6 Ways to Avoid Sabotaging Your Workout with Spring Allergies

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For most athletes, spring provides the best conditions for training outdoors. However, for the millions who suffer seasonal allergies, symptoms like sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and sniffling can mess up a whole afternoon of training.

Luckily, there are some things you can do to minimize your exposure to seasonal allergies and avoid ruining your training routine.

workout

 

Beware of the Pollen Count

The term ‘pollen count’ refers to the amount of pollen per m³ of air, so, the lower the pollen count, the less likely you are to suffer from allergy symptoms. A pollen count of over a thousand is regarded as high. Pollen concentration is as its highest from about sunrise until around 10:00 a.m. and also early in the evening, so use this to your advantage by training later in the evening. Also, aim at hitting the gym on days that pollen count is high.

Windy, clear and dry days are likely to lead to a high pollen count,as pollen is blown around more easily than one rainy, cloudy, and wet days.

Stay Clean and Ready

Immediately after completing your work-out routine, keep your work-out clothes in a bassinet and take off your shoes to avoid the spread of pollen in your home.

Wash your workout attire as soon as possible, and keep another training kit ready in case you need to hit the gym at a moment’s notice. Freshening up after a workout is equally as important as washing your work-out clothes. You can also use a nasal saline spray to clear pollen from your nostrils.

Choose the Right Workout

When the pollen count is high, low-intensity training is a better choice than performing high-intensity workouts. You can also supplement your training with the products available on steroids-evolution.com. If you are highly allergic, try doing indoor exercise and only consider the outdoors when the pollen count is low.

Wear Natural Fibers

Wear clothes made from natural fibers and not synthetic material, this is because synthetic fibers rub against each other and produce an electric charge that attracts pollen.

Wear Glasses Instead of Contacts

The reason for wearing sunglasses alternatively is that wearing contacts can result in small pollen particles getting trapped under them and giving you itchy or watery eyes.

Change Your Route

If you want to lower your exposure to pollen grains, your training venue is as vital as the timing. In urban regions, you are vulnerable to severe allergies. The carbon dioxide and temperature levels are higher in towns than in rural areas.  Also, the pollen count is higher in venues with abundant vegetation and high altitudes.

Suburban areas are the ideal location if your allergies are more intense.

Conclusion

Nobody wants to spend their time sneezing and sniffling, but before you pick up an over-the-counter remedy for your allergies, consult with your doctor to get the right prescription and dosage. 

With the correct medication and preventive measures, you will enjoy your workouts all spring.

 

Image credit:Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay

The Importance Of A Good Credit Score

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We all live in a world that is based upon credit, with our homes, cars and even furniture, all paid for in monthly installments. One important aspect of our lives is our credit history, and from the very first time you take out a hire purchase agreement, records are kept, meaning that every adult citizen would have a credit score. Banks and other lending institutions can access a person’s credit score, and this is just one of several criteria that a lender takes into account when a person makes a loan application.

Credit Score

Credit History

In Australia, for example, there are a total of four credit reporting agencies that collate and store data about the financial transactions a person has undertaken, and whenever a person applies for any kind of loan, the lender will request the applicant’s credit score from one of the registered credit reporting agencies. The score will be a number, and the higher your credit score, the less of a risk you are according to the lender, therefore, the higher your score, the less likely you are to have a loan application rejected.

Criteria Covered

The data that is used to calculate a person’s credit score would include the following:

  • Type and amount of credit applied for in the past.
  • Court writs or default judgements.
  • The age of the credit file.
  • Repayment history on credit accounts.
  • Details of accounts that have been opened and closed.

Score Bands

The following are the score bands used in Australia:

  • 800-1,000 = Excellent
  • 700-799    = Very good
  • 625-699    = Good
  • 550-624    = Fair/Average
  • 0-549         = Weak/Below average

In the event a person has a less than good credit score, it would be difficult to obtain a loan from a traditional lender such as a bank, yet with online finance companies, the credit score is not the only thing the lender takes into account, and even those with a bad credit score are able to obtain a personal loan. The online lender also offers debt consolidation loans for people with bad credit, and thousands of people have become debt-free thanks to such a loan.

