The Lead Belly

The Lead Belly

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Brand Yourself – A Realtors Guide to Marketing

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A realtor may have questions regarding the strategies they can use to brand themselves well. By using good branding strategies, realtors can attract customers from their marketing efforts. They can generate leads from different marketing strategies that draw business from future home buyers, real estate investors, and referrals.

There are different practices that they can use that can assist them in their branding. Some marketing practices that a realtor can use include the following.

Use social media

Realtors can use social media to talk to their clients and get new clients. By posting on social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, realtors can get new clients and allow people to see their listings. Some future clients may find their new home on social media. It’s important that clients and followers see that a realtor has a social media presence, so they are aware of the realtor’s occupation.

Realtors can share the activities they participate in around their communities with their social media followers. People enjoy working with people who care about serving others. By having an active presence in the community, a realtor can grow their business.

It’s important for a realtor to have a LinkedIn profile because it is a professional networking site. Using LinkedIn allows realtors to connect with potential clients by having a professional profile picture. There are real estate networking groups that they can join to network with peers and get referrals.

By connecting with former customers, realtors can get endorsements on their profiles and testimonials which help build their business. Maintaining contact on LinkedIn with former customers is important because this allows you to see things like their birthdays and professional accomplishments. If a former client gets a promotion, they may want a new home. Previous clients are important connections because they may know other people who have the finances to purchase homes.

Write a blog

A real estate agent can write a blog to help grow their professional brand. By writing content, followers can learn more about the real estate market and this may influence their decision to purchase or sell a home. Homeowners enjoy learning what is going on in their local real estate markets. A realtor can provide insight on commercial and residential real estate developments that increase the value of their homes.

Google AdWords and Search engine optimization

Realtors can use Google AdWords and search engine optimization of their sites to gain the attention of real estate enthusiasts in a city. Google AdWords allows realtors to drive traffic to their online sites and draw people who want to buy or sell a home. By combining Google Ads and SEO, realtors can get the most out of bringing traffic to their websites.

Direct mail marketing

While social media marketing and attending events may help real estate professionals, there are direct mail practices that can help grow a real estate business. By reaching potential real estate customers using direct mail, a real estate industry professional can provide their contacts with personalized items such as birthday cards, thank you cards, and special tokens such as gift cards on the anniversary of their home purchase. These special touches are important for remaining in contact with clients and communicating that you care about your customers.

As a business professional, it’s important to have good relationships with the people you do business with and have a friendly relationship. People know that the real estate industry can create wealth for homeowners and industry professionals. A customer may not want to work with someone who does not treat them with respect when they are making a large purchase or if they avoid them after they have sold them their home. If you work in a city where people don’t move often, then maintaining contact with former customers is a basis for future referrals or investment property assistance. Homeowners live in a home for an average of 13 years and own three homes during their lives in the United States.

Realtors may feel that they don’t have time to use direct mail or feel that it may cost too much. Some realtors may wonder how they can use direct mail to help them grow their businesses when they are already busy and have limited skills to develop good marketing materials. There are tools that realtors can use to help make contacting future clients easier at affordable prices.

Wise Pelican

Industry professionals can use Wise Pelican to help with their marketing efforts. Wise Pelican is a company that combines direct mail campaigns with automation to allow real estate agents to work with their clients and real estate contacts. Real estate industry professionals can sign up for a free account and pay for color postcards when they need to send information to contacts based on the campaign that they are marketing for at any time.

The postcards are double-sided and cost 70 cents each. There is no minimum size order for the postcards. They use an Adobe InDesign template for the postcards for a professional look. While 95% of the users enjoy using the hundreds of free templates Wise Pelican provides, you can create original postcards for $79.

What are some features Wise Pelican offers?

A list builder

Real estate agents can create a list based on neighborhoods or upload their own contacts. They can indicate the people who do not wish to receive information to avoid mailing them unwanted material. The system contains updated address information based on the current addresses in the USPS Change of Address database. This information saves realtors time and money because they avoid sending postcards to the wrong address.

