Category: Uncategorized

SEO Management

WebMarketers

SEO for beginners

Every search someone makes on Google depends on keywords. Keywords are used to determine what content best suits a search inquiry based on the words entered in the search field. Google uses many different search techniques to find the best possible information. The better the source, the higher it will appear on the rankings.

The coveted top spot is hard to obtain because Google uses an ever-changing list of algorithms to find the best results to show their users. That makes it difficult for most companies to get noticed. SEO optimizes the keywords most likely to be searched for a business so that the website is found.

The better the optimization, the higher the ranking. As an SEO Manager, you will oversee the research of SEO to help the digital marketing team run effective campaigns, as well as to optimize the company’s website, social media pages, and other content efforts.

What is SEO management?

SEO management can ask your company or your agency’s management of your SEO strategy. As a neighborhood of SEO management, your team or agency develops, leads, and modifies your strategy to maximize your results and achieve your marketing, sales, and business goals. If you partner with the workplace, your business may sign with a specialized agency, sort of a local SEO company, or full-service digital marketing agency.

As many internal marketing departments handle multiple responsibilities and don’t have a background in SEO, it’s common for businesses to take a position in professional SEO management services. A recent study, for instance, revealed that 55 percent of companies partner with an SEO agency. With SEO management, your team or agency develops, leads, and modifies your strategy to maximize your results and achieve your marketing, sales, and business goals. Whether your business partners with a workplace or manages your strategy in-house, it’s essential to know what SEO management includes. That way, you’ll build a foundation for a competitive strategy that really drives revenue for your company.

How much do SEO managers make?

In the U.S., the average salary of SEO managers based on several job and HR databases is around $75K. However, good candidates can expect at least $100K. (I came to this conclusion after discussing with U.S.-based SEOs and reviewing many job postings.) You could go even higher than that in the most popular technological hubs.

In the U.K., the average compensation seems to be around £40K (~$55K). SEO salaries in the U.K. aren’t that attractive (yet), so I can only encourage you to ask for more to change that. Of course, you should expect large discrepancies between London and the rest of the country.

As this is a suitable job for 100% remote work, I’ve also been keeping an eye on remote job postings. These jobs start at $40K but can go well over $100K too. The best candidates can get U.S. salaries regardless of where they are in the world.

Next Steps

We’ve covered the fundamentals of SEO Project Management in this article and referenced three SEO experts from leading digital agencies in the industry. Now it’s your turn to put theory into practice. If you take away only one insight from these experts it’s the importance of communication. Every process and methodology they’ve put in place across their SEO projects is underpinned by communication both internally and externally. Workflow tools will definitely help in enabling this communication to take place.

You also need solid documentation to outline how you do things and the steps taken for each task. This helps you scale your services as you onboard more clients. You need to be removing dependencies on people and resources. If you don’t do this, you’ll hit bottlenecks in your workflow and start losing efficiency in your work.

But all of the above is irrelevant if you don’t have skilled practitioners on your team. The most valuable asset in your agency are your people. Hiring the best from day one will help set you up for success!

Resources:

https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/what-does-an-seo-manager-do
https://ameyamarketing.com/2021/09/08/what-is-seo-management/
https://ahrefs.com/blog/seo-manager/
https://www.seoptimer.com/blog/seo-project-management/

Tips on How to Write an Effective Product Review and Drive More Sales

Product Reviews are Based on Research & Product Knowledge

Tips on How to Write an Effective Product Review and Drive More Sales

A compelling product review may be one of the quickest ways to increase sales on e-commerce sites. However, it’s also an excellent way for affiliate bloggers to boost affiliate sales and revenue.

What’s more, nearly 65% of affiliate marketers generate traffic by blogging. In other words, they rely heavily on writing and publishing persuasive product reviews to boost conversions.

Writing in-depth, objective reviews to help customers make informed purchasing decisions can be challenging. That’s especially true for individuals that are new to affiliate blogging.

This article explores various product review examples and how to write a product review that converts. First, let’s begin with the obvious question.

Tips on How to Write an Effective Product Review and Drive More Sales

Good feedback examples for Female Jeans

09. These pants!! What can I say about them except THANK GOD they exist. I bought my first pair randomly (and cheaply) at Costco. When I got home I was surprised to find that they fit perfectly. And now I know I can order them from Amazon and get that same perfect fit, any time I want. The length is right, the waist is not too low, they’re well made…I love these pants!!

10. These are the best pants ever!! I have several pairs in different colors & LOVE them!! They’re super soft & the colored “jeans” do not look like jeans at all. Very figure flattering with just the right amount of stretch.

11. Very nice jeans, very comfortable with the stretch element and look good too. Very pleased with longer length as being 5ft 10″, sometimes have trouble getting jeans that don’t flap round my ankles but these are perfect and look equally as good with sandals or boots. Would definitely recommend.

12. I used to buy these jeans at a local store. When it went out of business I thought I was stuck. But then I found them on Amazon. Since I have been buying them for years I knew what size to buy for the fit I wanted.

13. I love these jeans! They fit perfectly – with a bit of relax, but still very slimming and flattering. Was happy that they didn’t look “painted” on as I’m not exactly 16 anymore lol. And of course they are high quality, as I would expect from Levis. Very reasonably priced too!

Customer Feedback Examples

If you want to generate more positive reviews, it helps to know what an excellent review really looks like. You might be thinking, “Duh, I know this already, people say nice things about my business.”

There is more to it than a five-star rating. While the exact characteristics of good reviews vary by industry, there are certain fundamental elements that great reviews have in common. It’s worth taking note of them. You need to know what the end goal looks like if you want to achieve it.

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1. Detailed, Specific, and Honest

A useful review includes enough detail to give others a feel for what happened. Potential customers want to know more than that someone else was happy. They want to know what exactly they liked so that they can gauge whether it aligns with their own preferences. Just compare this review of a Dominos…

An example of a customer review that is too brief

An example of a good customer review that is very detailed

Which review is likely to influence someone with an intense pizza craving? A five-star rating and “good pizza” is not bad, but it doesn’t have the same impact. A review doesn’t have to be the length of War and Peace, but an honest, detailed, and specific recollection goes a long way to building credibility.

2. Calls-Out Stellar Customer Service

70% of U.S. consumers say they’ve spent more money to do business with a company that delivers excellent service. It’s not surprising then that a good review will shed a positive light on your customer experience.

An example of a customer review that mentions great customer service

3. Provides Constructive Criticism

One less-heralded benefit of reviews is the feedback they provide you with. Ideally, a review also outlines areas of possible improvement. This constructive criticism is not only helpful to you. It also gives customers a sense of their “worst-case” scenario.

An example of a customer review that provides good constructive feedback

If a customer doesn’t care about the restaurant’s food presentation, then it won’t bother them. If they do, and they decide to come anyway, then at least it won’t come as a surprise. Not only will they be less likely to complain, but they will also be more likely to focus on the positives they expected.

4. Features Images

Marketers use a fancy word for images in reviews: User-generated content. If you are not a fan of marketing jargon, it basically means that your customers include pictures of your product in action or your business’s premise. These “real-life” images provide an in-depth and authentic feel to any review.

An example of a great customer review that includes images

How to Generate Good Customer Reviews & Feedback

1. Provide Exceptional Customer Service

If you’ve paid attention thus far, you know that we already called out the importance of customer service. It might go without saying, but the number one way you can generate overwhelmingly positive customer reviews is by focusing on customer service.

Empower your staff to go above traditional standards—and beyond canned responses—to deliver personal customer support. A genuinely warm and human experience prompts loyalty like nothing else.

Make it as easy as possible for your customers to get in touch. If you don’t already, you should consider using a business texting app to reach your customers. This way, upset customers won’t leave you a negative review. Instead, they can just send you a text from their phone—and you’ll be able to reply privately.

An example of a customer review that mentions great service

2. Harness Your Social Channels

It’s incredibly rare that anyone would pick up the phone and call you up with feedback. Instead, your customers take to social media to talk about you. That’s why it’s essential to harness your most public-facing customer service touchpoint and join in on the conversation.

