed topics is what industries will be the biggest next year. Which industries will either continue to grow or pull ahead of the pack?

There are actually a few that are showing plenty of promise for 2018 and are looking to be huge leaders in the economy. Here’s a look at the top five business industries predicted to hit it big in 2018.

Energy and Power Sector

As industry around the world continues to grow and expand, so does the need for power systems. With oil production being too unpredictable as well as with energy prices soaring, there’s a lot of focus on finding better ways to handle the energy demands of the world. This is exactly why the energy and power sector is set to have another big year in 2018.

From massive global companies to companies such as Lindberg Process Equipment who specialize in energy and combustion systems for the mining and industrial fields, there will be a lot of money spent on research, development, and implementing better systems.

Healthcare Technology

The healthcare industry is one that has gone through absolutely massive changes over the past few decades thanks to the advancements in technology. Technology has actually driven this industry into all new areas that most wouldn’t have even thought possible just 20 years ago. These innovations are now making it possible for medical professionals to better diagnose patients, go about surgical procedures, monitor patients, and improve patient care in general.

Virtual Reality Technology

While virtual reality isn’t a new technology, it has had a bit of slow climb. When it was first introduced on the market, it was limited in its uses and was also an extremely expensive technology.

Today innovators are looking for new doors to open with VR technology so that it moves past the video gaming industry. The technology is now being used in marketing, education, job training, safety testing, and even therapy. It’s expected that by the year 2021, the augmented reality and virtual reality revenues will be $75 billion.

Military Technology: Drones

With President Donald Trump announcing “historic” U.S. military spending boosts, you can bet that some of that money will go into new technology. One of the most exciting areas for military technology right now is with drones. This technology is quickly becoming more affordable, more advanced, and more user-friendly making it ideal for the military to use in all kinds of different ways.

Biotechnology

Finally, there’s the biotechnology field that has been growing year after year. This industry touches upon many others such as industry, agriculture, medicine, and more. Biotechnology aims to take current methods and systems and make them more effective and beneficial. There have been many ground-breaking discoveries in this industry.

A Big Year Ahead

This is just a small look at the industries that are set to have a big year in 2018. There’s no doubt that there’s plenty to get excited about especially with the coming developments and changes in the above industries!

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/5-business-industries-that-will-be-large-in-2018/

Winter’s Coming and Here’s How to Keep Your Electric Bill Down

There’s no doubt that most of us has become more energy conscious over the past years.

One of the reasons for that is the harsh reality of how fast we’re depleting the resources of the planet we call home. But let’s face it, the fact that we’re somehow shocked every time we see those numbers on the electric bill play a role too.

With the winter almost here, we decided to put together a list of actionable tips you can use to cut that cost down.

So without much ado, let’s get to it.

The drafty windows

This one is pretty straightforward and common sense–you’ll need less energy to keep your home warm if it’s not as cold in the first place.

If you live in the house with big windows and doors, simply sealing the cracks that allow the cold to get in goes a long way.

Do a frame audit

Be smart about this, wait for an especially windy day to perform the “crack audit.”

You will feel the more obvious leaks on your hand but for the smaller ones, you’ll need a thin strip of light fabric. Bring it close to the frame and if there’s a leak, it will flicker.

The first step here would be to use silicone to plug the sources of the draft and then tape the insides of the frame with a clear plastic tape.

This should make a significant difference because if there’s one thing that can skyrocket your energy bill, its drafty windows.

If you can still feel the drought after applying the sealant, you can take it one step further by installing insulating shades/drapes on the problematic windows.

Localized heating

We don’t walk around our homes all the time but we do keep it warm just to be comfortable when grabbing something from the fridge or getting a glass of water.

But what about the nights? Is it energy-efficient to keep the whole house warm when you’re just staying in one place for 8 hours?

Heated electric blankets and throws

A heating blanket is what we had in mind when we said “localized heating.” These were all the rage about a decade or two ago but it didn’t last because of safety issues.

