Tutor Circle

Steph

Mugshot Malpractice?

by Leave a Comment

Getting arrested is bad enough, especially if you haven’t done anything. But to know that your mugshot is freely available online or might be broadcast on the nightly news is even worse. What if someone misuses their access to your mugshot to ruin your reputation or your chance for a job? How did we get here, and is there any such thing as “mugshot malpractice?”

Why Are Mugshots Public Records?

If it’s your mugshot that’s out there, naturally you’re concerned; but it’s important to know why mug shots are public records in the first place. It all goes back to America’s founding as an answer to the kind of totalitarian government systems that had been the norm for human societies before 1776.

The History Of Public Records

For most of human history, tyrants and other power abusers were happy to make people simply disappear. Tyrant kings and political parties picked up their enemies in secret at night, and even local law enforcement was largely free to do whatever they felt like. In America, making all kinds of records public was designed to change all that.

The primary reason you can so easily look up Kane county mugshots today is to protect people in Kane county, and every county, from abuse of power. Public records exist to keep the government honest, ensure lawful arrests (as much as possible), and give every arrested person a fair shake at getting a fair trial.

How Mugshots Entered The Picture

Of course, mugshots didn’t exist when public record laws were first enacted, so why are they included in public records now? Once mugshots became a routine part of making an arrest, there were three reasons authorities ultimately decided to make them public record:

  • To protect the arrested person from ever being “disappeared.”
  • To allow law enforcement to release mugshots to the public when hunting for a dangerous fugitive.
  • To shame criminals, in the hopes that they would give up their life of crime.
The Modern Public Record Dilemma

Of course, things have changed a lot in the last 240 years. Our founders couldn’t have foreseen a world where people could sit in bed in their pajamas and access every public record from a personal computer.

And the real problem comes when people misuse their access to public records for extortion or to infringe on the rights of others. That’s when it might become possible to sue, and malpractice lawyers are the legal professionals in the best position to lead the way.

Here are some ways mugshots have been misused:

By Law Enforcement

Photo by Rosemary Ketchum from Pexels

Law enforcement has access to all mugshots, but the way they use those mugshots has to be legal. When the police show mugshots to a victim, there are key rules that must be followed. When those rules are violated, people can be falsely accused or even falsely convicted.

By Websites

Because mugshots are public records, they can be put on the internet. Legitimate background check websites include them along with other elements of a background check, and there’s nothing illegal or unethical about this. But some sites, like the former Mugshots.com, have less innocent motives, like extortion, fraud, and identify theft.

By Private Parties

It’s not unheard of for malicious individuals to use a mugshot to ruin another person’s reputation or destroy their livelihood. Whether it’s an ex-spouse or the owner of a competing business down the street, abuse is real and can have long-reaching effects.

How To Fight Abuse

A defamation lawsuit is the only current defense against someone using a mugshot to ruin your reputation. The key to winning such a lawsuit is being able to claim a false statement; for example, that the person in the mugshot is a criminal when they actually acquitted. You must also prove the false statement has done real harm.

Mugshots are public records, but right now there isn’t one clear answer for balancing the need for transparency with the demand for privacy. Lawmakers and lawyers are working towards a solution. One day soon, we could see our first “mugshot malpractice”

 

Essential Considerations When Choosing a Nursery for Your Child

by Leave a Comment

There is no denying that the nursery years are the most important in terms of development as they set the standard for your child’s future learning and success.

Many parents opt to send their offspring to a nursery because they know that – even at this age – a positive learning environment can make a significant difference to their child’s development. Therefore, as a parent, you want to make sure that you find the right place for your child to blossom. Take the necessary time to choose; after all, this is your child’s future!

From your family’s goals to a well-rounded curriculum, the importance of safety measures to the benefits of outdoor play, read on for the essential considerations when choosing a nursery for your child. These will ensure your child receives the best foundation for their future learning.

1. The Purpose

Before you start looking into potential nurseries for your child, you first want to consider what you are hoping your child will gain from the experience. There is a wide variety of benefits that come from sending your child to a nursery. Also, all parents have their personal reasons; there is no right or wrong answer. However, to ensure you are selecting the right one for your family, you need to reflect on your own purposes.