Applying For A Mortgage

When a person wishes to apply for a mortgage, they should first find out what their credit score is, and if it is less than good, they are advised to clear any outstanding debts, which would improve their credit score prior to applying for the home loan, thus improving the chances of success.

Personal Or Business Loans

If you have a perfect credit score, borrowing from your bank is not likely to be an issue, as you have a good history that shows you are a responsible borrower, and providing you can demonstrate you have enough income to make the monthly repayments, the loan would most probably be approved. If, on the other hand, your credit score is not as good as it could be, you can approach an online finance company, and in most cases, your loan application would be approved. 

The great thing about using an online credit broker is the speed with which they operate; it is not unusual for a person to receive pre-approval on a loan application within an hour of submitting the forms, and often the funds are transferred into the borrower’s account on the same day.

3 Guidelines On Hiring a Defense Attorney

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People who have the misfortune to be sued for a criminal offense, whether it is a minor misdemeanor or significant crime, will need the services of a qualified defense attorney like Mankato DWI defense attorney. Having a great lawyer to represent you will ensure that you avoid serious penalties. Until such time that you will need their services, you might never really think about hiring or connecting with an attorney. Like most people, you may also be unfamiliar with the process of selecting the best lawyer to represent you and your case.

Once you start your search, you will realize that there are hundreds of defense lawyers who are capable of handling similar cases. There are lawyers connected with big firms with lots of publicity. Some work in smaller firms with a couple of practicing lawyers. One thing to keep in mind is that you should not judge a lawyer based on his or her connection with a big or small firm. There are as many good lawyers in small firms as they are in more prominent and more prestigious firms.

Defense Attorney

When choosing a lawyer, do not be pressured to hurry and pick out the first one that you meet. Take it slow and make sure to do some research first. You need a lawyer who will understand your situation in this time of crisis. It will be one of the most important decisions you make in your life, because, potentially, your freedom will depend upon him.

Here are three basic guidelines on how to choose the best defense attorney.

1. Find an attorney practicing in your locality.

Lawyers who live and work in the community are often known by the local law enforcement, judges and prosecutors. They may be together in some community organizations and participates in some local activities. It means that they are comfortable with their colleagues, and they know the community very well.  It will be advantageous for you because you will be handled by an attorney who has already established themselves in the area’s legal system.

2. Find an attorney who specializes in specific areas of the law

Specialization applies to various careers, and it also includes attorneys. There are many dignified lawyers with their specific specialties like civil cases, criminal cases, real estate and family cases. For criminal cases, you don’t need lawyers with other specialization except with criminal matters. Thus, best find a defense attorney who has made a name in defending clients who were in the same situation as you are. If you search in your locality, there will probably be a name that will be referred or known for his or her accomplishments in the field.

3. Find an attorney whom you are comfortable with

Your relationship with your lawyer is based on mutual trust. So when you meet with a prospective defense lawyer, you should be comfortable with the way they communicate and connect with you. Simply because a lawyer has represented hundreds of clients, it doesn’t mean that they are the one for you. Your attorney should be willing to defend you against the whole weight of the legal system. If they are not interested in your case, then it is a sign that they will not put much effort in defending you.

The right defense attorney will not only help you win your case and avoid serious penalties. They will also work against putting you behind bars. So, keep these guidelines in mind when searching for the best legal representation for your case.

 

Image credits: Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images 
http://thebluediamondgallery.com/legal/defense-attorney.html

 

 

 

Tips for Success in Trade Shows

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Trade shows are like a jungle, a jungle of trade show displays, so to speak. Your job as an exhibitor is to make your trade show booth stand out from hundreds of booths. Therefore, your trade show display is going to be like a needle in a haystack, and you would like your prospects to find it easily. So what can you do to accomplish this? Below is a rundown of some tips that you can count on to make your trade show display stand out and pull qualified traffic.

