Pets

Hot weather can be deadly for your pug

It’s certainly great to see the signs of spring after a long, cold winter. The nicer weather makes almost everyone want to get outside and there is no better company, of course, than your favorite little Pug. Pugs love to walk well with their owner, but you may not realize how sensitive they can be to warmer weather. A hot and humid day should be a red flag for all Pug lovers.

The reason to be concerned about the well-being of your Pug is the construction of his nasal passages. That short muzzle that makes them so adorable can also be the cause of some breathing problems if you’re not careful. Pugs are a brachycephalic breed characterized by a short muzzle and a broad head. Due to this construction, the nasal passages are more constricted. Your Pug probably snores when he is sound asleep. For most owners, this makes them more endearing because there is nothing cuter than a sleeping Pug. While snoring can be very annoying to a human being, in some ways a sleeping and snoring Pug can be considered absolutely adorable.

As an owner, you should be aware of this breed’s tendency to be more prone to respiratory problems which can be even more pronounced in hot weather. Avoid brisk walks on a hot day because your Pug will always try to keep up with you. You don’t know enough to slow down, and by the time you notice his wheezing and shortness of breath, you may have an overheated Pug on your hands.

The best advice, just like for humans, is to take it easy with your Pug on a hot day. This is especially true when the humidity is high and your breathing can be even more labored. Always have plenty of fresh water for your Pug and never place him in a position where he will have to spend a lot of time in direct sun. If your Pug is on a leash, make sure there is a shady area for him when the weather warms up. And keep in mind how the shaded area of ​​the patio can change during the day.

Of course, you should never, ever leave your Pug (or any other dog or cat) in a car without air. Never, ever do that, even if you are absolutely sure that you will only be there for a minute. On a hot day, an unventilated car can turn into an oven, and it won’t take long for your Pug to be affected by the heat. Make no mistake, staying in a hot, unventilated area on a hot day can literally kill your Pug.

It is best to be aware of the weather conditions of your Pug. They are sensitive to heat and cold. If you feel uncomfortable, chances are your Pug is uncomfortable too. The difference is that he will not be able to communicate that to you. As any Pug owner will tell you, a Pug can be your best friend. In hot and humid weather, it is important that you also be his best friend.

Real Estate

What to ask when looking for a good property manager

If you’ve ever looked for a good property manager, then you know how difficult it can be to find a good one for your rental property. There are several property managers, probably more than you really need to get your property to market.

With so many options available, it can be difficult to choose one for your unit. But don’t worry – if you ask the right questions while searching for property managers, you will have a better idea of ​​who would be the best fit for your property. Ask them these questions when talking about your property to see if they are the right property manager for you:

1. What types of properties have you managed?

Experience counts for a lot in property management and can separate the good ones from the ones you should stay away from. Experience in this field, however, is not just about the number of years worked in the field; it’s also about the kind of properties they’ve managed. Depending on the type of property you have, you can go with someone who specializes in managing properties like yours or someone who has a more varied experience managing different types of properties.

2. How are potential tenants screened?

Screening prospective tenants is one of the most important steps in property management, so the way they do it often reflects their level of service to your property. Ask them how they will match tenants to your property and what their tenant-finding process looks like. This will give you a better idea of ​​how they operate and how far they will go to find the right match for your property.

3. How do you handle late payments from tenants?

Finding tenants is just one phase of property management; the longest phase involves managing the lease itself. Asking them this question will show you what their management style is like and how they will deal with critical rental issues like these. See if your process aligns with what you expect them to do and how you want your property to be managed.

4. How do you respond to complaints?

Similar to the previous question, this question allows you to gauge how well a potential property manager will handle the landlord-tenant relationship. Remember that a property manager will act as a mediator between you and your tenant, so it is important that you feel comfortable with their process for dealing with any complaints or issues.

5. How often do you carry out inspections?

Routine inspections are important to any lease, and the number of times per year will help give you greater peace of mind as a landlord or landlord. This question will also show you how well the property manager will take care of your property even after the start of the lease.

