The Top 10 Tools and Software for Small Businesses

Posted on by Dean Chester
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Small businesses drive economies around the world. In essence, small businesses are what defines the line between the community and corporation, and if you’re running one of them, you’ll probably need some top-tier tools to help you out.

We’ll list our top ten tools for running a small business will make your life and your job easier in 2021:

1. Monday.com

Monday is a management platform that makes managing your small business a walk in the park. It comes with all the features and services you need to manage and coordinate your projects.

It offers a top-shelf CRM, project, sales, and task management, software design and development, and a range of other things any small business can benefit from.

It’s a one-stop shop for all your management needs. What makes it stand out among the sea of other management tools is that it’s very easy to use, feature-rich, and very affordable.

2. Filestage.io 

Proofing is a very complex practice that is all but mandatory in modern business. Waiting for feedback from the rest of your business, your higher-ups, or your clients isn’t laborious – it’s an unnecessary waste of time.

With Filestage, the proofing process is streamlined to such a degree where teams can get instant replies and feedback that they require to go on with their work. Think of Filestage as the connective tissue between two departments that need to cooperate.

It streamlines communication and connects the two so that both get time-stamped approval as fast as possible, process and progress tracking, and a laid-out organization and framework of the workflow.

3. Outgrow.co

Outgrow is an interactive marketing platform that lets marketers and digital agencies create quizzes, calculators, chatbots, and assessments, polls, and giveaways to boost their marketing efforts. These interactive content types help companies generate nearly 30% more new leads and increase their social footprint. Moreover, interactive content like quizzes engages customers twice as compared to static content.

Outgrow stands out because it is easy to use and requires no coding knowledge. It offers 1000+ templates to choose from and robust analytics and automation powers to make your marketing campaigns a success. 

Finally, Outgrow provides free COVID-19 offers and other affordable plans for freelancers, small businesses, and big corporates.  

4. Traqq.com

As the coronavirus descends into 2021, many businesses have moved out of the office into their home. It has led to a rise in time tracking tools such as Traqq.

Even when people are out of the office, you can still know what they’re up to, how much time that is taking, and how you can help them do it better and faster.

Time tracking for teams tools such as Traqq are necessary for managing remote teams, which most teams are nowadays.

Traqq allows you to monitor without even monitoring, as the automatic system will take screenshots, screen recording, monitor app, and web use without requiring constant input.

5. Octoparse.com

Web scraping is one of the most common business practices of 2021, as it allows small businesses to build big databases. In this data-driven world, staying on top of your competition is a priority, and web scraping is one of the best ways to do so.

Octoparse brings the process of web scraping to small businesses, allowing you to collect data on your competition, monitor trends, and improve your business from the inside.

The benefit of Octoparse is that it provides web scraping to every small business, requires little to no setup, and absolutely no complex coding.

6. Appypie.com

Appypie is an interesting platform that allows you to develop custom solutions, apps, and tools without prior coding or development knowledge. While the power of this system is limited, it handles most of the needs small businesses have with relative ease.

Appypie stands out among the crowd of custom solution creation platforms because it’s very easy to use, fully customizable, and adaptable to any small business environment.

This no-code application development platform is affordable and scalable, so it perfectly fits the needs of small businesses without breaking the bank.

7. Litextension.com

eCommerce is one of the most buzzing industries of 2021, and it’s gaining the attention of small businesses at an increasing rate. 2021 has seen more small businesses enter the world of eCommerce than ever.

Litextension is a service for eCommerce businesses looking to migrate from one eCommerce platform to another. Litextension makes quick work of the migration process and works well for small businesses or the agencies managing the eCommerce stores in question.

8. Moosend.com

Marketing can make or break a business. If a business has good marketing, it will likely push out of the sea of failing small businesses and carve out a slice of the market share pie for themselves.

Now, small businesses usually have limited budgets and limited tools to market themselves, so what do they do?

Well, Moosend is a fantastic marketing platform for all small businesses. It comes with all of the tools that you or your marketing team need to make your business that much more appealing to the average consumer and spread the word about it.

Furthermore, Moosend is a very scalable solution, meaning you can adapt it to your business no matter how large or small it is. For small businesses considering Moosend but looking at options comparing it with TinyEmail can be helpful. Moosend vs TinyEmail dives into their features and scalability, helping decide the best fit.

9. Leadfuze.com

Finding leads can get tricky, especially if you’re working on a smaller scale. You don’t want dozens of useless leads – you want some that will provide favorable results.

Well, if you’re in this position, you might want to take a look at Leadfuze, the premier prospecting tool for small businesses.

Leadfuze is a search engine for leads, which allows smaller businesses that don’t have huge in-house HR teams to find the correct leads, verify information across a huge database, and seamlessly integrate within your existing framework.

10. Fleep.io

Fleep is a communication and file-sharing platform for small businesses. It allows you to connect teams within one simple, centralized application to communicate, trade files, and share progress. Fleep is a great way to streamline not just communication but coordination in the office space.

Another thing that makes Fleep a must-have tool in any small business arsenal is that it’s affordable, and integrating it within your existing framework is simple due to its easy-to-use GUI and adaptability.

11. Weareindy.com

Indy is a comprehensive project management software that includes everything you need to stay on top of your projects, from marketing to management to billing.

You can keep track of different tasks for multiple projects by assigning filters or moving tasks from one project to another. The tasks tool also allows you to assign tags, making it easy to see at a glance which project has the most tasks remaining.

The deadline and reminders feature ensures you also deliver your work on time. At the end of the week or month, you can link your hours to an invoice by adding your hourly rate before sending the document to a client. 

In Conclusion

If you’re running a small business in 2021, you’ll be happy to know the best software and tools for running a small business will make your life and your job much easier.

Stick to the ten tools and software solutions provided above, and you’ll be well on your way to improving your business.

Bringing Your Office Into the 21st Century: 5 Digital Solutions Your Company Needs

Posted on by Amanda Greenberg
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With the rise of technological innovations in the 21st century, industries have begun adapting their traditional business models to incorporate digital routes to success. Between virtual communication apps like Zoom changing the way employees interact and automation software reducing error and overhead, technology has revolutionized the business sector. That said, corporations that opt out of tech-based solutions often miss out on significant business ventures and customer connections due to a lack of technological know-how. 

Luckily, there are plenty of digital solutions available to business executives looking to up their game and remain competitive in the future. Read on for five technological innovations sure to streamline your business process and boost your annual earnings. 

A digital mailbox

A significant and recent shift to the workplace has been the surge of remote employment. Although the transition to at-home work was jolting under pandemic-induced chaos, business owners leaned into the storm, with many companies opting to stay remote indefinitely.

As a result, many have turned to digital mailboxes like iPostal1 to help keep their business running smoothly despite a scattered workforce. Digital mailboxes allow business owners to run remote operations with the benefits of reduced costs, additional time savings, and unparalleled convenience. Overall, setting up a digital mailbox empowers business owners to reduce overhead costs, i.e., receptionist salaries, office furniture (formerly used to store mail), etc., and maximize limited office space occupied by unopened envelopes. Additionally, digital mailboxes ensure that airplane-terminal-bound executives can manage correspondence anywhere—whether from a 6×6’ cubicle or an airplane seat.

