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Boat Party

I’m On a Boat!: How to Throw a Boat Party the Lonely Island

Get your towels ready, it's about to go down! A top-notch party can be the highlight of anyone's year. And while it's totally possible to have a killer party on land, you'll be sure to wow your guests when you take this party offshore. But it's not as simple as changing the location of your shindig. In fact, there's a lot of planning you should do if you're considering throwing a boat party for the ages. Grab your swim trunks and your flippie-floppies and dive in to find out what you have to do to throw a truly amazing party on a boat. Pick a Theme: Sure, you could go with a tried and true nautical theme when you've chosen a boat party, but why keep it simple? You should use this occasion to really spice up your party style and invite your friends to do the same. If this is a party where a fun theme is acceptable, consider doing an 80's prom night party. If your friends are fans of mysteries, give a Clue-themed party a shot. Invite your friends to dress in their best party clothes and let loose, have a good time. Once you've selected a theme, follow the trends of all hipster weddings of today and chose a hashtag! This is a great way to build some buzz up around your party and to give your guests a collective way to share their photos of the event with each other. Choose Your Colors: You'll really be able to wow your guests if you manage to color coordinate your party. Think about all of the little elements that add up on the boat you'll be partying on and find a way to incorporate them into your theme. Some great, hip color schemes are navy blue and gold, ultra-violet and white, peach and mint, and purple and green. Once you've picked your colors, you can start to collect things that will go with them. Don't forget things like napkins, pillows, and blankets! Plan a Menu: Planning a menu for a boat party can be tricky. You've already got so much on your plate, you'll probably want to think about some kind of catering. When you're planning your boat party menu, keep it simple. You don't want an overcomplicated dish to give you or your caterer a headache. Besides, sometimes simple finger foods are the most fun when you've got other fun things to do at a boat party! Get Your Drink On: Now that you've got your menu planned and your theme picked it, it's time for the most fun part of the night: the drinks! There's nothing wrong with setting up a BYOB rule, especially if you're already dishing out a fair chunk of change for your menu and other aspects of this boat party. But if you're inclined to serve a little booze as well, here are a few ideas for you to choose from: Jelly shots shaped like fish bowls Blueberry-limoncello punch Watermelon Daiquiri Dark and Stormy Paloma Mojito No matter what you decide to serve for your party, remind your guests to drink responsibly. You aren't trying to be a buzzkill, you're trying to keep everyone safe! Decorate: You might think that a beautiful sea backdrop is enough to make your boat party a beautiful success, but there's a lot more you can do to make your setting pop! Keep your color scheme in mind while you're picking out your decorations. Put up colorful flags, layout pillows and blankets, and don't forget the minor details! They're what make the get together special and stand out in your guest's minds. If you're feeling extra adventurous, try making some of your own decorations by hand! A beautifully hand-lettered sign and handmade pennants that reflect the theme and color scheme of your party will be sure to wow your guests. Plan Your Guest List: Here's the fun part: deciding who you want to invite to your party. It's not just as simple as putting a few names on a list and hoping for the best. If you want your boat party to go off without a hitch, you're going to want to take a few precautions before you decide who's invited. First of all, is this a work thing or a friends thing? Because if you have a few rowdy friends, you might not want to introduce them to your boss unless you're absolutely sure your boss is comfortable with seeing the shenanigans that happen after a few too many mojitos. It's also a good idea to take a good look at your friends' list and see what the relationships between the others are. The last thing you want is a dramatic showdown starring spurned lovers or jealous ex-friends in the middle of your boat party. It's supposed to be a laid-back and relaxed day! Whether the Weather is Fine: It's also a solid idea to have a plan in case the weather turns nasty. Consider getting in touch with a local restaurant or coffee shop to be your backup just in case the weather turns foul. It's also important to remember that not everyone on your boat will be comfortable being on the water. Have a quiet area where nervous guests can go if the waves get choppy! Be Safe: It might not seem to be very representative of The Lonely Island to have a whole section here about safety, but it's important nonetheless! It should go without saying that you need to obey all safety laws and make sure common sense prevails over everything else. Sure, boats offer a sense of fun and a relaxed atmosphere, but there's a very real danger of drowning or injury if something were to go wrong. Make sure your guests know where the life vests are and have a brief chat before the festivities really kick off about some of the safety measures they should follow if need be. You can view here some tips for new boat owners if you're not sure what to look out for. The Boat Party of the Century: Do you have your nautical themed pashmina afghan ready? Because it's time to get out there and host your own boat party that The Lonely Island would want an invite to. All you've got to do is do a little pre-planning in order to get sailing today. Are you looking for more fun party plannings tips? Check out this post about making birthday parties pop! Read Also: 10 Beach Vacation Packages That Will Let You Unwind Without Breaking The Bank 30 Quick Facts About Ocho Rios, Jamaica