Trade shows

Plan Properly

When it comes to exhibitions, planning is an integral requirement for success. Indeed, failing to plan is like planning to fail. You should come up with a plan for success even before signing up for an exhibition. First, you have to figure out why you need an exhibition and whether a given trade show will attract the kind of traffic your business needs. You then have to determine the cost and the benefits of displaying your products at the trade show and establish if it makes economic sense. Once you are satisfied that a trade show makes financial sense, you should go ahead with developing a clear and targeted message for your prospects

Get a Reliable Trade Show Display Company

Since there will be many other people displaying their products at the trade show, you have to ensure that you have a well-designed and branded trade show booth to get the attention of your prospects. You also have to ensure that you have a professional to help you with managing your booth so that you can have adequate time to talk to potential customers. In other words, you need a reliable trade show display company such as ExpoMarketing. If you choose to work with ExpoMarketing, they will help you with everything from designing to fabricating to branding, to transporting to installing to uninstalling.

Conduct Pre Trade Show Marketing

Just before the trade show event begins, it is wise to let people know that you will be exhibiting there. You can inform them through channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and any other method that you can use to reach them. The aim is to make them have a reason to commit themselves ahead of time to stop by your trade show display.

Get Contacts

During the trade show, ensure that your presentation is clear and adequate. Be ready for the possible questions that people are going to ask. In other words, you have to understand your products and your customer’s expectations. Once you have made your presentation, make a point of getting your potential customers’ contacts. This will help you to contact them after the event. Remember to let them know that you will be contacting them soon. To keep your brand resonating well with them even after the vent, you should have giveaways such as branded pens and calendars. You can also give them your brochures or business cards.

The Takeaway

Overall, it is apparent that for you to succeed in a trade show; there is a lot you have to do to make your trade show display to stand out. If you are looking for a trade show displays company to help in making your project a success, then ExpoMarketing is the answer. Get in touch with them today and rest assured that your high-quality trade show display will be delivered on time.

 

Image source: http://tinyurl.com/y29rv7lo

Everything you need to know about Dewalt circular saws before buying

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Dewalt circular saw is one of the most popular power tools on the market. This is because the tool comes with a high quality design and construction that ensures that it delivers impressive performance and durability. Dewalt circular saw is also a versatile and portable tool that you can have in your collection. The good thing is that, this saw has many roles including: making cross cuts, rip cuts, bevel cuts and plunge cuts. Circular saws come with a high torque needed to get the tough jobs done. Therefore, there are several things that you need to know about Dewalt circular saws before buying one.  

circular saw

Cordless models are just as good

Just like many other brands on the market, Dewalt cordless models perform just as good as the other corded models on the market. This is because the models are fitted with the popular Flexvolt battery that is highly reputable with providing high and consistent power. When fully charged, this battery can provide you with enough power to last the entire day. As a result, you can work the whole day without needing to recharge the battery. This not only saves your time, but also enables you to complete big projects fast. 

If you’re not in the market for a cordless saw then you might want to check out the Dewalt DWE575SB. It’s a quality model and can certainly do a good job, if you want to learn more about the quality of this model then check out this review of the dewalt dwe575sb circular saw.

Has a brushless motor

Another thing that you need to note about Dewalt circular saw is that it comes with a brushless motor. What this means is that the circular saw will run more efficiently while at the same time keeping the weight down. As a result, you get top performance since the motor is more efficient in drawing power from the battery. 

Quality blade

If you are looking to purchase a Dewalt circular saw, it is important to note that it comes with quality carbide tipped blade that is able to cut through different materials with ease. As a result, you will be able to cut through different types of materials without much effort. The good thing is that, carbide tipped blades is able to remain sharp for longer. This will in turn minimize maintenance needs of your circular saw.  

Angled cuts

Those looking to make bevel cuts on timber will find the Dewalt circular saw very convenient. This is because the saw makes cuts that bevels to about 57 degrees. In addition, it comes with bevel stops that make it easy for you to make 45 degrees and 22.5 degrees with ease. 

You can buy body only

The best package on the Dewalt circular saw includes the unit as well as 2 battery packs. However, if you are running on a budget and are looking to save on money, you can go for the body only option that comes at a cheaper price. If you have previous Dewalt circular saws, their batteries are compatible with the latest models of Dewalt. 

Conclusion

Dewalt is a high quality tool that delivers impressive power and performance to many users. Therefore, you can never go wrong with a circular saw from this brand.

