Maybe, maybe not. Social media is run by an onslaught of user-generated content. Even though some of the content comes under constant criticism. Right now, videos have taken over most platforms – Instagram has IGTV, Facebook has Facebook Watch and LinkedIn is heavily promoting #LinkedInVideo. These are all great features, but is great content being promoted through these features? What’s your message? Now that is easier to publish content online, being a “creator"is easier than ever.

In today’s fast paced business world, the ability to achieve work life balance is becoming more and more difficult. Employers expect more from staff, and we are increasingly putting additional pressure on ourselves to achieve greater results. But when did it become acceptable? Many of us have allowed this to happen, however, this should not be the case. Maintaining work life balance is not only important for your personal health and relationships, but it can also improve the efficiency of your work performance.

Selling isn’t as easy as we would all like it to be. There isn’t any specific way to do it; there is no cheatsheet that we could use to help us. When it comes to a good long-term sales plan, there are only a few things we can use to guide us. Be Optimistic If you are going to solve a problem, then focus on the solution. Don’t dwell on the negative aspects of a situation.

Does the mere idea of waking up early make you shudder? You’re probably a night owl — and you were probably born that way. The scientific name for your preferred waking and sleeping schedule is called your chronotype, and it’s partially controlled by your genes. There are a few benefits that include: Workplace Flexibility As a night person, you have probably learned to adapt to the typical “morning-person” schedule, arriving at work at 8 a.

Book Details Title: Whole: A Leg Up On Life Availability: Amazon Paperback Amazon Kindle Genre: Memoir Date Published: 3rd February, 2020 That only left one choice: amputation. But, how could they be the parents that decided to cut off their own daughter’s foot? When I was two years old, my parents had to make the impossible decision to amputate my foot.

The ingenious inventor, the savvy entrepreneur, the innovative scientist, and the imaginative writer all have something in common. No matter what our field or area of expertise, we all seek to be more creative and innovative. This is how we expand our minds and our actions. Creativity is intelligence having fun. – Albert Einstein Here are five ingenious ways you can begin: Seek to use both sides of your brain. Don’t fall for the myth that right-brained people are more creative while left-brained people are more analytical.

Usually, when planting a seed, we don’t stop to consider the factors surrounding its growth and well-being. We take for granted the optimal conditions necessary for this seed’s life to continue and flourish or maybe even bring forth fruit and produce. We have this uncanny sense that anything we throw outside on to the earth will eventually grow and if it doesn’t, we don’t stop to think why? Our lives can sometimes be described as little seeds of hope and faith, being wildly scattered on the earth’s ground in some expectation that we may grow.

We are all living beings of this planet called earth and as we go about our daily missions; we do so without recognizing the changes we go through or start. I want you to think back five or ten years. Would you recognize that version of yourself? Did you like that version of you? Now many things could have happened that caused you to become who you are today, but the lesson I want to share is being aware as the process occurs.

Biofeedback therapy is an ongoing procedure that allows for the analysis of biometric data to create a system for stress management. How is this helpful? Anyone can have a custom analysis of their own physiological responses to stress. This will allow you to change your behaviours and limit negative effects. This is a non-invasive procedure that isn’t too bothersome. Stress causes a response from your body and mind. This can include an increased heart rate, raised blood pressure and an endocrine reaction.

Creativity is all about generating new ideas in any setting –– in school, at home, and in the business world. It is particularly important in industries where the world is changing incredibly quickly, and breakthrough ideas are required to stay competitive. Creativity requires the ability to break new ground, opening up a world of possibilities. We lost sight of what it means to be creative. Sometimes we feel stuck for ideas and unsure of what to do.

Gratitude is a powerful thing that we all take for granted. If you are completely honest with yourself and you list all of the things you are grateful for, what would they be? Surely, a few things should immediately pop into your mind. Keeping track of what you appreciate helps you to prioritise what is important to you. It doesn’t matter what you feel grateful for, putting it in writing is one way of acknowledging what is important to you.

Creating content is a process that takes a keen mind and a willingness to be true to yourself and your audience. Those two things seem to be harder to emulate than anyone can think. It is almost as if pretence is a rite of passage for those who want to be seen. It takes nerve to be open to sharing your observations with an audience. Not everyone is cut out to be a creator.

It’s hard enough to meet your soul mate in real life not to mention meeting your twin flame. A twin flame can be described as a mirror of yourself. As we gain a higher level of understanding of ourselves, we can manifest a deeper consciousness our soul splits in two. It causes us to be wandering the earth until destiny should have it you meet your second half. When this phenomenon occurs, you will feel as though everything has suddenly fallen into place.

We all want success in whatever way we see fit, but how do you know if your goals are realistic? Growing up, it is instilled that we can do absolutely anything, but as we get older, our options don’t seem as wide. As it turns out, the world isn’t in the palm of our hands. It’s not wrong to believe in yourself, but at what point are you holding onto unrealistic expectations?