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Hammock

Why You Should Include A Tent In Your Hammock Backpacking

Choosing to either sleep in a hammock or a tent is an important factor to consider when prepping for camping. This range of choices has generated heated debates among outdoor enthusiasts. Traditional campers prefer to stick with tents, and the others usually opt for hammocks. Sleeping in a hammock is definitely a different experience than sleeping in a tent. This is mainly because while a tent is sited on the ground, a hammock is suspended in air between two trees. Moreover, there are pros and cons of sleeping either in a hammock or a tent. This leads to us to an important subject that’s fast becoming popular among campers – hammock camping. What is hammock camping? There are different ways of camping. Hammock camping is a type of camping wherein a camper sleeps in a hammock rather than in a regular tent. Sleeping in a hammock or a tent comes with respective advantages and disadvantages. No doubt, the biggest advantage of sleeping in a hammock is comfortable and better sleep it provides. However, sleeping in hammock still presents some drawbacks such as exposure to the elements. Sleeping in a tent is more common among campers, and the reason for this isn’t far-fetched. The advantages that a tent offers, such as more space and protection, make it a great choice among campers. Top reasons why you should include a tent in your hammock backpack: The following are some of the reasons why you should always include a tent in your hammock backpack. For protection: This is one of the many upsides of sleeping in a tent. Unlike sleeping in a hammock where you are exposed, sleeping in a tent gets you covered and protected from the weather. So, if you plan on hammock camping, ensure that you include a tent in anticipation for the worst. For better sleep experience: While sleeping in a hammock seems more comfortable than in a tent, you might find it difficult to turn or sleep on your side when using a hammock. As a result, most campers choose to go the traditional way of using a tent, even during hammock camping. No need for trees: While it may be unlikely to not find trees in camping sites, you need to be prepared for such an inopportune situation. Including a tent in your hammock backpack is a proactive way of preparing for the unlikely. Options: Including a tent in your backpack offers you options to alternate between sleeping in a hammock and a tent. During the day, you might prefer resting in the hammock, while at night (when it is usually cold), you can benefit from the shelter of a tent. Little or no need for paraphernalia: If you must use a hammock in the cold, then you need to also include extra materials such as a bug net. However, with a tent, there is little or no need for such provisions, besides your sleeping bag. Conclusion: Although hammock camping is becoming increasingly popular among campers, tent camping is still very predominant. The limitations of sleeping in hammocks are the reasons why tents will continue to remain popular. Read Also: Renting A Villa In Malta With Private Pool Should You Send Your Child With Autism To A Regular Summer Camp?

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Business Downtime

How to Protect Your Business from Downtime

One of the costliest experiences your business can face is network downtime. It can result in tremendous loss of profit if contracts are not fulfilled or services are not provided simply because you cannot access the relevant information you need. While there are many advantages to moving to a cloud network, there are also some things that can go wrong. As with any business practice, it is important to plan for what can go wrong and protect yourself when this happens. Expect the Unexpected: Downtime can occur at any point with little notice. When this happens, it can fully interrupt your daily business plan and can leave you spinning and looking for something to do until you can get online. To minimize the loss in this time, it is imperative that you develop a full continuity plan to be utilized in the event of downtime. You may also need to check any service level agreements (or SLAs) that you may have with a third party to make sure that you are protected from any action from then during downtime. Appreciate That It Might Sometimes Be You: These frustrating periods of downtime are not always caused by the cloud provider. Sometimes it might be as simple as a dodgy script or piece of code causing your cloud to go down. In this scenario, the onus is on you to fix it and not upon the cloud provider since the problem originated from you. Check everything frequently to ensure that you are completing things to the best of your ability. Any coding needs to be properly checked before it goes live on the site and bugs need to be found and fixed as quickly as possible. If you are introducing something from a third-party developer, make sure that is from a reputable source so that it does not damage any of the structure that you have worked so hard to build. Do not add anything to your cloud unless you know exactly what it is and where it has come from. Use a Multi-Cloud Structure: By using a multi-cloud structure which operates across different accessibility zones, you are decreasing the likelihood of your business being completely cut off from its work. This may not eliminate your downtime risk but it can certainly help to minimize it. Check that the individual cloud providers you are using for your hybrid structure aren’t using the same data centre and the same resources. If this is the case, having a multi-cloud structure for the purpose of reducing downtime is completely redundant. Prepare for Recovery: Sudden downtime can result in some awful loss of data and projects if you are not careful. Sometimes, this loss can occur even if you follow the best online practices. To best recover from downtime and data loss, you will need to use some proactive measures and potentially contact an expert to help. Disaster Recover as a Service (or DRaaS) is a service which can be implemented as part of your overall cloud package from the right provider. Along with other services like infrastructure or software, many should be able to offer disaster recovery. Find out more about DRaaS from ukcloud.com; these experts know all about it. Downtime may seem like a scary prospect which can seriously affect your performance depending on how you handle it. Like many aspects of business, you will be able to weather even periods of unexpected downtime if you have a proactive business plan in place. Be sensible, and you will be able to protect your company properly no matter what is thrown at it. Read More:  5Tricks for Using Twitter to Grow Your Business. The Top Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Security Guard. Thinking of becoming an entrepreneur? What is the cost to start a business?