 

Image credits: http://tinyurl.com/yyfyosso

 

 

Five easy ways you can avoid false burglar alarms

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Here’s a fact that drives home security companies and first responders crazy: According to data from the Urban Institute, between 90 and 99 percent of alarm calls end up being false alarms. 

That’s a massive waste of resources, and a huge annoyance for everyone. 

Sometimes, a false alarm can’t be avoided. It could be an out-of-town guest who doesn’t know how to use the system, or a first-time housekeeper who enters the home but doesn’t know the alarm code.

But more often that not, it’s easy to avoid false alarms for your home security system, especially if you have professional alarm monitoring. All it takes a little effort and some common sense.

Here are five easy ways to reduce or eliminate false alarms – along with potential fines and penalties that often are imposed by local authorities for repeat offenders.

Purchase from a reputable home security company

Your protection is only as good as your system. Equipment failure is one of the most common causes of false alarms. It can be as simple – and as frustrating – as cheaply made equipment that doesn’t function correctly.

When you shop for a system, stick to brands and security companies that you know and trust. Ask questions about the equipment you’re buying; anything made by a well-known manufacturer is likely to perform well during an emergency, and help avoid false alarms. Anything by an unknown brand … not so much.

Make sure your home security system is installed correctly

Self-installation of a top-rated home security system is usually simple. You don’t have to be a techie to protect your home with a system that’s easy to install and easy to use.

But DIY aficionados should be sure to follow installation instructions to the letter. Many false alarms are caused by equipment that hasn’t been installed properly – for example, a motion detector that sits too close to blinds that flutter when they get a breeze from a ceiling fan.

The good news is, most wireless home security systems allow you to easily relocate a device that’s triggering false alarms. But proper installation can help avoid the issue from the beginning.

“That’s why homeowners often choose professional installation instead of installing a home security system on their own,” said Chris Johnson, Chief Strategy Officer at Brinks Home Security, one of the nation’s leading home security providers. “DIY installation has its advantages, but a well-trained professional understands the best placement for sensors, detectors, and cameras.”

Everyone should know how it works

The majority of false alarms are caused by user error. The first step in avoiding that pitfall is to make sure that family members understand:

  • How to correctly arm and disarm the system, whether it’s through the panel or through the system’s mobile app.
  • How to use the app to declare or confirm a false alarm and eliminate the need for response.
  • How to quickly cancel an alarm, including any keycodes and passwords that may be necessary.

If you’ve got professional alarm system monitoring, disarm the system and wait for the alarm response center to contact you. Knowing the correct password will help them confirm a false alarm. 

Deal directly with your alarm monitoring center; don’t try to contact 911 or anyone else. The best home security alarm monitoring companies will know exactly what to do.

Pet-proof your home security system

With a traditional motion detector, a sensor can be tripped when your pet enters the coverage area, causing a false alarm. Fortunately, the top-rated home security companies all offer motion detectors that are pet-immune. 

But remember that size matters: Make sure that any motion detector can adequately ignore the specific size of your pet. Different detectors have different size tolerances, whether it’s 40 lbs. or 80 lbs. Select the right motion detector for your pet, and check off another box in your false-alarm prevention list.

Keep your system in good shape

If you’re savvy enough to be a long-time believer in home security systems, you probably know that even the best equipment eventually wears out. If an old sensor turns out to be a problem, don’t wait to replace it. The new equipment is also likely to be more advanced and versatile.

With that in mind, here are three more tips:

  • Keep your equipment – as well as the area around it – clean and dust-free.
  • Think about any potential objects that might trigger your alarm, such as birthday streamers or Valentine’s Day balloons.
  • Test your system at least once a month. This isn’t so much about false alarms as it is about making sure your system is giving you the best protection.

Don’t quit using your home security system

When you’re faced with a sudden rash of false alarms, it’s tempting to just stop using your system entirely rather than troubleshooting to figure out the problem.

That’s a mistake. It’s like totally blacking out a dirty window instead of taking a few minutes to give it a good cleaning. That defeats the purpose of having the window.

