Tuesday, December 27, 2016

The Newest Content Marketing Technique in Town: Viral Photo Websites

It’s no secret any more that the key not only to search engine rankings, but also to readership, is to have high quality content on the web. Whether that means well-written articles or videos, Twitter feeds or Facebook pages, businesses, artists, and individuals are getting more readership because they are investing in solid content. The latest content marketing technique is the creation of viral photo websites that draw in a sizable audience. Just consider the epic success of the Epicfail.com website; the site is so widely known that the term “Epic Fail” has become a cultural buzzword!

What is a “Viral Photo Website?”

In any other context, “viral” would sound like something you wouldn’t want, but in the context of the internet, it refers to something that spreads explosively, expansively, and extensively. It’s something that readers or viewers enjoy so much that they share it with the people in their social networks, who in turn enjoy and share it with theirs, and on down the line.

It’s a matter of basic math, really. If each viewer shared with just five people, your content will have nearly 800 views after just four shares! Now consider the fact that people using social media do not just share with five people. These days the average American has extensive social networks on multiple social media platforms (think Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr, and Google+, just to name a handful).

How Do You Get Your Photo Website to Go Viral?

Your job, then, is to create content that people will want to share. It’s really that simple, at least on the surface. Get creative, and see what other types of photo websites are sitting high in the popularity rankings. A simple study of Instagram’s top twenty, for example, reveals a great deal about what people are attracted to in a photo site.

With a photo site, you have the added advantage of not having to worry about its length compared to the attention span of your audience. A written work or video posting may lose its viewers before they see it, and people are unlikely to share when they haven’t bothered to even finish the video or article. With a photo or meme, you are already guaranteed short-and-sweet content.

The most critical point to remember, just as when you create written content, is that your target audience is not the search engine, but the people. It certainly doesn’t hurt to “please” the search engines as well—but in truth you will get exponentially greater exposure through a single viral photo than you will sometimes get from ranking near the top of a search engine results page.

The Viral Recipe: A Few Secret Ingredients

You can give your content an extra nudge with these tips to maximize its success:

  1. Mondays and Tuesdays are great days to release content that you want to see go BIG. People may “officially” have less free time on a work day, but that’s actually when they most want something enjoyable and distracting.
  2. With photos, you have the option of using two types of formats: the photo itself, and a caption or superimposed words. Memes are often funny because they combine a graphic with written commentary to create a laugh or make a point.
  3. Get your content out there in a multitude of different social media venues. Think again about the math; you want as many people as possible to see your content, because that increases the possibilities of additional sharing and eventual viral status.
  4. If you keep in mind that you are creating content for people, rather than simply for search engines, your photo website has its best chance of going viral. After all, the people themselves are the final magic ingredient to a viral success! You can use your knowledge of search engines and what people are currently looking for, but use that knowledge to approach content that the people themselves will embrace and disperse.

Whether you are promoting your photo site itself, or using content to draw attention to other ventures, viral photo websites are a surefire bet.

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12 Websites That Will Help You To Save Money

These days almost everyone is looking to save money wherever they can. There are lots of websites that can help you save money, from offering coupons on goods and services to connecting you with neighbors willing to sell you their items at a lower price than the store. With this arsenal of websites in your back pocket, you can be sure you’re getting the best price on whatever you’re looking to buy.

Here is a list of a few websites that will help you to save your  hard-earned money.

EBay: With EBay’s bidding system, you can often get a massive discount on almost every product under the sun.

Aliexpress: AliExpress is another great website to shop anywhere you are in the world, and they offer a huge discount on their products.

LivingSocial: Check out all of the great deals on goods and services in the area where you live.

MyCoupons: Instead of fruitless searching for retail deals, MyCoupons finds all of the discounts for you and puts them in one easily searchable place.

Booking Buddy: The site will help you extract the traveling cost from all the various booking websites and give you great discount.

Poshmark: Allow Poshmark be your guide to buying and selling clothes. It’s super easy to list your property on the site if you are in need of some additional money. The site also has all kinds of product deals that are waiting for you to enjoy.

Renttherack: Shop for designer clothes that are usually massively discounted. Reserve an item for a set period of days, use it and then return it. Wear the best clothes in the industry for a fraction of the price.

AwardWallet: This website keeps track of your reward programs, such as regular flyer miles and credit card points. With AwardWallet, you can see all the points and deals you’ve earned all in one place so you don’t forget to act on them.

