LifeStyle

Getting your hotel to stand out from the competition can be difficult, especially if you’re in a big city with dozens of other options. There are plenty of different places to choose from that all offer different features and perks. So, how will the customer decide which one to book with?

The biggest way that hotels make their presence known now is through the internet. Most of us start with an online search when we are planning to travel. We look at hotels that are close to the attractions that we are attending or to the business that we are traveling for.

Price range and star rating are also factors that come into play when we decide on which hotel to stay in. There may be some features that you’re willing to pay more for, like a hotel within walking distance to an attraction.

Depending on the reason that you are traveling, you may be looking for different amenities. If you’re traveling for business, free Wifi is probably a “must.” If you’re on a romantic vacation, maybe you are prioritizing a beautiful view or a cool rooftop bar.

But, before travelers can even consider if your hotel is the one for them, you have to make sure that your hotel is showing up in these searches. If someone searches “Hotels in San Francisco” and they get results for 20 hotels but yours isn’t included, they will start narrowing down their choices without even knowing that you exist.

To prevent your hotel from being overlooked, here are five tricks to improve your hotel’s presence:

1. Retarget Right

Many businesses use ads to retarget customers who have shown an interest in their product or products like it. Unfortunately, consumers are starting to notice and many of them are getting annoyed. It is estimated that about 30% of internet users use ad blockers now.

According to this guide to data driven marketing, retargeting ads can be so effective when done right. But, how can you use them in a way that won’t push your customers to get run an ad blocker?

First, make these ads relevant and interesting. Just because they’ve already shown an interest in your hotel doesn’t mean you can phone it in with the retargeted ads. Second, code your booking page to stop sending these ads if the person has booked a stay. If they keep seeing ads after they’ve booked, the ad is essentially pointless and will probably irritate your customers.

1. Work with OTAs

Online Travel Agents (OTAs) like Expedia or Trivago can be both good and bad for your business depending on what you hope to achieve. Some smaller boutique or luxury hotels may be frustrated with the commission that OTAs take from sales. But, a positive relationship with an OTA can significantly boost the number of bookings at your hotel.

OTAs are able to put your name in front of customers that might not find you otherwise. In other words, OTAs can increase your audience reach. When your hotel is listed on one of these sites with great reviews and a nice low price, you’re likely to beat out your competitors for the sale.

1. Create Professional Content

When it comes to creating content that promotes your hotel, pictures may be even more important than written content. I don’t know about you, but if I went to a hotel website and was only able to read a description of the room, I’d be very suspicious about the quality of it.

According to Digital Authority Partners, you need professional photos of your hotel. Low-quality pictures will make your hotel seem cheap or make your website seem outdated. High-quality pictures that compliment the best features of your hotel (like stunning views or luxury rooms) will make it easy for potential customers to picture themselves there.

Not only will these pictures be featured on your site, but the search engines will use them and OTAs will too. Hiring a professional to take your pictures will really set you up for success.

1. Encourage and Respond to Reviews

We know that good reviews are great for businesses. Consumers trust their peers more than they trust a marketing department. But, for hotels, reviews not only bring in new business but create a higher demand for your rooms.

A study was done to evaluate the effects of a four-star rating rising to a five-star rating. They found that demand increased by 25% and hotels were even able to increase the price of rooms by 9%. Not only do more people want to stay at your hotel when they see great ratings, but they’re willing to pay more for it too.

Encourage your guests to leave reviews by offering incentives like a credit for the minibar or late checkout. If they leave a positive review, reply with a comment to thank them. If they leave a negative review, use it as an opportunity to gain feedback and discuss how the situation could be resolved. When potential new customers read these reviews, they will be encouraged by the friendliness of your staff.

1. Engage in Social Listening

Social listening is a phrase that means you search for and read any posts, reviews, or mentions of your business on social media. This practice allows you to do more than just get a pulse on your customers’ experience. It helps you to grow as a brand and establish relationships with your customers.