With the right approach, you can turn it into a goldmine of positivity. Encourage customer feedback and positive interactions with fun hashtags and quick responses, and most importantly, have fun.

An example of a customer review on social media

This does not apply solely to customers post-purchase, but at every single point on the customer journey. Your tone and voice in this interaction will help guide your customers, so expect it to be reflected back in their reviews.

3. Reply to Positive Customer Reviews

Certain people believe that the higher-purpose of customer service is to turn an angry customer into a happy one. In this light, there lies an opportunity in every negative review.

Happy customers need to be heard just as much as unsatisfied ones. This shows anyone thinking of leaving a review that they will be heard and that their feedback matters to you.

An example of responding to customer reviews

Resource:

https://blog.inkforall.com/product-review
https://eatsleepwander.com/clothing-review-examples/
https://simpletexting.com/7-examples-of-good-customer-reviews/

What Are Your Weaknesses: Job Interview Answer Examples

List of professional skills to mention when talking about your greatest weaknesses

How to Answer “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?” (With Examples)

Answering well requires walking a tightrope. If you don’t talk about anything that sounds like a plausible weakness, you come across as disingenuous or, worse, deluded as to your lack of shortcomings.

A good answer shows that you’re self-aware and able to critically analyse your skills. It also shows that you’re willing to address your weaknesses and that you can remain calm under pressure.

Understand that they’re asking for your weaknesses but take note of how exactly they posed the question. Tailor your response accordingly and it will come across as off-the-cuff, confident and fluent.

Being able to adapt to the questions you are being asked is an important interview skill. It not only demonstrates that you can deliver a good answer, but that you can think on your feet and have good communication skills.

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Relevant. You should choose a weakness relating to relevant professional competencies. Answering with something like “I just don’t do enough exercise” sounds like you’re dodging the question.

Fixable. One of the most important parts of answering this question is to get across the idea that you actively work on your weaknesses. This means that your weakness needs to be something that you could feasibly improve through personal effort.

It is useful at this stage to have a thorough look at the job description. Pick out all the key skills and requirements and make sure that the weakness you choose does not apply to any of them.

For instance, if the position requires lots of teamwork and regular interaction with management, a good weakness to use might be that you find it difficult to stay motivated in roles where you feel isolated, or those in which you can’t learn from those around you.

That’s still a genuine weakness, but it’s one that’s largely negated by the role you have applied for. It also gets across the implication that you like the way their company works and would feel motivated there.

If the job involves thinking on your feet and using your initiative, your weakness could be that you become frustrated when you are expected to adhere to strict protocol at all times. This is still a plausible weakness and something that you can work on, but for this role, it could become a positive and suggests that you are well suited to the job.

It’s important that for each weakness you prepare to talk about, you have a relevant example ready to help you describe your weakness and demonstrate how you attempted to overcome it.

Perhaps you’ve completed a relevant course or joined a class or group. You might be getting help from a mentor or advisor, or have found tools that help you to correct your weakness on your own.

Finally, try to provide some concrete evidence of improvement. If leadership is your weakness, perhaps you have recently started managing someone and received positive feedback. Or if you have been improving your time management, describe how working more efficiently has impacted positively on a particular task or project.

In some respects, someone that overthinks can be perceived to be unsure of themselves and their decision-making. You may be delaying your decision-making because you are scared of facing the consequences of your decisions.

This weakness could be particularly concerning to an interviewer so, if you really want to mention this at interview, make sure you show evidence of self-reflection and mention the steps you are taking to address this or how you have begun to use it to achieve a positive outcome.

Overthinkers could also be seen as careful perfectionists that take the time to consider all aspects of a decision so they don’t miss anything. This is not really a weakness, it may be seen by the interviewer to be a veiled attempt at presenting a positive as a negative.

I don’t have much experience working directly with clients so my client-facing communication skills definitely need some work. I’m much more comfortable digging deep into the data and providing the analysis, rather than talking it through with a client.

However, I realise that experience working with clients directly would be a big help to the way I present my analysis so I’m very keen to improve that aspect.

Why Do Interviewers Ask These Questions?

“All interviews are about getting to know somebody,” says Muse career coach Angela Smith, founder of Loft Consulting. “I know some people feel like the interview is trying to trip them up or put them in an awkward position, but at the end of the day it’s really about getting to know the person so that you can make the best decision that you can,” she adds. “When I ask those questions, that’s where I’m coming from.”

In this case, the actual strengths and weaknesses you bring up probably matter less than how you talk about them. “I’ve done a ton of interviews over the years and when pressed for it, I can’t really remember the answers,” Smith says. That doesn’t mean the questions aren’t important at all, it’s just that what an interviewer is evaluating likely goes deeper than which specific strength or weakness you cite. They’re trying to understand what kind of employee you’d be and how you’d carry yourself in the role.

“For me it’s: Are they honest? Do they have self-awareness? Can they own their stuff in a professional and mature way? Is this someone that we can have growth and development conversations with? Are they going to hit a wall [when] it comes to giving them feedback?” Smith says. “How they answer that question really tells me the answer to all of those other things—and those are the things that matter.”

5 Tips for Talking About Strengths and Weaknesses in an Interview

1. Be Honest

One of the most important things to get right when talking about your strengths and weaknesses in an interview setting is honesty. It might sound trite, but it’s also true. An answer that sounds genuine and authentic will impress, while one that sounds generic, calculated, exaggerated, or humblebraggy will do the opposite.

A boss doesn’t want to hire someone who can’t recognize and own what they bring to the table as well as what they need to work on. You’ll be a better employee if you can understand and leverage your strengths and acknowledge and learn from your weaknesses. So you want to show in the interview that you’re capable of that kind of self-reflection.

2. Tell a Story

Here’s another cliche you shouldn’t discount: “Show, don’t tell.” Anyone who’s ever taken a writing class—whether in seventh grade or graduate school—has heard it. You should keep it in mind when answering just about any interview question, and it’s certainly helpful here.

“Anytime you can have a real-life example or a concrete example, it’s a good idea. It just helps to contextualize the response a little bit,” Smith says. “We just understand concepts and situations better with a story. So if you can tell a story that supports your thesis, then it’s always helpful.”

Talk about a time your strength helped you achieve something in a professional setting or when your weakness impeded you. For example, if you’re talking about how you’re calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment, you might tell the interviewer about that time you delivered a revamped client proposal after a last-minute change of plans. If you’re admitting that your weakness is presenting in front of high-level executives, you might start by briefly describing the time you got so nervous presenting your plan for a new marketing strategy that you weren’t able to effectively convey your (thorough and pretty brilliant) approach and your boss had to step in and help get the plan approved.

Not only will sharing a real example make your answer stand out, but it’ll also make it sound thoughtful and honest and highlight all those other characteristics interviewers are actually looking for.

3. Remember to Get to the Insight

An answer that’s genuine and includes an illustrative anecdote is a great start, but it’s not complete until you add some insight. This goes for both strengths and weaknesses but looks a little different in each case.

When you’re talking about a strength, the last beat of your answer should tie whatever skill or trait you’ve been discussing to the role and company you’re applying for. Tell the interviewer how that strength would be useful in this particular position at this particular company.

So going back to the revamped client proposal example, you might add, “Since things move quickly at [Company], this would allow me to come in and earn a new team’s confidence and foster a trusting team culture while also ensuring we’re all hitting our goals and delivering high-quality work.”

In the case of a weakness, “tell me how they’ve grown from it or what they’ve done to accommodate that or what they’ve learned from it,” Smith says. “Really showcase your growth trajectory, your learning curve, what you’ve done as a result of the awareness of that weakness,” she adds. “It gives you an idea like if I hire this person and they’re here, this is the kind of problem solving or growth that I can expect to see from them.”

So if you were the candidate with the presentation snafu, you might talk about how you sat down with your boss to make a plan to improve your public speaking skills, and how the next time you had to present to the execs you knocked it out of the park.

4. Keep It Short

You don’t have to devote half the interview to these answers. You can keep your response relatively brief and focused on one or two strengths or weaknesses, depending on how the question was phrased. To add to our list of overused-but-handy phrases: Think quality, not quantity. Don’t dive in and rattle off a litany of things you think you’re good or bad at without explaining anything. Instead, narrow it down and go into detail.