I don’t believe that a time ever existed in your life where you didn’t want or need something. Truth be told we outgrow things, and some people just continue wanting and wanting. Now there’s a huge difference between wanting and needing something, but I don’t think that us humans have the discipline to differentiate. If you say you want something, anything, this can fall into any category of wanting to taste, touch, feel, smell or see.

Are you drowning in your work? Well, even if you had all the time in the world you might find that you couldn’t finish all the things you need to do. 1. Know Your Goals. As basic as this step is, it is something that is overlooked and sometimes it is outright forgotten. How can you know what you need to do to complete a task if you aren’t fully aware of the steps you need to take?

There are so many substances that we come into contact with on a daily basis that we rarely recognize the lethal components and their harmful reactions. Maybe we don’t get the symptoms right away, but when we do start feeling the adverse effects, our brains can’t recollect where or when it happened. I’ve grown to notice that there are a few types of people in the world, some that are always enthusiastic about new things and trying something for the first time even if it appears totally out of the box and usually, they have no inkling of negativity or the cons associated with the risk they’re about to take.

When you see a sign that says “risk-free” or an investment banker comes to you whispering those magic words, do you feel happy or does your heart fall to the pit of your stomach? You see, don’t believe that anything in this world is “risk-free” no matter of how much pretty paper you wrap around it. The truth about risk is that there are various levels and some people are comfortable with what they’re comfortable with, while others tend to get squirmy by just mentioning triple digits.

Have you ever been invited to an art show and you see crowds’ of persons circling a particular piece and they’re all “oohing and aahing” at what they see? Sometimes I’ll see what they see too but other times I’m just as oblivious. This got me to realizing that most people don’t see what others do, but there is a reason for its’ existence. In business, you only see the whole picture, and the functioning as one unit to provide a unanimous front.

Time keeps going. Everyone has 24 hours in a day, your efficiency and general productivity depends on how you use your time. As it turns out, keeping a system to organize your time actually comes in handy. Spending a little amount of time organizing your time will help you save some in the end. No one works for an entire twenty-four hours and you might find that you spend a considerable amount of your time engaging is “unproductive” activities.

Sometimes we’re placed in situations where we wonder “How did I get myself into this?” and “Is it really worth my time?” If you find yourself being scattered and pulled and tugged in all different directions, chances are it will end in one of two ways: You break and you will have to start all over, or You’ll cease to exist and there’s no coming back from that one.

If you look around at the materials around you, you are bound to find some things you could do without. But what about the things you can’t see? What about the support of others, love, or even time? These are some things that we take for granted when we are not deprived of them. It’s only then do we understand their value. Without time we have nothing to do. We can’t exist without it.

With the rise of start-up businesses and everyone trying to survive the economy, we’re in, the lines seem to blur when trying to distinguish one business from the other. Differentiating your business can be complicated, but you should aim to create your unique fingerprint and pulse. Be creative, unique and use colors you like. So, you’ve heard that all before and you feel like you still can’t give it go. Quick question then, whilst growing up was there was a nickname that your neighborhood grew to know you by?

Before now, a lot of writers suffered because of technology didn’t give them the advantage that it does today. Some people still have misconceptions that publishing a book is a difficult thing to do and you need to know someone, who knows someone, or you have to pay an exorbitant amount of money to get your work out there. K-Centric is here to tell you that those stories aren’t true anymore and we can be your helping hand through your time of need and counsel.

There are a few things that can replace paper. When you want to record your thoughts, the tactile factor quite literally brings a concept into a physical form. It makes things all the more concrete. But, paper is useless without a writing tool. You need some tool to make a mark. It doesn’t have to have any other definable characteristics to make is more or less effective because it is really a matter of preference.

“You never get a second chance at making a great first impression” With that said you need to know how you see yourself and what you represent. Most of the times people get caught up in being a perfectionist at their specialities but they don’t take the time to address other issues. When given that fight or flight moment you must be prepared to leap at the opportunity. Business cards help this process and can even seal your fate with potential clients.

Have you ever observed an item or product and that judgmental part of your brain criticizes it? This happens to many and you may not always put a cover over your lid. You look at something and you don’t see it as complete; you find flaws and you devalue it with your words. It could be as simple as a performance or production that the artists have worked diligently on, but it’s all summarized in some derogatory comments left on social media.

To break a promise to someone you love feels unforgivable, but when loyalty and trustworthiness are in the mix, why do you think businesses break their promises to clients? The moral obligation of any company is to satisfy the wants and needs of the customer. If a company isn’t able to do that, their reputation will receive a negative hit and the damage control that you would have to prepare now would entail much more work than maintaining a promise.

Who doesn’t overwork from time to time? Even though it puts us at risk for serious burnout (which isn’t good), it is something that we fall into when we can’t manage our time. All this leads to is a mental shut down that takes a lot to recover from. Forming a habit of this will obviously have disastrous effects on your mental health. After recognizing the problem, you have to create a way to adapt to the things that cause this.

The world is becoming so dominating in so much “trending” fields that it’s hard to find uniqueness anymore. When you hear someone say, “Hey, I’m going to open a hair salon or pizza parlour!” I’m sure you think how very common. You see, all of these entrepreneurships were able to grow into iconic brands when they won the hearts of their customers. Most of their backgrounds start out humbly, genuine and passionately.

