LifeStyle

 

Let’s face it; social media is already ingrained in the day to day lives of people, which is all well and good, especially for businesses who can capitalise on these platforms to market their products and services. The problem is, social media keeps on evolving, and if your company’s social media presence does not keep up, you will be left in the dust trailing behind your competition.

The social media marketing trends this year will likely continue to dictate the market next year with a significant focus on video content and influencers. Aside from these, there are a few predictions for what might be in store for social media marketers in 2019.

Continuous popularity and growth of live videos

When Facebook released an infographic of live video statistics since its release two years ago, the unprecedented numbers prove that there is potential in using live videos as a marketing tool. There is a Digital Agency in Sheffield, for instance, which helps businesses harness the innovations of social media platforms such as live videos to enrich the company’s effort in providing customers with an interactive method to connect via social media live videos.

What’s great about live videos is their authenticity. It offers audiences an unfiltered look into certain business practices, a sort of raw backstage access. Retail companies use live videos to give customers a sneak peek of product launches. Some entertainment sites also promote events through live videos, and it has proven to increase interest among audiences who took the time to view the live video.

Digital speakers and video assistants

Smart speakers are approaching prominence and slowly becoming mainstream. A lot of people who use the technology appreciate the convenience of using voice commands. As such, marketing through social media will also evolve as more people embrace the technology. Examples of this include publishing audio content specifically for these devices. Search engines like Google may also start coming up with algorithms for voice searches.

Social media integration with third-party services

Social media platforms like Facebook continue to integrate their services with third-party websites to provide users with convenient access to applications they use on a daily basis. Expect this trend to continue growing in the coming years. What does this mean for social media marketers? It means that social media platforms are only becoming more popular and dominant as far as gathering information on their users while also helping smaller websites and applications increase their reach.

Video ads will remain prominent

Much of internet traffic goes to video streaming, and all social media platforms make use of this medium to the fullest extent. In the same manner, video advertising through social media is expected to only grow in the coming years. Companies should always include video advertising in social marketing strategies. Video ads on YouTube, a partnership with influencers, in-house interactive video content, and paid endorsements are only some of the popular methods of marketing through social media videos. Expect the trend to continue growing as it is not likely going to dissipate anytime soon.

It’s no surprise to restaurants that they need to take utmost care in preparing their meals. Not only does this ensure that the flavour of their products is top-notch, but it also leaves owners with the fear that their products are the cause of illnesses to their customers. An unkempt pantry leading to a lawsuit is sure to be a loss in thousands and potentially tens of thousands in having a disgraced reputation.

Doing your best to keep your vegetables safe and clean from spoilage is a smart way to keep your customer’s healthy and satisfied. If you’re looking for sustainability and richness in flavour, then opting to choose IQF products will be the best way to go.

Food and spoilage

Products bought in the grocery store will usually have a ‘best by’ date indicated. But just as a secret between you and me, depending on the packaging procedure of the product, it can last a little longer than that. Of course, you have to look at the warning signs of spoiled food, seen through the yellowing of leafy vegetables and dark spots that are due to the formation of ice crystals.

Your best friend in this scenario is your senses. Common signs that vegetables are nearing the end of their shelf life is the presence of ice crystals. These can be present if plantsare left in the freezer for too long or if the method of freezing is just through regular means. Once your plants have these signs, it’s clear that they should be in the compost bin.

Are frozen products better than fresh ones?

Fresh isn’t always the best choice, at least when it comes to vegetables and fruit. Frozen products have benefits if you’re looking to buy them from the grocery store. Frozen goods are typically priced lower compared to fresh products, but if you’re buying vegetables that are farmed in remote locations to be shipped to your local grocer, then it’s better to have them frozen. These products are typically picked right before they are fit to be ripe, seeing as the manufacturers consider the long distances travelled by the food.

‘Freshly-picked’ products are often un-ripe when taken from the ground and have less nutritional content compared to frozen goods. If you have the chance, look for IQF vegetable suppliers in the UK which can be a healthier and more affordable choice for your business.

IQF freezing

IQF, or Individually Quick Frozen, products reduce the risk of spoilage by freezing the products at low temperatureswithin a quick timeframe. What would usually be done in ten hours of freezing takes just over two hours, frozen products using this process have fewer ice crystals that eat away at the product’s natural moisture which prevents the occurrence of spoiling. The food then undergoes a process of being blanched in warm water to kill bacteria and enzymes that contribute to spoilage. The method of flash freezing preserves not just the flavour from leaving but keeps the nutrients intact.

Our everyday lives revolve more and more around computers and technology – it is hard to imagine our daily work, how we entertain ourselves, or even how our kids learn at school without the assistance of computers and the web. Yet, recently, we have started to become painfully aware of the risks, too, as high-profile hacking incidents have brought even major companies to their knees. And even though we would like to think that we do not matter enough to be targeted by hacker attacks, the truth is that the average computer user should worry as much as anyone about the next ransomware attack.

