Do You Make These 5 Marketing Automation Mistakes?

Marketing automation has become a vital tool for businesses of every size. It can help you gain and sustain a competitive advantage. Speed up sales results. Plus, enable you to engage more contacts with personalized messages sent at the right time. So you can build good relationships.Yet not each marketing automation system is the same. In fact, very few have all the essential tools in one package of services. If so, that can cause you to integrate system parts from third parties that can cost you time and money, especially when things go wrong down the road.That is why it’s vital to first know what a full all-in-one marketing automation system is all about.Marketing automation is a server-based software that integrates different technologies.4 Automation Technologies Most Vital for Marketing CampaignsFirst, it includes a CRM that allows you to collect, store and use information about your contacts. To be able to segment your contacts by custom fields and tags, behavior – such as opening emails and clicking on links, plus purchases.Second, it includes an automated messaging system for emails, text, postcards and tasks. This allows you to send each message to contacts based on when they opted in, a date, behavior, purchase and more.Third, it has eCommerce functionality. It integrates order pages with a form and payment gateway for one-click purchases. Plus it can allow you to integrate with a shopping cart if you prefer. Most of all, it can automate processes based on successful or failed transactions, subscriptions, trial periods, payment plans, coupons and more.Fourth, it must have a campaign builder that enables you to take each contact on a personalized journey with measurable results. This allows you to create multiple campaigns for opt-in, sales, upsell, downsell and retention.A marketing automation system such as one by Ontraport can provide additional features. These include marketing tracking to help you see which ads, landing pages and emails are generating the most cost-effective results. Affiliate marketing and membership site to help you boost the number of customers and sales. Landing page and form builder to enable you to design professional looking sites in minutes. And a lead router and scoring system to help you and your sales team follow up leads and convert them into customers.Three key benefits of a marketing automation system are that you can customize it for your business. You can have multiple marketing campaigns at the same time that operate 24/7. Plus you can automate processes specific to contacts along their journey. But there are also marketing automation mistakes you can make along the way.Marketing Automation Mistake #1: Sending eMails to Contacts Who Did NOT Opt-in
Marketing automation involves permission based emails. That means you send emails to contacts who give you permission to send them information. You can get permission when each contact opt-in to your system. However, importing a list or manually adding contacts to your marketing automation system is a violation of SPAM rules. If you do this you can compromise the delivery of emails even to those whom give you permission.Marketing Automation Mistake #2: Not Maintaining a Database of Active Contacts
Even after you get a contact to opt-in, you must keep them active. That means, you must continually send them emails with relevant content to engage with at least once per week. Otherwise, they may forget you and not open the few emails you send. Over time, they can become less engaged, diminishing email delivery of your entire database. A re-engagement campaign is an effective method to get non-engaged contacts to interact with your emails again. You get these contacts to tell you if they’d like to remain on your list or opt-out. So you can maintain a consistent and clean contact database.Marketing Automation Mistake #3: Focusing on the Wrong Metrics
Marketing automation allows you to measure the results of your campaigns. This includes opt-ins, sales conversion, email open and click link rates, landing page visits, sales, ROI and more.However, focusing on the wrong metrics can cause you to misinterpret the true results. For example, you may have two campaigns where one has much higher open rates and lower click rates. Yet when you calculate click to open rates you can see an entirely different result. Before starting each campaign, it is vital to know the metric you seek to focus on to determine success.Marketing Automation Mistake #4: Not Split Testing Campaigns
All campaigns differ by the type and number of contacts, content and more. Split testing campaigns is the key to finding what works right. But the key to split testing is to test just one variable at a time. Such as a headline, price, offer, design or target audience. The campaign that wins is the new control. Then you can test other campaigns against the control.Marketing Automation Mistake #5: Not Having a Certified Consultant on Your Team
Marketing automation is both an art and a science. It requires a mix of technology know-how with direct response marketing expertise. Plus an objective mindset that is not biased toward the company or product. These are why it is best to have an independent consultant certified in the use of the marketing automation software on your team. To develop the strategy and build a custom automation system for your business. Plus, to train your team on using the system.

