Archives for October 2022

Video marketing is one of the most viable ways of attracting customers – especially in this day and age of short attention spans. Visual communication is the best way to engage with any target audience, which won’t change anytime soon. But while plenty of Austin production companies are making excellent video content for their clients, the question is – does your particular video strategy work in practice?

Remember, video marketing takes a lot of time and effort. And you want to be sure that these resources aren’t going to waste as your marketing journey moves along. Luckily, the effectiveness of your video marketing strategy is actually quite easy to quantify. And we’ll give you an in-depth look at the metrics that do so. 

Video Strategy Awareness

People interact with video content on the Internet more than with any other type of media – which is why video is a great medium for growing brand awareness among members of your target audience. 

As a company that wants to increase its visibility, you need video content that successfully markets your products, business name, and services to people. And not just any people – you want to get your video content in front of individuals who are most likely to convert to paying customers. 

So, how can you track whether your social media content or other videos are raising enough awareness? Here are some of the key metrics to follow in this context:

• Mentions;
• Engagement – in the form of shares, comments, and likes;
• Impressions; 
• Reach;
• Click-through rates. 

Most of these metrics relate to social media – though almost all of them apply to your company’s website as well. And by tracking all of them, you can gain a better understanding of how your overall brand awareness shifts over time. This also allows you to make timely changes to your video strategy if need be. 

Video Consideration

Some of the more marketing-savvy among you may have noticed that we’ve separated these metrics according to the different stages in the classic customer journey – the first is awareness, and the second is consideration.

We’ve done this because video is, at the end of the day, a piece of marketing content – especially in a commercial context. And that means it’s tracked like any other piece of content, at least from a marketing strategy perspective. 

So, let’s move onto the consideration stage – in which your potential customers decide whether they want to interact with your brand; usually by buying something. 

Educational videos are the most important type of visual content in this stage – through educational videos, you can answer your customers’ most frequent questions and establish your company (or yourself) as a figure of authority regarding your particular niche. 

Sure, the folks who are thinking of buying from you probably know a bit about your products, your brand, and your competitors already. But that’s precisely why you should use a specific type of video at this stage to show them that your company is precisely the one best-equipped to fulfil their needs. 

At this stage, we’ve also got a bunch of crucial metrics that help you see which leads are ready for the next stage in the buyer’s journey – and which are still hanging around the awareness stage or losing interest.

These metrics are:

• Enquires;
• Traffic to specific product and service pages;
• Sign-ups for lead magnets;
• Followers or subscribers on social media.

Naturally, people who have made the effort of signing up for a lead magnet (like a free e-book or a newsletter), clicked on various service pages on your website, or even filled out an enquiry form – these are your best leads, and the sign that your video marketing is paying off. Conversely, low numbers here mean something is amiss, and your content is simply not getting your point across. 

Video Content and The Decision Stage

Of course, the main thing your video (and any other) content is supposed to do is to help you grow your sales. In that regard, there are only two metrics, but they’re the most important ones:

• Conversion rates
• Sales

Now, you may be thinking – aren’t conversion rates and sales the same thing? Well, no; your conversion rates are how many of the people who have interacted with your video content have decided to buy something. On the other hand, sales are a more straightforward metric that just shows the number of sold units for a single product. 

If you want to use these two metrics to see whether your video content is paying off, you need to connect the dots with the other metrics mentioned above. See which video content your customers have interacted with before making a sale – or, conversely, which video content ultimately led them to abandon their cart or leave the website. 

This will tell you which videos need to be tweaked, which need to be shown to more people through targeted ads – and which should be removed altogether. 

Are you looking to take your personal brand to the next level? Branding yourself is essential if you want to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. By following these tips, you will be well on your way to establishing a powerful personal brand that will help you reach your goals!

A personal brand is more than just your name and logo. It is the sum of everything you do and say, online and offline. It is the way you dress, the way you speak, and the way you interact with others. It is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.