6. What is the correct rental price for my property?

If you’ve done your research beforehand, this question will allow you to assess how well a potential property manager knows the market and what it can offer you. It also allows you to get a better idea of ​​the value of your property in today’s market. Compare your answer to different property managers to see what they offer and better understand where your property is on the market.

7. What can I do to improve my ad?

Asking them this question will not only reveal your experience in property management, it will also help you get your property in the best position on the market. Write down their suggestions, evaluate their relevance and decide if they can get your property where you want it to go.

8. What are the total costs and fees to manage my property?

Some have small registration fees, but a variety of hidden fees once you register and allow them to manage your property. Avoid being surprised by such fees and ask them to list all administration and service fees included in their service. The more complicated your fee structure, the more headache (and expense) you are likely to have.

9. What can you do that others cannot?

This is where prospective property managers will try to sell you what they have to offer and how well they stand out from the competition. It’s also the part where you evaluate intangibles in any employment relationship, giving you a better idea of ​​how well they meet your standards. Listen well, take notes and evaluate if they provide what you are looking for.

With so many options available today, finding the right property management company can be difficult. But if you ask the right questions and do your research beforehand, you will find that all the hard work you put into finding the right manager will pay off. Once you find the right one, your property (and wallet) is sure to thank you.

Shopping Product Reviews

16 Christmas gift alternatives to video games for kids in 2010

Everyone knows that children love video games. They are on the wish list of almost every child between the ages of 7 and 17. But at some point, you have to wonder if kids play video games too much. So this year, instead of getting them another Xbox 360 or Wii game, consider these electronic alternatives to video games. To make it easier, I’ve broken down each gift idea based on the type of video games your child is interested in. You will also be surprised to learn that these gifts cost less than a couple of games or a single video game console like the PlayStation 3.

Musician: (Guitar Hero, Rock Band, DJ Hero):

Children love music-based video games. Games like Rock Band and DJ Hero are big hits. But wouldn’t learning to play a musical instrument or DJ equipment be a better use of your child’s time? If so, consider the following gifts.

– DJ equipment

– Fender Starcaster Guitar

– Midi keyboard

– Digital drum pad

Photography (Pokémon, The Sims, World of Warcraft, due to the images and the fact that many people enjoy taking and displaying screenshots):

Some children love games because they are bright, colorful, or have an interesting art direction and presentation. Also, kids love to play alternate world simulations where they often take screenshots of themselves in action. If you have a kid who enjoys playing games like The Sims or The World of Warcraft, then he might enjoy taking photos and videos in the real world. Consider buying them a good digital or video camera. The new Flip video camera is a great example. And after they’re done taking photos, they will want to display them in some way, so consider a good quality photo printer and / or digital photo frame.

– Digital camera

– Video camera

– Photo printer

– Digital photo frame

Scientist (StarCraft, Halo, Mario Galaxy, Plot Center):

If you have a child who is interested in futuristic or medical games like StarCraft or Trama Center, you may have a scientific future on your hands. Children interested in science fiction are also often interested in … science! Consider getting them a microscope or telescope that can be connected to a computer or projector. This will provide literally unlimited entertainment and children will learn a lot about science.

-Microscope

-Telescope

Artist (Castlevania, Harvest Moon, LittleBigPlanet):

If your child likes games that are task-oriented like Castlevania or Harvest Moon or they like games that require you to create your own game, like LittleBigPlanet, they obviously like to dig deep and get involved in the game and their artwork. If your child likes these types of games and also likes to paint or draw, consider getting tools to help him develop his artistic hobby. Color laser printers have come down significantly in price over the years and are far superior to inkjet printers for printing art. Also, consider some graphic design software or a graphics tablet for a PC so that they can begin to learn skills that can end up being very useful later in life.

– Color laser printer

– Graphic tablet

– Magna Studio Debut 4 Win / Mac

Sports Team (Madden 2011, Kinect, Dance Dance Revolution):

Kids who like to play sports games like Madden Football 2011, NBA 2K11, or Dance Dance Revolution are likely to be interested in sports and fitness outside of the virtual realm. If your child is into sports a lot, consider buying him some cool gear to keep him active. The Nike + iPod kid would make a great outfit as well as a GPS watch or fish finder for those who enjoy the outdoors.

