Be Different or be dead

January 25, 2019

The one simple thing you can do to get your dream job

The one simple thing you can do to get your dream job.

Do you find it suspicious that there’s one critical thing you can do to succeed in work and life?
Well, if so, you haven’t been taking your education seriously.

That’s correct – while things such as knowing the right people, or being in the right place at the right time can help you advance your career, there’s one factor that trumps them all and is the basis without which you can never get where you genuinely want to — education.

It can be underestimated these days, but the truth is, it’s an essential step you need to take to build a career, reach your career goals and develop as a person.

If you feel you lack education, please don’t! It’s never late to learn!

Nowadays, especially in countries such as Australia or the U.S., and not to mention the online world, we have the resources to never to stop learning and growing.

Develop your mind and devote the next year to education — here’s why.

To get knowledge

This one is fairly obvious. One of the main reasons why people get an education is the knowledge it offers them.
This knowledge can be both practical and factual – so not only will you know the why and the how, it will also enable you to work better in your current role and any roles you hope to get in the future.

This reason is strong enough to apply whether you are looking into a career change and starting in a new field from scratch, or just strengthening your skill set.

Always be aware of it, and never stop learning. The world is developing at such an intense pace today, and there’s always more to learn.

Keep up, and you’ll reach the top easier, and stay there as well.

To boost your confidence

Frankly, apart from the actual knowledge, a degree or certificate is another important tangible outcome we get when we enrol in any studies at any level.

And while the “piece of paper” is important evidence of completing your educational goals, the sense of accomplishment you get when you’re done is just as important.

Maybe you worked really hard to get it, or you never really thought you would succeed in getting one in this particular field, but seeing it with your name on it will prove you that all the work was worth it.

A degree is just a symbol of everything education will give you: knowledge, skills, experience, additional skills in communication.

No wonder getting a degree will work wonders for your confidence. Late nights of studying and doing poorly on a test will test it, but actually finishing what you started will make you feel like you’re on top of the world.

To invest in yourself

There’s no better investment than an investment you make in yourself. What you will get in material terms is temporary – one day it can be there, the next it can disappear.

We’ve witnessed economic crises and natural disasters, so one can never be too sure about your belongings. But what you add to your mind stays with you forever, and yes, it can always be a tool to make something material.

Whatever stage you are at life, if you’re not too happy about where you’re heading professionally, make a turn. Enrol a master’s course in a field you’re passionate about, even part-time if it’s easier.

It can also be a great opportunity to travel and meet new people, so maybe think about taking a course at Perth College of Beauty Therapy, or any other institution that accepts international students. Or find a class online if no university near you offers one on a topic you’re interested in.

The world really is your oyster, and whatever you get in terms of knowledge, will stay with you forever.

To grow your social network

Remember how easy it was to make friends and have lots of acquaintances when we were in school? It’s only partially because we were young and didn’t have elaborate criteria for friends.

The major reason is simple: we were with people every day! They were all at our disposal every day for 5-6 hours.

So if you feel that you’ve ended up in a rut because you only see your 3 colleagues every day and the occasional person in the gym, furthering your education will also help you meet new people.

They don’t have to turn into best friends for life (though it’s possible), but you have at least one thing in common already: an interest in the topic you’re studying!

Growing your social network is never a bad thing – who knows who you might meet through your new colleagues and how that might shape your prospective career!

If you’re looking for a career change or want to push your existing career in the right direction, find a course that might help you. It may be hard at times, but overall, it can be the best decision you will make for yourself.

Good luck!

— Leila Dorari is an entrepreneur, self-development ambassador and an avid dog lover. She believes all people are born equal but only those dedicated and brave enough to work on themselves reach their full potential.

• Posted 1.25.19 at 04:42 am by Roy Osing
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January 4, 2019

5 easy ways you can be insanely more hireable

5 easy ways you can be insanely more hireable.

It’s a tough job market out there. You need to stand out from all other candidates in order to get hired and to do that, you will not only need skills, you will also have to be passionate and dedicated to attract employers.

And you will need to be eager to learn more.