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Indian Sarees

Sarees – The Identity Of Indian Women

Sarees are an integral part of the culture of the Indian subcontinent. The beauty of sarees is nonpareil, and the way they beautify the Indian women is why all of us admire sarees.  If we formally define a saree, it can be referred to as a female garment worn by the women of the Indian subcontinent, that has a drape that is wrapped over the waist and one of its ends draped around the shoulder. Saree is the identity of the Indian women. It is something which defines them, sets them apart, and gives them their own recognition inside the crowd. Most foreigners upon seeing a woman wearing a saree would instantly recognize that the woman belongs to the Indian subcontinent. History of Sarees The origin of the sarees can be found in the Indus Valley Civilization, or the Harappan Culture, which flourished in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent during 2800 BC – 1800 BC. A statue of a priest from Indus Valley was found in the remains of the Indus Valley Civilization, which was, interestingly, shown wearing a drape, looking much similar to a saree. This can be called as one of the earliest depictions of sarees. Then, sarees evolved so much that their description can be found in the religious works of various religions like Hinduism and Jainism. Description of sarees, or garments closely resembling sarees can be found in various works of Sanskrit too. Then, sarees commenced becoming popular.  The most renowned occasion where women started wearing sarees was weddings. Red started to become the most preferred color for sarees worn by women, especially the bride at her weddings. Nowadays, sarees are worn at parties, weddings, official meetings, funerals, etc., and there are different saree designs for different occasions. Sarees and Religion                                              The types and the importance of sarees on different occasions vary with the religion of the woman wearing it. For instance, in Hinduism, women wear sarees, which are usually in red, during weddings and celebrations. They wear it when there is a puja, or some offering is being made to the God. Also, it is very common in Hindu women to wear sarees even at home. Similarly, women who belong to the Muslim faith wear sarees too. These sarees are mostly influenced by the color of Hijab worn by them. For example, the colors and patterns of the saree are matched or contrasted with that of the Hijab so that the overall clothing gives an elegant impression to the eye. Most of the Muslim women in rural as well as urban areas prefer saree over any other garment. Many a times in their culture, it is also considered obscene if a married woman is seen not wearing a saree. Even though most Muslim women are seen wearing Burqas, but they do wear sarees beneath them. But, Kashmiri Muslim women do not wear sarees. They have their own attire which is very elegant too. Similarly, sarees are also very popular in Christianity. Many nuns in the Indian Catholic Churches can be seen wearing sarees. Also, many times, a Christian bride can be seen wearing a while colored saree (or a similar garment) too during her wedding. Significance of Sarees – Then and Now Sarees, obviously, are big pieces of cloth. So, wearing them is not an easy task. It shows the management skills of a woman, as if she can manage to wear such a big piece of cloth, then she can definitely manage her family and take good care of her spouse and children. Women look the most beautiful and refined when they are wearing sarees. But nowadays, sarees are more skin revealing than skin covering. Earlier, sarees were worn to hide the waist but now they are designed in such a way that they reveal the waist. A woman is considered more gorgeous and beautiful if she wears such sarees. Hence, sarees have evolved keeping in mind the current fashion trends and the changing mindsets/perspectives of the women wearing it. Sarees and Seasons Sarees also vary with changing seasons. For example, cotton sarees are the most comfortable and worn by most of the women during the scorching heat of the summers. Similarly, sarees made of silk or usually, some warm fabric is worn during winters to keep warm. Style Caret has a very good collection of sarees for different seasons. Social and Cultural Aspects of Sarees When it comes to choosing the right clothes for weddings and celebrations, something which no one can deny getting attracted to is sarees. Sarees are culturally important because they are the identity of Indian women and represent the Indian culture and traditions and the rich Indian heritage. Sarees are worn differently in different parts of India. For instance, Gujaratis wear them differently, Punjabis wear them differently, Maharashtrians wear them differently, and so on. So, there are different types of sarees which are peculiar to different states. For instance, Kota Sarees are peculiar to Rajasthan, as they originated in Kota city. Likewise, Bomkai sarees are famous in Bomkai, Odisha; Talent and Kaantha sarees originated in Bengal; Dhokra, Chanderi and Maheshwari sarees are famous in Madhya Pradesh and so on. Many such sarees are available on Stylecaret which you can check out. Sarees and the West Nowadays, countries in the west are getting influenced by eastern clothing traditions due to the bliss of sarees.  Bollywood actresses like Priyanka Chopra and Aishwarya Rai are these days making a lot of tours to the west and are establishing very good relations with the Americans, like Priyanka Chopra recently made her debut in the Ellen Show. This also exposes the western audience to Indian actresses representing the Indian culture and the sarees become the cynosure of all eyes. Hence, the whole article can be summarized by saying that there is no garment, but sarees which have given the people of Indian subcontinent such a worldwide recognition and developed them socially and culturally. Sarees have indeed exalted the standard of the Indian women to a higher level.