5. Don’t Sweat It So Much

While you definitely want to prepare and do your best to nail your answers, try not to stress too much. “Don’t panic,” Smith says. “I have never known an employment decision to come down to how someone answers those questions,” she adds. “It’s just one data point connected with a whole bunch of other ones. So don’t give it too much weight.”

Source:

https://www.wikijob.co.uk/interview-advice/interview-questions/what-are-your-weaknesses
https://zety.com/blog/what-is-your-greatest-weakness
https://www.themuse.com/advice/strengths-and-weaknesses-interview-question-answer-examples

How To Quit a Job in a Professional Manner

Two Weeks Notice Letter Format

Start by deciding whether it’s the right time

Taking time to thoughtfully consider why, when and how you should leave your job can ensure you make the best possible decision, find new opportunities and leave your current role gracefully. Even if you’re feeling frustrated, take time to carefully weigh the pros and cons of leaving your role. If you’re feeling unfulfilled by your responsibilities or overwhelmed by your workload, consider discussing it with your direct supervisor to determine if they can help alleviate the problem.

If you’re actively looking for another opportunity, it may be best to wait until you’ve officially accepted another job offer before you resign from your current position. Otherwise, you may face an unplanned gap in employment that could affect your finances, insurance coverage and other benefits.

Once you’ve decided you’re ready to resign, be sure to keep the conversation polite and professional. Employers recognize that sometimes employees want to pursue new ventures, and by acting professionally, you can stay on good terms and maintain a relationship that may lead to future opportunities.

Write a letter of resignation

Resignation Letter Format

While you’re not required to share your reason for leaving a job, it can be helpful for your supervisor and other leadership personnel to understand. The best way to do this is through a conversation with your HR manager. In some cases, an HR representative may schedule an exit interview to ask you about your experience with the company and what prompted your decision to leave as well as feedback on company policies, culture, and benefits.

Prepare what you’ll say in this meeting beforehand so that you can give constructive feedback. Remember, the goal is to maintain positive relationships with former employers so you’ll want to be honest yet professional.

Even if your HR team doesn’t schedule an exit interview, consider reaching out to a member of the team to discuss any feedback you have and your reasons for leaving. If your choice to leave stems from concerns with specific personnel, HR can work to address the issue.

Should You Give Two Weeks’ Notice?

Time to Quit

Giving two weeks’ notice is the standard practice when resigning from a job, but in some cases, you may be required to give more notice. If you have an employment contract or union agreement that states how much notice you should give, abide by it.

Do keep in mind that your employer doesn’t have to accept the notice you give, and your employment could be terminated immediately. In other cases, staying may not be an option. There are a few good reasons not to give two weeks’ notice—find out if your situation is one of them.

What to Do Before You Quit

Laid-off businesswoman commuter riding bus with box of belongings

Before you submit your resignation to your boss, make sure you are prepared to leave. However, you don’t want to give any indication that you’re moving on, like taking your photos off your desk or pictures off the wall. Quietly clear out your desk and clean up your computer.

Be sure to save any files you want to Google Drive, or elsewhere online, or email copies to yourself. You may not have access to your computer once you turn in your resignation, so have copies of everything you need before you tell your boss that you’re quitting.

Stay in touch!

Once you move on to whatever’s next, it’s easy to focus all of your energy on building the new relationships you need, but don’t lose touch with your former colleagues either. “Keep your network of trusted friends, colleagues and advisors warm,” advises consultant Jodi Glickman. “If you’ve done good work, built real or meaningful relationships, or even just gained a valuable skillset, don’t throw away all of that experience by pretending these years of your life didn’t exist.”

I’ll admit that I’m a fan of those “I Quit” videos you see online, where an employee (who has typically been mistreated) walks out of their job after quitting in a dramatic fashion. But, let’s be honest, that’s not a smart way to leave any position. Ultimately, you want to do what’s best for you, of course, but leaving on a positive note will help make the transition easier and allow you to tap your network in the future.

Source:

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/starting-new-job/how-to-quit-a-job
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/best-tips-to-resign-from-your-job-gracefully-2061667
https://hbr.org/2021/08/how-to-quit-your-job-an-hbr-guide
How To Quit a Job in a Professional Manner

keep-calm-and-dont-rage-quit

Start by deciding whether it’s the right time

Taking time to thoughtfully consider why, when and how you should leave your job can ensure you make the best possible decision, find new opportunities and leave your current role gracefully. Even if you’re feeling frustrated, take time to carefully weigh the pros and cons of leaving your role. If you’re feeling unfulfilled by your responsibilities or overwhelmed by your workload, consider discussing it with your direct supervisor to determine if they can help alleviate the problem.

If you’re actively looking for another opportunity, it may be best to wait until you’ve officially accepted another job offer before you resign from your current position. Otherwise, you may face an unplanned gap in employment that could affect your finances, insurance coverage and other benefits.

Once you’ve decided you’re ready to resign, be sure to keep the conversation polite and professional. Employers recognize that sometimes employees want to pursue new ventures, and by acting professionally, you can stay on good terms and maintain a relationship that may lead to future opportunities.

3. Discuss your notice period:

discuss-your-notice-period

Unless you’re working in a rather large company. I find that most bosses might be unable to let you leave before your month-long notice period is up. Recruiting and training a completely new candidate might take awhile. In fact, you would probably have to be there to conduct a proper handover.

Calmly discuss your notice period with your boss. If you’re already promised to another company, you might need to negotiate a notice period that is comfortable for both you and your organization to adhere to.

What do you do in your last few weeks?

After you’ve given your notice, you have two primary goals: to help with the smooth transition of your projects and responsibilities and to solidify your relationships with any colleagues you want to stay in touch with.

Transferring your work to others may mean helping to hire a replacement or it may be a matter of handing off projects to colleagues. Sort out with your boss which projects should go to which people. It may be helpful if you have some suggestions, but let your manager make the final decisions. As Rebecca Knight says, this should be a collaboration “with your boss to figure out the best use of your remaining days and how you should tie up loose ends.” Once you’re gone, you want your former boss and colleagues to think of you as thoughtful and professional.

You should also use some of your remaining time to connect with colleagues. Go out to lunch or coffee. Be explicit that you hope to stay in touch. And express gratitude for the opportunities and learning you’ve had. Consider giving personal notes to your direct manager, any mentors, and close colleagues. This can help you leave a good impression.

Stay in touch!

Once you move on to whatever’s next, it’s easy to focus all of your energy on building the new relationships you need, but don’t lose touch with your former colleagues either. “Keep your network of trusted friends, colleagues and advisors warm,” advises consultant Jodi Glickman. “If you’ve done good work, built real or meaningful relationships, or even just gained a valuable skillset, don’t throw away all of that experience by pretending these years of your life didn’t exist.”

I’ll admit that I’m a fan of those “I Quit” videos you see online, where an employee (who has typically been mistreated) walks out of their job after quitting in a dramatic fashion. But, let’s be honest, that’s not a smart way to leave any position. Ultimately, you want to do what’s best for you, of course, but leaving on a positive note will help make the transition easier and allow you to tap your network in the future.

Source:

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/starting-new-job/how-to-quit-a-job
https://www.bgc-group.com/blog/2019/10/how-to-resign-in-singapore-without-burning-bridges
https://hbr.org/2021/08/how-to-quit-your-job-an-hbr-guide

Copywriting tips

All the copywriting and advertising greats know the value of research. David Ogilvy, the Father of Advertising, said to “stuff your conscious mind with information” so you have plenty to work with. One of Ogilvy’s students, legendary copywriter Gary Bencivenga (who also studied with several other great copywriters), said:

Einstein simplicity quote

Tip 25: Be strong and forceful in your sales copy

Take dieting as an example. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to deduce that the best way to lose weight is to eat more vegetables and exercise more. But this is obvious so really, everyone’s saying the same thing in slightly different ways.

The main problem with eating more healthily is that people can only hold out for so long. In other words, at the start of any diet, we’re usually quite enthusiastic. We cut out all their sugary foods, but this lifestyle change only lasts a week or a month.

