Apr, 2021

Top Reasons to Run a Background Check Before Tying the Knot

While this may sound melodramatic, we can all agree that it’s always a wise idea to perform a thorough background check on a potential romantic partner before you start dating them. We know that when we decide to apply for a new job, our background is checked. We also check or expect someone else to check whoever we entrust with custody of our children. So why isn’t it common to do a background verification before marriage? While background checks have always been expensive and time-consuming, nowadays they can be ordered at a moment’s notice, and there are dozens of reputable companies to choose from, such as Brevard Background Check. Whether or not you choose to inform your future spouse about the check, the process is quick and painless. But, it’s always best to discuss your past with your partner before considering tying the knot. Let’s check out why a background check is important!

So Why Should You Get a Background Check Before the Big Day?

You love and trust this person, so why bother with a background check? There are numerous reasons that prove it’s a smart idea and there are even many couples who decide to do it together before marriage.

Ensuring There Are No Surprises in Either of Your Backgrounds: Your potential spouse may have forgotten about that broken lease right after college, or you might not have realized that you never paid off a store card that now leaves a black mark on your credit. Mistakes also happen on background reports. Finding and addressing those allows both partners to confidently move forward that nothing from your past can damage their future.
Finances: Getting married means pooling both your resources and debts, and you need to know your partner’s financial history because it will have a significant impact on your financial future. If they have a poor, bankruptcies, evictions, or credit rating on their credit history, it will affect your financial future together. Future joint purchases will be affected by your credit scores, so it is only fair that you are both aware of what financial baggage the other is bringing into the relationship. If your partner has been open about their financial mistakes in the past, then you still need a background check to know precisely how bad things are and how to plan accordingly. If you, or your partner, have poor credit, you need to research the best way to proceed. Are you thinking about keeping everything in the name of the partner with good credit? This move might help save on interest payments, but it will take the other partner longer to re-establish their credit.

Though most background checks before the wedding should not reveal anything shocking, some things should be considered red flags. Those include:

A Criminal History that They Kept Secret: A past criminal record is a definite red flag unless it was a misdemeanour charge where they were cleared. Something small may have slipped their mind or never seemed important enough to bring up. However, if there are arrests, charges, or prosecution for severe or violent crimes and your partner has kept that from you, it is probably a deal-breaker for marriage.
An Identity Change: Unless your partner has been upfront about their reasons for changing their identity, you have to assume some treacherous reason to hide their past.
Addictive Behaviour: Again, that’s one of those things that depends on whether your partner was honest upfront. Now, if all they told you was that they “used to drink a lot,” but you find evidence of a sordid past of addictive behaviours, you should be concerned. They may still be in denial about the seriousness of their addiction. A history full of possible narcotics convictions, patterns of erratic behaviour, and DUIs (Driving under the influence) should be a definite red flag.
Previous Marriages: If your potential spouse was married before you but didn’t tell you, you should seriously weigh why they would keep such an important matter a secret from you.

In most cases where a background check is done before saying “I do”, both partners agree and participate. If your potential spouse refuses, becomes furious, or you feel uncomfortable even suggesting it, you may want to ask yourself why are you even tying the knot with this person? A marriage will only survive if built on trust, and trust starts with being completely honest about your past.

So, Why Is Switzerland So Rich? (Part 1)

So, Why Is Switzerland So Rich? (Part 1)

If we think of rich countries, the first that comes to mind is Switzerland. The Alpine country is famous for its high level of stability and well-being. In this article, we look at the top reasons why Switzerland is so rich. Switzerland was an emerging country only 150 years ago. It was an agrarian society, and its economic level was similar to Italy, Spain or Portugal. Even though Switzerland has practically no natural resources and is surrounded by mountains, it is one of the world’s wealthiest countries. Switzerland shows that, with the right conditions, any country can prosper.