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SEO Article Writer – Top 5 Tips For Hiring The Best SEO Writer For Site Promotion

If you are keen on promoting your website using ethical, cost-effective and quick means, the best way to ensure quality traffic to your website is to hire the best SEO article writer for creating original, keyword rich website content and SEO articles for distribution to top article directories.However, simply hiring a good SEO article writer does not automatically guarantee you website promotion success. As a smart web business owner, you also need to know how to get your chosen professional SEO writer to deliver the best SEO content for your article marketing campaign, so you rank higher in the search engines and also ensure readers are interested in learning more about your products or services.For best website promotion via high quality SEO article writing, you need to plan out your search engine marketing strategy, which starts with picking a great SEO writer.When you go online to search for ‘good SEO article writer,’ also type in related key phrases, like ‘top SEO writer,’ ‘cheap SEO article writer,’ ‘affordable SEO content writer’ and similar key terms that will show you relevant results for the best writers.Alternately, you can also type in specific queries, like ‘SEO writer India’ if you want to outsource your SEO content writing project, or type in ‘quality SEO article writing, Australia’ to find someone from your own region.Visit each site personally to judge the writer’s portfolio, rates and writing experience for your particular niche.Narrow down your list to the top 10 SEO writers you find in the first and second SERP (search engine result page). Guys that feature on these 2 pages will give you the real deal, because if an SEO article writer cannot manage to rank high for his own niche, how can you expect him to help you rank high for your market niche?

So, begin your hiring process by requesting your chosen writer to share content he has developed for sites similar to yours, in order to ascertain the style, information and user-friendly nature of the writer’s SEO skills. Look beyond simple SEO content: check if the content is engaging, amusing, educational or beneficial for readers, apart from the SEO aspect. This keeps visitors coming back for more when you post fresh content on your website or in article directories.
Screen your writer by asking for their professional qualifications, years of experience in the field, article writing rates and familiarity with your subject. Typically, an experienced SEO writer will be at least a high-school graduate, familiar with ethical SEO content writing techniques, possess 2-10 years of experience (any more and you know they are lying, because SEO is only 10 years old), offer reasonable writing rates and be willing to stretch creative boundaries (write a short sample so you can test his SEO writing skills in a particular niche, if ready samples are not available).
If your chosen writer has a few writing samples that really catch your fancy, discuss the particular style and content delivery with him so you can determine if the same will work for your target market. It is very important for a good SEO article writer to get under the skin of the target audience and write customized content that will grab reader attention and ensure more click-throughs and return visits to the website.
Ask your writer about the SEO content writing techniques and keyword density, keyword research tools and meta strategy used for best website promotion campaigns. If your writer is open about sharing this information with you and explains research, writing for the long-tail keyword, link techniques and meta strategies, you can rest assured your website content and article marketing project is in good hands.
To make your website content truly sparkle, aim for quality SEO content. Even though your cousin’s teenager can write articles for you for $10 a piece, if you want to ensure your website content and articles resonate with your prospective customers, hire an experienced SEO article writer. A professional SEO writer will know just how to package your product to make it attractive for website visitors that are most likely to buy from you.Finally, remember that the best SEO writer will want to exceed your expectations, so be sure to make these clear to your chosen professional.

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What Defines a Serious Business Buyer?

Individuals who desire to purchase an established small business must be well prepared before the search process begins. Well managed, profitable and successful businesses are in short supply and very high demand. Business owners and business brokers alike have little patience and interest in wasting their valuable time with buyers who have not taken the appropriate steps to demonstrate that they are fully prepared to acquire a business.How does a buyer define themselves as being a “serious” candidate and not a casual, curious, tire kicker? The goal of this article is to outline the steps that a business buyer should take in advance so that they can stand out and be recognized as a serious and credible buyer?Let’s start with a few examples demonstrating who is NOT a serious candidate.

I want to buy a small business in the area but am not sure what type yet. Can you send me information on three of the businesses you have listed for sale – the industrial manufacturing business, the durable medical equipment company, and the online retailer?

I am still working at my current job but am contemplating leaving the firm and purchase a business within the next couple of years.

My background is entirely in the printing industry but I want to make a change and thought about buying a wholesale chemical products company.

I have a little money saved up but need to get a loan to purchase a business. I am not sure how much I would qualify for or how large a business I could afford.

I want to buy a business but will need the seller to finance the purchase. I will pay them back entirely out of the future cash flow of the company.
Preparing a business for sale takes considerable work on behalf of the business broker and seller. Just a few of the steps include valuing the business, preparing the Confidential Business Review (executive summary), and organizing all of the corporate, financial, and tax documents. For a buyer to be recognized as a serious candidate, they too have work that needs to be accomplished prior to being in a position to venture in the marketplace and begin assessing business opportunities.So, what makes a buyer a serious candidate?

Personal profile and resume
Construct a detailed personal profile and biography. Not only will the seller need to see this document but any bank requires this as well. A resume is just a starting place. The document should cover the following questions:

What is your education and work experience?