By combining the topic of dieting with something fairly unrelated [chocolate], you can capture attention quickly. Once you’ve done that, you can talk about how humans will be more likely to stick to a diet if they’re allowed some days off.

Ask yourself ‘what problem is this copy solving?’

Shared by @katetoon

“Humans first. Google second. Take a big deep breath and ask yourself ‘what problem is this copy solving?’ Then write the most useful, informative, entertaining page, product or post you can.
Shorter sentences.
Clear sub headers.
Active language.
Conversational and warm.
I could go on. Copy is my jam. ”

Putting users first means thinking about their needs. And when people visit your page, chances are they’re probably trying to solve a problem. By thinking about the needs of your audience and how you can help them, you can create a strong foundation for effective, engaging content. And besides your users’ search intent, there’s always readability to consider! We’ll forgive you for squeezing five tips into one, Kate, but only because they’re all great suggestions! 😉

It’s about how what you’re selling transforms someone’s life

Shared by @itsjulekim

“If we consider the quote from Judith Charles that a copywriter is just a salesperson behind a typewriter, and then the fact that purchases are emotional decisions, then here’s my tip: Paint a clear picture of the future state, and target your writing to elicit strong emotions. It’s never really about the features, it’s about how what you’re selling transforms someone’s life. Classic example: Apple iPod didn’t talk on and on about how many gb it had, it simply stated, “1,000 songs in your pocket.””

This is some really advanced copywriting advice, we love it! Even experienced copywriters can make the mistake of writing abstract, over-technical product descriptions, and using marketing lingo that really doesn’t mean much to their audience. Understanding search intent is about more than just knowing ‘people search for cars’, for instance. It’s about knowing why people search for cars: to reach opportunities, to have fun, or to look after their family, for instance. And knowing that can help you make content that really resonates with your audience. Great tip, Jule!

Speak your ideal customer’s language.

Ogilvy also said, “If you’re trying to persuade people to do something, or buy something, it seems to me you should use their language, the language they use every day, the language in which they think. We try to write in the vernacular.”

Speaking in their language helps prospects get to know, like, and trust you because they recognize themselves in your words. That helps you connect and build relationships with them, and more easily persuade them.

If you’re stuck writing, go back and make sure everything sounds the way your customers think. Put yourself in their shoes. Make yourself invisible. Not only will your copy get better for the exercise, but getting out of your own way like this can jumpstart new ideas and illuminate what should come next.

Focus on benefits.

Another great tip about copywriting from Schwartz is to make gratification instantaneous. When prospects get something valuable from you just by reading, they learn to trust you and believe that you deliver what you promise. This copywriting trick gives prospects a taste so that real desire fuels their actions, not just curiosity, and it’s also one of the reasons content marketing works so well.

A classic persuasion technique used by Socrates and used car salesmen, this theory states that the more often you can get prospects to say “yes,” the more likely they are to say “yes” again. A-list direct-response copywriter Parris Lampropoulos uses this technique a different way: “In sales copy, I’ll throw in a question here and there, but more often, I’ll phrase it as a statement. You know – one of those statements that get prospects nodding their heads.”

Sources:

https://www.splashcopywriters.com/blog/copywriting-tips/
https://yoast.com/copywriting-tips-from-experts-to-experts/
https://writtent.com/blog/stuck-writing-35-sure-fire-copywriting-tips-tricks-pros/
Copywriting tips

More importantly, reading sample copies can help give you an idea of how different types of brands write theirs and how different kinds of advertising differ in the copy. Following this copywriting tip helps you understand the process better through various perspectives and voices.

copywriting tips example of FAB framework

11 Killer Copywriting Tips You Should Be Doing

As a marketer, your advertising efforts should aim to convince your audience that they need your product in their lives; and you do this by telling a compelling story. This type of storytelling can only be done by agencies with experienced content marketing and copywriting services under their belt.

Copywriting is the process of writing text that persuades readers to take desired actions and purchase your product. Copywriting is a must for all businesses and agencies and is a critical part component for executing your digital marketing framework strategies since it concerns all of its your channels.

A good content marketing agency knows that a good copy reflects on the familiarity of its readers to catch and keep their attention. Additionally, a well-thought-out copywriting plan can convert casual readers into loyal customers.

What is good copywriting?

What makes a good copy? Clickbait titles or sensational captions may deliver clicks, but it will take much more than these to create customers out of your audience. Before you can put to good use the copywriting tips we’re presenting you, you have to understand what good copy looks like.

1. Good copywriting is clear; it doesn’t beat around the bush.

When your readers see your copy, it’s important for them to instantly understand what your topic is. Although a little mystery can get your readers to stay longer, confusing them with vague content can turn them away.

2. Good copywriting is concise; it’s brief yet comprehensive.

Don’t bombard your readers with blocks of text. Strive to keep your writing short and sweet, but not too much that the soul of the copy gets lost in the editing process. Aspire for brevity, but don’t leave out the crucial information that your readers need to make a decision.

3. Good copywriting is organized; it structures your ideas.

Write a copy with a logical and meaningful flow. Strategize the hierarchy of information to be presented. This can help you influence your readers’ decisions and emphasize the most crucial points of the message. If your copy is unstructured and confusing, your readers will likely not understand what you’re trying to say.

4. Good copywriting is creative; learn to think outside the box.

Your readers aren’t robots. They crave creativity and emotion. Don’t settle with the monotonous and formal invitation for your audience to check out your brand. Reel them in with clever quips and memorable phrases through a unique brand voice that’s sure to get stuck in their heads. In this light, make sure to also maintain a consistent brand voice to sustain the connection with your readers.

5. Good copywriting is meaningful; write with a purpose in mind.

Before your team starts writing, be sure they know the objectives of their copy. This includes the target audience and in what marketing channel it’s going to appear. The relevance of your copy depends on your writers’ understanding of who’s going to read it and in what context they are going to read it.

6. Good copywriting is persuasive; call your readers to action.

It’s not enough that you catch your readers’ attention; rather, you need to tell them what to do with the information they read. This comes in the form of a call to action (CTA) . You can use CTAs to persuade your readers to purchase from your brand, learn more about your product, or participate in a discussion about the two.

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1) It tilts your perspective.

Sometimes, all a message needs to break through is a slight shift in angle. We’ve grown so accustomed to blocking out marketing messages, we don’t even see them anymore. One of the most powerful things a copywriter can do is break down a reader’s guard with an unexpected approach. Every story has a myriad of angles — your job as a copywriter is to find the one that resonates.

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This ad from Sage Therapeutics pressing the importance of talking about postpartum depression works because instead of asking readers to care about something they don’t know, it puts them in the position of experiencing the struggle that mothers suffering do. Did they miss some readers who quickly passed by the ad thinking it was for adult pacifiers? Most definitely. But the ad resonated that much more thoroughly with those who read it.

The next time you sit down to write, try out this approach. Don’t take the topic head on. Instead, ask yourself why it matters. Each time you write down an answer, challenge yourself to push it further. Find the larger story happening behind your message.

2) It finds connections.

"Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after awhile."

Let’s say you have to write an ad for a new pair of sneakers. You could take the assignment head on. You could write about the elasticity of the shoe’s sole or the lightweight design. Indeed, many have. Or you could put all of that aside and instead draw the connection between the product and the experience it evokes.

Run_ad

Two things are happening in this ad. First, the copy recognizes that for many, running isn’t about running at all — it’s about solitude, peace, and restoring sanity to an otherwise hectic life. Second, not only does Nike connect the ad to the experience of running, it actually connects to the sound that those shoes make as they hit the pavement.

This ad is about the complexity of one’s life fading away and being replaced by simplicity and clarity. As the copy progresses, the sentences simplify and the copy’s complexity is slowly replaced by the simple and rhythmic pounding of words: run, run, run, run. The same rhythm one hears when all but their footsteps have faded away. That’s connection.

3) It has a stunning lead.

There’s an adage in copywriting that’s loosely credited to copywriter and business owner Joe Sugarman, which roughly states that the purpose of the headline is to get you to read the first line. The purpose of the first line is to get you to read the second line, and so on. In short, if your first line doesn’t enthrall your readers, all is lost.