Mail tracking system

When a real estate agent sends postcards, they can track each mailing campaign. This allows realtors to determine if individuals received their postcards. When sending postcards for others, these people can login to the system and track the postcards. This can be a great feature when working with a seller because it provides openness in the communication process when selling their home.

Automated valuation templates

Realtors can send potential clients valuation templates to allow these homeowners to determine the value of their properties. Each postcard has a link that allows realtors to capture the homeowner’s contact information. This allows the agent to get the email address of the homeowner and contact them later for assistance regarding a more detailed estimate of the home’s value prior to listing the home.

Enterprise pricing

While the cost of postcards is 70 cents, enterprise pricing is available for real estate professionals who place large orders. When there is a need to place a 10,000 postcard order, realtors can call the team at Wise Pelican to get pricing information.

To read more on topics like this, check out the business category.

Electricians in Sydney Guide

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Hiring an electrician is the best thing you can do when you have any type of electrical problem at home or at work. There may be several repair tasks at home that you can easily do on your own. However, when it comes to any electrical problem, it is best to let an electrician deal with it. Now, when you search for an electrician, you will come across many in your area. Although all of them provide similar type of services, not every electrician is equally experienced and skilled at dealing with every electrical problem that come across. This is why it is always better to hire one of the best at such jobs.

Hourly Rates and Guarantees of Electricians

The hourly rates and guarantees may definitely differ from one electrician to another. It is usually seen that licensed electricians can easily charge from $50 to $100 as hourly rates. However, this naturally depends on their experience levels, the complexity of the project in hand, and their license type. The hourly rates charged by electricians do not include their minimum trip fees or any additional costs. On the other hand, an apprentice electrician will obviously charge lesser for any simple electrical job.

Most of the time it is seen that electricians charge 2 different hourly rates. It is important for you to understand that there is a clear difference between the rate that an electrician will bill you and the rate that he actually gets paid. Sometimes, it is seen that overhead, supplies, and travel expenses are included in their hourly rate. Some electricians prefer to provide a detailed line item bill that includes a separate hourly rate apart from other expenses.

It is needless to say that most of the large companies do not take up small projects that include small jobs such as fixing a light. However, some electricians will opt for such side work. In such matters, it is always better to hire a local electrician, who will normally charge a much lower rate than any professional electrician shop.

Factors That Determine the Costs of an Electrician

Just like anything else, there are several factors that determine the actual rate of an electrician like you can see at this website. Some of the key factors are discussed below for your benefit.

  • Accessibility: It is needless to say that complex electrical projects such as running a new circuit through the walls of the house will certainly take longer to finish as compared to simple tasks such as installing a light fixture. Thus, it will also increase the overall charge of the electrician.
  • Distance: The distance of your house from their shop will also be a major factor that will determine their overall cost. Travelling great distances to reach your house will, obviously, increase their expenses. This they will naturally bill on the final bill that they will give you.
  • Experience: Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master happen to be the 3 license grades for any electrician. Every increase in the grade will naturally signify greater experience and knowledge. This will mean higher rates.

To read more on topics like this, check out the house category.

New Trends in Solar Gold Coast

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Finding an ever-increasing power bill every month has become a common sight in this modern era. This is something that cannot be avoided since there are quite a few home appliances and gadgets that consume electricity in order to work properly. These include refrigerators, televisions, mixer grinders, juicers, air conditioners, water heaters, and many more. If you wish to reduce your monthly electricity bill, then the best solution to this problem is to switch to solar energy. The energy obtained from the sun, known as solar energy, is one of the best, safest, cleanest, and cheapest sources of energy for all your home gadgets and appliances.

New Trends In Solar

When it comes to solar energy, there are basically two types of solar technologies that are normally used. These include CSP or concentrated solar power and PV or photovoltaics according to Solareze. The latter uses the sunlight in order to generate electricity and the former uses the heat from the sun in order to generate thermal energy that is mainly utilized by turbines and heaters. Some of the new trends in solar have been discussed below for your benefit.

