How Social Media Drives Oblique Business Advertising

 The full power of social media as a business tool is just beginning to evolve. Sites like Facebook which are creating personalities for their products are just one way that businesses have found to engage with those online and help to bring themselves more business. By creating a persona instead of an institution, people are more likely to react to these businesses, psychologically, as if they were a friend. This powerful marketing tool has been long used, but today it is even more powerful.

Twitter and Pinterest

The newest tools in the social marketing department are twitter and pinterest. Twitter seems to be most often used by creating a pithy teaser and a link to something else. This may benefit businesses directly or indirectly. The tweet seems to be most successful, however, when it is applied indirectly, and relates to something like a funny blog with an oblique message supporting a particular business. Pinterest, however, has a few interesting things going for it in regards to advertising. The biggest one is that as a reader, you are not limited to a small circle of voices that you subscribe to. Instead, you choose a topic of interest, and you will see both the new and the popular together. This creates opportunities for people to see sites they had no idea they wanted, and to use them as a basis for knowledge, or better yet, purchase. For example, a person looking for outdoor hot tubs might stumble across some Blue Green Resorts pins, and get excited about staying in a location with a beautiful example. A spontaneous person would be likely to link to this and buy a weekend, particularly if an incentive is attached to the pin like a contest or sale.

Multiple Platforms

While some people are visual, others are idea-driven. A social media campaign that offers both words and photos meant to capture attention (separately, not together) will be more likely to target a wider group of followers. Word campaigns that do well are either useful, funny, or both. They also create an implicit loyalty with regular readers, as they are subconsciously grateful for receiving something of value for free, and may return this gratitude with brand loyalty.

Trick or Service?

While some see this as a trick, others see this as a service. This is not a new argument, however, as there have been free entertainment offerings with implicit advertisements for centuries. Television, sponsored festivals, and many other things fall into that category. They create a situation where a business looks like a good guy for donating air time/sponsoring a festival, and a client can feel both free to purchase nothing, or happy to support a business who loves what they do. This idea is really the crux of why social media and business go hand in hand.

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How to Shine During a Job Interview

When personnel directors were asked what they look for in those they interview, they offered this advice:

Look your best. A suit or dress makes the best impression for girls, a suit or dress pants and dress shirt for guys. You don’t have to go overboard, though, especially if you’re applying for a job where you would wear slightly dirty clothes every day.

1.  Do your homework before the interview. Here’s the assignment: Know the type of job you’re applying for, why you want to work for this particular company, and what you think you have to offer the company. This information will help you respond to the interviewer’s questions. 
2. Be neat and clean. Avoid extremes of fashion for this occasion. 
3.  Be on time. 
4.  Be yourself. Sincerity will impress an interviewer more than flash or pretense.
5.  Present a clean, attractive biodata. 
6.  Be polite and professional. You would not act arrogant or loud, would you? Of course not.  
7.  Listen before you speak. Listening shows respect and willingness to learn.  
8.  Think before you speak. And answer only the questions asked you. 
9.  Have an upbeat attitude. Don’t gossip, criticize, or complain.  
10.  Thank the interviewer.

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What Do You Mean, Job Security?

Does the world of the part-time job still seem filled with slave-driving bosses, crazy hours, low pay, and crummy conditions? Okay, you would probably encounter one or more of these no matter where you work.

Trying to put up with it all becomes a little easier if you can get some perspective. One friend of mine told me, “In a part-time job you are paid according to how easy you are to replace, not necessarily for how hard the work is.” In other words, waitresses and busboys -- who are easy to replace and make a lot less than, say a library attendant. Sure a busboy probably works harder. But workers qualified for library work are few and far between. Their boss wants to hang on to them, so they get paid more.

I have a piece of advice to you, “Don’t take it seriously.” Suppose the boss yells at you for making a mistake on the job. Instead of getting angry or holding your resentment inside, give yourself a break. Mistakes happen. If it was your fault, admit it and determine to do better next time. Learning not take your job too seriously also puts your work in proper perspective.

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How to Start Making Smart Financial Decisions

Analyze the way you use money. Think before  you act, a general thought to have a viable idea of such.