Who will be buying the business? Just you, you and your spouse, a partner, an investor?

Why you are interested in buying a business?

What is your investment criteria?

What transferrable skills do you possess that qualify you for managing the business?

How will you be financing the acquisition? If bank funding will be utilized, a prequalification letter should be included. How much money do you have for a down payment?

What is your timetable to complete the acquisition?

Who is your advisory team? Which attorney will be drafting the Asset Purchase Agreement and facilitating the closing? Do they have experience with business acquisitions?

What are the contingencies for the business acquisition? Do you have to leave a current job? Do you have to secure funding from a partner or a bank? Do you have to relocate and sell a house?
How will the buyer be funding the purchase?Buyers should be knowledgeable about the size of business they are qualified to purchase. Will the buyer be utilizing personal funds for the transaction or will third party financing be used? Most acquisitions (without real estate) require 25% of the purchase price as a down payment. (Funds needed for closing costs and working capital are often provided as part of the loan package and can be financed.)Buying and selling a small business requires a two way exchange of information. The buyer should be ready to disclose the amount they can invest and have a detailed plan on how they will finance the entire transaction. The idea that the seller is going to finance the sale is not a plan and this type of buyer will be quickly dismissed. Business brokers can be a great source for recommendations on which lenders are appropriate and likely to finance the business they represent.The buyer should have a current personal financial statement prepared. If bank financing will be utilized, the buyer should be clear on their borrowing capacity and have a lender prequalification letter in hand (a banker can prepare this in a matter of hours). Don’t expect the broker or business seller to provide complete access to sensitive and confidential business documents without receiving assurances that the buyer has the appropriate resources to either purchase the business outright or obtain a business acquisition loan.What industry experience or transferrable skills does the buyer have?The optimal situation is when the prospective buyer has direct industry experience. This is especially pertinent when bank financing will be involved. Obviously, every business is different and each will have unique requirements for successful ownership. For some businesses, the buyer may be able to satisfy this requirement by having related practical work experience or transferrable skills. Certain businesses may require licenses, certifications, or a particular expertise to operate. If the buyer does not possess these it will be critical to confirm that there is a manager or key employee in place that has these qualifications. In other situations, the business may be very specialized and a buyer lacking a critical credential will be disqualified from obtaining bank funding. These issues should be discussed early in the process as the business broker will need to determine if you are managerially qualified to operate the business.What is the type of business the buyer is seeking and why?A serious buyer has developed a detailed and concise “investment criteria” for the business they seek to acquire. Several of investment criteria attributes will include the type of business, the industry, the geographic location, the size of business, and the price/value of the enterprise.Serious buyers will focus on enterprises which are suited to their background and qualifications. A buyer who inquires about an industrial packaging distributer, a restaurant, and a custom millwork company will not be treated as a serious candidate. Having an investment criteria that relates only to “profitable businesses” or “those businesses which generate a minimum of $150,000 in cash flow” without regard to the business type, industry served, geographic location, and size is a clear red flag that the candidate has not put the proper time into honing their acquisition objective.

Realistic expectations.
Successful entrepreneurs recognize that there is no such thing as a perfect company. Business ownership involves taking on some level of risk and acquiring a business is no different. Buyers who seek to purchase a business 100% free of any flaws will be searching for a very long time. There will be areas of improvement for every business and the buyer will have to make a decision as to which negative elements are acceptable and which ones are not. Buyers who are too risk adverse may just not be cut out for small business ownership and being an employee is a more suitable career objective.Additionally, buyers often fail to realize that there is a limited supply of great businesses for sale… those that have year over year revenue growth, excellent profits, and bright prospects for continued advancement. Many of these businesses sell for the full listing price and for these types of successful businesses, buyers should be careful when submitting an offer less than 90% of what it is listed at. Most of the time there are a multiple buyers who are evaluating the business and those candidates who submit, either a low-ball offer or an offer with unrealistic terms attached, will be wasting the valuable time of all parties involved not to mention possibly burning a bridge with the business seller and eliminating themselves from consideration.

