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  • Low cost ways to promote your business online

    There are many budget friendly options available to help you promote your business online. We’ll offer the best of these to help you navigate your way to the top of everyone’s search results.

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    It will happen

    Think of every inspirational entrepreneur you admire. Can you recall all the times they said how easily success came to them? Exactly. The sooner you accept that this journey requires the persistent, game-face side of you, the better off you will be. Marketing demands you put in the hours, no matter who you are. Forget instant gratification and get on board with your grit and determination.

    Blogging

    Creating an engaging blog is one of the best ways to attract clients. Everyone finds this process intimidating at first. Take the focus off yourself by writing engaging industry relevant pieces. It’s an excellent diversion from the inevitable “are we there yet?” impatience on the road to success. Focus on becoming an expert in your field. Release a steady feed of meaningful information and don’t forget video tutorials.

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    Promote your content

    Writing helpful, keyword focused content is a great start. Promoting that content on sites such as Quora or Medium, and linking it back to your website, transports you to the enchanted world of content marketing. Here you will begin to grease the wheels and trundle faster towards success

    Do you email?

    Brush aside the feeling that email marketing is the same as old school A4 printed newsletters that no one ever reads. Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to connect with your client base. Ignore this fact at your peril. If you follow industry advice, such as Simply Business, you’ll discover a few gears you didn’t realise you had and realise your journey is starting to feel rather worthwhile. To do this you will need to make sure your business has enough equipment and supplies for all your staff.  Companies such as IT Support Cheltenham could provide you with any training they need including recognising malware.

     

    When in doubt, optimise

    Optimising your website for SEO is essential. Not all of us find SEO algorithms fascinating, it’s true, but the process is so much more user friendly than it used to be. It helps to have an expert nudging you in the right direction.
    Online marketing success is yours if you are prepared to put in the hours, follow expert and industry advice, be patient and persevere.

  • What flooring types will work best in your kid’s playroom?

    When it comes to decorating a playroom, you’ll want a hard-wearing floor which can cope with a lot of traffic, whatever the age of your children. But hard-wearing doesn’t have to mean boring, and there are plenty of cool flooring options, which will match your décor and stimulate imaginative play too.

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    Get tough

    Vinyl flooring is a great choice for a playroom, as it is tough and durable. It comes in tiles or sheets, and is simple to install and maintain.

    It is also waterproof, so ideal for a playroom. It doesn’t have to be boring, with bright colours and even prints and funky themes to add a bit of fun.

    You might want to consider using a company which specialises in vinyl.
    These types of floor are easy to clean and very resistant to stains, scuffs and scratches. They are also padded, which is great for toddlers and crawlers.

    According to the Independent, vinyl is becoming more popular with people who want a good-looking, quality floor.

    Soft option

    Rubber floor tiles are another good choice for a child’s playroom, as they are soft yet durable. These are also available in range of colours and shades. You can also buy different shaped tiles, such as bricks, to create a different effect. Rubber, like vinyl, is non-slip and waterproof, so a good choice for little people.

    Traditional

    If you are more traditional, you can always go for carpet, or carpet tiles, as these are also easy to install, relatively cheap and many are now stain resistant. You will, however, attract more dust in the room, so it’s not ideal for children with allergies.

    You may also want to think about lighting in the kids playroom so its bright and airy by looking at your windows and the amount of light coming through.

    For your child’s Safety reasons it could be worth looking at businesses providing window, door locks and secure glass like Cheltenham Glazing Company on sites like https://actdirect.co.uk/services/emergency-glazing-cheltenham/.

    Wooden or laminate flooring looks good and is also easy to clean and durable, making it ideal for a playroom which is going to take its fair share of knocks and bumps.

    You can install laminate flooring yourself and clean it quickly, as it doesn’t attract dust.

    Hardwood floors can withstand having toys dropped on them and heavy stamping. They are also good for keeping a room warm in the winter and cool in summer.

    Whichever type of flooring and design you go for, make sure it’s soft on your little one’s feet, safe, durable, easy to clean and looks good with your playroom scheme.

  • Most Expensive Weddings

    Celebrities and Royals have a long tradition of throwing extremely lavish and expensive weddings. We have come to expect these extravagant displays of wealth and glamour, watching keenly for the designs, themes, dress styles and everything else that goes with a marriage celebration. Here are some of the costliest weddings seen in recent times:

    1. Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes

    Whilst no longer a couple, at the time they married in 2006, the nuptials cost the couple a whopping $2.2 million. Katie Holmes is most well-known for her roles in Dawson’s Creek and Batman Begins, while Tom Cruise needs little introduction as the actor from Mission Impossible and Top Gun.

    The ceremony took place at Odescalchi Castle near Rome in Italy and included a 5-tier white chocolate cake. The couple spent $900,000 on flying their guests to the wedding, putting them up in top accommodation and spending $180,000 on 300 bottles of wine. Guests included David Beckham, Will Smith and Jennifer Lopez.

