5 Challenges Every Beginning Guest Blogger Faces With (and how to tackle them effectively)

Guest blogging is an amazing strategy with the help of which you can boost your branding, increase referral traffic, prove your expertness and get new clients.

It even still works for SEO, despite of Matt Cutts pronouncing it dead.

David Erwin, Senior Marketing Specialist at Chicago SEO Company, says that “If done right, guest blogging can increase your search traffic by 200% in half a year by boosting your search rankings and making you more authoritative in the eyes of Google”.

Just take a look at recent case studies.

Syed Irfan Ajmal, for example, was able to increase revenue for his client by 23.85% in six months solely by employing an interesting guest blogging tactics. At first, he did keyword research, then he created several posts for his clients’ blog and then he built guest posts around selected keywords and linked to the articles on the client’s blog. It’s a really interesting case study and you can also watch a webinar about his success story here.

Do you also want similar results? Great! Then get on board!

But beware! There will be some challenges on your way. Let us tell you what they are along with best recipes which will help you to tackle them. Read on!

Identifying and Tackling Main Guest Blogging Challenges

 

1) Guest blogging platforms evaluation

So how exactly do you find platforms to guest blog on?

At first, let’s take a look which platforms you need.

Google rewards the sites which have high-quality backlinks from the resources in the same niche. If you specialize on selling clothes online, naturally it will be suspicious if you have a bunch of links coming from platforms which write about poker and you risk to get a filter from Google really fast.

The platforms where you’re going to guest blog on should come from the niches related to yours. If you sell shoes, you can post on sites from various niches such as fashion, marketing, advertising, ecommerce, etc., where you can mention your site naturally.

After you’ve determined the niches where you’re going to blog, it’s time to look at some metrics.

It’s important to evaluate the sites before sending them any content in order to determine if they are worth your time and effort. It’s also important that links from your selected resources won’t do you any harm.

Useful metrics you should check before posting are: Domain Authority, Number of Visits and Search Engine Traffic.

Domain Authority is a metric on a scale from 0 to 100 which predicts how well a website will rank on search engines. It was developed by Moz and is a great indicator on how trustful sites are.

When starting guest posting, it’s nice to begin with sites which have DA of 25 and above.

It’s super easy to measure DA. Just add MozBar to your browser and you’ll see how well sites perform in an instant.

You need to know the Number of visits a site gets in order to understand if the site has any readership and whether someone can potentially come to your site from there.

SimilarWeb browser extension is doing a great job estimating the number of visits a site gets. You can start from sites which have more than 10K monthly visits and go from there.

You need to know the Search Engine traffic to get the idea of how well the site is ranking in search engines. The higher the traffic is, the better a site looks in the eyes of Google and it would be awesome to get a link from such a site.

You can start from platforms with search engine traffic of 500+ and SEOquake can measure it for you along with tons of other metrics.

2) Guest blogging platforms research

How are you going to actually search for guest blogging platforms?

Most beginning guest bloggers take a somewhat chaotic approach to the research process – they just find a bunch of blogs in their niche through search queries or some listicles and then try to contact webmasters.

The problem with this approach is that you don’t know if the sites you find want guest posts or not. In order not to waste your time creating customized pitches for the sites which don’t want you there, it’s better to refine your search and target those sites which want other people to write for them.

Here’s a way to do platforms research smarter.

Use advanced search queries such as:

• keyword + “guest post”
• keyword + “write for us”
• keyword + “this is a guest post by”
• keyword  + “become a contributor”
• keyword + “guest posting guidelines”

 

You get the point, think of all the possible ways you would invite guest bloggers to write for your website and build your queries accordingly.

Here’s a search operators list which will help you build your search queries smarter.

3) Coming up with interesting topics to blog about

The topic you choose to write about is a key either to success or a failure.

If you write around topics which are trendy, innovative and interesting to vast audiences, you’ll get a lot of guest posts published in no time.

How to know what would be interesting? Research!

Take a look at how different pieces of content perform on social media. Social media engagement is your number one indicator of what online audience loves and it’s really easy to measure.
Just type the name of your niche or topic in BuzzSumo and see what has been trending over the past month or a week.  

If you already know some blogs which are trend-setters in your niche, with Buzzsumo you can identify their most popular content.

This is especially useful when doing research of specific platforms you want to target. Knowing what their audiences like to read will give you a better idea of what topics you should pitch to editors in order to get published.

 

4) Reaching out to webmasters

If you have brainstormed killer ideas for your posts you’re halfway to your success.

Now you have to get your awesome ideas in front of webmasters to get published.

When writing your outreach letter, remember that you need to show webmasters that you’re providing value to them and don’t just want to get a link back to your site (they already know that).

It’s good to start your email from a (sincere) compliment about one of the recent posts the blogger wrote, write your own thoughts on the problem highlighted or maybe even propose your own solutions. Show that you know what the blog is about and that you can write valuable content for their audiences.

Always research the platform you’re contacting as personalization is your only way to make a blogger trust you.

After a brief comment about the blog, it’s time to present your topics.

Pick two-three ideas which will be most relevant to your platform and write them in the form “Headline – post description”, so that a webmaster has something to choose from and has a clear idea of what the posts are going to be about. It’s risky to pitch just one idea as it might get rejected and you can say goodbye to that promising platform.

After that say politely that you’d like to discuss further details and wish the webmaster a great day.

It’s important to make sure that your email arrives at the right time, that’s why be mindful of the webmaster’s time zone and make sure that your email arrives in the beginning of their working day, so that it’s the first thing they see when they’re checking their emails.

If you don’t receive any response, it’s ok. Webmasters are extremely busy people and it’s good to remind them about your pitch in 3-5 days. There are two possible reasons why your message got ignored: they didn’t like your pitch, your message got lost in the ocean of email they receive every day. By politely reminding about yourself, you increase your chances of getting a response.

5) Keeping track of your relationships.

There are two great tools which you can use to be on top of your game – Google Sheets and Trello.

I love using Trello to track the status of my articles. Trello is awesome to track processes that’s why I created a complete path an article has to go through from creation to publication. It’s really fun to move your articles between stages and you can see the situation with your posts in seconds.

Google Sheets are awesome for doing research of new platforms, recording contact information along with dates critical for your campaign, such as when you contacted a webmaster for the first time and when you need to follow up. Update the file regularly so you don’t get lost in the huge amount of data you will accumulate over time.

 

Guest posting is an extremely beneficial promotion strategy for your blog or service. Before taken any further action, always ask yourself why you’re doing it and the right decisions will start coming to you in no time. Guest blog wisely and always focus on satisfying the needs of your target audience – that’s the way to a guaranteed success.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/christopher-flores/5-challenges-every-beginning-guest-blogger-faces-with-and-how-to-tackle-them-effectively/

How to Find the Correct Marketing Strategy for Your Small Business: Eight Common Issues that Every Business Faces.