There is a lot of ignorance about the Swiss economy. Switzerland is often said to be rich only because it helps hide black money, and it took gold from many people (including many Jews and Nazis) after the Second World War. Obviously, this is absurd. Many countries throughout history have plundered others and are not prosperous today. Switzerland has one of the most advanced and value-added economies in the world. Although its taxation is attractive, it is not a tax haven. Switzerland shows that you can have a first-rate welfare state and infrastructure without taking as much money from its citizens and companies as is usual in most Western countries. So there is no question that Switzerland does a lot of things well. Looking at them could help many countries prosper. So let’s look at the reasons why Switzerland is so rich.

Legal Certainty

The Swiss country is one of the countries with the most significant legal security in the world. Citizens and companies around the world trust Switzerland and its institutions. The laws are clear, change little and are enforced. Thanks to that, Switzerland can attract a lot of capital. This capital fulfils two essential functions. In the first place, business capital serves to develop the productive fabric of the country. Companies are not afraid to invest in Switzerland, and as such, this creates jobs.

Second, high legal certainty makes it possible to attract many wealthy individuals from around the world. While bank secrecy is no more, Switzerland is still a great place to have money. Why? Well, because you know that the Swiss government would never dare to expropriate it. And that helps the country’s financial sector, creating a multitude of highly paid jobs.

Transparent and Attractive Taxation

Although Switzerland is not a tax haven, it does have a much more attractive tax system than other Western countries. Qualifying Switzerland as a tax haven is a propaganda act, typical of a politician who wants to take half the salary of workers in his country. Switzerland enjoys both a welfare state and top-notch infrastructure. And it manages to do so with much lower tax rates than its neighbours. The general VAT rate in Switzerland is 7.7% (19% in Germany, 21% in Spain). Its income tax rates, which depend on the canton, are significantly lower, with most of its workers, who tend to have very high wages, paying between 15 and 25% of their salary in taxes.

The average type of companies is between 12 and 22%, depending on the canton. And the tax equivalent to the property transfer tax for the purchase of a home is between 1 and 3%. As for inheritance tax, it must be said that it is highly complex and depends on the canton and the relationship between the deceased and the heir. However, the average effective rate in 2019 was 1.4% of the inheritance. Despite having much lower tax rates, Switzerland has a tax burden of 27.8% of GDP. That contrasts with a pressure of 37.3% in Spain. Why is the difference so small? It is worth noting the unemployment rate (4% vs. 16% pre-crisis), the percentage of adults working (81% vs. 64%), and the wage differences derived from the economy’s productivity.

Check out the second part of this article for more interesting reasons!

Apr, 2021

The World of Screenwriting – Part 7

In the previous article, we discussed the research process involved in documentary scriptwriting. Today, we shall take a look at how a shooting script is crafted.

Writing the Documentary Script

The process of writing a documentary script is significantly different from writing a script for a feature film or a television show. The documentary screenwriter normally produces two scripts. He delivers the first version before the shooting begins and the second version after the shooting is finished but before the editing begins. As a result, the first script is called a shooting script and the second one, an editing script.

Today, we will take a look at the shooting script.

The shooting script serves two purposes. First, it is the platform for the writer to sift through the compiled research and trace out a story to interest and engage viewers. The task of the writer consists of initially filtering any relevant information. Then, he maps out the manner in which to present the facts to form one complete, compelling and coherent narrative. Second, the shooting script sets the boundaries for the shooting process of the documentary. The nature of the parameters is to principally film non-staged events. If solid parameters are not in place, the director and cameraperson can easily lose sight of the task. The consequences are extensively long shooting periods or missing crucial footage.

At the end of the research stage, the screenwriter should have been able to identify an angle to craft a riveting story in an entertaining manner. After identifying the documentary’s angle, the writer has a clear idea of the main characters and conflicts of the story.

The scene card system is a usual device, or you can even say a sort of technique, for the writer at this stage. After writing all the main elements of the story on the cards, the writer can trial different layouts of the information until he discovers the manner to tell the story effectively. This outline of the story will then form the skeleton of the shooting script. It will provide the running order of all the aspects of the story.

When writing the shooting script, most screenwriters will think of what the viewers will see and hear.

