Before you Cut Profits and yes, losses are part of the reality of running a business. Losses can be blamed on a variety of uncontrollable factors, such as economic downturns, competition, seasonal products, and negative reviews. Cutting staffing hours and lay-offs may seem logical, but is it the best approach? Hasty Decisions are Rarely Productive When the profit line begins to decrease, many business owners panic and often react by eliminating positions, merging job duties, decreasing wages or reducing hours. Often, these decisions are made in haste and can negatively affect the long term fiscal health of the business. There is no disputing, certain circumstances may require these strategies; however, they should be a last resort, rather than a defensive maneuver. Avoid Merging Job Responsibilities In a misguided attempt to cut costs, merging job responsibilities has become common practice. It is imperative that businesses recognize and analyze the benefits of certain skill sets, experience and productivity of each employee, before implementing such drastic cost cutting measures. Recognize Employee Value Employees bring with them distinct and respective talents that may or may not be listed under a computer generated “job description”. Merging job responsibilities typically means more work for the same pay, which may result in employee "burn-out". Is it worth the risk of losing a great employee to another company, maybe a competitor? Suffice it to say that all jobs are not interchangeable. Employees are your Best Resource for Ideas Business owners should be visible, approachable and open to suggestions. The value of dedicated employees cannot be underestimated. Your employees are your best, in-house resource for ideas and improvements. In today’s business environment, a successful business owner must invest valuable time cultivating and maintaining business relationships with peers and staff, just as they do with clients. A Proactive Approach Reaps Huge Rewards All options must be carefully weighed. A proactive approach serves the best interest of the business, the employees, the morale and the customer base. The Solution There is no "one solution fits all scenario"; however, answering this one simple question may help make the decision easier. “Will the solution I am proposing address this situation from a proactive approach or a reactive state”? If the response is the latter, more evaluation is required.
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Burning deep inside you is a great idea beckoning to be brought to life. You were born to be a writer! You have the passion and eagerness to get started, so now is the time; or is it? The checklist below may help you discern whether you are really ready or if you still have some work to do. 1. Identify your Audience
2. Goal for Writing
3. Non-Fiction or Fiction
4. Genre
5. Obtain an ISBN
6. Point of View
7. Engage your Reader
8. Marketing
9. Traditional Publishing
Self Publishing
Are you confident with your responses to the above questions? You can write it! Enjoy the Journey
GO WRITE WIN What is a blog? A web-log or blog was originally designed as a platform where individuals could write random thoughts, stories, and ideas via the internet. Today blogs have evolved into so much more. Bloggers can potentially attract thousands of followers, views and for some, generate a substantial income from advertising dollars. So........you want to write a blog? Below are 8 easy steps to get started! Step 1: Choose a topic; write what you know!
Step 2: Create a blog site. (There are many free blog/website builders available on the internet. Research them to find one that fits your personality and skill level.) Step 3: Choose a domain name. (Most blog building sites allow you to choose a domain name for free. You can always purchase a specific domain name and add it to your blog later.) Step 4: Complete the AUTHOR and/or ABOUT section of your blog to inform readers about your interests and experience. Step 5: Add PURCHASED pictures! Copyright infringement is very real, illegal and can have costly repercussions. (There are many great, affordable photo purchase sites that offer packages or subscriptions. Bottom line, do not just pull a picture off the internet and assume it's free.) Step 6: Add a CONTACT page. (It is best to require comments to be approved before they post) Step 7: Write two or three short blog posts to get your feet wet. Step 8: Finally, be social! Create social media pages with your blog name and share your posts to drive traffic to your website. Happy Blogging
GO WRITE WIN A query letter is a one page idea synopsis intended to persuade editors and agents to want to read more and hire YOU! A query is your time to shine. Why worry about a query? Query letters open doors, that's why! Most editors and agents will not accept unsolicited writing pieces or manuscripts; however, most will review a query. Writing a stand out query may just be your ticket to winning that coveted assignment or publishing contract. Whether you are an experienced writer, or this is your first step into the arena, professionalism is key. A career in writing is competitive and making a great first impression is critical. As writers, we understand that it's always best to start at the beginning; so let's begin with the fundamental basics.
10 Steps to Landing a Paying Gig Develop a professional writing portfolio outlining experience, credentials, clips and so-forth. Create eye-catching Query Letters tailored to the pitch request
PROFESSIONAL CONTENT WRITERS ARE ALWAYS IN DEMAND The digital revolution has completely changed the writing landscape. Although, traditional publishing has taken a backseat to online platforms and social media, do not be discouraged. There is a very real demand for professional writers to produce quality online articles and blogs. Content writing is competitive and breaking in can be difficult. Talent mixed with determination and perseverance will eventually pay off. BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING
RESEARCH Now that you have defined your expertise, outlined your ideas, and matched a genre to your experience, it's time to find the RIGHT publication/opportunity. Finding the right fit will require research. Here are a few ideas to get started:
Local Opportunities
Your local community is a great place to start. Contact local publications, newspapers and businesses for opportunities to write blogs and articles? Visit area websites to review content, social media pages and reviews. Start building a contact list, develop pitch letters and network, network, network! Online Content Writing Services
There are also many online writing businesses that provide professional writing services for businesses and individuals. These services often hire freelance writers. Some online writing services assign writers, while others may have an open forum where writers apply for assignments and allow the client to choose the writer. While the pay is nothing to write home about (pardon the pun), it does pay. Caution should be exercised before providing personal information when applying to these sites. Publications Whether traditional or online, research the publication of interest to learn whether they accept unsolicited material. If not, and you believe you have an idea that would be a perfect fit, send a query. GUIDELINES Most publications have submission guidelines posted on their respective websites; READ THEM! Guidelines provide valuable information, such as:
RIGHTS It's important to understand the contract you sign and specifically what rights you're selling. A mistake in this area could cost you the right to sell to other publications or even post your work online.
WORD COUNT
EDITING
PLAGIARISM/COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement is serious, unprofessional and illegal. Engaging in this activity will damage your reputation as a respected writer and you may find yourself facing costly lawsuits. There are many online tools used by schools and publishers to check for violations. JUST DON'T DO IT! ACRONYMS Listed below are several acronyms used by the publishing industry. This list is not inclusive, additional acronyms can be found via an internet search.
Publishing Awaits
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