You want to improve your business. You want to do what’s best for your customers. You also need to make a profit in order to survive. Your first step is to identify the issues that are hurting you and your small business. Then you should look at your resources. What is out there for your small business to promote your product and/or service? You need to research both offline and online marketing resources. Every marketing campaign should be different from any other marketing campaign. You need to stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Issue #1 – Your marketing campaign is going “nowhere.”

This issue is very familiar to most marketing professionals. There are at least one or two issues you need to address if you feel the customers are not seeing you and not purchasing your product/service. The first issue is that you may be concentrating too much on an online marketing campaign. The second issue is making your business known as you battle against your competitors for a shrinking customer base. Social Media and other online marketing avenues are good for getting the word out, but you should also consider doing some traditional marketing as well. Physical items such as pens, magnets and business cards are good takeaways that you can use to promote your business offline as you go about your work. A good balance between online and offline marketing should help you resolve this issue.

Issue #2 – You’re not sure if your product and/or service is being promoted correctly.

Solving this issue won’t be easy. Building customer relationships is critical and necessary to understand how your product and/or service are being used. Online marketing tools such as SalesForce and ExactTarget monitor sales and collect other data to help you see how your product and/or service is doing in the marketplace. With offline marketing, you can see the physical sales of your product and/or service and your customers’ physical reaction to your product and/or service. Using both online and offline marketing strategies to bring your customers in to your store and/or online business could help resolve this issue.

Issue #3-You’re running out of time to have your product and/or service out in the marketplace.

In today’s marketplace timing is everything. You need your product and/or service in front of your target audience now. Online marketing tools can help you time your product’s release to create the maximum impact. It is good, however, to have offline marketing tools in place to solidify the message you want to convey to your target audience. For instance: A new line of jeans can be marketed online to attract customers but having visual ads in your local newspaper about where to get them at your local store will enhance your marketing strategy. Combining both online social media ads to draw customers in timely way to your store and having print ads to enforce and direct customers to your store is a good way of to get your business name out there and gain customers.

Issue #4-You need low cost options because your business is tied up in capital.

Cost is definitely a big consideration especially for a small business that is just starting up and needs its capital to invest in products and other expenses. Online marketing tools can alleviate those costs by letting you explore their free products before committing to premium products. Social Media sites like Facebook also offer free options for businesses to promote their products/services online. Traditional or offline marketing tools often are expensive to use, but are more professional than online marketing tools in that you can target a specific audience with visual and auditory messages. Special concerts are an example of when you probably should do a combination of both online and offline marketing. Yes, printed materials can be expensive. Yes, radio ads can also be expensive. Yet, when you are focusing on a particular audience you make the audience feel special when you make the effort to do both online and offline marketing. By doing this, you will see good results and solidify your customer base.

Issue #5-You need to know your return on investment(ROI)

Return on investment can be difficult to track with traditional marketing as you are pushing your message out to a wide group of people instead of pulling people to your website. It can be done. You should remember that most traditional marketing focuses on brand awareness and isn’t targeted to a specific audience. It can also be used to attract customers to a special event. You track ROI by noting how many people bought tickets to your event and/or how many people responded to your print advertisement. Online marketing tools are good when you need to know how many people are being drawn to your website and how many are actually purchasing product there. A good combination of both online and offline marketing resources can help you determine return on investment so you can make good business decisions.

Issue #6-You’re not reaching the right target audience

Knowing your target audience is a critical component to your marketing campaign. Senior citizens are known for their inability to connect with social media and prefer traditional methods of communication. However you must factor in that not all senior citizens are disconnected to social media. Some do actually prefer electronic communication. Young people are known for their excessive use of social media in their everyday communication. However some young people actually consider it a rare treat to receive something in the mail. Combining the traditional print and electronic media can actually help your business be seen by your target audience.

Issue #7-You want to take your business worldwide

Both traditional and online marketing campaigns have components that will allow you to take your business worldwide. You must figure out costs of transmitting your message worldwide via television and radio. It is a very effective medium for large companies and subsidiaries of worldwide companies to make this investment. The downside is the cost and regulations you will need to adhere to in the countries you want to promote your product in. Online marketing is already worldwide, as people around the world use the Internet on a daily basis. You may want to opt for premium marketing services that target your specific audience.

Issue#8-You want your customers to remember your business in a tangible way

This issue is easily resolved by studying what other organizations have done and by attending one or two workshops and conferences with your promotional products. Customers need something tangible to remember your business. This could be a pen that has your company’s name, address and phone number or a tote bag that they can carry with them that has your company’s logo on it. You may even want to provide awards or prizes to your customers when they visit your website. Promoting your organization can be as easy as passing out business cards or as elaborate as having customized key rings.

We’ve talked a lot about how your small business can solve common issues that can drag them down. There are many other issues that small businesses face that we haven’t mentioned here. You know them. Having a good marketing strategy that takes into consideration the many traditional and online marketing resources available will succeed. Every small business is different. Using a combination of both online and offline resources can only enhance your business and support your community.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/twitter-epicninjadaboss/how-to-find-the-correct-marketing-strategy-for-your-small-business-eight-common-issues-that-every-business-faces/

Useful Tips on How to Get Noticed When Starting a New Business

Starting a new business always brings out a certain dose of fear in people. Whether they will be able to return their intimal investment, and whether people will even give them a shot. Today, so many business owners are competing with one another that starting a new line of work can very often look like bringing sand to the beach.

So, it’s very important to leave a good first impression, and for people to notice you in the first place. If you want to know how to get noticed and have a good initial boost, then the following article will help you out. These are some useful tips to help you get noticed when you are starting your own line of work.

Ride the wave of current trends

If there is a universal trend that everybody is following, then there is a good opportunity for you to use that in your favor. For example Domino’s Pizza had a Twitter campaign that was called “Tweet for pizza” and it’s pretty self-explanatory. You could order pizza by simply tweeting and tagging Domino’s. Basically, you improve the user experience of one platform like Twitter by giving people the option to use your services while they are scrolling through their feed. Also many stores allow buyers to make an order in Facebook chat.

The latest trend, as you probably all know, is Pokemon GO, and the number of users is immensely high. So, if there is a poke stop near your store, you can organize a Pokemon lure party, which is a great way to ensure visitors swarm around your store. If there is no poke stop near your store, you can organize a customer incentive using Pokemon GO; for example, whoever catches the rarest pokemon or whoever catches the most pokemon in a certain time frame can get a discount.