Some of the benefits of sending your child to nursery include helping them develop their social and emotional skills through play-based teaching methods and giving them opportunities to spend time with other children, as well as developing their language skills. Moreover, sending your child to nursery helps them to prepare for their formal education as they provide a fantastic foundation for later learning. At an early age, children are able to absorb a plethora of information, which is why it is crucial that you open them up to new knowledge as soon as possible and do not forgo early learning for your little one.

2. The Curriculum

While there are various methods for teaching young ones, one of the most revered is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). For children up to age five, this stage refers to the time in which they are first presented with new ideas and styles of thinking. EYFS focuses on seven areas of learning and development:

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Communication and Language Development
  • Physical Development
  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding The World
  • Arts and Design

The three prime areas (Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Communication and Language; Physical Development) help prepare children for their future and emerge through the relationships and experiences they have in the nursery. The four specific areas (Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Arts and Design) ensure that children are establishing the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their future education.

Therefore, when looking for a nursery for your child, you want to think long and hard about the style of curriculum that they offer. You can be assured that a nursery that has EYFS at its core is going to be providing your child with a well-rounded education.

3. Safety and Security Measures

While there may be some separation anxiety at first, in reality, attending nursery should be an exciting time for both you and your child. However, if you aren’t comfortable with the safety and security measures at the nursery you choose, then it is going to be challenging for you to get through the days. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you consider health and safety with as much regard as the curriculum.

When looking at potential nurseries, make sure to inquire about the design and materials of the building, as well as the level of comfort for each child. Speak with other parents (or read reviews) about their views on the standard of teachers and caregivers. The educators within the nursery must be appropriately qualified and experienced. Plus, working with young children should be their passion. When visiting potential nurseries, you will be able to tell if that is the case.

You want your chosen nursery to have dependable learning tools (you don’t want to see broken equipment) and a superior standard of cleanliness. Moreover, child-friendly design (such as having gates to protect your child from falling off stairs) and unobstructed fire emergency procedures are also necessities.

Make sure to inquire as much as you want when it comes to safety and security. Don’t settle until you have found a nursery that satisfies your questions and adequately demonstrates that all necessary steps have been taken to minimize potential risks.

4. Outdoor Play

In addition to the classroom offerings, you also want to consider the options for outdoor play that a nursery provides. Just as important as education, outdoor play yields a multitude of benefits for your child.

First and foremost, outdoor play enables your child to engage in physical activities on a regular basis. It is harmful for a young one to spend all their time inside, doing sedentary activities; instead, they need to have time to play outdoors. The exposure to nature (and moderate sun) that they will have during these periods will help with bone growth, better immunity, and an increase in serotonin production.

Furthermore, outdoor play helps to reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and reduces the risk of developing anxiety. Just as adults need to be physically active for both physical and mental reasons, children also benefit from outdoor activities in the same way.

Last but not least, it is during outdoor playtime that children are more prone to making friends and improving their cognitive, social, and emotional skills. These are all crucial skills for them to develop at a young age.

It is for all these reasons that the best nurseries and early learning centres incorporate outdoor play into their curriculum.

Are you currently looking for a nursery for your child? What aspects are you most concerned about? Are you having a hard time finding a nursery that fulfills your requirements? Alternatively, if you have recently gone through the nursery selection period, do you have any tips for other parents? Let us know your thoughts and any relevant experiences in the comments below.

AUTHOR BIO

Ayesha Hoda is a marketing and communications specialist working at Step By Step Nursery Group in the UAE. She holds an MBA degree from a leading business school in Pakistan and has more than 13 years of experience in corporate communications and journalism. She has worked in both agency and client-side roles, designing communication strategies for multinational clients, nonprofits and small businesses in various industries, such as education and healthcare.

