Understanding LLM Optimization and GAIO

The primary goal of GAIO is to assist companies in strategically positioning their brands and products within the outputs of leading LLMs. By doing so, businesses aim to increase their visibility and influence potential consumers’ purchasing decisions. For instance, when conducting a search for running shoes, the suggestions provided by generative AI tools like Bing Chat may recommend brands such as Brooks, Saucony, Hoka, and New Balance based on the user’s specific requirements. This demonstrates the potential of LLM optimization to influence the recommendation algorithm and prioritize certain brands and products.

The Mechanics Behind Generative AI Recommendations

Generative AI tools like Bing Chat rely on contextual suggestions that are generated using neutral secondary sources such as trade magazines, news sites, association websites, public institution websites, and blogs. These sources serve as a foundation for statistical analysis, with the AI relying on the frequency of word co-occurrences in the training data to determine the most relevant recommendations. Words that frequently appear together in the training data are considered to be semantically related or similar. Consequently, brands and products mentioned in specific contexts can be attributed to the workings of LLMs.

Uncovering the Inner Workings of LLMs

Modern LLMs, such as GPT and Bard, are built upon statistical analysis of token co-occurrence. Texts and data are broken down into tokens and processed by the machine, which positions them in a semantic space using vectors. This semantic space, often referred to as an ontology, helps the AI understand the relationships between different entities. While LLMs primarily rely on statistics rather than semantics, the abundance of data allows them to approximate semantic understanding. Semantic proximity is determined by measures such as Euclidean distance or cosine angle measure in the semantic space.

The Possibility of Proactively Influencing Generative AI Outputs

The question of whether generative AI outputs can be proactively influenced through LLM optimization remains a topic of debate. To gain a deeper understanding, it is essential to consult data science experts who possess comprehensive knowledge of large language models. We reached out to three experts to gather their insights on the matter.

Kai Spriestersbach, an Applied AI researcher and SEO veteran, believes that while it may be theoretically possible for political actors or states to influence AI outputs, it is impractical for business marketing purposes. Commercial LLM providers do not disclose their training data, and commercial AI responses are designed to be neutral and uncontroversial. Additionally, influencing an AI’s “opinion” would require an overwhelming majority of training data to reflect the desired sentiment.

According to Barbara Lampl, a Behavioral mathematician and COO at Genki, it is theoretically possible to influence an LLM through coordinated content, PR efforts, and mentions. However, analyzing this approach from a data science perspective reveals significant challenges and diminishing rewards, making it largely unfeasible.

Philip Ehring, Head of Business Intelligence at Reverse-Retail, suggests that the dynamics between LLMs, systems like ChatGPT, and SEO remain consistent. The optimization perspective shifts toward a better interface for classical information retrieval systems. Ultimately, the goal is to optimize for a hybrid metasearch engine with a natural language interface that summarizes results for users.

Insights from Data Science Perspective

Analyzing the insights provided by data science experts, we can draw several key points regarding LLM optimization:

1. Large commercial language models keep their training database confidential, making it challenging to influence AI outputs.
2. The vast amount of data and statistical significance involved makes it difficult to make a meaningful impact through LLM optimization.
3. Factors such as network proliferation, time, model updates, feedback loops, and economic costs pose obstacles to proactive influence.
4. The identification of reliable sources for training data remains a challenge.
5. LLM optimization requires substantial resources compared to traditional SEO.
6. The dynamics between LLMs, systems like ChatGPT or Bard, and SEO remain consistent, signaling the necessity of adapting SEO strategies.
7. The integration of web crawling and models like BERT enhances SEO practices and improves the quality of AI-generated responses.
8. While LLMs excel at computing similarities, they may struggle with providing factual answers or solving logical tasks. The implementation of techniques like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) can address these limitations.
9. The prominence of content in LLM training is influenced by relevance and discoverability, offering an optimization opportunity for aligning content with potential answers.
10. LLM optimization success is influenced by market size, with niche markets offering greater potential for brand positioning.

Selecting Training Data for LLMs

Two approaches can be taken when selecting training data for LLMs: E-A-T and ranking.

One possible approach is to utilize Google’s E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) concept to select sources that meet a certain quality standard and are trustworthy. The Knowledge Graph can also be employed for fact-checking and fine-tuning LLMs by verifying entities.

The second approach, as suggested by Philip Ehring, involves selecting training data based on relevance and quality determined by the ranking process. This approach assumes that established evaluation procedures used by search engines can be leveraged to select training data. Incorporating E-A-T alongside relevance evaluation could provide a comprehensive approach to training data selection.

However, tests conducted on Bing Chat and SGE (Search Grid Engine) have not revealed clear correlations between the referenced sources and rankings, indicating the complexity of training data selection.

The Impact and Future of LLM Optimization

The true impact and potential of LLM optimization or GAIO as an SEO strategy remain uncertain. While data science experts express skepticism, some SEOs believe in its potential. Several goals must be achieved to effectively leverage LLM optimization:

1. Establish your own media as a source of training data by focusing on E-A-T.
2. Generate brand and product mentions in reputable media.
3. Create co-occurrences between your brand and other relevant entities or attributes in qualified media.
4. Aim to become part of the knowledge graph.

The success of LLM optimization varies depending on the market size, with niche markets offering greater opportunities for brand association. However, larger brands with extensive PR and marketing resources may have an advantage in positioning themselves within generative AI outputs.

Another perspective is to continue traditional SEO practices, as well-ranking content can be used to train LLMs. It is crucial to optimize for co-occurrences between brands/products and attributes or other entities.

The future of SEO in relation to LLM optimization remains uncertain and will only become clear once SGE is introduced. The shift in perspective presents an opportunity to optimize for a hybrid metasearch engine with a natural language interface, summarizing results for users.

See first source: Search Engine Land

FAQ

Q1: What is LLM optimization or GAIO?

LLM optimization, or Generative AI Optimization (GAIO), is a strategy aimed at strategically positioning brands and products within the outputs of large language models (LLMs) like GPT and Google Bard. The goal is to increase visibility and influence potential consumers’ purchasing decisions by optimizing content for these AI systems.

Q2: How do generative AI recommendations work?

Generative AI tools rely on contextual suggestions generated from neutral secondary sources like trade magazines, news sites, and blogs. These sources provide the foundation for statistical analysis, with the AI determining recommendations based on word co-occurrences in training data. Frequent word associations in the training data influence the recommendations made by the AI.

Q3: Can generative AI outputs be proactively influenced through LLM optimization?

The possibility of proactively influencing generative AI outputs remains a topic of debate. Data science experts express skepticism about the feasibility of significantly impacting AI recommendations through LLM optimization. Challenges include the confidentiality of training data, the vast amount of data involved, and the complexity of influencing AI outputs.

Q4: How can businesses potentially leverage LLM optimization?

Businesses can potentially leverage LLM optimization by focusing on factors like expertise, authoritativeness, trustworthiness (E-A-T), generating mentions in reputable media, creating co-occurrences between brands and relevant entities in qualified media, and aiming to become part of the knowledge graph. Success in LLM optimization may vary depending on the market size and available resources.

Q5: What is the impact of LLM optimization on traditional SEO practices?

LLM optimization and traditional SEO practices can complement each other. Well-ranking content can be used to train LLMs, and optimizing for co-occurrences between brands/products and relevant entities can enhance SEO efforts. The integration of web crawling and models like BERT can improve the quality of AI-generated responses.

Q6: What is the future of SEO in relation to LLM optimization?

The future of SEO in relation to LLM optimization remains uncertain and will become clearer as the field evolves. The shift in perspective presents an opportunity to optimize for a hybrid metasearch engine with a natural language interface, summarizing results for users. The impact and potential of LLM optimization as an SEO strategy will depend on various factors, including market size and resources.

Featured Image Credit: Bernd Dittrich; Unsplash – Thank you!

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CNET, a preeminent technology news source, has recently implemented a content pruning strategy to improve its position in Google Search. CNET is purging thousands of articles from its archive in an effort to convince Google that its content is current and worthy of a higher ranking in search results. Red Ventures, CNET’s parent company, claims that by removing content from the site, it will boost the site’s search engine optimization (SEO) rankings and encourage deeper user engagement.

When a website’s owner performs content pruning, they remove parts of the site’s content that are no longer relevant or are not performing well. The idea behind this technique is that a site’s search engine rankings can benefit from the removal of low-quality or irrelevant content. By removing old content, CNET hopes to send a message to Google that the site is actively maintained and thus more worthy of a high search engine ranking than its rivals.

Gizmodo obtained an internal memo from CNET that explained how they prune content by looking at metrics. Pageviews, backlink profiles, and time since last update are all examples of such indicators. CNET’s teams are able to determine which articles should be removed by carefully evaluating these factors and identifying pages that are not currently serving a meaningful audience.

Red Ventures employs a multi-pronged approach to SEO, one of which is content pruning. CNET’s parent company is a marketing agency backed by private equity that employs uniform strategies for all of its properties, including The Points Guy, Healthline, and Bankrate. Red Ventures has proven its dedication to using SEO strategies to raise its website’s profile and position in search engine results.

It was recently discovered that CNET has been using AI tools to produce content for some time. The goal of this AI-driven SEO strategy was to produce material suitable for incorporating affiliate ads. Some of the articles were flawed because of the use of generative AI tools, so Red Ventures has temporarily halted publication while it reviews its AI policy. CNET’s employees have also organized a union in an effort to gain say over how they are compensated for their time spent using AI.

Content pruning may seem counterproductive to keeping a complete library of articles, but search engine optimization (SEO) experts say it can be beneficial if done properly. According to Google, there is no suggestion in their recommendations to remove content from websites. If done strategically and with a focus on removing irrelevant or low-quality content, experts argue that pruning can be beneficial for sites looking to improve their search rankings.