One way to be smart is to reduce the amount you were paying to banks and credit card companies. Add up what you were paying your bank for using your own money, and then shop for a bank with lower fees on the services you use. For example, if you use the ATM look for a bank that doesn’t impose a charge for withdrawals. If you write only a few checks each month, look for a basic account. Compare the costs of small local banks to better known large ones that have branches in your community. Find out whether there is a way to get a better deal by consolidating your banking business in one place. Figure out that using your credit cards, is costing you. If you are paying an annual fee, look for a card that doesn’t charge one or at least charge small interest. Compare the interest rates of various cards charge, especially if you occasionally have to spread out your payments. Find out any resources. Ask what is the costs to take a cash advance instead of using an ATM that debits your checking account.

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Ways to Make Extra Money

Photography is a lucrative part-time business because your job essentially is finished when the coverage or shoot is over. A transaction with one client can be over in one day and you can move on to another client and another shoot. Obviously, full-time photographers usually have more equipment such as two or more cameras, extra stand-alone lights, digital cameras and laptops. If you are interested on this kind of business, photographic equipment and knowledge of picture taking is all what you need to start.

Customers for photography vary, and may include anybody who hosts a birthday party, wedding, baptismal, bingo social and other special events or occasions. The only trick is to make them look good. You may also make money contributing pictures to magazines and newspapers. The best way to hook clients is to impress them with your work. If the clients love your work, he or she will refer your work to his/her friends and family.

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Look at Yourself as a Consumer

Spending has been encourage for generations as a way to measure success and even to show affection. Being a good consumer is generally defined as being a buyer, pumping money into the economy. Your patronage generates a need for services and manufacturing which create jobs and benefits everyone. But there can be a downside to consumerisms, too. Buy only the things you need. By choosing to eliminate some purchases, you can cut down on the amount of waste generated. When shopping, consider not just the quantity but the quality of what you buy. The cheapest product is not always the best choice.

Are you buying from conscientious companies? Were the products made from sustainable practices? Every purchase is a vote and you as a consumer wield more power than you may think. Being a good consumer means thinking about the impact of what you buy, both economically and environmentally.

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Works Made Easy

Every company needs an organized office, one in which the information needed to run the business is at the employee's fingertips, an office in which information never gets lost, or an appointment that would never be forgotten. If at this point, your business needs additional tools that could make your employee’s work a lot easier, and so, as the head in the company, you should look for software that could help them work efficiency. The type of office I am talking about, is not another room to clean but an organizer that fits into your purse.

Ooh yeah, scheduling software, I think is perfect for all types of businesses either big or small business. By using this kind of software, the company would be able to save company’s expenditure without comprising any works at the workplace. Everyone could use it without leaving the workplace. So, if you are aggressive to know all these things, start checking the site now so you could get more information about this and how does it works for your company. If you are skeptical at the moment, try reading customer’s testimonial. You can also try the software for free, or talk to one of the assigned representatives if you have questioned on your mind.

What do you think? Check it out for yourself, should you like (of course).
 

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High Quality for Low Prices

When you hear that a store is off-price, don’t assume that the merchandise it carries is damaged or made from lesser quality materials than what you can buy at a department store or boutique. In fact, the definition of an off-price store is one that sells only brand-name, nationally known labels. The only difference between the items at an off-price store and those at a fancy boutique is the price. So, if you are looking to get the best buy without compromising fashion or style, off-price stores may be one of your best options.

At off-price store, you can find designer, brand-name items at a very good price. Off-price stores buy their merchandise from the same manufacturers as department and designer stores, and negotiate pricing so that they can then sell the garments to consumers at a discount. Preseason shopping is about the only thing you can’t do at an off-price store.

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Be Financially Wise

There is no nicer way to say it but poor people really die earlier, unfortunately. On the other hand, rich people usually but not always live longer. I am talking about the life of the Filipino people in the Philippines. In the Philippines, usually, people with lower income are affected with more diseases like tuberculosis, infectious diseases, malnutrition and even heart disease. You probably asked, why? Simply, because, poor people don’t have enough money for check-up, no money for medication, lack of education, and they prefer herbal medication, or go to a quack doctor, but the worst scenario is, they don’t have proper nutrition.

While having more money means better access to healthcare, the problem is in the process of earning that money. There was a time that I watched news from the Philippines, there was an old woman who has a bowel cancer. She worked so hard to earn several million pesos, yet, in the end, her hospital bills just drained away her life’s earnings. Net result equals zero money saved for her husband and children. The ideal scenario is to try to gain wealth, without sacrificing your health.