The three main elements of a shooting script are:

Actions
Interviews
“B” roll

Actions

The shooting script’s actions will provide the director with a gauge against which to measure the progress of the shoot. In the case of documentaries, the script does not adopt a rigid and final structure. While writing the script, the writer must infuse it with flexibility to accommodate the shooting days’ conditions. For example, did you know that the filmmaker often does not control most of the filmed sequences?

It is the writer’s main task to identify the main sets of actions essential to advance the story. Let me give you an example: for a wildlife documentary, the writer will specify a series of shots showing the newly born animal with its mother. This information is then sufficient to ensure that the writer can tell his story of the mother-child bond in animals without asking the filmmaker to provide any specific shots of something beyond human control.

Interviews

Similarly, the writer will not write a detailed description of the contents of any interviews in the shooting script. Instead, the writer indicates the topic or angle of each interview. If there are three interviews on the same topic, each interviewee should contribute something unique that only that person can add to the discussion. The writer indicates what this unique something is in the shooting script. Again, the filmmaker can check they have filmed everything required by verifying the interview has covered what was required. This ensures the crew gets all the important footage. The shooting script enables them to evaluate their progress by acting as a checklist.

“B” Roll

“B” roll consists of any extra footage, which can be used to complement existing footage or to accompany an audio such as narration or interviews. The inclusion of “b” roll in the shooting script reveals this type of script structure’s loose nature. The writer specifies what should be covered in the “B” roll.

Final Step of Shooting Script

And then finally, the documentary writer lays out the shooting script in the two-column A/V format as discussed in the previous screenwriting series. While writing the script, the screenwriter will already begin to connect audio and visuals. He will identify the type of footage which will be accompanied by narration.

Do you find this process of scriptwriting easy? Please share your comments.

Apr, 2021

How to Choose Insulation Under Tiles

Contents

– Acoustic insulation under tiles

– Thermal insulation under tiles

Preparing the substrate is an essential step before tiling. So why not take advantage of this to insulate or re-insulate under the tiles? Tile has no insulating properties in its natural state, so other materials must be added to insulate a tiled floor. The two most sensitive areas that you can quickly improve are sound insulation and thermal insulation. Some tile insulation systems focus more on one than the other, so you need to know what you want to improve first.

Acoustic insulation under tile

General

The least labour-intensive way to insulate under the tile is to insert a thin layer of insulating material between the existing screed or slab and the installed tile. These materials can come in different forms and materials.

The overall idea of these systems is to dampen impact noise as much as possible.

Acoustic regulations now exist for new constructions in terms of acoustics. These are interesting systems, especially for installation on floors, and therefore in apartments.

Depending on the support, several products for acoustic insulation under tiles exist on the market.

Attention: in all cases, before installing insulation under tile, it is necessary to check the acoustic performances, often expressed in dB, indicated by the underlayments manufacturers.

System in the form of plates/slabs less than 12 mm thick

This type of system has acoustic and thermal properties that vary according to the components: polyethylene foam, cork, polyester fibres, etc.

There are also complete systems: bitumen/limestone slabs, a 10 mm thick polyester fibre underlay, or 4 mm thick acoustic insulation mats made of polyethylene covered with a non-woven fabric on both sides.

They are glued with a specific mortar. The installation and grouting of the tiles are done with an adapted adhesive and mortar.

They are sometimes coupled with a mortar levelling

and suitable for small rooms and renovation.

Good to know: these products are often sold in kits that can cover surfaces of 5 m² and contain glue and adhesive mortar, sometimes also levelling mortar.

Systems in roll form

This type of packaging is more suitable for large surfaces and new constructions.

Thermal insulation under tiles

General

The general idea is to avoid any heat loss in the house, including through the floor. The better the home is insulated, the more it will keep the heat/cold according to the seasons.

Thermal insulation under tiles is imperative if you are above a cellar, for example, because the cold will pass through the support.

Note: the above mentioned acoustic insulation systems usually combine good thermal results.