What is a miracle? Maybe you use the word so much without truly understanding its true essence. Miracles allow problems to be solved that would otherwise be deemed impossible. Therefore, miracles make the impossible possible through their very own kind of magic. If you were to create your own miracles, how do you think you would do so? It stems from your core and you need to figure out how to complete impossible tasks.

Archaeologists are famous for uncovering hidden secrets and mysteries of time and space, but they can only find what’s there through searching. In order to find a gold nugget in a deep river, you must use tools that make the process less frustrating. The same goes for researching any topic you may choose. Once you’ve identified the direction you chose to pursue, you need to start doing some footwork. Your research is only as good as the source it comes from.

Was there ever a time when you felt like the walls were closing in on you? Your pulse quickens and your heart beats like thunder in your ears. You’re scared you won’t meet that critical deadline, and everything hangs in the balance. The thing about this feeling though is that your palms are sweaty and slipping on the keyboard, plus your mind is racing and going places it shouldn’t be. What you need to do is take a deep breath and remember don’t panic.

I believe that it’s best to live your life truthfully and open than deceitful and in the dark. Some marketers, however, don’t care about the greater or lesser evils of both. When someone is hired to get a product or service to sell, they only see the numbers. Consumers are just a statistic on a page and what percent you’re marked out to be. Here are some ploys that marketers do to convince customers they’re really getting a steal of a deal.

When a writer is able to skillfully capture the subtle details about a topic and paint a vibrant picture in your mind with just words, that’s clarity. Writing isn’t necessarily about the number of words you just string together. No text should flow aimlessly. Also, more words don’t mean better content or highly influential pieces. It’s a thought process that keeps the order of things. Writers are able to capture their audience and leave imprints on their minds.

If you were to describe the relationships you share with those around you, would you say you’re a trustworthy individual or how many of the people in your circle can you count on? How about the businesses and companies that you interact with? Can they really be trusted or what makes them stand out as honest and loyal entities? There’s a growing need for companies to become reliable and trustworthy. Clients are searching for these valuable qualities within organizations and rate them highest among others.

Do you know that there’s this saying about having a silver lining in the sky, no matter how turbulent the weather may seem? Sometimes in life, we go through thunderstorms and we can’t see what’s in front of us much less a couple of feet ahead of us. All we feel is the heavy downpour and cold, harsh bullets of rain beating down on us and stinging our backs and faces.

You are what you’re exposed to and some may say there’s no way to filter that. Being a part of a technological age means that you have unlimited access to millions of ideas and themes that are unprocessed. You are now required to choose what you may and digest it for what it is or isn’t. Diversity of content really depends on the parameters of your mind that you want to set.

Do you ever find yourself in a room filled with people, but they don’t seem to hear you? Maybe it’s not a room at all, have you ever found yourself online constantly adding content to your social media pages but you’re just not receiving the feedback and growth you really desire? Here’s where you need to figure out what you’re doing right or wrong. You should pay attention to how to get people to pay attention to you and your brand?

Nowadays, a large number of startups are creating innovative ways to raise the capital required for their dream enterprises. Crowdfunding is the most popular concept where you can have numerous persons to give you monetary contributions which in reality can be summed up to a hefty figure. Just imagine having access to 100, 500 or even 1,000 persons, then multiply the number of people by their contributions (let’s say from $50 - $100).

Investing in yourself is more than just putting money behind a name and hoping for the best. When you have an idea and you want to pursue it, make sure you can lay a concrete foundation for the fruit of your labors, otherwise, everything will be in vain. An idea is nothing more than something that needs to be proved: it is pure theory. Think of it as something that needs to be proved.

Creating a product or service is not an easy task, especially for budding businesses. It takes market research, a considerable amount of resources, and a savvy way to connect with customers. With the world in our pockets because of social media, it can be misunderstood that it is all too easy to really sell anything to anyone. As anyone with experience will tell you, that is not the case. The first thing you need to do is make sure that that your product is desirable, even if it is something that isn’t on the market yet.

The visual impact of content is perhaps the most superficial and important element. The right visual cues make anything pleasing to the eye. For that reason, a well-constructed hook will entice an audience. There are five qualities to examine when looking to design: DYNAMICITY Think about the skeleton of your body; it is framework. This is about harsh lines, angles, high contrast. These are all things that are heavily pronounced.

It can seem as if everything and everyone is divided. There are two sides to the whole and everyone wants to be right. This applies to practically every aspect of life, but in business, it shows the strength of your ideals. If you want to become a strong leader or a prominent figure within your organization, you should be decisive. Otherwise, you stand on shaky ground. This doesn’t mean that you must have all of the answers as no reasonable person should believe that any one person is all-knowing.

As an abstract concept, it is the ability to affect the behavior, thoughts, or character on something. When referring to the digital world specifically it is the capacity to create or alter characteristics of a subsection of individuals. A wider sphere of influence would be valuable to whoever wields it. Even such a definition leaves much to the imagination. Influence is not a thing that can be measured accurately. Much like success, it depends on how it is defined by an individual or collective.

