Breaking the Task of Writing

The idea for this post is from an article on Psychotactics .com 

It's about writing an article the most effective way. Those who have written articles knows the time it takes to research, writing the skeleton of the article, the first draft, editing, last minute polishing and preparing the final copy. In most cases, we start to finish a task in one go. And this burns us. Besides, the rush to finish the article in one sitting, often leads us to write another generic piece - which adds nothing new to the reader.

Better Way of Writing Articles 

Writing like any other task which you carry out has different stages and steps. Each step is a process, which takes your time and energy. What if you can space the steps or give a break between each of the process?

Conserving energy helps to reduce the burnout, delivers better results. Here's the way to plan it.

Breaking the Task of Writing Articles 

Instead of finishing the article in one go - take multiple short-breaks between each activity. For instance, here an example of the stages in article writing.

1. Research on the topic. This often takes more time and time just flies without you knowing that you have sat for an hour looking for points, relevant topics, stats, etc. Keep a timer at hand to check the progress and to keep a tab on the tab you spend. After you find the articles for reference, download it or copy it in one place.

 ( Take a breather. Go for a walk out or engage in a different activity)

2. Come back and start to think of the points or the skeleton points for the article.

  -  How to start the opening paragraph. What story would go to make it more reverting.

  - Bridge the story to the article

  - Add more points to highlight your concept

  - Cement key thoughts with additional points

  -  Closing thoughts

( Time for another short 5 min break)

3. Now, all things are in place. It's time to weave the points to write the first draft

 ( First draft is done - Break free from the place, get engaged in a different activity)

4.Now you're again refresher, not overwhelmed by the bits of task you have done

 Spend more time polishing the text, clearing the grammar points, deleting repeated ideas, cutting down repetitive thoughts and words which don't carry much weight to the article.

Final break. Take your time away from the article you have made. Take a walk to get fresh air. Your brain needs a short refreshment. Any short activity from a clutter or pruning a plant, or feeding the fish in the aquarium or arranging things are best for a recharge.

Now, get back to the article. Read it aloud. Does it sound good? Is there novelty in the article? Do a polish with added points, headers, etc.

Now it's all set for the article to go places. At the end, you are not overwhelmed, there's no WHEW feeling, no rush to go out to grab a light or to take a big coffee break. The work done is smooth, you have finished it within the deadline, and with time to spare. Also the best part is that you have the satisfaction of finishing it on e time and a perfect piece is done.

Difference Between ALT text and Title text

These two terms ( ALT Text and Title Text) come up at different places in these two platforms - Blogger and WordPress blog. Initially, I was confused with these two terms and I would think one for another.

Let's now get it clear about these two commonly used terms in blogging:

What is ALT Text ?

First of all, ALT text or ALT tag is used for images. The purpose of using this attribute for the image is to make it readable by search engines. When a image is blocked, the words given as ALT Text will image in its place.

What is Title Text?

The Title Text or Title Tag is the text which you will see when you hover the mouse over the image. It's of less importance - compared with ALT Tag.

Choosing the Right ALT Tag

It's important to choose the right keywords while creating the ALT Tag. The words used in the tag should be information rich, suggesting the right word. It's the small things which will makes a difference on search results. Here are few tips on using the right ALT Tag

1. Choose words that clearly describe the images. Avoid generic or broad word meaning

2. Avoid too lengthy words. Keep it to 125 characters.

3. Do not stuff keywords - use right words. These days search engines are smart enough to stop such blackhat techniques

4. Don't add the ALT Tag with words like image of, picture of, this picture denotes, .... It's implied that it's a image or picture.

5. Apply ALT Tag to buttons and Objects on the website which denotes a specific action.

With more people using image search option, the right use of ALT Tag will make your images appear over your competitors.

How to Insert ALT Tag on Blogger blog?



Additional reading about ALT Tag and Title Tag and Image Optimization

1. Spotibo

2. Image Optimizing basics

3. Badges on Image Search 

4. ALT Tag Optimization

5. Writing Great ALT Text 

6. Choosing the ALT Tag

7. Alternative Text 

8. What is ALT Text 

5 Definitions of Content Marketing

New to Content Marketing? 

For a newbie, the term content marketing might evoke different concepts around content. It can be confusing for a beginner in marketing on how content is used in marketing and what it's been it's risen as a the key phrase in marketing.

If you split the meaning of two words Content + Marketing what do we get.

Content =

Popular Definitions of Content Marketing 

1 Content Marketing as per Dictionary.com 

(noun)

a type of marketing that involves the creation and sharing of online material (such as videos, blogs, and social media posts) that does not explicitly promote a brand but is intended to stimulate interest in its products or services.

In a sentence - "social media is an integral part of content marketing"


2. What Is Content Marketing?

As per Content Marketing Institute - Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action.