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Shop and Play

Who would have thought that shopping online could be just like of playing computer game? Yes, that’s right! You can just think of playing your mouse (but of course you have to think of the consequence first, that it requires money before you do so). Alright, you are on your way of finding a good deal or how to save money while shopping. You may think of  bidding. It requires time to focus on the item and an effort to think how much would you have to bid along with a timing. You might think it is fun. With DealDash, you will not only shop but play as well. All you need to do to join the bidding is register an account for free however you have to purchase bids to join in the auctions. And that’s how the fun begins. You have to play in order for you to get the best deals. Just like playing a battle, you have to develop strategies for you to outsmart other bidders. Winning means getting as much as 99% savings for your purchase. Isn’t that great? Well, losing means nothing actually because every bidder is safe. So it’s risk free.

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Importance of Buying and Selling Business

Buying and selling is a profitable source of family income anywhere in the world, to which can help the family members meet their everyday needs. You can see people engaged in buying and selling activities almost anywheres; in the drug stores, department stores, supermarkets, sari-sari (convenient) stores, in the market, and along the sidewalks.

A good salesperson is a good listener. They are always ready to listen to suggestions for their improvements. Many successful salespersons have a deep understanding of human behavior and are able to use these skills to their advantage. They are aware that, although there is a process for successfully completing a sale, customers fall into a range of different personality types. Most of the top salespersons are very good at managing themselves. They have good work ethics. They understand that if they do not do the work, think creatively, and use their skills and potentials, they will not hit their targets and earn the income they seek.

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A Gadget to Help Boost Business

It is true that personal digital assistants are helping people to do more and better business. A decade ago, some of these gadgets like an iPod, iPad, Tablet and more, not yet existed, and most of the businessmen used an easy and simple way like using mobile phones only. I could remember the very first time I saw a mobile phone. I was actually imagining myself that I was holding this big and fat mobile phone while walking on the street or at the mall. Too funny, isn’t it?

Nowadays, bulky cell phones, mobile phones are gone. You can now buy a gadget such as laptops, android cell phones and more that can be connected to the Internet wirelessly wherever you are. Businessmen can now work faster. Students, teachers can do the research without going to the Internet café if they have this gadget. And the funny thing is, you can also use this gadget as a nanny to your kids when you don’t want to be disturbed. Just let your child play the games or else. *wink*

Thus, if you own one of these high-tech gadgets, it is going to make a lot of difference.
 

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How an Ice Rink Is Made

Every year thousands of people around the world celebrate the winter months by enjoying time out on an ice skating rink. Kids play hockey, some learn figure skating, and others just head out for some enjoyment and a little exercise. Whatever the reason they’re out there, one thing people rarely do while skating is to think about just how that ice rink is made, and what it takes to keep it maintained.

Originally ice skating was not a means of entertainment or something to do to just have fun. Initially, skating was a practical activity for people to find their way across frozen ponds in the winter time. It wasn’t until a couple of Canadian brothers decided to start a hockey league in the early 1900’s that skating became amusement and rinks were needed year round. It was then Joe and Lester Patrick began constructing and making ice rinks throughout Canada and the northwestern United States.

Being that it is simply frozen water, there is a misconceived notion that all someone has to do to create a rink is to pour a bunch of water out in a boxed in area and it will freeze. True ice rink engineering is really much more complicated. The ice has to be frozen in a layered system by first using a paint spraying truck to lay the first thin layer, after it is frozen the process is repeated and so on and so on. The thickness of the ice is particular as well because if it is too thin it will be unstable for the skaters and their skate blades would cut right through the ice to the hard surface below. If it is too thick then there is too much energy and power needed to maintain the rink, because on average a typical ice rink will use around 1,300,000 kWh of power a year just for regular maintenance.

When building an ice rink there are actually many layers besides the ice that is needed. The bottom layer will actually be the ground where there will be some sort of water drain. Above that is a thick layer of sand and gravel, as you move upwards there would next be heated concrete, a medium layer of insulation and a chilled concrete slab that the ice sites on. Within the cool layer of concrete there is a system of pipes that run chilled brine water, a special mixture that allows for the refrigeration affect without the water actually freezing. Information on these complex systems can be found through specialized companies like Recco USA or other large American manufacturers.