There is an art to a tease. Why should you reveal everything at once? You can do so much when you have your audience hanging on to every word. You give them something they think they need with the intent of keeping them engaged during the entire process. It’s not easy, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, you can add suspense to a piece with anti-climactic content.

What’s the best way to promote material on Instagram? The rise of live video has left everyone feeling as if candid moments should reign supreme. It gives an audience a look at an “authentic” look at who you are, but does it leave more of an impact than planned content? There seems to be a heavy debate on which is better. For those who favor candid content, the live nature of it shows your true self.

There are few things can capture your attention like the right visuals. All it takes is one key visual element to capture the eyes. After that, your audience is hooked. The hardest part is getting them to continue further. Instead of opting for an element to grab attention, look for one that will make them curious. Getting attention is easier now. Bright colors, interesting constructions, and unique arrangements can make your content stand out.

Marketing is considered both an art and a science, but some like to focus on the side of science. Marketing can be abstract in its results, yet some concentrate their efforts on the “hard” sides of it. Most of it is backed by data collection and analysis, which is why many stick to their scientific methods of marketing. To understand marketing as a science you must understand it as an art.

Persuasion is a process in which people are convinced through strategic messaging. As simple as that definition is, this process is quite tricky. It is dependent on a few key elements: Media Intentional Messaging Self-Involvement & Conviction Media The type of media is as important as the messaging. You need to know how you will be trying to convince someone. Will you meet them face-to-face and have a discussion?

The cinematography in a movie will let the audience know what they should be feeling. The director will have the cameras pointed at specific angles and the post-production team will help to cut out the unnecessary bits. You must be wondering how to have that amount of control when writing. The tone of your writing will reflect the relationship you want your audience to have with what you have written. You should be selective of your word choices and pairings.

We don’t always say what we mean to say because it is implied. That’s the truth about the way we communicate. What we mean doesn’t always need to be communicated explicitly through words. The connotations of our words play a significant role. When we speak to each other face-to-face, a simple nod can be an indicator of many things. It can show support, affirmation, sympathy, or point to a general direction.

When preparing content you might think that you should solve a problem your audience is facing. That wouldn’t be wrong, in fact, it’s thoughtful. If content creators concentrated on helping their readers they would amass a larger crowd and have good karma on their side. The unfortunate part of this is the execution. Some content creators are misled into preaching to an audience. The presentation of a problem is best done when it is honest and relatable.

Storytelling is an art and it requires creativity, patience, and skill. Sometimes, it can be easier to define something by what it isn’t. It can involve and incorporate elements of different media, often with vivid details and embellishments. The purpose of a story varies: it can be entertaining or educational. However, it shouldn’t have these things: Muddled Messaging Have you ever read or watched something and wondered about the message behind it?

Content collections grow over time. Azura has experienced extraordinary growth thanks to unwavering support from our audience. Azura Stories is merely an expansion of what we started. This is now home to content that will serve you in every aspect of your life. Our stories are separated into three categories: Pursuit, Living, and Creativity. Each category will focus on a major aspect of life: Pursuit will center on professional endeavors, Living will concentrate on personal balance, and Creativity will focus on innovative production.

Digital marketers need more than a computer and an internet connection. Appealing to an online crowd takes more “offline” skills than you think. 1. A Keen Mind Data is just data unless you can find a way to use it. Analysing your data and drawing meaningful feedback is important. This goes beyond the numbers we obsess over on the internet. You need to access situations and understand the meaning behind metrics.

Efficiency is measured by the time taken for a task. It should be noted that this time is to be well-used. The resources we need to perform such tasks should be accessible whether or not they are physical or immaterial. Every business and home is an organization – a large structure with compartments. These groups are directed and co-ordinated towards a specific goal or a specific set of activities. These objective follow a larger mission set forth by the head of the organization.

Where do you go on the internet to share your business? Wherever it is, it should be done appropriately and respectfully. Not only should it be well-placed, it should follow a few guidelines to attract customers and build your business profile without compromise. Get involved with your community. You won’t get results if you stick to one side of a platform. Get involved with community members and engage meaningfully. Commenting random emojis is not a great way to communicate.

Preparing content is more than just jotting down notes and hoping for the best. It takes time and effort to outline the best content to put forward. 1. Create sound goals. It’s one thing to have a rough idea of what you want to do and it’s another to have a strategy in place. You should have a clear view of what you want to achieve, not just in terms of metrics, and why these goals are beneficial to your business.

When you are trying to entertain your audience, be sure to do it in a methodical manner. Building your content refers to two things: the structure of your content and the way you content creates a larger structure. These are some tips to ensure a stronger foundation: 1. You should have a pillar structure. For the most part, content should shape a larger message. Stand alone pieces are great, but they can look out of place.