3. Content Marketing definition in Wikipedia

Content marketing is a form of marketing focused on creating, publishing, and distributing content for a targeted audience online. It is often used by businesses in order to:

1. Attract attention and generate leads
2. Expand their customer base
3. Generate or increase online sales
4. Increase brand awareness or credibility
5. Engage an online community of users

4. Definition of Content Marketing by copyblogger.com

Content marketing means creating and sharing valuable content to attract and convert prospects into customers, and customers into repeat buyers. The type of content you share is closely related to what you sell; in other words, you’re educating people so that they know, like, and trust you enough to do business with you.

Pictorial Presentation of Content Marketing by copyblogger

5. What is Content Marketing? 

Content marketing is the creation and distribution of online content designed to attract and engage an audience. Source: Outbrain.com

De-mystify Landing Page Engagement

In the age of ecommerce, web developers and owners keep harping on the importance of having a optimized landing page. While this topic has been discussed in length by many marketers, it's time we re-visit the topic on behalf of newbies and freshers who are new to landing page optimization.

First, let's talk about the crux of landing page? Why there's so much of discussion about landing page?

Landing page is any page which is designed or focused on getting visitors to take a specific action. Here the action differ based on the objective of the page or the web developer.

Most common action intended on landing page:

1. Sign-up for information/registration

2. Leads collection

3. Download ( Click to download)

4. Sale ( Buy )

How to Develop an Effective Landing Page?

Managers or the web developer in charge of the development of landing page must consider different points and action such as the objective, desired outcome, and purpose of the page.

One of the mistakes usually done in developing landing page is when

Additional Resources on Landing Page

1. 

Web Marketing Training in Trivandrum

Digital Marketing Training at Tandem

Tandem which has been into training classes in degree, Computer courses, networking now conducts digital marketing and certification classes in Trivandrum.

Few of the topics covered in the training by Tandem

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

Social Media Marketing and Optimisation (SMM & SMO)

Online Advertising (Search & Display)

Download Syllabus

For more details, visit their website Tandem Digital Marketing Training


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Digital Marketing Certifications from IFCS

This training institute conducts a wide choice of specialized training classes for aspiring students in Online Marketing, SEO, SMO, Social Media, and certification courses by HubSpot Inbound, Google Adwords, Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing, Advanced Course in Online Entrepreuership, etc,

More details of their course is available on their website.

Call them for details of classes: +91-9539 446 664, +91-9048 236 664

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KELTRON KNOWLEDGE SERVICES GROUP

Keltron  Conducts Training across Kerala

Job Oriented Training

Keltron, one-time electronics manufacturer now conducts job oriented courses for individuals interested in pursuing careers in digital marketing, web designing, animation, Photoshop, etc.

The courses are of different duration and the eligibility is 10+2.

Details of current classes are available on their website 

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/KeltronKnowledgeServices/

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Extreme Media 

Training in Web Designing at Extreme

Digital Marketing Training at Extreme - Imparting Practical Know-how

Extreme Media provides Web designing, Advertising, Branding services, SEO, SMO services to clients and also conducts regular digital marketing training to freshers and budding professionals.

Training Modules:

Blogging
Freelance Business Training
Live Project Training
SEO
Web Design

Web Hosting

WordPress 

For more details, visit Extreme Media's Website. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/extrememedia.in/

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2019 Trend - What types of digital marketing jobs are suitable for Beginners?

Digital Marketing Jobs for Freshers

Which Digital Marketing Jobs are in Demand?

As a fresher or a candidate applying for digital marketing jobs in India, you'll be looking for digital marketing job opportunities. The first question most job seeker will have is this - what kind of jobs are available with companies? What type of skills are they looking for? Do I have the practical skills to get a job in an online marketing company or an e-commerce start-up?

If you want to land in a job related to online marketing, the first thing is to access your skills. What are you are best skills - Is it writing content, Is it research, Is it Social Media? Is it marketing strategy or SEO knowledge? Even in these big topics, you can specialize in focused areas, such as - writing sales copy or email pitch or writing landing page, or when it comes to SEO, you can be more focused on on-page optimization, etc.

The point is that, there are many niches in this digital marketing domain. While there's a demand for an all-rounder, it's important also to tell your prospective employer on your key strength.

Popular Job Titles and Job Openings in digital marketing jobs for 2019

1. SEO and SEM Specialist
2. User experience (UX) designers
3. Data Analysts
4. Market Research
5. Social Media Marketer
6. Digital Marketing Executive
7. Content Strategist
8. Email marketing
9. Content Writer
10. Web Design
11. Web Analysts
12. Mobile Marketing Strategist
13. Affiliate Marketing 

What are the Key Hurdles of Getting a Job in Digital Marketing!