Insulation with underfloor heating

Attention, if you have a low-temperature underfloor heating system, it is vital to check that the underlayment and the insulation boards you will use for the insulation under your tiles are compatible.

Some materials are more suitable than others for underfloor heating systems.

If you are looking for advice, you can contact Melbourne Ceilings to access your space and recommend the best solutions.

Apr, 2021

World of Screenwriting – Part 6

Research is an important step in the world of screenwriting and today, we shall discover more about it!

The Research Process in Documentary Screenwriting

“As a researcher, you need to combine the penetrating brazenness of the good journalist with the painstaking attention to detail of the Ph.D. candidate. You must be observer, analyst, student, and note taker. Over a period that can be as short as a few days or as long as a few months, you must become an expert on the subject of the film, a subject you may never even have known existed a few weeks before – not an easy task, but always fascinating.”

– Alan Rosenthal

If a screenwriter is already involved in the first stages of making a documentary, it is obvious that he or she will conduct the required research. After the research, the writer will become an expert on the subject matter. This research will reveal potential material that will need to be included in the shooting process. While the writer will also consider the target audience, the research will focus more on the context and the story’s characters.

The screenwriter must have a clear strategy. He or she should have already defined and narrowed down the documentary’s subject matter before approaching the research stage. The parameters of the subject matter will determine what needs to be researched. The writer then focuses only on material directly connected to the subject of the documentary. Let me give you a simple example. Suppose a screenwriter is working on a documentary about the impacts of technological progress on the process of making sugar, the writer will delineate an appropriate field of research. He or she will not waste time studying the uses of by-products of the cane industry, which is a tangential subject. But, remember that the greatest danger at this stage is being sidetracked by any topic not directly connected to the subject matter.

While undertaking research, a writer also aims to uncover information that is not common knowledge. A documentary about well-known facts and information is of no interest. The writer must search for something new, compelling, unusual or human about the story. The writer is looking for an angle, an unknown detail with the potential to make the story woven from the facts compelling and interesting.

Published material provides a wealth of sources for research, such as online databases, newspapers, magazines, diaries, letters, transcripts of events, interviews, archival records and so on. However, the writer needs to verify the validity of information and the credentials of these materials. They search for primary sources and originals. If a newspaper story references a police report, a good writer will find and use it.

Now, location or field research is another crucial aspect of the research stage. The screenwriter always tries to experience the topic or subject of the documentary in situ whenever possible. But why? That’s because location or field research allows the writer to experience the feel, mood and tone of the documentary’s subject. This direct experience provides the writer with information unobtainable through any other means. By physically going to the subject’s location, the writer becomes closer to the subject.

Screenwriters also visit any accessible places where they know shooting will take place. It might consist of climbing a mountain, visiting a prison or taking a boat trip. When in the field, the writer soaks up the world with an eye on the visual.

Finally, the writer must talk to people to learn first-hand information about the topic. Conversations provide the writer with multiple perspectives of a subject. Experts provide trustworthy facts but the ordinary people contribute a human value to a story. These informal interviews present an insight into the richness and breadth of the subject. The information gained from these interviews can supply the writer with a unique angle from which to approach the topic. At this stage, the interviews are not conducted to include them in the documentary. However, the writer identifies potential interviewees and their contributions.

By the end of the research stage, the writer has collected a significant amount of information. But, of course, he reviews and sifts through the collected data. The final step in the research stage is to identify what to keep and what to exclude from the documentary script. In this selection process, the writer ensures the information remains trim and relevant.

One thing that writers often do is take a step back from the project upon completing the research. As they work on other projects, the collected information is processed at a subconscious level. When the writer returns to this project, he is more likely to see patterns, characters and potential storylines emerge from the collected data. The writer then canvasses these elements of the collected data to develop a script. And that’s how a documentary script is created!

What do you think about the research process? Please share your comments!