– Nike + iPod Kit

– GPS watch

– Fish locator

All of these products are available on Amazon and will be a huge hit with your children, grandchildren, or whoever the kid in your life is.

Sports

Fantasy Football: a lesson to monetize anything

Attention enterprising spirits: the following would have seemed as fictional as Star Wars to our grandparents, not to mention Vince Lombardi. However, it is all true and there is a valuable lesson in this: you can monetize anything!

Congratulations to the NFL. They have found a way to maintain a large fan base despite the myriad off-the-field issues that they seem to ignore on a weekly basis. The 2012 referee strike and inept replacements? Forget it, that didn’t even make it to the NFL fans’ “To Worry List”. How could I do it? This is a league that has recently seen popular players charged or convicted of domestic violence, rape, child abuse, and murder. Good guys, huh? In short, there is NOTHING stopping us from tuning in every Thursday, Sunday and Monday (in my life, I’m sure there will be a game every night of the week). Television ratings suggest that this monster is really too big to fail.

So why do we do it? It is not because we care about who wins or loses the actual game. Some of us do, but now we are in the minority. No, wins and losses are not even the second reason. Sports gambling, while illegal in most states, WAS what kept the NFL at the top of the sports fan list. People bet nearly $ 10 billion on the Super Bowl alone. Imagine what a full season brings. The joke used to be something like “Dad’s favorite team is the Dolphins and he wants them to win by less than 4 points.” However, because gambling has such a negative connotation in society, people don’t talk about it much and certainly not when they lose.

What will help the NFL remain king of the hill indefinitely turns out to be the negative photo of the game. It’s Fantasy Football, and it’s almost reached the point where we can remove the word “Fantasy” from the name. It is quite real and it is here to stay. Gambling is illegal because it is considered a “game of chance”. Betting on Fantasy Football is legal because it is considered a “game of skill” (don’t ask me who decides these things, but it’s true). Gambling is ugly because it can ruin people’s lives when they lose. Fantasy Football is innocent and fun, although the same amount of money is spent participating, and yes, half is lost. With gambling, there is only money. With Fantasy Football, there is money, but also fun team names, trophies, and bragging rights. It is the rules of the market versus the social norms, once again. Unless you live in one of the few states where gambling is legal, you need connections with people with connections to participate. Participating in Fantasy Football only requires an Internet connection and an investment of only $ 1.

Fantasy Football’s roots go back to the 1960s, but that was a different world. It wasn’t until the last 10 years, thanks entirely to the internet, that it took off and became insane … and SERIOUS business. Roughly 40 million Americans are playing some form of Fantasy Football this year and spending roughly $ 2 billion to do so, but that’s just the beginning. When the entire industry is considered, the empire that is Fantasy Football is estimated to be worth more than $ 50 billion. And it will continue to grow. Everybody is doing it. I play, my friends play. Heck, even NFL players play! Just this week, an NFL player tweeted “I’m probably going to lose my fantasy football game this week because (Adrian Peterson) can’t play Sunday for disciplining his son …” Really.

While you won’t hear announcers talking about point spreads, they frequently refer to Fantasy stats. The crawl at the bottom of the TV screen is now dedicated to the new national pastime. As big as the NFL has gotten, they recognize that you NEED the Fantasy Football element to keep their brand healthy, so they go out of their way to promote it. There are magazines, books, radio shows and TV shows dedicated to him and there is even a TV series based on a group of friends united by their Fantasy Football league. Only in America!

Fantasy Football online sites are raising money, capitalizing on the popularity of this “game of skill.” One of the most popular sites boasts that it pays more than $ 10 million per week. Considering that they are cleverly charging 10% on every dollar to facilitate the thousands of contests between strangers, it’s easy to calculate how a company like this can be worth millions almost overnight. And it’s not just NFL football. Most of these sites offer forums for baseball, hockey, basketball, golf, and the major “fantasy” college sports.