    1. Arun Nayar & Elizabeth Hurley

    Costing $2.6 million in 2007, Liz Hurley is a British model and film star while the groom is a senior member of Tyco. The wedding lasted 8 days, taking place at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire and then the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, India. Hundreds of thousands were spent on private jets between the two locations and accommodation, including a $10,000 per night bridal suite in India.

    1. Paul McCartney & Heather Mills

    Married in 2002, when adjusted for inflation, this wedding cost $3.6 million. Mills is a former model and animal rights activist, while Sir Paul requires little introduction. The wedding was styled with an Indian theme taking place at St Salvadors’ Church in Ireland and including dancers, a vegetarian feast, over $100,000 worth of flowers and the same spent on fireworks. The partying took place in a castle as a cost of almost $50,000. While you might not be able to have a wedding on this kind of scale, you can have a wedding fit for royalty at a much better price with Wedding Venues Northamptonshire at https://www.kelmarsh.com/weddings-at-kelmarsh-hall

    1. David Gest & Liza Minelli

    $4.2 million was the final bill for this couples’ nuptial celebrations. Liza Minelli was a star of Broadway and Judy Garland’s daughter, while the late David Gest was a music producer. They married in 2002 and the best man was none other than Michael Jackson, with the maid of honour being Elizabeth Taylor. The entertainment included a 60-piece orchestra and performances by Tony Bennett and Steve Wonder. They spent over half a million on flowers alone.

    1. Prince William & Kate Middleton

    This very regal affair cost in the region of $34 million, mostly on security. The bride is a commoner and Prince William, the oldest son of Prince Charles and second in line to the throne. Almost one million was spent on flowers and $80,000 on the wedding cake for a wedding that featured celebrity and royal guests, as well as a TV audience of many hundreds of millions across the world.

    1. Prince Charles & Lady Diana Spencer

    When adjusted for inflation, this 1981 wedding cost a staggering $110 million. Lady Diana was a beautiful pre-school teacher who married into the royal family to the oldest son of the Queen. The ceremony took place at St Paul’s Cathedral with a TV audience of 750 million people! The bride donned a dress with a 25-foot train, there were 27 wedding cakes and a main cake of 5 feet that took 14 weeks to create.

  • Clearing your debts: what are the options?

    According to financial advisors, if your debt repayments consume more than 20 percent of your net monthly income, it is time to consider a debt solution and to cut back on your spending. There are a number of options for those faced with unmanageable debts, that could reduce crippling monthly payments and offer a solution to insolvency.

    You could look into options with your property, vehicles or other and think about a Gloucestershire Equity Release company for instance https://www.palmermortgages.co.uk/financial-services/equity-release-gloucestershire/

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    Be clear about your debts

    It is a false comfort to remain in the dark about the exact amount you owe. A list of your debts will give you a clear picture of what you are dealing with and help you create a plan. The list should include your mortgage, loans, credit cards and overdrafts, as well as interest rates and the size of your monthly payments. Being able to reduce your interest rates on high interest store and credit cards could be the first step in the right direction.

    A Debt Management Plan (DMP) for credit and store cards

    For those who do not qualify for balance transfers, a DMP could allow you to pay off your unsecured credit debt at a rate you can afford.

    A suitable solution for non-priority debts like credit cards, loans, and even money borrowed from friends and family, debt management plans are usually facilitated by a DMP provider who manages payments to your creditors on your behalf. The plan can be arranged by free debt advice organisations and fee-paying providers must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

    Debt management plans cannot be used for priority debts like taxes and court fines.

    Clearing priority debts

    Like the DMP, an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA) allows you to pay back what you can afford and is a legally binding arrangement set up to last for a fixed period of time.

    Suggested for priority debts like money owed to HMRC, this option freezes your debt and dispenses it into monthly repayments over 5 to 6 years. Whatever remains unpaid at the end of the period is usually written off.

    Getting help

    A first stop for help to manage your money and explore debt management solutions is the government’s Money Advice Service.

  • The dark problem of Asbestos.

    In our enlightened age we are rightly concerned about the effects of the substance of asbestos on our health and environment. If handled incorrectly the substance of asbestos can cause irreparable damage to the body. This results in asbestosis in the lungs, cancer of the lungs and mesothelioma, a cancer relating to the layer of tissue surrounding the body’s internal organs.  It has been a very lengthy legal process, hotly contested at all points by industry and Government official bodies, before it was realised that Asbestos was the cause. The removal of asbestos from buildings is highly specialised but it is also present in soil say after a buildings demolition or by previous ordered burial. Its removal may require a Soil Remediation Company and companies such as https://soilfix.co.uk/services/soil-groundwater-remediation can provide it. Where does Asbestos come from?

    Asbestos uses natural materials to create a solid substance. It is made up of fibrous strands and come from silicate materials. Asbestos is brilliant at being fireproof. It is this ability that primarily made it so popular within the construction industry. It is also excellent at acting as a sound proofing device meaning that the huge machines of manufacturing would not cause an issue to workers. It was seen as a wonder material as it also meant that clothing could be made from it creating a welcome barrier of safety that workers had never had before. This was not only in manufacturing but also increasingly in mining where its introduction was seen as a godsend.