Lastly, if you are close to the gym, you can offer a discount to current gym champions, which also means people will come to your store frequently.

Make your site more visible

The second thing you can do is make a website or an online store. You can to make your content more visible at the very beginning. First, you need to know just how to add your website to Google search and how search engine optimization works. If you are not up to date, then do not try to rank for a particular keyword or keyword phrase by flooding the text with it. You still need them though, just do not focus on their density, focus on how to implement them within a text along with other topic-relevant words.

The best way to do this is to have a blog section where you can write on various niche related topics, and easily rank for all the keywords and keyword phrases you want. However, make sure you are using robot.txt properly and make sure your pages are crawlable, so that you can be indexed and thereby added to the search base.

Also remember to put engaging content on your site. Don’t focus solely on texts, but create videos and infographics, something that users can skim through and also pay attention to, because you need good conversion in order to rank positively. If users just land on your site and leave immediately, that’s basically a negative click through rate and you definitely want to avoid that.

Follow your audience

Finally, if you want your audience to know that you exist, you need to follow them and visit the same sites or channels as they do. There are a lot of influencers for any niche and people who are interested in what you are selling are probably watching or reading the content created by the influencers. So, if you want to be noticed by your target audience, you need to reach out to those influencers and negotiate the terms to get mentioned.

Some of them might do it for free, others want to earn money, but regardless, you’ll still need quality content, because no one wants to give their audience something that won’t impress them. Basically, you need to be loud, but you’ll also need quality content to back up your claims.

This roughly covers it. These are the most efficient ways to draw attention to your brand and your store. It gives you an opportunity to be discovered by many people and for them to give you a chance, so make sure you do not disappoint them, because you can potentially lose some really loyal customers.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/aleksandarilic/useful-tips-on-how-to-get-noticed-when-starting-a-new-business/

Apple Says It Cares About Diversity. Facts Say Otherwise.

Is the Future of Wearables Enterprise or Consumer-Facing?

As with so many emerging technology trends, the pundits can’t seem to agree whether the driving forces behind wearable technology are going to come from enterprise or consumer-facing apps. Consumer developments always grab the headlines, but enterprise functions are usually far more successful at producing revenue streams and radically rethinking the way businesses operate. Experts predict that the market for wearables is going to reach over $12 billion by 2018. By then, there will already be clear industry leaders and losers. So where are the future leaders of wearable app development looking right now?

 

 

AR Meets Wearables in Manufacturing, Modeling, and Medicine

With the meteoric success of Pokémon Go, augmented reality seems to be having its moment in the consumer-friendly media spotlight. AR has always promised revolutionary changes to the gaming world, but its potential in manufacturing, design, and medicine could change everything from product design to surgical procedures. The combination of augmented reality with wearables like smart glasses marks a shift away from touch screens. Hands-free computing opens up incredible possibilities, for example, surgeons could access data while in the middle of surgery without compromising attention or the sterility of the theater. Another workforce application became eminently clear with the launch of Meta, a headset that allows users to manipulate 3D objects right before their eyes. Anyone who works with 3D models now has a brand new way to design products – and now they can do it anywhere, anytime, with a portable headset. There is also plenty of speculation that digital imagery provided by AR can revolutionize industrial repairs by giving mechanics access to schematics that show how a piece of equipment should operate.

Fashionable Tech

It’s not just industry that’s benefiting from app development in this sector, but the runways from New York to Milan, too. E-textiles or smart garments have been waking waves on the runways ever since Google Glass made a surprise appearance at New York Fashion Week back in 2012. Despite the cutting-edge technology, Google is decidedly not in the fashion industry for a reason, and the clunky look of these devices has proven to be a real obstacle to their widespread adoption. Fortunately, companies that started off in the clothing business are starting to see the real potential of technology that’s small enough to be integrated into textiles without being noticed, such as Ralph Lauren’s tennis shirts that monitor heart rate and body temperature. Others have developed solar panels integrated into garments, enabling users to charge their cellphones as they walk. Of course, not all of the world’s fashionistas are looking to add functionality to their clothes. Some are focusing on what they do best: avant-garde styles, such as Ying Gao’s photo luminescent dresses that are only activated when someone is staring at them. IoT might prove to be the richest realm for experimentation with wearables according to Toronto mobile app developers Clearbridge Mobile, who have been leading advances in mobile and touchless payment technologies.

Everything on Your Phone Will Now Be on Your Wrist

With the growth in smartwatch sales reflecting a more diverse range of available apps, businesses with mobile apps are realizing that they need to get on smartwatch platforms – especially media. The Wall Street Journal realized that its readers wanted the news fast and they wanted it to be as convenient as checking the time. They turned to Clearbridge Mobile app development services in Toronto to build apps that would be native to Galaxy Gear and Android Wear. The native build presents headlines as push notifications so that users are alerted to the pressing political and business events of the day as they break. Perhaps even more importantly, the WSJ also included a real-time market data scroll, so users can keep their eye on the market as they read stories. With companies like Clearbridge pushing for more experimentation in mobile space and wearable technology, future development will likely have less to do with catching up to the platform’s native strengths and weakness and more about IoT.

Travel

One of the industries pegged for growth in wearables is travel. Travel apps are only now gaining steam as “life organizing” tools that help stressed travelers keep track of their schedules and check-ins, the status of their flights, and maps of exciting new cities. Many new apps allow travelers to save the locations of their “off-the-beaten-track” finds and even make payments (meaning less need for cash and credit cards on hand). Safety conscious travelers will appreciate the added protection of a smartwatch over an easily pick-pocketed wallet, too.

The convenience and excitement of new wearable apps will always make consumer-facing developments the talk of the town. However, with the integration of AR into wearable technology, enterprise functions look like they’re going to drive the future of this technology.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/michaelsanduso/is-the-future-of-wearables-enterprise-or-consumer-facing/

When Should You Apply to Grad School?

Enrolling in a graduate school program is becoming more popular, and even more recommended in some fields. While a college education is a great start in finding a career, a graduate degree can advance and set you apart from others. Whether you are continuing your education in the same field as your undergrad or potentially pursuing a degree in a subject that differs from your previous study, knowing when to apply is vital.

Now, on to the big question: Just when is it time for you to apply to grad school?

Starting grad school while still in undergrad

Depending on the school and program you are interested in, you may be able to begin grad school classes while you are finishing your undergrad degree. This is a great way to consolidate the time it takes to receive both degrees, which means you will be heading into your field of study earlier. Not only does it save time, it often also saves money. Another benefit is that your graduate and undergraduate classes will be further integrated and you will have the benefit of a continuous track of study.