  • The Cost Of Solar Power Energy Will Go Down Further: More and more customers are getting attracted towards solar energy mainly due to the affordable rates at which they can get this technology. According to a recent data, the prices of PV solar technology has decreased by almost 62% since the year 2009. It is also predicted that this reduction in prices will continue in the days to come. This is bound to happen since there are several companies that provide such technology and in order to sustain in the market they have to reduce their prices.
  • Global Solar Power Capacity to Increase: If you compare the two types of solar technologies, you will come to know that solar PV is the cleanest of the two and also rather reliable as an energy source. At present, it is at its maturity state and it is pretty simple to implement the technology at a lower cost as compared to any other type of technology. A recent data also revealed that the global solar energy capacity is expected to increase by almost 107 GW. There are several companies that have started using the internet that helps them meet the demands of their customers in a more efficient and effective manner. Add to that the fact that it helps to address the challenge of managing the assets and ensures a proper balance of the load on the utility grid.
  • More Jobs Will Be Produced Due To Solar Power Energy: As per a data released by IREA or International Renewable Energy Agency, there are close to 9.8 million employees employed by the renewable power sector globally every year. There are several job opportunities that have come up because of this sector that include PV installation experts, technicians for wind turbines, and solar power professionals. There are several companies that are in need of professionals in this sector at the moment.

To read more on topics like this, check out the technology category.

How To Find The Perfect Service Providers In New York

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New York is a diverse state, filled with incredible service providers who can offer quality support and services to local residents.

However, much like any state, or indeed any region around the world, there are also some poor-quality suppliers looking to exploit homeowners and residents.

So how do you avoid them and find the perfect service provider to suit your requirements? Read on to see our guidelines on how you can select the company that’s right for the job.

Identify What You’re Looking For

The first thing you need to do when you start searching for a service provider is to identify exactly what you need. Some services, like house and window cleaning, might be provided by the same company, so save yourself time, money and effort by working with one service provider for multiple services if possible. If it isn’t, then make sure you know exactly what you want your service provider to do for you, so that they’re able to give you an accurate quote for the job.

Find Firms That Are Members Of State-Focused Organisations

Working with a business that is a member of or certified by a state-wide organization, such as the New York State Association of Health Care Providers, Inc., will give you peace of mind that you’re working with a respected company. Most organizations have strict codes of conduct for their members and will hold companies that are part of their community to account. As such, you can rest assured that if you choose a service provider that is part of a recognized organization, they will give you a quality service.

Ask For Recommendations

One of the easiest ways to find a new service provider is to ask the people you know. Talk to your neighbors and friends to find out if any of them have a suggestion for a quality service provider who can assist you. They may have used a specific company before and be able to offer you an honest review of their service offering.

Work With Companies In Your Local Neighborhood

Firms that operate in your area will have invaluable local knowledge, which could make them much better at their role than a national company. For example, if you’re looking for a pest control firm in Mineville then consider Aswatona Pest Control, whose locally based team understand the pests that live in the local area and how to get rid of them quickly and efficiently.

Read Reviews

Once you’ve narrowed down a selection of the service providers that offer everything you need, or think you might have found the perfect company to suit your needs, you should read the reviews online before you make your final choice and contact them. It’s important that you take a balanced view of any reviews you read, but look out for consistencies, as they could be a sign that many people have experienced the same issue. Taking the time to review all of your options will ensure that you find the service provider that’s right for you.

Reasons Why The Clippers Will Win The NBA Championship

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Cali looks dead set to come out on top in the NBA this year with the Lakers and the Clippers in line to lift the championships in 2020. If you take a look at Novibet online betting you’ll see that it is in fact the Lakers who are hotly tipped to win both the division and the playoffs, with the Clippers a close second. In my view however it will be the Clippers who win the championships this year, and here is exactly why.

Kawhi and Paul George

Quite how the Clippers managed to pull off getting NBA winner and MVP Kawhi Leanord onto their roster is something that many fans are still scratching their heads over. On top of that the LA outfit were savvy enough to trade for Paul George from Oklahoma City Thunder, instantly giving them a magnificent opportunity of success this season. If you look at Kawhi’s numbers from last year, averaging 30.5 points per game, not to mention the huge number of clutch shots that he nailed as the Raptors marched on to success, it is hard not to be excited. Paul George wasn’t too bad last season either, notching up an average of 28 points per game, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. These two will be the driving force that takes the Clippers to success.

