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It’s Poppin’ Off! The 5-Minute Guide to Event Marketing

It's Poppin' Off! The 5-Minute Guide to Event Marketing


It’s Poppin’ Off! The 5-Minute Guide to Event Marketing

If you’re looking for new ways to reach your customers, you have to think beyond commercials and TV spots. Think experiential marketing, which goes beyond advertising a product.

With experiential marketing, the focus is on delivering unique experiences that engage consumers. A live event that boosts your brand’s fun image, for example, is a great way to do experiential marketing.

But before you hold a concert or a workshop, you need to know the basics of event marketing and promotion. Here, we’ll discuss in detail the things you need to pull off a successful marketing event.

Event Marketing Must-Have: A Plan

You wouldn’t think about launching an online marketing campaign without a plan. The same applies to events. If you want your event to go well, you need to have a plan that details your ideas, strategies, and promotion tactics.

To create your event marketing plan, first, set your goals and budget. And then identify where you will hold the event. Are you going to offer the event online, offline, or both? 

Of course, your plan should also define your target audience and how your event is going to benefit them. Once you’re clear on the why and for whom you’re doing this event for, you can begin refining your plan.

Fine-Tuning Your Plan with the Right Strategies

Your event marketing ideas are no good if you don’t pair them with the right strategies. You know your target audience. But do you know where to find them and how to get them to attend your event? 

And if you try to entice them to check out your event, how will you convince them that yours is better than the ones your competitors offer? What is so awesome about your brand that will make potential customers flock to it? 

You’ll also have to figure out your pricing and sales strategies. Will you give out discounts for those who buy their tickets early? Are you going to give out freebies with every ticket bought? 

Where you’ll sell the tickets and how you’ll handle refunds and complaints should also be part of your overall strategy.

Executing Your Event Marketing Plan

Depending on the scale of your event, you could hold it yourself or work with an industry expert. For example, if you’re staging a concert, you might want to work with a company like King Sixteen, whose expertise involves booking bands. 

It’s also at this stage where you’ll work the marketing channels best suited for promotion before, during, and after the event. Email, social media, digital ads, and a series of blog posts are great options for pre-event marketing.

During the event, you can go for digital signage or print ads. You could also use live videos to stream portions of your event.

Of course, you can’t forget about post-event evaluations, which could mean sending out surveys or newsletters. What you’ll do after the event is just as important. You want to keep your brand fresh in the minds of those who attended and make others curious about checking your future events. 

Ready to Promote Your Event? 

Now that you know the basics of event marketing, you can start drafting your event marketing plan. Make sure to be as detailed as possible with your event promotion ideas and strategies. 

To execute the plan, assign each marketing channel to a member of your marketing team. Or if it’s a big-scale event, think about working with an experienced agency.

For more articles on marketing events, you can check out our posts on marketing/promotion with t-shirts and face-to-face marketing strategies.

Health

Helpful Hormones: The Ultimate Guide to Hormone Therapy for Men

Helpful Hormones: The Ultimate Guide to Hormone Therapy for Men


Helpful Hormones: The Ultimate Guide to Hormone Therapy for Men

As men and women age, we start losing vital hormones. For women, they start losing estrogen around 50, or when menopause begins. 

For men, it starts much earlier. Around 30 years old, men’s testosterone production slows down. 

Both men and women often turn to hormone replacement therapy to combat the loss. However, there’s some debate about whether HRT is worth the risks.

In this guide, we’re going over what you need to know about hormone therapy for men.

What Are Signs of Low Testosterone?

Losing testosterone is a normal part of aging. But for some men, they lose it faster or in larger amounts than others.

Others suffer from hypogonadism. This is a condition where sex glands don’t produce the correct hormonal levels — or any at all. It’s also referred to as “gonad deficiency,” “low serum testosterone,” or “andropause.”

This affects them from a physical, mental, and sexual standpoint. The dangerous signs of “low T” in men are:

Physical

  • Declining muscle and bone mass 
  • Fatigue
  • Hot flashes
  • Increased body fat
  • Swollen breasts

Mental

  • Depression
  • Low self-esteem/confidence
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Trouble sleeping

Sexual Function

  • Fewer erections
  • Lower libido/sex drive
  • Trouble maintaining erections

One of the biggest side effects of low testosterone is having less energy. This is one of the most common reasons men seek hormone replacement therapy. 

How Does Hormone Therapy for Men Work?

Companies like https://www.blugenix.com/ and many others work to optimize a man’s hormone levels. There are three common types of hormone therapy for men:

  • Semorelin GH
  • Testosterone replacement
  • Human growth hormone

Millions of men opt for testosterone replacement over other therapies. It’s administered in three ways:

  • Intramuscular testosterone injections – A doctor or specialist injects this into the muscles of your buttocks every two to three weeks.
  • Testosterone patches – You apply these to your back, arms, buttocks, or abdomen daily.
  • Topical testosterone gel – You apply this to your shoulders, arms, or abdomen daily.