There are disadvantages to this process as well, however. Often, the course load is a lot heavier with this expedited track, which means you will likely be putting in more hours than your peers who are in more standard programs. It may also mean you won’t have as much time for an outside job or internship that could give you additional valuable experience.

If you are wanting to take this track, you will need to start applying early in your undergrad career. Typically, you apply to these programs after you have been accepted and admitted to a college, but these programs may come with further requirements. Each program and each university is different, so if this is a track you are interested in, you will need to begin to research and apply while you are applying to colleges or very shortly after.  

Going to grad school directly after completing undergrad

For some, making the decision to go straight to grad school after they receive their undergraduate degree is the most beneficial for their goals. One benefit of going straight into grad school is you may end up with your graduate degree more efficiently and be able to get a head-start into the competitive job market over some of your peers. You also will not have much of a break in your schooling, which means your college studying skills may be more fresh in your mind, ultimately leaving you better prepared for the class load.

Some disadvantages include the cost of these programs, which can be prohibitive in some circumstances for those who have not yet held a full-time job. You are also potentially putting off getting real-world experience in your field, which can be just as important as a higher degree.

If you decide you would like to go to grad school right after graduating from undergrad, you should begin your search and application process the summer before your final year of undergrad at the latest. Just like a college application, graduate school applications require a lot of materials that will take time to collect, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and test scores. You will likely also need to invest time in prepping for grad school entrance exams, such as the GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, or GRE. Ensure you are aware of the varying deadlines for these exams’ registrations, as well as your prospective schools’ deadlines for accepting these test scores.

Entering grad school after starting your career

Some prospective grad students take a few years (or even several years) off before they apply to go back to school. There are several advantages to this way of thinking. It allows you to get some work experience, save up money for tuition, and overall strengthen your grad school application. It also allows you to see if you really are passionate about your field of study outside the classroom. Moreover, some employers will pay for their employees to attend grad school, which can be a huge advantage.

A disadvantage is the difficulty of going back to school after a long break. Working and being in school are very different, and it can be a challenging adjustment to go back. It also may be difficult for some to put their career on hold.

If you are applying to grad school after a break in schooling, you should begin preparing at least a year before applications are due. With a major lifestyle change from work to school, there are several preparations that need to be made, such as working with your current employer to inform them of your plans. It also may be a bit more difficult to track down old school records, test scores, and letters of recommendation, so allow ample time to complete these tasks.

Like any process, applying to grad school takes time and effort to impress. Whenever you do decide to apply, keep these factors in mind.
Brittany Phillips is a contributing writer for Varsity Tutors, a live learning platform that connects students with personalized instruction to accelerate academic achievement.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/varsitytutors/when-should-you-apply-to-grad-school/

Becoming Financially Responsible: 5 Easy Things You Could Do

There comes a period in life when we all start earning money. There are numerous issues that we experience once we start earning money. The majority of these problems occur because we are not organized enough. Budgeting is essential, no matter how much money you earn, because the fact that you now have the funds does not mean that you are always going to have the same cash flow.

This is why it is very important to ready yourself for these types of situations. It is simply going to make you more financially independent and provide you with a stable financial future.

Stop using credit cards

A majority of the population is relying on these little plastic thingies and if you are as well, you should definitely stop. However, the majority of credit cards offer bad interest rates, making your debt difficult to pay off. Avoid buying things that are going to put you in a position where you have to pay it off with large interest, as you’re simply wasting money at that point. Rethink whether a certain item is a must or if you can actually wait a bit longer and purchase it when you have enough money for it in your budget.

Avoid loans

There are many things that require a bigger investment, such as purchasing a car or renovating your home, which requires different types of loans. This is something you should definitely try to avoid. However, if you are a dedicated saver, you can always gather the appropriate finances to perform these tasks. Getting a loan is going to put you in a position where you are going to face fairly high interest rates.

Yes, the amount of money that you are going to pay per month is lower, but when it all adds up, you are likely to spend up to 15% more, which is quite a lot when it comes to such large sums of money. Save more, spend less and you will capable of dealing with these expenses without having to take out a loan.

Plan out monthly expenses

Many people receive their salary and feel like they can spend a lot at the beginning of the month, but this is a surefire way sabotage your budget and end up counting pennies at the end of the month. It is important to create a spending timetable. An excel sheet is the perfect tool for this task, however, if you are not a tech-savvy person, you can simply write down your monthly expenses. This is going to allow you to determine the exact amount of money that you are going to spend.

This is especially useful once you decide to go grocery shopping, as there are numerous items that we purchase when we are on an impulse buying spree. When these expenses add up, it turns out that you are wasting money on numerous unnecessary things. Create a budget and never spend more than you have to; you will see how much money you are going to be able to save.

Save money

Many people spend their whole salaries without thinking about the future. In order to ensure your financial future, it is tremendously important to establish a savings account and take some money from your every salary and put it there.

A minimum figure should be 10% of your total earnings, but, if you are in a position to save more, it is better. This simply opens up a variety of different options for you after some time. However, keeping a lot of money squared away is not the perfect idea, so, when your savings account grows big, you can always think of some way to make a worthwhile investment.

Make smart investments

Many people think that you need a lot of money in order to invest. This is not true, as there are different types of investment opportunities out there. However, it is very important to make a smart decision. If you are faced with an investment that returns several times in a short period of time, chances are that it is very risky. Always aim for investments which pay off in the long run.

Knowing how to make the right decision can be achieved through online research, as there are numerous experts who share their experiences. After some time, as you make smaller investments, you are going to become more experienced, which will help you become more financially independent in the future.

These are some of the best ways to make yourself much more financially responsible. Focus more on your needs and forget about your wants. By doing this, you are going to realize how much money you are wasting, instead of ensuring a bright financial future for yourself and your family.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/aleksandarilic/becoming-financially-responsible-5-easy-things-you-could-do/

Reasons Why You Should Exhibit Your Business at a Trade Show

You still don’t know how exhibiting your business at a trade show can benefit you? Bear with me and learn more about this topic.

There are dozens for benefits a business can have from exhibiting at some trade show, from credibility, visibility to raising brand awareness, and many, many more. It is important to establish your presence, no matter how big or small it might be. The fact that your company is at an exhibit show opens up many options, as it is a platform that allows you to find new customers, establish your brand and reach out to your existing customers.

A lot of business organizations don’t exhibit themselves at trade shows because they don’t know about all the benefits and think that it’s a waste of their money. It’s true that there are investments you must make, such as choosing a good exhibition stand, training staff members, traveling, etc. However, when you learn these benefits, you will realize that exhibiting is a worthwhile investment for your business.

