Big Words start conversations and open doors to new places.
Author: anwaryusef
Anwar Y. Dunbar is a Regulatory Scientist. Being a naturally curious person, he is also a student of all things. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor’s Degree in General Biology from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Prior to starting the Big Words Blog Site, Anwar published and contributed to numerous research articles in competitive scientific journals reporting on his research from graduate school and postdoctoral years. After falling in love with writing, he contributed to the now defunct Examiner.com, and the Edvocate where he regularly wrote about: Education-related stories/topics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Financial Literacy; as well as conducted interviews with notable individuals such as actor and author Hill Harper. Having many influences, one of his most notable heroes is author, intellectual and speaker, Malcolm Gladwell, author of books including Outliers and David and Goliath.
Anwar has his hands in many, many activities. In addition to writing, Anwar actively mentors youth, works to spread awareness of STEM careers, serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the David M. Brown Arlington Planetarium, serves as Treasurer for the JCSU Washington, DC Alumni Chapter, and is active in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Ministry at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. He also tutors in the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics.
Along with his multi-talented older brother Amahl Dunbar (designer of the Big Words logos, inventor and a plethora of other things), Anwar is a “Fanboy” and really enjoys Science-Fiction and Superhero movies including but not restricted to Captain America Civil War, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Prometheus. He is a proud native of Buffalo, NY.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Many businesses get started but not all of them fly and stand the test of time. The following contributed post is entitled, What Every Business Needs In Order To Breed Success.
Success is what everyone dreams of whenever you begin a business adventure. Some think it’ll come easily and quickly, and others are more realistic. A lot of work has to be done in order to reach the heights, but if you have the enthusiasm, then it won’t feel like a huge amount of work. You’ll hopefully wake up in the morning and be in the mood to get things done if you have the right kind of system and environment.
Every single successful business has the same kind of principles in place. They all work hard and they all work smart. They all have the right kind of setup and they will all know what’s necessary to get to the next level. Here are a few specific points for you to ponder in this regard:
The Right People Who Can All Work Together
It’s not just about having the best staff members in terms of their intelligence or competence. You need to bring in the right people that will get on well with the rest. It’s a team effort and not a group of individuals.
Plans That Are Like Roadmaps For The Company
If your business plan isn’t something that you can follow along with, then something needs to change. While they don’t need to be airtight and fully infallible, they should be caked in detail so that you know exactly what needs to be done at each stage. Amending is necessary a lot of the time as things change.
The Right Equipment And Technology
In this day and age, new tech and equipment are both continually being brought out. Whatever your field, there will be something for you to help you evolve. Relying on human error or old equipment won’t help you out. From Robotunits to the latest project management software, think about upgrading on what you have. It’ll make life so much easier.
A Positive And Charismatic Leadership Team
As the leader, you need to make sure you’re being a great boss and looking after everyone in the workplace. You don’t have to hold their hands with everything, but having a positive impact makes such a big difference. Lead by example and work with individuals, too.
Enough Funds To Keep Things Moving And Evolving
Money generates money. Some companies can continue to live and work well with a very tight budget, but the majority need to have a healthy sum. If you aren’t currently bringing in the money you’d like, then there are plenty of ways to make it happen yourself. Business loans and donations are two very popular means.
Customer Loyalty And Longevity
If you have people that are waiting on your next move and who are going to be there whenever you have work to do, that’s when you know you’re in for a spot of success. If you can’t attract and keep hold of people, then it’s only going to be a short stint. Marketing and customer retention are so important. You have to keep people excited and eager if you want success and longevity.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A start-up is a unique early phase of business. A key to successfully launching it is making your presence known online. The following contributed post is entitled, Making A Splash Online: Tips For Start-Ups.
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Online sales have skyrocketed, and screen time is increasing. For start-ups, there are incredible opportunities to raise brand awareness and create leads online. If you’re launching a new venture, or you’re looking to grow a fledgling business, here are some tips to help your start-up make a splash online.