All the concerns people had back then are pretty much moot today though. The electric blanket technology was tweaked and there are now strict standards in place to ensure safety.

The appearance of a heated throw has also changed and you practically can’t tell the difference between these and a classic blanket or throw.

Choosing the best

We would still advise going with trusted brands and quality electric blankets like Sunbeam or Biddeford. You can always do more research by reading the reviews and base your decision on what other people are saying. It’s also smart to look at some tests performed by 3rd independent websites–we found some great information and reviews of the best electric blankets at thesleepstudies.com.

Using these blankets will allow you to turn the thermostat a few notches down (10 to 20°). This alone will lower the bill by more than 10% as per the energy.gov.

It’s also extra cozy–just imagine a quiet afternoon of watching back-to-back episodes of your favorite TV show wrapped in a warm, heated mink blanket with a mug of sweet cocoa in your hands.

Sleeping arrangements

To save energy, you should sleep on the ground floor in summer and the top floor during the cold winter months.

Hot air is lighter and rises, which means that the bedrooms on the top floor will be significantly warmer.

Optimize your attic insulation

You can’t do much about the way your home is built or how thick the walls are but what you can do is optimize the insulation of the attic.

Start by making sure that the thickness of the insulating layer is just right (it should be 12- 13″).

If you have that part that right, rearrange the boxes you have across the floor—put them on top of each other and move them into a corner. The reason for this is the fact that any pressure compresses the insulation, making it less efficient.

Paint your walls in warm colors

A space painted in aquamarine blue will have an impact on the way you perceive the temperature in the room. But the reasons for painting your space darker go beyond your perception.

It’s basic physics as well—the darker shades attract heat. It’s an elegant way to influence how temperature is distributed through the house.

A good rule of thumb here is to choose a warm, darker shade for the space where you spend most of your time, like the living room.

Use the heat produced by appliances

Your oven and dishwasher/dryer are a significant source of heat and it’s smart to use that to your advantage.

Do your laundry and dishwashing at the times of the day when it usually gets colder.

The heat that they produce will spread around the house and allow you to lower the temperature setting on the thermostat, even if it’s just a few degrees.

Use the Sun

Even during winter months, the sunlight shouldn’t be shrugged off.

The drapes or curtains on the windows facing south should be open during the day to welcome the heat in.

Checking your heat appliances

This is probably the most obvious tip and that’s why we’re mentioning it last.

Whatever means of heating you’re using, they should be checked by a professional before the season starts.

A good example of how big of a difference this can make is the furnace.

In the “worst-case scenario,” you can make the mistake of leaving the furnace in “emergency” mode. This kind of thing can easily double your bill.

It’s all worth it

The tips that we went through above might not seem like a big deal on their own but combined, they make a huge difference.

Implementing them will no doubt result in a dip in your monthly bill and you’ll v=be positively surprised by your energy bill for the first time ever.

On top of that, you can take pride in being an energy-conscious person as well!

 

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/winter-is-coming-slaying-the-dragon-that-is-the-electric-bill/

How Social Media Influencers Improve Your Marketing Strategy

Social media influencers are people who are able to reach a wide audience through their social media platforms. This connection can help their followers make decisions, facilitate brand recognition, and market different products.

This kind of influencing uses the power of personality or celebrity to sell a product or service. Companies and brands looking to expand their business can cash in on the aura and the strength of the personality to draw a specific group of people and an attentive audience to take its brand forward.

While most influencers are big names, an influencer need not necessarily be a big name. In return for the use of their ambit of control, influencers are showered with gifts and freebies and are also paid for their efforts. They may receive sponsorships for their events as well.

What is crucial is harmony between the influencer and the brand they’re associated with. For instance, it makes sense for an athlete to be associated with a sporting brand or a health drink but not necessarily for financial services. So when everything goes together–the brand, the image it wants to create for itself, the personality, and their own style and way of doing things, you can have a perfect marketing campaign.