This could simply mean responding to positive posts to say thanks. Sharing images or positive reviews on your own page also shows customers that you care about what they have to say.

If you find a negative post, you can apologize and offer a solution. Negative mentions also create opportunities for you to find out how you can better serve customers in the future.

No matter if the social media mention is good or bad, you can use it to better your brand image and build loyalty with your customers.

Web searches, OTAs, and social media are the main sources of information for consumers when they consider which hotel to stay in. Take control of the way that your hotel is presented by engaging with customers, creating quality content, and building mutually beneficial relationships with OTAs.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

You’re in DC because you can matter. The work you do and the life you lead are important. You move fast, make important decisions, and work hard to stay a step ahead in one of the most competitive places on Earth.

 

What is it doing to your health, though? Your health isn’t just about how thin you are or how nice your skin looks, after all. Your body and mind need holistic care and that means that you need to cultivate a healthy lifestyle. DC living can be very counterproductive in that department. It’s high time that you took stock of your DC lifestyle and reconsidered some of the things that may be bringing you down.

The quick and the dead

DC’s reputation is well-known all around the world. There’s no place for the slow and thoughtless in this cutthroat town. The average work week in Washington, DC, including commuting time, is a jaw-dropping 48 hours and 39 minutes.

That doesn’t leave much time for anything else, especially considering that “off the clock” has a very different meaning here in the district. Sure, we might head to happy hour or out to dinner after work, but make no mistake: It’s in these places where some of the most important work in DC is done. These are the places where big political deals are hashed out and major business decisions are made. While all of this happens, the booze tends to be flowing pretty freely: DC has the highest concentration of heavy drinkers in the entire country.

If we do go straight home, we may be too tired to cook. Perhaps we’ll call one of DC’s many takeout or delivery places. And when the weekend finally comes, DC residents tend to keep working: They bring work home with them on Friday or work jobs that demand that they come in on weekends. As for vacations, well, that’s a nationwide problem. Americans just don’t seem to take enough time off.

Fighting for health and wellness

Your physical health and mental wellness are all-important. Without sound body and mind, you won’t be able to enjoy the fruits of your labors or, for that matter, work effectively in the first place. If you’re going to make it in DC and in life, you need to make some changes.

That starts with breaking the cycle of hard work and hard play. Work-life balance is a hard thing to find when you’re in a cutthroat business like finance or politics, but DC residents need to do their best to carve out times and places where work can be pushed to the side. Perhaps most important of all is that oft-neglected vacation. Studies show that vacations are healthy, improve our mood, and actually make us more productive at work.

Daily habits matter, too. Examine your “habit loops,” or the patterns that lead to you choosing to hit the bar or eat a bunch of unhealthy takeout. What triggers lead to these outcomes? Can you replace the “reward” portion of your habit loops with healthier choices? 

If you can, DC will become a much healthier place for you. You can’t do this alone, though. You’ll need the help of trained medical professionals to keep yourself on track. Most of us have no issue with heading to the doctor regularly, so this should be an easy one. Don’t forget about your mental health, though, says one Washington DC psychologist. Just as you need regular care for your body, you need regular care for your mind, too.

This doesn’t mean that you have to go on mental health medication — there’s no reason to do that unless a psychiatrist or other doctor recommends it. You should keep in mind that even those of us without mental health issues can benefit enormously from therapy. Therapy can lower stress levels, improve relationships, and help us better understand why we think what we think and behave how we behave.

DC isn’t always the healthiest place, but your DC lifestyle is something that you can control. Make the right choices and put the emphasis on your health and wellness.

Depression is an isolating illness that affects more than 300 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Unfortunately, this number only includes people who are actually diagnosed. There are many others who suffer silently, choosing to not get help out of shame, pride or embarrassment – or perhaps they do not even realize they have a problem with depression. Some people who suffer from depression simply do not know how to express their emotions.