Take advantage of search engine popularity Google alone now processes more than 60,000 searches per second. More and more of us are using search engines to find businesses and source products. SEO (search engine optimization) and paid ads can help you to capitalize on the reach and popularity of search engines. If you don’t have in-house marketing experts, it’s a great idea to consider outsourcing digital marketing to reap the rewards of targeted marketing campaigns. Spend time researching companies and look for businesses that specialize in the methods or channels that interest you. If you’re looking to drive product sales through searches, for example, it’s wise to work with a Google Ads agency that has an exceptional track record. It is important to note that SEO can be incredibly beneficial even if you don’t sell products or services online. Statistics show that over 80% of consumers who conduct a local search on their smartphones will either visit or contact a store within 24 hours.
Get social Social media is a brilliant platform for start-ups. Social media apps can be great for selling products and promoting brands, but crucially, they also provide amazing opportunities for new businesses to engage and connect with customers. Use social media to communicate with followers and tell them about your brand. Studies show that over 70% of consumers want to buy from brands that align with their values. Showing the human side of the business is beneficial for building strong relationships, encouraging loyalty and showcasing your brand values and identity. Choose social media apps and platforms that are popular among your target audience and tailor content and advertising to ensure that they will resonate with your ideal customer.
Create a fantastic website Many consumers now shop online or use the Internet to find out more about companies and the services or products they offer. Your website can make or break you in terms of converting leads. Think of your homepage as a store window and make sure that your website sells your business in the best possible way. Choose themes, fonts and layouts that will appeal to the target market, make sure the site is easy to use and create mobile-friendly pages. Provide useful information, use images and video clips to make pages more accessible and interesting and try to preempt and answer questions. It’s advantageous to add an FAQ section and to offer responsive customer support options, such as live chat. Test individual pages, include a clear call to action on every page and use high-quality images.
The Internet provides incredible opportunities for start-ups to connect with customers, market and promote products and drive sales. If you are starting out, or you have ambitions to grow a new venture, take these tips on board to make a splash online.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. When you get on the road to starting a business, there are several cliches that you hear. Which ones are valid and false. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Business Success Cliches That Are Absolutely True (And 5 That Definitely Aren’t).
When it comes to business success, there are many tired cringeworthy cliches that get thrown around. It’s hard to take these cliches seriously – however, in many cases there is truth behind these phrases.
Of course, some cliches are a load of nonsense. It’s important to distinguish the good from the bad – which is what this post does. Below are just 5 business cliches that are absolutely true, and 5 that definitely aren’t.
Cliches that are absolutely true…
Honesty is the best policy
Nowadays, consumers are much more adept at detecting the truth. Once people see through the lies, they’ll lose trust. You could end up facing bad reviews and even lawsuits. On top of this, you’ll be battling feelings of guilt and imposter syndrome for lying. Be transparent and truthful whenever you can.
It’s not what you know, it’s who you know
Having knowledge is important in many industries, however having the right connections is the true key to success. With the right people around you to guide you and help you, you can achieve practically anything. The likes of this article about Fundamental Global explain the power of networking. Don’t try to run a business alone.
Teamwork makes the dream work
This relates to the previous cliche. When you have lots of people working together on an idea, you’re more likely to achieve results. A strong team is able to more effectively solve problems and each team member can contribute their own unique strengths. If you’ve got a team of employees, make sure that they’re working together.
Think outside the box
Thinking outside the box is key to good marketing – every company needs a USP to stand out. If you’re just following trends and trying to imitate other businesses, you’re likely to blend in with the surrounding landscape. Only by doing something different will you get consumers to notice you. This post from The Muse offers some inspiration when it comes to thinking outside the box.
Time is money
Being able to do tasks quicker allows you to get more done each day. This in turn allows you to take on more customers and make more money. Always take the time to explore different ways of speeding up tasks whether it be automating them or outsourcing them. This guide explains more about making more money in less time.
Cliches that are absolutely not true…
Fake it until you make it
As mentioned above, ‘honesty is the best policy’. There are times when we all have to blag a little to get results, but you should never have to flat-out lie to succeed.
The early bird catches the worm
Some people do feel more productive in the mornings and there are some industries where getting up early is a necessity (i.e. farming). But in most cases there’s no practical advantage to getting up at the crack of dawn – you’ll just start the day more tired. So long as you’re not sleeping the business day away, it doesn’t matter what time you get up.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it
Waiting for things to break encourages laziness and leads to downtime. It’s better to pre-empt problems and replace equipment and ideas before they become broken.