Some experts suggest rotating the application areas for the patches. It’s best to follow your doctor’s instructions with the specific patch medication you use. 

If you’re on Medicare, check to see what kind of therapy your plan covers. You may also want to consider looking into Medicare supplemental insurance. 

What Are the Risks?

The risks of testosterone therapy can get categorized into two groups: short-term use and long-term use.

Short-term use causes minor side effects such as:

  • Acne
  • Fluid retention
  • Frequent urination
  • Swollen ankles

Some of the more severe side effects of short-term HRT for men include:

  • Decrease sperm count
  • Decreased testicle size
  • Enlarged breasts
  • Higher cholesterol levels
  • Infertility
  • Worsening of existing sleep apnea or sleep disorders

Your doctor will also monitor you for high red blood cell counts. This could increase your risk of clotting and high blood pressure. 

Long-term testosterone therapy comes with potentially severe risks. The most common is cardiovascular issues. This includes:

  • Deaths from heart disease
  • Heart attacks
  • Stroke

A 2010 study found the cardiac side effects were more frequent and severe in older men. This led to some physicians refusing to refer patients to HRT. 

One of the biggest concerns in the long-term use of testosterone therapy is the potential risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Early studies believed there was a link. But, a study in 2018 found there was no conclusive evidence testosterone therapy increased a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer.

Because of the conflicting reports, you should always consult with your doctor before trying any kind of HRT. 

Is HRT Right for You?

Only you and your doctor know if HRT is right for you. But, it’s worth noting that hormone therapy for men also has many benefits. Many feel these benefits outweigh the risks.

If you’re taking another form of prescription medication, you may consider using an online pharmacy to save money. Before you place an order, read everything you need to know about Canadian pharmacy scams.

Business

Freelance France: The Freelance Writer’s Guide to Living and Working in France

Freelance France: The Freelance Writer's Guide to Living and Working


Freelance France: The Freelance Writer’s Guide to Living and Working in France

With nearly 5 million people in France working after emigrating from abroad, many people have taken the world of freelancing as an excuse to go somewhere new. IF you’re one of the many people trying to freelance in France from somewhere else, there are a lot of clever ways to ensure that you do it successfully. Freelancing is hard and doing so from another country takes some know-how.

Here are five things to keep in mine when freelancing in France.

1. Start Paperwork Early

Many people from across the world love the kinds of social benefits, support, and funding that European countries give to all kinds of enterprises. Whether it’s healthcare, small businesses, or the arts, European countries are the vanguard in supporting ideas from other places. However, the two costs of this grand environment of support are the costs paid through taxes and through the bureaucracy.

Your patience and your knowledge of obscure French words will be put to the test when you consider becoming a full-time French freelancer. Acceptance is the first step in dealing with French bureaucracy. The sooner you get started, the easier it’ll be to handle your taxes and other responsibilities of French work life.

If you want to ensure that you don’t get slammed with a huge tax bill at the end of the year, start monthly payments now. If you send the French government a little bit of money each month, you’ll offset your tax bill at the end of the year. And if you overpay, you’ll be returned that money after you file.

Many freelancers work outside of the system because the government can be cold. However, they’ll take note if you’re trying your best. Just know that if they’re asking you to do something, you should do it as soon as possible. Check out this useful guide for pronouncing those difficult bureaucratic terms over the phone.

2. Join a Co-op

France has an auto-entrepreneur setup to help self-employed people to get started. Lots of writers and freelancers start out in this way, but then move on to join a worker’s cooperative. It’s the best way to help ensure you start up your own business properly.

When you’re a freelancer, you are your own business. In many tax schemes, you’re a contractor to the companies you’re writing for or else you’re a temporary worker. You need to know how you’d like to file your taxes at the end of the year.

The best way to do that is to get involved in a worker’s cooperative where you can ask questions to people who are already doing the work.

Paying out ten percent of your earning to a cooperative is typical, but in exchange, they protect you as a writer. They’ll ensure that you get what you’re owed from non-paying clients and they’ll handle all of your accounting. You can get payslips and get a permanent contract, proving you have steady employment.

These services are essential when setting up your life in France or even trying to get your own apartment.

3. Communicate Professionally At All Times

While you might use a personal email or texting for lots of your communication, keep your communication professional at all times. When you use your personal likes for business, you need to know how to shift your tone. If you fail to set the tone right at the start of your communication, you’ll struggle to backpedal into something more professional later.

When you start out as a freelancer, people might not show you the respect you deserve but once you get the hang of it, you’ll make the shift easily. You’ll quickly learn how the French handle their work communication. Much of their contact is very formal, so expect to use proper nouns and professional terminology for everything.

Steer away from slang, any kind of overexcited language, or comments you wouldn’t want to associate with your professional career. You can be casual, so long as you know how to be firm all along the way. You need to keep your initial contacts very formal to ensure that you are taken seriously from the start of your working relationship with someone.