Cloud storage

One of the most significant technological advances in the past ten years has been cloud storage implementation. Remote databases enable business owners to store and access data, applications, and client documentation with the click of a button. For companies looking to scale upwards, streamline deployment ventures, and more effectively manage information, cloud storage is the perfect solution. 

Social media marketing

As the online world continues to grow, bringing with it millions of scrolling consumers, companies have begun capitalizing on social media marketing techniques to draw in clientele and push out new products. Having a simple website no longer cuts it in competitive spaces, which means you need to build an approachable online presence in addition to keeping a clean, easy-to-use webpage. Social media allows corporations to connect with patrons on a more personal, casual level, allowing people to ask questions, browse products, and post feedback all in one place. That said, posting regularly and engaging with clients on a routine basis is critical for up-and-coming businesses. 

Automation

Another way to bring your company into the 21st century is by utilizing automation software to cut down on data input and calculations. For accounting departments, in particular, software like Quickbooks can reduce the time it takes to enter information, organize files, and calculate totals by automatically performing specific tasks. Although the cost to install automation software may be an investment up-front, the time and money you’ll save on staff will be worth it in the end. 

Security

Those running a business understand how critical cybersecurity is when it comes to sensitive information and company applications. Thankfully, digital solutions have streamlined safety efforts, with upgraded malware detectors, AI capabilities, and instant data breach alerts keeping business owners on top of online security. If you’re a growing company looking to keep hackers and breaches at bay, consider investing in upgraded prevention and detection technology.

The bottom line

For companies looking to stay ahead of the competition, implementing high-tech digital solutions that streamline business development processes is critical in saving time and money long-term. By building an online presence, upgrading your cybersecurity measures, and utilizing cloud-based services, you can climb the corporate ladder with ease. 

10 Tips and Tricks to Master Microsoft Word

Posted on by Michael Miller
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To carefully navigate into a new or an existing device for easy and flexible use, there are basic tricks and tips one must consider. Microsoft Word is technologically structured software programmed to aid human readability and word processing. It is equally a graphically programmed word processor that helps every user type and save words conveniently. Below are just ten unique tips and tricks to master Microsoft word.

Use of Ctrl + with other keys combination

The CTRL key combined with another key produces a special specific function. Some keys are: CTRL + B, is used to bold selected words or groups of words. CTRL + A, is used to highlight the word in totality. CTRL + I and CTRL + U, are used to italicize and underline the selected words respectively. CTRL + C is used to copy words while CTRL + V, is for pasting copied documents instead of right-clicking and then selecting copy or paste as the case may be. CTRL + H, is used to find and replace words while CTRL + F is used to find specific words in a document, etc.

Dictate

It is an office software available on Office 360. it allows for recording/transcribing of voice directly into a word document. It is located at the Home tab. Lookout for it and click. It gives room for different language selection. It is a great option to record your documents rather than typing it. 

Read Aloud

It is a great trick in MS Word that helps to read the words on the document. Microsoft does not just allow you to record your voiced document but also read it back to you. To do this, kindly click on the review tab from the Home page there you will see Read Allow, highlight the words you want it to read, and click on the read aloud. This is simply a great way to review your document. It eases the stress of having to start reading by yourself rather than just listening.

Translators

Are great tools to work with. You can highlight the section of text and go to Review to use the tool; select Translate and choose the language you wish to change to. It is default to English. It can be translated to French for example and can still retain the original and the new one. You can choose to have more than one translated language on the same page. This is possible by just moving the cursor away from the selected words by clicking a new line.

Line Spacing

It is a form of trick performed on a word document that determines how spacious the word on the document would be, and it is also a way of harmonizing the words. Instead of dragging your mouse to locate the tab or icon for line spacing, you can simply highlight the word you wish to apply it to and press CTRL + 1 for single line spacing, CTRL + 2 for Double line spacing, and CTRL + 5 for 1.5 line spacing.

Researcher

It is a great tool that adds external content to your word documents. It is made available under References. You simply start by entering a topic you want to research in the search box, and this automatically brings up a list of relevant topics that you can select from. You can select and add any relevant word to your document and it will automatically provide you with the references.

Inserting Hyperlink in between Sentences

It is a tool that helps navigate online for verifiable information. It is a more detailed way to communicate ideas with just a click and you would be redirected to another page without having to leave the page rather than type the whole. Kindly highlight the word want and click CTRL + K, type in or paste in the url address. It can be used with pictures as well.

Add, Edit and Remove Watermark to Document

This is an amazing word document trick that helps protect one’s document. It allows for an individual’s identity representation – the sign that shows the document belongs to a particular person. Kindly click on the Design or Page Layout from the Home page and locate Watermark and click. Lookout for a customized watermark and replace it with what you want and click OK. 

Microsoft Editors

It is a unique trick in MS word documents that help to strengthen one’s grammatical structure. This work is similar to Grammarly. It is available from the Home tab. You can click on Editor with your document automatically opened and it goes through and makes suggestions. These are suggestions that will help you make a grammatical change. It is a great tool that helps you increase your writing skill.

Open and Repair file

This is another kind of unique trick that helps individuals to repair and fix their corrupted documents. It is obvious sometimes that we might not be able to explain why the document(s) we have been working on suddenly got corrupted. The pain of losing an almost finished document is unimaginable. When you try to open a file and the response you get is; file is corrupted, there is a way to get it fixed. Go to click on the File tab, click on Open and choose Browse to find the file location. Kindly select the file but do not open it. Look out for the Open tab and click on the drop-down arrow, scroll down to find the word Open and repair. This will scan through your document and fix the file.

Microsoft Word was originally built for Windows and macOS, but fortunately for us, the phone version has been made available, which has made it possible for the human person to type words on phone directly without needing to go in search of a computer even if you can’t afford one. The tricks in Microsoft are unique and helpful tips. 

Mobile apps that save you from missing your PC

Posted on by Michael Miller
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A PC is arguably the most important gadget anyone can have in the 21st century as it makes computation easier and can serve as a combination of other devices. Its usefulness surpasses almost every other electronic gadget and its capacity to multitask makes it quite a compelling gadget to possess. While the computer system has gone through significant improvements and modifications such that it can be so small in size that it can easily fit into a sling bag; there may yet be situations where the individual may be forced to be away from his/her PC system.

The most important apps on a PC tend to be the ones that have to do with accessing the internet, preparing word documents, playing audiovisual documents and games. Interestingly some of the most popular PC apps have been modulated into mobile versions; either it is the most sophisticated task manager software or just merely a gaming app that can be accessed via Smartphones thereby ensuring you don’t miss out on the fun even while you are away from your PC. Here are some mobile Apps that Performs similar Functions to PC Apps

WPS Word

Is an office software that can handle most if not all the functions that are obtainable on the Microsoft word PC version. The app allows the user to create and edit documents. It can also be used to prepare PowerPoint slides so that you can get to meet up with preparing the slides for your official engagements even while on the move. The app can also be used to view PDF files so you do not need to separately download PDF viewer. There may be other apps that can offer similar functions to this app, you are not likely to find a more robust Office suite like this app. However, it may take a while to get used to this app, especially the android version as it offers little variation from the PC version. 