If you are concerned that your spouse is suffering from silent depression, there are several warning signs and behaviors you can watch for in your loved one. Keep in mind that different people display signs of depression differently so a person suffering from depression may have or all of the following signs.

Loss of Interest

It is common for people suffering from depression to lose interest in activities and things they once enjoyed, including relationships, hobbies, self-care, intellectual pursuits and even sex. This is likely due to the fact that depression takes up much of a person’s energy and time, making it difficult to carry on with daily life in general. Sufferers of depression may slowly begin dropping activities or interests from their lives, hoping that no one will notice.

Changes in Appetite or Weight

Depression can encompass every facet of a person’s life, even resulting in changes to their natural appetite. These changes can go in either direction: leading them to overeat while using food as a coping mechanism to deal with depressive symptoms, or causing a loss of appetite due to the lack of interest and energy to maintain their vitality. Depression can be linked to digestive issues that cannot be otherwise explained as well. Keep an eye out for appetite changes as well as uncharacteristic changes in weight.

Difficulty Sleeping

Depression often ails its sufferers with overwhelming thought patterns and anxiety, which may lead to difficulty sleeping. Your spouse may develop insomnia, which can make it even more difficult to face the daily challenges of the illness. Depression can also cause excessive fatigue, causing your spouse to seemingly sleep all of the time. This too can cause your spouse to lack energy to deal with even the smallest details of life, which brings us to the next symptom.

No Energy

Your spouse’s energy levels may be completely zapped. When a person suffers from depression, intrusive thoughts of despair and hopelessness coupled with poor appetite, sleep trouble and increased stress can cause life to be a daily battle. Getting out of bed every day may even seem like a marathon to your spouse.

Mood Swings

Depression can bring extreme mood changes related to situational challenges. These changes can look different in different people but can look like anything from frequently shifting from feeling numb or empty to excessive aggressive or angry reactivity.

Feelings of Hopelessness

Many sufferers of depression are filled with an overwhelming sense that there is no hope for them to overcome their current suffering. They may be filled with feelings of shame, worthlessness, disappointment and even self-hate. These deep feelings can make it difficult to feel motivated to push forward through the darkness or to engage with life.

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is common among those suffering with mental health disorders as they are at higher risk than the general population for developing addictions. Many turn to substance abuse to escape the painful reality they experience as a result of their mental illness but addiction can cause even more problems down the road. If your spouse is exhibiting signs of drug or alcohol abuse, silent depression may be at play. If you suspect your spouse is suffering from the combination of substance abuse and mental illness, treatment for co-occurring disorders is likely necessary.

Depression can be all-encompassing in the minds of its sufferers, making it critical that they receive the help they need. If your loved one exhibits any of the above signs, they may need to undergo treatment so they can regain their best quality of life. Silent depression is scary and your spouse may need a little help getting over the hurdle of recognizing or admitting they need help, which is where you may be able to help.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

If you get hurt in some kind of accident, you’ve probably been told, “You should hire a lawyer.” The person saying that may mean well, but they probably don’t know the particulars of your case in relation to civil lawsuits. There are a lot of cases where your best bet is to at least visit a couple of personal injury lawyers and talk about your case. But you can’t pick just any lawyer in America. You need a lawyer who understands how the legal system works in your city, county, and state. Let’s take a closer look at why any lawyer you hire must be local.

They’ve got connections.

You hear “location, location, location” a lot in reference to real estate, but it also plays a part in any civil case. Let’s say you get hurt in Southern California. Well, there are nearly 200,000 active lawyers in California, but you obviously don’t want to hire just anyone. You don’t need a criminal defense attorney and you probably don’t need a medical malpractice attorney either.

No, you need a personal injury attorney in Southern California. But Southern California is one of the most populated regions in the country. Well over 23 million people called it home in 2016. If someone is hurt in Riverside County and tries to hire a lawyer in San Diego County, they’re barking up the wrong tree. The cities of Riverside and San Diego are almost 100 miles apart. A lawyer from San Diego might know a few people in Riverside, but chances are they aren’t going to have a network of connections.