“Not arming your system isn’t an effective way to eliminate false alarms,” said Johnson, of Brinks Home Security. “We can’t protect a home unless the equipment is working correctly and the system is allowed to do its job.”

If you have trouble locating the source of the false alarms, he added, enlist the help of a home security professional. They have experience that allows them to pinpoint the problem, and they can suggest other ways to optimize your system. 

“It’s always important to reduce or eliminate false alarms,” Johnson said. “But that’s just part of an effective home security strategy. When you have a quality system that’s well maintained, and everybody knows how to use it correctly, it provides the best protection for your home and family.”

 

Bio:

Robert Ogle has been a writer and editor for more than 20 years, with extensive experience as a journalist and freelance contributor. Robert focuses on home security, smart-home technology trends, and the impact of disruptive innovation on U.S. industries. He currently serves as Senior Copywriter at Brinks Home Security, a leading home security systems company. Connect with him on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/robertogle/.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

The lost ritual of family dinner and how to rediscover it

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family dinner

As we hurtle through 2019 it’s easy to forget where we came from, and how far we have come. From nomads living in the savage darkness of prehistory to present day, where our cities grow millions strong. The way we live and communicate has evolved quickly and dramatically. The idea of family is now malleable, your friends are your family and you are free to make a new family with whomever you want and however you want.

Rapid social change has been welcomed by most and despised by some, but there is something that hasn’t changed since the dawn of man. Our love of food. More specifically, or love of sharing food with others.

The shared meal is a cornerstone of our species. It brings us together, however fleetingly, and as we share food; we share ourselves. Some meals become ritual, like the family dinner, where every night the family has a chance to be together as one and learn about each other’s lives.

Sadly though, as the frenetic pace of modern life continues, some of our rituals disappear. The sit-down family dinner seems almost like an antique but is as important now as it ever was to communicate with your family, whoever or whatever that means to you.

Bring it to the surface

A clean and sturdy surface for eating is paramount to reclaiming the ritual of family dinner. You don’t need much, just a family (the hardest part!) and a space to eat. Your surface will need adequate size and strength…but where to find such a coveted item? Shockingly, a dining room table ticks all these boxes.

Obviously, the size of your family dictates the size of dining table needed. If your family consists of you, your mysterious house mate and his pet mouse, a small dining table would be perfect. Larger families may even consider going the entire dining room set.

How’s it made?

To be sure the ritual becomes a ritual you will need to repeat it. By establishing a set time for meals, you reinforce the idea that a significant group event is taking place. The food shared is almost irrelevant, if the family is brought together and communicating the ritual is complete. Making all members of the family feel comfortable and relaxed is important, again, the choice of dining table can have a huge impact on comfort levels.

When choosing a dining table, take into consideration the seating arrangement and materials used for construction. Rectangle shaped dining tables such as this dining table from Domayne provide a classic shape with enough room to house a large family. Round tables are another less popular option, they provide no more seating than a rectangular table whilst taking up more floorspace. A round table can make the family feel equal (no big boss taking up the head of the table) and can be a perfect way to serve food in a fun way (lazy Susanne anyone?)

Incentives

Once the dining table has been found and placed in an ideal location (watch for corridors of movement, and as a rule leave about half a meter of space between chairs and walls.) The second step is to prepare the food. As stated previously, the food you share is almost irrelevant, but GOOD food will keep things fresh and ensure everyone wants to be there. Foods that are fun to share are a good way to add some spice to family dinner.

As we soar into the future, we must be grateful for the things we have and the people we love. In 2019 family means different things to different folk, but we must cherish our families and make a conscious effort to come together. Hopefully, the lost ritual of family dinner will be making a comeback.

Image by Karolina Grabowska from Pixabay

Mistakes To Avoid When Storing Gold

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Gold has enchanted us since time began, and has always been the most recognised form of wealth that is globally accepted, yet it can easily get damaged, and with that in mind, here are a few gold storage mistakes to avoid.