Google Chrome

Is one of the most easily recognizable web browsers on a PC. This app is also available on mobile phones. This app helps to bridge the gap between the experience of browsing on a mobile phone and a PC. For instance, websites tend to display differently on a mobile phone than on a PC, but with this app, the browser can be set to desktop mode which then allows the phone to display the page as if it were viewed via a PC. So when out on an important trip like a hiking trip where you don’t want to pack a lot of stuff, you can simply access the web via your mobile Google Chrome. 

VLC Media Player

This app is an open-source multimedia player which can play most multimedia file formats and it is available on android and iOS platforms and other platforms such as Windows, Linux, and Unix. In a generation with diverse multimedia technologies, the capacity to play different media formats is a major attribute of a PC and it is apps like VLC that make this possible.  Essentially VLC satisfies the need for accessibility for different media formats and its android version functions in a similar way. Therefore if you are away from your PC, you can get to capture precious moments on your phone and send them to loved ones and they can get to play the video with their VLC player.  

Mail Apps

Email is one of the most common ways of exchanging official correspondence in the 21st century. While away from your computer you can still send and receive emails from the convenience of your mobile phone. All you need is to download the android app of your email platform to your Smartphone and with internet access, you can continue to send and receive official correspondence on the go. 

 The gap between a PC and a mobile phone is so small. Apart from the development of mobile app versions of PC apps, there is another way of synthesizing mobile and PC apps. For instance, the use of an app like Bluestack which is an emulator software can allow the android apps to be operated on the system. It doesn’t matter whether you will be away from your PC for a few hours or even for a few days, weeks, or months, with the right apps on your mobile, you will be performing most of the tasks and functions you are hitherto used to doing on your PC. All you will need to do is ensure that your phone has enough RAM and ROM space to power these apps to prevent the phone from lagging.

Good Business Apps for Small Businesses

Posted on by Predrag Milićević
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A successful small business can always benefit from the wonders of technology. Find out which business apps can help you make the best of your venture

Business and Finance Apps for Business Owners

These days there is an app for anything. The internet and smartphone technology have evolved to the point that if you can think it, you can make it. Even if you’re a layman, there are many online tools at your disposal to help see your ideas realized. Of the myriad of apps available, there are ones designed for business owners and startups. These apps can range from simple ones that let you submit your tax certificates to ones that allow you to conduct all kinds of applications applicable to your business model, streamlining an industrial process, make sure deliveries are coordinated – the list is endless. Up to date and trustworthy Forex sites have also released apps for tablets and smartphones – this could be your way to some start-up capital. And thanks to the kind of year that 2020 was, more people are turning to alternative means and solutions to generate an income. With all this in mind, let us now examine some of the leading apps designed to help you make the most of your business.

Square

Every business needs an excellent point-of-sale system that lets you ring up customers, and if you can get your hands on one, that’s customizable, even better.  For instance, if you’re a restaurateur, you’ll need something that can manage and coordinate your tables, or if you’re in retail, you’ll need something that can manage your inventory effectively. Square is quite the ideal candidate to handle such matters and function on PCs, tablets and iPhones. Plus, it is free with an option to pay if your needs exceed the free offering.  It is pretty user-friendly and is backed by efficient live support staff.

QuickBooks Online

With the right accounting software, you can be sure that your bookkeeping will be in order. Profit margins, revenue – the entire ecosystem of your monetary affairs can be kept in check. Plus, this type of software can also help you answer pertinent questions such as how much can you afford to spend on advertising for the month?  QuickBooks will address these issues and, for a nominal cost of  $25, is ideal for small businesses. Plus, many accountants are also versed in it, and thus, support or help won’t be hard to come by. QuickBooks Online is the cloud version of the software and, thanks to its multiple-tier system, can be adjusted to the growing needs of your business.

Jira

Effective project management is key to having a streamlined process that assigns all tasks to all the relevant parties while also keeping tabs on those projects and their progress. Campaigns, projects, progress reports, drafts, edits, approvals and completed products – these are the various hallmarks and features of Jira, a software development and management tool that charts the workflow from start to finish and sports excellent reporting capabilities. Manage your team and their projects for free, and should you need to scale things up,  only then will there be a fee.

Zoom

Zoom was the big star of 2020, helping usher in a new era of remote working from multiple locations.  These days it’s vital to have effective video-conference software with other amenities like instant messaging. Zoom will cater from simple one on one meetings to gatherings of up to a thousand. With the free version, you can host a group as big as 100 members with a 40-minute cap, while a paid subscription will allow up 1000 people to attend.

4 Tips to Help You Choose the Right IT Support Service for Your Business

Posted on by Alex Sanders
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In order for your business to remain competitive in today’s marketplace, you need a robust IT strategy that modernizes operations and keeps you lean. As part of this strategy, you need an IT support team by your side. But with so many different services to choose from, you’ll have to be selective in the companies you work with

The “Why” Behind IT Support

Small business owners often fall for the assumption that IT support services are just for big companies with massive budgets. But that’s simply not true. There are plenty of ways for small and medium-sized businesses to benefit from a partnership with the right IT support service, including:

● Better security. The right IT support staff keeps your entire system running smoothly. Not only that, but they ensure you have a reliable backup system in place to keep you protected in a worst-case scenario.

● Higher ROI. IT support saves you both time and money. The result is a beefier profit margin. While the upfront costs of hiring an IT support service are more expensive than a DIY approach, the long-term ROI is clear. With less downtime, greater reliability, and significant time savings, hiring an IT support service is a clear and obvious choice.

● Enhanced customer service. More uptime and reliability lead to happier and more satisfied customers. Subsequently, this produces better customer retention rates and stronger loyalty. This lowers your costs across the board and simultaneously gives your business a stronger foundation for future growth.

● Better use of time. When it’s all said and done, an IT support service allows you to spend less time worrying about what could go wrong and more time focusing on the other core tasks and responsibilities on your to-do list.

At the end of the day, having the right IT support service in place allows you to maximize your company’s efficiency and produce happy and satisfied clients that trust you to meet their needs. This rings especially true in industries like healthcare, where seamless operations and data security are paramount. Medical IT support ensures that your systems are not only running smoothly but also compliant with stringent regulations, ultimately fostering trust and confidence among both patients and staff.

4 Tips for Selecting the Right IT Support Service

With so many different IT support services to choose from, here are a few factors that are absolutely worth considering.

1. Location

Physical location may or may not matter very much – it just depends on the services you need. For example, if your company will provide services like VoIP or cloud hosting, the location of the servers can have an effect on the quality of your services. It’s also important to think about location if you plan to expand into a different country in the future. (Make sure they have the capacity to support you.)

2. Types of Support

Many IT support companies will offer varying levels of service. This may include:

● Pay-as-you-go support. Good for companies with smaller budgets that only need occasional support.

● Break-fix support. The managed services providers on an as-needed basis and bills you only for the work performed.

● Managed service support. The most comprehensive type of support. Ideal for businesses that want a totally hands-off, white-glove approach.