Since July, when CNET began its content pruning process, thousands of articles have been taken down. Using the Wayback Machine archives and CNET’s in-house article counter, we can see that the number of available stories has dropped dramatically. CNET’s content pruning initiative is ongoing and will be repeated at least annually, even though data for 2022 and 2023 is currently unavailable.

In conclusion, by removing old or poorly received articles, CNET hopes to boost its position in Google’s search results and encourage deeper reader engagement. By removing outdated or irrelevant content, CNET shows users and search engines that it is a reliable source of current information.

Content pruning has the potential to boost search engine rankings and enhance the user experience. CNET can create a more focused and streamlined website by removing out-of-date articles, making it easier for visitors to find the information they’re looking for.

CNET’s implementation of a content pruning strategy to improve its Google Search ranking is indicative of the significance of search engine optimization in the modern digital landscape. CNET wants to show Google that its site is up-to-date, relevant, and worthy of a higher ranking in search results by eliminating old or poorly received pieces of content. While content pruning has its detractors, it can have beneficial effects on search engine rankings and user engagement if done properly. The search visibility and user experience of CNET should change over time as the company continues to prioritize SEO.

See first source: The Verge

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is CNET’s content pruning strategy for enhancing its Google Search ranking?

CNET, a leading technology news outlet, has implemented a content pruning strategy that involves selectively removing thousands of older and underperforming articles from its website. The goal is to signal to Google that CNET’s content is fresh, relevant, and deserving of higher placement in search results.

2. What is content pruning, and how does it impact SEO rankings?

Content pruning is the process of selectively removing outdated or low-quality content from a website. It is believed that content pruning can positively impact SEO rankings by improving a website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). By eliminating irrelevant or underperforming content, a website can send a signal to search engines that it is regularly updated and relevant.

3. How does CNET’s content pruning process work?

CNET’s content pruning process involves analyzing data points such as page views, backlink profiles, and the time since the last update. This analysis helps CNET’s teams identify articles that are not serving a meaningful audience and should be removed. The goal is to maintain a focused and relevant content repository.

4. What is Red Ventures’ approach to SEO strategy?

Red Ventures, the parent company of CNET, has applied similar SEO tactics across its portfolio of websites, including The Points Guy, Healthline, and Bankrate. The company is committed to leveraging SEO techniques to improve the visibility and ranking of its websites.

5. How does content pruning impact the user experience?

Content pruning can lead to an improved user experience by creating a more streamlined and focused website. By removing outdated or irrelevant content, users can easily find the most relevant and valuable information, enhancing their overall experience.

6. Has CNET faced any challenges with its content strategy in the past?

Earlier, CNET had utilized AI tools to generate articles, which led to some errors in the content. The use of generative AI tools prompted Red Ventures to pause the content and reevaluate its AI policy. The CNET staff also unionized to gain more control over AI tools and content monetization.

7. What are the potential benefits of content pruning for CNET’s SEO strategy?

Content pruning can potentially improve CNET’s Google Search ranking by presenting a website that is regularly updated and relevant. It also helps improve user engagement by offering a more focused and valuable content experience.

8. How often does CNET plan to repeat its content pruning initiative?

CNET’s content pruning initiative is planned to be repeated at least once a year. This ongoing process allows CNET to continually optimize its content repository for improved search rankings and user engagement.

9. What does CNET’s content pruning strategy reflect about the importance of SEO?

CNET’s decision to implement a content pruning strategy reflects the significance of SEO in the digital landscape. By selectively removing outdated or underperforming content, CNET aims to improve its search visibility and user engagement, signaling its commitment to being a trusted source of up-to-date information.

10. What can we expect from CNET’s SEO efforts in the future?

As CNET continues to prioritize its SEO efforts, it will be interesting to see how its search visibility and user experience evolve. The content pruning strategy, along with other SEO initiatives, could contribute to CNET’s ongoing efforts to enhance its online presence and engagement.

Featured Image Credit: Kevin Bhagat; Unsplash; Thank you!

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Social media continues to keep up with trends as they come and go. YouTube in particular is a place where creators and viewers of all walks of life are accepted and can create and view as much or as little in a single sitting that they desire.

These 10 YouTube channel ideas will help you get the ball rolling on your own channel development.

Channel Ideas

1. Streaming/Gaming

One thing that gamers love is watching other gamers navigate their favorite games. Streaming your own gaming adventures will allow others to tune in for a multitude of reasons. Some use it as a stress reliever because the game itself brings them joy, but by watching someone else play rather than themselves, they do not necessarily have to engage their brain in typical ways. They may want to tune into your stream for learning purposes on a particular game. Your strategies could help them pass a certain level, or see new ways of being successful in a game that had otherwise become stagnant for them. There are tons of different reasons that gamers, and non-gamers alike, enjoy watching a gamer’s stream.

2. Unboxing/Reviewing

Unboxing videos have been popular for years on YouTube. But more recently they have made their way onto other social media platforms, notably TikTok. It gained popularity in such a way that it’s made a full circle back to YouTube. So creators make longer videos and put their entire “haul” into one video. Then, they use it as long as needed to review it. Viewers will tune in to all kinds of unboxing videos, from clothing and makeup hauls to furniture that they put together on camera, to PR packages, and the list goes on.

3. Makeup Tutorials

Creators like Jeffree Star, Nikkie Tutorials, James Charles, and others made make-up tutorials not only popular but accessible. Before creators began making videos, viewers were forced to go out and have someone at a beauty counter in the mall or department store show them how to put their makeup on. While that is still very much an option, having it all in the palm of your hand on YouTube made it that much easier to try new things and become more comfortable and confident with your makeup.

4. Singing/original or covers

If singing is something you are passionate about, the greatest thing you can do for yourself is get your name into the hands of as many people as possible. The best way to do that today is through social media of all kinds. YouTube is the backbone of content creation. You can put snippets of your work onto Instagram and Twitter. But linking your full videos on YouTube will create a high traffic volume on all your accounts. Creating cover or original song videos for your viewers is a tried and true method of getting noticed by big names.

5. Fitness

For many YouTube viewers, knowing where to begin in the gym, and at home, with fitness is the hardest part. It is hard enough trying something new, but not being confident in the new activity you are doing is a whole other scenario. As someone who is confident in their own fitness journey, you could potentially be that stepping stone for someone who is just getting started. On the flip side, you may be able to create videos at all levels. For instance, you can help people who feel they have plateaued in their fitness journey.

Conclusion

The options are quite literally endless when it comes to content and video ideas for your YouTube channel. This list is only the beginning. Now, you have the tools to be successful and start your brainstorming process to create your new videos.

The post 5 YouTube Channel Ideas: Start Creating Now! appeared first on The Blog Herald.

How to Make Money On Amazon

If you want to become a seller on Amazon, you have to accomplish a few things first. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to finding the goods and services you want to extend to the world, but there are a few best practices to do so.

1. Develop your product(s)

If there is a product you are passionate about, chances are, many others are passionate about it as well. Maybe you are crafty and are driven to pursue handmade goods using Amazon Handmade. Others may want to deliver niche goods and services via a manufacturing company. Developing and finalizing exactly what it is that you want to sell is the key first step to beginning your Amazon seller journey.

2. Find your audience

Knowing your audience is essential to creating a successful Amazon store. Marketing and outreach can help to boost your visibility with the vastness that Amazon poses as a whole. Your products will also need keywords to boost search results, similar to SEO in blogging and website management.

3. Logistics 

How will you get your products to your new customers? Developing a solid game plan for carrying out your store is crucial to the overall longevity ability of the store. Can the plan sustain itself for an extended amount of time? Will it provide a realistic profit margin after the cost to create and manufacture the product and then ship it around the world?

Maneuvering the red tape sell under a private label will be a logistical step as well. A popular avenue to take as an Amazon seller is to let Amazon do the heavy lifting by using FBA, short for Fulfillment by Amazon. Using FBA allows for processing time to be shortened and have a more probable option to use Amazon Prime in your sales where 2-day shipping can be provided for consumers due to the manufacturing, private labeling, and processing speeds.

4. Sell, Sell, Sell

Once you have developed your strategies and logistical game plan, found your audience, and perfected your manufacturing details, it’s time to focus on selling! This can be done through your marketing strategies, social media, as well as old-fashioned word of mouth.

How to Make Money On Amazon: Influencer Amazon Storefront

Selling is not the only way to make money on Amazon. In fact, using Amazon as a commission income has given plenty of social media influencers an incredible income boost due to linking their Amazon Storefront to their profiles by becoming an Amazon Influencer on top of their everyday lifestyle, beauty, fitness, etc, content.

If you have a TikTok, or other social media platform, you have probably seen an “Amazon Haul”, or a review of a specific purchase. At the end of the haul or product review, the influencer most likely said that the product(s), are located on their Amazon Storefront for purchase. What you may not know is that they receive a commission off of each purchase that is done through their storefront link.

How to Make Money On Amazon: Become a Flex Driver

You may have noticed that not all Amazon deliveries come in the iconic Amazon vans and trucks anymore. Some come to your door via an everyday Honda or Nissan. Amazon Flex drivers are typically scheduled in 5-hour shifts, but if those set deliveries are finished early, drivers still get their entire shift amount. Drivers can reserve specific blocks of time to make their deliveries, and they then use their own cars to complete them. Typically drivers will make between $18-$25 an hour, but more could be earned due to tips during the deliveries. The scheduling aspect is as flexible as the name suggests. Drivers can schedule the timeslots they are available each week, or each day if their day-to-day is constantly changing.

Conclusion

Amazon has several different pathways to make a considerable amount of money, either as a side hustle or a full-time job. Whether you are interested in handcrafting your products, manufacturing them in a separate facility, working out of a commission-based storefront, or as a flex driver, Amazon can bring in more cash for your lifestyle and schedule.

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Who? 