But local lawyers have that network.. Let’s say you get hurt in Irvine or Anaheim, you need to hire an Orange County injury attorney. They can point to other cases they’ve taken on in the county and tell you how things played out. They know how judges and juries in the area tend to treat personal injury cases. That all matters a lot more than you might realize. 

They’re available when you need them to be. 

You’ll also need someone local so you can reach them in a hurry. If you want to call a lawyer and set up an appointment, you’ll need to reach someone who live within a few miles of your house. Now, in Southern California, a few miles of your house could still take an hour, as Los Angeles-area traffic congestion is notoriously bad. But you can cut that wait time down significantly just by going local.

Think of your personal injury case the way you would think of a car in need of repairs. If you were on a road trip to Oregon and got into a car accident near the state’s capital, you wouldn’t ask the tow guy to take your car all the way up to Portland. Instead you’d ask about auto body repair in Salem, OR. When you’re in a crisis, it doesn’t make sense to spend a lot of time commuting to get assistance. You get it wherever you can find it. 

They can explain the laws. 

Different states treat civil suits differently. Some states will limit noneconomic damages, for instance. After you get hurt, you’ll probably be worried about emergency room bills and other medical expenses. But you may have also lost money from not being able to work, and you may wonder if it’s even possible to get damages for pain and suffering. 

Your local attorney can estimate your chances of succeeding in all those areas. That doesn’t mean they can guarantee anything, though. As a general rule, you should never hire a lawyer who promises you a certain outcome. That legal system is too unpredictable, and that’s doubly true if you end up going to a jury trial. But they can use their years of education and on-the-ground experience to explain how local laws will apply in your injury case.

 

Creditors and other businesses waiting to collect unpaid accounts from clients are often hesitant to hire a professional debt collection agency. They are reluctant because turning over collections to a third party could tarnish their relationship with the customer. But the problem is, many customers remain complacent despite the many attempts to collect payment. There are instances when the business has no other choice but to hire a debt collection agency to settle the payment.

The key to ensuring that hiring a debt collection agency does not damage the reputation of the business is to find one that is not only reputable but also follows the relevant rules and regulations.

Different types of debt collection agencies

Businesses in the UK can choose from a number of agencies, many of which are owned by big companies. The companies that operate these agencies often have multiple headquarters and contact centres around the world. These large companies usually accept big clients as well, such as credit card companies and banks. Once a company turns over a debt to a big collection agency, the relationship between the customer and the client will no longer exist.

Another type of debt collection agency purchases debt from various organisations such as high street banks, utility companies, and loan companies. Often these agencies pay only a small amount to acquire the debt which they will collect to get a profit. In this type of debt collection, the original company will no longer have a relationship with the customer and the debt is completely turned over to the debt collection agency.

Lastly, there are collection agencies that specialise in helping specific types of businesses within one industry or operate only within a single locality. These are the kinds of debt collection agencies that offer a more personal approach to collecting payment. Since these agencies usually deal with a smaller number of accounts, they take time to ensure a higher collection success rate. These agencies are typically small or, and they can tailor fit their services to the needs of their clients.

Choosing the right debt collection agency

If you are hesitating in hiring a debt collection agency, you can begin by asking for references from previous and existing clients. It is best to personally contact the clients to make sure that their reviews and feedback about the agency are legitimate.

Moreover, the agency should be well-established. Another mark of a reputable debt collection agency is that they will not charge you until they have successfully collected payment. It is true that there are many fly-by-night agencies that are only out there to get your money, but if you take time to research you will undoubtedly find an agency that is doing good business.

Lastly, only hire a debt collection agency that is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority as this is a clear indication that the business is legitimate and is permitted to conduct debt collection on behalf of clients.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

 

If you’re currently a nurse and you don’t feel satisfied with your wages, you might consider pursuing an online nursing leadership certificate. After working for some time, it’s time that you level up and become a head nurse. A certificate is the first step for you to move towards that direction. The problem is when you’re currently working as a full-time nurse, it might be difficult if you’re also going to study. Consider an online course on this website, and it won’t take much time before you finish the program.