The lesson from all of this is simple: if you build the site, they will come and go with dollars to spend. Find the product that people are passionate about and make it available to them online, in whatever form you can. If you don’t have the product itself, write a book about it. If you don’t want to write a book, write an article and sell it. Position yourself as an “expert” (anyone who questions that anyway), and it will come at a price.

Now if you’ll excuse me. It’s almost game time and I need to support my kicker’s offense to move the ball across the field at 30 and then stop. Strange thing, this Fantasy Football.

Tours Travel

For vocal control: balancing force in the TA and CT muscles

There are two groups of muscles that control your vocal registers. These muscles are called thyroarytenoids (TA) and cricothyroid (CT). To sing contemporary (popular) styles of music, the force in these muscle sets must be especially balanced and coordinated. When one set is much stronger than the other, vocal problems like these occur:

  • Limited vocal range.
  • Frustrating pitch issues.
  • Lack of control of vocal “licks” or ornaments.
  • Limited vocal tone color options.
  • Lack of ability to mix the voice.
  • Vocal register breaks.
  • Vocal tension.

The CT muscles “work” the voice of the head, or upper vocal register, lengthening the vocal cords by tilting the thyroid cartilage. The TA muscles “work” the chest voice, or lower vocal register, by shortening and thickening the vocal cords, of which they are the core.

People who strain on the chest voice need a stronger head voice (controlled by the CT muscles). People who have trouble reaching lower notes (common with classically trained singers trying a contemporary sound) need to strengthen their TA muscles. For a singer, more important than knowing the names of these muscles is learning to identify the sensations … how the voice should feel and operate … when these muscles are balanced.

When there is an imbalance, vocal training can strengthen the weak ensemble to match the strong ensemble. How? The way you strengthen any muscle is use it – and use it correctly. Here are some tips:

* If you tend to strain at the higher end of your chest voice (also known as a push chest voice):

Practice singing with the voice in your head. Do exercises that take you much higher than you would normally go when singing songs, but be sure not to bend over or push to do so. Just climb as high as you can effortlessly. Keep doing this on a regular basis and you will strengthen the muscles that control your upper register. The voice in your head will begin to influence the voice in your chest and you will be able to sing notes that were previously difficult or almost impossible to reach without straining.

* If you have received classical training and find it difficult to avoid lowering your voice in your head when doing musical theater or contemporary (non-classical) songs:

Practice singing with your chest voice. Feel the vibration in your mouth and chest; avoid a “hootie”, “covered” or hollow sound. Set up your chest voice the same way you would your head voice … stretch out and don’t lean forward or hunch over. Sing songs and do exercises that raise your middle voice, but keep your voice “talking”; do not “pass” to the voice of the head. Important … while using this voice, DO NOT PRESS. In fact, it helps to imagine a plane of glass in front of your mouth when you sing … try not to leave a breath mark on it. Make sure you have a chest voice. If you are not sure which register you are singing in, find a good voice teacher who can help you learn to identify the corresponding sensations of being in the head or chest voice.

When you achieve balanced strength in the TA and CT muscles, you will appear to have ONE built-in vocal range, because the voices from your chest and head can easily blend into what is commonly called a “mixed voice.” The most accomplished and masterful voices are also the most mixed.

For highly effective vocal muscle balancing exercises called “combination steps”, as well as more excellent vocal instruction, look for the 6-CD pack on the website below:

Technology

Prepare for education with these essential iPad apps for education

While your summer fun days are over, going to college doesn’t mean you can’t have more fun. With the right iPad apps, learning can be much easier and faster, giving you time to play.

Gone are the days of carrying books or spending the night in the library. Now all you need is a stylish, portable device and you have pretty much everything you need to study wherever you want. Download our list of the most essential iPad apps and prepared to be polite.

Dictionary and thesaurus. Having a dictionary with you is very useful, especially when you need to look up the meaning of a word. Dictionary app for iPad can help you significantly improve your vocabulary. It even has a “word of the day” feature to add a new word to your vocabulary every day.