It’s not just public figures and famous people who need to think about their personal brand. In today’s digital world, everyone has a personal brand whether they realize it or not. Your personal brand is what sets you apart from others in your field and can be a major factor in whether or not you are successful.

There are many ways to elevate your personal brand. Here are just a few.

1. Choose Social Channels Wisely

Social media is a great way to connect with others and share your message. However, not all social media platforms are created equal. It’s important to choose the right platform for you and your brand. For example, if you’re working in the creative field, Instagram may be a better choice than Twitter because you can showcase your work. If you work in a more corporate field, you’ll probably want a LinkedIn profile. If you’re not sure which channels are right for you, look at what others in your field do, and analyze whether this helps to make them successful or not.

2. Get Headshots

Your headshot is often the first thing people see when they come across your personal brand. It’s important to make a good impression with a professional headshot that shows you in the best light possible.

Be sure to update your headshots regularly so that they remain current – look up headshots near me to find someone you could work with frequently for this. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a headshot, but it is worth investing in a good one that will represent you well.

3. Engage Regularly

Whether your preferred method of communication is on social media, via your website or at in-person events, make sure you are regularly engaging in your field. This will help you to build relationships, grow your network and show that you are an expert in your field.

One way to do this is by writing blog posts or articles that show your expertise. You can also give talks or presentations, or host webinars. If you’re on social media, be sure to post regularly and interact with others. Don’t just broadcast your message; engage in conversations and get stuck into discussions. If you’re not sure where to start, look for opportunities to collaborate with others in your field.

4. Be Authentic

People are attracted to authenticity and honesty. Be yourself and don’t try to be someone you’re not. It’s important to be genuine in your interactions with others and true to your values.

One way to do this is by sharing your story. What led you to where you are today? Why do you do what you do? What are your passions and values? When people can connect with you on a personal level, they are more likely to trust and respect you.

It can be scary to put yourself out there, but being authentic is essential to building a strong personal brand.

5. Dress the Part

Your appearance says a lot about you and can be a factor in whether or not people take you seriously. If you’re trying to build a professional personal brand, it’s important to dress the part.

This doesn’t mean you need to wear a suit all the time, but you should make sure your clothes are clean and presentable. If you’re not sure what to wear, take cues from others in your field who have a similar personal brand. Remember, your personal brand is an extension of who you are, so make sure your clothing represents you well.

6. Be Concise

When you’re communicating, whether it’s in writing or in person, it’s important to be concise. This doesn’t mean you have to be brief, but you should make sure your message is clear and to the point.

If you’re not sure how to do this, try to focus on one main point per communication. This will help you to avoid overwhelming people with too much information and will make it easier for them to understand your message.

7. Define Your Tone

It’s also important to be aware of the tone of your communication. If you’re trying to build a professional personal brand, make sure your language is clear and free of any slang or profanity.

You should also avoid using jargon unless you’re sure your audience will understand it. And, if you’re trying to build a personal brand that’s friendly and approachable, make sure your tone reflects that. People will often make assumptions about you based on the way you communicate, so it’s important to be aware of the tone you’re using.

8. Be Consistent

Once you’ve defined your personal brand, it’s important to be consistent with it. This means using the same language, tone and imagery across all of your communication channels.

If you’re not sure how to do this, try creating a style guide for yourself. This can be a simple document that outlines the key elements of your personal brand and how you should use them. Having a style guide will help you to stay on track and ensure you’re being consistent with your personal brand.

These are just a few of the ways you can elevate your personal brand. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to building a strong and successful personal brand.

Are you the brand-new owner of a dog? Or maybe you are just getting ready for your new pet? Getting a new puppy is an exciting, life-changing moment, whether you get them from a shelter, a friend, or a reputable breeder like the ones on Pawrade. One of the first things a new puppy owner needs to know is “how do I train my new puppy?” Here are some of the best puppy training tips for new owners.