4. Turn Into a Networking Machine

Someone who is good at networking can spin gold out of any situation in a matter of a few conversations. However, for most people who aren’t French natives, becoming a freelance writer in France is a challenge. You don’t have those lifelong connections that other people have or even the connections they make in college.

Send out CVs and make phone calls like there’s no tomorrow, but be sure that you put yourself in the right situations. You need to be places where you’ll find and meet people to work with.

If you’re a parent, you might be able to find a group of parents who are also from where you’re from, interested in socializing. If you don’t mind being in a circle that’s limited to your native tongue, this isn’t so bad. However, if you’re trying to stay sharp with your French, you’ll need to seek out other connections.

Let your friends know if you are able to work as a translator. You can make more connections if you just tell the people in your circle what you’re able to do.

5. Keep an Updated Website

It’s vital to have a good website when you’re out meeting people. Get your URL printed on your card. Include a photo on the front of your site so that people who meet you remember who you are.

Hire a designer if possible to ensure that your site looks great and is translated properly.

Let people know that you’re located in France right now. While it’s nice if people come by to offer you work in New York or London, if you’re not around, it’s just an added frustration.

Freelance in France and Live Your Dreams

As anyone who’s ever lived abroad can tell you, living in another country is much different than visiting. You’ll have a different lifestyle when you freelance in France than if you go there on vacation. Moving somewhere new is hard, but if you have flexible work, you’ll be better off.

To improve the experiences your customers have with you, check out our latest guide.

Technology

A Guide for Blog Owners

A Guide for Blog Owners


How to Make WordPress Mobile Friendly: A Guide for Blog Owners

In this day and age, it’s vital that you make your WordPress mobile friendly. In 2016, for the first time, surfing the web using mobile devices surpassed desktops. Mobile traffic now makes up a whopping 51.3 percent of all Internet traffic.

That’s huge.

If you haven’t done that already, take a look at your website and ensure it’s mobile-friendly; otherwise, you’ll lose out on thousands of potential customers.

In light of this, we’ve got some handy tips for you. Let’s dive in!

1. Download a Mobile-Friendly Theme

Nowadays, most WordPress themes are mobile-friendly. These kinds of designs are known as ‘responsive.’ Put simply, they adjust whatever size screen is being used.

If you fall into that unfortunate category of people who don’t have a mobile-friendly theme, there are a few things you can do:

Make sure your theme is up to date. There’s a good chance the latest version of your theme is responsive, so be sure to download the newest version.

Install a plugin that will help you craft a mobile version of your site, such as WP Mobile Edition or JetPack.

However, the latter option can be time-consuming and limit your ability to customize your site. In light of this, it’s probably better just to bite the bullet and choose a new design.

Your Plugins Also Need to Be Responsive

You’d be shocked at how many people neglect this aspect.

For mobile users to have a good experience on your site, you need plugins that boast a responsive design.

Whenever you download a new plugin, whether it’s a contact form or a testimonials widget, you’ll need to make sure it looks great on both desktop and mobile devices.

2. Make Your Site Run Faster on Mobile

People expect your site to load quickly, especially on mobile. So, give your consumers what they want! This improves the overall user experience and boosts your SEO efforts too; it’s a win-win.

About 53 percent of mobile users leave a site if it doesn’t load within three seconds. This number speaks for itself. If conversions matter to you, make sure your website loads quickly.

Firstly, head over to Google PageSpeed Insights and plug in your URL. This gives you a full rundown of how Google rates your page speed (for both desktop and mobile).

Once you’ve figured out why your pages are slow, you can start improving things. For more information on your load time, you can also use tools like Pingdom and GTmetrix. These resources will certainly steer you in the right direction.

In addition to all the above, we thoroughly recommend checking out Google’s Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP). This is a unique HTML markup you can add to your coding to ensure your pages load faster on Google.

To make the most out of AMP on your WordPress site, install the plugin and follow the instructions. It really is as simple as that!

3. Things to Avoid

If you’re keen to boost your site’s mobile-friendliness, there are a few things you need to avoid:

Edit any multimedia elements that don’t work on mobiles.

Whether you’re using videos, GIFs, or audio files, make sure they play correctly for both mobile and desktop users. Otherwise, people can’t fully utilize your site on their mobile devices.

Refrain from using small fonts. Scour through your web pages to ensure your font is at least a 16-point or higher. Google isn’t a fan of tiny fonts for smartphones and tablets.

For more information on things to steer clear of, search for professional mobile marketing services. An experienced company will tell you everything you need to know.

5. Take the Mobile-Friendly Test

You’ll never be sure whether your WordPress site is truly mobile-friendly unless you use Google’s mobile friendliness tool.

Just plug in your URL, and it will tell you what you need to improve. Once you know the issues, you can rectify them.