3. Response Times

When you have an IT issue, the last thing you want to do is spend hours or days waiting for your support provider to come out and troubleshoot the issue. Depending on the problem, you could be losing thousands of dollars every few minutes. Time is of the essence.

As you consider IT support services, consider if they make any guarantees around response times. For example, PalmTech Computer Solutions promises to have a qualified technician working on resolving the IT problems within one hour or less for all managed services contracts. That’s a huge benefit (both in terms of cost savings and peace of mind).

You may find different services can benefit your business. A live chat Outsourcing firm can ensure high quality responses for your operation.

4. Costs

Finally, consider the cost. Every IT support service operates on a unique payscale. Some companies require long-term contracts and monthly retainer fees, while other companies let you pay as you go with no long-term commitment. There are benefits to both types of agreements, so make sure you’re taking all relevant factors into account. Depending on what stage your business is in, it may make more sense to sign a long-term agreement and cut costs. Other businesses like the pay-as-you-go structure because of the flexibility and scalability. Use Revolution IT for flat rate IT services, this is the leading IT support provider in Auckland and offers comprehensive solutions to businesses seeking reliable and effective IT support services.

Putting it All Together

Your business doesn’t just need an IT support service – it needs the right IT support service. As you search for the perfect partner, take factors like location, support services, response time, and costs into account. If nothing else, your thorough due diligence will leave you with the confidence and peace of mind that you made the right choice.

Bored of the Same Old Entertainment? Here’s How to Branch Out

Posted on by Alex Sanders
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If you’re like most people, you like to watch TV shows, listen to music, go to the theater to watch movies, and read books. But if you’re absorbing the same types of information and retreading the same ground on a regular basis, it might feel like you’re stuck in a rut.

How do you branch out to discover new sources of entertainment?

Branch Out to a New Medium

First, consider branching out to enjoy a new medium. There are dozens of ways to enjoy content in the modern world, and many people limit themselves to only a few options. For example, if you love TV shows and movies, but you’ve never tried listening to podcasts before, consider delving into the world of broadcast audio. If you love reading books, but you’ve never given comic books or graphic novels a fair shake, try reading some image-heavy written content.

You’ll likely find an entirely new set of tropes, expectations, and format peculiarities that give you a brand new experience. Plus, you might have an opportunity for an easy transition; for example, you might find there’s a comic book that one of your favorite movies is based on, or you might find a podcast hosted by one of your favorite authors.

Try Your Hand at Creating

If you want to see the world of entertainment in an entirely new light, consider creating a work of your own. If you’re feeling “bored” of the conventional forms of entertainment you’ve relied on in the past, it’s probably a sign that you’ve read or watched a lot of it – which means you know what it takes to tell a good story.

Consider picking up a musical instrument, writing a script, or even printing your own comic book. If you put a lot of work in (and get a bit lucky), it could turn into a source of income for you. Otherwise, it may help you come to appreciate the creative process – and see the entertainment world through a different lens.

Get Recommendations From Friends

What are your friends into? Chances are, you have at least some of your tastes in common. Talk to them about how you’ve been feeling and what types of things you want to try to avoid – as well as some of your favorites. They might have some strong recommendations to send your way. You might even get a chance to watch/read new things together – which can make the experience more interesting if you’re bored of doing things by yourself.

Join an Online Forum

Alternatively, you can join an online forum or other online community to learn about new pieces of media, new genres emerging, and other interesting bits about the entertainment world. For example, you can join a subreddit or community specifically designed for discussions about a certain genre or medium. You can also find groups on Facebook or other social media platforms where open discussions are encouraged. The caveat here is that you have to be active; respond to other people, ask questions, and get into the community. The more you engage, the better.

Learn a New Language and a New Culture

Consider learning a new language, or the basics of a new culture, so that you can experience materials that would otherwise be inaccessible to an English speaker. For example, after learning to speak Spanish, you could enjoy a host of movies, TV shows, books, and other materials from Spain, Mexico, and Latin America. Entertainment from other countries is often very different, originating from an entirely different set of cultural norms and values, so it’s worth exploring as something new.

Sign Up for Discovery Services

There are also a number of “discovery” services you can sign up for to learn about new sources of entertainment. For example, with Spotify, you can get access to personalized recommendations for new artists to listen to – and its algorithm is both complex and effective.

Try Things You’ve Written Off in the Past

If you’re interested in branching out, you might consider revisiting some of the pieces you’ve written off in the past. For example, are there any books you’ve refused to read because you disagree with the premise or because you don’t like that particular genre? Is there a director you avoid because you never liked their style? This is an opportunity to challenge yourself and try something new.

See Your Old Favorites in a New Light

Of course, if you have trouble finding new things to enjoy, you can also use this opportunity to see your old favorites in a new light. Consider watching some of your favorite movies with new friends and acquaintances or reading a favorite book with new commentary or analysis to guide you. No matter what, opportunities abound for new entertainment experiences. 

The 9 Most Common Causes of Car Accidents (and How to Prevent Them)

Posted on by Alex Sanders
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In most areas of the country, driving remains the most reliable and most efficient way to get from one place to another. But even if you’re experienced and careful, there’s a chance you could end up in a car accident; in fact, there are more than 35,000 motor vehicle deaths in the United States each year and tens of thousands of accidents that only result in minor injury.

The good news is that most car accidents are preventable – but you have to understand and respect the causes of those car accidents.

The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

These are some of the most common causes of car accidents and vehicle collision losses in the United States, in no particular order:

1. Distracted driving

One of the most common causes of accidents is also one of the most preventable: distracted driving. When traveling at high speeds, taking your eyes off the road even for a second can render you incapable of responding to a sudden change in your surroundings. For example, if you look at your phone for a second while driving on the highway and a person in front of you slams on the brakes, you might be incapable of stopping in time. Avoid distractions at all costs, keeping your attention on the road and the drivers around you.

Ann Arbor distracted driving accident lawyer will be able to help you handle these difficult cases.

2. Manufacturer defects

We trust the manufacturers of our vehicles to equip them with everything they need to drive reliably and safely – but even small manufacturer defects can lead to major accidents. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about this to proactively prevent accidents. Choose reliable manufacturers with a strong reputation – and if there’s a recall for your vehicle, take care of it immediately.

3. Intoxicated driving

Despite widespread knowledge that drinking and driving is a major public health hazard, people still drink and drive. Alcohol and other drugs impair your ability to respond in a timely and appropriate manner. They may also impair your perceptions and judgment.

If you’ve consumed alcohol recently, or other drugs that affect your perceptions, you’re best off getting a designated driver to take you home. “A DUI lawyer can help prevent devastating car accidents caused by intoxicated driving – don’t let a moment of impairment lead to a lifetime of regret.” – Meltzer & Bell, DUI Lawyer

4. Fatigued driving

Most people know that alcohol can affect your driving, but those same people may underestimate the effects of fatigued driving. If you’re especially tired, your perceptions can be as distorted as they would be after a heavy round of drinking. Get a ride home or take some time to nap before attempting to drive when tired.

5. Inclement weather

Bad weather can limit visibility, reduce traction on the road, and affect your vehicle’s maneuverability, all of which lead to higher rates of car accidents. In cases of severe bad weather, such as thick fog or a major blizzard, it’s a good idea to stay home and not drive at all. Even in cases of mild bad weather, like a thunderstorm or moderate snowfall, you’ll want to exercise caution, giving yourself extra stopping distance and keeping your headlights on at all times.