4) It is born out of listening.

Seeing its plans to launch yet another gym in the greater Boston region, an outsider might have called the Harrington family a wee bit crazy. The market was already flush with gyms, including a new breed of luxury ones that seemed to be in an arms war for the flashiest perks. Gyms across the region were offering massage services, smoothie bars, and fleets of personal trainers. And GymIt wouldn’t have any of that.

What did GymIt have? An understanding of its core audience. Before launching its new gym, the brand did a ton of listening to its primary market of gym-goers. For many in GymIt’s target market, the added benefits associated with luxury gyms were nice to have, but came with a lot of baggage — namely expensive rates and overly complex contracts.

GymIt decided to simplify the gym-going experience for people who predominately cared about getting in and working out. The copy in its launch campaign and across its marketing materials reflects that understanding.

GymIt__gyms_in_Boston_ma__health_clubs

In an older blog post, Copyblogger‘s Robert Bruce put this nicely. "Humble yourself and truly serve your audience, listen to their needs and desires, listen to the language they use," he said. "If you listen carefully, your audience can eventually give you everything you need, including much of your copy. Get out of their way."

5) It avoids jargon and hyperbole.

When writers struggle to convey what is truly special about their company, product, or service, they sometimes fall back on jargon or hyperbole to underscore their point. The truth is, good copywriting doesn’t need dressing up. Good copywriting should speak to the reader in human terms.

Improve Your Content Today!

Copywriting for the web is challenging because you need to balance optimizing content to get found in search engines to drive traffic and optimize content for your target audience to ready the content.

Great copywriting is content that addresses the needs of your customers, optimized for search engines, and formatted to drive conversions. Different types of content need different types of copywriting, but all content you produce needs to get found and engage customers.

Relevant content is based on the intent of searchers, and this means that your copywriting process needs to take into consideration what people search online. Understand what people are looking for, how they are searching, and why they are looking for your solutions.

Sources:

https://propelrr.com/blog/copywriting-tips
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/good-copywriting-practices-list
https://www.strategybeam.com/blog/12-easy-copywriting-tips-to-help-you-write-great-copy-like-a-pro/
Copywriting tips

The written word is powerful, but sometimes your copy needs a helping hand. Infographics, well-designed charts and graphic design add to your writing, especially when you have dense information you need to get across.

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102 COPYWRITING TIPS

Here are all the copywriting tips you’ll ever want or need (and some besides), organized into incredibly useful categories (way more useful than all those other inferior lists) and written by someone with more direct, hands-on experience than all those other lists (probably but definitely not certainly).

1. Start every project by identifying the target audience.

Imagine being asked to give a speech but you aren’t told who the audience is. You picture a room of business owners and think through what is important to them, what sort of challenges they would resonate with, what they might find humorous, etc.

Knowing who you are speaking to is the first thing you need to identify as a copywriter. It will determine every part of your copy: the challenges you focus on, the benefits you emphasize, the personality you incorporate, etc.

2. Start every project by also identifying the copy’s objective.

Copywriting is not a passive discipline with vague goals. It’s specific and intentional and designed to get results. What those intended results are needs to be clear before you write a word, or your copy won’t be effective.

3. The goal of every line of copy is to get the next line read.

The #1 purpose of a line of copy is to get the reader to continue to the next line. If the reader does not continue reading, the message you want to tell them doesn’t matter. The points you want to make are irrelevant. And you can forget about the action you want them to take.

Copywriting should take you longer word for word than writing a blog post, especially if you’ve been writing copy for less than 10 years. It’s not a natural process for most people to be intentional with every word, phrase, and sentence.

That said, don’t over-complicate this. Being intentional is not a particularly high bar. It just means that after you write a paragraph, look back through and ask, “Does this line move the narrative forward and motivate the reader to continue reading?” If not… change it.

4. Your customers’ needs and desires are the only thing that matters.

5. Write like you are speaking to a friend.

Good copy reads a lot like a well-spoken person talking to a friend. It has a casual, straightforward tone and gets to the point without rushing itself. It’s not trying to fill space. It’s not trying to sound like anything.

After you write a segment of copy, read it out loud and see if you cringe. Or better yet, wait a day and have someone else read it back to you out loud. If it sounds like you’re playing business, think about the main points you want to make and then imagine you are just telling those to a friend.

6. The most important element of copy is clarity.

Product/market fit is what sells things. Getting people in front of something they want or need is what sells things. The goal of the copy is simply to make it very clear to those people that the product is a great match for what they already want or need.

There’s another side to copywriting that is focused on manipulation through fear and greed, and while it’s great for making a quick buck, it will never help you build a brand or a business that people return to time after time. If you are working with a great product that customers love, you don’t need persuasion, you need clarity. You need a clear, succinct message that shows the customer why the product fits their needs or desires.

7. Include the what, why, where, who and how.

8. Incorporate proof and take your writing from the proof.

Proof is the true magic in copywriting. Anyone can say, “I’ll do this for you.” But if you can follow that up with data, testimonials, examples, case studies, reviews, statistics, etc., that’s where you can really make your copy persuasive.

9. Speak to the emotions and motivations behind the decision.

You might have heard that you should “sell the sizzle” and “focus on the benefits”. Human beings very rarely make decisions from a purely analytical standpoint. We are an emotional species and our emotions heavily dictate our behavior.

As a copywriter, your job is to understand the emotions and motivations that your target audience is experiencing and then speak to those emotions and motivations. You want to connect the specifics of what you are offering to the underlying goal propelling the reader’s decision making.

This can be as simple as talking about the benefits or it can be as complex as resonating around life roadblocks, frustrating challenges, or other pain points. Either way, think about those emotions when writing copy.

10. If you can condense or simplify it, you usually should.

You have a limited amount of space and time to communicate your value and capture your reader’s interest. If you can say it with less words, you usually should. If you can say it with simpler words, you usually should.

Section #2: Persuasive Copywriting Tips

Persuasive techniques help us reach into people’s brains and give them a small nudge. I used the word “small” here for a reason. As we’ve discussed already, product/market fit is ultimately what sells things. As long as the pitch isn’t confusing, 70-90% of buyers are going to buy regardless of how convincing or unconvincing your pitch is.

As you go through the following tips, don’t get so hung up on the idea of persuasion that your copy starts to lose clarity or become a caricature. That’s a great way to lose that 70%+ segment of essentially guaranteed sales that you would have otherwise received.

11. Establish your authority, credibility, or investment.

People want to buy from brands that are experts at what they do. They want to buy from brands that are reliable and consistent. And they want to buy from brands that are singularly passionate about what they sell.

12. Tell a story.

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13. Get the reader nodding along.

There’s an old sales technique inspired by the Socratic Method that involves asking the listener a series of questions designed to get them to say “yes”. The idea is that by getting them to say “yes” to simple questions, it puts them in the mental state to say “yes” when you attempt to close.

14. Repeat the key points.

Nearly 70% of the students revised their initial pick if their partner repeated information supporting the other candidate. In contrast, only 2% of the students changed their mind when their partner repeated information that supported the job applicant they favored.”

When writing persuasive copy, identify the main points you are trying to make and then repeat them several times over the course of your pitch. But rather than simply repeating yourself word for word, repeat the main point using different wording or coming at it from a different angle.

15. Use favorable comparisons and metaphors.

Nobody who wants to be a badass boss also wants to feel like a secretary. Those two concepts and the emotions culturally connected to them are at opposite ends of a spectrum and play against each other to drive a response.

16. Use analogies to create emotional understanding

There is no easier way to illustrate a concept than to take another concept that somebody already understands and connect it to the concept you are trying to explain. And what makes this exercise so persuasive is that just like metaphors and comparisons, you bring along all the associated emotions.

The problem is that when it comes to sales, people are very entrenched in their thinking, and it’s difficult for them to step back and consider things objectively. I can tell them, “You are approaching the sale like it’s a gift they may or may not give you” but it’s just words.

This is where an analogy is helpful. I compared their attitude on the sales call to a petitioner coming before a king and begging the king to grant their petition. In this scenario, the petitioner has no leverage and no confidence. They are at the mercy of the king.