You can also utilize Google Search Console; there’s a section labeled ‘Mobile Usability’ (located beneath Search Traffic). This gives you further advice on how to optimize your site for mobile-friendliness.

6. Avoid Popups That Cover the Entire Screen

Popups that dominate the whole screen are never a good idea. Even desktop users find them annoying. However, they’re a nightmare for people trying to access your site on mobile devices.

Usually, touch control makes it super hard to get rid of them. This inconvenience can often cause people to leave your site before they’ve had a chance to digest any of your valuable content.

Not cool.

7. Ramp Things Up a Notch

If you want to take mobile-friendliness to the next level, transform your WordPress site into a mobile app.

You can opt for either a progressive or native app. A progressive app is still a site. However, it will function more like an app designed with mobile users in mind.

A native app, on the other hand, requires users to download your app on their smartphones.

If you fancy the idea of a progressive app, download the WordPress Mobile Pack plugin, and you’ll have things live within minutes!

Did You Find This Advice on How to Make WordPress Mobile Friendly Useful?

If you enjoyed these tips on how to make WordPress mobile friendly, we’re confident you’ll love the other posts on our digital marketing blog.

Over there we talk about everything from PPC strategies to branding hacks. Enjoy!

For more information on inbound marketing, claim your free Article City account. This is a terrific resource for anyone who wants to improve their current strategies!

Health

A Writer’s Guide to Dealing With Stiff Muscles and Joints

A Writer's Guide to Dealing With Stiff Muscles and Joints


A Writer’s Guide to Dealing With Stiff Muscles and Joints

There are many causes of stiff muscles and joints depending on your overall health. In some cases, it can be the root of an underlying issue while other times it’s a simple diagnosis. Many people will recover in a short period of time, but some people are stuck suffering from stiffness throughout their daily life.

Symptoms can range from stiff knee pain to stiffness after sitting or worse; having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning because the stiffness is so intense. Regardless of your range of motion, these symptoms can be debilitating in so much that they also cause psychological issues such as stress and anxiety.

Whether you deal with stiff knee pain or stiff muscles and joints overall, there are ways to reduce the pain and suffering. Here are some tips on how to deal with stiff muscles and joints if you’re a writer that sits all day.

9 Tips for How to Deal With Stiff Muscles and Joints

The first thing you should do when you notice stiff muscles or joints is to determine the cause. It could be something as simple as an insect bite, or something as severe as the onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis. If you think it’s just a strain that will go away on its own, there are still some things you can do to prevent inflammation from getting worse.

Get Plenty of Rest

Even while too much rest can be an underlying cause of stiffness, it’s also important to make sure that you’re getting the proper amount of sleep. Sleep restores the body after each day and allows your cells, joints, and muscles to rejuvenate. Without enough rest, your body will be overworked and stressed which is a cocktail for disaster.

Even getting up from your computer and resting for a few minutes at a time during the day can be enough to help relieve pain associated with stiffness in your muscles and joints.

Ease Into Activity

Stiffness after sitting is one of the most common complaints of writers. It’s important to ease into your activities each day, whether that be performing exercises and stretches, having your morning coffee, or sitting down at your desk to start writing. Don’t push yourself too hard when you’re experiencing stiffness or it could get worse.

Hot or Cold Compress

Both hot and cold compresses work well for joint and muscle stiffness. You can use a cold compress to help numb the pain and reduce inflammation. Try this for 15-20 minutes at a time a few times per day.

A hot or warm compress or even a warm shower or bath will help relax muscles and increase circulation.

Exercise

Exercising and stretching are key components to help reduce swelling and inflammation in your joints and muscles. Pick out a program that you can perform first thing in the morning to get your day started off right. Pick another set of stretches for your mid-morning and afternoon breaks to break up the monotony of sitting all day.

Massage

You can give yourself a massage if you can reach the areas that are bothering you. If not, investing in a professional massage at least once per month can help alleviate symptoms of stiffness and help you relax. You can also talk to your doctor about prescribing physical therapy which can not only ease your pain but also teach you how to manage it carefully.

OTC Medications

There are several over the counter, or OTC medications directed toward muscle and joint pain or stiffness. Look for NSAIDS which stands for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Common NSAIDS include Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen.

It’s always a good idea to discuss medications that you plan to take with your doctor, especially if you’re already taking other prescription medications (whether they’re for inflammation or not).

Steroids

Corticosteroids can help reduce inflammation from stiff muscles and joints. While this treatment option may not be extremely beneficial to those suffering from arthritis, it does often work in mild cases. Talk to your doctor about your options.

Supplements for Stiff Joints

Many supplements serve as amazing body stiffness remedies. You can also try essential oils and even CBD creams and oils such as those found at Floyds of Leadville. These are natural remedies that can help you avoid using medications.

You may also try taking fish oil supplements or consuming flaxseed. Fish oil contains unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids that lubricate your joints. The recommended dose is 300 milligrams (mg) per day.