6. Speeding

Speeding is a leading cause of car accidents for several reasons. First, it affects your maneuverability, making it difficult to handle sharp turns and making it more likely you’ll lose control of the vehicle. Second, it increases your stopping distance, giving you less time to react to sudden changes in front of you. It also increases the force of collision, so accidents involving speeding have higher fatality and injury rates. Remain at or under the speed limit and reduce your speed further when necessary.

7. Ignoring traffic signs/laws

Traffic signs and laws exist for a reason: to keep you and other drivers safe. Reckless driving, running a red light, merging without a turn signal, or failing to yield may seem inconsequential in the moment, but they can sharply increase your risk of an accident. Obey these signs and laws at all times.

8. Poor road conditions

Bad roads can also lead to accidents. Major potholes or bumps can cause you to lose control if you’re not careful. Avoid construction sites when possible and pay attention to your surroundings to minimize risk here.

9. Lack of maintenance

If you don’t keep your vehicle well-maintained, it can be harder to control – and may break down unexpectedly. At least annually, you should have your vehicle inspected (and repaired if/when necessary). If you have trouble getting compensation for an injury that happened at work, you may want to contact this Fort Worth Workers Compensation Lawyer.

Understanding Other Drivers

You may be a safe, attentive, and obedient driver on the road, but you’re still just one of many variables that interact (and could potentially lead to an accident). In addition to driving cautiously and obeying the law, it’s important to observe and proactively respond to the drivers around you. Don’t be afraid to pull off to the side of the road or take an alternative route if it means getting out of the way of a reckless driver.

10 Steps to Take If You Feel Stagnant in Your Career

Posted on by Alex Sanders
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If you’ve done the same thing every day for 10 years, it’s only natural that you would feel as if your momentum may have come to a screeching halt. Most of us like the idea of continuously advancing in our career, making more money, earning better and more important titles, and thereby feeling like we’re growing as individuals.

But sooner or later, we may hit a rut, and feel stagnating in our current role. Could this be a plateau where you’ll stay for the rest of your working life?

It doesn’t have to be. If you’re feeling stationary in your current position, you can take several steps to reinvigorate yourself and create new momentum.

Steps to Take to Achieve Forward Motion

Try some or all of these ten steps to breathe new life into your career:

1. Get a new certification

First, think about seeking a new certification. For example, if you work in accounting, you could pass the CPA exam to become a CPA. Depending on your current role and your certification, this might enable you to earn more money, have a shot at a substantial promotion, and even open a door to entrepreneurial opportunities. No matter what, you’ll get the chance to learn new skills and engage in activities that enable you to break from the norm.

2. Learn a new skill

You could also make the effort to learn a new skill, even if it diverges from your current areas of expertise. For example, you could take up computer programming or learn how to work with a new piece of software. This will keep you engaged, make you a more well-rounded professional, and could open the door to some interesting opportunities down the road.

Taking a vocational and technical training course allows you to gain practical knowledge in a specific field, which can be incredibly valuable in today’s competitive job market. By adding new skills to your toolkit, you can broaden your career prospects and increase your employability.

3. Branch out to other departments

How often do you talk to people from other departments in your organization? If your firm suffers from a persistent silo mentality, you may rarely, if ever, reach outside your own circle. Getting acquainted with colleagues in other departments can help you understand better how your organization works, and give you an opportunity to network and learn new things – all of which can be good for your career.

4. Take on a new responsibility

Don’t request a new responsibility; take one on. Step in to address something that no one else wants to touch, or expand some area of the business. It can keep you challenged and interested in your work – and looks impressive when it comes time for supervisors to evaluate you for a promotion or raise.

5. Look like your Boss

Make sure your colleagues are treating you as someone with upward potential. This means looking the part as if you’ve already been promoted. Dress the part, and make sure your hair and grooming are appropriate. A great model to use is to emulate managers in your organization. Take a hard look at your appearance, and if needed, get dental and orthodontal work done so people around you can see you as a manager.

6. Start a side hustle

If you’re not getting what you want or need from your main career, why not attempt a side hustle? Pick up a hobby and turn it into a business, or dabble in a new industry you’ve always wanted to investigate. It could turn into a full-time gig later, if you choose.

7. Look for a transfer opportunity

If you like this company and you’re just tired of the same environment, look into the potential for a transfer. Moving to a new department or a different location could be the fresh breath of air you need to feel good about your career again.

8. Work for a promotion

You may already be doing this, but consider aiming for a specific promotion. Depending on your industry and the nature of the business, this could be a new role that’s several years off, but if you start laboring toward it now, you may feel a surge of inspiration and motivation that will carry you to your end goal.

9. Apply to jobs with other businesses (or start your own)

If opportunities are rare at your current place of employment, think about applying for jobs with other businesses. You could even start a company of your own in your industry.

10. Change careers entirely

Of course, if nothing else is working, or you’re just finished with the industry you’ve been in, you might plan a complete career change. It’s never too late to jump into a totally different line of work.

Embrace Change

No matter what you do, if you want to break free of your feelings of stagnation, it’s important to embrace change. Thanks to status quo bias (and a bit of laziness), most of us prefer to keep things the same for as long as possible.

But if you allow yourself to remain complacent and simply accept the patterns you’ve fallen into over many years, you’ll never make any progress. You have to change something if you want different results; there’s no other way forward.

Ways to Boost your Online Store with WooCommerce SEO

Posted on by Manish Kushwah
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When a WooCommerce website is created, the business looks for more products to be sold, more customer traffic, and good revenue. This can be achieved only when the site has a high ranking in search engines and this, in turn, is only possible when the site has good feedback and ease of access. To attain all these, one needs to have a good WooCommerce SEO that gives a good insight into the website.

WooCommerce SEO is one of the key factors that are to be taken into consideration when you have to start a business. It is said that planning your move is considered as winning half the game. The same is when we think of an e-commerce business to start and decide to use a WooCommerce SEO for page creation. Depending on whether you want to sell your product, or get more traffic, or increase the SEO ranking in search results pages, the WooCommerce SEO helps you get all these along with gaining fame with minimum manual work.

Considering that nearly half of the population starts their shopping by Google search or any other search engine, your website needs to rank well in there. More than a quarter of traffic on any WooCommerce website comes from various search engines and the very 1st result gets a 1/3rd of total hits from different search links. WooCommerce SEO doesn’t need to pay anything for ads if a site is considered as attracting traffic automatically and has reliability. When a WooCommerce site is optimized well, it has the potential to attract customers and traffic automatically. It provides steadiness and well-structured web pages. It serves a good view and compatibility with desktops, tables, and mobiles as well.

When starting a business, the developers and designers have to consider many factors like themes, product, description of the product, images, etc for their web pages. All these help to boost their online store. Some of the ways to boost websites with WooCommerce SEO are:

SEO Friendly Themes

Choosing a good attractive theme with a proper layout and appearance defining the business with fewer burdens on the size of the page(and hence on the servers) is highly recommended. Themes with lesser size permit the fast loading of the pages. It helps to get access to the web page even on slower connections in remote areas. Many WooCommerce SEO plugins have preloaded themes to choose from or can be downloaded from external sources as well. These can be modified based on the business need. It should be responsive, compact, light-weight, and mobile-friendly.