Hidden Features of Windows 10

by Leave a Comment

Windows 10 is the latest Operating System released by Microsoft which runs in the personal computers. Windows 10 was released in July 2015. Since then, it has become the most popular Windows OS being used in PCs with share of 33.92%. Although a lot of users are running Windows 10 in their machines, some of them are not familiar with its hidden features. Let’s have a look on its attributes:

  1. Hidden Start Menu:Windows 10 provides a Shortcut Menu to some powerful tools which give access to many options to handle some functions. Pressing Right Click on Start Menu Icon or Windows Key + X pops up a menu which has access to many functions such as Power Options, Task Manager, Mobility Center, etc. A user may have an easy-to-do facility with this feature of Windows 10.
  2. Minimizing All Windows Except the Active One: 

    As clear from the above title, Windows 10 facilitates with a feature to minimize rest of the windows at once while keeping active window on display. This feature is called as Shaking. To use this, you simply have to Left-click on the title bar of a window and dragging the mouse back and forth while keep pressing the left mouse button. Many a times, this feature is not already set to use. You can turn it on manually by searching Local Group in Search Bar, an option comes with the name Edit Group Policy, open it up, and go to Administrative Templates >> Desktop and double click on Desktop option. Then look for the “Turn off Aero Shake window minimizing mouse gesture”, a new dialogue box appears, click on the Disabled and there you go…

  3. Touchpad Gestures:Just like Apple’s OS-X supports touchpad gestures in its laptops, so do the Windows 10 provides trackpad gestures which prevent a user from a typical routine of Clicking the Mouse Buttons. Some of the gestures are as follows:
  4. 1-Finger tap: Works as Left Mouse Button and selects an item.
  5. 2-Fingers tap: Works as Right Mouse Button and shows Context Menu.
  6. 3-Fingers tap: Opens up Cortana.
  7. 4-Fingers tap: Opens up Notification Panel.
  8. 2-Fingers Swipe works as a Scrolling tool.
  9. 3-Fingers Swipe gives facility to switch between any of the tasks being run on the same desktop as same as Alt Key + Tab Key do.
  10. 4-Fingers Swipe let you switch between the Virtual Desktops opened in the device.
  11. Pinching in or Stretching out two fingers Zooms out or Zoom in respectively.

 

  1. Cortana:Cortana

    is actually a virtual assistant being provided by Microsoft in its Windows 10 just like Apple facilitates with Siri and Amazon offers Alexa. Cortana can be enabled manually. It helps in performing many functions as well as it covers many areas from searching a thing offline in computer to perform various Google’s online commands. Cortana can bring weather news for you, can be used as a reminder for events, can play music or radio of your taste, can open any app in the computer on your command and can also be used to do chit chat and to play games. You can set Cortana’s Voice Recognition quality to only to your own self, otherwise it will work for anyone. Select its ‘Respond Best’ to ‘To Me’ and teach Cortana your voice and you are all set…

  2. God Mode:

    As per the name speaks, the ultimate ‘God Mode’, it gives access to all the settings and managements that can alter the software of a computer. God Mode is also known as Windows Master Control Panel shortcut. When you have to alter any property of a driver related to any hardware, you usually go to Control Panel. Different options have been categorized in different sub-folder in Control Panel. But in this Mode, all of the options are shown in the same page with easy-scrolling from one category to another one unlike the control panel where you have to go to specific sub-folder to gain access to these functions. Enabling God Mode is very easy, all what it demands is a New Folder on the desktop. So, create a New Folder on the Desktop, and name it “GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}”. A new folder is generated with same icon as of Control panel that contains more than 200 settings ordered alphabetically.
  3. The Slide Shutdown:
  4. Since Windows 10 has the latest UI and advance features like touchpad gestures, Cortana, and many other properties, some people like to set Slide to Shutdown option for their ease though it is not that much worthy. There are two options to set it, first Manually and second Downloading an already built shortcut to shut down. To create it manually, go to the Desktop, and create a Shortcut from Context Menu by clicking Right Mouse Button on any blank space on the desktop. After that, a dialogue box appears which demands a Location of the Item, and write the given code in there: “%windir%\System32\SlideToShutDown.exe” and save it. You can also update its icon from its properties. When you click on it, the Slide comes from the above and requires to drag it down while clicking and holding the left mouse button.
  5. Transparent Command Prompt:Command Prompt is basically a Line Interpreter with Command Line Interface that comes pre-installed in most of the computers which runs many commands provided by the user. You can access this from the Start Menu searching the keyword CMD or you can create its shortcut from the Context Menu by giving code conhost.exe and saving it. Here, we are to talk about its feature of Transparency. Command Prompt can be made transparent in two ways; first – from its Properties, second – by Hotkeys. Open the CMD, Right-Click the Top Border and select Properties. Make sure that the Use Legacy Console box is unchecked. Then move to the Color option and adjust the Opacity on a scale from 0 to 100%. On the other hand, one can adjust the opacity using hotkeys. To increase transparency, use CTRL + SHIFT + Plus (+) and to decrease transparency, use CTRL + SHIFT + Minus (-).