Storing Gold

  • Forgetting Where You Left It – It is very easy to suddenly have an idea of a secret place to leave an item of gold, then completely forget about it. Out of sight is out of mind, so you won’t be thinking about the item, and when you do finally remember, you have forgotten where you put it.
  • No Secure Storage – If you leave an item of gold jewellery laying around, the chances are it will disappear, and rather than taking any chances, you should keep all gold items in a secure location. If you are looking to buy or sell gold, check out GoldBuyersMelbourne.com.au, who are a leading gold dealer who you can trust. Many investors have their wealth in gold bars, which they keep in a safety deposit box, which is the safest place to keep such valuable commodities.
  • Avoid Hard Surfaces – Gold is a very soft and malleable metal, therefore you should avoid it coming into contact with any hard surfaces, which would easily scratch the gold. Gold jewellery should be kept in small velvet bags, which ensures the item does not come into contact with any material. Putting a gold watch in the same pocket as your car keys could damage the surface, so it is important to avoid any abrasion with solid objects.
  • Jewellery Damage – All kinds of things can damage the surface of gold, such as perfumes, lotions and sprays, so you should clean your gold jewellery on a regular basis. You can learn how to clean gold jewellery from this informative blog, which will help you keep your gold jewellery in tip-top condition. There are custom jewellers who also repair gold jewellery, so before you sell a broken item for scrap, find out if it is repairable, as this might be a better option.
  • Wearing Gold While Swimming – Many people lose a necklace, ring or bracelet when swimming in the ocean, so it is a general rule to remove all gold jewellery before going for a swim in the sea. On the beaches of Sydney, there are gold hunters who patrol the sands with a metal detector, and gold jewellery is a common find. Wearing gold when playing contact sports is never a good idea, as the gold could injure a third party, not to mention yourself.

As gold is such a valuable commodity, one should always store it in a safe and secure location, and gold jewellery needs to be cleaned often, which will help it to maintain its glow and shine. If you would like to add some gold to your portfolio, there are online gold dealers who can sell you gold in many different forms, and all it takes to find a reputable gold bullion dealer is an online search.

 

Image by Markéta Machová from Pixabay

Lamudi Launched Housing Fair 2019 at TriNoma

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housing fair

Lamudi has facilitated again another successful housing fair. This year, the leading real estate platform launched the series at the TriNoma Activity Center. Like the past lodging fairs, the Lamudi Housing Fair in Trinoma offered a broad selection of property offerings from some of the country’s biggest industry players. The exhibitors were SMDC, Aspire by Filinvest, Futura by Filinvest, Prestige by Filinvest, The Hauslands, Amiya Raya, Taft Properties, Robinsons Communities, BPI Family Housing Loan, Grand Monaco, Ortigas & Company, Phinma Properties, Pag-IBIG Fund, SandariBatulao, and Suntrust.

Online Real Estate Marketing Seminars

More than property selling, the housing fair also aimed to educate and help real estate experts boost their businesses. As such, the individuals who were in participation were blessed to receive free online land promoting trainings led by Lamudi Academy’s learning development coaches. Some of the topics discussed during the two-day event were Top Online Lead GenerationChannels,  Conversion of Online Leads to Sales and The Power of Lamudi.

Property Discounts and Foreclosure Auction

Exclusive property discounts were also given away to aspiring property seekers. Similarly, Unionbank also hosted a property auction at affordable price points.

Homebuying Seminars

For first time homebuyers, the Lamudi Housing Fair at TriNoma also gave prospective property buyers the lowdown into how to approach this important but otherwise challenging undertaking. Representatives from Pag-IBIG Fund talked about the agency’s End-User Financing Program while the Land Registration Authority was also present in the event to guide property seekers in their land titling concerns and questions.

Several experts in various facets of real estate also imparted their knowledge to property seekers and sellers. For instance, a talk on Property Photography was discussed, as well as Interior Design Essentials, especially for small spaces.

“The Lamudi Housing Fair is the perfect venue for those actively and passively looking to invest in a property. Each one of our housing fairs has a goal to connect buyers to the right people so they can make the right decision. By bringing together property seekers and property sellers, we are helping them understand the steps involved in the decision-making process and learn from each other.” Lamudi CEO Bhavna Suresh said of the Lamudi Housing Fair.

“We had hoped that TriNoma would set the tone positively for this year’s run and needless to say, we were not disappointed by the turnout. The following ones will offer the same benefits, if not more, to attendees as we really want our housing fairs to provide value and worth their time.”