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maintaining garage

Top tips for inspecting and maintaining garage

A large percentage of homeowners stroll in and out of their garage and don’t give a second thought about it. But it is extremely important that you don’t neglect your garage and keep it in the best condition possible. For maintaining garage you have to understand the facts that can help you to achieve your goals. After all, it protects one, if not a couple of the biggest investments you and your partner have ever made (your cars), along with whatever else you have in there. Think of it this way, the odd maintenance job could save you and your family from losing out on thousands. If you’re looking for a brand-new concrete garage to protect you, your family and your belongings from the dangers of the outdoors, look no further than Dencroft Garages. Their friendly, experienced staff are always at hand to help out, give them a call now. Different Ways You Can Apply For Maintaining Garage Keep the door running smoothly A lot of new garage doors these days are self-lubricated, but if they aren’t, it is recommended that you apply oil to the rollers, hinges, and tracks every couple of months. Another important note to take is this – occasionally be checking the rubber seal at the bottom of your garage door as it can tear and wear, and allow the elements to creep under (replacing this seal can cost £100). Also, regularly check that the sensors on either side of your garage door still work by closing when something crosses its path. Clean the floor To prevent hazards, slips, and from occurring, clear your garage floor and hose it down. If there is a serious trip hazard due to a bit of concrete which has crumbled or separated, you can try to patch it back up yourself or call a contact a concrete contractor. If you’re looking for further tips and instructions to clean the floor in your concrete garage, this article has five fantastic tips to make sure your garage floor is looking the best it can be.For maintaining garage Monitor the walls You should check your walls at least twice a year to see if there any cracks or moisture. If you see any discolor or mold on the walls, then moisture is seeping from the roof or the walls and needs to be seen to straight away – call a building or roofing contractor for the further inspection. For maintaining garage you have to monitor walls. Clean interior doors Your interior door plays a huge part in the safety and insulation of your home, so once a year you should clean it and make sure that all the weather-stripping is still intact. If not, then replace the weather-stripping – this stops all the elements from entering your home. Watch for pest invasions Insects such as termites and carpenter ants can seriously damage the quality of your garage walls, so to prevent them from invading your garage, inspect dark, cool and moist spots – particularly where the walls meet. If you see chewed wood you will most likely have termites, or if there are trails of sawdust, it’s carpenter ants – this is when you should call in pest control experts. Read Also: 5 Factors To Consider When Buying A New Garage Door 5 Other Uses For Your Garage