Use a Crate

Crate training is one of the best ways to ensure you have a happy, peaceful, calm puppy. A crate gives your puppy a place where they can go to rest, feel safe, and be alone when they need space. It also allows you to stop bad habits from ever developing. Because your puppy will learn to see their crate as their den, they will learn to feel safe and comfortable in it.

Crate training is also one of the best ways to housetrain because puppies don’t like to use the bathroom near their beds. When your puppy gets in the habit of using one area for a bathroom, they tend to continue using that spot- even if it’s your living room rug. By tucking your puppy in the crate when it can’t be watched or you leave the house, you will help keep this habit from forming.

Limit Home-Alone Time

Puppies have a huge need for interaction, activity, and attention. If they are left alone for too long, bad habits such as separation anxiety, toileting problems, and chewing can develop. This happens because the bored puppy is trying to entertain itself. Leave your puppy in the crate anytime you leave home, and leave them with plenty of toys to chew on. Invest in some treat toys that require the puppy to work on the treat to get a reward. Also, leave your TV or radio on so they don’t feel so alone.

Puppies have small bladders and can’t avoid urinating if they are left alone for too long. Your puppy doesn’t want to potty in the crate, and you don’t want them to either, so if you can’t be home to let your puppy out in the middle of the day, arrange for someone else to do it, such as a neighbor or a dog walker.

Be Positive

The number-one rule for puppy training is to be positive. Puppies scare easily and a traumatic moment can scar them for life or be difficult to repair. When you are training, avoid punishing your puppy. If they are exhibiting negative behaviors, redirect them with a sharp “no” and then a toy or a snuggle after they come to you or look at you.

Once your dog learns a command, don’t correct disobedience for a long time. Assume that they will know the command intermittently and will still need guidance for a long time. This can mean guiding them into a sitting position or down position, or it may mean going to get them if they are ignoring a recall command. Then practice that command a few times until they’re being more consistent again.

Find Healthy Treats

When you are training your puppy, you will be using a lot of treats. It’s a good idea to find treats that are healthy, or your puppy won’t want to eat his real food and will end up missing out on needed nutrients. Vary your treats so they don’t get boring, and if they are large, tear them into tiny pieces so they last longer.

Train at Mealtimes

In addition to using treats, consider using your puppy’s regular food as training aids. This works best if you have a training session before each meal. Simply fill your puppy’s food bowl and rather than sitting it on the floor, keep it out of reach and spend 5 minutes going through your commands. After the food is half gone or so, reward them with hugs and praise and let them eat the rest of the food on their own. This will also teach them to be calm and gentle at mealtimes because they associate food with positive interaction with you.

Watch for Fear Stages

Puppies go through stages when they are imprinting on the world around them, and sometimes those stages involve being fearful of new things. During this period, avoid socializing your puppy too much and let them stay home or in the backyard. Unpredictable events like a car backfiring, thunder, or being crowded by overeager children can be detrimental in these stages. When your puppy is not in a fear stage, however, socialization is very important.

Avoid Dog Parks

Because you are not in control of other people or dogs in a dog park, it’s best to avoid them. Your puppy can learn bad habits, pick up diseases, or even get attacked at the dog park, and these events can change their personality dramatically. If your dog is traumatized by another dog at a young age, it could become fear-aggressive to any other canine interaction. At the least, your puppy cannot pay attention to you and your commands when surrounded by so much chaos, and that is not helpful to bonding and developing the focus and loyalty that you want.

Short Sessions are Best

Don’t train for too long. Puppies are babies, and they have short attention spans. A 10-week-old puppy can learn very quickly but they must do so in short 5 to 10 minute sessions. These short sessions work best if they happen many times a day. Incorporate training into your routine. Train in the morning while you feed them breakfast, at noon when you take them out to potty, and in the evening at suppertime. Have one last training session before bed. If you are home all day, you can do it even more often. As long as you aren’t interrupting a puppy nap, anytime is a good time for a few treats and commands.