Russell Brunson is the creator of the One Funnel Away Challenge, an author of several books about his best-kept business success secrets, and the owner of ClickFunnels, which is a roadmap with several different plans to help you get your traffic and sales where you want to be as a business owner.

If you have ever seen Shark Tank, then you know exactly who Daymond John is. “The People’s Shark”. He is someone who is passionate about getting entrepreneurs started in their desired field, and being as successful as possible. He, along with Brunson, focuses on building confidence in entrepreneurs and giving them the tools to be successful in the long run.

One Funnel Away Challenge: What is a Funnel? 

If you have ever used a funnel in the kitchen, it helps a solid or liquid stay in the path you, as the initiator, intended it to stay. Refilling a bottle, or container of honey on your counter. By placing the funnel at the top of the bottle, you force any honey that would have otherwise strayed, to stay on the path to the original destination, the bottle. Funnels are also the avenues that customers maneuver through that lead to the end goal. The end goal is the purchase of a good or service from any given company or brand. The funnel was created to achieve fewer and fewer missed sales.

Why is The One Funnel Away Challenge Important? 

Maybe you are thinking of starting your own business. Maybe you already have one. If either of these apply to you, you know that sales hold all the power. Make sure you have a streamlined process to keep sales coming through the door. Otherwise, your business may not ever make it off of the ground. Developing that sales funnel is crucial to the success of your business.

It helps you understand the mindset of a customer, and how to get them from one stage of a potential purpose to the next until they eventually decided definitively if they will purchase the product or not. Essentially, a funnel is also all about turning “maybe” into a “yes”.

Where to Access?  

The beauty of the One Funnel Away Challenge is that you can access it from anywhere. This is also true if you have access to a computer and internet connection. Like almost anything now, you can learn about the process of building a business funnel from anywhere. All you will need is your email address for your membership creation, and payment to start building your sales.

How Much is the One Funnel Away Challenge:?

For the entire One Funnel Away Challenge, it costs $100. At first, that may seem like a steep price. However,  when you consider the amount of material involved, the price feels smaller and smaller. There will be 30 days worth of videos, live coaching sessions, networking opportunities, and other coursework materials. The sessions are live, so you will need to commit to those sessions for all 30 days, which will cost time, rather than money.

Conclusion

The One Funnel Away Challenge includes 30 days of training materials that take you through the steps of building and launching your own business funnel. You will have access to bonus materials through a Facebook group, and a network of individuals going through the same journey you are. If you are not sure where to go, or how to get started, try the One Funnel Away Challenge to kickstart your new entrepreneur journey.

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What’s the difference? 

Idea Pins are the in-brand content from Pinterest. Think about it like the newest take on a TikTok-esque platform addition, similar to Instagram and Facebook Reels. An Idea Pin cannot link out to additional sites, and the key focus is to grow the channel or brand through Pinterest itself rather than outsourcing to another landing point.

Pinterest tried out the idea of video-based pins with the launch of Story Pins back in 2020. The execution was a bit different from Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook stories. This media was not only available for 24 hours. Pinterest Stories were able to be searched. The introduction of Story Pins came with much trial and error. The Idea Pin was created to make the best of both worlds in a video-first Pin.

In the traditional sense, a Pin is able to link to other websites and direct Pinterest users away from the platform. The new update will create a space where all pins can have links no matter if it is a Pin in the more traditional fashion or a more recent Idea Pin.

Why the Pinterest Update?

Updating the entire platform will give every user the same capabilities as those who can create Idea Pins and business accounts. All users will be able to monetize their accounts if they so choose to. The update itself will allow Pinterest to be on the same playing field as its competitors such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok. Monetization, scheduled posts, and other updated features will raise users to the level they have desired for their Pinned content.

Pinterest Update

1. Editing Tools

Everyone remembers the feeling of deleting an entire post on any platform quickly after noting a spelling error that was made, or a detail omitted in a graphic. After-the-fact editing is a key tool in updates of platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter in recent years. It allows a stress-free posting experience because the user knows they can always fix a spelling error previously missed, or throw in a link they previously omitted. Users will be able to attach stickers and overlay text to videos or static images with the new update as well.

2. Money, Money, Money

With the addition of links available for all posts, users can monetize their accounts. Creating a commissionable link gives additional side hustle avenues and full-time job extensions for those in the social world. Until now, Pinterest has not been completely functional with these benefits for all users, unless a business account was attached.

3. Pinterest Update Scheduling

Pinterest is upping its content management game by adding a content marketing function to schedule Pins to post at specific times using an API, application programming interface. This will allow those in social media content management roles, as well as the general public, to plan out their posts to create a more structured experience if they so desire.

4. Flow

Users will not have to click through content. Instead, it will simply continue to flow through the pay curated for each user. It will automatically play the next Pin once the previous one is finished. One general flow creates an ever more user-friendly interface for all accounts.

5. Measurements

Metrics for views watch time, and other statistics will be available with the Pinterest update so that creators can have a better grasp on their accounts. Business accounts across platforms have always been able to see their statistics in a way that the general public cannot, but with now Pinterest will be open that feature up to all users.

Conclusion

In the newest Pinterest update, the app is combining its traditional Pins and new-age Idea Pins into one easy-to-use stream for the potential betterment of all users. After reading this blog you can confidently adapt and grow into the Pinterest update knowing all of the functions you know and love still exist, while gaining a few incredible new ways to enjoy and grow on the platform.

The post Pinterest Update Combines Pins and Idea Pins into a Single Format appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Printing a double-sided business card is a tedious job, but when done correctly it can be very rewarding for your goal of extending your name and brand to your always-expanding network.

Step By Step

1. Create your Canva Account or open your account if you have already signed up.

Having a Canva account is a great way to always have options for designing anything from professional flyers to personal documents and social media posts. No matter what you are doing in life or what your profession is, a Canva account is a great addition to your personal toolbox.

2. Select Business Card

On Canva, there is a business card option. If you do not already have a free Canva account, create one and then select “Create a Design”. Once you’ve done that, select “business card” from the options and begin designing your personalized card.

3. Create From Scratch or Use a Pre-made Template

Canva offers a wide array of premade templates for designing business cards. If you have your own design you can start from scratch as well and customize from the ground up. No matter how you choose to design each side of your Canva business card, you will easily be able to combine both sides into one card.

4. Layout and Printing

To make those designs double-sided, you must select “Apply Both Pages” to edit and continue designing on both sides of your creation. When you click into the layout tab in the design after finishing, you will be able to “Double Sided” to ensure you print both sides of the business card, rather than having the two separate sides printed on two separate cards. Ensuring that your business card layout is correct for the measurements and material of your business card will make it so your design lines up evenly on both sides. Download and print your cards on cardstock for best results. Then, proceed to cut them out with a heavy-duty paper cutter or an old-fashioned pair of scissors.

          a. Paid Prints by Canva

A second printing option would be using Canva itself as your printer rather than downloading. Once you have completed your design, to combine those designs into a double-sided card, you must select each page on either the “Front” or the “Back” of the print options. When you click into the “Print Business Cards” tab in the top right of the screen, you will see the “Front” and “Back” options, along with all pages you created to choose from. At this point, you can decide how many business cards to purchase starting at $14 for 50 cards.

5. Be Proud

It is important to feel the sense of accomplishment that you deserve after creating a new article for your brand, business, or personal goals. A double-sided business card can open doors for you in infinite ways. That starts with a willingness to design a small 3.5”x2” card to support yourself. Whether you used your own printer and scissor combo to create the perfect business card, or through purchasing prints through Canva, you have much to be proud of through the design process.

Conclusion

The design aspect of content creation and blogging can feel a bit overwhelming. But when you have the best tools to succeed, you are able to see yourself shine much brighter! These steps have given you an avenue to success with creating double-sided business cards on Canva. Now is the time to put it into action.

The post How to Print Double Sided Canva Business Cards appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Why It Is Helpful?

Even if you do not have your website through a Wix domain, you can still reap the benefits from Wix Headless. The new function allows businesses to interact with customers on one backend while using multiple frontend sources. Mobile apps, smartwatch apps, websites, and other frontend sources now have the functionality to mesh together for the business to see on one screen.

What Makes It Headless?

The term headless for CMS, content management systems, has been evolving rapidly over the last few years. The concept takes the body of a website, the data, and separates it from its presentation, the head. Because of the separation, businesses have more freedom and developers have more flexibility within the domain. Updates can be made to the backend without affecting the front end. The flexibility makes it easy for integrations across multiple different platforms including different devices and channels.

Wix Headless Business Solutions

Increased functionality of API, also known as application programming interface, is one of the key features to accessing more in Wix Headless Business Solutions.

Chatbot

Integrates into your Wix store without a hitch, and allows your customers to shop without specifically going to your website. They can shop from a mobile app like WhatsApp for ease of access. Like any integration, code will be necessary but once it’s set up you are good to go. The fun of a chatbot is that it gives your shopper a personal assistant, in a way. The shopper chooses specific products through a chat feature and the bot manages a cart on the actual website in the meantime. Shopping is made a bit easier by having someone hold your items while you continue to browse, or you can choose to check out at any moment.

List of Advanced Features

• eCommerce and Stores

Keep track of shopping carts and phases of completing orders including their shipping status and checkout options. You can also constantly update product catalogs, change inventory easily, and produce new collections. Along those same lines, Headless allows for pricing plans and gives easy functionality to access content and services for those memberships.

• Events and Booking

You can create, accept and manage bookings for different services on one simple backend, while also selling tickets and managing RSVPs.

• Contacts and Forums

Contact and member lists and forums are easily managed along with categorizing posts and channels.

• Blogging

Manage blog posts, create drafts and different tags, run statistic reports, and access email lists and subscribers.