Defense

Kawhi and George are two of the best defensive players in the league and that is going to help the Clippers on both ends of the court. We also have to throw into the mix the all round game of Patrick Beverly who has made all-star defensive team on two occasions. Furthermore with bench players like Mo Harmless and Landry Shamet, the Clippers are all of a sudden looking like a defensive unit which can challenge for everything, and against anyone. If the Clippers manage to land Andre Iguadola as well, that is going to be one of the scariest defensive teams in the game.

Team Chemistry

Whilst many will point to the fat that the Lakers brought in many more players to upgrade their team in comparison to the Clippers, that is not always a huge positive and it can damage team chemistry. This is where the Clippers have done very well, bringing in one or two and maintaining a great many players from last season. When you are taking a team to the championships you need every single one of them to be at their best and most importantly, fighting for each other. The team chemistry that the Clippers have compared to the Lakers is exactly what will separate the two LA sides this year, and it is why the Clippers will go on to win the whole thing.

Younger brothers the Clippers haven’t won a championship in their entire history, and it will be even sweeter for them to know that their very first one came at the expense of the Lakers, when they had the greatest player in the world on their roster.

To read more on topics like this, check out the success category.

Let’s Break Down What the Buzz About Google Remarketing Is About

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Online shopping arguably gave us the best thing for commerce since the invention of the internet. From the comfort of your home, you can browse through a website, essentially window shopping online, filling your cart with whatever you want. But the spot where a lot of online vendors lose their customers is at the checkout point. It’s so much easier now for prospective customers to only look at the products available on a site and never follow through. There’s a proven reluctance to go through with online shopping more than there is for walk-in shops, and a few years ago, there was nothing that any online vendor could do about those abandoned carts.

That is until Google remarketing was introduced.

What is Google remarketing?

If you spend time online, you will have noticed that ads from websites you’ve browsed or shopped from recently randomly pop up on your screen, even if you’re on another website. That’s the simplest form of Google remarketing. It takes products that a customer has expressed interest in and shows it to them when they’re online. It’s a subtle nudge to go through with that purchase or to buy products similar to the ones they have shown interest in.

The remarketing tag can be added to your website, which means that visitors will take that tag with them to other sites through cookies. It’s a highly targeted form of advertising.

Why do you need it for your business?

Brands that remarket have a proven margin of up to 3x more ad clickthrough rates than brands that don’t, and that means that more people are seeing their products. An increase in impressions is directly proportional to higher engagement and follow-through on sales. When people are reminded that they clicked on your site, they’re reminded of the great products they loved and persuaded to buy them. It also reduces ad fatigue because it’s tailored to the customer’s unique tastes and online shopping history. More visibility translates to more sales for your brand, and that’s the simple principle behind Google remarketing.

What else can it do for your business?

Apart from re-engaging your existing customers, remarketing can make your brand visible to new markets by putting your product in their line of sight as an alternative to their usual shopping options. Combined with competitive, strategic pricing and discounts, it’s a sure way to reach higher customer conversion rates.

How can you get it?

Broadplace is the go-to, trusted Google partner for remarketing. They offer different packages to suit your business’ needs for higher impact and brand visibility. With the added use of analytics, your remarketing campaign can pack more punch as they tailor it to precise SEO keywords relevant to your product, targeting your specific market.

Remarketing is a simple concept with a significant impact. It just might be the push your business needs to reach your target market effectively and convert them to reoccurring customers. Your next step is as simple as an email; take your online business to the next level.

To read more on topics like this, check out the business category.

Three Items To Have In Your Car, In Case of an Emergency

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Driving your car around town may be fun, but what do you do when something goes wrong with it? Are you prepared to handle an accident involving a passenger, or having a flat tire on an isolated road? Most vehicle owners know that they need to have their driver’s license and their proof of insurance in the car, but what else do you have on hand? Here are three items you should have in your car, in case of an emergency.