What a Good Social Media Influencer is Made Of

Social media influencers don’t always limit themselves to just one site. They have their blog, a Twitter handle, a Facebook page, a content-rich Instagram presence, and a channel on YouTube, to name just a few. Thus, the marketing message is picked up by different audiences on different platforms. This way of marketing is so effective these days that companies actually have a separate budget for just social media influencing.

Like mentioned earlier, social media influencers can be anyone—celebrities are the most common types and are often approached for endorsements and shout-outs. But an influencer could also be an industry expert-someone with a loyal following that knows that they’re listening to a person of authority.

For example, bloggers who’ve been around for a while and made an impact with their commentaries and ideas also count as influencers. There are also beauty bloggers who are very popular and whose how-to videos have a big impact. The products they use or speak about are often bought en masse by their legion of followers. YouTube users are also very popular for their offbeat news, music covers, and informative videos.

A social media influencer works by creating personalized content. This content is rich, engaging, and timely. It could be in the form of words, videos or pictures, songs or mixed media. Influencers decide what the method should be, depending on where they best thrive. The influencer may be directed by the company to offer coupons, gifts, and as well as freebies to their followers.

Their audience is involved because they’re the ones sharing information, posting a review, commenting or clicking on a link. Sometimes, it can also be a sign-up to a service. The customer feels a sense of involvement and is a party to the growth of the brand.

Social media influencers need to be on their A-game and should always look for innovative ways to harness technology to reach a wider audience. In doing so, they act as catalysts that cause movement- towards brand awareness and purchase.

Social Media Influencing—The New Marketing Strategy

Marketing campaigns require a seamless blending of message and action for it to be effective. Most web ads should have links so that anyone interested in it can click on it and get the offer.

This can also be applied to social media influencing since it allows for proper tracking. When an influencer tweets, sends messages, blogs or posts, or published a unique coupon code, analytical tools on the site feed vital data to a marketing team. This is crucial to make any changes as required.

Today, marketing doesn’t work if issues and concerns aren’t handled at once. Watching an influencer and a user exchange comments or have a conversation is an opportunity for the marketer to learn about what the brand or product is lacking. Often, these interactions lead to unexpected discoveries—such as a creative idea or an issue that hasn’t been apparent before.

Influencers are typically among the first people to try a product and create a trend. Marketers would do well to pay attention to their actions to see if there are any opportunities to take advantage of. If an influencer is talking, tweeting or posting about something, chances are, it could take off in the near future.

What’s more, influencers are also among the first people to embrace technology, especially on a social media site. For instance, with geofilters and check-ins, they can send out location-specific information about events and launches to their audience. With Facebook Live, they can send out information on a real-time basis to people who follow them.

YouTube has channels that influencers can create an account and publish videos regularly. You can find anything and everything under the sun there. Whether you’re looking for a review of the latest gadgets, a makeup lesson or an analysis of a recently released music album, you’ll surely find it there.

So once the product is out there, the influencer is one of the main driving forces behind its success. Word of mouth and peer recommendations are at the heart of social media influencing and this is something that cannot be easily replicated by other types of marketing strategies.

What Influencers Can Do For You

Influencers are powerful individuals and this means they are often a one-man team in many ways. This means they save on marketing budgets, manpower, and resources. Getting to the right contact in the world of social influencers makes not only marketing sense but can be useful for the company if they want to direct their resources and efforts elsewhere.

Social media influencing can start off from one channel and then be replicated across different platforms. A post on Facebook can be linked to a blog, can be shared on Twitter, and then retweeted and re-shared. This is personal, specific content that can work almost anywhere, that can be replicated by not just the influencer but by the user as well.

Social media influencing is cooperative, giving the user a feeling of being vested in the brand and involved in the company’s growth. It’s also engaging and effective—no wonder then that so many brands are harnessing the power of this people-led action plan.