What’s the difference between a copycat and a shadow? Copycats are those who attempt to steal your work. This isn’t the same as taking influence from another source. This is blatant and wilful. They might not be as crafty as they think; it is intentional plagiarism. Shadows, on the other hand, are those who imitate or replicate others. For them, it’s like being mentored from afar. They might not have a personal connection to you, but they admire you well enough to adopt elements of what you do.

The business ecosystem is ever-changing. You could say that change is the only constant. The way a business functions and thrives today is different from the way it worked in the past. It is best to keep assessing the situation and finding solutions to the problem you face and the ones that you will likely face. It is crucial to your survival to be aware of the circumstances you are in.

Jack of all trades, but a master of none. How often have you heard this phrase? It’s common enough to be considered a cliché. Does this describe you? It’s important for you to be able to carry many torches, especially if you run your own business. There isn’t a problem with having too many talents. Of course, that implies that you are exceptional at everything you do. That isn’t the reality for anyone.

People judge you. They judge you by your actions, your words and your character. There’s no running from it. The good news is that you are completely in charge of those things. Better news? You can use those things as leverage for your business. Personal branding is more than choosing the right colors. Nothing can showcase your talents, knowledge, and unique experience other than enriching media. Content creation and distribution goes hand-in-hand with personal branding.

This isn’t an easy question to answer for many marketers and content producers. Many times you find that online dwellers create content with little to no plan. Maybe they have an overreaching idea of what they want to achieve. A problem arises when you have no clear purpose to drive the work you do. With no clear end goal, there is no real purpose behind your work. Directionless work can be dangerous for your business – it consumes your time and resources.

Are your leadership skills rusty? Sometimes, you think you’re doing a good job, but when you truly reflect on everything, you realize the inefficiencies of your attempts. We could all learn to be better leaders to take control over our personal lives and our businesses. Learn To Be Self-Aware. Your role is to help everyone around you. You can’t do that if you’re not performing at your best. To be effective as leader you have to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.

When we look at content, we should look at the different elements that allow us to share our message. The stories and media we choose are just as important to the way we present them. In other words, the “how” is equally significant to the “what.” It is the base of our communication. Our language is our core method of communication. It makes sense that it forms the way we manipulate other media.

Marketing agencies, influencers, content creators, and other tech-proficient individuals will have different answers. It depends on why you think they should matter. For most, it is a metric to measure how highly regarded your content is. The amount of “likes” you receive depends on the platform, the time you post, the content you post, and a slew of other things. Marketers often promote ways to “hack” the system in an effort the cheat the algorithm on just about every social network.

There are things that every writer needs to know. It doesn’t matter of you are a novice with no experience or a seasoned professional: there are some things that you might have overlooked. Ignorantly Ornate Phrases Have No Place In Writing They rarely have a lasting effect. In most cases, the audience won’t understand what you are trying to say. These phrases may sound good in the moment, but after reading it later you might find its meaning isn’t clear.

Content creation, regardless of media, can be stressful and mentally challenging. No one is immune to creative blocks and burnout. Here are some ways to implements stress-free creating: Tell Your Side Opinion pieces are powerful tools. The problem is that they are grossly underestimated by content creators. They allow readers to get to know you on a personal level without being invasive. However, there is an art to writing a piece that tells your side and convinces the reader.

These are common tropes in “new” marketing: Brand yourself Tell a story Make it personal What do these things even mean? Some swear by it, but when you dig deeper into the meaning and rationale into it, it is just bad fluff. Don’t be mistaken –– the points had value –– but it is lost in a sea of confusion. Misuse has muddied the waters for all of us.

Are websites dead? It doesn’t seem so when you surf the web. Countless businesses use their precious piece of online real estate. It can serve you well when you own your own website. Yet, there are countless businesses that don’t have their own website. Or worse, there are websites that haven’t been updated. In a digital age, it sounds strange to have an offline business. Most businesses like that aren’t fully off the grid – they have some social media presence.

We all get nervous. The uncomfortable feeling in your stomach, the haziness in your mind, and the thumping engine in your chest are things we all experience. These symptoms point to one thing: our nerves. It creeps up on us all, regardless of who we are. Stressful situations have that effect on us. Even with experience, they can overwhelm us. One thing we need to realize is that we tend to overthink situations.

Creating content for an audience is simple enough if you know what to do. There are two things you need to do to create appropriate material: Make is inclusive Make it a community The wrong language can alienate sections of your intended demographic. Conducting a comprehensive audience analysis will outline who is reading. Take note of their cultural and social backgrounds. It is easy to overlook these small attributes, but it matters.

Before you start any project, you must at least have a plan. Finding a good medium to host this crucial information. Sometimes, the medium we feel most comfortable with is not as appropriate as we need it to be. All notes or planning come in two forms: static and dynamic. Static Information Static information is fixed. This means that it is permanent or will encounter small changes. In management, this applied to anything based in fact.

Marketing isn’t what it used to be. With the prominence of the Internet, we have more tools than we ever did. More importantly, we have the ability to reach practically anyone. Even with the push for digital media. There are a few things that we tend to overlook when we want to communicate with our audience. Digital Business Card The new paperless version is a lot more handy than keeping a small stack of paper around with you.