How to Host a Successful Event in the Heart of England

by Leave a Comment

Hosting an event in Birmingham can be a challenging task if you are not prepared.

There are hundreds of different aspects to planning a successful event and many ways for it to go wrong. However, it doesn’t have to be that hard.

You can host a successful event in Birmingham if you plan your event with enough time and follow some essential advice of event planning.

For example, one of the most important aspects of hosting a memorable event is choosing the right location for your event. Luckily, Birmingham has hundreds of them.

From state-of-the-art facilities to traditional locations with years of history, Birmingham is one of the most exciting cities in England and one of the most exciting places to host an event.

Conferences, meetings, weddings, festivals, and any other kind of event that you’re hosting can be much more exciting if hosted in one of the many venues in Birmingham.

Follow the tips included in this article, and you will be able to host a successful event in the heart of England.

Best Practices

Although every event is different and you cannot plan a wedding the same way you would host a business conference, the basics are the same regardless of what you wish to accomplish.

In this section, you will find three simple recommendations that will help you make your event successful.

  • Plan Ahead: Save Time, Effort and Money

The more time you have to plan the details of your event, the higher the chances are of success. With enough time, you will be able to check all the locations you like for your event, instead of picking from a reduced list of available venues.

You can go over every detail and plan accordingly for anything that can go wrong during execution, so you can focus on the implementation without having to stress out about coming up with a solution on-the-go.

Moreover, the cost of the event can go down since you will have more time to compare prices and reserve places in advance.

  • Picking the Right Location

With hundreds of venues in Birmingham, choosing the right one can become a headache.

You could go for some of the exclusive and modern locations built especially for hosting events, or try your hand with traditional venues, appealing at the beauty of history and tradition.

However, with so many options available, you can lose sight of an essential thing to do when choosing event venues. How can the location help your event be successful?

If you have the goals and details of your event, you probably have a list of requirements, and that is what will ultimately determine the location you need.

Maybe you need comfortable accommodations for your guests, a dining hall to host the party dinner, or a large room with excellent accessibility to host a sales exhibition. These requirements are your main goal when deciding the venue for your special occasion.

Now, if several venues match your requirements, then it’s a matter of personal taste, budget, and making sure the place is available by your planned date.

  • Don’t Hesitate to Ask For Help

One of the critical reasons why events go wrong is the lack of experience in event planning.

You might think about saving money by running the event yourself, but sometimes hiring an event planner is the best way to save time and money.

Event planners know all the ins-and-outs of the job, they know where to cut costs, how to save money, and more importantly, how to host a successful event.

If your goal is a memorable event, but you don’t know where to start, articles like this can be handy, but hiring an event planner might be your best option.

Where to Find the Best Venue for Your Event

If you’re looking for the best venues in Birmingham, you have to check out Venuefinder, one of the best sites to find locations in the city.

With hundreds of venues and a useful search function to filter through venue features, Venuefinder will help you choose a location according to your requirements.

You can also ask your event planner for venue options; they’ve hosted similar events and know what would work best for your special occasion.

A Successful Event Leaves the Right Impression

Birmingham is a beautiful city with hundreds of exciting locations for every type of event, and you should seize the range of places to pick the perfect venue for your event.

With so many incredible venues in Birmingham, don’t settle for the first place you see, there are dozens of amazing places that could make your event leave the perfect impression on your attendees.

Always remember, the only way to ensure your event is successful is by planning ahead of time. An improvised event with little planning is easy to spot. It will leave a wrong impression on your guests, regardless if it is a business event or a party.