2017 Ransomware Epidemic Strikes Individual Users

Ransomware is the word of the day lately, as a wave of attacks hit thousands of users across countries. It is the malware threat that demonstrates the most rapid growth and the whole world came to know what it was when two major outbreaks occurred within the first half of 2017. WannaCry hit more than 300,000 computers in May and, two months later, a variation of the malware called Petya infected a further 16,500 devices. Even though the impact on major public institutions like the British National Health Service and business giants like shipping company Maersk have overtaken headlines, individual users were also among those affected by the malware attack that demanded payment to unlock their encrypted data.

Getting Informed Is the Best Proactive Strategy

This highlights the need of everyone using a computer and going online – so, basically, every single one of us – to get informed and develop a personal data security approach. You can start by understanding what is at risk: try and identify where you are keeping your data online and how you would classify it. Information like your banking and credit card details, a photo of your passport, or your Social Security number, are much more important than that obscure photo of last year’s vacation, even if they don’t hold the same sentimental value. Protecting your most sensitive data from ransomware attacks by holding it on a secure backup storage device instead of on your computer can help protect you from extortion and identity fraud.

Ransomware Attacks Hit Public Infrastructure

Everyday users are not just impacted by ransomware that hits their personal computers – we are also affected by attacks that target public institutions. A couple of weeks ago, an employee of the Monroe County School District uncovered a ransomware attack that hit the Florida Keys public school computer network. The system remained out of service for five days in a row as IT professionals rushed to get the servers cleaned. The ransomware was a variant called GandCrab, according to a report published on miamiherald.com on September 13, 2018. A few days later, Bristol Airport in the UK also suffered a ransomware attack that forced the staff to close down flight display screens for 48 hours. While the attack did not target the screen system per se, technicians working on containing the attack decided to take them offline to avoid further damage, much to the annoyance of passengers traveling during those days.

Incidents like these will keep happening, as ransomware and malware trends are on the rise. Even though it seems that hackers will be reluctant to turn their attention on an average user, ransomware attacks are much more widespread than we think – so it is better to stay vigilant and be prepared.

If you’re interested in moving into your first rental property, make sure to read all of the helpful tips listed below.

A simple guide for first time renters:

1. Visit numerous potential rental properties, to make sure that you choose a property which offers excellent value for money

While you may be tempted to sign a rental agreement after touring just one rental property, it’s well worth looking into organizing to tour several properties on the same day. That way you won’t risk losing out on a property which you’re interested into other potential tenants but you’ll also get a fair idea of what you can expect in a property for your price range.

2. Ask your landlord of their property manager what your weekly or monthly rental would include

As some rental fees only cover your lease, some rental fees may include utilities such as power. So if a property is slightly more expensive than another property but offers free utilities, it may actually be similarly priced to the seemingly less expensive property.

Furthermore, some rental fees may give you access to shared community facilities such as swimming pools, gyms or tennis courts. Especially if you’re looking to rent an apartment as your first rental property.

3. Read your rental contract carefully

Instead of skim ridding through the rental contract which you’re presented with, it’s well worth looking into homelet.co.uk/landlord-insurance as they can help you with reading carefully read each clause. As you may be legally obligated to pay exorbitant penalties for breaking some of the terms of your contract. So it pays to be sure about the contact which you plan to sign, before signing on the dotted line.

4. Ask your landlord or property manager whether or not you’re allowed to make any cosmetic changes to the property which you are interested in moving into

As an example, if you don’t like the color of the bedroom walls but love the location and price of a property, it’s well worth asking your landlord or property manager whether they would consider allowing you to give their property a makeover.

Keep in mind that your request is more likely to be accepted if you offer to pay for the cosmetic changes which you’re proposing yourself. Or if the cosmetic changes which you hope to make may increase the value of your landlord’s property.

5. Make sure to carefully pack all of your belongings so they don’t get damaged in transit to your new home

It’s also well worth making sure that your furniture, decoration, and belongings are carefully packed so that they will be less likely to be damaged during your big move. If you don’t have the time to carefully box up and protect each item with tissue paper, it’s well worth paying a reputable removal company to box your items up for you.

6. Make sure not to nail any hooks into your rental property

When you move into your rental property, remember not to nail any hooks into your rental property’s walls as they will cause damage, which you’ll be stuck paying for.

So if you’re looking to move into your first rental property, it’s definitely well worth rereading this handy rental guide, in the near future!