To do is an application that can help you closely monitor all your tasks for the day. No longer will you have to go through all your notebooks one by one just to see if you have homework for that particular topic, as Todo will keep track of everything for you. This is perhaps one of the most useful back to school iPad apps.

Are you a virtual learner? If you learn better with pictures, then Cooloris it is definitely an application that you must download. You can search for almost any topic your teacher is talking about and view large images of it to make it easier to understand.

Looking for iPad apps to help you study? If so, you should get the Mental Case Flashcards app. For many people, studying for a test is much easier with the use of flashcards. With this app, you can download pre-made flashcards online on any topic to make studying much easier and more fun.

If you need to read a classic novel for your literature class but you don’t want to have to go to a bookstore to buy it, you can use Stanza. This application has a database of more than 50,000 books. Instead of having to carry too many books, all you need is your iPad and Stanza, and you can start reading whatever they ask of you.

Wikipanion is an application that gives you quick and easy access to Wikipedia. If you want to read a summary of a certain topic, you can use this application to do so. Just be sure to search for sources to ensure its legitimacy.

Whatever your learning needs, there is sure to be an iPad app for it.

Home Kitchen

Durability and beauty of granite

It is no wonder that granite has been used for thousands of years in every imaginable application where there has been a need for exposure to the elements.

There are not many materials that have more varied uses than granite. It can be a boring and uninteresting stone, or quite colorful and beautiful. The only endearing trait that makes it exceptional is its permanence. Before it was commonly used for kitchen countertops, it had a long history of use in many other places.

Due to its apparent invincibility, granite has long been the choice for tombstones. This is true in almost all countries where granite can be mined and used. In centuries past, granite was most often used in a very rough form, and many head stones did not have identifying letters.

The finely polished, three-dimensional headstones are made almost exclusively of granite, whether to commemorate a poor man or a king.

Definition of granite
A true definition of granite: a coarse-grained, crystal-shaped igneous rock containing feldspar and quartz. In practice, many similar materials can be called granite. When the definition is degraded to mean feldspar rock with interlocking crystals that can be seen with the naked eye, we have material that is of lower quality.

Some materials that are considered granites under the second meaning are gneiss, granodiorite, gabbro, anorthosite, monzonite, and syenite. While this might split the hairs a bit, in certain applications the material with the pure meaning is needed.

Uses of granite in construction
Many tall buildings have a granite base and are often used on building exteriors in commercial applications. Depending on the required effect, the granite can be rough, smooth or polished to suit the builder’s intentions. Granite cut stones are also very common in bridge construction.

Granite that has a rough textured surface will generally have smooth ends, tops, and bottoms for the stones to fit together well. Granite is used both as a structural material and as a cladding.

Whenever possible, engineers prefer the use of granite curbs over concrete. Granite is also much more attractive and resistant.

Granite in the home
One of the most popular uses for granite is for countertops. At one time these were very expensive because there were only a few facilities that had the machinery to cut and finish the material. However, the demand for these durable surfaces has led many shops to invest in equipment to make their own tops, and this in turn has produced more artisans who have the experience to work with granite.

The consumer is the winner as more cabinetmakers enter the field of granite countertops. It is now much faster to have cabinets equipped with stone countertops than it was a few years ago. If you have an existing kitchen to modernize with granite countertops, you may only have to wait two or three days, where previously it would have taken two weeks or more to ship and install the countertops.

Demand and availability have also produced a more competitive market, and granite countertops are more affordable than ever. Although they are by no means cheap, they are now more affordable for the average homeowner.

With the manufacture of more granite slabs, there is a much wider selection of colors available. Most consumers want to choose the slabs that their tops are made of, not just choose from a range of colors. This adds a more personal touch to the construction process.

Because each piece of granite is different from each other, each new homeowner has a completely unique countertop from all the others out there. The careful homeowner can expect to keep granite countertops for as long as he owns his home; not many other materials are as durable.

It is easy to see why so many satisfied customers choose granite as their countertop option and many find other uses for this material in their homes. The fact that granite is the most common rock found on the face of the earth does not detract from its appeal to the masses.

The next time you look at a picture of Mount Rushmore, remember that you can install that same ageless material in your own home.