Time management is one aspect of life and business that everyone needs to improve on. Life eventually gets too hectic. It doesn’t matter what media you use, if you want to create something lasting, then creating plans can alleviate imbalances. Your ideas will develop over time. Planning allows you to look at the bigger picture. Instead of taking things one step at a time, you get to see how your cumulative efforts will affect you.

Before you set down to create content, you need to look at your audience. Your audience is the people you already have reading your blog and those you want to reach. Knowing your audience means listening to their needs. Unfortunately, you might hear straight from the horse’s mouth – they probably won’t communicate directly to you. Fortunately, with social media, you can use your intelligence to make educated guesses. Look at their interest and ask yourself how you can give your expertise.

Why is writing style important? It forms the basic structure of the tone and context in which you write. Each style has characteristics that allow you to achieve what you want from your readers. Expository Writing Expository writing is explanative writing. Typically, it is an unbiased piece with relevant facts. It is extremely common as you encounter it in many how-to articles and instructional materials. This is best formatted in a logical sequence as you might find in a textbook or educational source.

Managing your life on a day-to-day basis is not necessarily as easy as Instagram makes it look. Everyone needs a different organizational system. Our lives are too complex to think that the same thing will work fro everyone and that it will work forever. If you are a pen and paper type of person, then task management feels best when you’ve got a hard copy. For a lot of people, writing things down help them to remember.

Every writer, experienced or novice, will tell you a different system that they follow. Proper creative expression has no set way to be done, but there are some processes that are more effective than others for some people. Using a writing process allows you to create a cohesive flow to your work. The more you put this into practice, the more it becomes second nature. A typical writer’s process is something like this:

All content, written or otherwise, starts with a plan. Not all plans are written or typed. Sometimes all it takes is a mental outline. Once you’ve got that, then you’re ready to start typing – or so you think. What you might find is that you start out with a bold vision that dulls rather quickly. Creating written work isn’t as easy as you thought it would be. When you get to that bright idea, don’t just work solely off the initial enthusiasm you have.

When it comes to networking, public speech is a common issue. Even those who aspire to become public speakers face issues. There are seasoned speakers who face challenges. There are two main problems that speakers face: poor planning and anxiety. When you analyze these two issues, they lead back to the same thing: observation. Good public speaking requires quick thinking. Even with impromptu monologues, proper planning (in the shortest possible time) is absolutely necessary.

Overworking means putting yourself at risk for burnout. It is hard to think when you are mentally shutting down. The dreaded burnout comes from many things. An overworked mind is a mind that is trying to handle too many things at one time. It good to keep busy, but it’s better to be smart about it. The first thing that you need to do is recognise the problem. This is not only understanding that you are overworked but looking at why you are overworked.

International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on the 8th of March. An annual theme is presented to put focus on a specific issue. “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change,” is the theme for 2019. This year was chosen to highlight on the disruptive changes that women have made and industry leaders in technological fields. The first time International Women’s Day was celebrated was the 19th March, 1911. Before that the struggle for women’s rights was in its fledgling stages.

Did you know that waking up early is one of the best ways to be more productive? Many of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs are early risers. Go to bed earlier It seems simple, but in order to get adequate rest, it is key to allot enough hours to get the sleep your body needs. Try thinking backwards to establish your bedtime. Not everyone needs eight hours of sleep; some people only need six.

A productive week depends largely on what you focus on every working day and how much time you allocate to activities that take up your time). Working harder does not necessarily mean you are being productive. These are a few things can do to have an insanely productive week this and every other week. Stop planning, start doing. It’s okay to make time to plan what needs to be done in the week or month but when you get back to the planning table often, you lose precious productive hours.

There is a chasm between the generations and it is even more apparent as time goes on. Businesses need to capitalise this and use it to their benefit. The disparity in knowledge and skills is often seen as a disadvantage, but with the right tools, it can be life-changing. Older generations have a wealth of business knowledge, especially around corporate culture and history. Therefore, developing a way to impart that knowledge to the younger millennials is crucial to staying open for business.

As a business owner, a large part of your strategy is to outshine competitors but savvy entrepreneurs know that it is also smart to create and maintain relationships with them. For those wondering how to approach competitors, here are a few tips. Make the first move. Don’t be anxious about blindly reaching out to competitors. Remember that you have each started or run a company in the same industry. Therefore you both likely have a shared passion for the service you provide, product you sell or problem you solve.

Living a more sustainable lifestyle has numerous advantages and benefits. And not only for the environment and planet earth, but for your personal well being and happiness too. While it may be difficult to ditch old, unhealthy habits, the changes can help you to improve your life significantly. Even the smallest changes can make a great difference in the long run. Become healthier and happier. One the first steps you can take to a more sustainable lifestyle is changing the transport you use to commute to work.

Shellecia is a writer, speaker, blogger and trainer. In 2013, she started My Anguilla Experience (myanguillaexperience.com), a destination and lifestyle blog and social media platform which encourages visitors and locals to explore and experience all that Anguilla has to offer. Shellecia also writes on a variety of topics for local, regional and international publications. An advocate of female empowerment and personal and professional development, Shellecia offers trainings and workshops for individuals, groups and businesses.