    There were historical examples, early evidence from remains in Finland of early humans showed that they had used the strands in there pots to protect them from fire and there were always the stories from ancient Persia of King Khosrow the second and his magical napkin that, when it was dirty, he would throw into the fire to be cleaned and it would come out unharmed. The traveller Marco Polo wrote of the fur of the Samander beast that could live in fire and was killed by water as being the reason for it but he was wrong and the actual reason of the silicate was a closely guarded secret.

    As the demand for Asbestos and its products grew in the industrial era mines of Chrysotile were being dug as quickly as possible. They were imported to the UK from Canada and Russia (where it is still mined today) and South Africa. The town of Clydebank and the City of Glasgow became the first port of entry and a large industry of asbestos production sprang up. Again, this was viewed positively as bringing much needed employment to Scotland. It is a legacy that we still have to deal with today.

  • What are healing gardens and how can sculptures benefit them?

    The expression ‘healing garden’ is most often used to describe an outdoor, green space around a hospital. While the prefix, healing, suggests it is used specifically to improve health outcomes, these spaces are for patients, visitors and staff alike. Green environments are an essential part of human well-being, whether we are well, ill or injured, dealing with a loved one’s illness or if we are overtaxed with work. If you want to try to recreate this healing feel at home in your garden you may want to hire someone like a Gloucestershire Grounds Maintenance company who specialise in helping with all kinds of garden related manual labour.  Gloucester Grounds Maintenance is one option to look at to take away the pressure of doing any of the work yourself and allowing you to enjoy the final results. (more…)

  • Quick ways to boost your home’s kerb appeal

    Making your home more appealing is essential if you are hoping to put it on the market for sale or rental. There are some steps you can take to boost its appearance and hopefully secure a new owner. The photograph of the exterior of the home is usually the first one used in a gallery on home listing sites. If this image is unappealing, fewer people will click on it, leading to less interest and perhaps no viewings. (more…)

  • Some of the best English Market Towns

    The market towns of England have always played an important role in the history of England and continue to do so today. Traditionally, market towns were the epicentre of the region’s trade, a place where farmers would sell their produce and locals would visit to stock up on provisions. They were essential to rural life. Bigger than a village but smaller than a city, they played the vital role in supporting communities in local regions. Many of the towns have fought hard to avoid development and retain their authentic charm. Here are some of the best examples to visit around the country: (more…)

  • What the kids want to spend their money on these days.

    If you have children or perhaps you’re looking to waste a few minutes you might well find yourself wandering around a toy shop. If you do you’ll notice that there is a huge rise in the tiny toy collectables that you can buy. This glut of plastic has to go in something to store it on the shelf and it’s down to the companies like https://www.bridgewooduk.com/production-assembly/vacuum-forming who provide Vacuum Forming . You’ll find lots of these charming little keepsakes in plastic eggs etc. or their own little plastic cartons shaped perfectly around their bodies and this are all part of the vac forming process. What are the most popular ones at the moment? Best to take note, you might be asked for them soon enough.

    1. Shopkins. Developed in Australia with the tag line “Once you shop you can’t stop” the Shopkins are based on items that you would buy at the supermarket. The twist is they have cute names, arms and faces. They are wildly popular with both girls and boys and are tiny characters at about one inch tall. There are different seasons of Shopkins obliging you to buy them quickly before the run ends. You can swap them with other collectors and there is quite a market for this. They also come in special classification up to the Ultra rare which is starting to be seen as an investment if you have one.
    1. Moshi Monsters. They started out as an online gaming platform for kids but the characters have been developed into plastic collectables as well. The child picks a monster and customises it by taking tests, quizzes and tasks. The brand is somewhat in decline so there might not be as much take up.

     

    1. Lego Figures. The ever popular Lego has changed dramatically and it’s rare to be able to just buy a box of bag of bricks anymore. Lego has focused on themes and has been very busy producing a series of Lego people based around Star wars and Harry Potter to great success.
    1. Tsum Tsum. Disney enters the fray with this Japanese produced non plastic range of stuffed toys and some hard plastic ones. All the main Disney characters like Mickey, Pluto and Minnie are available in versions of some sort but there have been others as well such as Lilo and Stitch, Star Wars and Cars.
    1. Polly Pocket. Originally developed in Swindon by Bluebird Toys they were a small firm that were taken over by the giant Mattel Corporation. The tiny Polly and friends live in a variety of compact playsets based on makeup powder compacts.
  • Washing Fruit and Vegetables: Top Tips

    What Are the Risks?

    With recent initiatives to reduce unnecessary packaging, more of us are buying loose fruit and vegetables, which tend to have more soil or debris on them. The soil or other matter can contain bacteria such as E. coli. If this surface coating is not thoroughly removed from the fruit or vegetables, you may be at risk of infection, which for some individuals can be serious. It is a consideration that House Keeper Carers London company https://www.guardiancarers.co.uk/services/housekeeper-carer need to bear in mind when working with their care client. For some individuals help with preparing meals as well as household chores may be necessary and it is important for these professionals to always ensure that the health of their clients is at the forefront of everything they do. (more…)