Auto

The Mini: a brief history

The original Mini was born in the late 1950s and was the brainchild of designer Sir Alec Issigonis, who set out to design the ideal city car, a box with a wheel on each corner. Taking the ‘A’ series engine that was widely used in various Austin and Morris models at the time and mounting it crosswise at the front, the Mini concept became a reality.

Initially, the Mini was available in the Austin Seven and Morris Mini Minor versions with little difference between the two. Van and traveler versions soon followed and there was an attempt to bring the concept up the notch by introducing the Wolseley Hornet and Riley Elf versions, both of which had an additional trunk and improved interiors. While these two models sold to some extent, the entry-level Mini proved to be very popular going from point to point and the introduction of the Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S versions took it to new levels of performance and handling.

The mid-sixties was the defining moment for the Mini with track and rally victories, the most famous of which was the Monte Carlo Rally. A class victory in 1963 was followed by outright victories in 1964, ’65 and ’67. After this success, tuning companies were introducing their own versions of street legal rally cars and because the simplicity of the design made the Mini easy to work with, do-it-yourself enthusiasts began producing their own vehicles. tuned.

The Mini legend was now well and truly established and with celebrities of the time of the stature of Peter Sellers and the Beatles calling for custom versions, all class barriers were broken in a way that no other car has ever managed.

After turbulent times that included British Leyland’s takeover of parent company BMC and its evolution to MG Rover, the Mini has resurfaced under BMW ownership and while the new Mini is a modern take on the original design, it is more great and totally different vehicle. But it has to be said, it’s an excellent car in its own right and it’s starting to capture public affection in much the same way as the original Mini.

Digital Marketing

13 Social Media Trends and Opportunities for 2021

Everything you need to know about social media marketing trends today!

The world of social media has exploded with activity, and the social media trends of 2021 have changed since the attack of the COVID pandemic. Sure, it’s exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. You need to know how these changes affect your business and how to capitalize on them to improve your marketing strategy.

So we’re making a foray into the digital world to help you understand social media trends and opportunities for 2021. Let’s do it!

1. Make a connection with the live stream

Human beings need to be connected for personal and business reasons. When they can’t do that face to face, technology is more than happy to step in and close the gap. Fortunately, new trends in social media have come to the rescue during this pandemic. Live streaming, a popular medium that only got stronger in 2020, will continue to play an important role in 2021.

People have become accustomed to learning and exploring on live broadcasts as they come closer to meet their need for social contact and participation. So, one of our top tips based on social media trends for businesses in 2021 …

Go live on social media at least once a week! And be sure to include a call to action that sells your audience something valuable at the end.

2. Give something for free

One of the most valuable results of maintaining a social media presence, in addition to fostering relationships, is list building. When you post on social media, you can use your call to action to build your list. Free offers help make this process easier. Selling something valuable does not always mean an exchange of money. Your list is gold, your treasure chest of potential new customers and sales.

People will exchange their contact information to get something they value. For example, some people don’t have time to read every word of their blog posts. A good blog post summary, or access to a hidden page on your site that provides summaries of your most important blog posts, could attract some of your potential customers.

Other free offers could include the following:

  • Access to slides of a conference

  • Detailed guides and tutorials

  • Backstage flashes

  • Free reports

  • And more

3. Show your brand personality with videos

Good news! There is still plenty of room to build your online presence, attract an audience, and build loyalty with videos. And before you say, “Really? Isn’t the YouTube market saturated?”, Think again.

If true. YouTube has grown exponentially and remains the leading video channel. But the doors are open for branding through personality-driven content. Your unique personality, how you communicate with your audience, sets you apart and helps you stand out. So be authentic, be yourself, and have fun! Use videos to find and grow your tribe!

And don’t stop with YouTube. Make a place for yourself in other video channels. Here’s a list to get you started!

  • IGTV

  • Instagram reels

  • Twitter fleets: NEW in 2021!