Teach Basic Dog Manners

Don’t neglect to teach basic dog manners. Most people don’t seek the help of professional dog trainers because their dog doesn’t obey “lay down”, but because they pull on the leash, steal from the trash, are aggressive, or can’t be housetrained.

Teach Basic Commands

There are several basic commands every dog should know and obey well, in addition to many other commands that are practical or just plain fun. If you enjoy training your dog, start with these 6 commands and then branch out into other tricks and commands.

• Sit
• Come
• Heel
• Down
• Stay
• Give

The news headlines can be overwhelming. In the last three years, reports have been particularly tough as we have lived through a pandemic, economic turbulence, rising living costs and conflict. It’s important to be aware of what’s going on in the world, but sometimes, listening to the radio or watching TV bulletins can be hard. In this guide, we’ll discuss common stressors and sources of anxiety and share tips to help you cope with difficult news stories. 

What are people most worried about?

Even people who are mentally tough may feel like there’s a huge amount going on in the world at the moment. It may seem like there’s one thing after another and we’re in a permanent state of crisis. The pandemic turned the world as we know it upside down and since 2020, many of us have had to come to terms with rising costs, unemployment, political change and economic instability. Gun crime and violence continue to be one of the most significant worries for US citizens, according to a recent poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, and in May 2022, 55% of US adults said they were concerned about the conflict in Ukraine. Inflation is the number one problem for 70% of Americans. Over 40% view climate change as a ‘very big problem.’

Surveys show that the most common sources of anxiety and worry for US citizens center on financial worries, the affordability of healthcare and the soaring cost of living, violence, crime and conflict, and climate change. In many cases, these issues are interwoven, with the conflict in Ukraine pushing prices up. Many are following news reports closely to see what happens and learn more about how the situation is impacting other countries in terms of politics and economics. Rising costs increase the risk of financial pressure, which may also increase the prevalence of crime and government and household debt. 

How to cope with difficult headlines

It is human nature to experience emotions and to react to headlines, pictures and stories that impact you or other people. If you find that watching news bulletins or talking to friends or colleagues about specific situations or scenarios makes you anxious, it’s wise to utilize coping strategies. These include:

Monitoring consumption

One of the best ways to shield yourself from anxiety is to monitor and limit your consumption of news stories. If you want to keep up to date and you are interested in current affairs, set aside half an hour a day or check the headlines once or twice a day. Try to avoid scrolling for hours on end or signing up for notifications from multiple blogs, social media accounts and news outlets. If you turn notifications off, you can decide when you want to consume and access information rather than being prompted to open articles or click on links. It’s beneficial to think about when you check for updates. Many people find it difficult to sleep if they feel anxious, for example. If you find it hard to deal with challenging or upsetting headlines, avoid going on social media or listening to reports before you go to bed. Take time out to relax and unwind instead. 

Researching

Often, when we feel unsettled after seeing a headline or news story flash up on our screens, it’s because we don’t understand the full story and we’ve only got a snapshot. It can be extremely useful to research and put headlines and titles into context, especially when it comes to global issues such as war and conflict and the Covid-19 pandemic. Read clear, accurate guides and articles that tell you what has happened, answer questions and provide up-to-date information. Avoid clickbait and unreliable sources. You can find everything from articles about intelligence gathering, defensive strategies and finding equipment like the best plate carrier to recent information about Covid risks and economic forecasts online. Look for sites that specialize in impartial, fact-based news updates and always use reputable apps. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or look for answers. Gathering information can often provide clarity and reassurance. 

Understanding that some things are beyond your control

It can be difficult to stay calm and avoid stress and upset if you are exposed to news about conflict, economic uncertainty, health issues and crime, but it’s hugely beneficial to try to understand that some things are beyond your control. It’s natural to be anxious when you’re faced with negative stories at every turn, but it’s important to realize that there’s no point in worrying about anything that you cannot change or control. Try to focus on being proactive in protecting yourself or making your life better. This might mean trying to reduce expenses and save more if you’re concerned about money or taking steps to lower the risk of illness if you’re worried about Covid or getting sick. 