Priceonomics: This page will extract information from the Internet that will help you to know prices on Craigslist or eBay items with the most profitable margins.

Craigslist: There are many sites online that save money, but with out a doubt, you can always visit Craigslist for great deals. If you wish to sell or buy almost anything in this world, this site is the perfect place for it.

Temptalia: This database will assist you to find the best deals on all cosmetic products, whether you are searching for something that is sold out or something that is just easier on your wallet.

StubHub: This site will help you to re-sell unwanted tickets, instead of losing money on an event you can no longer go to. The website has great reviews and simple instructions too!

TaskRabbit: Have an errand or task that you are unable to do? This online application will connect you with people in your area who are willing to take care of your chores for a cheap price.

ZILok: Do you need to rent something? The odds are iLok have items people are willing to let you borrow for a small price. Alternatively, make a bit of money letting others borrow your own items!

RetailMeNot: This is the world’s biggest coupon marketplace, so this is a great database for deals on just about everything.

NeighborGoods: Share thing with your friends and neighbors through this website. The service will link you up based on your location and connect you with people who live nearby.

Alshop: is the region’s premier online shopping platform for great consumer goods, varying from mobile phones to laptops, home devices to well being equipment, perfumes to make up products and printers, cameras, founded in 2008, with its headquarters in Dubai, UAE.

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6 Ways To Educate Your Kids About Home Security

As parents, we understand the importance of educating our children on how to navigate the many dangers that are out there. If your clothes catch fire, you stop, drop, and roll. If an earthquake starts, you get under a sturdy desk. If you got into a bicycle accident[1], seek immediate help. If a guy in a windowless van offers you a ride to the candy store, you should probably run for the hills.

Yes, we try to cover all of the essentials, but what about the importance of home security? If we’re being completely honest, how many of us are actually taking the time to educate our kids about what to do during a home invasion and how to avoid an invasion in the first place? Take a look at the following list and see how many of these topics have been adequately covered in your household.

Operating the Alarm System

If you have a home security system installed, it’s important that your children understand how to operate it. They should know how to arm and disarm the system, how to activate the panic siren, and how to manage other basic functions. If you use a third-party monitoring service, your children should also be made aware of the unique password used to confirm your identity. Finally, as Devin Ortiz from TechMSD says, “Remember to educate your children not only as to how the security system is used, but also why”.

Locking Doors

Kids will be kids, and today’s kids are more distracted than ever before. What with all the video games, i-gadgets, and text conversations, it’s a wonder that our children ever find the front door at all. But certain habits and routines should never be neglected, and an unlocked door is an invasion invitation. It’s not enough to have a Doberman Pinscher or Pomeranian Husky[2] guarding your house because they can only do so much. You also need to teach your kids to always lock doors after entering and exiting and remind them as many times as it takes to drive the point home. If you’re persistent enough, the habit will ultimately become a reflex.

911 Call

Hopefully your kids already understand how to call 911 in an emergency, but if you have never actually created an opportunity to sit down and have the conversation, don’t just assume that they know the drill. Talk to them. Establish an emergency procedure. Answer their questions. The key is to establish emergency preparedness without inciting fear.

Social Media

Don’t assume that your kids are simply playing games or watching shows on their mini gadgets. The majority of 10- to 12-year-olds today use social media despite the age limitation rules set by social media sites and your kids might not be aware that many burglars use social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to plan their robberies. They might also not be aware that child predators lurk on these sites. If your kids just love their status updates, tweets, and pins, make sure to closely monitor their online activity and instill within them practical information for staying safe. Again, it’s not about making them fearful; it’s about teaching them common sense when looking to ensure their safety.

Communicating with Strangers at the Door

This is a touchy subject, because on one hand, you never want your kids opening the door for strangers, and on the other hand, you never want the bad guys to think that nobody’s home. Burglars will often disguise themselves as solicitors and go door-to-door looking for vacant homes, or fishing for information about your home security system or daily routine. When it comes to your kids, the best solution is to install a peephole. Your children can always check to see who’s at the door without leaving themselves vulnerable. In the event that one of your kids is home alone, they should always indicate to strangers that a parent is on the phone or in the shower.

