Keela Helstrom reports:
"A credit policy is a must for all businesses that provide [their] customers with services and merchandise on credit. A good policy outlines the procedures for evaluating a customer's creditworthiness, for extending credit to customers that are most likely to pay their bills on time and for establishing purchasing limits based on a customer's credit history and ability to pay. When adhered to by all employees, a credit policy helps minimize a company's risk of not receiving the cash from a sale made on credit...Explain the purpose of the credit policy at the beginning of the manual. State the overall responsibilities of the credit department, including the duty to assess customer creditworthiness and minimize the potential loss resulting from extending credit to customers. Include the duties, responsibilities and authority of each member of the credit department and give employee names and contact information...Include the payment credit terms the company will extend to its customers -- the number of days from the invoice date until the cash payment is due. Express the credit terms as a number...Outline the company's credit application and approval procedure. Clearly state how customers are to apply for credit and the documents and references they should provide with the application. Indicate the employees responsible for reviewing customer applications and the process used for evaluating a customer's creditworthiness and specific credit limits...Specify the corporation's procedures to collect on its outstanding customer invoices. Clearly state the specific collection action that is taken in relation to how many days a customer's invoice is past due. For example, a company may choose to mail a delinquent letter to a customer with an invoice 15 days past the due date but make a courtesy call to a customer with an invoice that's 30 days past due. For more delinquent accounts, a late payment arrangement may be established, a collection agency may be employed to collect the debt or legal action may be taken." Jasmine of ShoutMeLoud reports:
"A viral blog post is a post that’s shared by lots of people. With the explosion of social media, there is more and more potential for any type of content to go viral...To be viral, a blog post has to strike a chord that many people can resonate with...Trendy is also an important quality that most viral posts contain. Some of the most popular items online are about celebrities, athletes, politicians and other well[-]known people. Sometimes trends are about things or events rather than people...Is there a hidden secret to creating viral blog posts? Unfortunately, there is no one action you can take that will guarantee that your post goes viral. Yet if you follow certain rules, you can increase the chances...Remember that only a good blog post will usually go viral. So don’t expect that everything you write is going to be wildly popular. One of the tricks to creating viral content is to consistently post lots of quality posts. That increases your chances of having some of these posts go viral. Make sure you give a unique angle and [the] article never miss[es] out [on] the personal touch. Specially, when we read blogs, we expect to read something based on personal experience or personal opinion, [because] without this a [b]log post is just another article...The title of your blog post is extremely important, as this is what people will see first. It also has a lot to do with how the search engines index your post. Giving your post a catchy title greatly increases the chance of people sharing it...You have little chance of having a blog post go viral if it’s on a subject hardly anyone knows or cares about. It’s fine to blog about your favorite obscure hobby, but don’t expect this type of content to be widely shared. Keep up with the news, [read] Google Trends, [read] popular magazines and do research...to see what people are currently reading, watching and discussing. While it helps to pick a popular topic, if you want your blog post to go viral you must have an original take on it. Don’t just repeat something you found somewhere else. Perhaps you can post a controversial opinion, citing evidence against what some experts claim...Images and video can help to make a blog post more popular. You might make a short video where you give your thoughts on a topic. Rather than just trying to spread the video, however, you can embed it into a blog post and make some relevant comments as well. Photos are also good for attracting people’s attention and making it more likely that they will share your post...[Infographics] are another great way to create viral blog posts and we have already shared how to make an infographic go viral. Though, you need to work on unique idea[s] and create an infographic...While some blog posts may go viral without the creator making much of an effort, this is rare. The more you share your content, the more likely it is that it will spread. To do this, you must go out of your way to connect with people on social media and social bookmarking sites. If you have lots of followers on Twitter, lots of Facebook friends and connections on sites like Reddit, Facebook and StumbleUpon it’s easier to have your content go viral...If you want to get a feel for what goes viral, pay attention. Every single day there are new viral videos, photos and blog posts. Go to various sites and see which posts and other content rises to the top. You don’t want to copy someone else’s content, but you can get valuable guidelines...Some content goes viral because it shocks, offends or misleads people. If you get famous for spreading this kind of material, you will be notorious rather than famous. If you want to be well[-]known at any cost, you may be able to create some kind of controversy that gets widespread attention. However, if you’re trying to build good will or a positive reputation, you should be careful about what type of publicity you get...While it’s great to have the goal of writing viral blog posts, you should not expect everything you write to go viral. This only happens once in a while, and it’s impossible to predict exactly which posts will be the lucky ones. The best you can do is increase your chances by keeping the above tips in mind." VideoUniversity.com reports:
"Video games are created from scripts...Every decision a player must make is diagrammed and flow charted. Every detail must be described...First you need to devise a concept. This defines who the protagonist is and what he or she wants. What does his world look like[?] What are the obstacles stopping him from getting what he wants[?] Next decide what kind of game it is...Is it a simple linear plot where the protagonist must win each level and then go to the next? If it is more complex than that, you must write numerous branches of plots depending on what the protagonist does. Now write an overview of the entire story. Include all the major plot branches and what happens in each. After you have the main story fleshed out, you can go back and fill in the details of the structure. Each important character, major location, and significant object will need a physical description and a back story or history. You don’t need back stories for incidental characters or simple objects. Now write the flow chart using boxes with text inside and arrows indicating every decision the main character makes. These are described as well as what happens when he makes any of the choices available. Write the interactions the character has with non-player characters. This can be a separate [flow chart] showing how a non-player character acts, [talks] or responds to actions or speech. Make the style of your script consistent and easy to read. When writing the script be sure to write the dialogue, what the character sees, camera angles and the decisions. The programmer will need to have descriptions of the objects, spaces and characters of each scene. Include all audio elements such as sound effects, music and other audio." Alison Doyle reports:
"It is important to know how to write a reference letter, because almost everyone is asked to provide a reference at some time during their career. Whether it's for an employee, a friend, or someone you've worked with, it is important to be prepared to write an effective letter of recommendation...It’s a good idea to ask the person for a copy of their resume and a list of accomplishments, even if you have known them for a long time. They may have new accreditation or achievements, and you want to provide as much current information as possible. This will also help give you guidelines to use when composing...the letter. If the reference letter is for a specific employment opportunity, also ask for a copy of the job posting. The more information you have, the easier it will be to write the letter...If you are writing the letter to an individual or hiring committee, include that information at the top of the letter and in your greeting. If you are writing a general letter, you could write to "Whom it May Concern" or simply start your letter with the first paragraph...The first paragraph of the reference letter explains your connection to the person you are recommending, including how you know them, and why you are qualified to write a reference letter to recommend employment or graduate school. Mention the relationship...you have with the person you are recommending...The second paragraph of the reference letter contains information on the person you are writing about, including why they are qualified, what they can contribute, and why you are providing a reference letter. If necessary, use more than one paragraph to provide details. Be specific and share examples of why you are endorsing the person...When writing a letter referring a candidate for a particular job opening, the reference letter should include information on how the person's skills match the position they are applying for. If you can, relate specific instances where you observed the person successfully using skills required for the position...In the closing paragraph, offer to provide more information and include your contact information (phone and email) so you are available to provide a verbal recommendation, and clarification if necessary...Close your letter with a formal closing and your signature...If you're not sure what to write, use a reference letter template and personalize it to include your information." Ann Moore reports:
"Writers show respect for all readers by writing objectively and avoiding the perpetuation of stereotypes. Word choice can indicate an author's bias. Biased language can cause a reader to focus on how a writer says something rather than what the writer says. Careful writing is inoffensive and sounds natural, not contrived...To write objectively, avoid words with negative connotations. Do not use condescending or derogatory terms when referring to anyone or any group of people. Using slang terms...is demeaning. Be respectful of gender, age, ethnic, religious, occupational, socioeconomic and political groups. When writing about a particular group of people, use the term that the group uses to refer to themselves. Some terms that used to be acceptable may now be considered offensive...Do not assume that all members of a group share certain characteristics...Avoid adding superfluous information to perpetuate a stereotype...Do not point out someone's race or ethnicity unless it is relevant to the context in which it is used. For example, pointing out how many Muslim or Japanese people have moved into an area will be perceived as prejudice against them. However, the following sentence is acceptable because the reference is appropriate to the context of the sentence: Because Honda has built a new automobile factory in Florence, several Japanese families have moved into our area...To encourage more civility in political discourse, avoid the emotionally-charged language that is often prevalent in politics. Instead of referring to a person as a 'right-wing fanatic' or a 'far left loon,' use plain, straightforward language...[S]ome writers use 'he or she,' 'him or [her,'] or 'his/her.' This construction can become awkward and annoying if overused. An alternative is to use a plural antecedent so that the pronoun 'they' can be used correctly. Also, try rewording the sentence to take out the pronouns...When referring to both genders, avoid using words that end in 'men' or 'man,' such as firemen, chairman, mailman and policemen; instead, write about the firefighters, chair, letter carrier and police officers." Nicole Karlis reports:
"As content becomes more crucial to a company’s success, the need to have top-notch quality content is also increasing. Companies competing in today’s marketplace need to establish themselves as an authority in their respective industries by exhibiting credibility in all aspects of the business, including content creation. One of the best ways to establish credibility is to not just give the appearance of expertise, but prove it. Credibility adds value to a business. People want to buy products or services from businesses that are trustworthy....[Y]ou need to write with confidence — below are a few ways to do just that...Subject matter experts (SME) are a good source of information when writing articles, blog posts, white papers or any type of content. SMEs have a high level of knowledge in their area of specialization. When getting answers from an expert, you add more depth to the content. This helps readers to see the article or white paper as being of higher quality. By interviewing a few experts for one content piece, you gain more perspectives and open the door for online conversations...You can identify the best sources by restricting your research to certain types of media. This means using information from known authorities on a subject such as university websites, research studies, reputable newspapers and magazines, well-regarded polling service firms, government agency data, books, and industry trade associations. When using a source, be sure to use the original sources, such as a university study, instead of an article or press releases about that same study. The Content Marketing Institute suggests using references that your target market already uses and trusts to gain more credibility...Statistic[s] are a good way to prove the points in your content. By using facts and figures from reputable sources in your writing, you add more perspective to the topic. You can find facts and figure[s] by using search engines to find authoritative sources. Statistics are a small element to most content, but it helps with establish[ing] truthfulness in a piece...Fact[-]checking is also necessary for increased content credibility. One inaccurate detail could bring the entire article into question. If you make an error that people quickly notice, they will doubt everything else. You can look for other sources of the same information by using databases such as Factiva to make certain that any facts you use are up-to-date and accurate. A study by the Content Marketing Institute reports that if there is an error in your content, people will go elsewhere for their information and won’t rely on your company [anymore]. Don’t let that happen to you!" Rick Suttle reports:
"Many people do odd jobs to support their families, especially during slower economic times. One of the best ways of marketing yourself is to create a flier, and there are some key components to include that will make it more effective in getting responses. An image or picture can help get attention. You can also enhance your flier's readability by keeping it short, using bullet points and double[-] or triple-spacing lines of copy...Start with a strong heading that clearly identifies your target audience. One of the best ways to identify your audience is by including a benefit to your reader in the headline...Use bold print for all headings and in larger type than the rest of the flyer. This gets immediate attention, and those who are interested keep reading...List the services you offer after the heading and second line that briefly describe how you can benefit them. Use bullet points to list each unique service, whether you repair roofs, run errands or walk dogs. Continue to list everything you can do before mentioning any credentials. This is called 'benefits before features' in selling...Your credentials help differentiate you from competitors. If you have 30 years' experience in carpentry work, it gives the reader more reason to call you. The competition may pale in comparison. If you offer multiple services, include the number of years experience you have with each one. Mention anything relevant to the services you offer. You may also summarize your experience and benefits to the customer near the bottom of your flier...Put your contact information at the bottom of the flier. This may include a phone number, email address or both. Invite customers to leave a message on your [voicemail] if you are unavailable to take calls. Whether by email or phone, get back to people as soon as possible. You may be competing with others, especially if you are marketing your services to businesses." Ramsay Taplin reports:
"[T]he time of day and the day of the week are important parts of your blog posting strategy...It is actually much more important than you might think...Over the years I have experimented with so many different combinations in regard to the best time of day and the best day of the week to publish blog articles. What you have to realize is that it doesn’t always work. Sometimes you will write an amazing post and publish it on a Friday and still see it go viral. Sometimes your posts published at the optimal time will do nothing. Posting at the best times is like giving the article a helping hand, [but it's] not an actual traffic strategy...The best [days] of the week to post your blog articles are Tuesday and Wednesday. I have had dozens of websites and blogs and across all niches it seems that the most traffic is around on a Wednesday followed closely by a Tuesday. I think this has a lot to do with people being at work and bored and looking for something else to do midweek...The best time to publish your blog posts, for most blogs, is between 9:30am and 11am USA East Coast time. This is the time when most people are online or about to come online. The reasons I post at 9:30am and no[t] 9:00am is because at the earlier time people are still reading all their other feeds and emails. I want my post to appear while the[y] are online, [but] I don’t want it to be there when they turn on the computer. If your blog is about entertainment or provides some sort of entertaining content you will also find that posting towards the end of the East Coast [workday] does quite well. By that time most people are finished working and are on Facebook sharing videos, funny cat pictures and so on. Please make sure you test your own blog posting schedule as every niche and blog topic varies little bits here and there...One of the reasons you need to publish at these times is because it is essential for gaining social media traction. Some bookmarking websites...require a certain number of bookmarks in a short space of time to gain traction. If you publish while everyone is asleep you miss out on this traffic in a big way." Kimberly Joki reports:
"[T]he nuances of communicating on social media escape many people. This can be frustrating for those who cherish the written word. However, it’s definitely possible to write well and find your voice on any platform. Here are six tips to improve your social posts...Social media is made for the casual voice, even for users on professional networks. The focus is on the social aspect of communication. It’s about starting a conversation and engaging with others in your network. Ask questions, offer insight, and avoid the colorless 'business-speak' that clutters so much business and professional writing. Your social voice should feel like talking with a friend — a grammatically correct friend...Social media isn’t the place for deep musings, long rants, or well-reasoned arguments. If you have a long piece you want to share with your readers, link to it, and keep your commentary short...The point of using social media in business or at work is to get your followers to do something, whether it’s read an article, watch a video, join a conversation, or attend an event. A good formula for a social media post starts with a thought-provoking question and an invitation for your followers to take action...Writing on social media should feel intimate for your followers, even if you have thousands of them. Use 'I,' 'me,' and 'you' in your updates and posts. Social media is a conversation between colleagues or friends, not a lecture from on high. Write as if you’re talking to one person, not a mass audience...Don’t be afraid to break a few rules to convey emphasis or emotion on social media. While writing in all caps is generally frowned upon in business writing, it’s perfectly okay to emphasize a word or two with capital letters. Using an exclamation point or two is also acceptable...You might be tempted to operate in draft mode on social media, but that carries real risk. Writing in a conversational tone to a large audience leaves plenty of room for misinterpretation, especially when your word count is restricted. There’s a good case to be made that social media posts need more editing than formal writing, not less, especially if you’re posting for an employer. At the very least, have a co-worker or friend read your post before publishing to make sure your meaning is clear. Social media is a powerful tool for networking and engaging with customers, colleagues, friends, and influencers in your areas of interest or expertise. Keep it casual and concise — and be sure to edit for clarity." Erica Loop reports:
"While it's unlikely that your little learner has the ability to write a book report or read a book by herself, she can begin developing early literacy skills. Keep in mind that teaching your 4-year-old to read and write won't happen overnight. Instead, it is a gradual process of skill building...Teach your budding reader [how] to recognize the letters. Chances are that your 4-year-old already knows the alphabet. If that's not the case, use a rhyme or the 'Alphabet Song' to help him remember the letters...Make an alphabet strip out of cardboard and markers, writing each letter in a bold color to ensure that your little one has mastery of letter recognition. Point to each letter and say the name. Have your child repeat the letter name. When she gets the hang of that, add in a lesson on sound recognition. Say the letter name and have your preschooler make the sound...Read age-appropriate books together. Choose a variety of books that feature pictures and words...Ask your child to point out specific letters and match the sounds, such as 'B' is for 'ball.'...Continue reading the same books repeatedly. This will give your child the opportunity to become familiar with short words such as 'cat' or 'dog.' While your preschooler most likely won't have the skills to read all of the words in the picture books, he might have the ability to repeat words that he sees regularly and say the beginning sounds of the words...Continue the literacy development with a writing lesson or two as you are helping your preschooler read. Make a deck of alphabet cards that she can trace as she is beginning to learn how to write...Write each capital letter of the alphabet on separate pieces of cardboard. Make the letter bold and thick enough for the child to see easily. Place a thin piece of white copier paper over the cardboard. The letter will show through. Give your child a pencil or crayon and have him trace the letter on the white paper. Repeat this step with new pieces of paper until your child gets the hang of the letters...Give your child lined paper and help him write the letters with a thin marker, crayon or pencil. Continue with this exercise until your child feels comfortable writing at least some -- such as five or six -- letters. It's not likely that your 4-year-old will master writing the entire alphabet right away. Start with simple words or her name...Give your little one plenty of opportunities to engage in writing and reading related play. Stash notepads, notebooks, pencils and crayons around the house on play tables or the kitchen table. Encourage your child to write, or scribble, to his heart's content. Keep your home library full of picture books. [M]ake reading part of play time by having her take a break from the piles of toys and pick up a book. While reading to your child is invaluable, he can browse the pages by himself as well. Talk to your child regularly, introducing new vocabulary words as you do...Avoid dumbing down early literacy activities. Don't use baby talk or overly juvenile versions in lieu of the real vocabulary." |
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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