1. Lack of Work Experience

2. Less knowledge on how to use Social Media for business promotion

3. Wordy writing

4.Lack of specific emarketing skills

5. Very less knowledge of SEO methodologies and tools

A Simple Practical Way to Solve the Problem of Experience 

This is often a catch 22 situation for beginners, those who have just joined a digital marketing course and looking for a job in the market. The question in front of you would be this - how to apply for a job position which calls for experience? How to fill that gap without really working in a company?

What can you do to gain the experience sitting at home?

Skills in Digital Marketing Opportunities

Digital Marketing - Career Cues 

The demand for people with multi-faceted skills are becoming a norm in eCommerce companies. There are many specialized roles in companies includes content writing, SEO, UX designer, and many more.

The question many graduates ask is this:

• What skills should I focus to get into a online marketing company?
• Which is the best role to join
• How to develop writing skills?
• What's the career prospects of a content writer?
• Should I join as a content writer or focus on marketing and branding?
• Which certification will be helpful in getting a foot hold in these companies?
• Which are the companies offering job openings for freshers?
• How do I apply for online marketing positions?
• How to create an impressive resume?
• What should my portfolio contain?
• How do I know my talent? Should I focus on my writing or editing or graphic designing?
• Should I have a good online presence? Will that help me in the interview?
• Which platform should I start a blog?
• 
  

7 Key Skills Required of a Content Writer

We are now in an era, where qualifications is often overlooked for skills and proof of job skills. However, many organizations and agencies often look for content writers with qualification like degree in journalism, graduates with English, Communication, Psychology, etc.

What does it take to become a content writer?

With the rising demand for web content writers, there's a surge in demand for good writers. These days, there are more job opening for freshers and experienced web writers. If you're aiming to be start your career as a content writer, then it's important to have good writing skills, creative bend of min, editing, knowledge of SEO, English grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, syntax and an aptitude to research and learn new topics.

Content Writer job titles in Bangalore

• Freelance Content Writer
• Content writer cum strategist
• Social Media Writers
• Web Marketing Manager

What are the Essential Skills Required to be a Content Writers?

• Flexible ( Ability to write on diverse topics)
• Open for learning new topics through research
• Organizing Skills ( Sort data, find the big picture)
• Focus and Timely completion of task 
• Good Communication 
• English Grammar
• Good comprehensive ( Avoid wordy sentences. Brevity) 
• Editing each content pieces
• 
  

Choice Between Fewer or Plenty

Focus of Few

I make it a habit to read couple of marketing blogs daily. The tool I used to collage the blogs in one place for reading is Feedly App. It was a suggestion from Seth Godin that I started using this app for reading post.

Today's reading toolk to the post by A Learning A Day where he writes about focus and attention to few. This got me thinking on how we are driven to reach out for many things in a day. This often leaves us with dispersed attempt, half-hearted attempt, shallow talks an so on. What if we reduce the attention to many, to a few focused things.

What if we live the lines given above a thought!

As an aspiring digital marketing trainer, I know that I have to do many things and be at many places to reach out to my students. But, at the end of the day, I know I haven't done a good attempt at anything. It's just a cursory glace and time of many things I set to achieve. For example, I am not able to read the number of blogs I wanted, nor get to spend enough time in the garden, etc.

How to Build and Gain Knowledge on Blogging with Focused Approach?

This is the question most students or people who are new to blogging would be asking themselves. Where should I start? How to start? Should I go to this training or that one or can I skip training and learn all these by myself?

While there are many advice and tips on how to start blogging, I can give you just 4 points on how to start and learn blogging from scratch.

1. Keep some time for reading ( books or blogs) or listen to podcasts

2. Choose a topic and start a blog in ( WordPress or Blogger.com) and start blogging

3. Read or watch videos on how to promote blog using SEO 

4. Read similar blogs and find new topics. Choose a different angle to the story and make a blog post out of it.

( Reading is free, learning is free - what's holding you from reading. Read this blog from Seth Godin on the impetus he gives to reading. Btw, he reads more than 50 blogs a day!

Spot out the Sweet spot of Content

 Fining the Sweet Spot
Source: CMI founder Joe Pulizzi

We have heard a thousand times on how content is a key player in attracting online visitors to your website and other channels. But how do you separate your content from the thousands of ordinary and specially treated content.

Do you have any idea of what content to produce or just take-off on the basis of a hunch? Gone are the days when it was easy to get eye-balls for your content. Problem is that, now everyone is on the race to make the catchy headline to the niche topic you can think of.

Not All Content is Made Equal

Framework on creating the right Content - Developing the content topic building strategy >>>>>>

How to Build Your Own Content Library 

1. Start with an assessment of your content capabilities
2. Find out the under-performing content pieces ( Is it the topic, headline, meat of the article, angle of approach to the topic, Lack of promotion)