Do what you love and you’ll never work another day in your life
While it’s recommended that you do a job that you have a passion for, there will always be business admin and small chores to carry out – you’ll still have to do some ‘work’ to succeed.
If you want something done right, do it yourself
There are some tasks that you definitely shouldn’t do yourself. Know your area of expertise and outsource tasks that aren’t within your skillset.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A key aspect to growing and maintaining your business is its branding. What sets your business apart from the others? The following contributed post is entitled, How To Create A Superior Brand Identity.
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When it comes to creating a successful business, having a strong brand identity is essential. This means that your customers know what your company represents and feel an emotional connection to your brand. This blog post will discuss the steps you can take to create a superior brand identity for your company. So if you’re ready to create a memorable brand that stands out from the competition, keep reading!
The first step in creating a superior brand identity is to establish what your company is all about. This means developing a clear and concise mission statement, as well as defining your brand’s core values. Once you have these in place, make sure that they are reflected throughout all aspects of your business, from your marketing materials to your customer service policies.
In order to create a truly superior brand identity, you’ll need to develop a unique branding strategy. This should be based on who you are as a company, what makes you stand out from the competition, and what appeals to your target audience. It’s important to be creative and take risks with your branding strategy; after all, if everyone were doing the same thing, it wouldn’t be very unique!
Once you have your branding strategy in place, it’s important to make sure that all of your marketing materials are consistent with it. This means using the same fonts, colors, and logo throughout your website, brochures, and other promotional materials. By creating a unified brand identity, you’ll help customers instantly recognize your company and what it represents.
#2 Develop your brand’s look and feel (colors, design, etc.)
The next step in creating a superior brand identity is to develop your brand’s look and feel. This includes the fonts, colors, and designs that you use in your marketing materials. It’s important to choose colors and designs that are unique to your company and that reflects its personality. For example, if you want your brand to be seen as modern and cutting-edge, you might want to use sleek fonts and bright colors in your marketing materials.
Your branding should also be consistent with the overall tone of your business. For example, if you’re a serious company with high-quality products, then you’ll want to convey this through your branding. On the other hand, if you’re a fun and playful company, then you’ll want to use lighthearted fonts and colors in your branding.
When you have sorted all aspects of your brand out and you are happy with the overall look and feel of it then you can go one step further. You can place an order for some branded stationery products to be delivered to our workplace. This gives you a chance to kit out all your employee’s desks with state-of-the-art custom printed notebooks. Having stationery and notepads to hand on desks is a great way to ensure productivity and meeting targets as your employees won’t be scurrying around looking for them when they need them.
#3 Create a slogan that encapsulates your brand identity
A strong slogan is an essential part of any brand identity. It should be short, catchy, and memorable, and it should accurately reflect the essence of your company. When creating a slogan, make sure to keep in mind who your target audience is and what you want them to think about your company. For example, if you’re a law firm, you might want to use a slogan like “For legal solutions that work.” Once you have a good slogan, make sure to use it everywhere! Put it on your website, create marketing materials around it like using laser cutting services to go the extra mile, and say it out loud every chance you get.
In conclusion, if you want to create a superior brand identity for your company, follow these simple steps: Establish what your brand is all about, develop your branding strategy, create a look and feel that reflects your brand, and create a slogan that encapsulates its essence. By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to creating a unique brand that stands out from the competition!
A key focus of my blog is Technology. While many users purchase their computers from the store already assembled, some have the skills to build their units. The following contributed post is entitled, Building Your Own Computer From Scratch.
If you have always wanted to build your own computer from scratch, you are certainly not alone. Many people are keen to do this, and there is a good reason why you might want to – after all, it is likely going to result in you having exactly the computer that you would hope to have in your possession, and that can be useful in a lot of situations. So what do you need to do in order to build your own computer? It’s actually easier than you might think. Here are some of the major steps you’ll need to follow.