How to Implement

To set up Wix Headless, you will need to install new JavaScripts to catch your computer up. Creating a Wix project makes it easy for your business that either already has a live Wix site, or you want to combine Wix Headless with whatever domain you are currently using.  This will connect all pieces to the same backend for easy flow of business.

Conclusion

The visibility feels endless for Wix Headless. There is flexibility as well as the space and power to grow. The potential will be there for your entire business because of the seamless separation of back and front-end portions of your site and business. This blog gives you the tools to begin your headless journey on Wix and find the growth and possibilities waiting for your business.

The post Wix Headless: the Wix Team’s Newest Innovation appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Twitter is not the only platform used for microblogging. Below are 5 popular microblogging networks to consider for your own microblog.

1. LinkedIn – Microblogging Networks

LinkedIn has become the hub for business professionals as well as brands to expand their networks, gather new interests in their respective fields, recruit for different corporations, and so much more. Social media managers and marketers use LinkedIn as one of their primary points of attention, and it continues to grow every year as more and more professionals create profiles as the workforce welcomes a new generation.

2. Instagram

If you are someone who wants to start a blog but does not see yourself as someone who could write enough to fill up the blog itself, Instagram is a great place to start. You can start any type of blog on Instagram as you could with your own website domain through Wix or WordPress. Cooking, Traveling, Fashion Advice, Makeup Tips, and Gym Routines are just a few options for an Instagram microblog. Instagram gives its users a setting option to make their profile a “personal blog”, “digital creator”, “health/beauty”, and over 15 other options by switching to a free professional account.

3. Tumblr – Microblogging Networks

Tumblr has been around for quite a while but has recently come back as a platform people are using again as a blog extension and microblog. The application is a blog at its core but has the face of a social media network. Many businesses use Tumblr to reach a broader audience than just their Instagram and Twitter followers or LinkedIn connections. The layout of Tumblr feels very similar to that of Twitter but with a more cozy and simple twist. The biggest difference between the two is that most users on Tumblr are bloggers, while the vast majority of Twitter users have accounts that are just for fun.

4. Pinterest

Much like Instagram, Pinterest is more of a platform that focuses on photos. The difference is that there are typically small captions and links attached once you click on the post. Pinterest is known for being somewhat of a scrapbook, or mood board inspiration for its users to plan out weddings, explore fashion trends, makeup, skincare and hairstyles, and even recipes. The typical lifespan of a pin is a week compared to mere hours for tweets, status updates, and posts on other platforms.

5. Facebook

Facebook has always been known for catching up with friends and staying connected in the lives of those both near and far. With Facebook continuing to update, there has been more room for microbloggers to live and thrive by way of a Facebook profile. While Instagram has the option to create a “blog” title for your profile, Facebook allows you to create an entire page for your blog. This page will let people follow along and like your page, which is similar to subscribing to a channel on YouTube. Once liked, the posts from the page begin to show up on the account’s timeline that liked the page.

Conclusion

Twitter is a great option to start a microblog, but there are several other great alternatives if you want to branch out from your comfort zone and a social media microblogging sensation across different platforms. No matter what microblogging network you start with, you are sure to be in good hands with these options to help grow your name and brand.

The post What are Microblogging Networks? 5 New Twitter Alternatives appeared first on The Blog Herald.

AI vs Machine Learning

Many think that machine learning (ML) is a term that can be used interchangeably with artificial intelligence (AI). Although there are some similarities, AI is a bit broader form of intelligence. AI is the ability to tap into organic human thought, while machine learning refers more to the specific technologies of a task, and how to logically notice patterns. Both are date driven, but one is more human, while the other is, well, machine.

AI has been a part of WordPress for years in one way or another. One of the advantages first noticed from AI is the personalized experience it allows customers to have.

While there is no core WordPress AI functioning platform, there are plenty of ideas ready to be thrown into the fire. Only time will tell when the future of AI will be here.

Looking into the Future

Having hard-wired core AI-driven gives website development another tool to tailor experiences to the consumer. Businesses are able to stay in line with trends without fear of falling behind. AI will continue to become an integral part of WordPress as a business, along with other domain and web-based companies.

Some of the popular AI plugins 

AI will become a core part of WordPress development. It is important to know about the plugins using AI that got WordPress to the point it is at today in its development journey. Below are just a few examples of popular AI plugins on WordPress.

AI Engine

Like a chatbot, AI Engine has the ability for users to create and generate content including images, templates, recommendations, and more. There is also access to an editor that learns and grows based on your feedback.

Bertha AI Plugin

Create product descriptions, images, illustrations, and traditional ad copy within minutes. Saving time on everyday tasks of your website will allow for more time on other parts of your business.

Contentbot AI Writer 

Just as it sounds, Contentbot helps create long-form ad copy and blog posts. Marketing editors use this to streamline some of their content to fill their website on a regular basis.

WP Code AI Plugin

As a snippet tool, WP Code allows for custom features on WordPress to be presented through shortcuts. You will not have to edit your theme files to insert the codes. Header and footer codes are some of the most used codes, but you can also create custom JavaScript, PHP, HTML, text, and much more.

Translate WordPress AI Plugin

This translation plugin creates a way to have a multilingual WordPress website. You can translate entire pages at a time, saving time and effort. Once you translate, you will own those translations, which will make creating a fully multilingual site easier and more attainable. It is fully compatible with all WordPress plugins and integrates easily with Google Translate to allow for automatic translations.

Conclusion

WordPress has the world at its fingertips with the usage of AI already being presented, but even more so when you add in the possibilities that AI can become. This blog has shown the incredible usage of AI in WordPress, as well as what WordPress may be up to in the future.

The post Is WordPress working on Integrating AI? appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Drawing on Canva is a tool available for both free and pro versions. It is easy to find and does not have many restrictions. In fact, the only type of creation not able to use the drawing function is a document, which is restricted to mostly words and photo uploads due to the nature of most Word documents if you wanted to send it elsewhere, or on another device.

How to Get Started

1. Create a Canva profile, or log in if you already have one.
2. Select the “Draw” icon on the left-hand side. It is the 6th selection from the top and has a marker graphic on it.
3. Edit the color and thickness of your stroke. Plus, tell it if you want it coming from a pen, marker, or highlighter.
4. Tips and tricks for how to get creative with drawing tools

While it is entirely possible to draw on Canva without a touchscreen and drawing tool, those features make it a bit easier and more user-friendly. With a mouse, you lose a bit of creative control. When your hand is the one calling the shots with the stylus and touch screen, there is a far greater sense of control. A nice feature that Canva offers with the “Draw” function is that it will automatically fix any uneven or wonky lines with certain shapes. If you pause after creating a circle, square, heart, triangle, and many others, the shape will automatically even itself out and make the lines crisper. There will surely be more shapes added in the future. But, these are a great help for those of us with shaky hands and mouse movements.

If you do not love using your mouse, and you have the option to use a touchscreen, there are endless great options for stylus pens to draw with. Listed below includes some great places to find writing tools for iPads, tablets, and other touch-screen computers.

1. Amazon
2. Apple
3. Best Buy and other Tech Retail Stores

Other Canva Tools

1. Text

The classic type design feature gives you the ability to insert a text box, move the text around the design, and change to different fonts.

2. Upload

This tool allows you to upload any media from your computer or device library. This way you can then add those photos or videos directly to your design. You can even record yourself with any device that has a camera and it will automatically upload through the Canva application.

3. Brand Kit

For any brands that have specific color schemes and hex codes, Canva can create a Brand Kit consisting of up to 100 colors. It will automatically save and add those specific brand colors to each design underneath that profile if you choose to select that option. Along with colors, you can also add brand-specific fonts and logos to save under the brand profile. The catch to this tool is that it is only available with Canva Pro.

4. Elements

Similar to drawing, adding an element on the side toolbar gives you the ability to put in a pre-drawn shape to any design, as well as graphics, free app pictures, and stickers.

Conclusion

Using a stylus, Apple Pencil, or a traditional mouse on a laptop, desktop, iPad, or tablet will give you options to create a sense of personalized style in your creations on Canva. Whether you are working on a presentation, social media post, flyer, or countless others, you will now be able to put your own twist on it by using the drawing feature on Canva using these helpful tips.

The post Drawing on Canva – and 4 other Canva Tools appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Destination Influencers: Why they matter

Tourism marketing has gone through a drastic change over the last decade, and with the pandemic, there was an even more drastic pivot. In previous generations: baby boomers, and gen x, there was less of a priority to travel, and more focus was put into working and earning the highest income possible. On the flip side, millennials and gen z adults are more focused on using their jobs to live their lives and have as many wonderful experiences as possible. Travel influencers give those generations the push they wanted, and may have needed, to book the flight and take the trip.

Influencer vs Travel Influencer 

Several brands are famous for their luxurious and all-inclusive trips with the most influential Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube stars. They can flood an island with jet ski rides, parties, and more photo-ops than you can imagine. These trips from brands like Tarte and Revolve are typically great for the brand itself because the influencers’ followers will take to the brand website to shop, but the destination will also gain traffic on their booking websites because their followers want those same experiences and the same gorgeous photo backgrounds. There will always be a group that believes the trips are too extravagant, but at the end of the day, marketing executives carefully curated those influencers and the destination with several points of interest in mind for all parties involved to benefit.

Influencers like Alix Earle and Remi Bader are social media stars but are not considered travel influencers. The trick to their fame is that for brand trips, they are able to dip their toes into the world of travel influence while not living in the world permanently. This creates a cross of multiple followings where brands and destinations begin to see the benefits.

On the other side of that coin,  travel influencers such as Lauren Bollen (@gypsea_lust) and Chris Burkard (@chrisburkard) both travel around taking photographs and documenting the best parts of the world through social media and blog posts. Their experiences give insight into the beauty of the world that their followers may not have realized was attainable due to society’s standards of previous generations.

