David Carnes reports:
"Under a competitive bidding system, a property owner seeks the contractor who will provide the best work at the lowest price. Although the reputation of your business is important, the skill with which you present your bid is also critical. Some owners require the use of customized bid forms, some provide only general guidelines and others allow contractors to create their own bid formats. Your bid must be detailed, organized and realistic to prevail over other contractors. Open a Microsoft Word document and create a title page featuring the name of the project, the name of the owner, the name of your company and the bid submission deadline. Create a table of contents on the second page using the following section titles: Executive Summary, Professional Qualifications, Specifications, Pricing, Subcontractors and Payment. List all of your company's professional qualifications, such as licenses, in Section 2 (skip over Section 1 at this point). Briefly describe any performance guarantees that you offer. Include contact details for previous satisfied customers who are willing to be identified, particularly local customers who[m] the owner might be familiar with. This will establish your credibility from the beginning and ensure that your bid is taken seriously. Break down the project into discrete phases in Section 3, using subheadings. Under each subheading, describe exactly how you will complete each phase. Use tables and graphs with specifications and numerical detail, interspersed with prose descriptions to the extent appropriate. Include target completion dates for each phase. Set your price for each phase of the project in Section 4. Create tables that show exactly how you arrived at each price...Double[-]check to make sure your estimates for the cost of supplies and labor are realistic. Aim to offer the best value, not necessarily the lowest price. Give yourself some leeway to absorb cost overruns and unexpected delays, especially when dealing with subcontractors. Name the subcontractors you will use in Section 5. Create a separate subheading for each subcontractor stating the subcontractor's name and role in the project. Under each subheading, state in detail what the subcontractor will be responsible for. Choose local subcontractors with good reputations. Subcontractors who have worked with the owner before are particularly persuasive, provided that the owner is satisfied with their work. Describe the payment conditions and method of payment in Section 6, using subheadings for each phase of the project followed by a separate section detailing the method of payment. For large projects, owners typically prefer progress payments as each phase of the project is completed. Describe the payment conditions in as much detail as possible...If you are requesting payment by bank transfer[,] list the name of the bank, the account name and the account number. Draft an executive summary of the entire project and insert it into Section 1. The executive summary should be about one page long, should not include technical details and should not be broken down into subheadings. Summarize the project as accurately and succinctly as possible, and include the total price for the project. If the executive summary is poorly written, the owner might not bother to read the rest of the bid. Insert page numbers into the table of contents on the second page of the bid...Don't underbid to win the project, because cost overruns will come out of your profit." WPBeginner reports:
"Comments are a great way to interact with the blogs you read. Most site owners love and crave comments. In their eyes, comments show that readers found their content engaging and useful. Sadly, comments are now being used by spammers and bots as a promotional mechanism rather than a micro-conversation tool...Let’s take a look at how to write a good blog comment and get noticed...Before you leave a comment, you need to ask yourself why...you want to leave that comment[.] Some people want to become friends with the blog owner to explore networking opportunities. Others may just want to say thank you, while some might disagree and want to express their own views. Think out loud what you want your comment to accomplish before you write it. This will help you gather your thoughts more precisely and will allow you to be more eloquent...It goes without saying that if you want to be heard and noticed, then you should be polite, respectful, and kind. Even if you disagree with the post, you should express your views without being rude to the site owner or other users. Remember[,] the site owner can delete your comment, mark it as spam, and/or block your IP altogether...Comments with backlinks in the message are more likely to be marked as spam. Some users try to leave signature links to their site in their comments. This is a waste of your time, and more likely than not your comment will be caught by a spam filter or in a moderation queue. First of all, you need to understand that all links in blog comments are nofollow by default. You will not get the SEO bump that you are hoping for. Second[ly], why waste your time writing comments when you can get featured on any blog in the world. If you have great writing skills and all you want is publicity, then writing guest posts will benefit you a lot more than leaving backlinks in comments. If you must leave a link, then make sure that it is relevant to the post. Self-promotional links are usually deleted unless you’re a regular user of the website...When writing your comment, your [number one] goal should be to add value to the original discussion. There are plenty of ways to do that. For example, if you are commenting on a list post, then add more information about an item already in the list or perhaps