The Motherboard
One of the most central parts that you will need to think about is the motherboard. This is the main circuit board that all of the other elements will be attached to or be peripherals for, so you need to make sure that it is the right choice. If you are particularly knowledgeable in circuitry, you might be able to create your own using the EDA software (such as the one we link here) and a soldering iron. Otherwise, it’s just a case of grabbing one that will suit your needs, taking on board whether it fits with your choice of CPU.
The CPU
Speaking of which, the CPU might often actually be your very first choice, as you need to make sure that the motherboard will fit in. Choosing a CPU is generally a simple case of knowing what your needs are going to be, and finding one that is sufficient. If you wanted to build the most powerful computer you could, you’d simply go for the most powerful CPU you can afford, but in reality that’s not always the goal. So make your choice, install it – and remember the CPU cooler as well, otherwise it may melt through continued usage.
RAM
RAM memory is the memory that your computer uses in order to be able to process basic tasks. Essentially, it temporarily stores data so that it can perform tasks – which means that, the more RAM you have, the quicker your machine will be able to perform those tasks. You should basically aim to install as much RAM as you can, and you will be limited here by how many RAM slots there are on your motherboard. However, you can generally hope to install a fair few GBs this way, which should be sufficient for everyone’s needs.
Power Supply
Next up is the power supply. This has a lot of cables and connectors, as well as a fan, and it can therefore look daunting at first, especially to the newbie. But with the right power supply in place, you are going to find that the whole machine works much more effectively, so it’s important that you are choosing the right one – and installing it correctly.
After that, it’s all about the other peripherals, such as a graphics card and sound card, should you want them. Of course, you’ll also need a hard drive as well, so make sure to choose an appropriate one.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Once you start a business, it’s either going to grow and sustain itself or it will fail. There are indicators though that it is or will thrive. The following contributed post is entitled, Sure Signs You Are Leading Your Business Right.
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Leadership is one of the most important aspects to running any business. If there is strong leadership, and it is effective, then the goals and aims of the company are that much more likely to succeed. Not only that, but the customers are going to be happier, products will fill the shelves more easily, and so many other benefits besides. So how can you know whether a business is being led right? Here are some of the very clear signs that you are leading your business in the right manner.
You need to have not only daily goals to follow, but also more long-term achievements which you can be happy with too. In fact, what you will find is that if you are properly focusing on one, the other will soon and swiftly follow. So it’s important that your daily goals are relevant and that you work hard towards them, while also ensuring that these are designed in such a way to lead to more long-term achievements. If you can do that, it’s a sure sign that you are leading your business in exactly the way you should for its future success.
Your Idols Would Be Proud
Most of us have one or two professional leaders whom we look up to, and whom we would like to be like. If you have someone in mind who fits this category, then you might want to think about what they would say of how you run your business. It is a good idea to carry out deeper research on them. For instance, see this link here for advice from Tim Cook. If you know for certain that they would be proud, then you are moving in the right direction. If not, or if there is any doubt, you might want to think about what you’ll need to change.
The Business Is Growing
For most entrepreneurs, growth is the be-all and end-all. As long as the business is getting bigger and you are able to upscale as much as you want to, this is a sure sign that you are getting all you need out of it, and this must be because you are leading it in the best way possible. If it is not growing, but instead seems to be staying still, then you might want to go back to the drawing board and see what might need to be done differently.
It is not always easy to know exactly what your people think of you, but if you can get an honest opinion from a good percentage of them, then this is going to be really useful information and an insight into whether or not you are leading your business in the best possible way. The best way to find this out is with the use of an anonymous form, so people feel free to speak up about any grievances and be more honest with you. This is really useful data to have, so don’t shy away from it.
Two focuses of my blog is Organizational/Management and Workplace Discussions. Once you get into management, you path is not complete. It takes a specific set of skills to be a great boss. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Top Ways You Can Become A Great Boss.
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When you are running a business it can be hard work and a lot of stress. One thing you have to be careful with is treating your employees like human beings, not machines. A lot of bosses and managers take the biscuit with their employees and show no consideration for their health and wellbeing. Being a great boss means looking after your employees and treating them with the respect they deserve. Take a look below for some tips on how to be a great boss.