When you start planning your next event, make sure to note down all the details so you can choose the perfect venue and have a successful special occasion.

 

 

 

 

Benefits of Owning a Smart Car

by Leave a Comment

In a time when everywhere you look, things are getting bigger – houses, buildings, phones, gadgets, and cars – it seems the only way to fit in is to go smaller. Cities are fast becoming congested, thereby making commuting a dreadful daily activity. Smart cars are a product of Daimler AG, the producer of Mercedes Benz. They are small, classy, and efficient. Daimler AG is renowned for producing quality cars. And this is no exception. Some other benefits include the following.

Fuel Efficiency

There are two types of smart cars in terms of energy consumption. People have the option of going with fuel or electric. Electric cars are more eco-friendly. The UK is part of the global program trying to reduce the emission of harmful gases that attribute to global warming. By choosing an electric smart car, you would be doing your little part in helping to save the planet. Smart cars have great fuel efficiency. In a 2018 report, it was reported that the average distance of a smart Fortwo car is up 58.9 MPG with an average gas emission of 114.1 g CO2/km, which is well within the UK recommended standard (130 g CO2/km). In an urban city, a full tank could last you well over a week if all you do is travel to work and run a few errands.

Easy Parking

Parking in most cities in the UK can be a hassle. With narrow streets and congested parking areas, car owners easily get frustrated. Smart cars are small and compact. Which means they can fit into smaller, tighter spaces that regular cars cannot. This gives you an advantage wherever you find yourself.

Low Maintenance

True to its name, smart cars are technologically advanced. Made with the latest automobile technology and innovative engineering, they provide utmost convenience to the owner. They are highly reliable and easy to maintain. Sandown-Group being an authorized dealer in all things Mercedes Benz has over 30 years of experience servicing and selling Mercedes products. Instead of using the road-side mechanic for repairs and replacement parts, you may visit any of the Sandown outlets to get your smart car parts and for routine maintenance.

Style and Safety Combined

When it comes to style in the automobile industry without any compromise in safety, Mercedes Benz comes to mind first. Smart cars exhibit the same attributes. Even though they appear to be small, they are highly stylish. The smart EQ coupé, EQ range, and EQ Cabrio are perfect for both men and women. They come in Fortwo and Forfour options. And for those who prefer an elegant look, the smart EQ business is the perfect option. It usually comes in shiny black shade – a right combination of sober, classy, stylish and elegant.

Summary

While owning a small smart car may not be for everyone, it is truly a rewarding experience for those who choose to get one. It has a great fuel economy. It costs very little to maintain. It has the same elegant effects of a Mercedes Benz without the price tag, and it is perfect for city life.

 

Where can I send a Santa letter?

by Leave a Comment

Santa is central to the fun and wonder of Christmas, and the child’s letter to Santa is a great way to start the festive season off in style. This letter may be seen as a wish-list, allowing a child to detail some of the toys, games or items they want for Christmas, but it is about a lot more than that.

A Christmas letter to Santa is something most of us have experienced, and we consider it to be a tradition that we want to pass on. Whether you think the build-up to Christmas starts too early or not, there is a lot to be said for making sure your loved one falls in love with the festive season, and this letter is just the start of the process.

Where should you send your letter to Santa?

In the United Kingdom, the Royal Mail provides a helpful service for children to receive a letter from Santa, as long as you send an initial letter to Santa. The address to reach Santa Claus is Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ.

The Royal Mail service is a great feature, and it is one that has helped many children enjoy the festive season even more. However, it is a limited service, and there is a lack of personalisation to the letter. This is to be expected, and it isn’t a criticism of a service that has brought great joy to many people, households and families over the years.

Of course, it is possible to engage with Santa in a more engaging manner way these days, and if you want to enjoy a Santa letter that is highly personalised for your kids, you have more options to consider.

A personalised letter from Santa is a brilliant gift

Lapland Mailroom is the perfect example of where you can send a Santa letter, ensuring you receive a personalised message for your loved one. Whether you want to remind your child that they should be naughty rather than nice, or you want to congratulate them for their great behaviour, you can do so.