Stuff like this makes the concept more real. It bypasses the need for things to make complete sense analytically and gives the reader a chance to understand the concept emotionally. Their brain can THEN use that understanding to connect the analytical dots as well.

17. Explain the benefit in connection with the feature.

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If the features had just been listed on their own, I really wouldn’t understand what the benefits of these relatively expensive $30 tshirts are. But by connecting each feature to it’s benefits, I have a really clear picture of what makes these tshirts so special.

18. Agitate the problem before introducing the solution.

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I guarantee you that Ramit’s personal experience wasn’t this extreme. What he has done here is taken a kernel of personal experience and then used reader feedback to empathize with his target audience and expand the story for maximum agitation.

But as they read Ramit’s sales page, the emotional urgency of that need begins to be felt, and suddenly, it is a priority. Making sure they never have these feelings of helplessness again suddenly seems like a really important goal.

That’s the power of agitation, and it’s especially effective when you know the problem you’re solving isn’t going to be top of mind at the moment the reader begins your copy. By agitating the problem and pulling those memories in, you can make it FEEL a lot more urgent than it actually is.

Write down the requirements

Most of us aren’t starting from scratch. We have a medium and, likely, we have a topic and goal. That could be writing a Google Ads headline for your dog walking business. It could be drafting Facebook posts for your restaurant. It could even be writing a blog post about copywriting exercises.

If you have this information—the medium, the topic, and the goal—use that to get started. Are there word count goals or restrictions? Will the copywriting appear on a blog, on product packaging, or on social? Is this a blog post, a PPC ad, or a video script? Jot all those details down at the top of the page so they stay top-of-mind.

copywriting tip underlining keywords example

Sources:

https://jacobmcmillen.com/copywriting-tips/
https://flexisourceit.com.au/resources/blog/copywriting-tips-and-tricks/
https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2019/10/15/copywriting-tips

7 Steps to Selling Your Small Business

In my case, I signed up with the first broker I spoke with. He seemed like the perfect person to sell my business. After all, he had a background in retail (and that was my industry), he was friendly and best of all he came up with a BIG price tag. Unfortunately, it was too good to be true because he was asking too much. By raising the price he got me to sign the contract but never made the sale. After six wasted months without even a lead, I finally decided to move on. Learning from my mistake, I interviewed 12 more brokers before signing another contract. The new broker had a more realistic approach and started to bring me leads within the first month.

People shaking hands

18 Key Considerations to Make When Selling a Business

Selling a business is a significant step and one that entrepreneurs usually spend hours and hours agonizing over. There are just too many uncertainties when it comes to this transaction. Is the estimation of value correct? Are you exiting the market at the right time? How do you ensure that you get the amount that you think the company’s worth? Growing a business from humble beginnings to the point where it commands a decent value takes time, effort and a bit of your soul. For many small entrepreneurs, it’s like selling a part of themselves.

For an entrepreneur to be able to sell their company, they need to sever the emotional bonds they have with its growth and approach the sale more critically. The best way to do this is to examine the factors that go into a sale before even putting the business on the market. But what features are the important ones to consider, in this case?

Eighteen business owners from YEC delve into the elements they think entrepreneurs should consider before they decide to list their business for sale, and why those elements are so crucial to the decision.

Should You Use a Broker?

In other circumstances, a broker can help free up time for you to keep the business up and running, or keep the sale quiet and get the highest price (because the broker will want to maximize their commission). Discuss expectations and advertisements with the broker and maintain constant communication.

Gather your financial statements and tax returns dating back three to four years and review them with an accountant. In addition, develop a list of equipment that’s being sold with the business. Also, create a list of contacts related to sales transactions and supplies, and dig up any relevant paperwork such as your current lease. Create copies of these documents to distribute to financially qualified potential buyers.

Your information packet should also provide a summary describing how the business is conducted and/or an up-to-date operating manual. You’ll also want to make sure the business is presentable. Any areas of the business or equipment that are broken or run down should be fixed or replaced prior to the sale.

Handling the Profits

Take some time—at least a few months—before spending the profits from the sale. Create a plan outlining your financial goals, and learn about any tax consequences associated with the sudden wealth. Speak with a financial professional to determine how you want to invest the money and focus on long-term benefits, such as getting out of debt and saving for retirement.

How Do You Sell a Small Business Without a Broker?

While many people would like to avoid the 10% a business broker may charge, the risks of selling on your own may outweigh the loss of money. But if you’re going to go it alone, prioritize selling to a buyer you know, make use of the advice of experienced, retired owners and executives, and use all the internet resources available, such as the Small Business Administration, or the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

How Do You Sell a Business Idea?

It’s possible to approach a company with a business idea, but first, you need to do your research, prepare a presentation, and research and approach potential targets. While some business plans are best protected with a patent, others can be secured by getting a potential company you want to work with to agree to a non-disclosure agreement.

What Are the Steps for Valuing a Business for Sale?

To value your business, you can turn to a professional business evaluator for an objective estimate of the value of the business. You can also determine value by determining the market capitalization, looking at earnings multipliers, book value, or other metrics.

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Business?

If you go through a business broker, and your business is under 800 million, the broker’s commission is likely 10% to 12%. Other fees that can crop up include attorney fees, marketing fees, the costs of making any cosmetic or more substantial upgrades to your business so as to make it more sellable. There are also fees that may come up if you are transferring a lease to the new owner of your business.  

How Do You Sell a Business to a Competitor?

How Do You Sell a Business Online?

Selling a business involves negotiations, discussions, and a lot of leg work. If it’s not possible for all this to occur in person, then certainly using services like Zoom or Skype to hold business meetings with potential buyers digitally is possible.

How Do You Sell a Business Quickly?

Even if you are selling to a close family member or employee, rushing through the sales process is not advised. However, if a relatively quick turnaround is needed, hire a business broker to speed up the proceedings.

How Do You Sell a Franchise Business?

You’ll need to work in conjunction with your franchiser, as they will need to determine if the new buyer is appropriate. Plus, that new buyer will need to sign a franchise agreement with the franchiser. There are a variety of fees and rules associated with owning or selling a franchise that can be found in the FTC’s compliance guide.

How Do You Sell Your Share of a Business?

Selling your share of a business to your other partners or partner is a common ownership transfer method, particularly for small businesses. Having an agreement in place with your partners ahead of the sale will help smooth the transition, increasing the likelihood that both the staying and exiting partners benefit.

Mistake 4: Asking Too Much or Too Little for the Business

Setting a very high or unrealistic price tag on a business can lead to a dead-end street. Expecting to get top dollar for a business that generates little or no profit is simply using bad business sense. Consider your industry, similar businesses, the economy and your marketplace when pricing your business to sell.

On the other hand, a business that does not generate profits may do well with a going-out-of-business sale. This type of sale can generate instant cash flow and quick turnover. Too many business owners that have not turned a profit, or have cash flow problems, miss this wonderful opportunity. Some reasons they miss out is due to lost energy and/or motivation or because they may not want to admit defeat or failure. Remember it is business—don’t worry about taking it personally. Look for the most valuable opportunities for your business.

Another mistake is to price the business too low. Often business owners will price their business low because they are burned out, suffer from an illness or did not get good advice. Do your homework first. Listen to brokers and consultants. Do research about other business sales before jumping in with both feet.

Mistake 5: Selling to the Wrong Person

Taking the first offer may not be a wise choice. This may not necessarily be your BEST offer. Selling your business for top dollar with little or no money down along with an extended contract may lead you to lose it all.

Business sales often go bad after the new owner takes over. The new owner may lack business experience, have a closed mind or be a poor leader. The list goes on and on. A successful business owner makes it looks easy, but change that mix and disaster may strike. When this happens, the new owner ends up going out of business and leaves the previous owner holding an empty bag. It saddens me to see a business fail after years of success due to this lack of business sale judgement.

Evaluate your options and make the best selection for the long term. Ask yourself, is this the best person to buy and run my business? Or, can they quickly connect with my customer base and learn how to market effectively? When the business sale goes as planned, it creates a tremendous opportunity for both business owners and the success continues.