However, sometimes the competition is so fierce that you simply have to take your odds from good to great. Some improvements may take some time, while others you can obtain fast, but nonetheless, they are all a contributing factor to your future employment.

To succeed, you need to use some of the following ultimate ways to educate yourself in order to be more hireable in the job market of the 21st century.

Become a storyteller

Employers are interested in your college education, high school, and other accomplishments. Those will determine if you fit the requirements for the job so they don’t waste time interviewing unqualified persons.
But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to be creative and leave a positive impression from the first communication you have with the prospective employer.

Since you should keep the resume professional, concentrate on a motivation letter in order to make your voice unique. Do some research about the employer and tell them a story of why you are the best candidate for the job.
Essentially, you have to become a storyteller and describe yourself professionally and personally in an interesting and charming kind of way.

Add value before you’re hired or interviewed

Adding value to your resume doesn’t end when you fill in all the necessary fields. Once you have all the facts in front of you, it is time to tailor your resume for every job ad you apply to.
Omit the facts that are unimportant for certain employer and thus highlight the values that matter.

To do this, you have to prepare a new resume for each employer and make certain qualities and experience stand out. Ask yourself what is the best you can offer to the employer and let that be the center of your resume with appropriate evidence.

Employers like to see resumes specifically made for them since that shows them you are truly interested in their job offer.

Find a mentor or a partner

Instead of doing it all alone, find a mentor or a partner to learn more about the job you are applying to.
This is actually an effective solution for those who need to know more details about what to expect from the future job position. Ask a friend or search your social media for people who have some expertise in the matter and can explain some things to you.

LinkedIn, forums, Reddit and other online communities can offer valuable insights and also help you broaden your network. If you know someone who works at the employer who posted the ad, see if they are willing to tell you more about the conditions and what the job entails.
Everything is easier with a mentor or a partner, so don’t be shy and ask for help in order to prepare for the job interview.

Dig into available resources

There is always an opportunity to learn new skills and expand your knowledge. If you are a foreigner looking for a job abroad, attending an English college, for example, would get your proficiency in the language.
In case you want to broaden your knowledge of Microsoft Office, a certificate that states you completed a course would certainly improve your chances to get the job.

However, it’s important to stay focused when it comes to acquiring certificates and attending courses. If you start randomly obtaining certificates, the employer may see you as too scattered and someone without a goal.
And when it comes to hiring, employers want a person that is dependable and resolute, not undecided what they want to be.

Do the research

Research is a crucial way to educate yourself and be more hireable in the 21st century when basically everything is available on social media.

Start off by doing the research about the employer and the person who will perform the interviews. That way you can find out what approach to take, how to dress and how to make yourself more interesting and appealing during the job interview.

Then, do the research about the job position the employer is offering even though it may sound familiar enough. The same job title at different companies may include various obligations and this where research would be of great help.

By knowing these facts you would be able to better understand what the job requires and tell the employer why you can do it successfully.

In the end

In order to be hireable in the 21st century, you can’t be lazy and simply apply wherever you can. Clean your social media accounts and tailor the resume specifically for every job offer you apply to. That way you will highlight your qualities and help employers see that you would be a great addition to the team.

— Leila Dorari is an entrepreneur, self-development ambassador and an avid dog lover. She believes all people are born equal but only those dedicated and brave enough to work on themselves reach their full potential.

• Posted 1.4.19 at 04:03 am by Roy Osing
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December 21, 2018

How power words can be used to communicate better than anyone else

Source

How power words can be used to communicate better than anyone else.

Word are persuasive. They can cajole, convince, and compel people to act.

They are the backbone of successful marketing. Selecting the right words that resonate with your audience can be an arcane art — but it doesn’t have to be.

By choosing power words that impact your customers’ emotions, you can lift your copy to dizzy new heights. Here’s how.

Recommended reading: If you can’t reason with people attack their heart.

The psychology behind words

As humans, we are unconsciously predisposed to act on words that convey emotions: fear, uncertainty, pleasure, desire, and so on. The words you use tap into unconscious emotions, which in turn compel your audience to act.

For instance, if you ask your friend to call you, you could expect a call tomorrow, the day after, or in a week’s time. But ask your friend to call you now, and you can expect a call instantly.