With a personalised letter which mentions other family members and elements of your child’s life, there is a far more engagement for your child. The message from Santa will always be a nice touch, but when it reminds your child of the many people in their life who love them and look out for them, it becomes a crucial part of Christmas.

A happy and joyous Christmas isn’t just about the big day, and it isn’t just about presents. If you are looking to ensure your kids enjoy the Christmas traditions you loved, while helping them to make the most of the season, there are plenty of things you can do to make the time of year more magical.

A personalised letter from Santa is just a small component of the festive season, but in years to come, it will likely be one of the most significant memories your child has of this time of year. Make sure you check out Lapland Mailroom and enjoy the best range of personalised Santa letters.

 

5 ways online tuitions are boosting learning for weaker students

by Leave a Comment

Online tuition is a buzzword these days in the educational community and rightly so! More and more students are turning to online tuition at home for learning flexibly, conveniently and at their own pace. Paucity of time is a major factor propelling growth of online tutoring solutions tailored for students across grades and educational levels.

Additionally, weaker students tend to gravitate towards online tuition since it fosters convenient and flexible private learning which helps them learn at their own pace without having to keep up with the rest, something that is undoubtedly essential. One-on-one private online tuition is steadily emerging as the best learning alternative for weaker students. The online learning concept has manifested itself hugely over the last few years with close to 3 million learners being enrolled in diverse online learning modules or taking at least one online learning course as a part of their degrees.

Here are the top 5 ways in which online tuitions are boosting learning for students who are weaker-

  1. They are more affordable – Online tuition is mostly affordable for weaker students who need more time and attention on an individualized basis. Getting home tuitions from tutors physically involves higher expenditure since they will charge more for travelling expenditure and also the time spent on one-on-one tuition which could have been spent teaching a whole batch together instead.
  2. They are extra convenient – Online tuitions foster greater convenience. They help weaker students get personalized attention and learn at their own pace in the comfort of their own homes without having to travel and waste more time in the bargain. Weaker students can devote time to learning at home and that too on a personalized basis. This added convenience is a major plus point by all means.
  3. Improved Contact with the Teacher – One on one tuition means that weaker students have much better contact with the tutor than others. They can easily ask question and clear doubts over lessons on online portals or Skype. This format ensures faster and better learning while also opening up a channel of communication/dialogue between tutors and their students.
  4. Additional Flexibility – Weaker students do not have to rush to compete and keep up with the rest of the class at private tuitions anymore. They can learn the subject and grasp concepts in a flexible manner at their own pace on a one-on-one personalized online tuition model. Classes can be scheduled as per the availability of the pupil and a plan is made by the tutor for covering the subject flexibly and comfortably while enhancing overall interaction with the student at the same time.
  5. They lead to higher confidence – Weaker students gain more confidence from online tuitions since they closely interact with their online tutors and build productive academic relationships. Close collaboration is possible in this format and not in larger classes and hence problem areas are discovered swiftly by teachers who can then assist weaker students overcome these hurdles flexibly and conveniently. Students who are shy and reclusive in group environments will naturally gain more confidence and learn better through private tuitions online.

As a result, taking tuitions online will help weaker students study better and build up their confidence immensely. You should always look for the right online education portal in this regard. Vedantu.com an innovative online education portal for students in India is serving a huge audience in and fulfilling its promise within the Indian students community.

What are the different career routes in digital marketing

by Leave a Comment

Our world today is constantly connected. With technology literally at our fingertips – being ‘online’ has become a way of life. In fact, digital marketing isn’t the ‘next’ big thing – it’s already here! This relatively new industry is experiencing exponential growth which opens up many opportunities if you’re seeking a career in digital marketing. And what’s more, digital marketing has become a cornerstone of a company’s overall marketing strategy – so simply put – a digital marketer is in high demand.

If you haven’t quite decided which career route in digital marketing you want to take, that’s okay. This article will cover some careers that are the most popular in digital marketing. It’s also a really great start to complete a digital marketing course so that you have a solid background and full understanding of the many aspects that make up digital marketing.

Why choose a career in digital marketing?