You deserve better

You’re already an experienced nurse, but you don’t have enough credentials to move up the ladder. If you complete this course, your bosses will consider moving you to a higher post and giving you a salary bump. Given that the salary of nurses isn’t too high, you might need to grab that new position if you want to save more money.

You need to continue learning

The medical field is ever evolving. Discoveries happen all the time. You also need to stay abreast of these changes and pursuing an online program might be necessary. Forget about the salary raise or the position that you desire to achieve. Take the online course because you want to improve as a nurse. You wish to know more information about your chosen profession.

Things start to become routine

When you begin working as a nurse, it might be quite challenging for you. The problem is that over time, everything becomes a routine. If you want to keep the fire alive, you might need to learn something new. Besides, if you’re working as a full-time nurse, you have something to look forward to when you arrive home. You can download new coursework and answer exercises that will challenge the way you think.

You’re not getting any younger

When you get older, your brain doesn’t function in the same way it used to. Therefore, you need to consider exercising it with the help of an online course. As a nurse, you need to remain sharp. Your job is a matter of life and death for some people. If you can’t think quickly, people’s lives will be on the line. As such, it helps if you try to learn something new and challenge your brain always to be quick.

You might worry that this program won’t work for you. It’s also possible that you already have a lot on your mind, and you can’t add more things. The good thing is that if you pursue an online program, it’s flexible. You can decide when to study and when to take a break. You also don’t need to worry about the practical aspect of the program since you’re already working in the same profession.

You can talk to your program head to determine the best path for you given your situation. You will find a way to do all of these things and still have enough time to relax.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

A stunning piece of jewelry is the only adornment one needs to stand out in the crowd and it is important to choose the perfect one which will create the statement you want. Bangles are a great way to do so- as they are important pieces of adornment and can go a long way in creating a cohesive and stylish look. On the other hand, if you are specifically looking for diamond bangle models, then there are a number of ways in which they can be paired and they look stunning either way. Here are some ways to flaunt your diamond bangles:

1. As Fashion Accessories: There are a number of fashion accessories that you may opt for but a sleek diamond bangle or bracelet will definitely steal the show. Whether you are on a lunch date with your friends, on a date with your beau, or enjoying a night out while you are on a vacation, you want to look your best and yet not feel too encumbered by the jewelry. A sleek and trendy diamond bangle is all you need to complete the look.
2. Office Wear: Your office wear jewelry should make your feel and look powerful and confident in your skin but you also need to keep in mind the professional ambience. The new model bangles designs have special range of jewelry just for the office and work wear lines and they are extremely popular among the women of today. The bangles are sleek and light, which do not get in the way of work, and yet provide the right hint of glamour and style befitting a high profile workplace.
3. Weddings and Festivities: The bangles which are meant for wedding and festivities are likewise heavier, and are hence, more intricate in design and patterns. The base metal for the bangles is usually yellow gold, though there are modern creations which are crafted on platinum and other precious metals. These bangles have more intricate floral or animal patterns, and they are almost always vintage in nature. They are sure to make heads turn in a family gathering.
4. Children’s Jewelry: The little one in the family wants to look just as beautiful like her older sister or her mother and so there is a special range of bracelets that are very much popular today, specially made for them. These are very lightweight and usually come with adjustable clasps and they are perfect for the little lady to flaunt. They also have motifs of their favorite cartoon characters or fun animals like dolphins and ducklings to amuse them.
5. For formal parties: There should always be piece or two of jewelry which would go with a formal, Western attire. Bangles and bracelets which are slightly heavier and intricate and yet not very much so, with sleek lines and contemporary patterns work best with such outfits, as opposed to the traditional Indian jewelry, which could be ostentatious for such occasions. Invest in a modern diamond bangle to complete the look.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.