SEO Friendly Plugin

Having a good plugin like Yoast, All in One SEO, MonsterInsights, etc are the most popular plugins that come with unique functionality which can boost up the WooCommerce site performance and WooCommerce SEO ratings. These also help our web pages and images to optimize and add metadata, keywords, taglines, etc. and thus have a good ranking on various search engines.

Optimize Product Page

Each page of the website has many different components like titles, tags, keywords images, description, tables, reviews, ratings etc. All these components should be well arranged to improve the readability. If only keywords and description are at top and images and other data at last, then it really becomes boring to read the info without actually seeing the product. Product titles should be attractive, short and well written. Short description that is shown on search engine results should be to the point with sufficient keywords. Detailed description should be able to give ample information of the product. Each product should be properly categorized and tagged for more enhanced search. URL should be simple to remember with focused keywords. All the pages that are part of the project have to be well optimized.

Image Alt Text

It is a good practice to provide alternate text for an image (like a description) so that if the image is unable to load on some page of your website, then an alt text helps the customers to understand what the image is about. WooCommerce SEO provides this feature to add description and alt text when uploading any images on the site. By default, image name is set as image title, so it’s always a good practice to name the image with the image keywords.

WWW and HTTPS

The domain name of your site can have a WWW attached to the URL or can exist without a WWW also. But mostly, a site URL with WWW is faster to find across the search engines. Along with this, the website should be always secured with Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. This makes your URL more reliable for the customers and they can develop faith in secure browsing and sharing of information.

Clear Site Navigation

Breadcrumbs should be enabled for easy navigation. Also, it is a good practice to keep your navigation of the website simple and meaningful so that the customers can easily navigate to parent pages. End-users don’t want clumsy and confusing navigation when retreating. Clearly designed categories, subcategories, and a site map is an extra add-on to the easy navigation methods. An effective WooCommerce SEO can be used for all these settings.

Permalinks Structure

The URL of different products that is available on the site is permanent. These can be used as permalink to be used to refer to each product. A WooCommerce link without SEO optimization has special characters that are really not easy to understand. WooCommerce SEO should assign a user-friendly permalinks structure so that it becomes easy to identify the product page. It also helps to rank better in search engine results.

XML Sitemap Plugin

One should always utilize a good XML site map. It acts as a proper display of a map of the web pages which directs Google to all the important pages. XML sitemaps join with Google so that it can get all the essential product pages. This is used to index the website. The site map specifies all the pages and links which help Google to find them. For example, when a customer searches for a specific page or product in the search bar, Google suggests some of the important pages also in the dropdown.

 Schema

Schema or snippets are highly essential to provide information about the site or product during the initial search. When there is a good schema defined in WooCommerce SEO, it helps the search engine to know more about your site. Along with it, it also improves the ranking, and searching for your site becomes easier and frequent.

Even if a website is designed very well with a good template, colours and images, it’s of no use if the ranking on search engines are not good. A supportive WooCommerce SEO guidance is highly essential for standing in good rankings on the 1st page of Google and other search engine’s results. An optimized web page will obviously fetch more perks than non-optimized pages. One need not be a WooCommerce SEO expert to apply all these in the project and get high rank in search engine rankings. Apart from all these, one should choose a good web hosting platform that provides a good server.

Attracting Patients to Your Clinic: Going from Theory to Practice

Posted on by Amy Fischer
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One thing about the medical field that wouldn’t be known to the public is that it involves marketing. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to see these as coming from two completely different worlds. This may be because marketing is often associated with commercials or flashy ads that highlight product selling points, while medicine is likened to attaining credibility through many years of schooling and practical application. Well, the idea that people will be lining up in front of your clinic just because you have a degree is false. Just as one would scour the internet for reviews for movies, cosmetics, or even food recommendations, it isn’t far-fetched that your potential patients may be scouring through websites for medical doctors right about now. Will they be able to find your practice in the searches? Here are a few tips to ensure that they do:

Spend Time on Social Media

As a medical professional, you have a pretty good idea of what your specialization is, what you can do, and who will best benefit from this. With this in mind, you already have an idea of where to start and where to be. It is important to be present where your patients are and understand how to utilize the platform. According to Social Media Examiner, social media is a driver when it comes to generating business exposure for up to 87% of marketers.

Create Content

Patient Pop defines content marketing as “the creation of content that informs, educates, or entertains your users while indirectly marketing your brand.” This is nothing new for other industries and should most certainly not be anything new when it comes to the medical field. Being able to relate, inform, or entertain your patients while also affirming your and your practice as knowledgeable, credible, and even an expert will surely be a step in the right direction.

Mobile is a Must!

When your patients are looking through websites for medical doctors, they might not actively be thinking about it, but the way your website may look on their mobile phone may very well be the reason they stay or click out of it. With almost two-thirds of all internet users being mobile users, it’s important that your website is appealing, upon first glance. Here are a few characteristics of a mobile-friendly website:

  • Quick Loading: If your website takes too long to load, your prospective patients may very well have clicked out and gone to a competitor’s website instead.
  • Mobile-Friendly Navigation: Being able to go through your website to find the information they are looking for is important for patients. It would be unfortunate to lose a patient because they couldn’t find the button to contact you.
  • Larger and Easier: With people using devices of varying sizes, but mostly smaller than the regular computer, it is important that the information and other content is still readable by your patients.

Relationships and Referrals

While you may be busy trying to continuously grow your practice, it is also important to maintain a good relationship with patients whom you have already seen and treated. Building a lasting relationship with patients may be the key to obtaining referrals from them to friends and family, and of course, retention and regular visits and patronage.

Effective clinic management software can help you maintain good relationships with patients, providers and other medical practitioners. This allows cross-referrals and possibilities for more patients for both practitioners.

While a good social media presence, an improved website, and more patients is always a positive for any business model, it is important to keep at top of mind that in the medical field, being able to provide the best possible care for your patients is the most important and sure way to attract more patients to your practice.

Simple Ways to Increase Revenue for Your Veterinary Practice

Posted on by Amy Fischer
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For those who aren’t animal lovers or don’t have pets around them, veterinarians or even veterinary as a medical field may be something far from their radar. But pet owners will argue that vets are absolutely crucial for giving their furry friends the best life and health possible. But aside from keeping beloved family pets safe, the veterinary practice is also a key contributor to society. This is because vets and other professionals within this field are also in charge of investigating wild animal diseases, securing the safety of companion animals, and even contributing to food and drug developments.

With all of this in mind, one would think that there is a pretty penny to be earned within this medical field and its related industries. But according to Today’s Veterinary Business, veterinarians often came to discover “that their hospitals weren’t worth what they needed to retire comfortably.” While a comfortable retirement may mean different things for different people, being able to earn more would most surely be a positive thing. These days, with a few tips, tricks, and with the help of veterinary marketing services, being able to serve and help animals and making a profit no longer have to be mutually exclusive.