Generate targeted, valuable business leads

If you have the right approach, each of the trade shows you exhibit at will be a great opportunity to quickly increase the size of your customer base. Most of the people who visit trade shows are usually quite motivated, and genuinely interested in services and products that companies have to offer, this makes them open to making deals on the spot.

These are much more valuable leads than any other you could find. It is important that you align all of your sales goals with your team before every trade show so that you can generate as many leads as you can. A trade show gone well could mean that your sales team remains busy for the next couple of months, closing valuable deals and connecting with new prospects.

Build and establish your brand

Branding is one of the most important aspects for any business’s success. This is especially important for businesses that rely on their reputation and trust they build with their customers. Going to a trade show is a big opportunity for sharing your company’s story with the industry you are in. Show that your business is reliable, serious, and big enough to earn its place at leading conferences and big events.

If you approach your exhibits strategically, you might even be able to establish your business as a part of a unique niche within the market. When you position your exhibition stand next to some big players in your industry, you can come off as bigger than you actually are, and customers will see you as an established brand, rather than just “another startup.”

With a good strategy, even small startups can make a great exhibition of their brand when attending a trade show.

Make sales without being annoying

Not all people react well to direct emails or telesales. There are many people who think that direct marketing is too aggressive, annoying, intruding, and they hate sales calls, no matter how valuable offers might be in front of them.

When a businesses is exhibiting at trade shows, it gets greater access to people who are interested in what they have to offer, all of this without any apprehension or resentment, which are characteristic for some traditional direct sale channels. Those common obstacles are gone as people come to trade shows with the goal of buying something, listening to ideas, and learning more about what business organizations have to offer them.

You should look to capitalize on this great opportunity. Customers rarely give you their time, and at trade shows, they do this on their own. Approach each and every interaction as a chance to make some deals or present your business and I guarantee that you will leave every trade show with a lot of valuable sales leads.

The things mentioned above can be offered to your from only some of the best trade shows, of course these are not all the benefits you could have. You can also use trade shows to make a buzz for your new products or services, research the competition and even expand your professional network or find new business partners. These additional benefits you might have depend on which trade shows you choose to attend, so choose wisely.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/ivandseo/reasons-why-you-should-exhibit-your-business-at-a-trade-show/

3 Ways to Help You Decide Whether You Want To Be a Freelancer or an Entrepreneur

Leaving traditional employment and seeking a freelance or entrepreneurial lifestyle is something many people decide to do in their lives. Maybe you are thinking of doing the same thing, quitting your job and starting that business you have always dreamed of, or perhaps you want to follow your passion like writing or doing something you are qualified to do.

It is very important to know the commitment you will have to make and how that commitment will fit into your life. Freelancers and entrepreneurs have different roles in society, but one thing is certain, they both play a key role in our economy and its growth. So, how can you decide what you want to be? This is where we come to the rescue with these three simple ways to help you decide which one will be the best fit for you.

How Do You Define Yourself Exactly?

A freelancer is someone who is defined by what they do. They can be a good writer, a good web designer or even a good seamstress. Their skill set and how they perform are their primary values, so if you want to be a successful freelancer you need to be an expert in what you do and do it really well, because if you do, opportunities will only continue to arise.

An entrepreneur is someone who is defined by what they create. They are able to put their opportunities to good use and convert them into conveniences that can make life much easier for those who are in need. When people say “entrepreneur”, they often think of people like Steve Jobs who created Apple, and Bill Gates who created Microsoft. Both men had dominating thoughts on what things would look like if they implemented their ideas and cast them into the world.

Contender or Creator?

Entrepreneurs are the ones who have the initiative and skills that are necessary to create new ideas that can solve systemic problems, and this includes cultivating new jobs out of these ideas and figuring out how these ideas can be recycled and implemented into outcomes that can be profitable. A freelancer does not have a continuous employment, but is hired by several people or companies to do specific assignments for them.

They are often the ones who share an entrepreneur’s cause or vision, but are never in charge of the total outcome. Freelancers provide a service and they do it by the hour, project or a previously set fee agreement. But freelancers have some peace of mind; once they complete their task, there is nothing else they need to think about.

How Are You Making Money?

The money that a freelancer can make equals the number of hours in a month multiplied by their rate. However, a freelancer can make money in many different ways, like building a money-making blog. The plus side of being a freelancer is that they are the only person they depend on. An entrepreneur is someone who is able to make money during the entire day, if they manage to find the right people and place them in a position that ensures their ideas will work for the benefit of the organization, its vision, as well as others working with them.

Unlike freelancers, the success of an entrepreneur depends on putting everyone in the right place and ensuring that everything works out as planned. If one part of their organization fails to work, it can slow down the whole payment process or even cause them to lose money.

It is time to realize that everything is changing and that you are going to need to equip yourself with a new set of values if you want to live a quality life. This place we live in is always in demand for new ideas and for new ways of getting things done. New opportunities arise every day and modern technology has given us access to resources that we once could not reach.

These resources have provided us with the ability of fulfilling the demands for new ideas and gave us the chance to live a life that will be built around our dreams and passions. So, whether you decide to start a new business or get into freelancing or come up with the next life-changing idea, we are sure that you will succeed.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/vladzivanovic/3-ways-to-help-you-decide-whether-you-want-to-be-a-freelancer-or-an-entrepreneur/

Reasons Why You Should Exhibit Your Business at a Trade Show

You still don’t know how exhibiting your business at a trade show can benefit you? Bear with me and learn more about this topic.

There are dozens for benefits a business can have from exhibiting at some trade show, from credibility, visibility to raising brand awareness, and many, many more. It is important to establish your presence, no matter how big or small it might be. The fact that your company is at an exhibit show opens up many options, as it is a platform that allows you to find new customers, establish your brand and reach out to your existing customers.

A lot of business organizations don’t exhibit themselves at trade shows because they don’t know about all the benefits and think that it’s a waste of their money. It’s true that there are investments you must make, such as choosing a good exhibition stand, training staff members, traveling, etc. However, when you learn these benefits, you will realize that exhibiting is a worthwhile investment for your business.

Generate targeted, valuable business leads

If you have the right approach, each of the trade shows you exhibit at will be a great opportunity to quickly increase the size of your customer base. Most of the people who visit trade shows are usually quite motivated, and genuinely interested in services and products that companies have to offer, this makes them open to making deals on the spot.

These are much more valuable leads than any other you could find. It is important that you align all of your sales goals with your team before every trade show so that you can generate as many leads as you can. A trade show gone well could mean that your sales team remains busy for the next couple of months, closing valuable deals and connecting with new prospects.

Build and establish your brand

Branding is one of the most important aspects for any business’s success. This is especially important for businesses that rely on their reputation and trust they build with their customers. Going to a trade show is a big opportunity for sharing your company’s story with the industry you are in. Show that your business is reliable, serious, and big enough to earn its place at leading conferences and big events.