As the entire world becomes digitally connected more and more each day, there can be no doubt that a career in digital marketing is a great choice. The number of businesses that don’t have an online presence these days is diminishing – which is great news for a digital marketer. You’ll always be in demand. Almost every business needs to create an online presence to just stay in business, let alone to grow and prosper.

Many elements make up digital marketing. As digital marketing continues to grow so too do the many parts of what makes up digital marketing.

It’s comforting to know that there are many reasons why the demand for a digital marketer continues to grow. So, let’s take a look at the main reasons this is so.

  • E-commerce popularity – The convenience and ease of making purchases online is second to none. Busy lives are becoming busier and more consumers are enjoying this comfort. The number of e-commerce sites is mushrooming. You can buy almost anything online these days therefore a career in the complex world of e-commerce is a solid choice.
  • Number of people online rising – With more brands finding digital platforms a better way of advertising, the number of people online is rising daily. Digital marketing professionals have practically guaranteed job opportunities.
  • Cost-effectiveness – Advertising has traditionally been seen as a costly grudge expenditure. Digital marketing has changed all that. More businesses are snapping up the chance to market their brand online as it’s one of the most cost-effective methods of advertising.

The different roles within the digital marketing sphere

So, we’ve established that there are plentiful opportunities for a digital marketer and choosing a career in this industry is a wise choice.

But what job possibilities exist in digital marketing? Three are a wide range of career routes you could take, so let’s take a closer look at the possibilities.

  • Content creator – Captivating online content is not a fad. Great content is not about to fade into the background. Therefore, being able to create engaging, informative and eye-catching content is a sought after skill in digital marketing. Remember, content is ‘still’ king.
  • SEO specialist – Search engine optimisation has become quite a complex skill. Optimising a website so that it appears on the first page of the search engine results pages is key. This role is constantly evolving; therefore, an SEO specialist needs to keep up to date with new trends, tips and techniques.
  • Social media marketer – The popularity of social media continues to skyrocket. Almost every brand has a profile on at least one of the social media platforms.
  • Email marketing – Email marketing has been around for a while, yet it remains a very effective form of digital marketing.
  • Inbound marketing – As the world becomes more digitally focussed, it’s important that brands retain a certain human element to their digital marketing. Personal engagement is vital for a career in inbound marketing.
  • E-commerce specialist – Shoppers just love the convenience of making purchases online. E-commerce has become big business.
  • PPC marketing – Google Ads is a must in any digital marketing strategy, therefore pay-per-click (PPC) marketing know-how is crucial. Understanding the metrics is a sought after skill.
  • Digital analyst – Every digital marketing campaign needs analysing. Understanding the results of a campaign is key to developing ongoing digital marketing strategies.

 

5 Tips For Managing Your Ecommerce Store More Efficiently

by Leave a Comment

Managing an eCommerce store can be challenging, especially if it’s your first venture into the world of online marketplaces. Whether you’re running an online retail store, subscription service, or other eCommerce variety, these five tips are universally applicable in just about any eCommerce business. Follow these five tips for greater efficiency and success with your eCommerce store.

1. Be Mobile-Friendly

If you’re running an eCommerce platform, it’s pretty much a requirement that your site is mobile friendly. In fact, ideally, you’ll have your own app so customers don’t have to use their mobile web browsers to access your products. An app is a simple but effective way to bridge the gap between you and your customers and keep your brand at the forefront of their minds.

Mobile-friendly sites will load quickly and be responsive on mobile devices. This is important, considering that most people prefer to use their mobile devices anyway to do their online shopping. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re going to run into trouble attracting new customers and keeping your current customers engaged. Let’s be honest, a slow-loading or unresponsive site is simply too frustrating to spend much time on. Disengagement, and therefore lack of sales, will occur for your business without a mobile-friendly eCommerce site.

The best thing you can do is pay a developer to create an app for your business. That way, you can be certain your customers can access your brand and products no matter where they are. With an app, you’ll be able to offer a more customized and personal experience for your customers.

2. Chatbots

It can be difficult to reply to every inquiry your customers make when visiting your site, especially if you have thousands of users on a monthly basis. The best solution to this problem is a chatbot or an automated chat system that will pop up when customers navigate to your site. The chatbot will say something like, “how can I help you today”, which will prompt a response from the customer.