Flaxseed also contains omega-3 fatty acids as well as alpha-linolenic acid, also known as ALA, which can help reduce inflammation and ease symptoms of joint stiffness.

When to See Your Doctor

If your stiffness comes on suddenly or doesn’t resolve after about a week, it’s time to contact your doctor. You should be sure to let them know about symptoms that you’re experiencing such as severe pain, swelling, inability to move, or intense redness and heat to the touch. Even though joint stiffness isn’t that uncommon, it could be a sign of something more serious so don’t try toughing it out on your own without enlisting the help of a professional.

Final Thoughts

Writers can be prone to stiff muscles and joints after hours of sitting. It’s important to maintain good and proper posture while you’re working in order to avoid inflammation. And make sure to drink plenty of fluids, preferably water to help your body stay hydrated.

If you’re prone to stiff joints in the morning, you may benefit from incorporating an evening routine to prepare for the following day. Set up a carpool for taking the kids to school or make lunch and lay out all of your essentials so that you don’t have to spend time in the morning worrying about it. It’s also a good idea to invest in certain home office necessities such as back support for your chair or dual monitors to reduce strain.

Whatever you do to ease the pain of stiff muscles and joints, make sure to take it slow. Stress can have a significant impact on how you’re feeling so try to be aware of your pain but not focused on it.

Business

A Brief Guide to Taxes for Freelancers

A Brief Guide to Taxes for Freelancers


A Brief Guide to Taxes for Freelancers

There are so many freelancing benefits. You can work from anywhere, make your own hours, and make a living doing what you love. But there’s one issue that deters so many people from freelancing full-time: you have to do your own taxes.

So many people are used to filing a W2, which means taxes are taken out of their check throughout the year, and they get their taxes back in April.

But freelance employees who file 1099 have to pay quarterly taxes throughout the year — and hope they don’t owe anything else in April.

But taxes don’t have to be scary. Here’s your guide to taxes for freelancers.

Why Are Freelancers Responsible for Their Taxes?

Many first-time freelancers usually ask why they’re responsible for their own taxes and why they were never responsible for taxes before.

The answer is simple: as a freelancer or contractor, you’re not an employee of the company. Therefore, the employer has no responsibility for withholding your taxes.

But this fact may seem mind-boggling. They pay you and you work for them — how are you not an employee?

Well, it’s our tax classification system. When you first join their staff, you sign a contract that states you’re an independent contractor, not a permanent employee.

Why Do You Pay Quarterly Taxes?

Now you understand why you have to pay taxes. But here’s another fact that confuses new freelancers — why do you have to pay quarterly taxes?

The confusion makes sense. You don’t pay quarterly taxes as a permanent employee. But your taxes are withheld with each check and your employers pay these taxes for you.

As a freelancer, you don’t have this benefit. So you have to withhold these taxes yourself.

The IRS has a “pay as you go” tax system. You pay taxes throughout the year, and file at the beginning of the tax season (or April) to ensure your taxes for the previous year were correct.

The easiest way to organize this “pay as you go” method is paying four times a year: in April, June, September, and January.

But how much do you pay? This is where it gets complex. First, you need to determine your tax rate. The IRS separates this by income. And there are additional expenses included in your quarterlies, such as state and local taxes.

You can use an online tax calculator to determine how much you pay quarterly. Try and be as accurate as you can.

How to File

There are many ways freelancers can file. The easiest way to pay your quarterlies is through the IRS website. You can even sign up for direct pay, where the IRS takes your taxes out of your bank account every quarter.

If your taxes get complex, you can hire a CPA, or certified public accountant. You will spend money on their service, but the tax process is easier and you can even pay less to the IRS than you were before.

For April’s tax time, you can always file your tax return online.

Now You Understand Taxes for Freelancers

Taxes for freelancers can get pretty difficult. But once you understand the basics, paying your taxes isn’t so hard.

Always remember to pay your quarterlies and estimate your pay through your tax bracket. You can file your taxes in April online or with a CPA.

Are you a freelance writer? Visit our blog for more writing and blogging resources.

Business

The Simple Guide to Massage Marketing

The Simple Guide to Massage Marketing


The Simple Guide to Massage Marketing

There are nearly 385,000 massage therapists and students in the U.S. The massage industry itself was worth $16 billion in 2016 alone!

If you are a massage therapist, it’s important to promote your business wisely to stay competitive in such a large market. Savvy marketing can be your secret to keeping current clients returning.

As a massage therapist, it can be difficult identifying clever and unique methods of attracting new customers. This is especially the case if you are the sole owner of your massage business and navigate numerous daily demands.

In this post, we’ll look closely at the ins and outs of effective massage marketing. All of the tips on this list are simple to implement and do not require an extensive background in advertising.

Read on for insight!

1. Create a Compelling Website

Over 3 billion people rely on the internet to find information, seek out businesses, and perform work.