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Mobile Phone

Reduce Your Exposure to Radiation When Using Your Mobile Phone

You need to use your phone all the time. You are aware that it is not healthy to use it for several hours, but you can’t help it. Smartphones allow you to do almost anything using your phone. Before, phones were only for calling and texting. Now, you can use your phone for banking, shopping, social media posting, advertising, networking, and many other things. There is also a growing number of apps that may be useful to you. The problem with the use of your phone, continually, is that you run the risk of exposure to radiation. Since you can't stop yourself from using your phone, there are ways to use it without increased radiation exposure. Use a headset If you are calling someone, you can use a headset or a speakerphone, so you don't put your device directly on your ear. You might notice that phones get hot when used continuously for hours. It shows that the phone is giving off high levels of radiation. However, if your phone is far away from you as you are using a headset, it limits the impact of radiation. Keep your phone in your bag It is not a good idea to put your phone in your pocket as it is directly in contact with your body. You can use your bag or purse to keep your phone when not in use. Your body tissues might easily absorb phone radiation if the phone is too close. Think about texting instead of talking Instead of having a long conversation over the phone, you could chat with another person. You will still get the same information anyway. When texting, your phone is at least a few inches away from your head. Besides, when you call someone, you tend to talk about things that are unnecessary. Texting allows you to limit the conversation as it can be tiring to keep answering. Avoid calling when the signal is weak Don't force yourself to contact someone when your signal is inadequate unless the call is for emergency reasons. When the signal is weak, the phone will keep emitting radiation as it tries to make a connection. You are increasing exposure to radiation if you keep doing it. Also, when the phone on the other end is still ringing, you don't need to put your phone to your ear. Wait until the other party answers before you start talking. Talk less If you can, you need to find a way to reduce the use of your phone. It might seem impossible, but you can do it. When you don't use your phone often, you won't have to deal with these radiation issues. You can also set a rule regarding screen time to force yourself to unplug once in a while. Use EMF protection You can use protective devices like EMF protection jewellery to block the radiation from entering your body. Even if your phone is around, or any other electronic devices for that matter, you stay protected. You need to do something about radiation exposure now before it is too late.

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Gold Jewellery

Gold: Choose your Jewellery Carefully

Gold is not just a metal that is extracted from the ores. It is more than a metal. Gold is something that everyone longs for, and it is something that everyone needs to sustain their lives in the present era. Talking about females, in particular, gold, for them, has never been a source of money. They have always viewed gold as jewelry material. When discussing jewelry, we have to understand that it is more than an accessory. It is important that the person wearing the jewelry takes pride in that jewelry and also feels comfortable while carrying it. If you're feeling uncomfortable even with the latest gold jewelry designs, you're probably not wearing the right thing. The jewelry which you carry should be such that it fits the occasion. This would prevent you from getting unnecessary attention and weird looks from the people, which are major sources of discomfort in public. When you are wearing jewelry, you're actually trying to express yourself in front of the public. Therefore, it becomes extremely important to know what to wear and when to wear. You must possess the knowledge of how your jewelry and accessories would mark an impression on the minds of the people present around. Whenever there is a presence of gold, attention comes in naturally. Therefore, it is very important that you wear the kind of jewelry with elegant features which match with the occasion. After all, you won't want to be noticed in a nugget ring at an engagement or a wedding function. While you would always want to possess an enormous amount of jewelry with great designs, you should also keep in mind the quality of the jewelry. Not every type of gold is worth keeping and not every design is great. If you feel that it is important to update yourself with the latest gold jewelry designs, then it is equally important to keep yourself updated with the knowledge of gold that is being used to make your jewelry. You should know what is 18K gold, what is 20K gold and what is 22K gold. The material is the basic part of jewelry, and you cannot afford to neglect its quality. Quality and price of the latest gold jewelry designs is something that you will always worry about. This happens because good quality never comes at a low price. In that fashion, low quality should come at a lower price, like 10 gram gold bangles designs. but then cheating is always possible due to the presence of bad apples everywhere. Therefore, while looking for the latest gold jewelry designs, you must always take care that you only pay what is fair. Never pay too much only because you can afford to do so. Gold jewelry looks the best and attractive with the correct combination of dresses. The choice of dresses should be such that you get to choose the gold jewelry according to your dresses. If you select your dress according to your jewelry, you're definitely going to fail yourself. Jewelry is an important part of many occasions, and hence it shouldn't be neglected. However, it is equally important to value yourself because, at the end of the day, it is you who will define yourself, not your jewelry. Read Also: Cut Risks And Guarantee Gains: Why Real Gold Is Attractive Save Money Buying Engagement Rings And Wedding Bands Using These Ingenious Tips