If you approach your exhibits strategically, you might even be able to establish your business as a part of a unique niche within the market. When you position your exhibition stand next to some big players in your industry, you can come off as bigger than you actually are, and customers will see you as an established brand, rather than just “another startup.”

With a good strategy, even small startups can make a great exhibition of their brand when attending a trade show.

Make sales without being annoying

Not all people react well to direct emails or telesales. There are many people who think that direct marketing is too aggressive, annoying, intruding, and they hate sales calls, no matter how valuable offers might be in front of them.

When a businesses is exhibiting at trade shows, it gets greater access to people who are interested in what they have to offer, all of this without any apprehension or resentment, which are characteristic for some traditional direct sale channels. Those common obstacles are gone as people come to trade shows with the goal of buying something, listening to ideas, and learning more about what business organizations have to offer them.

You should look to capitalize on this great opportunity. Customers rarely give you their time, and at trade shows, they do this on their own. Approach each and every interaction as a chance to make some deals or present your business and I guarantee that you will leave every trade show with a lot of valuable sales leads.

The things mentioned above can be offered to your from only some of the best trade shows, of course these are not all the benefits you could have. You can also use trade shows to make a buzz for your new products or services, research the competition and even expand your professional network or find new business partners. These additional benefits you might have depend on which trade shows you choose to attend, so choose wisely.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/aleksandarilic/reasons-why-you-should-exhibit-your-business-at-a-trade-show/

Is Content Marketing Drowning in Pop Culture?

Like everyone else in 2016, content marketing seems to be abusing popular culture more and more. Just google the name of any popular show that airs at the moment (be it Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead) and you will get the plethora of guides, tutorials and lessons with little to no applicable value whatsoever. Sure, this may work as an effective method of attracting audience, but sometimes it isn’t simply worth it. Here are a few reasons why this is the case, and the list of ways in which negative side-effects of content marketing-pop culture relationship can be avoided.

Hopping on the Bandwagon

After the 9^th episode of Game of Thrones’ season 6, The Battle of Bastards, the internet was broken. Wherever you turn, everyone would post, tweet and talk about the show. Few days later in the aftermath, content marketers worldwide started exploiting this goldmine. The articles about what Game of Thrones can teach you about customer engagement, flexible learning and social media were everywhere. Unfortunately, most of this information had less to do with their actual topics than with the show.

The Feeling of Forced Content

Image source: http://kotutohum.com/

One of the greatest problems with abusing pop culture is that most of the articles and blog posts may seem forced. A careful reader can often clearly see the desperation in a marketer writing about a completely unrelated topic in hope of creating a viral post. Sure, there is a chance of this post getting much broader audience, but most of them are usually not the target demographic. This means that a great number of random internet strangers will simply open the post because of a catchy name or the show fandom. Unfortunately, bad writing or unrelated content may make them leave right away. Sure, you get more views and visits (possibly even likes), but these kinds of vanity metrics bring almost no ROI.

Almost No Value Whatsoever

The biggest issue with most of similar content is that it has no applicable value whatsoever. Sure, someone is talking about Pokémon Go, but that’s what app and game reviews are for, not business blog posts. They try to teach you something, but what can you learn from this? Well, nothing, actually! This is just an example of how the title bloggers, news and marketers are going to bombard us in the next period.

Using the Momentum

The most important thing about using popular culture is recognizing the momentum. For example, PornHub announced a curious statistic that, shortly after the premier of Game of Thrones’ season six, searches including a keyword “Game of Thrones” have jumped by 370 percent. Similar was the situation with other sites and search engines. What this means is that, if one has a moment of inspiration regarding something referring to a piece of beloved pop culture, it might be a good idea to sit on that post for a while. Waiting for the right moment to post or publish might significantly improve its engagement.

Additionally, finding the right place matters, as well. Look at it this way — Quora, Reddit, Twitter and Facebook groups are going to be a hotspot of related discussions, so approaching your target audience there might result in great success. Just make sure not to seem too promotional.

Not a Bad Thing

Finally, the problem is not in the use of popular culture. After all, industry experts from content marketing agency King Content consider pop culture a worthy piece of weapon in the content marketers’ arsenal. Not only does it simplify publishing, but it also draws in a large number of followers who like to read about their favorite Pokémon/GOT character/Marvel hero/DC comics hero. In other words, if you really have something to say but fear it won’t resound loud enough, there is nothing bad in using popular culture as a vessel. In fact, this idea is the very core of what content marketing should be about.

Conclusion:

Sure, pop culture is an unavoidable part of content marketing (or marketing in the first place). The Marlboro Man, Ronald McDonald and Geico Caveman are the perfect examples of that. Not to mention celebrities working as brand advocates. Still, all things must be done in moderation. There is nothing wrong with your content dipping into the pool of pop culture, as long as you make sure it doesn’t drown in it.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/marcusjensen/is-content-marketing-drowning-in-pop-culture/

Is Travel Insurance a Wise Investment for Your Overseas Vacation?

If you’re planning a trip abroad, you probably put a lot of though, effort and planning into your excursion. But one of the most overlooked areas for travelers is obtaining a travel insurance policy. Because you’re more vulnerable to accidents and illness when navigating foreign lands, there are ways you can help prevent the incidents from occurring. You can also avoid losing money if a trip is cancelled or postponed.

What is Travel Insurance?

Escaping to a beach in a faraway land is an experience you won’t forget. But what if you lose your luggage in route or your trip gets cancelled the night before you’re set to embark? A travel insurance policy is a type of insurance that can cover medical expenses, flight cancellations and personal belongings that were lost or destroyed overseas. Depending on your policy, your plan may even cover medical costs and car rental accidents along the way. You can arrange for the right policy when you’re booking your trip. This is also the best time to determine what plan is right for you.

Offers Monetary Consolation

Your chances of getting sick when traveling can be high. With flying and other methods of public transportation, you may be exposed to all sorts of bacteria and germs. Antiseptic body wash kills harmful contaminants that you may come in contact with overseas. But if you do come down with a sickness or skin infection, and you incur medical expenses, your travel insurance policy can provide monetary consolation. Whether through you medications and physician visits or hospital stays and surgery, medical travel insurance is a wise investment.

Provides Protection Against Trip Cancellations

Unforeseen problems can arise when you’re scheduling a trip to places overseas. But if an unexpected emergency arises such as a death or accident, you could lose out on a substantial amount of money spent for your flight, hotel and entertainment. The right travel insurance policy ensures that you will be protected in case your trip gets interrupted or cancelled.