Sources:

https://www.business.com/articles/considerations-when-selling-a-business/
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/08/sell-small-business.asp
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/selling-your-small-business-mistakes-2890127

Writing Readiness (Pre-Writing) Skills

Cutting and snipping activities with scissors are excellent ways for children to practice fine motor skills and control. Give your students lots of opportunities to practice their cutting skills with paper, string, card stock, even Play-Doh!

Why are writing readiness (pre-writing) skills important?

Pre-writing skills are essential for the child to be able to develop the ability to hold and move a pencil fluently and effectively and therefore produce legible writing. When these skills are underdeveloped it can lead to frustration and resistance due to the child not being able to produce legible writing or to ‘keep up’ in class due to fatigue. This can then result in poor self esteem and academic performance.

  • Hand and finger strength: An ability to exert force against resistance using the hands and fingers that allows the necessary muscle power for controlled movement of the pencil.
  • Crossing the mid-line: The ability to cross the imaginary line running from a person’s nose to pelvis that divides the body into left and right sides.
  • Pencil grasp: The efficiency of how the pencil is held, allowing age appropriate pencil movement generation.
  • Hand eye coordination: The ability to process information received from the eyes to control, guide and direct the hands in the performance of a task such as handwriting.
  • Bilateral integration: Using two hands together with one hand leading (e.g. holding and moving the pencil with the dominant hand while the other hand helps by holding the writing paper).
  • Upper body strength: The strength and stability provided by the shoulder to allow controlled hand movement for good pencil control.
  • Object manipulation: The ability to skilfully manipulate tools (including holding and moving pencils and scissors) and controlled use of everyday tools (such as a toothbrush, hairbrush, cutlery).
  • Visual perception: The brain’s ability to interpret and make sense of visual images seen by the eyes, such as letters and numbers.
  • Hand dominance: The consistent use of one (usually the same) hand for task performance, which allows refined skills to develop.
  • Hand division: Using just the thumb, index and middle finger for manipulation, leaving the fourth and little finger tucked into the palm stabilizing the other fingers but not participating.

Play-Doh Snakes

A letter card with yellow playdoh used to fill in the outline

Blue playdoh with the letter P scraped into it. Colorful straw segments stuck into the the outline of the letter and on the table next to it.

Flatten out a medium-size piece of Play-Doh on a flat surface. Then use a sharp object to draw a letter on the flattened area. (Make sure that the letter is large enough to be easily recognizable when filled with straws.) Cut plastic straws into one-inch segments. Let kids “trace” the letters with the colorful straw segments.

It is important to be aware of the different needs that left handed and right handed children have. As only 10% of the population is left handed, they are often left to navigate a very right handed biased world!

Imitating pre-writing shapes

When therapists use the term ‘imitate’ they mean that the child imitates movements that they have seen. So, the adult draws the shape before and with the child so that they can watch and imitate the movements. This is easier for the child as they don’t have to plan (or remember) the movement required.

Worksheets are a form of imitation as well as they provide a template for the child to work from. Some children may also need to watch the adult first to understand what to do on the worksheet. It is helpful to keep the same movements on the same sheet to help with reinforcement. So, straight lines on one sheet and curved on the next.

Recognising and matching pre-writing shapes

Being able to visually recognise and match pre-writing shapes is an important step to being able to draw them. It is impossible to draw something that you don’t have a visual representation of. For example, could you draw a saola? My guess is that most people reading this article haven’t heard of a saola and therefore won’t know what to draw.

Recognising oblique lines

A common difficulty I have seen in children with additional needs is that they struggle to identify their oblique lines. So, they see | / and \ as the same shape. These children need more support to firstly understand that a straight line (|) is different to an oblique line (/ \). I often call them ‘straight man’ and ‘falling over man’ to make the distinction. Having them physically move their bodies into the positions can also help to reinforce this.

Next, they need to understand the visual difference between / and \. Typically, these children also need support to identify the difference between straight (+) and oblique (x) crosses too. It can be helpful to use matching sheets which the child has to find one or the other of the shapes. And, also puzzles which match the different shapes.

When teaching them to draw oblique lines, it is important that the child always starts that the top of the shape. This means that you can reinforce the direction of movement. If they change where they start (i.e. between top and bottom) it is more confusing for them to learn.

Copying pre-writing shapes

Once a child can imitate a shape, the next step is copying it. By copying, I mean they can look at a pre-drawn version of it and make their own, without any help from an adult. When copying, they need to have an understanding of how to plan their movements. This is much more difficult for children with dyspraxia.

Sources:

https://childdevelopment.com.au/areas-of-concern/writing/writing-readiness-pre-writing-skills/
https://www.weareteachers.com/pre-writing-activities-for-preschoolers/
https://www.griffinot.com/pre-writing-shapes-what-are-they-and-how-to-teach-them/

How to Be Successful in School: 40 Practical Tips for Students

People who read literature also have an edge when it comes to interpersonal skills. Aside from the fact that reading will give you something to talk about in conversations with other people, studies have shown that people who read have more emotional intelligence than those who don’t.

Bonus Mindmaps

How to Become a SMARTER Person: 18 Habits to Be More Intelligent

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Many people are under the general misconception that intelligence is a fixed value that’s set when they are young, and that it has no chance of changing as they grow older.

Research shows that improving our intelligence is possible at any age. The things we do and our outlook in life, such as possessing a growth mindset as opposed to a fixed mindset, can contribute greatly to improving our cognitive abilities.

There are simple habits that you can apply in your daily life that can help make you smarter. In today’s post, we feature 18 habits that are guaranteed to make you smarter.

Be consistent about your study time

Many students share with me that their mindset toward studying is that they’ll “study hard”. This might sound good, but it actually means that they don’t have a specific objective or plan.

They’re interested in attaining success at school and getting good grades, but they’re not clear about what positive actions they’re going to take in particular.

For each study session, set a clear objective as to what you intend to achieve. This might be to read through a set of notes thoroughly or complete 30 multiple-choice questions.

Writing

Writing is an essential part of scholarship. Some great scholars have been terrible writers—the strength of their ideas carried them to the top even though their writing style was abysmal. But these are the exceptions. Clarity and precision of expression can only help you as a scholar. Every writer needs to have read Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style. To this Super Scholar would add two very practical books on writing: William Zinsser’s On Writing Well and William Stott’s Write to the Point. Finally, every writer, professional or not, would profit enormously from having a copy of The Chicago Manual of Style. The latter is an incomparable reference work on all aspects of going from thought to word to printed page.

Writing isn’t just about filling up a pages with text. It’s also about persuasion. Scholars are not just in the business of thinking up great ideas. They also have to sell them. Indeed, you are selling yourself and your ideas when you apply to college, graduate school, your first teaching position, and especially when you’re trying to get tenure. For this reason critical thinking and rhetorical skills are indispensable to the scholar’s craft. A great book on rhetoric is Edward Corbett’s Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student. Besides dealing with the basics of rhetoric, it is filled with very helpful advice for the budding writer. Especially useful is Corbett’s suggestion that if you really want to improve your writing, take some great writer and copy a one or several paragraphs by him/her that particularly strike you and do it over and over again BY HAND. Don’t just type them out but write them out in cursive. That way the writer’s style seeps into your very being.

Another useful book on formulating persuasive arguments in your writing is Nancey Murphy’s Reasoning and Rhetoric in Religion. Don’t let the title fool you. Although the book draws many of its examples from philosophy and religion, the lessons on argumentation that it lays out are universal in scope. Also useful here would be a good book on critical thinking of the sort taught in a first or second year college philosophy course. Gary Jason’s Critical Thinking: Developing an Effective Worldview is quite good but overpriced.

Ask Whys When Encountering Problems

Technology does wonders for the modern world, but in some ways, technological dependence stunts the brain’s capacity for problem solving, adapting to new environments, and being a reliable resource for practical things like simple mathematics and navigation.

Finger-painting in preschool was not only a fun activity; it helped open up the mind to new possibilities and ways of solving problems. An artistic mindset creates new opportunities to find new solutions, fresh inspiration, and peaceful confidence.

The blend of these elements in both personal and professional environments allows ordinary people to shine by becoming an innovative thinker and inventive leader. Find ways to incorporate creativity into the dull grind of daily tasks.