Marketing Matters

While you may be the most experienced of vets, it’s easy to overlook talent when you don’t put any effort into putting yourself and your practice where people will see you. There are several ways to go about marketing, but by far the easiest is making use of veterinary marketing services. There will always be a need for veterinary services, but all these prospective clients may not be aware of your clinic or hospital. Veterinary marketing services help you make your way to the top of search engine results, meaning higher awareness for your practice. Aside from this, there are many other features provided by veterinary marketing services such as improving your website, engaging clients, and even retaining them.

Money Matters

Catering to your clients means offering them the easiest and best ways to experience your practice from finding you to paying you and even until they leave your clinic or hospital. Providing your clients with different means of processing payment may be beneficial in several ways:

  • Clients may be more comfortable with payment options they are most familiar with.
  • You will be able to better interact with your patients and thus retain them due to higher client satisfaction.
  • According to Cleargage.com, providing clients with more payment options may also significantly reduce payment delays.

Aside from providing your clients with comfortable means to pay, ensuring that you are able to meet your clients where they are while also maintaining your margins is a skill that needs to be developed.

There are a variety of services that you may offer. From toys and jackets, to Ultimate Pet Nutrition products, your outer office can provide a steady basis for additional revenue.

By providing your clients with treatments that can afford and will improve the health of their animals is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Offering client financing means you are “tailoring a solution to fit their budget.”

More Matters

According to Practice LIFE, high-density scheduling and efficiency within your clinic will allow you to serve better as well as serve more. Identifying where you are losing productivity and clients means you can pinpoint issues that may need addressing. This will allow you to eliminate such bottlenecks and refocus the effort or manpower elsewhere. Having enough exam rooms and more efficient and well-trained staff members will surely allow you to better cater to more clients in a shorter amount of time. This increased efficiency is not just financially beneficial but is also known to boost morale for employees as well as improved client and patient service. 

Proven Ways to Boost Your Ecommerce Sales

Posted on by Charlene Brown
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These days, there’s more than one way for a person to provide goods and services. While some companies own physical premises, others create online shops that have the potential to reach a global audience. People may choose to set up their own website or pay to feature on places like Shopify.com or Amazon.com.

It may be that you have already started down this road but are still waiting for the sales to materialize. Fortunately, there are a number of tried and tested things that people can do to increase their online sales. Are you interested? Let’s find out more right now. 

Begin With Research

There are a number of specialist websites that post free quality content. The marketing consultants at Store Growers say people are hungry for information on everything from Google shopping ads to Search Engine Optimization. People want to access courses, receive coaching and read helpful blogs. 

Without this, when you start your ecommerce business, you may create products and marketing campaigns that appeal to you but not the public. You may be totally unaware of who your target audience is, or where and when they are looking. 

Create A Quality Website

This will need to be your base of operations, and the place where you direct all your online traffic. The public wants web pages that load quickly and that can be viewed easily from a computer, tablet, laptop or smartphone. 

People want you to create online shops to explain what you are offering, and why. They seek clear branding and details of your best-selling products. Added to that they look for customer reviews and video tutorials.

Offer Free And Discounted Stuff

This can come in the form of e-books, coupons and vouchers. Offer ‘first-time customer’ discounts, and provide price reductions on their birthday. Join the New Year and Black Friday sales by temporarily reducing your prices. 

Give away free samples and create exciting competitions to generate interest. Offer free trials, or discounts on extended subscriptions to help keep existing customers. Offer free shipping deals or promote your full (‘no quibble’) refunds policy.  

Harness The Power Of Social Media

Much of this will be free, so why not use it? Create and build an online presence on places like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It’s barely an option because people expect it. Write regular posts that will appeal to your target audience so that they will see you as a trusted authority. Use social media to push your sales, discounts and new product launches. Mention those freebies too, and include links to the sales pages on your website. 

You may initially start small by creating your business page and encouraging your friends to share it. If you stick at it faithfully and make your content engaging, your following should grow. 

Start Blogging

If you began your business as an extension of a hobby or passion, this may especially appeal to you. As with social media, you need to frequently post free material that people will want to read. Feature the blogs on your website and regularly include URLs to your online shopping pages. 

Some businesses pay for content writers to create articles relating to their goods and services. They can be used to include links to their sales pages. 

Become Visible

Once again you may begin small by offering sponsorship for a local charity event. If you offer it for an event related to your line of business, it may have even greater influence. 

You could also give away branded freebies such as T-shirts or mugs. If there is a business convention that relates to your particular industry, consider paying for a stall to promote yourself there. 

There are a number of different campaigns people can do. They include Google, Facebook, Instagram and Amazon ads. Some of these provide special monitoring software so you can see what is or isn’t working, and amend the campaigns accordingly. 

In many cases you don’t pay every time your advert is viewed, but only when people click on your links.  

Make Your Website Search Engine Optimized

This is all about using the right words on your web pages so that you become visible in peoples’ Google searches. It may involve using special software tools or a company that can do this for you.  

Hopefully, this has fueled your enthusiasm and provided some tools for you to use. When they are implemented well, there should be a marked improvement in your sales. The stage will then have been set for what could be many years of successful and enjoyable business in your chosen field. 

4 Tips And Advice For Keeping Your Property Safe And Sound

Posted on by Allen Brown
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Our homes should be safe and secure places to live in. Home security is a vital concern for virtually all homeowners and their families. Security concerns always come out on top among the priorities for both home buyers and property owners alike. The questions they would usually ask pertain to the crime rates in the area, proximity of fire and police departments, and community safety and reputation rating, among others. 

No matter how safe a community or neighborhood your property is located in, it is not a guarantee that hostile and criminal individuals will not target it. Here, we will share some tips and advice on how to keep your property and the people inside safe and sound.

Install Security Cameras

Who says security cameras are only for malls, convenience stores, banks, and other commercial buildings? Your home needs to have eyes to look out for intruders, burglars, and trespassers. CCTV cameras placed on your property can deter criminals and people with ill-intent from carrying out their devious plans. Older CCTV systems need a separate room from which you can monitor the feeds from the cameras installed on or around your property. Hidden home security cameras are quick and easy to install and provide you will peace of mind that you and your loved ones are safe.

Newer systems are connected to your computer or smartphone. Attics or spare bedrooms are excellent CCTV monitoring stations example of locations that can be utilized if you want to hire security guards to protect your property. If you want convenient monitoring of your property premises and interior, you can download a mobile or desktop app that connects your smartphone or PC to the CCTV system. 

Install Alarm or Security Systems

CCTV cameras can be a part of a broader network of security systems you can install in your home. Alarm or security systems can be composed of smart locks, motion sensors, door or window sensors, and surveillance cameras. Home security systems are added layers of defense against aggressive burglars or intruders who manage to get past your fences or other deterrents. Another reason why you should have an alarm or security system is to alert the law enforcement agencies of the incident while the perpetrators are still within your property’s vicinity. New smart security system models would send an alert to the local police immediately and can be set to activate loud alarm sounds or a discreet police notification depending on your preference or situation. 

Secure Your Perimeter

You don’t have to spend much to boost your property’s perimeter security. There are simple yet effective ways of ensuring your property’s safety and the safety of your home’s occupants. Bushes and hedges around your property may serve to give you privacy, but make it a point that they are not tall enough to conceal the approach of burglars. 