Dominant Platforms in Social Media Influencing

Facebook

From a small, on-campus startup less than a decade ago to being the giant social media hub it is today, Facebook has come a long way. While social media changes almost constantly, Facebook has managed to retain its position right at the top with clever new innovations to help the influencer.

Apart from pushing the “Like” button among other things, Facebook also has added Facebook Live which lets users stream live video of events. It’s a useful tool for events, launches, and campaigns. Research proves that far more people tune into live event videos than they do a taped session. Facebook also uses Messenger to help spread influence.

WhatsApp

A Facebook acquisition, WhatsApp harnesses the need people have for instant communication. In fact, over 61% of young people feel a greater sense of loyalty to companies that use text messages to spread the word than other companies who use different methods!

It’s believed that by next year, close to 2 billion people will be using text messaging apps. Influencing works because it has that kind of personal touch. It also facilitates a clearer message and there’s a sense of involvement in the interaction between users and influencers.

Social messaging is also handy because, with just a simple click on the link, you can direct a reader wherever you want to. This kind of influencing results in sales as well. From its temporary status update to its ability to attach media, WhatsApp is a leader in social messaging and is used far and wide.

YouTube

An old-timer in the world of social media, YouTube works on delivering video footage. Influencers place advertisements before or after videos or show video content itself to drive home the point. YouTube is also user-friendly and is filled with channels where influencers talk about their experiences with products and brands. YouTube channels have a cult following and are a vital asset for influencers.

Instagram

When it comes to photo sharing, nothing can beat Instagram. If your content is photo-rich then this social media platform built on photo sharing is the best fit for you. Food and fashion, music and travel, personalities, luxury brands—there’s something here for every kind of influencer.

Photos also lend themselves to easy sharing. If an influencer can create rich, beautiful pictures, he or she stands to make a huge impact. The hashtag has a great significance in terms marketing different kinds of products as well.

Twitter

Twitter is the by-word on crisp, concise communication. Even with the enhanced word limit, Twitter is still the place for instant communication. Re-shares and retweets are a good indication of the influencer’s extent of control.

Twitter abounds with passionate mini worlds, united by their love for a common pastime—be it sports, television or politics. An influencer can post as many times in the day as he or she needs and in the process start conversations as well as link brands and people in order to bring more customers into the fold.

LinkedIn

Meant for the serious businessmen and job seekers, LinkedIn is a social media site with a difference. Influencers can write material on trends and jobs and put companies in touch with talent.

Other social media sites include Pinterest, Tumblr, Google+, Foursquare, Snapchat, Yelp and a lot more.

 

 

 

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/social-media-influencers-improve-your-marketing-strategies/

Why Independent Contractors Need General Liability Insurance

Accidents are inevitable. They are unavoidable, undesirable, unplanned, and incidental events that may be caused by negligence or a lack of precautions and warnings.

A General Liability Insurance or also called Commercial General Liability Insurance, is a type of insurance that protects a business from another business or person’s claims of bodily injury and its associated medical costs, damage to property, personal injury, and lawsuits relating to these injuries. A General Liability Insurance can help pay for the the legal costs in the event of a lawsuit and medical expenses for bodily injuries. This type of insurance is a necessary safety net especially for small businesses because it can provide funding when things go wrong.

An independent contractor is a person, a corporation, or a business that provides products and services to another company under agreed terms and conditions specified in a contract or within verbal agreement.

Some employers are generous enough to include independent contractors in the list of people to cover in their company’s insurance policy but this is usually more expensive than requiring an independent contractors to come up with their own insurance policies. Independent contractors need their own General Liability Insurance so that they would not end up shouldering the liability and the costs when something goes wrong.