Nobody wants to work for a boss who is horrible, defensive, and who doesn’t listen. This will cause your employees to find work elsewhere. Being a great boss consists of listening to your employees and treating them as individuals. If you are a nice boss then you are more likely to keep your workers for a long time as they will be happy coming to work. They will also be less likely to suffer mental health conditions associated with working.
If there are issues that arise in the workplace then your employees need to know that they can come and talk to you about it. They need to feel reassured that you have listened to them and heard them. Be an active listener, stop whatever it is you are doing, and encourage them to talk to you. If the problem happens to be something in the workplace then they need to know that you will do your very best to handle it.
Unfortunately, workplace bullying and harassment still happen and you need to have a zero-tolerance policy to this that everyone is aware of.
Offer Rewards
When an employee does something amazing you should reward them for it to show your appreciation. This not only gives the employee a boost in confidence and pride, but it will also give them the motivation to carry on. Rewards can be anything from a yearly bonus to extra days off throughout the year. You could even offer both for outstanding employees. It is whatever works best for your business. Something that is quite commonly offered on birthdays and holidays is a gift voucher of some sort, which might be something for you to look into.
Climbing The Ladder
In order to get ahead in the world of business and managing a team, it is well worth looking into applying for Six Sigma Certification Online. This is a leadership and management course and comes in varying colors, all the way from white to black.
As you are doing your training and furthering your own career and personal development you should offer the same to your employees. People do not want to be stuck in a dead-end job with no opportunities of climbing the career ladder. If this happens you will find that a lot of your employees leave after a certain time. They want to feel challenged and appreciated, so offer them promotions and training from time to time to further their development and job opportunities.
We hope you found this article helpful and it gives you some useful advice on how to be a great boss.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A key running a successful business is its organization and maintaining some semblance of order and logic. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Organization Tips Your Small Business Needs.
If you’re wanting to ensure your business’s success, then it’s best to understand that organization is key. You want to be organized and stay organized in what you’re doing. There is something so refreshing about keeping organized anyways. Just having your workspace neat and tidy, knowing where everything is on your computer, and knowing where to find all those important files. In general, being organized will save you from dealing with massive amounts of stress. It’s also going to save you from taking time out of your day or even your teammate’s days from having to look for something. If you’re wanting to get your business to become far more organized then these tips can help you out!
Create a to-do list the day before
Whether you’re working alone or you have a whole team, this is going to help a lot. Going into work with a plan is going to make the day go by much more seamlessly. Plus, the to-do list is the universal language of business organization anyways. Try to get everyone on your team to create a to-do list every day and to follow along with that to-do list. Just jotting these things down whether it be improving your content, going to a meeting, or anything else should all be included. Even if you have the same tasks that you do every day, you can add some smaller, more unusual tasks to your to-do list as well.
Look into helpful software or other tools
Sometimes all it really takes for getting more organized can be as simple as getting the right tools. Nowadays, there is software out on the market that can do a number of things and that even includes getting a whole company to be more neat and organized. Technology has truly advanced and is making business-goers’ lives a little easier. One thing to look into could be equipment lifecycle management as this could help if your business is in the medical field. In general, using helpful management tools is not only more eco-friendly as you’re not using paper, but they can help out a lot as well with keeping the team organized.
Respond to emails as soon as you open them up
There’s no doubt about it that one of the most dreadful parts of a workday would be replying back to emails. There’s something about emails that really pushes people into being a bit scattered brain as well. While emails aren’t fun to do, you’re far better off with responding to messages sooner rather than later. If you push them off to a later time then there is always the chance of forgetting. So the best course of action would be to respond as soon as you open up the email.
Consider automation
Automation has been making work go a lot easier for business owners. There are a variety of tasks that can be done thanks to automation. A great example would be apps such as Calendly which automate meeting schedules without the whole back-and-forth appointment. Some other great examples would be for marketers out there, as social media content can be scheduled with tools such as Hootsuite.
Two focuses of my blog are Creating Ecosystems of Success and Health/Wellness. One of the things that successful people do is consistently build better habits. The following guest post is entitled, The Art of Building Better Habits.
