Category: Tools and Information

3 Attention-Worthy Ideas for Your Next Press Release and Why they Work so Well | Marketing Words Blog

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Practically everybody has dreams of earning a bit of media coverage and being flooded with business. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. The main reason most press releases fail is because they are self-promotional. Promotional copy is the cardinal sin of press releases. Reporters want news, not advertisements, so before you begin to write, pick up an industry journal or two, read through a couple of newspaper articles that pertain to your occupation and take some notes.

1. No First or Second Person – Notice how all the news is written in third person they, she, them, etc.? You won’t find “we” or “us” or “you” unless they are included in quotes from various people.

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Bright Ideas | Cassandradaily.com

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As Jeff Goldblum notes in the recent viral ad for GE’s Link light bulb system, there are great benefits to exceptional lighting. The message isn’t lost on young consumers who are turning a designer’s eye on their homes, mindful that seemingly minor details like lighting can make or break the vibe. Consequently, they’re seeking new bulb options that go beyond the usual “on” and “off” settings.

Emberlight: The emberlight adapter, which screws into a standard socket, upgrades the average light bulb into a smart light bulb. The device allows owners to raise and dim a room’s light level from a smartphone app and also includes mood presets so users can always achieve the atmosphere they desire, from disco party to date night. Moreover, emberlight includes security features, such as remote access and a proximity sensor that turns lights on when it detects the owner’s smartphone. The energy-saving device also lets people track how their lights are being used so they can improve their energy efficiency.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Review: Far More To Offer Than Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus | Forbes.com

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The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has been my phone of choice for the last year. I’ve used a lot of others, like the LG G3, which I’ve also loved. But I’ve ended up back on the Note 3 every time. That, to me, is the best indication that the Note range is perfectly designed for my needs.

So who should consider a Note 4? Well, my first advice would be that if you have a Note 3, the upgrade is going to be small for you. You’ll get a better screen, nicer design and some nice health and fitness tools, but it’s not a revolution – more an evolution. So those on two-year contracts shouldn’t fret if they’re going to have to stick with the Note 3 for another year.

But for those looking to go down a new route, switch from an iPhone or smaller Android, is the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 worth it?Spoiler: yes, without doubt.

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Going Green for a Professional Clean | Greenpacks.org

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By now most people know how to “green up” their household cleaning supplies. They know, for example, that adding some baking soda, dish soap and vinegar to a spray bottle filled with water makes a pretty great all-purpose cleanser. They know that the easiest way to clean a bathtub is with a grapefruit and kosher salt.

When it comes to industrial cleaning, though, most people get a little bit lost. It’s easy to search for environmentally friendly cleaning companies but hard to figure out who actually knows what they are doing. After all, these companies probably aren’t employing people to stand around and create gallons of cleansers out of water, vinegar, baking soda and dish soap! Plus, these companies often use different terminologies for the same idea.

There are, luckily, a few common things that separate the good green industrial cleaners from those who are just hoping to make a quick buck off of the trend. They are also, if you are in the industrial and professional cleaning business, things that you can do to ensure your customers that your company truly is green.

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Dishes That Wash Themselves | White Spaces.com

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Design company Tomorrow Machine has changed the household dynamic forever. By looking at plants such as the lotus leaf, the Swedish firm has created a series of self-washing plates, bowls and cups. The cellulose-based surface actively repels dirt, water and grease so the need for hot soapy sinks is now obsolescent.

Created as a collaboration between Tomorrow Machine and research company Innventia following a challenge from the Swedish Forest Industries Association. The self-cleaning tableware is coloured in a blue and white marbling after being pulped and heat pressed into shape. The lightweight material won’t crack or break and is coated with a super-high heated wax recently developed in Stockholm by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, so all food scraps simply slide off.

This type of invention may be the resolution to the ageing argument of who’s turn it is to do the dishes, but what if you have something super greasy? Or maybe a toffee? Do they slide off without even a rinse?

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The 3 Most Important Questions Every Entrepreneur Must Answer | Entrepreneur.com

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1409688781-3-most-important-questions-every-entrepreneur-must-answer-2The ultimate goal of every entrepreneur is to succeed – and to be happy doing it. But not every entrepreneur gets to achieve it. Indeed, hundreds of new businesses are launched every year but success eludes most of them.

One reason is that entrepreneurs are faced with some of the most difficult questions on a daily basis – and how they answer them could depend on if the startup sinks or swims.

To ensure success, here are the three most important questions entrepreneurs must answer.

1. What are my goals as an entrepreneur? Most entrepreneurs find it difficult to separate their personal goals from their business goals. And that makes sense. Think about it, entrepreneurs are often trying to turn their personal passion into a business – and just need to find others to help achieve their goals. While I get that sometimes they are linked, the ability to separate your goals can help you focus your personal growth and the success of your business at the same time. So set goals.

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Saving Money in Your Startup | The Simple Dollar

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saving moneyWe get it. You’re starting a new businesses and you’re strapped for cash. There are a million questions going through your head. We empathize with bootstrapping entrepreneurs and small-business owners everywhere, and today we explore meaningful ways that add up where your business can save money in the early phases. That said, every small-business owner and entrepreneur has a unique set of circumstances that pertains to their business, industry, strategy, and execution. Here we will outline some of the key choices, some obvious, some less obvious, on ways you and your small business can save money.

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Multitasking Damages Your Brain And Career, New Studies Suggest | Forbes.com

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You’ve likely heard that multitasking is problematic, but new studies show that it kills your performance and may even damage your brain. Research conducted at Stanford University found that multitasking is less productive than doing a single thing at a time. The researchers also found that people who are regularly bombarded with several streams of electronic information cannot pay attention, recall information, or switch from one job to another as well as those who complete one task at a time.

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A 401k Conundrum: Can You Make Cash Pile Last for Life? | Bloomberg

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Even if you’ve socked plenty of money away in your 401k plan and invested it carefully, some of your toughest decisions lie ahead. And don’t expect much help or clarity from the government or your employer. Strategies for drawing down lump-sum accounts in retirement — more important than ever in the 401k era — have received little attention from policy makers. For retirees, choices about how to spend a life’s worth of savings are fraught with tricky calculations about financial risk, taxes and death.

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