A First Aid Kit

On the road, multiple scenarios could lead to your needing a first aid kit; an accident could occur, someone in the car could have an allergic reaction to something, or you could have a headache that makes it impossible to drive. Whatever the case, the DfT has made it mandatory for vehicle owners to have a first aid kit in their cars. They are available for sale in prepackaged kits, or you can make your kit – using items you buy in a store. If you assemble it yourself, make sure that your kit contains different types and sizes of bandages, cotton swabs, hand sanitizers, gauze, aspirin, allergy medication, and any other type of medication that might be needed by you or your family.

An Internet-Enabled Smartphone and a USB Car Charger

In our modern age, having a working cellphone is essential in an emergency. Access to the internet means that you never have to worry about getting lost (thanks to online mapping systems) and that you can always reach someone who will help you in the event of an emergency. A good idea is to keep a working spare phone in your car, just in case you are in an emergency and something has happened to your main phone.

If you do not want to spend the extra money on a phone, another option is to buy and keep a USB car charger from Spares2you in your car. With that, you can easily keep the battery of your cellphone fully charged at all times and not have to worry about running out of cellphone juice in the middle of an emergency.

A Spare Tire

One of the worst things that can happen to a driver is having a flat tire on an isolated road with no spare tire in the boot. It is extremely important that any car being driven not only has a spare tire inside it but also that the driver knows exactly how to change the tires. Changing a flat tire is simple. It only requires a few tools – a tire iron, a jack, a pipe, and a wrench. With those tools in hand and a little bit of elbow grease, removing a flat tire and replacing it with a spare is one of the easiest tasks ever.

Just as with most things in life, driving a car can be a risky endeavour. Make sure you keep these items in your car so that you are not stuck out on the road one day, with no spare tire or phone to call for help.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

What Are the Pros and Cons for Securing an Unsecured Debt

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Person Holding Debit Card

Every business needs an external cash injection at some point in time. This could be in the form of a traditional term loan, unsecured business funding or any other kind of loan.

In some instances, a business may use collateral in order to obtain a loan. If the business defaults on loan repayment, the lender confiscates the collateral.

On the contrary, an unsecured business loan does not require collateral, which means that it poses a lower level of risk to the borrower.

The pros and cons of securing an unsecured debt are discussed in the article below:

Pros of unsecured debt

No Requirement of Collateral

There are many businesses that do not possess something of value that can be used as collateral rendering them ineligible to secure financing.

Unsecured loans do not require you to put up collateral of value. Rather, they will be content with your future projections, and business plans. If the lender deems them good enough, he will approve your loan.

When you are not putting up collateral, the lender may ask for some other kind of surety like a personal guarantee.

Time-Saving

Business loan applications take quite a lot of time to get approved because the lender is following an SOP that requires it to review each and every aspect of the business. It applies to both secured and unsecured financing.

However, in case of a secured loan, the lender must spend additional time in surveying the collateral and obtaining its value. On the contrary, when you are seeking an unsecured loan, you will save this time.

No-Risk Posed to Your Assets

For a secured loan, you are required to put up specific assets. It could be the office building or your production equipment. In case of default, the lender will take control of this asset.

There is no such condition with an unsecured loan and they pose no threat to your assets.

Cons of unsecured debt

Higher Rate of Interest

An unsecured business loan is riskier from the point of view of the lender because he does not have an asset as a backup if you fail to repay the loan.

In order to cover this higher risk, the lender may charge more interest from you.

Not Easy to Qualify

When there is no collateral involved in the transaction, the lender may scrutinize your business more thoroughly. It would review your financial statements, tax returns, credit score, and projections. If the lender is able to find a gap in any of these areas, it is most likely to decline your application.

The Final Word

A business in need of working capital in the form of an unsecured loan must take stock of its present financial condition.

In many cases, an unsecured loan will look the most suitable option because of many reasons, some of which are listed above.

However, it is up to the business owner to analyze what is best for his business in the long run, and then act accordingly.

To read more on topics like this, check out the finance category.