These words are known as power words, words that elicit a strong emotional response. This could be a positive one, such as happiness or excitement. But it could equally be a negative response, such as fear or anger.

Emotional states can be leveraged to compel people to act, with each emotion driving your own desired outcome.

Take your blog, for example. Your headline is the most crucial element in urging readers to click through and read.

And when readers see dozens of headlines everyday as they trawl the web, power words make yours stand out. “7 Tips For Writing Better Blog Posts” is fine. But “7 Secret Tips For Writing Inspiring Blog Posts” has that little extra pizzazz that makes it shine.

Different power words will evoke different emotional states that will compel the audience not just to click on your blog post, but to dig deeper into what the blog says.

But it’s not just clicks and views that you can get with power words. Ecommerce stores too can benefit from power word-laden product description that drive sales and boost profits.

Consider chocolate stores for example. Confectionery especially lends itself to sensual, powerful words such as “gooey” or “gourmet”, which evokes the senses and makes the customer’s mouth water.

So using power words in your product descriptions don’t just help you sell products — they even help you sell your business itself, giving it deeper intrinsic value.

Exclusivity is everything

I don’t need to tell you that temptation is a powerful thing. Power words that tease with the promise of value or reward are irresistible to your audience.

Some examples include:

Banned
Secret
Elite
What They Don’t Want You to Know
Controversial
Behind the Scenes
Insider
Forbidden
Confidential

Each of the above evokes feelings of intrigue and desire in the reader.

“Controversial” in particular is used regularly by gossip magazines to compel the reader to read on. It promises scandal and shock, urging people to buy their publications for more of the same.

Look at the example from Vogue below:

Source: Vogue

The use of “controversy” and “reveal” tantalize the reader, offering a glimpse into something no-one else has seen. Of course, this isn’t the case, but by using these power words, Vogue urges the reader to click through and read each piece.

Takeaway tip: your makeup tutorial isn’t just a makeup tutorial. It’s an “elite makeup tutorial from industry insiders”. Add value to your content by giving it exclusivity and tempting your audience into reading on.

The art of anticipation

Inspiring words can be that one thing that drives someone to do something to better themselves or lend a helping hand.

There will always be difficulties in life, but those problems are not what controls us as individuals or the world. These words can make your readers feel the same way.

Some examples of words that inspire and encourage include:

Hope
Passionate
Sensational
Courage
Bravery
Caring
Sacrifice (in the proper context)
Triumph

These words speak to our desire to better ourselves, to lift ourselves out of our current situation and into something better. By articulating these words, you stir these same emotions in your reader.

Takeaway tip: rather than selecting “useful writing quotes”, provide “inspiring writing quotes that will galvanize your writing today”.

The power of “free”

Nothing compels action more than the offer of something for nothing. Whether it’s a free product or a discount code, we can’t get enough of freebies.

Everyone could use a little more money, and even those rare few who don’t feel that way still take their finances seriously.

Giving people easy ways to earn or save money is a great way to build a readership. And it’s perfect for sales too. Adding a freebie or discount to a purchase will drive sales and engagement with ease.

Add these words to your website, online store, or blog:

Free
Savings
Jackpot
Rewards
Dollars
Sell
Sale
Discount
Fortune
Double
Triple
Gift
Increase
Gains
More

Takeaway tip: the words above are perfect for building email lists or boosting clicks. Offer a free downloadable ebook (in return for signing up) or the promise of increasing their sales (when they read your guide) to enhance your blog.

Fear is a powerful thing

Making people afraid will get their attention. We see this in the news all the time, as stories get conflated to apocalyptic proportions on a daily basis.

Sometimes, like with severe weather, this sort of fear-mongering is necessary to get people to listen and possibly save their own lives. Other times, it’s used to trick us into buying unnecessary amounts antibacterial soap.

Still, if you’re going to do it, here are some scary words.

Abuse
Prison
Debt
Terrorist
Risky
Assault
Crime
Victim
Toxic
Infectious
Nightmare
Lawsuit

Takeaway tip: while fear power words have their place, use them sparingly. Excessive usage will ultimately repel your readers rather than compel.