Other Types of Coverage

There are numerous types of policies available when you’re looking for traveler’s insurance. These include travel delays, legal expenses, dental costs, personal liability and accident death. Travel insurance allows policy members to seek coverage for losses you wouldn’t have expected. Your travel insurance company may also provide 24-hour coverage in case of an accident or injury. They can even provide assistance in case you lose important travel documentation such as a passport. Having a reputable and knowledgeable company to lean on in times of duress is especially important if you’re in an area of the world where you don’t speak the same language.

Where to Find the Right Insurance Plan?

There are a number of travel insurance options available for your trip abroad. Before you sign up for the first policy that you see, you want to do your research. You can begin your search by enlisting the help of your own insurance provider. They may be able to find areas where your current home policy will cover costs and additional riders that can prove helpful for your trip. You can also do your own homework on the Internet. If you have family and friends who use travel insurance and visit places overseas often, they may be able to offer reviews and suggestions for the best insurance provider. A travel agent is another reliable resource. When you have everything set, check the policy over again and don’t forget to read the fine print.

Traveling abroad can be a vacation of a lifetime. But it also presents a few opportunities for mayhem to happen in the way of health complications, unexpected cancellations and travel delays. For the cost and amount of coverage provided by the policy, you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing that if an accident or complication occurs, you’ll be properly covered.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/admin/is-travel-insurance-a-wise-investment-for-your-overseas-vacation/

4 Ways to Use Graphics to Improve Your Website

While your content sells the idea of your products or services and highlights why your customers should buy from you, images keep your audiences engaged and scrolling through your page. Without the right graphics, your content will be ignored and your pages will have a high bounce rate from uninterested visitors. To counter this, add a few images within your content and landing pages to draw in traffic and keep them on your page. Follow these four steps to an amazingly designed website.

Break Up Long Stretches of Text

Image via Flickr by Digital Markketing

While your readers will stick with your content as long as it’s useful and exciting, internet readers like scrolling and having built-in breaks as they go. This is why so many paragraphs on the web are fewer than 100 words, so readers can take a break to sort multiple thoughts.

Use images when you’re trying to break up thoughts or want to emphasize a point by isolating the text. Most content marketers recommend one image per 300–400 words, but you can add more or less when the graphics make sense.

 

Graphics Stay in Your Long Term Memory

Studies have found that the brain processes images faster than text and then stores the information in the long-term memory. Meanwhile, text information is stored in the short-term memory. This means adding images to your website is an optimal way to make your message stick more than flat text.

Try to create an engaging theme that stays with your website on each of the pages. This might be a mascot that shows up within the content, or creative memes that help audiences remember the message. This is also a chance to step out of the box with branding in an attempt to engage customers.

 

Infographics Can Simplify Complex Subjects

If you look at some of the best infographics, you will notice a common theme: they all take complex subjects and break them down in a way anyone can understand. From a shark infographic covering the number of deaths annually to a space chart highlighting how truly massive the universe is, graphics help users put your information into perspective.

The same concept can be used in your graphic design. If you work for a SaaS company or in the B2B industry, consider using graphic images to break down complex thoughts in a way all audiences will understand. This, paired with the text, will reinforce the ideas and help your audiences remember.

 

A Little Goes a Long Way

While a few graphics can drive the point home, you don’t want to stuff your content with too many images. Too many pictures can be distracting, and might even cause the pages to load more slowly. Try to find a nice balance between adding color to your site and loading down your landing pages with more graphics than you need.

Your graphics can make or break your website, so if you don’t think you’re striking the right balance, find an unbiased third party to look at your pages and see what they think should be improved.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/sambradford/graphics-to-improve-website/

6 Ways to Repair a Broken Cellphone at Home

Most of us have been there. We’ve dropped our phones, gotten them covered in some kind of sticky mess, or left them within a toddler’s reach. A banged-up smartphone is inconvenient, and so is finding and paying for repairs.

Luckily, there are some ways you can fix minor problems at home, so you can skip the trip to the repair shop and hopefully save some money while you’re at it.

Wet Phone

If your cell phone has been dropped in the sink, toilet, shower or pool, the first step is to get it out of the water ASAP. Do not panic. Instead, swiftly remove it from the water and give yourself a pat on the back for getting it out. The longer it remains submerged, the worse the damage is likely to be. Do not press any buttons.

1. Remove the battery if possible, as this will prevent your phone from short-circuiting. If you can’t access the battery, then carefully power down the device.
2. Remove the SIM if possible, so that you can transfer your contacts and other important information to a new phone if it ends up that the current one is ruined.
3. Remove the case and dry your phone. If you haven’t already removed the case, do so now and use an absorbent towel to dry the phone.
4. Half-fill a sealable container such as a zip-top bag or reusable plastic bowl with rice or a desiccant. Place your phone inside and fill the rest of the container with rice or desiccant. This absorbs the moisture from inside your phone. Seal the container and (this is the hard part!) leave it alone for 48 hours. Once the time is up, remove your phone, replace the battery and SIM, and give the phone a try.

Touchscreen Won’t Respond

There are two things you can try if your touchscreen is sluggish or won’t work at all:

1. Restart your phone
2. Clean the screen using a screen cleaning towelette or a soft microfiber cloth

If neither of these works, check your manual to see if there is a way to recalibrate your screen without taking it in for repair. Not all touchscreens are alike, so DIY fixes may or may not work.

Condensation Inside Phone

Condensation can get into your phone when it is exposed to a damp environment. Instead of taking your phone apart, you can try baking it on very low heat inside a standard oven. Set the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, place your phone inside, and leave it there for two to four hours. The condensation should evaporate and your phone will be as good as new. Do not microwave your phone, and do not turn the heat higher to attempt a faster fix.

Phone Consistently Overheats

The cause of an overheated phone is simple: the phone is working too hard or it’s not getting enough ventilation. Luckily, the fix is usually easy too. Just give your phone some space and close any apps you’re not using. Consider dimming the screen too, since this can help the cooling process go faster. If neither of these helps, it could be that a bad battery is involved. It’s important to replace a bad battery quickly, since serious injuries have happened in cases where overheated phones have caused burns or even exploded.

Scratched Screen

A scratched screen doesn’t always have to be permanent. You can either purchase a scratch remover made specifically for cell phones, or you can try a car scratch remover on the screen. You can also try toothpaste, as long as it’s not the gel type. Dab a little bit on a cotton swab and gently rub the scratch using circular motions until it disappears. Use a slightly damp cloth or screen cleaner to remove residue.

Broken Screen or Other Catastrophic Incident

You can purchase a DIY screen replacement kit if you break your screen, but why bother? These kits are notoriously difficult to use and doing anything more than the very minor DIY smartphone repairs mentioned here can void your warranty. There is a relatively new service available here in the US that brings cell phone repair to wherever you are – home, office, or even out enjoying fun with friends or family.