The next Lamudi Housing Fair will be happening on July 20 to 21 at Glorietta, followed by SM Cebu in September, and lastly, SM Mall of Asia in December.

The Lamudi Housing Fair in TriNoma was sponsored by DMCI Homes, Aboitiz Land, Land Bank of the Philippines, Land Registration Authority, Food Panda, and Red Doors, also, in partnership with Philippine Daily Inquirer Property, Business Mirror, Business World, Malaya Business Insight, The Philippine Star and ThinkBIT as official registration partner.

For more information, please visit the official website.

 

How to Get Started With Your Own Interior Design Company

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Starting any business is no easy feat, even when your business is centered around a hobby that you’re passionate about, like interior design. It has different complexes than starting an ecommerce business, and you should understand the ins and outs. The world of interior design business is vast and growing. The bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census found that the amount of interior designers increased by 11.9 percent to 68,067. The number of firms also are up by nearly 6 percent to 12,642. If you’re considering starting your interior design company, here are a few steps you should take:

Determine Your Niche

There are many niches in interior design, and by honing in on one of them, you can stand out from the rest. For instance, do you want to focus on basement remodeling, furniture refinishing, or one of the many other dozens of subfields in interior design? Sometimes, you might find yourself honing in on a theme instead of a particular area. Whatever niche you decide on, be sure of two things 1) It’s a niche you’re passionate and happy to work with and 2) it’s a profitable niche.

Think About Branding

As an interior designer, branding is very important. After all, interior design is a very visual field, and how your brand represents itself is of the utmost important. Your website design is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. People will make judgements based on first impressions alone, and if you haven’t put thought into what your branding will be, you could lose valuable clients. Branding is how you differentiate yourself from the hundreds of other interior design companies out there. Take a look at this list of small business branding success stories to help steer you in the right direction.  

Don’t Forget About SEO

No matter how great your services are, if you don’t have the right SEO strategy, it becomes very difficult to excel above your competition without a plan. “Every business needs SEO to increase brand awareness,” says eWeb Results, an agency that offers Houston SEO services. “If you aren’t proficient in SEO, you should work with a reputable local agency who has proficiency in your area. The ultimate goal is to rank locally for people looking for those services in your area.”

Organic search is the primary source of website traffic; although paid traffic can be fruitful, it cannot outdo organic search. Search engine optimization also helps build credibility and trust with search engines, because it ultimately aids the user experience—which is what Google cares highly about.

Build Your Portfolio

When you launch your business, initially you might find trouble seeking your initial batch of clients. This is because you’ll find yourself in a classic Catch-22 situation: you can’t get clients without a portfolio, and you can’t secure a portfolio without clients.

For this reason, you should highly consider doing some client work for free when you’re just starting out. You’ll get some much needed work from offering your services for free, as well as some early reviews that can help you win paying clients. However, before you take on design clients pro bono, be sure that they have the budget to accommodate what they’re looking for. This helps protect you from from failing at an insurmountable project.

Photos, Photos, Photos

As an interior designer, you need as many photos as possible. You’ll need great photos for your portfolio, your website, and your social media pages. In interior design, your pictures are the digital property that represent your talents. If you don’t have a professional camera, it’s time to invest in one. And if you aren’t proficient with leading editing software, consider hiring a freelancer. This will help save you some valuable time, and will ensure you put your best foot forward each time you post a photo.

Launch a Blog

A blog is the perfect foundation for an ideal SEO strategy. In fact, websites with blogs are nearly 500% more likely to get indexed in Google results pages. First and foremost, you should create an editorial calendar to keep your blogging efforts on track. Consistency is very important here.

Use contests and popular events to help launch your blog. For example, the annual One Room Challenge is an interior design challenge that encourages homeowners to redesign a single room in their home over the course of six weeks. Though the official challenge consists of 20 bloggers competing in this design showdown, hundreds of other participate unofficially. And many bloggers follow one another in a quest to become inspired by the work of others. Over the course of six weeks, many bloggers experience an influx of traffic during this time.

Image by MagicDesk from Pixabay