suggest an alternative item. Asking relevant questions can help other readers, and it is also the easiest way to add value to a discussion. However, you need to be smart about it and only ask if you really have a question. It’s crucial that you read the comments that are already published. This will give you an idea of where the conversation is heading, and you would avoid repeating the things that others have already said...You should never use ALL CAPS in your comment (that’s simply rude). Some site owners are very strict about grammar and spelling, so you may want to do your best there. All browsers come with built-in spell-check tools that you can use to correct mistakes as you write. You can also install Chrome extensions like Grammarly or After the Deadline to proofread your comments...Tweet a link to the post or your own comment. You can also share it on Facebook or reblog on your own blog. This also allows you to get more people involved in the discussion. It also shows the site owner that you liked their article, and you care. It’s one of the great ways to start networking with an influencer and get in their radar...If you want to address the site owner or have another suggestion, then it’s best to use the contact form instead of leaving it all in the comment. It’s a bonus when you leave a great comment and then send helpful feedback through the contact form. Two quick touch-points can go [a] long way in helping you get noticed by the writer." Sarah Andropoulos reports:
"The primary purpose of the home page of your website is to present yourself to prospective clients and others who may wish to contact you. Among the characteristics that might set you apart from other attorneys and law firms are your education or training credentials, relevant experience, and areas of practice...While it may seem [counterintuitive] to discuss legal standards on your firm’s home page, it is critical to your site’s performance that this page reflect your understanding of your profession in terms that convey an authoritative grasp of the subject matter—in this case, the practice of law in your field. This means that simply describing career accomplishments or listing the types of cases your firm accepts is unlikely to be sufficient. Thus, when you are describing the areas of law you practice, it is important to include some substantive legal analysis. The kind of content that can help your site begin to make headway in the search engines should highlight the legal rules that you see most regularly in your practice, but do so in a succinct and reader-friendly manner...[E]xplaining the basic substantive law principles you work with most regularly not only helps you tailor your content to current SEO standards, but can also help clients to get an understanding of how you can help them with their specific legal problems. Providing this kind of legal [roadmap] communicates your understanding of what your clients are dealing with, and can provide an incentive for readers to get in touch with more specific questions, ultimately helping you convert home page visits into new business...[W]hile it is key to keep your legal discussion reader-friendly and avoid getting too academic, it is also essential that your website pages contain sufficient text. Indeed, posting pages with only a few sentences of text can actually harm your site’s performance. If you follow the basic format we describe, you should have no trouble coming up with sufficient text for your home page...[A]dding text that you have copied directly from another online source can hinder your site’s rankings. If taking time out to draft original content for your website is not realistic for you, consider hiring a local writer, or learn about Justia’s custom content services...If you follow current trends in the SEO industry, you have likely read about the importance of incorporating keywords in your content that relate to the case types and geographic areas you are most interested in. While keyword density is a significant component of your site’s performance, we caution clients against overusing these terms. As explained by Google here, using these terms too heavily, a practice also known as 'keyword stuffing,' can actually hurt your site’s rankings...The main idea here is to describe your practice in a natural and accurate way with regard to the case types and geographic areas you are most involved with or interested in. Using language that sounds spammy, or using the same terms repeatedly in an unnatural way, will diminish the value of your content and can impede your site’s performance...Now that you have drafted a high[-]quality, original home page narrative containing an appropriate level of legal substance, length, keyword density, and biographical information, be sure to include a final word to prospective clients regarding why and how they should contact you. This kind of language, also known as a 'call to action,' will reference things like available legal remedies (e.g., damages, potential dismissal of charges), no-cost initial consultations, and contingent fee arrangements as potential reasons for clients to get in touch with your office to discuss their legal issues. Including this information (again, making sure to follow all relevant legal ethics standards), along with a clearly visible phone number and email contact form, can make it easier for site visitors to contact you, and to take the next step toward potentially engaging your services." Grace Ferguson reports:
"As an employee, your job is to perform the duties that you were hired to do according to, or above, company standards. To gauge your performance, your employer conducts periodic appraisals of your work. During the appraisal meeting, your boss discusses with you his assessment of your work. His rating indicates whether you have met, exceeded or failed to meet the requirements of your job. You are also required to write your comments on the appraisal...Record your performance over the course of the review period. This allows you to rely on your recorded notes rather than your memory. For example, reviews are usually done yearly, so during that time[,] write down your required duties and how you executed them. Be specific in taking notes. If you failed to perform certain duties appropriately, say why. Perform a self-appraisal before the actual review. Some employers require employees to fill out a self-evaluation form before the appraisal meeting. During this period, recall and rate your performance and state your areas of strengths and those that need improvement. Discuss the self-evaluation with your boss at the appraisal meeting. Your self-appraisal can change your supervisor’s assessment from a negative to a positive, especially if she forgot about some of your accomplishments. Convey your concerns and suggestions to your manager before writing them on the appraisal...Ask your manager to give you some time to write your comments, such as by the next day. Take the time to honestly reflect on your performance and to identify resources that you may need. Even if you have had a positive review, still examine your strengths and weaknesses so you can become an even stronger asset to the company. Write your comments in an objective and professional manner and refrain from taking your manager’s criticisms personally. If applicable, state your understanding of the goal plan, which includes objectives that you must meet by the next review period. The goal plan also includes your [boss’] recommendations, such as additional onsite training or attending workshops and seminars. Finish your comments by thanking your boss for his support and guidance...If you disagree with your [boss’] low rating and you can prove that you deserve a positive review, follow your company’s policy for appealing the appraisal. If you received a positive review, you may express to your boss your desire for more challenging work, which could lead to a promotion." ShowMe™ Cape Town reports:
"The most important part about billboard advertising copy is to keep the message simple. If drivers only have a split second to read the billboard, do not complicate matters by having long-winded copy that drones on about your product or service. Make sure your message gets to the point and is no more than three short sentences...Before writing the copy for your billboard, find out exactly where the billboard is going to be located...The best way to test a message is on a neutral party. Give a friend, family member or work associate the message and see if they can make sense of it. The message needs to be simple, clear and precise. While you want it to be easy to read, you also want it [t]o say exactly what you are offering...You cannot portray your message effectively if you do not know what the theme is for your billboard. In order to create the right theme, you need to take into account what you are selling and the viewer’s mindset at the time. Focus the copy on what is most likely going to have a direct impact on the driver...The best way to find out what copy you should write, is by taking a drive and seeing how your competition and other industries use industrial signage. When reading billboards, ask yourself three questions: [W]hat stands out for you, why does it work and does it fit with the surroundings? By asking yourself these questions, you begin to look past your product and focus more on the type of copy that this advertising method requires...Be sure that you stick to the basics and provide easy-to-read copy that makes sense and has a clear call-to-action. You only have a few seconds to impress your viewers, so make them count." Jonathan Lister reports:
"Any partner can dissolve a business partnership regardless of the desires of remaining partners. A partner intending to dissolve a company should approach a letter informing other partners like a legal document similar to the original partnership agreement. Focusing on the legal aspects of the company's dissolution maintains a professional air about the process and limits the abilities of other partners to stop the process...Name the business partner you're addressing in your letter by the full legal name used in your original partnership agreement. This helps avoid any legal ambiguity later on that may slow down or block your intention to dissolve the company. Using the partner's full legal name also creates an air of formality about the letter and conveys the seriousness of its content. A business partner seeing her full legal name on an official document is less likely to dismiss the letter than a note addressed to her nickname...Specifically name the key events triggering the dissolution of your business partnership...Name the chapters and sections in your partnership agreement where other partners can find the triggering events your letter invokes to dissolve the company. This is important because it gives your letter legal backing in the form of the partnership agreement. Courts across the country recognize this document as legally binding. Invoking measures contained in the partnership agreement to dissolve your company leaves little room for legal argument...Avoid emotional or potentially inflammatory statements in the letter to your business partners. Maintaining a professional tone throughout the letter can mitigate any feelings of anger that your fellow partners may feel at your intent to end the working relationship. Additionally, emotional statements can cloud the intent of your letter and may provide some legal wiggle room for your partners to contest the company's dissolution. A protracted legal battle over your business can drag out the dissolution process from months to even years...As the dissolving partner, attending to any open business contracts with other companies or vendors is your legal responsibility. Name these vendors and businesses in your letter to let your partners know you're aware of the existing contracts and intend to close these agreements as part of the dissolution process. Including the value of all open contracts in the letter isn't mandatory, but the mention of these numbers can add to your credibility and reassure the other business partners that you're properly attending to matters." Mickie Kennedy reports:
"Stories are only as good as their endings. If you have an amazing story but goof up the very last part it leaves a bad taste in readers’ mouths. Even though they enjoyed the story up until that point, it will be the main thing they remember, guaranteed. This goes for every single thing you write, be it a creative short story, a blog post, or even a press release. The very ending solidifies the piece with your readers and, in the case of a press release, can help create real interest in your announcement and the company as a whole...Whether you close out the press release with a quote from your CEO or one last vital piece of information, it’s important to remember that the press release is all about sending a message. Rather than just concentrate on pure facts, a closing statement could wrap up the press release for everyone reading. Leave them with a strong statement that makes them recall a powerful image. For example, if you’re writing a press release about a new product, you want to burn the image into readers’ minds that it will change their lives. So a quote from a satisfied customer or real-world example of how the product will affect readers can go a long way in closing out strongly...Readers really respond to companies that seem to 'get' them. If you can tap into why your customers love your company or WILL love your company, you can close out your press release with this sentiment for a little added 'oomph.'...Many customers just need the simplest push to send them over the edge to buy more of your stuff. Remind[ing] them that they already love you can be that push...Most likely you know [how] to write in the 'inverted pyramid' style where the most important data goes up top and the lesser stuff trickles down. You make sure to get in all the who, what, where, etc., so that readers get the whole story. However, sometimes some info doesn’t seem all that relevant near the top. Thus, you’re hesitant to include it. If you get to the bottom and realize there’s some info you couldn’t fit into the rest of the press release, consider putting it in the closing sentence. It may round out the release in readers’ minds as they feel like they got even more of the story." Heather Huhman reports:
"[Y]our cover letter must be a piece of writing that describes your achievements and how you will help the company succeed. Additionally, you want your cover letter to illustrate how you are the best fit for the company and for the reader to believe you have the qualifications they seek. If you want to land an interview with your cover letter, you don’t want to sound vague or wishy-washy. Your cover letter should illustrate why you are the best fit and how you will help the company or organization reach success. However, when writing the closing paragraph of your cover letter, it’s easy to have a passive voice because you don’t want to appear overconfident...The closing paragraph of your cover letter must be one of the strongest elements because it is the last impression you leave in the reader’s mind...'I am very excited to learn more about this opportunity and share how I will be a great fit for XYZ Corporation.' Strong cover letter closings are enthusiastic and confident. You want the reader to have the impression you are truly passionate about the position and working for their company. This statement will also illustrate your ability to fit into the company culture and how your personality and work ethic is exactly what they’re looking for...'I believe this is a position where my passion for this industry will grow because of the XYZ opportunities you provide for your employees.' It’s always a good idea to explain what you find attractive about working for the company and how you want to bring your passions to the table. By doing this, you can illustrate how much thought you dedicated to applying for the position and how much you care about becoming a part of the company...'If I am offered this position, I will be ready to hit the ground running and help XYZ Company exceed its own expectations for success.' By adding this piece to your conclusion, you will be able to add some flare and excitement to your cover letter...Employers look for candidates who are prepared for the position and are easy to train. Therefore, this phrase will definitely raise some curiosity and the reader will want to discover what you have to offer for their company...'I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my qualifications will be beneficial to your organization’s success.' Remember, you want to make it clear in your cover letter how the employer will benefit from your experience and qualifications. You want to also express how your goal is to help the organization succeed, not how the position will contribute to your personal success...'I will call you next Tuesday to follow up on my application and arrange for an interview.' The most essential part of your closing is your 'call to action' statement. Remember, the purpose of your cover letter is to land an interview. Don’t end your cover letter saying you’ll hope to get in touch. Explain to the reader the exact day and how you will be contacting them. When you state you will be following up with the employer, make sure you do it! Remember, the closing of your cover letter is the most important element that will help you land your next interview. By crafting a strong, confident, and enthusiastic closing paragraph, you will leave the reader feeling like you could be the best candidate for the position." Misty Faucheux reports:
"You are at the end of your project. Congratulations! But, there is still one more step to take before you are done. You need to create your project closing statement. The project closing statement basically is a summary of everything that you have done and the lessons that you have learned. The goal of the project closing statement is to ensure that you point out the things that you did right and things that still need to be improved upon. This will also help you with future projects. These statements should be kept in a file and they should be organized by date. These can either be printed out and kept within a central folder or, you can fill out the forms online and keep them on your desktop, hard drive[,] or network. Each statement should have a checklist with similar headings. Generally, this includes the following: Project Name, ID Number, Project Leader, Executive Leader, Project Manager, Start/End Date, and Date Submitted (when the form was filled out and submitted to the project leader). There are basically four parts to the project closing statement: the Checklist, Completion Statement, Success of the Project, and Lessons Learned...The goal of the project closing checklist is to ensure that project is actually ready to go to bed. It makes sure that all leaders have signed off on the project and that all the project metrics have been met. Other features of the project closing checklist include information on final updates and that they have been completed, and that all the project schedules have met their goals. You should also get the team’s input on the project and congratulate your team on a job well done. You also should make sure that the last item on the checklist is that you have submitted the project closing statement. The actual checklist items will vary based on what you want to ensure was done. But, it shouldn’t be too long. One page is enough...You need to decide what actually constitutes a completed project. Generally, this section has six areas. The Project ID will be first, followed by what the deliverable was. Next, you will discuss the completion metric. The final section will be what date the project was planned to be finished, followed by the actual date and whether or not the project was completed successfully. The project/business success section will be similar to the project completion area, except that you are measuring business outcomes and metrics. This is where you will go over how successful the project was as compared to expected outcomes...The final section of the project closing statement is what you've learned. Here, you should have the project ID, and then three other sections: what worked, why it worked, and what could be improved. Be as detailed as possible in this section as you will probably refer to this in the future. Get input from your project team as well here." Soheila Battaglia reports:
"The function of a rebuttal is to disarm an opponent's argument. By addressing and challenging each aspect of a claim, a rebuttal provides a counter-argument, which is itself a type of argument. In the case of a rebuttal essay, the introduction should present a clear thesis statement and the body paragraphs should provide evidence and analysis to disprove the opposing claim...A rebuttal essay must show that the writer understands the original argument before attempting to counter it. You must read the original claim carefully, paying close attention to the explanation and examples used to support the point...Once you are familiar with the opposing argument, you must write a thesis statement -- an overall point for the whole essay. In the case of a rebuttal essay, this single sentence should directly oppose the thesis statement of the original claim which you are countering. The thesis statement should be specific in its wording and content and should be posing a clear argument...The body paragraphs of a rebuttal essay should address and counter the opposing argument point-by-point. Northern Illinois University states that a rebuttal can take several approaches when countering an argument, including addressing faulty assumptions, contradictions, unconvincing examples and errors in relating causes to effects. For every argument you present in a body paragraph, you should provide analysis, explanation and specific examples that support your overall point. Countering does not only imply disproving a point entirely, but it can also mean showing that the opposing claim is inferior to your own claim or that it is in some way flawed and therefore not credible...The conclusion of your rebuttal essay should synthesize rather than restate the main points of the essay. Use the final paragraph to emphasize the strengths of your argument while also directing the reader's attention to a larger or broader meaning. St. Cloud State University suggests posing questions, looking into the future and challenging the reader in the essay's conclusion. Like a lawyer's closing arguments in a court case, the concluding paragraph is the last thing the reader hears; therefore, you should make this section have a strong impact by being specific and straight to the point." |
Writing and editing can be pretty rigorous processes if you want to do them well, but that's what this page is here for. Check out the latest tips here. Archives
April 2024
CategoriesJ.D. Parsons
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