  • Facebook

  • Pinterest

  • Tik Tok

  • Snapchat

4. Stand out on LinkedIn and Instagram with carousels

Let’s keep moving towards the 2021 social media marketing trends with engaging, movement-focused content ideas! Why settle for static LinkedIn posts when you can liven things up with carousels? That’s how it is! You can create and publish entertaining slideshows! These allow you to stand out in the sea of ​​text-based LinkedIn posts and raise awareness of your company page.

Not to be confused with LinkedIn carousel ads, post carousel posts for free. These posts attract attention and generate interest in dynamic and eye-catching visual displays that take up more space in a feed. So be sure to include a clear call to action at the end!

Also, Instagram users get a great benefit from using carousels in their feed. If a user doesn’t like the main image and scrolls past it, the second image is displayed in their feed. That gives you a second chance to win engagement.

Content Ideas to Share on LinkedIn Carousel Posts

  • Statistics, infographics and numbers

  • Frames and step-by-step instructions

  • Lessons and practical advice for companies

  • Conference slides and event content

  • Snippets from your blog post / list

5. Emails and electronic news are still tested and are real methods

Let your audience know when you post something new: “This blog is going viral right now!” Yes, emails and e-news are still some of the best ways to get attention for your articles and blog posts. So, keep growing that list! Then use social media to highlight the content your audience craves.

For permission-based subscriber list subscriptions, use creative calls-to-action (CTAs) that encourage your prospect to exchange their contact information for the tips, instructions, and entertainment you value.

With so many new trends on social media, it can be difficult to figure out how to maximize your impact. Knowing that these business social media trends exist and knowing how to use them to increase your strategy are two different concepts!

Let’s go over some of the ways you can use social media marketing for your business!

6. Use of links vs. Audiovisual content

Whenever possible, use videos, images, and audio to gain attention within social media platforms rather than redirect them to your posted content. Social channels want to keep people where they can influence them with advertiser campaigns.

Of course, you want them to access your content, sign up for your free gifts, and more. Here’s a simple social media trending strategy for 2021 – try using the first comment below your post to post your link!

7. Interact with your tribe through comments on social media

Respond to comments on your social media content in a timely manner. If people take the time to engage with you on social media, doesn’t it make sense to keep them engaged? That is the point, after all!

Don’t let comments on your posts go unattended. When you leave your prospects languishing, you risk losing their attention altogether. Engaging with them fosters future engagements that lead to relationships, trust, and sales.

8. Everything is a matter of time

Your social media post traffic depends on the first 10 minutes of the time you post the content. Tag people and spread the word to increase traffic flow, especially if it is a live broadcast event. If you do a live broadcast every week, do it on the same day at the same time every week. That way, your audience can program you into their activities.

Hosting a unique live stream? Get the word out several times in advance through various channels. Publish your event details in advance via emails, newsletters, and posts. If you have connections with people who support your efforts, maximize those relationships and ask them to spread the word.

9. The Power of Social Media Bookmarks and Comments

One of your responsibilities to your audience is to select useful content. Whatever your industry, your audience looks to you for guidance, expertise, and resources. You can’t create everything, so you need to find reliable sources to share content. Social bookmarking sites provide the means to do just that.

And as social media platforms play with the idea of ​​removing likes (eg, Facebook, Instagram), people need to find other ways to indicate their approval of posts they enjoyed or found useful.

Instagram is arguably one of the most popular visual-centric social media trends for businesses and has become increasingly influential in marketing. To build brand awareness, encourage people to save your Instagram posts (instead of just “liking” them). Use a call to action in your image and text. A simple “Check this!” it could be the ticket.

How else can your business benefit from these savings?

7 benefits of social media bookmarking

  • Save and organize the resources you want to focus on later.

  • Share resources with your team or audience.

  • Tag (tag) content for ease of reference and search.

  • Create backlinks from social media bookmarks to your website.

  • Drive traffic to your website. (People search for and click on content that others have saved to their bookmarking sites.)

  • Promote the mentions you receive from others (mark articles that mention you and your content).

  • Take advantage of SEO. (Search engines often show bookmarks in their search results.)