What to Do During a Home Invasion

Now for the million-dollar question: what should your child do when the unthinkable happens? Your house is broken into and the burglars are inside. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question because there are many factors that will determine the optimal safety plan:

  • the layout of the house,
  • the number of people who live inside the home, and
  • whether or not you have a home security system in place (just to name a few).

The important thing is that you establish an emergency strategy for such an occasion and make sure that everyone in the house is privy to the plan with plenty of gadgets to grab on out of the toolbox. Give your kids a firm foundation of safety preparedness and you’ll all sleep a little easier at night.

Reference

[1] Ray & Heatherman: What To Do When You Get Into Bicycle Accident
[2] HuskyShepherd: About Pomeranian Husky

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Top 4 Application Development Resources You Can't Miss Out On

The development of applications has several stages, and each stage is important for successful development of an app. When creating an application it is essential to have a good understanding of the process, methodology, tools, and available resources; being aware of the tools and resources available is a key to developing a good and efficient app, and understanding how apps are built.

There are several platforms, such as the waves platform that can help in understanding the resources, and using them to your benefit. There are also guides available for android and iOS app development.

These guides provide details about designing and distribution of the apps, and are able to provide all the fundamentals, including the intents, filters, compatibility of a device, activities, interfaces, and resources.

Here are some of the resources that can help you a lot in app development.

1. Stackoverflow

Stackoverflow is a site that is able to provide answers to all the questions you might have about the development of apps. With the help of this website, you can get help from professionals. The best thing about this platform is that you can get expert perspectives and opinions of your problem, as most of the questions are answered by experts and professionals. You can always review all the answers and implement the best options available to you.

Stackoverflow has a library with detailed answers about different stages of programming and application development.

2. Android Developer’s Blog

If you are developing an app for android devices, then this blog is an excellent resource at your disposal. The content of the blog is written by the employees of Google and is full of useful content.

There is a mixture of technical topics and informational content on this blog, and it is an excellent way of learning about any new developments that are being introduced in operating systems; it shows the developers’ ways of incorporating new features in app development. It also provides inspiration by sharing success stories, as well as providing a lot of information about analytics, new courses, event listings, and more.

3. iOS Dev Weekly

iOS Dev Weekly is an excellent resource for iOS developers. It is another effective resource, as it is a blog that provides all the latest updates about the industry.

You can gain knowledge about every latest development in Apple and operating systems through the blog. New content for this blog is published every Friday, which makes it easy to follow all the new content and take advantage of all the new information.

This blog allows developers to search through the latest tools, marketing, code designing, news articles, and videos. It also helps developers in finding job opportunities, as it lists any available positions that are iOS related.

4. Tuts+

Tuts+ is a website that is full of practical tutorials. There is an extensive range of both written and video tutorials; if you want tutorials about photography, design, illustration, web design, craft, game development, etc., then you will be able to find useful tutorials on this site.

All the tutorials are free, and are extremely useful in learning and polishing creative skills; and, they don’t just include step by step instructions, but also display screenshots to make things easier to understand. It also offers the latest news about the new trends in application development in the code section.

These are some of the resources that are very handy in the development of applications. They offer a better understanding of app development, and make the task easier to accomplish. Any newbie in app development can easily learn and use these app development frameworks to get a good understanding of them, and maybe even become a top developer.

Featured photo credit: startup ideas via alltopstartups.com

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Break into the Fitness Industry and Find the Right Job

The health and fitness industry is booming in the last 5 years close to 2.4% annually. It’s no wonder that more people are trying to get involved in the industry by selling products, opening gyms, or doing personal coaching. The number of people enrolled in fitness programs in college, has grown a lot, too, over the years. It can be hard to make money in this industry because people are always looking for the best coaching, products, and equipment so you must be one of the best in the industry. This doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to be a major player in health and fitness, but it is important to know what’s required so that you have a good start.

A few of my clients are personal trainers whom I met because they needed help marketing their brand. I learned a lot from their experiences and how they started in the field. Here’s some of the advice they provided.

Passion and Fuel

My clients told me that health and fitness needs to be your passion, but that’s not all because you must have fuel (hunger and motivation) to push you through the tough days. Passion is good enough to get you involved and moving in the right direction. However, this industry is tough so you need something to keep pushing you forward when all else fails. You’ll spend long hours training, learning, and building your brand with all of this taking a toll on your mind, body, and emotions. You have to start with a passion but need “fuel” which drives you to keep pushing forward. That level of motivation can be achieved if you want to be the best and want to change the world.