Ability to react quickly
A serious buyer is well organized, has done their research, and knows what they want and what they can afford. They are decisive and capable of moving through the process in a timely and methodical fashion. If a partner, spouse, or investor will be involved in the acquisition, these individuals are consulted with in advance and are in agreement with the defined objectives. If advisors will be assisting in the evaluation, the advisors are aware of the acquisition search and are on standby for their assignment.A serious buyer should have an understanding of how businesses are valued in addition to a comprehension of the typical steps in the acquisition process. They are prepared with a list of well thought and detailed questions designed with the objective of determining if the opportunity meets their investment criteria. A serious buyer recognizes that a quick no is far better than a slow no and they tackle those gating issues from the outset that would disqualify the business from being acquired. Once the opportunity is qualified a serious buyer is in a position to make a ‘realistic offer’ and provide a letter of intent or terms sheet. A professional support team has been identified for the drafting the Asset Purchase Agreement and facilitating the transaction closing. Lastly, a serious buyer will understand the due diligence process and already have their checklist in place. Funding for the acquisition has been planned and money for an earnest money deposit is liquid and available.

Professional Communication
A serious buyer is honest, direct, and forthcoming. Now is not the time to be cagey, cute, or evasive. You want to convey at the earliest opportunity your investment criteria, time table, financial wherewithal and reasons for pursuing the acquisition. This type of communication will build a foundation of trust and honest dialog in the weeks ahead. One viable solution for a serious buyer is to retain a business broker to assist with the search and business qualification. This approach provides far better results than a haphazard approach of firing off requests for information on any business posted on-line that catches their fancy. The business-for-sale industry is not the real estate industry. There are no open houses. This is a highly confidential process where professionals are involved and retained to protect the sensitivity of the business for sale data. A buy-side broker is paid by the prospective buyer for the time, energy, and work that is generated on their behalf. They are compensated to produce results.There is nothing worse than going through the myriad of steps in preparing a business for sale to find a buyer that is not properly prepared nor has gone through the logical thought, planning, and preparation steps for acquiring a business. We have outlined the information that a business broker and seller needs when qualifying a candidate as a serious buyer. In order to close a transaction all of this information is required so it best that the buyer come prepared with this data at the outset. Few parties in this arena, want to have their time wasted or patience tested. The bottom line is that when you find the right business you are in a position to act and make a realistic offer. Successful businesses are few and far between and often receive multiple offers. Why should the business broker and seller invest time in you?

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Nutritional Supplements – Should I Take Them?

Lots of people take nutritional supplements to bridge nutritional gaps in their diet or as proactive health measures against certain health conditions. Are you sure you are taking the right nutritional supplement specific to your health needs? Taking some time to assess your health needs can help you choose the best supplement for optimal health.But your question may be more basic: Do I really need to take nutritional supplements? We live in unique times. Stress, pollution, conveniently accessible processed foods, unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles overtime can take their heavy toll on our health. This may manifest itself in bouts of tiredness, unhealthy weight gain, digestive problems, insomnia, or a weak immune system. In addition to these common symptoms of poor health, each of us has uniquely individual health needs.Taking care of your body today is like investing in your health for tomorrow. Let’s address some common reasons why many people do not take nutritional supplements. And those who do take nutritional supplements may also discover that you can benefit by changing or adding nutritional supplements to your diet as you assess your individual health needs.Let’s begin with:
I don’t need nutritional supplements. I eat healthy and get enough nutrition through my diet.I would suggest you do a simple exercise to confirm whether your diet is meeting your nutritional needs. Note down everything that you eat for two weeks, including the quantity. Check a nutrition table and track the nutrient value of everything you eat. After two weeks, work out your daily average and check your daily rating against your RDAs. You may be in for a slight shock! Statistics show that most Americans don’t meet their nutritional needs.
Lack of protein, too many carbohydrates. You might find that your diet lacks protein but is too high in carbohydrates. This is very common in the American diet. Cutting down on the carbs and supplementing your diet with spirulina or chlorella (high-protein content) will help fill this nutritional gap.
Lack of fiber. Another common feature is lack of adequate fiber. Fiber supplements are available as an individual product or may be included as an ingredient in a whole food nutritional supplement. Fiber is known to bind toxins in your GI tract and help speed its transit through your digestive system, thus minimizing their absorption in the body. Fiber is also known to promote healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. If your diet falls short on many RDA counts, consider taking a superfood supplement which includes multi-vitamins, minerals, protein, dietary fiber, probiotics and enzymes for good digestion.
I have a busy life. I’ve tried taking them, but my schedule doesn’t allow me to be consistent. I travel a lot.If you lead a busy lifestyle, taking a nutritional supplement regularly will help you have the energy and concentration power you need to perform at your maximum best. You may be on the go all the time and miss out on meals. Nutritional supplements are available in convenient-to-carry individual packets. This is usually in powdered form to be mixed with water. You can carry packets with you any where you go, and use it any time you feel the need for an energy pick-up.It is important to attend to your health needs as a priority, in addition to the many other important demands in your life. A busy schedule can add stress to your life. Stress can increase the toxin levels in your body. Not only would your body need to be armed with B-complex, but nutrients like resveratol and omega 3s can help to increase your concentration and cognitive abilities. Green tea is also known to have soothing benefits for a tired mind.
I don’t know which nutritional supplement to take. Take some time to assess your health needs. The simple exercise mentioned above will help you find your nutritional needs. You can either adjust your diet to meet your needs or introduce supplements to bridge the nutritional gaps. If you are still unsure, seek the advice of your doctor before you take any supplement.However, everyone can benefit from taking a multi-vitamin supplement. An effervescent multi-vitamin formula is the best since it allows 99% bioavailability. Look for one from a reputed company.
I take a multi-vitamin. I don’t think I need to take anything else.As research on nutrition advances, there are more nutritional supplements available to strategically help you with specific health needs. Some might be formulated for health conditions you are facing or you may likely face because you are in a higher risk category for such diseases. These include:

High cholesterol levels. If your cholesterol levels test high, or you have a family history of coronary disease, then you should look for herbal supplements that can help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Omega 3 supplementation is advisable for improved heart health. Look for a pharmaceutical grade fish oil. Other nutrients for heart health include resveratrol, cocoa and green tea. Some products contain a combination of all 3 for powerful antioxidant power that promotes cardiovascular health.
Diabetes. Green tea is also known to help support healthy blood sugar levels. Green tea supplements are available in various forms.
Arthritis: Omega 3 fatty acids, along with other nutrients such as glucosamine sulfate, methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM), hyal joint have been well researched for their role in supporting joint health.
Stress Induced Conditions. Stress is known to cause poor immune health and a host of health issues such as premature aging due to free radical damage. Antioxidants also help to reduce free radical activity. Free radical activity is the unstable activity of cells which can lead to their malfunction and malformation. Antioxidants help maintain normal cellular growth and repair of cells.
I’m scared I may overdose.It is very unlikely that you will overdose from nutritional supplements. Nutritional supplements do not provide you your complete RDAs-just a portion of them. The rest you must get from eating a balanced diet.
Many health problems can be linked to nutritional deficiencies. For some this may mean that the road to better health may lie in improving nutritional habits. This is where nutritional supplements can play an effective role in supporting your health.Nutrition experts recommend that you get your nutrition from your diet as often as possible. Nutritional supplements are to be taken in addition to a well-balanced diet. A regular exercise routine can benefit your health as well. Discuss with your doctor about taking supplements that could strategically meet your individual health needs.

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Workplace Mental Health – A Series – An Overview Of The Issue (This Is Important!)

The mind and the body are inseparable. And you do want to engage the whole employee in your worksite wellness program, right?Most worksite wellness programs today are not really wellness programs at all – they are employee health status management programs. Why do I say this? Most worksite wellness programs focus solely on employee physical health, to the exclusion of all the other dimensions of wellness.As conceived by the modern wellness field’s founders, (Robert Allen, Donald Ardell, Halbert Dunn, Bill Hettler and John Travis), wellness is a multi-dimensional concept. The published wellness model of the National Wellness Institute includes the following dimensions: physical, social, emotional, intellectual, occupational and spiritual.Emotional well-being is associated with numerous benefits to health, family, work, and economic status. Positive emotions and view of life are associated with decreased risk for disease, illness, and injury; better immune functioning; better coping and quicker recovery; and increased longevity. In addition, mental health and mental illness may influence physical health and biologic functioning. Positive mental health is associated with better endocrine function (i.e., lower levels of cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) and better immune response (i.e., higher antibody production and greater resistance to illness). It has also been shown to be associated with longevity.Researchers are continuing to learn more and more about the mind – body connection. It has been clearly shown that emotions play a huge role in our physical health. There is also a reciprocal relationship between many chronic diseases and mental health. Self-efficacy, goal-setting, and problem-solving enable self-management behaviors, and these components are dependent on emotional health. On the other hand, self-management behaviors that enhance health, such as physical activity and stress reduction, can improve mental health status and quality of life. In many ways, it makes no sense to address physical health without addressing emotional health at the same time.The absence of mental illness does not mean the presence of mental health. Growing research supports the view that these are independent, but related dimensions. Mental wellbeing are characterized by the presence of positive affect (e.g., optimism, cheerfulness and interest), absence of negative affect, and satisfaction with life. On the other hand, mental illness is characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior associated with distress or impaired functioning.Why Address Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace?The health of the mind and body cannot be separated. What effects one influences the other. Therefore, a healthy mind supports and contributes to a healthy body and vice versa.Mental illness costs employers money and mental health can impact productivity and employee performance. Just like physical health, mental health can be viewed as being a continuum. At one end there is mental health and mental illness is located at the opposite end.Mental health generally refers to the successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships, and the ability to adapt to change and adversity. These domains are commonly referred to as wellbeing.Mental illness includes diseases with classic psychiatric diagnoses, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Mental health and mental illness can be influenced by multiple determinants, including genetics and biology and their interactions with social and environmental factors.Employers approach employee health through a multi-strategy framework. A multi-strategy framework can be applied to an employer approach to mental health as well. A comprehensive approach includes: promotion, prevention, intervention, and follow-up. It is important to recognize that mental health promotion needs to be equal in importance to the prevention and treatment of mental illness.Today’s worksite wellness programs need to address all dimensions of employee wellness, not just physical health.