Samantha Hohnstadt is a Writer and Content Creator who was born and raised in Southeast Michigan. By profession, she works in Resource Development, Social Media, and Marketing, but spends much of her free time blogging or creating content for online publishers. Ms. Hohnstadt is fascinated by history, foreign languages, and world cultures. She studied International Business, French, and Spanish at Minnesota State University and travels as often as possible. She enjoys writing about the adventures she’s had abroad, her passion for health and wellness, and the experiences that inspire her in this big, wonderful world.

Born in the twin island state of Trinidad and Tobago (particularly Trinidad). She grew up in a household of six, which includes her mother, father and three elder siblings. Being the last child doesn’t mean she’s spoiled or pampered, but maybe just loved the most. From a young age I’ve always had a connection with writing. I felt as though the pens and pencils were magical mediums that I could ask anything and they would write me the answer.

A lot of us are afraid to fail. We believe it as a sign of weakness and can even come to regret ever taking that leap of faith. Well, contrary to this belief, a number of highly successful achievers often credit a failure or two, to their success. Failure is a type of freedom. Why? Because the worst has happened. Now, you can relax and rebuild your life. You do not have to fail on a large scale, but failure in life is inevitable.

Many people feel overwhelmed by stress, especially when life gets busy. A lot of relaxing activities and getaways have a hefty price tag attached. That may put them beyond your budget. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to release a little pressure. There are many low-cost ways to set your mind at ease. Meditate You might think that meditation requires you to “clear your mind” of all thoughts and worries.

Procrastination is a word we know all too well. I even procrastinated a bit before writing this. No one is a stranger to it. It presents itself to us as a familiar friend, but it can be the start of a creative demise. It creeps up on us and distracts us with enticing endeavours. Sometimes these activities are so mundane we wouldn’t think about them unless we had something more important to do.

It will happen to all of us. At some point we will come across an obstacle that prohibits us from putting our best work forward. A creative block can come from different things. We usually face an obstacle that requires us to more effort into solving. Whether we acknowledge that or not, we begin to feel discouraged or unsure about the project. Instead of thinking of a block a prohibitor, take it as a challenge to push your creative limits.

Everyone ponders on how they can improve what they are doing, but no one really knows what to do. Find Your Motivation What motivates you? This is the first thing you should ask yourself. Answer truthfully, as you will gain a lot of insight about yourself. Knowing what motivates you allows you to acknowledge the reason behind what you are doing. While it may seem like a simple question, it can be quite challenging for some.

Finding dust in your home is no fun, and it often seems that no matter how much you clean, it keeps coming back. Dust is made up of all kinds of particles including plant pollen, dead skin cells, and fibers from clothing and paper. When it accumulates, it’s annoying and can wreak havoc on asthma and allergy sufferers. To make matters worse, with dust come dust mites. While it’s impossible to completely rid your home of dust, here are some easy tips for keeping it at bay.

Who isn’t guilty of being an unpleasant person to be around every now and then? We all have our good days and bad days, so it happens. But if you’re noticing that your negativity has become a constant thing that’s starting to affect your relationships, it’s never too late to turn it all around. “What you think is what you become.” The actions you take every day can also play a role in helping you become a happier and less toxic person.

Letting go is a process. It is not really a mental switch that you pull or can turn off. Some people think letting go is a form of abdication. It isn’t. It is more a way of giving up control so that you can stop forcing the world to be the way you want it to be. The less you strong arm the world into “your way” the more you are open to all the world has to offer.

A diet myth is advice that becomes popular without facts to back it up. When it comes to weight loss, many popular beliefs are myths and others are only partly true. Here are some facts to help you sort through what you hear. The Less Fat You Eat, the Better Your body needs three nutrients to thrive: protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Yes, fats! Good-for-you fats found in foods like nuts, seeds, fish, avocado, olives, and low-fat dairy give you energy, help rebuild cells, and produce needed hormones.

Getting up early is definitely one of the routines successful people have in common. Many of them strongly stand for it, claiming it’s being an early bird that allows them to stay ahead of the competition. The fact is, waking up at dawn is a powerful weapon everyone has access to, yet many refuse to take advantage of it. You increase your productivity. The truth is, starting very early gives you that mental boost—while the rest of the world still sleeps, you are already thriving: you’ll check off the majority from your to-do list by the lunch.

Our smartphones allow us to communicate digitally at lightning speed with anyone in the world, and it would seem that they are leading us to become not so smart at communicating and interacting with each other in real life. The impact on sleep is also significant with many people admitting to sleeping with their phone under their pillow or having it bedside. Rather than yawn, roll over and acknowledge your partner, a new habit of checking the phone for any cyber-activity has formed, never mind checking the real human lying next to you.

Many of us have been taught to go to school, work hard, get good grades and get a “good job.” Usually, at the time, we don’t even really know what that means, but are told that certain ones are “good.” So, we put on our hustle and do everything we can to get one of those. It’s easy to just go through the motions and continue to do what’s comfortable and familiar.