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Translation Business

Creative Marketing Strategies to Put Your Small Translation Business

As the owner of a translation business, you know firsthand just how much a good marketing strategy can make or break you. However, your current advertising strategy often makes you feel like your company is getting, well, lost in translation. You need to make a change as soon as possible. But you're just not sure where you should start when it comes to updating your marketing plan. In this post, we're sharing both print and digital advertising tips that you can't afford to miss out on. When you're ready to dominate your target market and outrank your competition in the search engine results, keep on reading. Start with Your Website Especially when you're running an international business, you need advertising tips that can reach everyone on the globe -- at the same time. In short, while a strong website is important for every company, it becomes even more essential for brands who need to reach people in different time zones and across different languages. In other words? Even though you're running a translation business, it doesn't change the fact that nearly 3/4 of consumers say they prefer to read content in their first language. Start by looking for the right tools and plugins that will automatically change your site's language to the language of the user. But don't stop there. Having an intuitive and branded web design are also key digital marketing tips. This matters because people will stay on a site they find easy to use for much longer than average. Pop-ups, autoplay features, or just sites that take forever to load won't cause them to click away after three seconds. This helps you rise in search engine rankings. First of all, ensure your site loads quickly and completely on desktop and mobile devices. Use menu options at the top of your page to help users find exactly what they're looking for as fast as possible. If you're blogging (more on that in a minute) make sure you've taken the time to properly categorize your past posts. Above all, keep your homepage engaging and organized, like on this website. Finally, don't forget to include your company's contact information on not just the homepage, but every page of your internal website. Remember that consumers won't always come to the homepage first. Don't make them hunt around on your site to find out how to get answers to their questions or sign up for your services. Blogging and Guest Posting Now that we've covered how your website will drive more customers to your translation business, let's talk about how blogging can increase your site visitors by around 300%. We understand that blogging is a lot of work -- and, if you have to hire professional content services to write your posts for you, it can also be expensive. So, why is it worth it? First of all, it helps to increase your authority and brand recognition within your target market. By providing information-based (as opposed to sales-driven) blog posts, you strengthen consumer trust in your brand. Plus, blogging also tells Google and other search engines that you update your entire website more often than companies who just have a static site. This means that you'll be able to outrank your competitors in the search engine results. Plus, you'll also have more indexed pages (AKA, pages that have been read and categorized by Google.) This also helps you get higher up in the search engine result pages. Blogging also gives you an amazing opportunity to connect with your target market and shorten your overall sales cycle through the use of keywords. By naturally including keywords (what people type into search engines when they need a translation business) in your content, your website will show up in front of people who are ready to buy exactly what you're selling. But blogging alone isn't enough. You also need to get into guest posting. This is one of the best online advertising tips because it gives you the chance to broaden your market and increase your brand awareness at the same time. Write articles and blog posts for popular online journals, websites, and even forums that are relevant to the translation industry. Other Key Digital Advertising Ideas Of course, your digital marketing strategy shouldn't begin and end with site design, blogging, and guest posting alone. There are a few other digital marketing tips you should take into consideration, too. Make sure that you claim your third-party listings on platforms like Google My Business, and fill out your profiles as completely as is possible. This is especially helpful when it comes to connecting you to your target market. Those third-party listings are also important because they allow your customers the chance to leave online reviews for your business. While having a testimonials section on your website is a good idea, most consumers feel that third-party site reviews are less biased. Make sure you frequently read and respond to these reviews -- yes, even the bad ones. You want to prove to potential and current clients that you take their input seriously. Social media is also essential in the online marketing world. However, especially since you're a smaller business, we suggest that you conduct some market research to find out which platform your customers spend most of their time on. Focus your efforts there first, and then expand to other platforms. If possible, aim to post three times a day: morning, noon, and night. Finally, never underestimate the power of an e-newsletter. Not only will this allow you to let your leads and current customers know about new product offerings and flash sales. E-newsletters can also help to build up a personal connection between you and your market. You can feature employees of the month, tell customer stories, and even ask for feedback in survey form. Offline Advertising Tips for Your Translation Business Yes, having a strong digital marketing strategy is incredibly important for your translation business. However, it doesn't mean that you can completely ignore print marketing or offline marketing in general. Now, let's take a look at some seriously effective marketing ideas that don't require an Internet connection. Host an Event One of the best ways to get your name out there is by hosting an event in your local market. You don't have to spend a lot of money in order to increase your brand recognition -- you just have to focus on inviting the right people. Invite other local businesses to a dinner at an international restaurant in your area, or host a "language night" at a local school. Focus on event spaces that have a global feel -- even having a "movie night" where you show a popular international film could work. We suggest handing out promotional products at these events. This way, even if attendees don't need translations services now, they'll know who to call when they do in the future. Don't Underestimate Mailings Relying on the cousin of the e-newsletter, paper mailings, to get the word out about your business is still an effective marketing idea. People love getting "snail mail," especially as it becomes rarer and rarer. Whenever possible, hand-address your envelopes to increase their open rate. When you send out mailings, think outside the holiday card or business pamphlet alone. Instead, consider including things like a magnetic calendar, so that customers can have your company in their heads all year long. You could also include a paper card with a discount code. The same goes for simply including a physical coupon offering them a percentage off of your services. Also, slip in a few of your business cards, and handwrite a note on the back of them. You may also want to create a branded letterhead or stationary, in order to increase your brand recognition. It's all about building a personal connection between you and your leads. Grow Your Translation Business with These Tips We hope that this post has helped you to better understand how to market your translation business both on and offline. Remember that conducting thorough market research -- and knowing when to ask for the help of a professional marketing team -- will take you a long way. Looking for additional advice about how to build your brand? Want to ensure you're creating evergreen content that your market will love sharing on social media? Want to understand how good web design increases your conversions and grow your traffic? Our blog can help you to learn all of that and more, so keep coming back to us for more advertising advice. Read Also: What To Look For In A Transcription Service Provider