It also helps to have a deeper meaning as to why you’re in this industry. For example, someone close to you got sick, your parents wanted you in this industry, etc.

Consistency and Education

To break into the industry you must have vast knowledge on equipment, fitness programs, nutrition, and supplements. The best way to gain this knowledge is by moving up slowing while simultaneously educating yourself. As you start to work with people and learn about fitness, you’ll educate yourself on the different types of workouts, supplements, and nutrition plans which work better for some than for others. This knowledge is what differentiates you from others in the industry.

Start by working at a gym and teaming up with a mentor so that you can move up at a steady pace. Always work with someone who is better than you are to educate yourself at the same time.

Certification

Let me ask you a question. When you walk into a doctor’s office, what is the first thing you look for? If you answered “certifications” or “degrees”, then you and I have the same mentality. I always look for qualifications because it’s reassuring to know that the person can get the job done right. Therefore, having certifications within your industry will help you find clients because they’ll know you have the knowledge, experience, and expertise to help them achieve their goals. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enter the industry without them, but I would suggest working on becoming qualified as much as possible while gaining experience within a fitness facility. Here are some certifications you should acquire:

  • Fitness certifications
  • Nutrition certifications
  • Personal trainer certifications
  • Specialty credentials

Check out American Fitness to find out what’s available.

Start a Website or Portfolio

The internet has changed the way we apply to jobs and showcase our qualifications. Many of us now have online resumes with the domain registered under our names. For example, www.johndoe.com will lead to your personal website with all your qualifications, clients, quotes, expertise, etc. If you are serious about getting involved in fitness, have a professional set up a website for you showcasing your skills. Get some business cards with your website URL so they can browse to find what they need. Remember, these days everyone has smartphones so they can access your website almost immediately.

Don’t Limit Opportunities

With the right qualifications, you shouldn’t limit yourself to just one location or type of job. Did you know fitness experts make money from coaching, consulting, nutrition, custom products, and even private lessons abroad? For example, Bali weight loss is a website that hires yoga instructors, nutrition coaches, and fitness gurus from all over the world. That’s not all. If you do a quick search in Google, you’ll find a handful of websites abroad looking to hire experts from the United States. The point is that you should not limit yourself to one location and should consider gaining experience somewhere else. With extra experience you’ll have an easier time finding clients closer to home.

Featured photo credit: fitnessbin.com via fitnessbin.com

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Seven Ways Super-Productive People Stay Motivated

It takes discipline and self-awareness to remain motivated day after day, yet super-productive people work towards their goals daily, regardless of the obstacles they face. It’s not as if successful people do not meet challenging situations every now and then. It is just that they’ve learned to embrace them and deal with them accordingly. While it is so easy to procrastinate and make excuses, to attain success you have to learn to push the bar to get those things you desire.

It’s time to get yourself on the right path. Here are seven things super-productive people do to stay focused and motivated.

They plan.

Super-productive people understand the importance of proper planning. When you know the direction your day will take, it is easier to be confident about it and be organized, which makes it easier to accomplish goals. Proper planning allows you to prioritize your task and focus on the more important activities. Eventually you do not have a cluttered day but one that is more purposeful and rewarding.

They engage in positive self-discussion.

You should always try to maintain a positive attitude, and a good tool for doing so is to begin each day with some positive self-talk. Tell yourself things like, “I will have a great day” or “I am an excellent and happy person.” When you leave home with a positive mindset, you’re much more likely to accomplish your goals for the day.

They read and listen to motivational stories.

Listening to negative tales can be depressing. Super-productive people prepare themselves for the day by consuming inspiring stories. This keeps them motivated to become go-getters.

Adam Force founder of Changecreatormag says he reads through Best Quotes of the Day before he sets out on his day’s tasks. Inspiring narratives and quotes help keep super-productive people open to new ideas and developments. It’s up to you to find stories and storytellers who fuel your passion.

They have a support group of positive people.

There is a reason why successful minds seek other successful minds. Think of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, or Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. When you hang out with someone who shares your goals, their energy rubs off on you. Super-productive people usually seek out support groups of like-minded, positive acquaintances, and often reach out to members of their networks.

They take breaks.

People assume great achievements require running on little sleep, but it has been scientifically proven that taking naps helps maintain motivation and mental energy. When you can give the body the needed breaks it deserves, it becomes a vehicle for success.