In some cases as men get older their confidence starts to decrease, whether it’s due to health issues or the lifestyle they live. Although it’s more common for both men and women to suffer from health issues later on in life, there are some more private health issues which carry a stigma; but they’re perfectly normal and effect more people than you’d think. Just because we’re getting older doesn’t mean we should lose confidence, if anything it should grow. Although you may not think it, boosting your confidence doesn’t necessarily mean making big changes to your life; small tweaks can have a big impact too. For any men who are reading this post and would like to increase their confidence, then hopefully the below points may give you a starting point.

Don’t let health issues bring you down…

As we age it’s likely we’ll suffer from the odd ache and pain in our body, however some health issues can arise a lot sooner than we’d think. For some men the thought of hair loss can be a daunting thought, but it doesn’t have to be. Some men will embrace losing their locks and may opt to shave it all off, but it’s nothing to be worried about, especially now there are ways to combat the issue. If hair loss is something you’re struggling with, then you can buy a course of treatment from places like LloydsPharmacy. Hair loss in men is completely normal and many people believe some of the obscure causes of hair loss; when in fact, they’re myths. If you start to lose your hair, then it’s best to speak to a GP or pharmacist, who can advise you on the best treatment to start.

Spruce up your wardrobe

Simple changes to your everyday life can help boost confidence and the garments you wear can be a start. We all have our own style and sometimes we prefer to stick with it, instead of trying something new. If this has been the case for you and has been for a long period of time, then it may be worth having a clear out of your wardrobe and treating yourself to some new clothes. We all like buying new outfits and wearing them for the first time; it can make us feel good and compliments from others can do a lot for self-confidence. The clothes we wear don’t define us but can be an expression of how we want to be perceived by others. Simple changes to your outfits can be a way to boost confidence.

Be more active

The lifestyle we live can have a big impact on our day to day life. Being more active not only benefits us physically, but mentally as well; meaning it’s perfect for overall health. Eating healthier and exercising more regularly is a guaranteed way to boost confidence and not just because of the physical changes it brings. The main reason people change their lifestyle is to lose weight, which of course will make changes to your appearance but it will also change how you view yourself. Exercising is a known way of making you more alert and improves your mood, so even just an extra 30 minutes a week will make a big change.

Boosting your confidence levels is actually a lot easier than you may think. By making small changes to your lifestyle and treating any health issues you may have, will automatically make you feel better within yourself. Confidence is something a lot of us lack, but it’s easy to install into our mind set and make us a better person all round.

 

There are times when you need to pay bills or use money for emergency purposes, but getting a loan is not easy. You will take a lot of time applying for a loan. Despite submitting all the requirements, you might still end up getting rejected.

It is not the case when you choose payday loans. Despite the criticisms of this type of loan, we can’t deny that it is a huge help. The process involved in payday loans is simple. Anyone can get one, especially for emergency purposes. You should consider payday loans for these reasons.

Easy application

Although you still need to apply and submit other documents, there is a massive chance that the loan you request will get approval. As long as you did not default on a previous payday loan, and you have a stable source of income, you can easily apply.

Security of information

The information you submit during the application is safe. Even the banking information you provide is also secure. You can send the application form in an hour or less. In no time, you can get the loan requested. In the most challenging situations, this type of loan could help you.

Easy to repay

Since you can borrow an amount based on your salary, you can borrow any amount within that range. You also have the freedom to use the loan for anything that you need to pay. The loan provider will deduct the borrowed amount from your salary on your payday. You don’t need to search for the amount to repay the loan elsewhere.

There is no cycle of debt

Again, you can only borrow an amount that you can afford given your salary. Once you receive your salary, you will immediately pay the loan. It is not like other loans where you can get massive amounts, but you are unable to repay them on time. Sometimes, the cost is too big and is beyond what you can afford to repay. As a result, you get another loan to pay the previous loan. It turns into a cycle of debt that you might never get out of.

You can get the loans any time

You don’t need to wait for banking hours to process your loan application. It can happen anytime. Usually, you can make the request online. You need to fill out the application form, provide the necessary documents, and click submit. The loan provider will review the materials filed, and within minutes, you can get the loans from your account. In emergency situations, you will feel grateful that you can easily avail of these loans.

Some people criticise payday loans due to the high interest rates. In the end though, regardless of the interest rates, the point is that you can get the money when you need it. You would rather pay high interest than not have any money when you badly need it for emergency cases. Check out my-quickloan.com for more information on payday loans.