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Pest Infestation

9 Signs You Have a Pest Infestation in Your House (And What to Do About It)

The average American home has dozens or even hundreds of different kinds of insects living inside it. However, the vast majority of those tiny, unseen roommates aren't pests. Many insects and other small creatures can live peacefully near humans without causing problems. But others are pests that can infest your home, breeding in huge numbers and turning up everywhere you don't want them. From mice to cockroaches, these pests can leave all sorts of different signs. Humans have been doing pest control for thousands of years. But if you don't know what to look for, you won't know how to take the steps you need to control a pest infestation. In this guide, we'll show you exactly which signs of a pest infestation to look for. Once you recognize the problem, you can start taking the steps to fix it. Keep reading for what you need to know! 1. Damaged Wires or Furniture Big pests, like mice, often chew on furniture or through cords. If you see damaged wires or bite marks on your furniture, you probably have a pest problem that's not just insects. Rodents need to chew on things because their teeth constantly grow and need to be worn down. You'll see the marks of this activity down low, near the floor. You might also find signs that mice have been eating the food in your pantry. This damage will probably leave you asking, "What is the best way to get rid of mice?" However, the answer to this is the same as the answer to getting rid of any pests: you should always call a professional. DIY solutions are rarely completely effective. 2. Signs of Nesting Rodents also like to build nests, and you might see the signs during a thorough check of your home. They'll use any available materials to build their nests. You'll need to check all the small, hidden areas of your home where they might have started nesting. Common signs include shredded paper and cardboard. 3. Droppings Droppings are definitely one of the most unpleasant signs of a pest infestation you can come across. You can often figure out the type of pest you're working with by looking closely at the droppings. If it's a rodent, you'll find long, solid droppings that are sometimes shaped like cones. These droppings tend to be small, and won't have a strong scent. While that's a good thing, it also makes them difficult to spot. Insects droppings are different. You might find exoskeletons that have been shed, or wings, legs, and other parts of the insect body. A different sign of insect pests can be spider webs. Although spiders themselves aren't usually pests, their webs signal that they might be trying to catch the insects that have infested your home. 4. History of Pest Infestation Not sure if you're seeing sure signs of a pest infestation? Your house or apartment's history might hold some clues. Try to contact previous owners or tenants and see if they've experienced infestations before. You can also ask your neighbors if they've had any infestation issues. Where pests have been, they'll often come back, especially if measures to prevent their return aren't taken. 5. Dirt and Grime This is one of the more subtle signs of an infestation. Sometimes, what looks like a simple buildup of dirt can actually show that you're dealing with an infestation. One reason everyone hates pests is that they make a mess wherever they go. In places where insects, rodents, and other pests hang out, you might find crumbs, dirt smudges, and other bad signs. Rodents often take the same routes back and forth, so they'll leave streaks of dirt or grease along the paths they've taken. If there's dust on the floor, you may also see a trail where pests have walked. These signs may start out small, but they'll build as time goes on. The sooner you can catch them, the better. 6. Plant Damage Many insects feed on plants. If your house plants show signs of gnawing around the edges, and you don't have a pet that might have done it, it's likely due to a pest in the house. 7. Unpleasant Smells Sometimes, you'll smell a pest infestation before you see it. If you're dealing with insects that carry food, like ants, the smell could be that of rotting food they've dropped or stashed somewhere. You might also smell the pests that have died somewhere in your home, where you can't see them. They often hide in the walls or under floorboards. If you start to notice an unusual, unpleasant scent in one part of your house, make sure to carefully check it out. You might find an infestation you weren't expecting. 8. Live Pests The most obvious sign of an infestation is visually seeing live pests. However, sometimes it's easy to dismiss the problem if you see just one. Keep in mind that if one pest made itself visible, there are probably many more where it came from. These creatures tend to be great at hiding. If you catch them, you probably already have a problem -- it's not just a single creature in your home. 9. Strange Noises Almost all of your senses are useful when it comes to detecting a pest problem. Sometimes, they make unusual sounds that can be quiet and hard to catch. Pay close attention to the sounds in your home late at night, when everything's quiet. You can also put your ear up to the wall, floor, or anywhere the pests might be hiding. The sounds you hear can confirm the other signs you've found. What to Do About a Pest Infestation Now that you've spotted the signs of a pest infestation, what should you do about it? As mentioned above, your first step should always be to call professional help. If you try to fix the problem yourself, it can grow much bigger before you can stop it. Need to protect the outside of your home too? Check out our guide to keeping pests away from your garden here. Read Also: 10 Pest Control Tips To Keep Pests Away This Summer What You Should Expect From A Pest Control Visit