Ways that a General Liability Insurance Protects Your Business

These are usually the types of situations that a General Liability Insurance policy covers:

• Product liability – If your product causes an injury to someone, hurts someone, or causes damage to their property, an insurance can help pay for legal expenses.
• Libel, slander, copyright infringement – These are also known as advertising injury. When someone sues you for advertising injuries such as libel, slander, or copyright infringement, the general liability insurance pays for the lawsuit expenses.
• Physical injuries on someone other than employee – If someone gets physically hurt because of your product or a negligence on your part, an insurance can help pay for the medical expenses of the person/s injured and even the legal expenses in the event that they sue you in court.
• Slip and fall accidents – This is a common accident for construction businesses. In the event of slip and fall accidents of a customer or a client on your property or caused by your product, an insurance can help pay for the medical expenses of the person/s injured including the legal expenses in case the injured person decides to file for a lawsuit.
  • Third-Party property damage – In case you damage the property of a client or customer, an insurance can shoulder the expenses for either repair or replacement of the damaged property.

Kinds of Independent Contractors who need Insurance

Generally, independent contractors need to have an insurance to protect themselves, their business, to be able to work legally in some places, to be able to fulfill some requirements by a client, and to give clients peace of mind. These are the types of independent contractors who are more likely to need insurance:

• Construction contractors of all types
• Handymen and repair contractors
• Electricians, plumbers, painters, and carpenters
• Home, office, and carpet cleaners
• Dog sitters, walkers, trainers, and groomers
• Animal trainers

Benefits of having a General Liability Insurance for Independent Contractors

Having a general liability insurance reduces risk in case something goes wrong. It gives one peace of mind knowing that if something bad happens, it will be covered by the insurance. Aside from having peace of mind, here are some other benefits that an insurance coverage provides to independent contractors:

• Financial Security – A lawsuit can cost you your business and all your years of handwork. The cost of a lawsuit is too much that it can quickly make it impossible for you to keep on with your work and to even buy inventory. Having an insurance allows you to continue with your work even during a lawsuit.

• Cover Cost of Legal Defense – Whether you win or lose a lawsuit, you are required to pay for the legal fees unless you have an insurance to cover these fees. When you are called to defend yourself in court, you may be faced with huge legal fees. In case you lose, you will also need to pay for the damages unless you have an insurance.

• Prevent Bankruptcy – A lawsuit can cause your business to crash whether you are at fault or not. A single lawsuit may result in bankruptcy leaving you with no way to continue running your business. A general liability insurance helps you avoid bankruptcy by shouldering all the legal costs and other associated expenses so you can continue operating your business despite a lawsuit.

• Gives the Client Confidence and Complacency in Hiring You – Although not all clients require independent contractors to have a general liability insurance, it is still recommended to have one. Clients know that they are protected in case of an accident when you are insured and they also know that you care enough about the business and your work to be prepared for any of these unavoidable circumstances.

• Fulfillment of Requirements – There are some states, cities, countries, or industries that require an insurance for independent contractors and for those employees who are working on job sites. Having an insurance will allow you to work in these locations. There are some places where you will not be able to legally work without having the proper insurance coverage.

• Makes it easy for other businesses or contractors to hire you with confidence – If you are a subcontractor and wish to get jobs or projects from other businesses or contractors, you need to be able to prove that hiring you will not put their company at risk. The best way to demonstrate this is by having your own general liability insurance. You may be covered by their policy but it is not always the case. Having your own insurance policy saves them money, time, and all the hassles.

Risks Faced by Independent Contractors without Insurance

You increase the risk of incurring huge losses if you do not carry an insurance that can cover the expenses for your lawsuit. In case you lose a lawsuit, you will be responsible for the damages that you are held liable for and also for the legal fees.

Clients may also be reluctant to hire you once they learn that you are not insured as it is a big risk for them. They may also not take your business seriously without an insurance because it just means that you don’t care enough for your business for unforeseen events that may happen within your contract. A contractor that doesn’t have an insurance is heeded as someone who is not experienced or business savvy, or someone who loves taking shortcuts and cuts the corners.