Destination Influencers: Tourism Marketing

The purpose of tourism marketing is to make a specific brand stand out from competitors in any given tourist community. By using an actual person that has followers that not only look up to them but are more than likely following them because they are looking for places to travel, you are already more likely to gain traction.

Travel influencers are able to market their trips and experiences as picture-perfect, relaxing, romantic, adventurous, or whatever the brand has in mind.

The bottom line

People are spending more time online now than ever, and that will be around for a while. Travel Influencers are the piece of the puzzle that brands have needed to get their landmarks, excursions, and adventures out for the public to book.

Conclusion

Travel influencers are taking tourism marketing by storm and allowing their followers of all tax brackets to enjoy the perks of traveling near and far. Tourism marketing tactics and strategies will continue to grow and change as travel influencers allow more and more visibility to hundreds of destinations.

The post How Destination Influencers are Impacting Tourism Marketing appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Start an Anonymous Youtube Channel

1. Create an Anonymous YouTube Channel Account

When creating your channel, it will be best to use a profile picture, and username that have nothing to do with what you look like or contain your name. For your biography, it will be best to stay vague and dive into your channel, rather than your personal life.

2. Begin making videos

You will need to edit each video to be sure to keep your name, image, and personal details out of it. Once you get the hang of it, it will be an easy step. You will want to grab a camera, create a media kit and install a few editing tools to make professional videos for your channel.

3. Grow your following

The first two steps really are that easy. Once you get started you will be able to continue growing and begin focusing on ways to grow your following and subscribers. Some great ways to do this would be to pair it with other social media platforms as well as a blog. You can use the same username with each platform in order to grow your following.

Benefits of an Anonymous Youtube Channel

Some people find that keeping their real name and image off of social media and blogs is best for their personal life. For some, it is the peace of mind that no one will attach their name to their channel, thus creating unnecessary traffic to their avenues of communication. Others choose anonymity for the sake of their family, specifically their children. The other side of the coin to this is if you show your face but keep your children completely out of it on both your YouTube channel and other social media platforms. For this blog, we will only focus on keeping your own identity a secret from viewers.

Anonymous Youtube channel ideas for different niche audiences: 

Video Game

The options involving video games are more than you may think. Video game aficionados will tune in to streaming and walk-through videos, reviews of a new game, and even tutorials on how to play a new or old game.

Cooking/Recipe Video

Creating a cooking video or recipe-centered video may seem difficult, but it is entirely possible. Your options do become somewhat limited. You will be able to set your phone up in a way that only captures the ingredients and steps without putting an actual person in the shot. Some popular way to create these videos is to treat them as ASMR videos, which stands for an autonomous sensory meridian response. That would involve an aesthetically pleasing way of dumping ingredients into a bowl or pan. At the same time, you’ll want to have only hands in the shot, along with lots of cuts and quick transitions to make the video flow smoothly.

Music and Lyric Videos

Arguably the easiest video to edit, music lyric videos make it so you can take any song and put either a free background on it or a graphic design of your own with lyrics changing on the screen as the song plays.

Travel and Tour Videos

If you have a travel or lifestyle blog, creating an anonymous Youtube channel for travel videos would be a great extension of your already existing brand. This would make it a bit easier to maintain anonymity since you already have a nice flow going with your blog. If you do not already have a blog, you can still get started with a travel YouTube channel by grabbing a media kit and begin documenting your travels. Keeping yourself out of the camera is fairly easy when you are traveling because you are always the one behind the camera anyways. You could take your subscribers on a tour of the places you travel to, as well as give out helpful advice for different areas of the world you travel. This could include traveling to famous tourist landmarks, museums that allow cameras, and even theme parks.

Cons

Editing could be easier, or harder, depending on the type of videos you will be making. If your videos require lots of talking from you, editing may be a little more difficult given you will need lots of graphics to replace the sounds since your head will not be at the forefront. Another idea for this would be having voiceovers rather than real-time videos such as cooking tutorials, craft tutorials, and other how-to videos.

Realistically, there will always be an area of filming, editing, or ideation in general that will be more difficult without being able to show your face or comment on who you are. With that being said, it may all outweigh the possibility of the world knowing who are. It truly depends on your end goal, what you want out of your professional life, personal life, and privacy preferences.

Conclusion

Starting an anonymous Youtube Channel can not only increase your already flowing traffic to an existing blog, but it can also give you a hobby, or a way to dive into your passions outside of your 9-5, without throwing your personal life into it. After reading this blog, you know some popular niches of anonymous YouTube channels, as well as how to create one.

The post How to Start an Anonymous Youtube Channel appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Our first website is arguably the most famous ghost website. The Space Jam was vacant for over 20 years. When Space Jame 2 hit theaters, the website was updated once again. The Original Space Jam was released in 1996, and its promotional website was untouched for the most part once the movie was out. It does not look like much, but the icons do still work. The catalogs it brings you to are pillars of the 90s with postcards, desktop screensavers, audio clips, and more. The newsletter has not been updated in years, but the site itself is still alive and well.

On the flip side, the 2021 website for Space Jam 2: A New Legacy is curated for a new generation of Space Jam fans. The site still has the same 1996 look and feel. However, it has been updated to fit the current age of social media trends, games, desktop backgrounds, and virtual posters.

10 More Ghost Websites 

1. Ghost Websites: Fogcam

The San Fransico Fogcam has been showing views of the San Fransisco State University community since 1994. The webcam is still live, albeit grainy. It currently sits looking across a quad. However, the webcam has been moved several times over the years. This was meant to keep the University from taking it down. The site was last updated in 2021. The update uploaded a few links to various articles naming the webcam and its history. Overall, there are very minimal updates to the site.

If you have ever been in an on-again, off-again relationship, you know those minimal updates end up on the ghosted list every time.

2. You’ve Got Mail 

The famous 90s romcom You’ve Got Mail, abandoned its website like its viewers abandoned the movie’s communication style. The online chat room style has been upgraded to social media direct messages, and discourse servers. While the site is still periodically updated to keep up with which streaming platform has the movie available, it was still left in the 90s.

3. OJ Simpson Trial

Another ghost website is dedicated to the OJ Simpson Trial was one of the most followed trials in history. When it began, social media was not the giant that it is today. There were no trending hashtags to follow, no Reddit pages, and no Facebook groups to join. Entire websites had to be built for others to follow along. The CNN site has not been updated since 1995 after the trial was over in 1994. It is interesting to go back and look through all the statements, evidence, and other captivating moments of the trial piece by piece.

4. Ghost Websites Washington Post Year in Review

1996 was quite a year for the Washing Post with former President Clinton winning his second term, the Atlanta Olympics, various trials, and other events. The Year in Review site has not been edited since the ‘96 launch, and the links do not work besides those that lead to internal Washington Post articles.

5. Dole/Kemp Presidential Campaign

In the same way, a website was made to cover a famous trial and serve as promotion for an upcoming movie, there were also websites made to serve for a political campaign. The Dole/Kemp campaign of 1996 was the one-stop shop for everything a potential voter would need to know. It gave the option to read about both Bob Dole and his running mate Jack Kemp, as well as make buttons, and follow him along the campaign trail. Of course, once the run was over for the Dole/Kemp team, the website has been abandoned since.

Where Do Ghost Websites Go? 

Just as there are new websites popping up daily, there are also many being abandoned, or ghosted, each day. Once the website is abandoned it still lives there, on the vast web. There is an option to take down a website and create the error code that populates when you attempt to pull up a disabled website. Search engines will begin to push the site further and further down until it has all but vanished. The ghost websites themselves will be deleted if the owners decided not to renew their domain names. With that being said, owners of long-lost website domains may very well be renewing their domain name to keep the nostalgia around.

Conclusion

Ghost websites take up space on the corners of the web we tend to forget about, but they are there. Sometimes, as mentioned, it is fun to stroll down memory lane and check in on your childhood websites, or those with funny names. You never know what you will find out. Take a dive into the 10 new ghost websites you have added to your knowledge bank and see what you can discover.

The post Ghost Websites: Top 10 appeared first on The Blog Herald.

There are several sites that can help with the search for the perfect customization. From small businesses to mass distribution factories, the Internet has something for everyone. Whichever option is best for you, will give you the perfect touch to your writing and business endeavors.

Etsy – Personalized Pencils and Pens

Etsy is the place to find any and all small businesses. Customization is one of the most popular forms of small business on Etsy. From monograms and sublimation to t-shirt printing and vinyl cutting, you are sure to find variety. The biggest factor when buying from a small business is that you actually get to see the impact it makes as you see their sales go up, and more often than not you will get a personalized note or message after ordering. With Etsy, the buyer typically has a lot of control over the customization process. The site is structured by highlighting thousands of small businesses. This way they give open lines of communication with sellers through chat functions.

Amazon Handmade

As we all know, Amazon is typically known for its fast turnaround time and convenience. However, Amazon Handmade is a corner of the website that many people do not know about. It can be found by typing it into the web, or through the standard Amazon website. If on amazons website, you can go over on the left-hand side to all and then click shop by department. Handmade will be an option on that list. You can be ready to shop all of the hand-crafted products offered.

Vistaprint – Personalized Pencils

Vistaprint is a great option for businesses and large groups. Both can get branded or customized pens and pencils for their office or next function. The company was made popular by high quantity custom orders. What some may not know is that Vistaprint also has affordable options for small-batch orders as well. There are many pens that can be sold as singular pens and pencils while still having the option to customize.

Apple

While it is not technically a pen or pencil in the traditional sense, Apple Pencils have endless options to be customized. The iPad is constantly gaining popularity from people who have gotten rid of their planners and notepads from the past and are going 100% digital. Apple Pencils give them the opportunity to keep the skill of writing, and keep it personal, rather than having everything in type font.

Apple Pencils can be customized by Apple when they are purchased, or through almost any website I have already mentioned. The fun thing about Apple Pencils is that they can be easily personalized with decals and skins, which is a less permanent form of customization so that it can change as often as you would like it to.