Ice rinks really are a marvel of modern technology. Though they may not be extremely complicated, their amazing engineering and construction give us tons of fun through sports and fun ice activities. And thanks to the inventiveness of the Patrick brothers these activities can be done year round in comfortable, temperature controlled arenas.

(Thanks for the guest post Sam Peters)

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Personal Attention Prevents Mistakes

Many businesses could increase sales and attract new customers if they gave their customers a little more personal attention. Businesses that serve customers face to face have the opportunity to build customer relationships, by having a a friendly outlook each time the customer visits the store. Online businesses should find ways to develop the personal touch that direct sellers have.

Customer Service

Many online businesses outsource their advertising and marketing to professionals. Generally, these professionals are patient and polite when dealing with customers. However, every online business should periodically monitor these services to be certain they are doing everything possible to create and keep satisfied customers.  
 
Be Certain Orders are Filled Promptly and Correctly

Random checks should be conducted to be certain that orders are being filled correctly. Colors, sizes and styles should be confirmed by the person who takes the order, and the person who packs the order.  

Inspect products when Shipped

Packers should inspect each product when it is packed for shipping. Apparel should be inspected fore tears, stains, weak stitches and other flaws. Products that are fully assembled should be tested to be certain that they are in working condition. Products that must be assembled should be packed with instructions for assembling and a help line telephone number.

 Knowledgeable Customer Help

Be certain that those who are assigned to help customers assemble products are knowledgeable and patient. Some people can easily follow written instructions, but others need help. Those who need help will require more time to locate and assemble parts.

 Customer Surveys

Every customer should have the opportunity to rate your service and product. Email addresses, telephone numbers and home addresses give you the opportunity to learn how well you are creating satisfied customers. You should contact each customer to determine that both the service and product meet their expectations. Customers whose products do not meet expectations should be offered a replacement or refund.  

Reputation is Essential For Businesses

 Although you cannot show your customers the products before packing them, you can be certain that your products meet your expectations. You can also be certain that the orders are correct and shipped promptly.

As an Internet entrepreneur, you can also do a Google search on reputation management FAQs for more ideas about creating and maintaining a good reputation. Your reputation creates repeat customers. It’s like having your business in every hometown.

(Thanks for this guest post Sam Peters)

 

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How Your Company Can Help Hurricane Sandy Victims

 One of the best ways to simultaneously improve your business’ reputation and save it a little bit of money come tax time is to donate and help out charitable organizations. While there is a plethora of philanthropic organizations to choose from, right now it’s good to focus particularly on those that are working hard to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy. When you look at Charles Phillips White House profile, it doesn’t mention all of the work he has done to help others through his foundation, Phillips Charitable Organizations. The foundation serves as a portal to help Veterans, engineering students and single parents. Currently the foundation is focused on awarding grants to those who lived in the areas that were hit the hardest during the hurricane. Apple made a splash in the news recently when it donated 2.5 million dollars to Hurricane Sandy relief. The company donated the large sum to the Red Cross and did it not just via their own monetary reserves but through the customers on iTunes. The company set up a link that iTunes users could use to contribute to the fund too. This doesn’t just help the company donate more money, it helpes make their customers feel like they were a part of the action as well, which provided them with incentive to donate as much as they could (and to think more highly of Apple and its subsidiaries).

Obviously donating money to the Red Cross is a good idea for any business. The donation can be written off on the company taxes and, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the organization is more in need of funding than ever. If you feel the need to do more, however, you should contact them and ask them to help you set up a blood drive. The Red Cross lost a sizable portion of its donated blood reserves in the hurricane and is in desperate need of new donations. Setting up and running the blood drive (and, of course, donating your own blood if you are able) helps the Red Cross and shows your community just how dedicated you are to helping people who need it. If you live nearby (or have staff that live nearby) you can also volunteer in person. You might even coordinate efforts with people in your local community to head over as a group. Your business can sponsor lodging and travel in exchange for people donating their time and energy to physically helping with the cleanup and aftermath of the storm. There are a lot of ways that your business can contribute to the cleanup of Hurricane Sandy and to help the people who are victims of the storm. Remember: helping isn’t just good for business purposes (charitable donations and activities are tax deductible), it’s good for building up your business’s reputation as well (and, of course, it feels really good to help people who need it).