As some locations require an insurance to be able to legally work, you wouldn’t be able to work in such locations.

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/general-liability-insurance-independent-contractors/

Have You Tried “Arizer Air 2” Yet? Here’s an Amazing Discovery

Launching the new Air II vaporizer is one of the latest discoveries invented by the pre-eminent Canadian manufacturer, Arizer. It’s unfortunate that the Arizer Air II vaporizer has not been shipped to all vaping stores and we consider our early inventory as a great fortune. After receiving the latest addition of the best vaporizer into the family, we thought it wise to share with you more about the amazing discovery that is this product!

An overview of the Arizer Air 2

The new Air II maintains the same size of the original Air with the same high-quality components, portability, and discretion. It provides the right fit and feels as many would expect from Arizer. Products that are made in Canada are no doubt great and something to be proud of ranging from the glass items, casing, oven, and the carrying case which are all top notch.

The Arizer Air II vaporizer comes in two amazing colors: Mystic Blue and Carbon Black—both of which give a nice, streamlined and clean look to it. It’s certainly easy to read the temperature and settings from the new LED display. The three buttons on the front are well positioned, easy to use, and looks sleek. The micro USB charging port has been shifted to the back which is one of the significant changes to it, giving the unit an upright posture when charging.

Dedicated Power

The Air II packs a lot of punch with the incorporation of its high-quality 18650 lithium-ion battery. It takes 90 minutes of operating time to maintain the powerful oven active and keeps you going for a long while. Moreover, it only takes 75 seconds to increase the temperature of the oven from room temperature to 220° Celsius.

Although you can still use the Air II while charging, it’s advisable to allow it some time to fully charge and enhance the durability of the battery. The battery takes about 2 hours for a complete charge when not in use.

It’s likely to last for hundreds of charges and years of use if you maintain good care of the battery. On the other hand, you can easily shorten its life by dropping the battery and can create a dangerous internal short. The Air II’s battery should be handled properly so that it remains effective for a long time. This helps it to last so you can enjoy it for years to come! 

Functionality

Virtually, there’s no learning curve when it comes to using the Air II as it’s super easy-to-use. You can already feel comfortable using it even with only just one run through. Just hold down the menu and button down for 6 seconds to turn the unit on since it’s the default power-on setting. The unit will beep once when it’s turned on.

You can then press any button to start the Air II’s oven heating from the last set point it was used. The heating temperature will then be displayed.

There are a lot of settings you can choose to configure the Arizer Air II. It’s possible to scroll through all of the available functions using the menu button. It gives you access to display brightness, adjust the temperature in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit, and you can also set the power time and auto-off time.

The volume and brightness are adjustable through low, medium, and high settings which can really be useful for discretion purposes. The Arizer Air II has an unsurpassed temperature control the fact that it can be adjusted in one or 10-degree increments ranging from 50 to 220 degrees Celsius. This makes it easier to find the perfect temperature for you and your botanical.

Performance

You’ll surely be satisfied with the performance of Arizer Air II. It’s a powerful oven that delivers a consistent fantastic vapor, something that we all expect from a reputable brand of vaporizers. The developers have significantly improved the air flow which comes as a big bonus for the quality performance of Air II.

It provides the right amount of resistance that allows the oven to remain at a steady temperature. However, it’s still able to allow a nice and smooth inhalation of pure flavor with nothing tainting the taste. In addition, the airflow dimples in the bottom improve the air flow further when you lift the stem slightly off the floor of the oven. The richness of the vape and airflow can also be altered when the glass stem is packed more or less tightly.

It’s recommended to leave it pretty lose as it allows the preheated air to wrap around the botanical. Not only do you get a richer vapor experience but also one that lasts longer if you pack more firmly. However, it’s not necessary to stir it when loose. You can take out the stem while it’s still warm even when finished and simply tip out the spent material.