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Building better habits isn’t a science; it’s an art because everyone builds habits differently than the other. While building habits can benefit anyone, you should also aim to ditch bad habits. Starting good habits takes practice and patience with yourself. It’s not something that can happen overnight. Keep reading if you’re ready to change your life; in this article, we’ll discuss how you can start building better habits today.
Building Better Habits
Our habits define who we are and what we do. Ditching old habits and getting new ones is easier said than done. Ultimately, your habits can impact your health and happiness, so it’s never a bad time to start taking a deep look at your daily habits and determine which ones are doing you more harm than good. Here’s how you can start building better habits today.
Start Easy
There’s no reason to start off building a new habit that will be difficult for you to maintain. Instead, you should start with a habit that’s easy and simple so you can remember doing it every day. Because the most important thing you can do is stay consistent, you should start with something you can easily sustain. Your first habit should be straightforward so you know you can do it. For example, if you want to start working out more, you can make a goal to exercise for just 5 minutes a day.
Starting small gives you the ability to pick up the intensity level once your habit becomes a part of your daily routine. For example, if you want to build a better skincare routine, you can put on one moisturizer at night. After you’ve succeeded at that for a few weeks, you can start building onto your routine by adding other skincare products. By proving to yourself you can stick to a small habit, you can start to build confidence knowing you can make better choices in the future.
Understand Current Habits
Part of building better habits is understanding your current habits, especially the unhealthy ones. Let’s say that instead of working out like you know you should, you sit on the couch and watch television for a few hours after work. If this sounds like you, consider why you’d rather sit on the couch than exercise. Then, break down the habit of exercising. You might realize it’s not the habit of exercising itself that holds you back; instead, it’s the hassle of having to shower for the second time in a day. In this case, you’ve found out the reason you don’t have an exercise habit is that you don’t want to shower in the morning and at night.
Knowing this, you can think about ways to make exercising easier and eliminate what’s holding you back. In this instance, you might realize it will be less of a hassle to work out in the morning and shower before work so you can still enjoy leisure time at night.
Of course, it’s always best to start small. If you decide to start exercising in the morning, set your alarm earlier to ensure you have enough time to make it to the gym. You also shouldn’t expect yourself to be able to complete a 30-minute workout. Instead, consider the first tip and start with just a few minutes of exercise a day until you get the hang of it. It’s also a good idea to find a role model who you can look up to and get inspiration from – someone like Kevin Morgan is an excellent choice, when you consider how he’s a mentor for those who need a little extra help, as well as an elite athlete himself.
Breaking down habits can work for building just about any good habit. For example, if you want to live more sustainably, you can try to recycle one thing in your home a day until you can build on that and train your brain to recycle without thinking about it.
Plan for Failure
If you make a plan and fail to stick to it, it’s okay. Failure is inevitable when you’re trying to build better habits, especially if you’ve had the same habits for years. It’s important to learn not to feel guilty when you don’t follow through with a new habit every day. For example, if you wanted to do yoga in the morning before work and sleep in one day, instead of feeling guilty, you should recognize that your body and mind may have needed a few extra minutes of sleep more than a few minutes of yoga.
By not judging yourself, you can focus on a new plan for how to get back into a healthy habit as quickly as possible after breaking it. Having a backup plan doesn’t prevent failure, but it can help you get back on track. Here are some ideas for your plan:
● Set schedules ● Reward yourself for success ● Never punish yourself for failure
Replace Bad Habits
Instead of simply getting rid of bad habits, consider replacing them with good ones so you won’t feel like you’re missing something. For example, people who quit smoking typically find another activity, such as chewing gum, to help them stop thinking about wanting to smoke. Removing something negative and replacing it with something positive can keep you on the right track while motivating you to make healthier choices.
Know Your Triggers
If you’re trying to stop a bad habit, then you’ll need to understand what triggers your bad habits. For example, if you’re on a diet and want to stop eating junk food, it’s best to avoid stressful situations. Of course, you can’t prevent a stressful day of work, but you can understand that work might be a trigger for you so you can come up with ways to deal with the trigger, such as meditation or an adult coloring book to stimulate your creativity and reduce stress.