 {*Thanks for the guest post Sam Peters*)

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Auction Site

Well we are just 2 months away from Christmas; do you know what to get for your friends and family? Well if you have relatives that are hard to shop for I suggest buying online, and one of the best places out there for online auctions is DealDash.

 DealDash is a new online auction that is risk free and is free to register for. Deal Dash is risk free because if you use all of your bids on a single item and do not win, they will return the bids from your first bid pack and give you a second chance. They also have a Buy it now option that you can use even if you placed a bid on it earlier. Lastly, the best part is that DealDash has a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with your items.

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Event and Production Coordinator

I have a cousin who has been working in an event organizer company a couple of years ago. I could tell that she is passionately in-love with her work for it requires a lot of travels. She likes going to new place that is why she takes care of her job as a Production Event Manager. She started as an Event Host, and as a host, she carried the event with aplomb. She was sharp, witty, and attractive to please the audience, and she’s also a good conversationalist. A year after, she was promoted as an Assistant Production Coordinator and now a Production Event Manager. Their company is not really a big company. They didn't own video production equipment, and not even a studio of their own. They only have contacts where to rent a studio if it is studio coverage, or they will just rent video equipment if the photo sitting is on-location. I was wondering why the company didn't own any equipment. And my cousin told me that it is faster and convenient, plus the fact that they don’t need a lot of people just to set up the equipment when they are on-location. It is the equipment rental company’s responsibility to arrange or set up the equipment, and they also provide vans, delivery service and other production services just like at Splashlight Miami. Now I understand the reason why they prefer to rent a studio or video equipment if there is an event regardless the size of the event. The company can save money by not hiring too many utility men, and most importantly; it has less work for them before and after the event. I can say renting video equipment provides convenience for the company especially theirs which not just that big one.

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Money Management

Whenever people need to borrow, most of them head to the local bank. However, all banks were not created equal. Big commercial banks might offer more financial services, but at the price of steep fees and often poor customer care. Nevertheless, there are better ways to borrow for every major need. If you borrow from a bank, you should try to insist on a simple interest loan. The standard installment loan charges interest on the full amount of the loan over the entire term. A simple interest loan calculates interest on the declining balance. If a lender refuses simple interest, go elsewhere, or I heard they go to www.quickpaydayloans.co.uk.

 Private lenders are not just for entrepreneurs and high rollers. Borrowers who have been rejected by banks might find private lenders more flexible. Some don’t mind if you currently have bad credit standing. All they ask for is that you are currently employed and be able to pay the borrowed money according to the terms you have agreed on. They don’t even ask for collateral. Anyway, if you’re always out of cash at the end of each month, you should change in the way you were spending. Know how much money is coming in, and where it’s going. Creating a budget can help you discipline, and it kept you from slipping into debt.

 

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Saving for the Future

Nobody knows what tomorrow holds so the best that we can do now is to be prepared for it. I’m sure everybody would agree with me that the only way to prepare for that unknown future is to save. What “saving” means can be relative to different people. It may mean putting money in the bank, investing in a business or in a cooperatives. Our hard-earned money should also be put in a place where we know can assure us of its safety. This might just be one of those best places.

What do you think guys, do you agree?

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Paypal Security

As part of blogging, PayPal is connected to bloggers. I am pretty sure all bloggers has PayPal account and  that bloggers keep their PayPal to be in safe always as possible. I read a lot of scary experiences from others about their PayPal has been hacked and locked. Scary right? So far I am in safe side and don’t have any problem with PayPal. What some resourceful and careful individual PayPal user/s usually do is to open a PayPal account in one computer and that computer is the personal one. Just don’t open PayPal anywhere else. Also, don't leave much money on my PayPal. Withdraw it directly and transfer to your bank the earlier the better. Simple precaution helps! But sometimes we cannot avoid incidents that hackers roam around and find some ways to hacked your account. So be vigilant and don’t open any link sent to you by email. Log-in directly to PayPal website address and you will feel mo secured. One more thing, Mozilla browser helps as well by pointing your cursor to the left side of the URL, it has SSL certificate there if it's the true PayPal website and it has https on its URL. Be sure it is not faded too, it is as clear as a diamond. Ha! Kidding aside but am serious. The website's (PayPal) letters-typed are not blurry. Just my unsolicited advise as I am using PayPal for years already and have seen and read precautions from them and other reliable resources.

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