10. Ask questions to encourage engagement in social media posts

Do you want to encourage discussion and participation on social media? To open the door to communication, remember the power of the question. Make it interesting. It would help if you asked a provocative question that leads people to want to share their thoughts. A vague “yes / no” question such as “Okay?” does not provoke discussion.

Sample Questions That Encourage Discussion

  • I’m curious. Do you have a story to share about your experiences with _____? (Fill in the blank.)

  • How have you benefited from ________? (Fill in the blank.)

  • When was the last time that _________? (Fill in the blank.)

  • What is your favorite memory of ________? (Fill in the blank.)

  • Do you think there is a possibility that _______? What leads you to that conclusion? (Fill in the blank.)

11. Ego bait

I know … it’s a pretty loaded term. But think about it. Influencers and industry leaders enjoy the spotlight. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be influencers. Tag one or more influencers in your post and ask them to share.

12. Social media trading

Social media has become increasingly influential in consumer purchasing choices. And some platforms have capitalized on this new trend on social media by introducing shopping carts. Your customers can research and buy your products and services without having to leave the social media platform.

Again, social media platforms want users to stay on them for as long as possible. Feel free to take advantage of the tools they offer. It is beneficial for you and for the platform.

13. Humanized brands: the power of authenticity

And finally, you may have noticed this growing trend. People value transparency and authenticity in their relationships, and that ideal is spilling over into how they feel about the brands they support.

The 2021 Social Media Marketing Trends, Predictions From The Pros, Indicates Your Audience Wants To Know Who You Are And What You Stand For. And companies that align themselves with social conscience issues are viewed more favorably by their customers.

Lean on yourself and let your light shine. Tell your stories. You are who you are, and there is a tribe waiting to meet and support you and your business!

Business

Benefits of leasing commercial equipment

Equipment leasing is one of the most reliable ways to purchase commercial equipment today. Recent surveys in the United States found that about 80% of startups obtain some of their equipment through leasing. Startups are always facing the problem of finances because their income stream is still low. Leasing is a better alternative to purchasing equipment because it allows your business to use available capital for cash flow.

However, there are several questions you need to answer before deciding on a particular leasing decision. Some of them are:

1. Do you think you will need the equipment for a long time? If the answer is YES, it is recommended that you negotiate a purchase alternative that ensures that some of the lease payments go to the acquisition account.

2. What are the terms and conditions or legal implications associated with the lease? It is a better idea to page through the lease before placing your signature on it to avoid adverse repercussions.

Advantages of Leasing Commercial Equipment Over Buying!

Low monthly payments

Monthly lease payments are often lower than the expense of acquiring the equipment by other means. Borrowing to buy equipment is much more expensive than renting it due to the high interest rates that most financial institutions charge.

Your capital is not immobilized!

Leasing helps you keep money from your business for other requirements. Unexpected expenses are not unusual in the business world, and this money can also be useful as working capital when your income is low.

Immediate use of equipment!

Most sources of financial loans require up to 25% down payment. Leasing, on the other hand, provides you with the equipment at a nominal upfront cost. Most leases will only require at least one or two payments up front to allow use of the equipment.

Without obsolescence!

Technological advancement is occurring at a dangerously fast rate and a computer you are using today could be so out of date two years from now. Leasing offers you the opportunity to enjoy the best of today’s technology while it lasts and upgrade when it becomes obsolete. Therefore, you can stay competitive and flexible.

Fixed payment terms!

Banks and other financial institutions have variable credit rates based on market dynamics. Lease payments are usually fixed regardless of what is happening in the market. It is a better alternative because it protects you from potential interest rate spikes. For example, there was an increase in rates from about 9 percent to more than 20 percent in the same year in the 1980s. Such financial inconvenience cannot occur with equipment leasing.

Tax advantage!

Leasing has a tax advantage compared to other financing options. Unlike loan payments, the equipment lease payment can be a pre-tax business expense that can significantly lower your taxes. Tax is generally paid on earnings and can add up to 40% to the cost of equipment when paid in cash.

Simply put, equipment leasing is the way to go to save time and the hassle of finding a money guarantor to purchase commercial equipment. Ensures a fast take-off for your business enterprise.