Making time for things that make you happy

One of the most important components of self-care is making time for things that make you happy. Many of us spend a lot of time studying or working and we find it hard to switch off and get the balance between work and life right. Try to ensure that you schedule downtime. Turn off your phone, unsubscribe from notifications and make time for hobbies and interests, socializing and relaxing. Go for a hike or a bike ride, spend time with friends and family members, curl up with a good book or zone out with a podcast. Go to a dance class or a HIIT or spin session or plan a day at the park or the beach. Watch a movie, invite friends for dinner or organize a break to explore different places and enjoy adventures. It’s essential to decompress and make time for fun. 

The news headlines at the moment are overwhelming. If you find that listening to stories and reading articles make you feel anxious, it’s important to employ coping mechanisms to protect your health and well-being. Moderate consumption, research using reputable, reliable sources, focus on things that you can control and take time out to relax, have fun and unwind. 

When mentioning “elder abuse,” we may immediately think of a scammer getting access to a senior’s finances or an amoral and shameless family member exploiting an aging loved one for personal and financial gain. 

However, you’ll find a subcategory known as “elder self-neglect” when pulling on an invisible thread in the fabric of elder abuse. Experts believe this type of self-abuse has become a rising trend among aging individuals, particularly those aging at home. 

So what is elder self-neglect? How can you spot the signs and provide help?

This article will give you answers to these questions. 

What Is Elder Self-Neglect?

According to the National Institutes of Health study published, elder self-neglect is “refusal or failure to provide oneself with care and protection in areas of food, water, clothing, hygiene, medication, living environments, and safety precautions.”

Self-neglect in seniors leads to poor physical and mental health. Given that elders are more likely to suffer from a chronic illness, dementia, or depression, they’re more at risk of self-neglect. Data shows this problem has been growing in the last few years due to an increasing number of aging individuals who live alone. 

Common Signs of Elder Self-Neglect

The Selfneglect.org reveals that elder self-neglect features take months to years to develop. Therefore, family members and friends may not notice the change as significant. 

However, here are common warning signs that are easy to spot from the outside:

• Poor personal hygiene
• Messy clothes, hair, or nails
• Unusual odors
• Unexplained weight loss
• Poor diet and nutrition
• Filthy home and infestations (e.g., mice, insects)
• Odd behavior and lifestyles
• Rotten food and bad smells
• Not refilling medications
• Refusal to seek medical help for serious illness
• Decreased ability to perform daily activities
• Refusal to let people that provide services into the house (e.g., health care providers and utility workers)
• Social isolation 
• Forgetful behaviors (e.g., not paying the bills or leaving a burning stove and going to sleep)
• Decreased ability to reason
• Confusion, depression, or psychosis (such as hallucinations)

How To Help The Elderly With Self-Neglect

If your aging loved one is exhibiting any of the signs above, you could do the following things to offer assistance and support:

• Help the senior avoid isolation with visits, phone calls, driving for them, etc. 
• Take care of their situations, such as cleaning their living space
• Get to medical appointments 
• Get help from other family members, charitable organizations, or agencies (e.g., Adult Protective Services)

If these things don’t work well, it may be time to consider professional assisted living memory care options. While many elders see needing assistance as losing their independence, finding quality care can prolong their independence and help them live a happier, healthier, and safer life. 

You should determine what type of care is best for your loved one, whether a senior living community or an in-home caregiver. Ask your aging loved one their preference for care options, then try to understand their point of view. 

Conclusion

Elder self-neglect is a silent epidemic that impacts elders across all genders, cultures, races, and income levels. By recognizing signs and providing adequate support, you can help your loved one live a better life.