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Frugal Lifestyle Tips – 21 Simple Ways to Save Money

Financial debt can certainly consume you in more ways that one. It can rob you of sleep, it can cause major anxiety, it can interfere in your marriage, and it can cause you a severe bout of depression. While some of these go hand in hand, there are a growing number of financial debt affects that can result in an unhealthy lifestyle.With the worldwide failing economy, there has to be certain things we can do to alleviate some of that burden. Well, there are quite a few practical money saving tips that can economically benefit you and your family. Let’s take a look at some of those things.1) Drink Water: The beverage you drink on a daily basis should be water. Not only will this save you money, but consuming at least 8 full glasses of water each day is extremely healthy for you.2) Eat Out Less: Stay at home and cook more often verses going out to eat. You can still have that scheduled Friday or Saturday night evening out, but otherwise stick to cooking at home more throughout the week and you will be surprised at how much you save in a year’s time.3) Ditch That Daily Morning Latte: You know that daily morning latte that you think you have to have on the way back home from taking the kids to school? Ditch that, you don’t need it. Make your own at home and you’ll save a bundle in just a month’s time.4) Dryer Vent Seal: Make for sure your clothes dryer has a dryer vent seal. This is an air leakage control device. We have one on ours and it’s definitely a money saver.5) Grocery Shopping Online: Try doing your grocery shopping online. Sometimes you are able to save a considerable amount of your hard-earned dollars by doing this. An added plus, you will save on gas and time as well.6) Downsize To One Car Family: Downsize from a two car family to a one car family. Look at some car pooling options as well as re evaluating your family’s transportation needs.7) Homemade Gifts: When giving gifts, look into your creative side and make your gifts verses buying them. Maybe you love scrapbooking, or perhaps you like to crochet. Most people appreciate the homemade gifts better than the expensive store bought.8) Your Children and Finances: Teach your children early on that money doesn’t grow on trees, as the old saying goes. An allowance is a good thing for them to learn the process of earning money. Furthermore, instill in them the importance of saving.9) Phone Bill, Internet, and Cable: If you haven’t done so already, look into combining all 3 of these into one bill. You can save a bundle by dong this. I know Charter and AT &T has some good deals.10) Combining Insurances Into One Bill: A lot of people have their medical, life, and home insurance all through one company. A lot of insurance companies offer this. It’s worth checking into, as it can save you money.11) Online Coupons: There is a wealth of information on the Internet, including coupons. Just type in the type of “printable coupons” you are looking for into Google.com and you will come up with a lot of sites to check out.12) Timeshare Vacation Deals: We all get those calls don’t we? Would you like a “free vacation?” Well, of course there is always a catch for these deals. You often have to sit in on an hour or hour and a half long sales presentation. A lot of people take advantage of this. This can save you a ton of money. Type “timeshare vacations” into Google.com and you’ll find lots of options.13) Saving Leftover Foods: After meals if you have quite a bit of leftovers, don’t throw it out! Freeze it and make something different with it for another meal time. Also for small leftovers, save it for lunch for the next day.14) Yard and Rummage Sales: If you have time for these, go to them! Often times, you can find some really good bargains. And there are some people that have clothing items for sale that have never been worn (with the tags still attached) at extremely low prices. These items may be just your size and what you’ve been looking for.15) Walk Instead Of Drive: Whenever possible and when in walking distance, leave the car in the garage and walk to your destination. Not only will you save on fuel and wear and tear on your car, you will also get some needed exercise.16) Saving Coins: Coins can add up quickly. At the end of each week, gather any extra coins that have accumulated in your car and your purse, and keep them in a piggy bank or a good size container. Every so often take those coins to the bank and either put the money in your checking account, savings account, or just get the cash for it. This is great for saving up for vacations or home improvement projects.17) Enjoy Time At Home Instead Of Going Out: Have friends over or have a family night instead of going out. If your family enjoys these planned special nights, make it a weekly routine. You’d be surprised at how much you will save in a year’s time doing this.18) Store Credit Cards At Home: Instead of keeping your credit cards in your wallet or purse, store them at home in a safe place. This way, you will resist the urge to buy on impulse. Use them only for emergencies.19) Set Your Bills On Automatic Bank Draft: Instead of writing out checks each month, save on both time and stamps and schedule your bills for automatic bank draft.20) Save On Electric: When you’re away from home or during the night, adjust your thermostat. Do this for both heating and cooling.21) Online Freebies: There are tons of freebie websites. You may have to take a quick survey to get those items for free. It only takes a few minutes, take advantage of these sites and do the surveys. It is well worth it to save a few bucks.