As a massage therapist, it’s important to tap into this large digital market. You can do this easily by crafting a compelling website.

Your website is more powerful than you may realize. In this increasingly digital age, websites function much like business cards.

They give potential customers essential information, such as contact details and price points. But they can also give customers an insider’s look into your massage business and what kind of treatment they can expect.

Your website should be at the forefront of all your massage marketing efforts. Spend some time honing it prior to launching any other advertising campaigns.

A compelling website should first and foremost give visitors the information they need. It should not include any superfluous details or pages.

A solid massage therapy website should include contact information, booking portals, services and pricing, and a blog. We’ll talk about the importance of a blog in just a moment.

You should also include a brief page that gives details about you and your business.

When building your website, make sure the content is concise, easy to read, and free of errors. Use lots of headers and bullet points to break up paragraphs.

Also, ensure that customers can easily reach out to you through a booking portal or contact form. It should be easy to navigate your website, too, and all internal links should function well.

Don’t underestimate the power of images or video in your massage website. Integrate compelling, non-stock images that clearly demonstrate services.

Lastly, consider investing in professional web design services. Experts can help you generate a responsive web design more likely to engage users.

Check out Winks Massage for a good example of what we mean by a compelling website!

2. Use Search Engine Optimization

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an essential digital marketing tool for all business owners. When it comes to massage marketing, it can be a fundamental aspect of attracting local clients.

A lot of customers use search engines to identify services and goods. In fact, some of your existing clients may have discovered your business via a simple Google search for “massage therapists.”

When someone performs a Google search, they are likely to click on listings at the top of the first page of results. In general, the higher a page “ranks” in this way, the greater its visibility.

You can boost your Google ranking for certain keywords by implementing SEO. This means choosing popular keywords and integrating these into your online content.

Local SEO, in particular, should be an important part of your massage marketing strategy. Local SEO means incorporating location-based keywords, such as “massage therapy in Dallas,” can help you target local audiences directly.

Learn more about local SEO here.

In addition to implementing SEO, make sure you have a host of local citations. These include listings on Google My Business, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and/or Yellow Pages.

Local citations can leverage SEO efforts and enable your clients to leave online reviews.

3. Keep a Blog

Content marketing is quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of digital marketing available. This is because consumers prioritize content that is original, compelling, and informative.

You can easily step up your massage marketing game by generating the right content for your customers.

One way to do this is to keep a blog on your website. Blogs give you the ability to discuss topics relevant to your clients. They can also help you educate customers and give you more material for local optimization.

What’s more, blogs can let you share more of your voice and expertise with your website visitors. You can give insight into meditation practices, ways to reduce stress in your daily life, or information for first-time massage clients.

Aim to produce one blog post a week. These posts can be as short as 500 words. Make sure you optimize these posts for keywords, too, and include images!

4. Harness Social Media

Social media can be an important tool when it comes to leveraging your massage marketing efforts.

Build business profiles on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Make sure to include relevant and consistent contact information, especially the link to your website.

Stay active on the social media profiles, and use them as tools to share blog posts, advertise promotions, and generate virtual partnerships with other local businesses.

Generate these partnerships by following, liking, or sharing content produced by other local self-care companies. Establishing these partnerships can build credibility in your consumers’ eyes.

Social media can also enable you to instant message customers in real-time. You can also incorporate some solid content marketing via tools like Facebook Live.

5. Target the Right Audience

At the end of the day, the key to success with massage marketing is reaching the right audience. It can be easy to simply advertise to the masses, but you’ll likely have more success if you market to a target user.

Launch massage marketing campaigns aimed at specific audiences, such as “local college students” or “female retirees.” People are more likely to respond to advertising if it feels like it’s reaching them on a personal level.

Feel free to change your audience with each campaign. But don’t relinquish your marketing goals!

Your Key to Massage Marketing

As a massage therapist, it’s essential to spread the word about your healing services. Massage marketing can build your client base and keep existing clients on your list.

Make the most of digital marketing as you attempt to reach new clients. This means honing your website, spending some time with content marketing, and keeping a blog. Don’t neglect SEO!

All in all, make sure your marketing efforts are reaching a specific audience every time.

Article City is your ultimate resource for discovering marketing solutions designed to give you the visibility you need. Sign up now for your free account!

Health

A Guide to the Fitbit Wireless Activity Tracker

A Guide to the Fitbit Wireless Activity Tracker


A Guide to the Fitbit Wireless Activity Tracker

It’s a simple fact that most of us don’t get enough exercise. According to one piece of research published by the U.S. Department of Human Health Services, less than five percent of adults participate in 30 minutes or more of daily physical activity.

A sedentary lifestyle can lead to various health risks such as an increased risk of cancer, obesity, and heart disease.

The makers of the Fitbit wireless activity tracker understand the importance of a good workout. That’s why they’ve created a line of smart, easy to use fitness trackers for everyday use.