CellSavers fixes broken screens, power buttons that don’t work, and other problems that fall outside the realm of DIY, but you don’t have to travel, find parking or wonder what’s happening to your data in a shop’s back room. They’re getting consistently great reviews on Yelp! and opening new locations regularly, so check them out if you have a problem that you can’t fix.

They currently serve a number of cities across the country, such as Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Austin and several others.

 

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/nmanojlovic/6-ways-to-repair-a-broken-cellphone-at-home/

Why Trade Show Events Are the Perfect Place to Promote Your Business

Every experienced marketer would agree that technology has really changed how businesses interact with their target markets. Social media has become a vital tool in achieving their goals, but nothing can substitute the power of attending a trade show and meeting people face to face. This is the best way to find new clients, check out the competitors and meet new partners.

Even though having a strong online presence can help raise brand awareness with millions of buyers and help your company expand its operations, many businesses still believe that being able to look the decision maker in the eye is crucial in building prosperous and longstanding relationships.

Trade shows can be really beneficial for your business, but you are going to need the right strategy, because you can’t simply set up an exhibition stand and wait for clients to approach you. This may be a little nerve wracking, but if you and your team are adequately prepared, trade shows will be the perfect place to successfully promote your business.

What to Bring?

First, you need to bring in the right team, because even if you have invested in an impressive and custom exhibition stand to drive potential buyers, not having the right team in place to answer their questions or represent your business in the right way, you will be doing more harm than good. The next thing you will be needing are new products.

There is nothing wrong in announcing to your clients that you will be adding a new product in your line, but unveiling an exciting product at a trade show will create a lot of buzz. Make sure to carefully think about what products you want to showcase, and ask yourself is your product something the industry has been craving for.

Proper Planning Will Prevent Poor Performance

This is something you are probably aware of, because failing to plan your presence at a trade show will get only a few qualified leads. A couple days before your event, gather all your team members and go over your strategy and give every team member roles that they need to fulfil. A team that is well-organized will give out the right impression to the buyers that approach your stand.

If you will be presenting a new product, make sure your team knows it inside and out because potential buyers can sense if the person they are speaking to is familiar with the capabilities and features of that product.

Doing the Networking

You can learn a lot about someone by simply visiting their LinkedIn or Instagram profile, but in many cases these profiles do not adequately indicate who they really are. The most successful business relationships are the ones made on a personal level, so a skill you need to master is small talk. If you believe that your services or products can speak for themselves, consider preparing gift bags because they might just provide you with the opportunity to land a sale.

Stay Memorable To Your Leads after the Show

If you have landed a big contract at the trade show, it won’t hurt to show a little appreciation. If you have talked to them enough, you might have also gotten a sense of what they are like outside work. If that is the case, you can subscribe them to a gift giving service, so that your business stays in their thoughts as long as possible.

Perhaps they have mentioned they have a dog; if they did, subscribe them to a gift service that will send dog treats to their home once a month. Or, if they love to cook, sign them up for a different culinary tool every month.

As you can see, preparing your business for a trade show is not that complicated and can really benefit your business. Just make sure that you are properly prepared, and we are sure that you and your team will be able to generate a lot of qualified leads.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/nmanojlovic/why-trade-show-events-are-the-perfect-place-to-promote-your-business/

Smart Investment: What You Need to Know before Buying a House

An investment like this requires a lot of thorough thinking. Making a mistake when buying a house has severe long-term consequences that can cost you a lot of money and a lot of patience. After all, it’s not really your regular everyday purchase, like when you’re shopping for groceries.

The best start here is answering a couple of questions so you can be certain about your decisions. You should go through all aspects and make a wise decision, because it’s your future home that’s at stake here. And, this should be especially crucial for making a good purchase if this is your first time buying a house.

Do You Really Need One?

Living in your very own home, which is yet to be modeled according to your vision, is one of the greatest things all people can do in their lifetime. It’s a base for security and the perfect environment for raising a family, and everyone should work their way towards buying one.

However, is it the right time for you? Sure, money is the greatest factor here, but you should also include something more than dollars in your decision. A home needs your attention and its costs don’t stop at purchasing it, because it’s an investment that goes along with other smaller ones – emotional, time-wise, and monetary. So, are you ready?

Is it a Fixer-Upper?

This nice little option allows you to buy a lousy home in a great neighborhood that you couldn’t normally afford and secure a happy childhood for your kids. However, they can be an inextinguishable money pit.

If you’re considering fixing up your future home with simple and practical DIY projects and a team of affordable handymen, it’s quite necessary to estimate the real worth and calculate future costs, which is why you’ll need an experienced appraiser. Pay special attention to the basements and attic, because they are usually the largest source of misfortune.

Do You Know Everything about It?

It’s crucial that you gather all the info regarding the house you’re interested in. It’s not a bad idea to use a whiteboard with columns, so that you can keep track of all the things you learned. And, it will also help you remember the tiniest details about the houses you’ve seen earlier. You shouldn’t hesitate from looking into the history of a certain home and its neighborhood if you’re fairly interested in it.

What Will You Do with Your Current House?

If you have a landlord and you’re at the very end of your contract, this question isn’t of any importance to you. However, if you’re selling your home and buying a new one, some planning needs to be done here, especially if you have a family. If it’s just you, it will be easy and not too expensive to find a place to sleep for a while in between switching homes.

However, if you have children, you should carefully time your moving because you mustn’t allow a gap between changing homes. Obviously, you can always check into a hotel if it comes to that, but unexpected delays usually lead to extensive expenses, so you should really do your best to avoid them.

Do You Really Have Enough Money?

If you don’t want to get into serious debts, you should be highly realistic about money and be aware of the genuine worth of your wealth. Chances are that you’re taking a loan and that you will try to balance out your regular bills with this new one, so you should reconsider and revise whether your income is certain and whether you’ll be able to pay for everything and save some money on the side.

It’s not at all a bad idea to reconsider and postpone your purchase, or to set the bar a bit lower and get a comfy medium-sized house instead of a spacious one. Of course, you can wait a bit longer until a great offer comes your way.

The bottom line is that buying a home requires time and a lot of patience. Like always, you should talk to your friends and family who recently had similar experiences and find out what they did wrong, so that you don’t repeat their mistakes. Also, consult experts on any subject that’s unfamiliar to you and don’t be cheap about hiring them, because they can save you a lot of money in the future. All this trouble will be worth that single moment when you finally place your “Welcome” doormat in front of your new home.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/aleksandarilic/smart-investment-what-you-need-to-know-before-buying-a-house/