This is due to the performance of borosilicate glass stems which is exceptional and great for storing a couple of vaping sessions when hitting the road using its handy carrying case. They were purposely designed to maintain the vapor purity and give you a one of a kind vaping experience.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that Air II is a reflection of the next better generation of a classic Canadian vaporizer and has earned a great reputation for its amazing features. Some of the properties that keep the Arizer Air II at the top of the pack are its excellent battery life, ease-of-use, superior performance, great looks, precision, and great portability.

It’s also backed up with a 2-year general warranty while the convective heater comes with a lifetime coverage. This will no doubt give you confidence in the reputation of the brand. Vapers are not only assured of great quality but also a new vaping experience with the advent of Arizer Air II.

The Haze Shop is one of the stores that have a great stock of the Arizer Air II and they’ll be happy to offer you the best prices in the marketplace. With all of its awesome features, you’ll definitely vape happy!

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/tried-arizer-air-2-yet-discovery/

Why Social Media is Key to a Successful Business

About 99¢ of every dollar spent on marketing in the United States is spent on social media. Droves of people are turning away from traditional information channels such as newspapers, magazines, and television in order to receive their news and entertainment from social media.

Today, what this means is social media is one of the most important factors when it comes to determining whether your business will be a success. People don’t just browse their social media channels for information about their friends but they’re also looking for ways to enhance their lives and careers. The popularity of social media means that every serious business needs to consider how their social media channels are intimately related to their business success.

Everyone’s Using it

Your staff is using it. Your target audience is using it because almost everyone you see is often on the phone, both young and old—from all walks of life. Perhaps most importantly, however, is that your competitors are using it. That alone is a really compelling reason to be on social media. You don’t want them taking your market share just because you left out social media in your marketing strategy.

Social media use is only becoming more predominant and with more people actively engaging with social media than not, now is a great time to utilize that resource to make sure you reach as many potential clients as possible. It’s best not to leave social media to others in your field because the evidence is mounting that on this basis alone, they could overtake you.

The Visualisation of Commerce

Our society is one where more than ever before, how people respond to visual imagery is becoming a fundamental part of the communication process. Think, for example, of the growth in popularity of Instagram—the social network which has overtaken Twitter because more people are interested in rapid exposure to an image than text.

A social media strategy will help you develop the visual resources to allow your brand success. People are more likely to turn toward your business after receiving exposure to a snappy and engaging image on social media. This results in more people clicking through and generates more exposure for your business.

Google Loves Social Media

When done correctly, Google loves social media. Google even works in an explicit partnership with Twitter so that when people search a certain topic, the most relevant tweets appear at the top of the Google search page.

If you know how to make sure your social media content is relevant and accurate, your business will appear more readily on Google. As most people use Google to browse the internet when they have questions or concerns, this can generate crucial traffic toward your business that will increase your revenue.

Social Media Helps You Develop Relationship with Your Customers

Social media isn’t just about selling your business to potential customers, it’s about creating long-lasting relationships with these customers. When your business engages with people on social media, they develop a deep affinity with your product and brand.

This relationship transforms people from customers alone and into advocates for your product. Word of mouth is still one of the most important aspects of a businesses’ success and social media engagement helps people immediately spread the word about why they trust your business.

When people get a personalized approach which comes with social media engagement, they relate better to a business or brand. When you make friends with your customers, you make them customers for life and powerful allies.

Great ROI

U.S. businesses using social media are reporting 90% increased exposure while over 50% of those who use social media have improved their sales. This suggests that investing in a social media marketing campaign can offer a great return on investment and really improve your business prospects.

If you lack relevant social media expertise, outsourcing your social media marketing can save you money and really help your business grow. A team like SocialMotion Media offers a multifaceted and coordinate digital marketing service, coordinated through the most popular social media channels millions of people browse every day.

 

from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/blog/why-social-media-is-key/