If you are running a home-based business, chances are that your marketing budget is very low or non-existent. Don’t be that entrepreneur who gets jaded by initial success or disheartened by initial failure. Instead, try these easy, low-cost methods to promote your business and get the word around.
Build a blog: A blog is your own spot n cyberspace to build your brand and make it known. Share your thoughts, ideas, write about what you do, share some tips for customers- there’s a lot you can do with a blog. Blogs can also be used for B2B communication. All you need to do is choose a host and decide on the kind of content you want to opt for.
Be a social butterfly: Initially, it might be a great idea to throw a few mixers-invite your peers, possible clients, even people you might want to partner with in the future. Beside this, use tools like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram to promote your business. A lot of awareness and networking today takes place on the internet.
Buy an ad: We know that you want to try and save money. We are talking about locally placed ads like flies with newspapers, ads in local magazines or a smaller space like a park bench or another public spot. Try teaming up with local events that could be related to your industry or about your industry. Teaming up with events lets you network too. Local cafes are a great place to put up posters too.
Self-promotion: Send out press releases to local newspapers and other local media. And when they come knocking for quotes for a story pertaining to your industry, talk about it at length. Build up your profile as a professional with sufficient industry knowledge. Again, we cannot emphasize more about this- network, network, network!
List it: List your company and services on sites like Mediabistro, yellow pages, Hire my Mom, Elance etc. These sites reach out to a large crowd looking for local services/products. These sites also allow you to post your portfolio which gives future clients a look see at your work and contact you if they feel you meet their requirements.
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5 Christmas gifts perfect for your father
Read moreChristmas is one of those festivals which require you to find a present for your loved ones. The present giving is not done due to an obligation but because of the love and happiness that needs to be shared during this time. For this reason, only everyone goes out to hunt for the best Christmas gifts.
If you are planning to find a present for a teenager, you can easily find cool gifts for Christmas, to make them happy. And if you are planning to gift a Christmas present to your most loved ones then easy romantic Christmas gifts can be found. Then if you plan to find a present for your family members, you can easily do so by looking up for family Christmas gifts. But finding appropriate Christmas gifts for men is the main task.
If you are looking for best Christmas gifts for your father and do not know what to get for him then read on:
- Office supplies: Most dads are easy to please. And the best way to do so is to get them a few office supplies. You can find a great looking organizer or day planner. With that add some amazing desk stationary and pens. You could also check out some highlighters and page flags.
- Travel bag/multipurpose bag: Dads are men and men like their things in one place. For this find a stylish travel bag or a multipurpose bag. Your dad would be thrilled if he could store all his things in just a single bag. You could also check out a genuine leather travel bag, trust me dads love those.
- Watch: If you are willing to invest a big sum of money, then a wise a suggestion is to invest that money into a good watch. Firstly, watches are classy and never go out of style. Secondly, the watch will cost a bit, but it will be an extended lasting present. Thirdly, your dad will love a watch that he can show off.
- Books: If your dad loves to read, and then find out which writer or author he prefers. You could find out a limited edition of the writer to give as a Christmas present. Another option is to find out what kind of books he likes, gift him a new line of different authors he might enjoy. This will make for a set of unique Christmas gifts.
- Other small things: If you are looking for unique Christmas gifts, you can do something fun. There are many providers who let you customize certain presents. You could personalize a mug, calendar, t-shirt or a sweatshirt. This will get you personalized Christmas gifts as well as some unusual Christmas gifts.
Selecting the best Christmas gifts is hard, but if you invest some time when you buy Christmas gifts, you should be good to go.
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Home remedies for treating a cold
Read moreMost of the times, your common cold will go away on its own if you take some simple precautions and remedies. These remedies are very common and easy to administer.
Having plenty of rest: Doctors advise that people suffering from cough and cold must have a good night’s sleep. Ample rest boosts the overall immunity of the patient and helps fight cold and cough.
Avoiding exercise: While it is good to stick to a fitness regime, avoid exercising when you are suffering from cough or cold. Let your body relax. Exercises may stretch your immune system and this can only prolong your illness.
Staying hydrated: People suffering from cold resist drinking water and other fluids. However, when you drink lots of water, the mucus sticking inside your respiratory tract loosens down and this leads you to feel better. On the advice of your doctor, you may also use a nasal saline spray to break the excess mucus down. Gargling with warm water also helps in fighting cold.
Hot tea: Having hot tea helps in several ways to combat your cold. Firstly, it loosens up the excess mucus in your respiratory tract. Secondly, hot fluids kill the viruses that are lurking inside your nose and throat. Lastly, having a hot cup of tea releases endorphins, molecules that cause happiness, which raise your spirits and make your recovery faster.
Adding honey to cold remedies: In a study from the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, parents of 105 kids suffering from cold said that adding honey to common cold remedies was more effective than using cough syrups alone. Honey helped in overcoming sleep difficulty as well.
Menthol: Menthol has been a very popular remedy for treating common cold. It affects the nerve endings in your nose and makes you feel better. However, a recent study indicates that menthol based remedies increase the production of mucus rather than reducing it. If you still want to use menthol, do not apply the balm near or inside your nose.
Hot brandy: Contrary to popular perception, alcohol based remedies have a limited effect on your cold. Doctors say that having a brandy or any other alcohol based remedy can cause dehydration and may prolong your cold.
Having garlic: This organic food helps people in fighting cold immensely. You can have it in a crushed form, or eat it as a capsule. Garlic not only fights off cold, it also prevents people from catching this disease.
While there are many common remedies to fight common cold, the best medication for a cold is ample rest.