Shop Small – Personalized Pencils

Chances are fair that you will have a small business in your town that will take orders for customization and personalization on various products. See your nearest stationery store, gift shop, or even a locally-owned office supply store. The turn-around time may not be as quick as a larger scaled business with plenty of resources, but it is always nice to give back to your community if there is ever a way to. The circumstances are not always aligned to support small businesses, as there are so many variables depending on location, but taking the time to search your nearby areas can help your local small business without even buying anything due to the site traffic.

Conclusion

No matter who or what you use to buy personalized pens or pencils, the extra detail will go a long way. The options are endless between big-name companies, local businesses, and handmade shops online. Taking your writing accessories to the next level will give your job or hobby not only a makeover but a constant reminder of why you are doing what you are doing.

The post Personalized Pencils and Pens: The Best Places to Find Them appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Sometimes a trend is just too good to resist. Someone who is not ordinarily someone that would post on TikTok may post just to participate in the trend. Sometimes TikTok creators appear out of nowhere, and some you may watch grow and grow and grow over time. Think about creators like Alix Earle, Emilie Kiser, Connor Wood, the D’Amelios or another member of the Hype House, or someone else. The questions remain which TikTok creator is next in line for sensation. Also, what are the trends to get them there?

TikTok Get Ready with Me (GRWM)

Let’s dive into Alix Earle specifically. Her phenomenon is one of a kind. She has single-handedly sold out product after product simply due to what some have dubbed the “Alix Earle Effect”. This has carried over into other creators’ videos as well. If another creator sells out a random product due to their influence in a video, users will comment that it was due to the Alix Earle Effect, surely.

The iconic “get ready with me” videos, or GRWM for short, have been made popular by YouTube influencers like Tana Mongeau. The TikTok platform has taken that initial idea made popular by longer YouTube videos and shorted it into TikTok-length videos with cuts and edits to show the same type of detail and effect. TikTok influencers like Alix Earle use the short video to give incite into her personal life, personality, daily plans, or embarrassing stories from the previous day as a college student at the University of Miami in Florida.

TikTok Day in the Life

Day in the Life posts is typically vlog-style videos that follow the person around from their point of view to show everything they are doing. Emilie Kiser is a pro at this style of video and gets so much attention for being relatable as a young mom. There are hundreds of other successful TikTok creators who have clung to the “Day in the Life” from college athletes to corporate managers, teachers, stay-at-home parents, high school students, and everything in between.

Pet Voice-Over 

For some creators, their dog is the main attraction. Once voice effects came to TikTok, creators were able to essentially make “Day in the Life” videos about their pets. Made popular by dogs like Tucker (@Tuckerbudzyn) and Bunny (@Whataboutbunny). Pet parents can tap into what they feel is their pet’s personality, and make light of what could be they’re having 20-something dual-income parents with no kids, or whatever the situation may be.

TikTok Story Time

People love it when creators keep it real, which is why they love people like Alix, Emilie, Connor, and others so much. These videos can gain popularity overnight even if you are not an influencer. Posts can blow up overnight whether the account has a following or not, which is one of the most interesting things about TikTok.

If you are looking for a TikTok creator’s next great idea to post, whether for yourself or to understand the industry better, let’s dive into some trends. A great thing about TikTok is that you can click on different effects or sounds and see every single video that uses that effect or sound. This can give you an idea of the direction the trend is moving in if all of the videos are getting attention, or if it is just a few specific posts that are driving the trend.

Trends do not last forever, and when you are too late to a trend, you will typically notice your engagement go down a bit. For TikTok in particular, lots of trends are associated with specific “Sounds”, which are simply the background audio in the video.

Trends do not last forever, and when you are too late to a trend, you will typically notice your engagement go down a bit. For TikTok in particular, lots of trends are associated with specific “Sounds”, which are simply the background audio in the video.

Conclusion

After reading this blog, you are able to begin creating a post on TikTok that will hopefully appeal to the masses by doing one of the trends above. These specific trends have been around for quite some time, and do not show any sign of leaving.

The post TikTok Creator: Your Next Best Idea appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Beyond the fact that being kind to yourself is helpful to the mind, it is helpful to the body as well. There are positive benefits galore for your mind and body by using positive self-talk, and simply being kind to yourself.

Like many other parts of life, speaking kind words to yourself daily can be much easier said than done. The benefits of positive self-talk are not only in the way you carry yourself but in the way your body feels.

Self-Kindness 3 Ways 

Daily Reflection – Journal 

Journals and diaries do not always have to be serious, sad, or traumatic. By Webster’s definition, a journal is a regular account of day-to-day activities, thoughts, ideas, and experiences kept for your own private use. The fun part of journaling is you can express yourself on every page because the book is quite literally all about you. It is not conceited, it is not self-righteous, it’s self-care and self-love. Even if every page is not a pretty experience, idea, or account from your day, each day you write in it you practice speaking to yourself in a way you want to be communicated to, and exercise voicing your thoughts rather than locking them away.

Regular Self-Care and Investing in Yourself

Self-care can come in many forms, from taking yourself on an impromptu shopping spree to putting on your favorite mud mask or even going on a long run. Make this your sign to stop waiting for a reason to have a self-care day, and just do it. You can have regularly scheduled self-care nights or full days where you spend time with yourself and speak kindly to yourself along the way.

Investing in yourself is another form of self-care. This could mean a multitude of things including but absolutely not limited to finding a therapist, setting a new reading goal for the year or month, setting boundaries with your friends and yourself, and many more. Investing in yourself does not have to mean investing money, it can mean investing your time, and your efforts into a cause to better yourself. All of which, will be a positive impact on your ability and willingness to be kind to yourself.

Mistakes and Perfections Mix 

One of the biggest lessons you must learn when going through the journey of self-love and speaking kindness into your life is that there will be a mixture of perfections and mistakes, and everything in between. That is what makes life beautiful. There will always be something wonderful to say to yourself, and more than likely there will always be a lesson to learn no matter what is going on in your life at any given time, whether “serious” or not.

Making the conscious effort to be kind to yourself is a choice you will have to make each day,  but in the end, it will pay off and you will see the difference. Just like cleaning up your skincare routine to keep your skin at its best, or staying on a gym routine to make your body feel confident, speaking life and positivity into your daily life will be the difference maker. It is not a progress picture that you will be able to see like you can with skincare and a gym routine, but with healthy reflection, it is something that both you and those around you will notice.

Conclusion

Practicing speaking positively to yourself, no matter the circumstances will not always be easy, but it will continue to be worth it. Leaving room for grace in your life is key to keeping the positive notes coming from the best of days to the ones that feel like the worst. After reading this blog you have the initial tools to begin adding acts of self-kindness into your everyday routine and seeing results in your quality of life.

The post The Importance of Being Kind to Yourself; And How To Do It appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Once you’ve gotten everything onto your post, you will want to go back through and condense it to a place where readability is best. It doesn’t have to be perfect the second you finish getting all of your thoughts down. It is important to note that your first idea, no matter how amazing it was, does not have to match your last idea about part of your blog.

Finding your workflow after your workflow is the next hurdle to clear before finishing a great blog. You have done the hard work of putting together the actual blog, and now you need to focus on making the readability and optimization as seamless as possible.

Do not be afraid to move things around if it makes more sense or sounds better with the final layout. This is where you can really start to play around with your paragraph structure and mix and match all the puzzle pieces to fit in a way that makes the most sense and flows effortlessly.

1. Grammarly Premium

Grammarly Premium is not only a great grammar tool but a proofreader and plagiarism finder as well. It is well worth it to upgrade to the premium when you are writing on a heavy schedule and will use to added benefits of the premium plan. There are multiple plans from monthly, quarterly, and annually. The cheapest of which would be annual coming out to $12 per month. Having Grammarly Premium will streamline your editing process to give you several things all at once. You have a deep dive into grammar and sentence structure, as well as available readability replacements underlined.

2. Yoast

Search Engine Optimization is one of the most important parts of blogging. With that being said, Yoast,  or another optimization tool is arguably the most important plug-in to have for your blog. Yoast helps optimize your blog to meet search engine standards. It has a place to find keywords to match your blog to help with optimization.

3. Hemmingway App

Hemmingway is essentially a readability tool. It grades your writing and uses a multicolored system to break apart different areas. You can even edit straight from the app itself. There is a toolbar to keep your writing all in one space so you do not have to continuously copy and paste back and forth when digging through the different colored edits.

5 key colors used:

Red for complete restructure

Yellow for needing a push of change

Purple to take away jargon or complicated text

Green to show passive voice

Blue to show your adverbs.

4. Writer

Writer is an AI app that learns the way you and your team write, and the way you speak to your audience, and takes that into account when creating future content. This app is great for brands trying to up their content but also keep their brand consistency. For bloggers, it does not take away from your overall creative freedom, and you will still be in every step of the process, but with less stress and pressure to find each point of readability and optimization while staying “on brand” or within your typical voice.

5. Word Counter

Though its namesake does give an idea that the app will be a resource for your word count progress, it is also a tool to help you keep track of the actual words and their uses. For example, it will help you see if there is a word you have repeated a few too many times. This helps with sentence structure, flow, and readability. The ease of use of this tool is a simple copy and paste into their website for it to tally your final word count to make sure you hit your marks, but it will also highlight the top 10 keywords from the post to ensure you are not overusing or underusing a term of importance.

Conclusion

Blog editing can be a quick process, or a lengthy process depending on how put together your original draft was. There is no exact method for editing, but you will be able to craft your own workflow that is the most helpful for you. Take these tips and begin moving your editing process around to find the best method for your own specific madness that is the writing process.