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to keep your blood sugar in the range your doctor has advised, it can be too high or too low. Blood sugar that is too high or too low can make you very sick. High blood sugar (over 240) usually comes on slowly. It happens when you don’t have enough insulin in your body. High blood sugar can happen if you miss taking your diabetes medicine, eat too much, or don’t get enough exercise.

Traveling to a different time zone can be exciting – and it can take some getting used to. Depending on how far you travel, the difference in how your body responds literally could be night and day. That’s why frequent travelers often have to deal with jet lag. The most common symptoms of jet lag are sleepiness during the day and wakefulness, often with insomnia, at night, headache, and stomach upset.

Colds are considered a mild illness in comparison to flus because their symptoms are easier to decipher and battle. A cold/ will give you a runny nose, sore throat or watery eyes, while the flu won’t let you get out of bed, makes you ache from top to toe and gives you a severe headache”. Whether you catch a cold or the flu it is important to know what we need to do to keep our bodies away from sickness.

While we aren’t prone to playing favorites, there’s one room style that makes our design hearts burst every time: an all-white interior. While in theory, a bleached-out space should be stark and cold, the visual reality tells a very different story. A milky-hued foundation is the perfect blank canvas for creating a striking space that never gets old. Have you ever seen a white room you didn’t like? We thought not.

Using neuromarketing, you can rethink your strategies and create smarter marketing that will boost the effectiveness of your efforts. The goal of it is to understand how your customer’s brain actually works and what affects your marketing will have on the population of consumers. Brands such as Campbell’s Soup, Gerber, and Frito-Lay have used neuromarketing to restyle their packaging designs. In these instances, consumers were exposed to a product’s packaging piece by piece, and their response was recorded as positive, neutral, or negative.

Energy and motivation are important parts of life. We need energy to go far, and we need motivation to work on our goals and dreams. The problem most people are facing today is that they don’t have enough energy and they lack the motivation to take action to reach their goals. The best way to feel more energetic is to be happy. Do something that will make you smile and laugh.

Nothing says bright, fresh and clean like white. This versatile neutral works well in a variety of color schemes and design styles, and it’s hardly sterile and boring. There was a time in home decor in which the color white was an ideal color for a formal living room. These days, color isn’t always king, especially as people look to live in more minimalist environments. White is a color that is often ignored, but used purposefully and carefully can and should be embraced.

Innovation makes the world go round, and the internet has made it even better. The establishment of the digital infrastructure has provided a platform for new trends to emerge faster than ever before. By the time you get hold of one trend, another one is already emerging. Is it possible to stay updated on the ever-changing trends in a way that is cost-effective to your business? Yes! Here are a few ways:

When you reach into the closet and choose your clothes or scour the racks at your favorite retailer, the choices you make have an impact on the environment. Opting for a “green” wardrobe means paying close attention to fabrics, countries of origin, and laundering requirements, and considering how to dispose of clothes that are torn or no longer trendy. The decision to emphasize environmental sustainability in your wardrobe is easier than ever.

We all have down days and tough times and sometimes get stuck in a funk we just can’t seem to shake. For many people, this can become an all too familiar existence leading to depression. The concept of a personal “happy place” — somewhere you can escape the stress and constraints of everyday life and feel completely at ease.For some people, it may be a busy shopping mall. For others, it’s the serenity of a beach.

Competition between employees is an inescapable part of most people’s work lives. Whether overtly or otherwise, most companies create a dynamic in which employees compete against each other for recognition, bonuses, and promotions. Using competition in the workplace can be healthy and productive. Competition increases levels of chemicals like testosterone and is motivational in many situations. It also can cause stress and alienation, so it’s important to know how to make competition work for your organization.

Dealing with pressure is something we all must do daily. Since stress is unavoidable, it’s important to learn how to channel and deal with it in a healthy, productive way. In doing so, you’ll not only survive tough situations, but thrive in spite of them. The easiest way to get started is to take ten minutes each day to prioritize and organize all the key things you need to accomplish.

Executive presence is a blending of temperament, competencies, and skills that, when combined, send all the right signals. Leaders know they must embody executive presence to get ahead, influence others, and drive results. Executive Presence alone isn’t the thing that will launch your career, but its absence can keep you from achieving your full potential. Some people seem to naturally have that leadership vibe, but EP isn’t something that you’re just born with.

The name Azura means sky-blue. It was chosen as the name of this magazine because of what the sky symbolises. The openness of the sky is parallel to the mind, which is why for our first issue it was made our theme. Our cover aptly depicts the sky, but in a black and white illustration centred on a contrasting background. It was a deliberate choice to keep the illustration in black and white over a continuous stroke of blue to emphasise the sky.

AZURA is a new independent magazine that will publish its debut issue on May 3rd. Every subsequent issue will be released on the 3rd of every month. This magazine start-up is based in the Caribbean and makes it their mission to create curated content with a fresh perspective on subjects of interest. Azura will be published on their website and daily updates can be seen on their Facebook page and their Instagram.