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References:

https://www.developgoodhabits.com/become-smarter/
https://www.daniel-wong.com/2018/01/30/be-successful-in-school/
https://superscholar.org/features/7-skills-become-super-smart/
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/work/you-these-20-things-every-day-youll-become-smarter.html
http://getbettergradesnow.com/

Oxygen Transfer in Stirred Fermenters

Abstract

This study essay involves the measurement of the oxygen required by some plant that goes by the name P.pastoris. The experiment is carried out in the lab under controlled artificial conditions. P.pastoris needs the oxygen for aerobic reactions which are responsible for fermentation. (Silva, et al., 2012). A similar reaction occurs in plants that respire in the presence of oxygen. The specimen under observation is placed in a structure known as a fermenter while the oxygen is pumped in by a reactor which is fitted with a meter to measure the amount of oxygen being used.

Introduction

The term kL.a stands for oxygen mass transfer coefficient. Oxygen mass transfer coefficient is a common term where the transfer of oxygen in stirred Fermenters is involved. It is therefore used fundamentally in facilitating the fermentation of the contents of the fermenter which more often than not contain aerobic organisms (Scargiali, Busciglio, Grisafi and Brucato, 2014).  Given the importance of the kL.a, its measurement should be done, and the outcome critically analyzed which is the aim of this experiment.

Methods

The setup of the experiment is a reactor containing oxygen and a fermenter with P.pastoris. The two apparatus are connected with pipes which are definitely small in diameter to increase the pressure of the gas. The air is then passed over the contents of the fermenter at given revolutions per minute using different impellers. An impeller is a blade that causes motion in a fluid. The rate of oxygen uptake entirely depends on the oxygen requirements of the plant. (Karimi, et al., 2013). Some plants grow massively as compared to others and as a result, require more oxygen for metabolic purposes. This is because they definitely show incredibly high rates of respiration.

The change in the rate of oxygen transfer can be varied using different impellers. One reason as to why that is done is because different organisms require different percentages of oxygen. Since the experiment is being carried out in the lab and on a small scale, there has to be a control experiment. A control experiment is usually set usually the counter of the primary test. As the name suggests, the research controls the main test by comparing the results of the primary experiment with those of the main experiment.

In the event of measurement of dissolved oxygen, oxygen electrodes do not measure the absolute amounts of dissolved oxygen instead they the partial pressure of the dissolved gas. The electrodes need to be calibrated in zero and oxygen saturated solutions to produce a scale from 0-100% dissolved oxygen tension. The experiment is executed all the conditions kept constant, and the results analyzed and interpreted accordingly. The results are calculated using a formula that will be eloquently explained under the results sections (Klein, Schneider, & Heinzle, 2013).

The above process is repeated this time using nitrogen gas in the place oxygen gas all the other conditions kept constant. The oxygen electrode is connected to an oxygen meter which still measures the rate of nitrogen being aerated. The dissolved oxygen tension is measured using a stopwatch. Working with your fermenter, you should aim to perform 3-6 runs under different conditions. Each run will involve purging the vessel before the run with nitrogen, establishing your experimental conditions, then aerating and recording the dissolved oxygen tension trace. This data will be used to estimate the kLa for that particular run.

For this to work, it is vital that you do a few things before beginning.

  • Become familiar with the actual controls at your disposal – stirrer speed and aeration rate.
  • “Zero” the system by purging with nitrogen until no further decrease is observed in the signal on the meter and on the chart recorder. If necessary, adjust the zero on the meter.
  • Now aerate the fermenter by connecting the air line. You should see the DO value on the meter begin to increase. Depending on the conditions you set, this could take 3- 10 minutes. Once there is no further increase, ensure the meter reading is 100% (adjust if necessary by adjusting the “span”).

In smaller groups, students should aim to move around the apparatus, so you get at least 3-4 measurements from at least three different fermenters. One will be a bubble column fermenter (you can only adjust flow rate of air), and the others will be stirred tanks (you can adjust stirrer speed and/or air flow rate)

For each run;

  • Zero the fermenter by purging it with nitrogen
  • Set-your experimental conditions. Record these clearly in your lab book
  • Switch air on and start your stopwatch
  • Record data until at least 80% of air saturation is reached. You will want to record DO data every 5 to 20s
  • One of your group adds this to the spreadsheet being collected on the lab computer. (Stanbury, Whitaker, & Hall, (2013).

A bioreactor will be operating in the lab with a P.pastoris culture. These will be operated under controlled temperature and with oxygen measured. You will be required to estimate the specific oxygen uptake (QO2 in mg O2 gX-1h-1) of the yeast using the following protocol

  1. Record the temperature, dissolved oxygen, stirrer speed and air flow rate
  2. Sample as shown, dilute and estimate the OD600 of the sample. Use your data from lab 1 to convert this into g DCW per liter
  • With stopwatch ready, shut off the air supply and briefly sparge the headspace with nitrogen if possible. Record the DO levels every 10s
  1. Convert the %DO readings into concentration (mg/l) values using the chart below.
  2. To estimate the QO2, you need to do the following:
  3. Estimate the bioreactor OCR (oxygen consumption rate) (mg O2 l-1h-1) (average data when the DO appears to be declining linearly.
  4. Convert the OD600 reading into gX.l-1 using the data from your other lab (as a guide, 1 OD600 should be equal to approx. 0.25-0.30 gX.l-1 for P.pastoris (Gullo, Verzelloni, and Canonico, (2014).
  5. QO2 = OCR/X
  6. Repeat the calculation for other data collected by other groups.

Results

The rate of mass oxygen transfer is given by the formula;

(1)        OTR=dCo2,l/ dt= kLa(Co2,l*-C02,l) integrating gives the following relationship.

(2)        -ln(1-C02,l/C02,l*)=kLat

Where;                                     t = time period of measurement (h)

CO2,l* = saturated [O2] in the liquid (mM or mg l-1)

CO2,l = actual [O2] in the liquid (mM or mg l-1)

kLa = O2 mass transfer coefficient (h-1)

 

The measure of dissolved oxygen tension is given by the formula;

DOT=100*C02,l/C02,l* , therefore

-ln(1-DOT/100)=KLa.t

DOT=100.(1-e-KLa.t)

 

Discussion

The results that were obtained after the experiment were fed into an excel sheet. Using the formula given above the rate of oxygen transfer and dissolved oxygen transfer can be calculated by merely substituting the results into the equation. In this case, the following results were used to calculate the rate of oxygen uptake by the P.pastoris.

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Table 1: Oxygen Uptake; Best Group in the World

Time3.00 P.M 078.3
OD14.1 1078.2
WCW22.1 2076.6
pH5.8 3073.2
Temperature28.2 4068.4
Airflow Rate (L/min)2 5062.4
Stirrer Speed (rpm)900 6055.8
   7048.8
   8041.5
   9033.7
   10025.5

Substituting the corresponding values in the formula elaborately estimates the rate of oxygen transfer. As for the dissolved oxygen tension, the following results carried the day.

 

Table 2: Dissolved Oxygen Tension (DOT); Best Group in the World

 

Temperature23.823.823.8
Airflow Rate (L/min333
Stirrer Speed (rpm)10007031150
Time (s)dO2 (%)dO2 (%)dO2 (%)
0000
5000
1000.2
158.74.110.6
2025.111.829.2
254222.947.8
3057.434.460.2
3569.645.373.5
4077.152.983.1
4584.163.2 
50 69.2 
55 75.8 
60 81.1 

 

Using the formula, DOT=100*C02,l/C02,l* the estimated value of the dissolved oxygen tension can be estimated.

 

Conclusion

Oxygen supports life in that the gas is involved in many important processes that is crucial for life in this case fermentation. Fermentation takes place through aerobic respiration in the presence of oxygen. On a few occasions agents like yeast are used to speed up the process as catalysts (Stanbury, Whitaker, & Hall, 2013).  In the world today is applicable in many manufacturing and food processing industries such as those that brew wine and bake bread. The fact that fermentation is crucial for living gives rise to need to study it and find out how the process takes place hence such experiments as the one discussed above.