The post Blog Editing for Your Posts and 5 Tools That Will Help You appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Finding your purpose

It is not always an easy question to ask yourself, and you may not know the answer. In fact, it is more probable than not that you will not know the answer to that question. The goal in finding your purpose is finding things you truly love to do, and things that bring you joy, rather than doing things you feel like you have to do. After all, there is a difference between living to work and working to live. This can easily include day-to-day activities and not just your typical 9-5 job.

Weekend Getaway

Spend some time alone, or with some friends on a weekend retreat. Sometimes what you need most is a change of scenery. This change does not have to be permanent, in fact, a long weekend may just do the trick. Spending time alone with your thoughts, a journal, and maybe a book to read might clear your mind. If being alone is not your thing, you may choose to grab your group of friends and escape to an Airbnb in a mountain town across the state.

Learn a new hobby

Learning a new hobby can be the ticket to your personal reset. At the beginning of the pandemic, when confined to their homes, people began to do a bit of self-reflection. Those reflections turned into many people around the country finding something new about themselves, whether that be a new hobby because they were bored, or a new skill that they have taught themselves to do via trial and effort, and a few YouTube videos.

A few new hobbies to try:

1. Knitting
2. Reading
3. Woodworking
4. Painting

Write down your feelings

Although in many cases it can be easier said than done, writing out your feelings can help to process them in a way that your mind and body understand. Sometimes you may not have the words to express your feelings about a specific time in your life, or a situation that has gotten you to the point where you are unsure where to go next. Beginning to write will give you the opportunity to find those words, even if they do not come right away. You may even begin to access yourself and find your strengths and weaknesses.

Start Therapy

The stigma around mental health has gotten much better over the years, but there is still a great deal left to overcome with the thoughts immediately surrounding therapy. You do not have to be a danger to yourself or others,  or “sick” to see a therapist. Mental health means being healthy all the time in your mind, not only when you are not feeling great or have a bad day. It means being able to withstand the hard days and weeks at work, the busy season of life, and the happiest of times all at the same time.

Therapy is also about simply having someone to talk to. Maybe you are in a season of life where it is hard to find time to have the long conversations with your best friend that you have become so accustomed to throughout the years. Different seasons of life produce different emotions and feelings for different people, and that is perfectly okay. It is encouraged, even. All the more reason to have a chat with someone.

Wrap Up

You may not know what is coming next in life, but as you can see from this blog, getting started with a new hobby, taking a weekend getaway, or getting set up with a new therapist can be the start of an amazing new journey in your life. You will never know exactly what is coming next in life, and that is half the fun.

The post What to Do When Faced with the Thought: “I Don’t Know What to Do with My Life” appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Best self-care days

Maybe you have a significant other, and those dates are great, but never forget to have a relationship with yourself too! Here are 10 of the best solo date ideas for your next self-care day. 

1. Get Some Exercise 

Exercise of the body and the mind are important no matter what is going on in life. Moving your body because you can not because you have to can be a mindset shift all on its own. Taking the time to walk your favorite path, hike the most beautiful trail, or jog around the prettiest neighborhood can be extremely relaxing and bring a sense of purpose and joy to your day. 

2. Spa day

Seemingly the most obvious answer, taking a trip to the spa is the epitome of a self-care day. The infamous green cucumber mask and white towel is the first thing people think of when they say that they are going to the spa. It is better known now for being a bit more all-inclusive. Now, you can go to the spa and receive a facial, full body massage, masks, sauna time, and more. It can truly be an all-day affair just for yourself, and the betterment of your body. 

3. Take a trip to your favorite bookstore 

If you are a reader, you have your favorite bookstores. Some are hopeless romantics for an old used bookstore, while others enjoy the vastness of big chains with catchy BookTok tables. Whatever bookstore your passions take you, feel free to get lost in the aisles of literature and pick up without limitations of budgets or time. Having a running clock in a bookstore is a surefire way to being stressed out and leaving with something you do not want. Take your time, and let your love for books guide you. You may not always have time to read the book that’s been sitting on your nightstand for months, but having a solo date is the best excuse to buy more books to add to your “to be read” list. 

4. Have a meal with yourself at a nice restaurant 

Reservations do not always have to be made with 2 or more people. In fact, it is encouraged to have a reservation of 1 every now and then at the restaurant of your choosing. Having a quality meal with yourself, where you dress up for no one but yourself is liberating. Who said you have to put on a dress for someone else? You can wear a dress, or pants, for you. 

5. Book a staycation

Having some time away from reality is another way to bring some peace of mind to your busy life. That does not mean you have to take a weekend away, although you absolutely could. A staycation would be calling up the nearest and dearest bed and breakfast or hotel you have always wanted to try, and ordering room service will sit the robe they provide. 

5 1/2. Spend a weekend away

Just like a staycation, at the end of the day, the goal is to have the weekend, or night, away from reality. Having a solo date or vacation is the premier way to spend time with yourself and grow your personal relationship with yourself. 

6. Run your “fun” errands 

If you have been looking for an excuse to make the nail appointment, this is it. The things you typically push to the back burner because other errands take precedence. Nails are not the only fun “errand” to do on a self-care day. Having fresh hair from the salon, or booking a massage to release all the pent tension and stress from work is a great way to spend a day with yourself. This is not the day for grocery store runs, but it is the day for fresh hair and new nail colors. 

7. Shopping Spree

Another classic example of a self-care day is taking yourself on a well-deserved shopping spree. This is not me telling you to go and spend all of your hard-earned money, but it is me telling you to buy the shoes you have been eyeing or the jeans you keep telling yourself to wait on. Take that target trip to just look around, and allow yourself to pick up the “fun stuff” rather than only the essentials. 

Wrap Up

Taking yourself on a solo date can feel overwhelming the first time, but adding them to your weekly or monthly calendar can spark something deeper inside of you. Along with your overall well-being increasing, you will also find others who are on the same journey and will find yourself paying more attention to, and appreciating the surroundings given to you on any and every solo date. 

The post Treat Yourself! – 7 Fun Solo Date Ideas appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Although Grammarly has made a name for itself by way of its namesake, grammar. Obviously, the tool has made it easy to catch grammar errors and help with proofreading. It is useful for everything from emails to term papers. When looking for a plagiarism checker, Grammarly has been there all along. Have you been using the tool to its highest potential? 

Grammarly has made a solid name for itself. It will continue to be at the top of my personal list. However, there are other viable options. Here are 5 more plagiarism checkers to consider ranked based on my personal use and opinion. 

 1. EasyBib

Similar to other plagiarism checkers, Easybib is a copy, paste, and-done type of website. It is free to simply throw your writing in and check your plagiarism percentages. With the free plan, you are able to check once on a writing sample, but with the paid plan at just under $10 per month, you can have unlimited plagiarism checker, along with unlimited grammar and sentence structure suggestions, and citation creation help. 

2. Quetext

There are not many websites as user-friendly as Quetext. Similar to EasyBib, you can easily check for plagiarism without downloading anything onto your computer.  Although it is not ideal for long-form content, Quetext can check for plagiarism by simply copying and pasting anything you would like to get checked. 

3. Scribbr, powered by Turnitin

If you went to school in the 2010s, chances are you heard of Turnitin in some capacity. Teachers and professors of all levels were beginning to discover Turnitin, and would have their students submit research papers, and essays into the software, rather than straight to the teacher. This would make it easy for teachers to know immediately if an assignment was plagiarized, This not only made it easier on the teachers, but it made the students think twice before they tried their hand at taking the easy way out of an assignment. Because Turnitin is typically used for students, Scribbr was created to be a helping hand to those no matter what part of life they are in. All you have to do is go to Scribbr’s site, upload your document, and read the results. 

4. Viper

Rather than a site you visit and upload, Viper is software installed on your computer. Teachers have used this for years to scan students’ assignments quickly and pain-free, but you by no means have to be a teacher to use Viper. It is a handy tool for anyone who aims to publish work. 

5. Plagscan

Just as the name indicates, Plagscan is a tool to identify potential cases of plagiarism in order to properly reference others and build proper pieces of written works. There are affordable plans for both individuals and organizations with a simple process, upload and check. 

Conclusion

Using a plagiarism site can be very useful for properly referencing others in your work, as well as making sure you did not accidentally use someone else’s ideas without knowing it. It is clear that not all plagiarism is known, so staying ahead of the game with these options can be a big help.

The post Grammarly and 5 Other Plagiarism Checkers Ranked appeared first on The Blog Herald.

A blog post series is a set of blog posts that go along with each other in the form of a story or connected information. A stand-alone blog can be viewed on its own and make perfect sense without ever reading another piece from the author. Reading a post from a blog series will be much more difficult to follow along with if you have not read the previous pieces, if in the middle or end. 

Blogging meets Docuseries

When you think about your favorite docuseries on any one of the many streaming services out today you typically would want to binge all of them in one day. If you happen to be one of the first on the scene you may have to wait a week for each new episode, like in the old days. The same can be true for a blog post series. Maybe a reader will find it the day it is published and will be itching to read the next until it is published. On the other hand, you may have readers that are able to devour the entire series in one sitting because they found it after the fact. 

Niche

Whether you are a fashion blogger, or you truly do have your hands in the true crime stories of late, a post series is an option for your blog. A series does not by nature have to be suspenseful, it can simply be entertaining or informative as well. 

Creating a series for your readers to follow along with will give an automatic reason to interact and engage with your audience via social media, blog comments, and emails. This will keep your established readers coming back, while also grabbing new readers along the way to expand your reach. 

Examples of post series in unexpected niches: 

Fashion Post Series

As easy as showcasing your shopping itinerary for the coming week. Maybe you have a trip coming up that you want to bring your readers along with. Any excuse to post more than your normal volume will not only excite readers but give you as the writer the opportunity to grab a new audience. 