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Grants For Home Repair

How would you know if you are eligible for grants for home repair? Even more so if you want to buy the house but it need some repairs to be done before it is safe and secure to occupy. This is likely to turn into a common catch-22 situation. The bank will not lend you the money to buy the house unless the repairs are done and you can not do the repairs until you purchase and own the house.The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can help you with this lousy situation. You need to know beforehand that lavish projects such as a garden house or a pool will not be funded. One of the main factors involved in awarding grants for home repair is the inevitability and the urgency of the repairs to be done.The importance of applying as soon as possible for your grant for home repair can not be stressed enough. The sooner you apply the better the chances are that you will be able in receiving a grant for home repair in the same budget year. In the event where you will not be able to receive a grant for the current year due to the budget being depleted you will need to wait until the new fiscal year. In such an event you can ask to be put on the waiting list for the next financial year’s budget. Remember if you retract your application you might end up waiting longer, because someone els would have taken your place in the line.When you are not sure whether your project will qualify for a grant for home repair, you can make contact with the HUD office. There you will obtain the latest first hand information on what is possible for your specific circumstances and they will assist you through the necessary process.While on advice and guidance, take note that with the assistance of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, it is very much possible that you can be awarded a grant for home repair without the help of a grant company or consultant whom you need to compensate for their service and advice. The service provided by the HUD is free. With a little time to make contact your HUD office and time to complete their application form you can go through the whole process yourself.In the event where you will be making use of a grant company of consultant, make sure how long does their application process take and what does it all entail. It is unlikely to wait 6 months for an answer. Further be cautious for 100% guarantees. There is no way that your application can be guaranteed before the relevant authority has submitted your application.

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Why Does the World Have a Shortage of Automotive Electricians?

The massive demand and the fact that the trainee numbers decreased drastically, for qualified automotive electricians particular those with the more advanced skills, has created a shortage of workers in this field.The fact that changes in automotive technology brought along that auto electricians increasingly needs more and more advanced knowledge of sophisticated components and the working of these components.Cause a normal school drop out not to be suitable to be trained as an auto electrician technician any more. It used to be the school dropped outs that was trained in the past to become workers in automotive industry. This is no longer the norm.As people that’s wants to be trained as these technicians needs more advance skills and schooling now-a-days before they can be trained to be fit for these jobs. They must have a knowledge base of electronics and the working of electronic systems.To become an advanced skilled auto electrician, you will have to undergo serious training in the understanding of these systems that is implemented into vehicles. You must have the skills and experience to work with computer diagnostic equipment.This will be necessary for the following reasons.
The diagnostic scan tool only supplies the technician with a default code.
Then it is up to the technician to identify the possible cause of this defect.
This default code can still be misleading as it can be caused by the substitution from the one defect to another.
Therefore, the technician must understand this substitution due to the hop-technology that will try to override the defect by shifting it to a working component.
After the real cause of the defect was identified, the technician must have the skills and knowledge to rectify the defect.These are a few reasons why less and less people gets trained as automotive technicians, because you basically needs people with after school educations to be trained as automotive electricians in this modern world we living in.To me this will become an even bigger problem in the future as the amount of vehicles with this advanced technology installed into them will just increase in numbers.