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ambitious entrepreneur

Explain Your Solution in 60 Seconds or Less – Here’s How

Do you have an elevator pitch? Whether you’re an ambitious entrepreneur with nothing more than a good idea, a fully funded startup gearing up for further funding rounds or your long-anticipated go-to-market, or a mature company looking to retake control of its reputation, a succinct encapsulation of your identity and solution(s) is crucial to a cogent market strategy. Elevator pitches are important for individual professionals, too. “Your elevator pitch is a way to share your expertise and credentials quickly and effectively with people who don't know you,” writes personal branding expert Alison Doyle. Here’s what you need to do to develop and refine your elevator pitch. Your ultimate goal: a comprehensive spiel that answers one question — “what do you do?” — in 60 seconds or less. 1. Start With a Concise Directory Description  The nub of your elevator pitch is a company description (or a personal one, if you’re still pitching an idea) that factually describes what you do (or hope to do). If you haven’t already done so, develop a descriptive statement for your social media and business directory profiles, along with the lines of this Crunchbase profile for Florida entrepreneur Steve Dorfman. This statement won’t be compelling enough to build your entire elevator pitch around, but it’s a good skeleton for the initial who-what-where. 2. Identify Your Core Audience Groups  How much do you know about audience segmentation? If your answer is, “not much,” get up to speed on the process and spend some time drilling down on the core audience groups to which your pitch needs to speak (if you’re not already reaching out to them in other ways). Remember, you can draft multiple iterations of the same pitch, depending on who’s in the room or on the page. 3. Set Yourself Apart from the Competition (Without Disparaging Them)  Now comes the real meat of your pitch: a unique selling proposition that differentiates your idea or solution from competing concepts — theoretical or otherwise — without throwing shade. Generally speaking, you don’t want to name names, unless your solution is an explicit offshoot of something that came before. 4. Isolate One or Two Key Factoids or Stats  You don’t have a lot of time to throw facts or stats out at your audience. Nor should you dwell on specifics, for their (and your) sanity. But a well-placed nugget or two may well be what’s needed to concentrate minds. Again, your audience may dictate which nugget you choose to include in any given iteration. 5. Make the Ask  You won’t know if you don’t ask — to make the ask, smoothly. Regardless of who’s listening, your pitch should conclude with a clear call to action that doesn’t read like a pro forma sales pitch. Make your audience believe in what you’re asking them to do. You’re Talking — Is Anybody Listening?  We’ve all been there: explaining a concept near and dear to our hearts so earnestly that we become lost in our own narrative — only to pull back and realize that the audience has nodded off or lost the plot. A concise, well-articulated, well-organized elevator pitch should hold your audience’s attention, if only because it’s not long enough to put anyone to sleep. Striving to be the entrepreneur who listens twice as much as they talk doesn’t preclude you from being the entrepreneur who effortlessly commands a room, too. Read Also: Green Business Opportunities For Eco-Entrepreneurs Why Do Entrepreneurs Put Up Their Drop Shipping Websites For Sale? Thinking Of Becoming An Entrepreneur? What Is The Cost To Start A Business?

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