Yet there are so many models to choose from, how can you make sure you’re getting the best tracker? And for that matter, what does each model do to justify its premium price?

Both are fair questions which this article aims to answer. Here’s a quick guide to the world of Fitbit wireless activity trackers.

Types of Fitbit Wireless Activity Tracker

Picking your first activity tracker can feel a bit overwhelming. There are about a dozen different models out there, and not all are worth your time and money.

Here are the three most popular models of Fitbit tracker and the advantages and disadvantages that come with them.

Fitbit Charge 2

The Charge 2 is perhaps the most popular model on the market. And a few minutes with the device will show you exactly why that’s the case.

Think of it as a half-step between a fitness tracker and a smartwatch. It’s stylish, but it’s also practical.

It features a comfortable, easy to wear band. For the most part, the band doesn’t irritate skin, though if you’re uncomfortable, you can always adjust it.

The Charge 2’s display is perhaps its highlight. This is the most feature-rich model on the market, and choosing between modes and options is easy thanks to its high-quality display.

Battery life leaves a bit to be desired, lasting on average between four and five days. A search of ‘Fitbit Charge not charging‘ also shows that its first run had a few issues.

Fitbit Blaze

Though maybe you’re in the market for something that truly resembles a smartwatch. If that’s the case, the Blaze is a great option.

If the Charge 2 was a half-step between tracker and watch, leaning in favor of fitness tracker, the Blaze leans the opposite way.

In fact, its design is quite similar to that of the popular Apple Watch.

However, the Blaze does have its share of issues. Namely, it’s a little too cumbersome for its own good. It’s rather wide, as Cnet’s review pointed out.

If you’re not worried about weighing down your wrist, you’ll find an adequate tracker with a lengthy, five-day battery life.

Fitbit Flex 2

Last but not least is the Fitbit Flex 2. A quick glance illustrates that it’s quite a bit different than its siblings. There’s virtually no display present whatsoever, but that’s actually its selling point.

The Flex 2 is for those who want a no-frills Fitbit wireless activity tracker experience.

It’s easy to get distracted by constantly checking your steps or your heart rate. The Flex 2 eliminates this issue with its minimalist design.

Best of all, it’s water-resistant, a feature it holds above its siblings’ heads.

If you’ve never purchased an activity tracker before and want a simple experience, we recommend the Flex 2.

What Can a Fitbit Wireless Activity Charger Do?

Having explored the three most popular Fitbit models, let’s get into what you’re really here for, the features.

While there are slight variations from model to model, each of the features below are present in all three models.

Connect to Your Phone

No matter what model of Fitbit you choose, you’ll get access to the Fitbit mobile app. Think of it as a centralized hub for all of your activities.

This easy to use app syncs with your device via a Bluetooth connection. Admittedly, sometimes it takes a little longer than expected to sync, but it always gets the job done.

A quick tour of the UI illustrates that everything you’d want can be found on the dashboard.

You can keep track of your steps, weight loss, sleep, and even water intake all from the homepage.

However, there are a ton of great features tucked away within the app’s interface.
For instance, the Fitbit app doubles as a calorie tracker akin to MyFitnessPal or LoseIt!.

You can also set alarms and tinker with display options without meddling with your display.

Track Sleep

A good night’s rest is as important as a big workout. Make sure you’re getting both thanks to your Fitbit wireless activity tracker.

Since most people wear their device like a watch, Fitbit included sleep tracking software so users can make sure they’re catching enough Zs.

It’s a surprisingly effective feature that’s even capable of recognizing when you’re taking naps as opposed to a full night’s rest.

Display Phone Notifications

Truth be told, we could all use a bit of time away from our phones. But most of us are worried about missing important texts or calls.

Your Fitbit device finds a happy medium, displaying SMS notifications and sending call alerts.

A gentle buzzing informs the user that he or she has received a notification. You can even see who is texting or calling, as well as read the first few words of their text message.

Track Activity

Finally, yes, your Fitbit is primarily an activity tracker.

For all of the bells and whistles it includes, it’s primary function is something it does quite well.

You can track your daily distance and step progress, and in the case of the Charge 2, even route your workout via GPS.

For those who don’t get enough steps in during the workday, there’s a fun option to set hourly reminders to get up and walk. It may sound intrusive, but it’s actually a fun way to gamify exercise.

Find a Fitbit That Fits

Clearly, there are tons of great reasons to purchase a Fitbit wireless activity tracker. There’s a model for every lifestyle, so find the one that suits you best.

For other great content on health, marketing, and more, don’t forget to check out the Article City blog.

Business

Marketing Your Business Online: A Simple Guide

Marketing Your Business Online: A Simple Guide


Marketing Your Business Online: A Simple Guide

There’s no getting around it: if you want any kind of an edge in today’s business world, you need a firm hold on your online marketing.

But how do you go about it?

Where do you start?