Your blog’s audience are people, and while people in any given demographic can have similarities, they are individuals. Words used in one way will have a different effect on different audiences.

Pay attention to which words and phrases get the most engagement and reaction from your readers, and use them accordingly.

— Victoria Greene is a freelance writer and brand consultant. She writes over at VictoriaEcommerce. Here, she likes to share tips for wannabe thought leaders looking to make an impact online.

• Posted 12.21.18 at 03:14 am by Roy Osing
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December 19, 2018

4 silent killer marketing strategies for new age small businesses

4 silent killer marketing strategies for new age small businesses.

For any small business today, gaining the advantage over your competition can be tough work.

The sheer scale of competition which exists is quite hard to get over, in any industry. Even the smallest of towns is likely to have at least one competitor waiting for you.

For that reason, getting your marketing strategy just right is so important.

Not sure how to beat the competition as a small business with a limited scope and budget?

Here are some good ideas. Use these, and you can very quickly make a telling impact on your visibility.

Get set up on Google My Business

As the most popular search engine by far, Google is where most of your resources should be going. Google My Business is very important as it
— adds credibility to your business and
— boosts visibility on searches.

It should be a major part of your small/local business advertising strategy. You will soon find that using a tool like GMB works as it allows you to easily rank higher simply by filling in the profile. If you really want to make big gains with GMB, then hiring a social media marketing manager makes a lot of sense.

Simply showing yourself as a professional who has his/her own GMB page, though, will make you seem much more approachable and professional. For that reason, it’s worth trying out.

Optimized correctly, GMB could help you to bring in a huge amount of organic visibility.

Make use of social media

Secondly, make as much use of social media as you can.

With billions of users across platforms like Facebook, you can easily run cost-effective advertising campaigns with huge reach and immense potential.

I recommend that you work with a social media marketing advertising expert to help you get the ads right, though. While they are cost-effective, like any other kind of advertising you will burn through a lot of money if you aren’t sure what you are doing.

However, the ease of ad testing and multiple A/B testing solutions makes it easy for you to find a winning, profitable ad without breaking the bank.

As far as paid-for advertising for small businesses goes, making use of social media is a winner. Don’t try and push forward without a consultation, though, as it’s easy to waste resources without a clear marketing plan in place.

Run a webinar

How often do you find yourself answering the same old questions to customers? Do you wish that you could make it easy to point them to an easily understood, relatively short but fully detailed answer?

Then do a webinar.

These can be easily hosted on live streaming platforms like YouTube, and can make it easy to answer common questions and complaints in your industry. You could use your webinar to help answers common questions, go into detail about an upcoming industry change or simply ask for some feedback from those who are present.

Either way, running a webinar makes a lot of sense as it allows you to showcase your authority and give people information for free. People love value, especially from a small business. With a webinar, you answer questions for them, you give them valuable information (for free) and you prove your expertise.

Awesome, right?

Write an article (or articles)

Want some exposure that will only take you some time to put together? Then write an article. You could send it to local media or local/niche blogs that fits with your business. You can make it easy to get a lot of exposure in a short and simple amount of time – all simply by using your expertise and knowledge.

If you are a good writer, then you can do this yourself and just spend some time writing. If you are not a good writer, then jot down a series of popular and important points and hire a freelancer.

I recommend that you write up a few pieces you can offer to sites right away (though only give one article per website: never send the same piece to two sites unless one rejects it) so that they can see what you are made of as a writer.

Doing this, you can easily boost exposure with people who are interested in what you have to say. You can also make it easier for your business to be seen and for your reputation to grow. You are giving people free advice and information – it’s only natural they’ll be curious to see what else you have to offer.

For any small business wishing to get ahead of the chasing pack, these conventional ideas should make that easy.

Small business marketing does not have to be complex or taxing: simply thinking a little outside the box, or using inside-the-box methods well, can make a huge difference.

So, where will you start?

— David Guetta is a entrepreneur and freelance writer. He works closely with B2B businesses providing marketing, business, technology, content that gains social media attention and increases their search engine visibility.

• Posted 12.19.18 at 04:03 am by Roy Osing
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