They track their progress.

It is so easy to charge through life without taking the chance to stop and analyze one’s present situation, and how past decisions have led to it. Super-productive people take time to pause and reflect on what has happened to them and what they have accomplished. They learn from their mistakes as well as their successes.

Tracking your progress can keep you motivated. Taking time to celebrate your successes will help prepare you for the next challenge. While not hitting your goals can be a motivation killer, it is up to you to assess what went wrong if you aren’t meeting your self-expectations.

They follow their passions.

People who pursue their passions know that utilizing strong emotions is the best motivator available. It’s up to you to find an activity that fuels your passion.

Conclusion

It takes time and effort to build healthy habits that will lead to success. The principles of productivity and excelling toward your goals remain the same regardless of your profession or commitments. Be obsessed with your mission and attain more productivity.

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What My Teenage Daughter Taught Me About Simplicity

Mastering the Art of Simplicity

 

My oldest daughter just turned 13 this week, which means my life, as I have known it, has now changed forever. She is no longer Daddy’s little girl and I am completely outmatched.

The tide started to change at about age 11 1/2. I didn’t notice at first. I think a father’s brain (when focused on his daughter ) is always slow to adapt. Up until this point I had been her Superman and I felt it. I am not ashamed to admit that it is a feeling I will miss for the rest of my life.

The changes were slow at first, built up speed, and now I just can’t keep up. We no longer speak the same language. She is much more concerned with her friends, and truth be told, she does not care to spend much time with me. I selfishly long for the days when she was 5 or 6 years old.

I do not blame her for any of these feelings. She is becoming a wonderful young lady, with a stutter step here and there, but doing the best she can.

I am the one who cannot keep up – Do I get any points for at least knowing that?

I want my daughter to grow and experience life, to have an opinion and stand up for her beliefs. I just don’t want that to have anything to do with me. At the same time, I want her to be 5 forever. It feels like a classic tale that I am an unwitting participant in and have absolutely no control over.

Now, I realize that this is a common tale and that the role of Dad is now being played by me but has been shared by all fathers who have come before me. To those who made it out alive, I salute you.

Learning the Power of Simplicity

This is not an article on the dynamics of fathers and daughters. This is about learning to be simple. My daughter just taught me that this week.

Just a few days ago, her boyfriend broke up with her. Now, let’s set aside the fact that her even having a boyfriend is taking years off my life. My job here was to be compassionate. To let her know she should still come to me and we can get through anything together. I have no idea if any of this message gets through, but I try.

She was upset, she cried. Then she taught me a huge lesson on thinking simply. She held my hand, looked into my eyes and said: “Dad, I just want someone who will hold my hand and listen to TwentyOne Pilots with me”

 I have not stopped thinking about what she said since. For the last year I have been thinking of my daughter as a complicated puzzle, one for which I had no instructions. The truth is that she is not nearly as complicated as I thought, At least in this one area, she is thinking simply.

We often speak about motivation but I am starting to wonder if we overcomplicate it. Could we not be more simple?

What is important to you? Take that image and hit it with a tiny mental hammer. Not hard enough to break it, but perhaps hard enough to knock the dust and dirt off. Let’s focus on the core and not the surroundings.

I want you to have a grand goal. I want you to believe that you can achieve anything. But why don’t we get to the core of your dream? What is it that you really want? What is your simple truth?

 When I write, I often write about myself. I do this because I know the subject so well and because I hope I can convince you of this: all the crazy emotions, weird thoughts, and irrational fears that you may have, we all have them.
Is there a handbook on how to get through life? Sure, hundreds. There are religions, societal beliefs, manifestos, and the like. If these help you then I am all in favor. One thing most have in common is to slow down. Become more simple in your thoughts.

We often get in the way of our own happiness by over-complicating the situation. Both the teachings of the west and the east share this idea:

and :

So this is where we are. I as a crazy, heartsick father, lost in the woods of my daughter’s life, will learn from her. I will slow down and get simple. I am not meant to understand her right now, so I will let that go and love her just the same. I will be slow to speak and slow to anger, because the opposite does no one any good. This is what my teenage daughter taught me about simplicity.

She just wants some one to hold hands with. I just want to know my daughter. What is the simple truth of what you want?

Cheers,

GK

Featured photo credit: Alexis Brown via uplash.com

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