Celebrate Success
Rewarding yourself is one of the best ways to keep up with your good habits. You should reward yourself for any good habit you’re able to sustain. For example, if you want to start working out every day, reward yourself after the first two weeks with something you enjoy. Of course, it’s always best to keep your rewards in check. For example, if your habits revolve around your health, it might not be best to reward yourself with chocolate cake right away.
Marné Amoguis
Marné Amoguis holds a B.A. in International Business from UC San Diego. She is a contributing writer at 365businesstips.com where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing. Outside of writing, she loves traveling, playing music, and hiking.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. In current times, it’s not practical to do everything in person. Likewise, many tasks can be done virtually. Real estate is no different. The following guest post is entitled, Creating an Engaging Real Estate Virtual Tour.
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The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the significance of adding virtual tours of real estate properties for sale or rent. One statistic revealed that they can generate up to 5 million visits a day. These tools can influence the real estate market, provide leads, and boost transaction dollars.
But here’s the problem: almost all real estate websites these days use virtual tours. How do you make yours stand out? Here are the tips you need:
1. Use 2D and 3D
Some virtual tours are simply flat images/photos of rooms interested buyers can view from various angles. These kinds of tours are acceptable, but why settle for them when you can use 2D and 3D?
2D virtual tours run by still photos shot from various angles. Some are set on a virtual “turntable” that allows you to “spin” the image around for an all-around view. 3D virtual tours, however, are far more interesting and engaging. Professionals use special software with CAD-like capabilities to produce highly accurate digital renderings of rooms. Buyers can virtually “walk” through a space and look at everything from every angle-even look under countertops.
2. Elevate with AR and VR
You can also add even more dimension to your virtual tours with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Using augmented reality art adds a layer of digital information on top of a photo. You can use it to show the room in various phases-place furniture where you’d like it in your own space-or show the room in the evening with lights on.
Virtual reality takes AR to the next level. Users experience an immersive 3D world that feels entirely realistic. You can use this technology for things like helping buyers imagine themselves in a space or even showing off the interiors of a building even before builders complete it.
Real estate companies are less likely capable of making 2D and AR virtual tours, but they can hire experts to produce the videos they need.
3. Incorporate Social Media
Consider incorporating social media platforms to increase the reach of your virtual tours. This is a good strategy for getting more engagement for any digital content-including video-you create. After all, Facebook has made it easier and easier for people to share videos.
You can also leverage social media with these ideas:
• Enable users to share your virtual tours on their social media accounts. • Use hashtags in your descriptions and the photo filenames themselves. • Add a link to the tour in your email signature. • Add a note about driving traffic to your site where they can view it.
4. Complement Your Virtual Tours with a Concise Property Description
Remember, your virtual tours aren’t the only content you’ll want to include on your property listings. You should give potential buyers or tenants a quick and engaging rundown of what your place is all about.
Give them specifics about location, amenities, and anything else that will help them make a decision. In fact, many real estate professionals add “quick facts” to their listings.
You can also add the following:
• A Google map of the location • A short bio or company information about the developer • A list of comparable properties
5. Use Virtual Tour Videos and Images on Blogs and YouTube
Contrary to what many believe, blogs are not dead. Real estate agents and brokers can still use them to drive traffic and sell properties. But you need to elevate your content using virtual tours.
You can find dozens of blog post ideas about using visual content. But here are a few effective ways you can use virtual tour images and videos on your blogs:
• Feature different rooms in the home or building. For example, you can do this by using 360° photos that readers can pan around. If you have AR or VR tours available, you can use those images to show readers how things will look in their spaces. • Add a caption for each image and video to provide additional details. • Incorporate-or encourage readers to contribute-their photos and videos of the property as well as any other memories they may have of it. • Comment on what buyers love about the place and why they’re sad to see it go.
Meanwhile, a joint study between the National Association of Realtors(NAR) and Google revealed that YouTube is the primary research destination for home shoppers. Creating a YouTube channel using virtual tours can help you reach more prospective buyers.
Virtual tours are more than just photos. They’re an effective way to get buyers excited about a property, whether it’s for sale or already their own. If you haven’t considered using them yet, now is the time to start.