Apr, 2021

The Importance of Medical Coding and Billing

It’s no secret that the healthcare industry is booming and its growth is expected to continue into the future. At first glance, doctors and nurses would seem to be the ones running the show at medical facilities nationwide. That is a fair observation, as they are the ones who treat patients. However, there are many other individuals working at hospitals, medical offices and other healthcare settings doing work that makes visits with doctors possible. Two such responsibilities are medical billing and coding.

What is Medical Billing?

Medical billing involves preparing billing claims and submitting them to insurance providers. This ensures that the hospital or medical office is reimbursed the correct amount for the services that they provide patients. Medical offices receive money from private insurances providers and various healthcare programs, such as Medicare, which are provided by the government. Receiving proper funds allows the medical office to stay open. With sub-optimal reimbursement, it is difficult for them to provide stellar healthcare to patients.

What is Medical Coding?

While it also pertains to the all-important aspect of insurance reimbursement, medical coding differs in that it involves a unique code for each diagnosis and medical procedure. The International Classification of Disease, Tenth Edition (ICD-10), is the current book of codes utilized across the vast world of healthcare. The translation of diagnoses and procedures into these universal codes allows the health care provider to process the bill correctly.

The Importance of Medical Billing and Coding

It is pretty clear that medical billing and coding are important processes to the upkeep of hospitals and medical offices. Medical facilities rely heavily on insurance providers and other healthcare programs for funding.

Insurance companies make their profit by charging those who hold policies monthly fees, or premiums. The buy-ins from the individuals in the pool allows the insurance providers to cover the bulk of medical costs of policyholders, depending on the policy. With that in mind, that is a lot of money coming in from reimbursements and not out of the consumers’ pockets.

That is why it is vitally important for medical billing and coding to be done, and done accurately. Every patient who visits a hospital, immediate care centre or other medical facility has information that needs to be documented.

Not only that, but accurate medical billing and coding is important to make sure that patients aren’t left paying more for a procedure than they should, and that they and their insurance are charged for the correct services.

Now that we have established a basic understanding of what medical billing and coding are and their importance, let’s learn a bit more about the individuals who carry out these crucial actions: medical billing and coding specialists.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists

It is not uncommon for hospitals and medical offices to outsource their billing to teams that are knowledgeable about both medical billing and coding, like Anaesthetic & Medical Billing Services.

Entering the proper codes and other data into a hospital or medical office’s database comprises most of the responsibilities of a medical billing and coding specialist’s job responsibilities. However, they are often tasked with other duties that help the healthcare setting operate at peak efficiency. For instance, medical billing and coding specialists many times function as points of contact between the office’s billing staff and the office’s nurses and doctors.

Like other individuals employed in healthcare settings, medical billing and coding specialists enjoy a promising job outlook in the coming years. The main reason for the uptick in demand for medical billing and coding specialists is the fact that more people have access to insurance. More people with insurance means that there will be more visits to medical care facilities and more billing and coding work to be done.

We should also note that because medical care is needed almost everywhere and that every medical facility needs staff members to handle the billing and coding, medical billing and coding specialists have nearly endless geographical locations in which they can work. It is increasingly common for medical billing and coding specialists to have the option of working remotely, cutting down or eliminating the need to commute.

Looking to make a career in healthcare, but don’t feel like being on the frontlines? Why not consider learning more about medical coding and billing? As you can see from the above, the benefits are numerous.

Mar, 2021

The World of Screenwriting – Part 5

“A documentary may take a stand, state an opinion, advocate a solution to a problem.”

– Bordwell, David and Kristin Thompson.

How many times have we learned so many new things from documentaries? But have we ever thought about the writers who write these documentaries? Or about the different writing techniques they use to keep the audience engaged?

Documentary Writing Techniques

A documentary writer’s main objective is to create a script that shares facts or information to inform and educate viewers. Therefore, there is a particular decision that the writer needs to make when settling on one of the various writing techniques at his disposal. These include:

Point of View (First, Second or Third)

Before approaching a script, a screenwriter needs to decide who will be telling the story to the viewers. In other words, they need to choose the point of view, or POV, of the story. Once the writer chooses a POV, this will generally remain constant throughout the documentary. However, there are some exceptions. If the writer is documenting a specific event, he or she can include several different perspectives. Each perspective offers a new understanding of the event. But then the writer must ensure that the story does not become convoluted, to avoid confusing the audience.