Why You Should Upgrade Your Bed

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All homeowners knows there is always something that needs doing around the house. Whether it is simple maintenance jobs, decorating or upgrading your furniture, there is always something that demands your attention. One area that you should definitely focus on is your bed. Many of us sleep on a bed that is worn out or poorly designed – so upgrading the bed is a very sensible use of your money.

It will help you sleep and feel better

The most obvious reason for a change of bed is that a new, better-designed bed will help you sleep more comfortably and soundly. If you currently sleep on an uncomfortable bed, upgrading to a high-quality product is sure to help you rest more peacefully each night. An old bed will make it hard to get comfy and can cause you to toss and turn all night. As sleep is as important to your health as your diet, and we spend around 33% of our lives asleep, upgrading your bed allows you to get the best quality sleep.

Gives your bedroom a fresh look

Beds also have a key role to play in how the most stylish bedrooms look. Very often, people may not have enough money to buy the bed which fits in with the look they want at the time. If you suddenly find yourself with the cash needed, upgrading your bed can help give your bedroom the overall look you want. Buying a certain style of bed can also transform how the room looks and give it an instant makeover. When dressed with the right bedding, a new bed can really add some style to your home.

Don’t forget the mattress and pillows

Of course, getting the best night’s sleep is not only about the bed you use. While it is important, you also need to buy high-quality pillows and the best mattress you can afford. Sleep labs pillows are a good choice and come in a range of fully adjustable sizes. Getting pillows which are adjustable is always wise as this means you get the exact firmness you like each night.

Comfy pillows that give good support for your neck will also help you rest properly with no stiffness the next morning. Your mattress is also essential in terms of getting good sleep. Be sure to find one that has the right level of firmness and gives your whole body proper support.

Getting the whole package right is important

There is no doubt that getting the right bed to sleep on will help greatly in terms of your health and wellbeing. As the above shows though, this is not the only thing to think about. Just as important are the pillows and mattress you buy to use with the bed. If you can get the whole package right then you will be able to enjoy a glorious night’s rest every time.

To read more on topics like this, check out the house category.

Things to Look for When Buying a House

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Investing your money in buying a home is something that you should take seriously. That is why it is essential to do a lot of research before making any buying decision that will have a significant effect on your life. Remember that once you close the deal, there is no turning back. It is essential to be careful when it comes to making decisions regarding investing in a property. Here are some of the things that you should take into consideration when buying your dream house.

The boiler should be in good condition

Every house needs hot water, especially during winter. Take time to make sure that the system that is in charge of supplying hot water to the entire house is working efficiently. Don’t forget to enquire about the warranty for the boiler that is indicated on the sticker. Heating systems are known to last for more than a decade, but if you buy an older house there is a possibility that there will be a need for a replacement boiler.

Check for faulty pipes

You may want to hire a professional plumber to check if the pipes are in good condition. Leaks should be taken care of immediately when you discover them because they get worse over time. Do not wait for your pipes to burst as it can cause flooding and damage your furniture and appliances.

Check the condition of the tiles

Tiled flooring tends to become hollow underneath due to normal wear and tear plus the change in weather conditions. Try knocking on the tiles, especially bathroom walls and floors. If most of them sound hollow, you need to have them checked. There is a possibility that its waterproofing feature has already worn out, which can cause mould and dampness underneath the tiles. Have someone look at this problem before it gets worse and ends up damaging the entire structure.

Have someone check the roof and gutters

Most buyers fail to check the roof of the house. You may think that there is nothing wrong with the roof because you do not see any visible signs. Roofs get damaged during snowstorms and weather changes. That is why you need to get in touch with a professional roof inspector regarding this problem. They will give you a detailed report on its condition. Should there be any damage, make sure that it gets fixed right away

Check for additional storage cabinets

It is essential to check if the bedrooms have enough storage space. Built-in cabinets are crucial for keeping things organised and free from clutter. If the house that you are about to purchase does not have them, you can consider installing a fitted wardrobe UK bedroom furniture specialists can custom design for the property.

Lastly, you and the seller should come to an agreement on who will shoulder all of the repair expenses. It is best to have the agreement in writing to make sure that everything will go smoothly.

To read more on topics like this, check out the house category.