Fix damaged fences and cut down overgrown tree branches. These can be exploited by burglars to gain access to your home. Lock your sheds, garages, and other outbuildings at all times when not in use. Burglars may target tools or other valuable items in these structures or may use the tools to enter your home.

Get a Dog

Dogs are more than just pets and companions at home. They are highly territorial animals, so make use of them in protecting your home. Dogs consider your home as their territory, so they will know familiar and unfamiliar scents that cross it. Dogs are effective deterrents for burglars, as they would avoid the trouble of being chased down or bitten. 

There are plenty of ways you can keep your property safe and safeguard the lives of those living with you. It takes vigilance and determination to take measures that can enhance your home or property security. Don’t hesitate to invest in security enhancements, as they can help save you from losses in the long run. Prevention is still better than cure, so don’t wait until your life, family, or property is in danger.  Act now to secure your home.

Looking for an IT Services Provider? Here Are Some Tips

Posted on by Allen Brown
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No matter what industry you work in today, technology is wiggling its way into your daily tasks. As technology permeates everything we do, many companies and business owners are considering turning to IT services providers to help bridge the gap. Computer systems, digital storage, data security, cloud software, project management software, and post-pandemic digital alternatives to in-person and in-store methods are just a few of the things that IT service providers can help you with. The following will point out some of the things you want to keep in mind to help you choose the right IT services provider for you and your business.

Understand What You Need

Every business is different, and so it follows that every business’s IT needs are going to be different too. Before you begin filtering through IT service provider options, get straight what you’re hoping a team can help you with. Having a list of your needs when calling or emailing providers can help you narrow down your choices quickly, as not all providers offer the same services.

Think about having managed IT services in Austin to help you with your IT needs. Some businesses may only require basic support and maintenance for their computer systems, while others may need more advanced services such as cloud migration, cybersecurity, or data backup and recovery.

Don’t Assume Your Needs Won’t Change

While it’s fantastic to start with the above list of needs, you need to be aware that what you require from your IT services provider will change in the future. EIRE Systems managed IT support points out that things might need to scale and adapt to new technologies as the year progresses. Keep in mind how your future needs might change when agreeing to terms and strategies, and be open to discussing potential IT infrastructure options that will meet both your current and future needs.

Security Is A Priority

Even if you don’t think security is an issue in your industry or business, it is. Cybersecurity is a massive issue right now, and it’s looking like it’s only going to grow. Speak to any potential IT service providers about what security measures they are taking and what they recommend given your current situation and the type of information you collect and harbor.

Understand The Support Service You’ll Be Entitled To

Does the provider you’re speaking to allow you 24-hour access to support lines? Can you call at any time and reach an expert on the other end of the line who can walk you through whatever technical difficulties you’re having? Be sure that you understand what the IT provider’s resources are when it comes to troubleshooting and dealing with the inevitable hiccups that come along with incorporating new technologies into the workforce.

The above tips should help you have open and useful conversations with potential IT services providers. Once you’ve discussed the above information with a provider, you should have a good idea of whether or not the provider is right for you. Keep asking the above questions until you find someone that is a great match for you and your company. It’s alright if it takes a moment to find a good fit. It’s important to think about your IT services provider as carefully as you think about hiring a new employee—this is someone or a team of someones who will be working alongside you, perhaps for many years to come.

Type Studio – Text-based Video and Podcast Editor

Posted on by Chris Hennessey
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Type Studio is a Berlin, Germany-based startup which was founded in 2020. Type Studio is developing a new approach to edit your media files. It is called text-based editing. You basically edit the video or audio file by just editing the transcribed text. In previous editors, the editing is usually done in a timeline. The rise of artificial intelligence in the form of speech recognition makes text-based editing possible.

The goal of Type Studio is to make video and audio editing as easy as possible. The text-based approach lowers the barrier to entry, because anyone is familiar with editing a text document. You don’t need to learn a complicated editor program with the help of tutorials or courses for many hours. Type Studio allows you to start right away with the editing of your content. Another advantage is that editing is much faster because you are doing the changes of your video and audio in the transcribed content and you don’t have to skip through the timeline to find the right place you want to edit.

Type Studio’s features in a nutshell:

Type Studio runs online in your browser, so you have to upload your video where it will be automatically transcribed. The voice from your video will be converted into text. When the upload and transcription is done you will end up in Type Studio’s editor. Here are all the features Type Studio is capable of:

Video translation

Type Studio automatically transcribing allows you to translate your video into different languages. It helps you to make your videos accessible to a global audience. With a translated video you can expand your reach by creating content in multiple languages, to be viewed by people from all over the globe. You can add the translated texts as subtitles to your video.

Type Studio supports a bunch of different languages. So the translation works not only for English videos, but also for many other common languages. These are the languages that are currently supported.

Generate subtitles automatically

Since Type Studio transcribes your content anyway, you can easily add the transcript as subtitles to your video. It requires only one click and you have added close captions to your video. If you like you can also customize and style the subtitles by picking different fonts, sizes, and colors.

With the inclusion of text to speech voice, Type Studio facilitates automatic subtitle generation effortlessly. Enhance videos with just one click, and customize captions for optimal viewer engagement.

Sometimes the transcription is not at 100% accuracy. Then you can edit the wrong transcribed words in the text and it will also affect improving your subtitles.

Repurpose video content

To get the most out of your video you can use Type Studio to repurpose your video by easily adapting your video for all social media platforms. Choose between different aspect ratios and cut out different parts of your video. This way you can get multiple content pieces out of one video that are optimized for each platform. Optimize your content for all social media networks and post the best performing content. If you want to repurpose your YouTube videos for example you can just upload them to Type Studio by pasting in the URL of your video.

Turn your video into an article

Turning your video into an interactive article is another feature provided by Type Studio. It is a byproduct of the text-based and online approach and works like this:

When you are done with the editing and the video has been rendered, you will be taken to Type Studio’s sharing page. Decide if the sharing page should be set to public or stay per default to private. If you set the page to public, everyone you share the link with will have access to the page and can watch the video online in the browser or download it if necessary. This way you can quickly send your video and share it with anyone.

The special thing about the sharing page is that you can embed the video and interactive transcript into your website or blog. Therefore Type Studio provides a small auto generated code snippet that you can use for the embedding. By embedding the sharing page on your website you optimize your SEO. The search engine can understand what your video is about. At the same time you make sure that your visitors can interact more with the video.

Podcast editing

Type Studio transcribes not only your videos but also your audio files. It’s perfectly made for podcast editing. Editing the podcast works the same way you edit videos in Type Studio.

Work collaboratively on your podcast episode and share them with your guests or listeners. You can even create a video from your podcast that you can use to promote your episode on your social media channels.

Summary

Type Studio offers an exciting way to edit your content. It’s a whole new concept of editing. The text-based approach brings a bunch of new features to the table. The increased editing speed and simplicity are a clear benefit for all content creator. However, there is also a disadvantage. Type Studio is only suitable for media with spoken words otherwise the engine can not transcribe anything. Music videos, for example, would not be suitable.