Join us, today, as we take a closer look at how you can use online marketing to improve your online business.

Online Marketing: A Cosmetic Surgeon’s Guide

So you’re asking “How can I market my business online?”

Using cosmetic surgery as an example, let’s take a look at some of the notes you’ll need to hit for a successful online marketing campaign.

Keep It On Brand

Just because you’re online, doesn’t mean you don’t have to play by the same rules.

Whether it’s your logo, social media content, or a promotion, always make sure to use content that’s consistent with the look and tone of your business.

Cosmetic surgery operations often tend towards smart, professional designs. Make sure not to drift too far away from your company’s basic look.

Consider SEO

Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is one of the most popular digital marketing tools of the last ten years.

The idea is simple enough: an agency takes the copy from the front and back-end of your website and optimizes it for searchability.

They do this by using specific “key words” related to each page, and spacing them out according to specific standards. This, in turn, makes the page appear more “valuable” to search engines looking for sites relevant to different searches.

If a page is about “penis extension“, for instance, SEO peppers this phrase into content so that search engines like Google recognize the page as about that topic.

Go Social

The idea that social media is mostly a place for taking quizzes and sharing pictures of babies is a thing of the past.

Social media management is one of the fastest-developing realms of online business marketing.

And it’s easy to see why: businesses can respond directly to customer issues and reviews. What’s more, viral marketing and trends give anyone with a social media profile the opportunity to see their name up in lights, online.

Invest in PPC

Of course, there are opportunities to pour money directly into whatever online marketing you’re doing.

Pay Per Click advertising (or PPC) is one of the best there is.

An efficient way of speeding up the marketing process, PPC operates according to one simple rule: you pay for each click made on your advert.

This is an excellent way to promote early growth in your online marketing campaign. From breast enlargement to rhinoplasty, promote your site with PPC to be more effective, especially in the beginning.

Discover The Benefits Of Online Marketing

Marketing your business online is the easiest way to reach out to hundreds of potential clients within your industry.

And, thanks to today’s article, you now know exactly how to use it in your business.

Whether you’re a plastic surgeon or a paper salesman, there is no excuse for not utilizing and optimizing your online presence.

Excited to bring out the best in your digital marketing? Get in touch with us, today, to find out more about our premium content creation services.

Technology

A Beginner’s Guide to Using Reddit

A Beginner's Guide to Using Reddit


A Beginner’s Guide to Using Reddit

It’s been referred to as ‘the front page of the internet’, so wanting to get involved with the Reddit community is completely understandable.

But when you land on the homepage for the very first time, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed. Reddit is a site with its own rules, structure, and even its own language.

If you’re keen to get in on the Reddit action, read this quick guide and learn the ropes before you plunge in.

So what is Reddit?

Reddit is a content democracy based on a system of voting. It’s a place to learn the latest news and find a sense of community.

Once you start using it, you’ll find that Reddit is a culture more than a site, which means it’ll be difficult to grasp on day one. Like turning up on the first day of school and expecting to be accepted into the clique right off the bat.

There are lots of in-jokes and community references, and although these might feel a little alienating at first, they’re the very same things that’ll make you feel like part of the family further down the line.

How does Reddit work?

Subreddits
These are the channels on Reddit. If you’re new, you’ll automatically be subscribed to the top subreddits, like Technology, Music, and Gaming. As you continue using Reddit, you’ll find more subreddits to subscribe to.

Multireddits
These are customizable groups that you can put your subreddits in. They’ll sit neatly in your side nagivation bar so you can easily get to where you want to be.

Upvoting
Help improve the rank of items by upvoting them. If they get enough upvotes, they’ll appear on the Reddit homepage.

Downvoting
If something wasn’t helpful or interesting, you can give it a downvote.

Score
The number of upvotes and downvotes on an item will affect its overall score. The score sits between the up arrows and down arrows. The number of upvotes minus the number of downvotes gives you that item’s score.

Karma
Karma is earned as you continue to use Reddit. It’s based on how many upvotes and downvotes your posts and comments have gathered since you opened your account.

Learn the Reddit Lingo

We weren’t kidding when we said that the Redditor’s have their own language. Here’s how to crack the code:

TL;DR – Too long, didn’t read
If someone has posted a wall of text, it’s not uncommon to see this in response.

HIFW – How I feel when…
Use this in tandem with a GIF that expresses your extreme emotional reaction to any given subject.

FTFY – Fixed that for you
Typically used when someone bests or outdoes a claim made by another Redditor.

OP – Original poster
This is used when referring to the person that originally started the thread or post in question.

ITT – In this thread
Use this when you want to generalize about the community within one specific thread.

Before you post…

Don’t forget to brush up on your Reddiquette. Don’t spam and never resort to asking others to upvote your content. Each subreddit has its own rules that must be followed, so don’t forget to check these out before you post.

Feeling Reddit ready? Head on over to the site and get involved with the global discussion.