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Keep These 5 Rules in Mind for Successful Commercial Designing

Who doesn’t want an excellent commercial design? Excellent commercial design is important to maintain the reputation and brand image of the company. As it is said, the first impression is the last impression, a good impression always attracts potential customers. It’s obvious no one would ever love to walk in a congested environment with bad lighting.

Bad design and interiors deteriorate the productivity of the employees. It can be a confusing task when planning a commercial designing project for the first time, hiring expert Commercial Architects Melbourne can be the best option to know about the latest trends and perfect matching designs.

This blog is about some basic rules to consider for making the commercial project successful.
Keep structures versatile

When it comes to transforming any commercial space, focusing on convertibility and keeping office interior decor versatile can be the best option. It can be done by implementing a versatile structure to spaces such as cafeterias, offices, and many more. Everyone gives preference to comfort hence, focusing on spatial and versatile design will help to complete commercial designing projects in an optimal way.

Consider the latest technology implementations

Technology plays a supportive role to enhance the commercial designing project. Moving forward with the latest technology is important to execute any business smoothly because technologies make the work much easier and comfortable for the employee as well as organizations. Implementing centralized and decentralized digital control is much needed in any commercial design.

Keep office aesthetics updated

Good aesthetics and interiors impact the overall representation of the office and make the place functional and attractive. Hire a reputed designer for modern décor and furniture ideas. Hiring a designer reduces half of the project stress and helps to meet the contemporary fashion and latest trends. They can help to choose the perfect theme that blends well with the office decor, atmosphere, and colour.

Provide personalized space to prevent congestion

Majority of customer prefers personalized space such as different seating to seat comfortably and do the personal work. Personalized space is one of the crucial factors for customer-based service offices such as hotels and cafeterias to provide an ambient and comfortable place.

Always keep safety first

Safety is the central feature of every construction and designing project. Hence, it’s the high-priority factor to keep the aesthetic and functional safety at the working place. It can be compromised for interior decoration and design purposes but it’s not at all affordable to compromise for safety purposes.

Following the above useful ideas can easily help in the successful completion of a commercial designing project in a safe and pleasing way. In today’s, modern construction, reliability, and comfort is also an equally important factor.

Final words,

It’s important to hire the experienced Building designer Melbourne to make the commercial designing project worthy. Hope the above rules helped you to scale up your interior designing projects with a better outcome. Follow the above tips for any renovation or remodelling project and surely you will get award-winning and achieve a better office experience.

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How Long Should A Laptop Battery Last And How To Increase the Battery Life

No matter how expensive your laptop is, its battery won’t last more than four years. According to experts, a new laptop battery gives you as many as 1,000 cycles. In other words, you can charge and recharge the battery up to 1000 times. However, many factors play their role to increase or decrease the lifespan of a laptop battery. For instance, the material used for producing the battery substance. So, if you want to ensure that your battery stands the test of time, given below are some of the tips that can help.

1. Install a good battery monitor

If you are looking for an alternative, you can choose from tons of third-party utilities. Basically, the software programs help you monitor your laptop battery. These programs have no compatibility issues with any type of laptop.

Using these tools, you can find out which programs are using most of the battery power. You can then close the unwanted programs to save battery power.

2. Install maintenance apps

You can use some manufacturer-recommended maintenance tools for maintaining your laptop battery. Based on the type of your battery, you will receive different suggestions. Apart from this, your operating system will come with a built-in utility that can help you keep an eye on your battery condition.

3. Maintain your device temperature

You should try your level best to ensure your laptop maintains its temperature. In summer, electronic devices tend to heat up, which negatively impacts the life of the battery packs.

Therefore, you should make sure that there is a little bit of space between the bottom of the device and the table you have placed your device on. Besides, the ventilation system of your device should be working properly. For this purpose, regular cleaning of your device is quite important.

4. Don’t use maximum brightness

When your screen brightness is at maximum level, your device will use the maximum power. So, turning down the brightness is the first thing you can do to save power. Also, it is not a good idea to keep the brightness at max level as it can have a negative impact on your eyesight.

So, by following these simple tips, it will be easier for you to extend the life of your laptop battery.

5. Change the power-saving settings

Before you do anything, go into the power options of your laptop. If you are using Windows operating system, you can go to the control panel to access the power options. The control panel can be accessed from the Start Menu.

Some users have MacOS. If you are one of them, you need to access Energy Saver, which is found in the System Preferences. If these values are set to default, your computer will use the least amount of power.

So, what you need to do is make small changes to the settings so that you achieve a balance between power and performance. For best performance, there is always the choice to connect your device to the AC outlet.

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