The end of the summer is the time for abundance and celebration. Catching the last few weeks of summer, families are filling days with those last-minute activities that we don’t want to miss before getting ready for the school season to start. It’s an ideal time for home and garden Do It Yourself (DIY) projects, from simple to advanced. Our favorite home and garden DIY projects require only basic materials to create inspiring displays. Home and garden DIY projects can make use of all the different themes, from animals to flowers to home grown foods. Natural elegance and charm will shine through all your end-of-summer home and garden DIY projects. Here are a couple of great ideas to get you started:

Drying Herbs:
For the home herb garden, the end of the summer is the perfect time to harvest leaves and stems, drying them for savory use in the winter cooking season. A beautiful home and garden DIY project is an herb drying wreath. Start with an embroidery hoop or ring for a nursery mobile, which can be purchased at any craft store. For a decorative look, wrap the ring with garden twine, stringing favorite beads onto the twine along the way. Gather cut herbs into small bunches, with fresh leaves and stems intact. Wrapping the ends of the stems with the garden twine, about one inch from the tip, hang the bunches in a display around the ring, upside down with stems towards the ring and leaves hanging down. Place each bunch hanging at a different height. Experiment with different lengths and see what looks beautiful to you! Using 4 pieces of twine at an equal length, about 12-18 inches, tie the 4 twine ends evenly to the 4 quadrants of the wreath hoop, and gently pull the twine strings taut to tie a looped knot at the opposite end. This home and garden DIY herb drying wreath has a classic style and will spread a comforting fragrance to the kitchen, pantry or porch where it is hung.

Garden Flowers:
For a home with flower gardens, the end of summer is a tremendous time for a beauty and satisfaction! The possibilities are endless for using flower blossoms in home and garden DIY projects. Edible petals, such as violets, roses, lavender and nasturtiums, can be frozen into eye-catching ice cube trays and served in beautiful summer drinks with a spring of fresh mint and a thin slice of lemon. A bowl of fresh water, with a few glass beads or river stones at the bottom and a couple of large blossoms floating atop, looks gorgeous in any home’s front hallway, living room, or bathroom. Unique vases can be a satisfying project for any age: simple glass vases can be purchased at any craft or dollar store, decorated uniquely with papier-mâché, magazine and catalog photo clippings, or acrylic paint, and protected with “Mod Podge” or another similar sealant. For flower arrangements designs, experiment with different themes, colors, textures and heights. Fresh flowers can be crafted into wreaths that can hang on a door or wrap around the bottom of a vase, the edge of a basket, as a charming ring around a home baked cake, or nestled safely at the base of a beautiful unlit pillar candle.
Let your imagination and inspiration guide you! There are no limits to the home and garden DIY projects that can bring your garden into your home at the end of the summer.

If you’re interested in keeping up to date with the latest world news, simply continue reading to discover 4 newsworthy stories from around the world.

4 World News Stories Which Are Well Worth Reading:

1. Donald Trump attends his first official meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin

On the 16th of July, 2018 US President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a meeting which took place in Helsinki, Finland. After their conversation which Trump called a success on his Twitter account, Trump decided to extend an invitation to Putin to visit him at the Whitehouse.

An unprecedented move which shocked a large percentage of Americans who are wary about Putin’s politics and Russia’s supposed involvement in political hacks.

2. Riots break out in Paris after France win the 2018 Fifa World Cup

On the 15th of July France beat Croatia in the final of the 2018 Fifa World Cup, which was hosted by Russia. At the end of the 90-minute match France, who were the hot favorites to win the final, beat Croatia with a final score of 4-2.

After France’s epic victory, hundreds of thousands of Parisians took to the streets in order to celebrate their team’s historic win. However, serious widespread riots soon took place by one of Paris’ most famous monuments the Champs-Elysees, which resulted in the local police force spraying tear gas into the violent crowd.

During the riot, significant damage was caused to public property as well as to storefronts which had their windows smashed and were looted ruing the riot!

3. The Thai schoolboys who were saved from a flooded cave are ordained as Buddhist novices

The world was shocked earlier in the month to hear of the plight of 11 Thai schoolboys who were trapped in a flooded cave and who were eventually rescued by an international team of divers after spending over a week trapped in a dark cave, without food.

The 11 boys who formed a soccer team and who range in age from 11-17, were pledged by their families as Buddhist novices, in order to show gratitude for their sons’ rescue. The 11 boys and their coach, the latter of which was ordained as a Buddhist monk, are set to spend 9 days learning the teachings of Buddism at a local Buddhist monastery.

However, while members of the young soccer team were ordained as Buddhist novices, none of the boys are expected to complete the training necessary in order to become a fully fledged Buddhist monk and all 11 of the boys are set to return to their schools and families after their 9 days of prayer and reflection.

4. Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano continues to erupt

While Big Island’s Kilauea volcano originally erupted in May this year, two months later Kilauea volcano shows no signs of stopping and may continue to erupt for a year. As a result of Kilauea’s surprise eruption, the island of Big Island is set to expand each day as lava continues to flow into the sea.

Hopefully, after reading the news stories listed above, you feel up to date with the latest international news stories.