Sports Post Series

It seems self-explanatory how many sports series there are, but a sports blog does not have to stop there. A sports blogger can make a series out of just about anything pertaining to sports including a certain lifestyle section for specific athletes, maybe two powerhouses are getting married and you are following that, or maybe a prolific program is having a bit of an unusual season and you want to focus there. Their possibilities are endless with sports. 

Makeup Post Series

Makeup and cosmetics are a fun niche to follow and write for because of the vastness of topics relating to the makeup world. Bloggers can create series related to a brand deal, or a challenge related to trying new products for their audience. In the age of social media influencers, makeup is an even more popular topic to write for and follow due to the brand deals seen recently including trips across the world, and high dollar payouts. 

Lifestyle/Travel Post Series

A post series related to travel could arguably produce the easiest-to-maintain topics, while lifestyle can have travel as a post series, among others. Lifestyle can be anything and everything related to life. The ups and downs of dating, learning your way around a new town, friendships, and plenty more. Travel bloggers can write about their travels along different parts of the world. The food they ate, mountains climbed, shopping sprees, tourist must-dos, and more. 

Food Post Series

Speaking of food, the possibilities can seem endless. Whether you are writing a wordier blog relating to a relationship with food, or your adventures finding different food, or have a how-to blog featuring mainly recipes, a post series is definitely a possibility. For how-to-guide recipes, a post series can surround a specific season, holiday, or time of year that hosts, party-goers and socializing kings and queens alike will be able to gravitate to. 

Conclusion

Creating a blog post series will be a great way to produce new engagement with your audience, expand your audience reach, and much more. Consider branching out from your posting routine and see what benefits you may reap with a post series. 

The post Why You Should Try a Post Series For Your Blog appeared first on The Blog Herald.

Money can buy happiness, but it cannot buy joy. You see, happiness is a fleeting outward emotion, and money can absolutely help with that, but joy is the internal state of mind you are truly chasing. Maybe you have had a bad day and you have the means to shop at your favorite clothing brands for an impromptu shopping spree. It is absolutely true that money does not have the ability to maintain your happiness over long periods of time, but it can be the spark of it. Joy is an entirely different story. 

Money Cannot Buy Love

Sure, money can buy you an account on a dating app. It can buy you plane tickets all over the world for amazing trips to beautiful places. Additionally, it can buy you 5-Star restaurant meals. Furthermore, it can even buy designer wardrobes. Money cannot buy someone’s love for you, nor your love for them. It can absolutely make that love a little more comfortable, and lavish, but it will never be the sole basis of your love. Many have tried. Some even felt like they succeeded for a while, but eventually, the true colors always show for what that money bought, which was a bandaid when what was needed was stitches. Love can be for families, relationships, friendships, you name it. 

Time

No matter how much money you have, you will never be able to buy more time with the people you love. There will always be 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, and 365 days in a year plus one on a leap year. Time is a difficult thing for many people to understand. Some days feel long while others feel like they are moving backward. You can always buy things to fill your time with, but no one has quite figured out how to purchase more hours.

Money Cannot Buy Health

You could make the argument that money can indeed buy overall health or healthier days ahead. At the end of the day, you cannot buy more years only your life. Not to turn this blog negative, but even the most aggressive of cancers do not pay any mind to who is the picture of health versus not, which is where this premise comes from that money cannot truly buy health. 

Peace

How many times has a miss America contestant said something along the lines of “I would solve world peace”? It seems like a lot right? Well, maybe money could buy that in some respect. However, when it comes to your individual peace that is an entirely different story. Your own peace cannot come from money, fame, or power. Rather from what you give and take away from yourself. Sure, you can buy a secluded mountain house or a divorce lawyer, but at the end of the day, your actions and mindsets will give you peace, not the money in your wallet. 

Conclusion

Money can buy plenty of things in this world. It can buy the ease of life, but it cannot buy what is inside of you. However, joy, time, love, health, and peace are all things that money cannot buy. These things will have to be chased organically in life. Take this blog and look within to see if there is something you have been chasing with money. How can that can be transformed by putting the right attention to it?

The post 5 Things Money Cannot Buy appeared first on The Blog Herald.

For specific goods and services, the name typically given for one-page websites is a landing page. A landing page has one goal instead of a homepage, which can have many goals and extra linking points. That one goal typically consists of having the person who ended up on the page, become a new customer, or a lead by putting their contact information into the page.

The best landing pages are easy to read both visually and mentally. This means having plain and attractive fonts and using language that is inclusive and free of any jargon.

Carrd fonts will have several different weights, meaning the thickness of the stroke of a word. The majority of fonts are known for standard weights of regular and bold, but with Carrd there are plenty with varying weights from extra thin to extra bold and heavy. The beauty of Carrd fonts is the creative possibilities still present by mixing and matching different fonts and creating a landing page that is attractive to anyone that finds themselves there.

My Top 10 Carrd Fonts

1. Overpass – A favorite Carrd Font

A personal favorite, Overpass is a great basic that can stand alone, or be easily paired with another more adventurous font.

2. Saira

Another great basic, but a bit more adventurous. It can still be a stand-alone font but would look great mixed because it is so easy to read and attractive.

3. Dancing Script

Obviously, a very attractive font, but is best used in small instances such as a title or small informative paragraph. It will mix great with something sturdy such as Roboto.

4. Nunito

Great basic, and can obviously stand alone due to readability but will mix as well.

5. Roboto

More rounded than Nunito, but still in the basic family. It is attractive and easy to mix.

6. Comfortaa

Another favorite of mine, Comfortaa is a bit larger in its strokes, while still having plenty of weight options. It is light and airy making it perfect for landing pages.

7. Heebo – classic/ easily paired with an adventurous Carrd font

Classic easy-to-read print, like the other basics on this list, it can stand alone or be mixed with others.

8. Inter-classic/ easily paired with an adventurous Carrd font

The last “basic” on the list. It has a bit more of a light and airy feel, while still being close to Roboto in terms of what I call bounciness or its rounded edges.

9. Indie Flower

The most whimsical font on the list! It can be very fun paired with something simple, especially for the right brand and service. It would just be important to play with the weight to get the best stroke width for the landing page.

10. Inconsolata

A classic type-writer-esque font with plenty of options to increase or decrease weight. It can be used as a stand-alone font or can be mixed as well.

The key to a great Carrd font is its innate readability. With a landing page, you only have 1 page to show your audience that there is a reason they “landed” on your page. If they cannot read the words easily it will be an early exit for more people than you would like to see. Having a clear font with multiple weights available to use is optimal for achieving that readability.

Pairing

Obviously, the classic-looking fonts will be easier to read than fonts like Indie Flower or Dancing Script, but that does not mean you need to discount the adventurous fonts when making your landing page. An adventurous font, especially on your title can make for a hook that is otherwise lost in your call to action. The goal is to keep the visitor on the site and to take action. With that being said, why not take a fun font such as Indie Flower, and pair it with a more classic font of Overpass to even it out. The fun begins when you start to get into the different weights available for each font. You may decide to keep Indie quite thin while having Overpass at a heavier weight to produce an even more intense contrast.

Conclusion

No matter what Carrd font is used for your next landing page, be sure to keep the overall layout simple and the readability as a top priority. These 10 fonts will serve as a great reference tool and starting point for the font on a good or service landing page.

The post The Best Carrd Fonts For Your Landing Page appeared first on The Blog Herald.

These five productivity blogs will give you a nudge in the right direction, no matter what your schedule looks like. Not all days look the same, and not all levels of productivity are the same for everyone. The great thing about these 5 blogs is their elasticity to meet you where you are in life.

Mark Manson – Life Advice Productivity Blog

Firstly, if you are new to who Mark Manson is, he is an established author who is not afraid to tell the truth. Even when the truth is ugly, or uncomfortable, he still finds a way to turn it around for the better. He specializes in life advice to get you out of your funk and start living your life with purpose and full of potential. He has several books titled around being your truest self, unwavering through the influence of others, but also taking initiative in your own life.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree – Useful Productivity Blog with Humor

Eric Barker is an expert at giving you what you need at the level you need it. He brings a level of comedy to his blogs to draw you in and then once you are there it can be difficult to walk away because of how helpful and interesting the entry is. His blogs range from productivity to happiness, habits to relaxation, the list goes on. His two books “Barking Up the Wrong Tree” and “Plays Well With Others” center around relationships and success, respectfully.

Pick the Brain – Erin Falconer – Self Improvement Productivity Blog

Erin Falconer focuses her website on self-improvement and being purposeful in your life. It is not the traditional self-help that only focuses on small topics. Falconer takes a much more diverse approach using any and every piece of information that could be used to better someone’s life whether that be their productivity, motivation, self-improvement, or health. She also has two books focused on productivity and relationships, particularly friendships and choosing your peace over a friendship label.

Marie Forleo 

At her core, Marie Forleo is a curious optimist determined to get the most out of everything in life and to help others do the same. She is the kind of girl that many want in their corner. Her productivity blog focuses on using your own dreams and passions to create real results in your life while also putting your energy and effort into things you truly are passionate about. The primary mindsets she stands behind is bringing your true and complete self to the table. No matter what to achieve your highest potential.

James Clear

Chances are you have read or at least heard of “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. It took the internet by storm. Procrastinators and type-A personalities alike were running to the bookstore to pick this book up. James Clear writes about making every day 1% better. The book focuses on building habits naturally and having a journey of growth. His blog not only has features on productivity, but also focus, life lessons, habits, self-improvement, and more. His stance on productivity is not the premise of getting as much done per day as possible. Instead, he is focus is getting things that are important done within the time given to you. That may be 2 things, or it could be 15 things. It is truly dependent on the situation. Ask yourself, what is important to you to make the day, week, month, etc., productive?

Wrap Up

To conclude, this list is by no means conclusive. However, this list of 5 wonderful productivity blogs will give you the boost you need to get your productivity flowing.

The post Top 5 Blogs on Productivity appeared first on The Blog Herald.