Once the bot knows what the customer is looking for or needs help with, the correct representative will be notified. With some systems, the AI handles the entire process; directing customers to the specific pages or products they’re looking for based on their feedback to the initial contact questions.

3. Streamline Your Web Design

An overly-complicated website can be both difficult to navigate and slow to load. Sites that are laden with graphics, videos, and pictures are simply ineffective in that the visual elements quickly become distracting. It’s best to keep your site design as simple as possible; you want to get your point across without employing too many details on the aesthetic side of things.

Simplicity is king when it comes to effective websites. The best websites are responsive and not oversaturated with graphics and flashing ads. If you’re not sure how to streamline a DIY design you did on a site like Wix, it’s best to just get a designer/developer. The expertise and customization these professionals can offer your site simply can’t be matched by doing it yourself.

4. Use a POS

There are dozens of options in the POS world that can help your site streamline its payment processing and better manage inventory. POS software for retail is affordable and versatile, with several built-in features that will help better your business overall and make the website much more efficient.

If you’re struggling with inventory management, or your current payment processing system isn’t working out, it’s time to make the switch. You can choose POS services like Square POS or Vend HQ for products that will meet your every need and bring a customer satisfaction guarantee along with them!

5. Pay Attention to Customer Feedback

Last, but certainly not least, you’ll want to pay close attention to customer feedback when it comes to running your store. Customers will let you know if the site is difficult to access or navigate, or if there’s something wrong with the inventory system. The customers who shop on your site have plenty of valuable insight that you can utilize to streamline the buying process and the site itself.

As with any business, the customer is the key component to your success. Therefore, you should always take any complaints (or compliments) seriously and work to address them as quickly as possible. This will help you better manage the business as a whole, and continue to promote loyalty and trust among your customers.

Conclusion

For every eCommerce store, there are steps that can be taken to improve management and help streamline operations for a more efficient store overall. Don’t forget that a professionally designed and maintained website will ensure that things stay efficient and load properly. You want your site to function as well as it looks, or else customers will more than likely disengage from the site altogether!

 

Interdependence PR – What to Watch Out For When In a Meeting With a PR Company

by Leave a Comment

My business spent a very long time looking for the right PR company before we finally settled on the amazing team at Interdependence PR, who have completely transformed our business with their expertise. During that search we learned an awful lot about PR companies and how they go about their business, and we also sat through many meetings with companies who just weren’t the right fit for us. We learned during this stage that there are many red flags to watch out for when looking to get the perfect company for your particular business. Owing to this experience I wanted to give you the skinny on a few things which you need to watch out for during your meeting with a potential public relations company.

Track Record of Success

Let’s just get one thing clear, almost every PR company who you speak to is going to be able to talk a good game, why? Because this is what industry they are in, in fact it is the least that you should expect from them. Unfortunately however there are many who can’t quite back up their words with actions and this is why you have to focus on the track record of a company. If a PR firm can show you evidence of their past successes then great, if they cannot then it may be time to look elsewhere.

Results Driven

My team and I are incredibly passionate about our company and we are absolutely committed to delivering results for the company. Understandably then we also expect the same thing from any company who will be working on our behalf, especially if that company is one which specializes in public relations. During the meeting you need to feel this from the guys sitting across the table, that they are just as committed to delivering results as you are, if you don’t feel it, you won’t do well working with this company.

Customer Service

Something which we learned after meeting with many of these companies is that many of them really lack customer service skills. Quite why this happens I am not sure, perhaps they think that we need them more than they need us. Ultimately however this is a service industry and by virtue of that you must feel a strong level of customer service towards you. If they cant get that right, how well do you think they can help your business?

Jack of All Trades

Sometimes being great at many things is beneficial, when it comes to PR however you want a company who is specialized on your industry. They need to know how to speak to your market and how to strategize within it, if a PR company says that they can turn their hand to any market then you may wish to look elsewhere for a company which really specializes in what your business does.

Keep an eye out for these items when you have a meeting with a PR firm.