When choosing a single point of view, a writer has three options. In the first-person POV, the person uses the first person pronoun ‘I.’ He or she recounts events, people, experiences, places, etc., as if they are experiencing the events for themselves. Screenwriters also often lay the audio with the corresponding visuals of the narrated experience. Rarely used, the second-person POV addresses the viewers by the second person pronoun ‘you’ and implicates them in the documentary, while the third-person POV refers to the off-screen, omniscient narrator.

Talking Heads

This consists of a compilation of extracts from a series of interviews. For a long time, interviews have featured as a central element of documentaries. The interviewees usually consist of experts on the subject (for example, an anthropologist talking about a tribe of aborigines), people involved in the story (a female Indian politician in a documentary about the role of women in the Indian society) or people related to the subject matter (fishermen in a documentary about whales).

The interviewees talk to the person behind the camera, producing the feeling of addressing the audience. This form of address, very rare in films and television shows, is accepted in documentaries. The interviewees are sharing real facts and information, which is shown directly to the viewers instead of being interpreted and re-presented by the writer

Chronological Story (in or Out of Chronology)

Sometimes, the documentary’s subject consists of a chronological story, such as the struggle of a young girl to extract herself from the world of prostitution. In these cases, the narrative is already well defined for the writer with an existing beginning, middle and end. The writer can choose to simply reproduce the narrative of the real story in the script. Otherwise, the writer can shift between past and future events of the story. This mode of storytelling technique creates suspense and invites the viewers to guess how the story develops. This approach of writing a story out of chronology closely resembles the process of structuring narratives in films and television shows.

Observation or Fly-on-the-Wall

Many writers of documentaries tend to use the observational approach or the fly-on-the-wall technique. The documentary maker turns on the camera and allows it to record everything as it happens. There is no narration or interviews. Instead, the viewers feel present, as invisible observers, to unfolding actions and interactions without any disruption. The technique of hidden cameras is an evolution of the observational approach. The recorded footage is often later edited to reduce the duration, reveal only the relevant or important details or set the mood of the documentary. When using this technique, the writer must first consider what to film before the shooting begins and later evaluate what to include in the documentary.

According to you, which writing technique is better? Please share your comments!

Mar, 2021

The Ultimate Public Speaking Guide: Smart Tips to Prepare for a Public Speaking Performance Like A Pro

Speaking in public is one of those things that goes a long way for most people. Having to face an audience is something for which one is not born prepared, and it is normal to have doubts and be nervous. But for many people, it is an insurmountable barrier, capable of unleashing unpleasant fears and symptoms, creating a crisis of mistrust towards oneself that can even lead to panic. Rest assured, there are ways to overcome this paralysis and to deal with fears. With a bit of preparation and knowing the key points, we can leave anxiety behind and face the challenge. After all, even if we don’t need to speak regularly in front of a group, there are many situations in which the skill of prayer can help us advance our career and create career opportunities. In this article, we give you tips to speak in public like a true public speaker. With these tools, you can give a speech safely and without nerves.

Before Speaking in Public

Before facing the public, there are several things we can do to be successful:

It’s okay to admit that you are nervous: even the best speakers feel the nerves’ pressure before a public intervention. Rather than trying to calm ourselves by taking painkillers artificially, it is better to transform nervousness into positive energy and enthusiasm. Think that if you were completely relaxed, your speech would probably not have the same quality.
Avoid equating public speaking with your self-esteem. If the problem is that you do not believe in yourself or your abilities, we give you some tools to identify the origin of low self-esteem and the guidelines that must be followed to overcome it. They are tools that serve to discover the limitations with which we live and transform them into opportunities for improvement. Mistakes are to be learned from them.
Practice: if you have a recording of a previous intervention of yours, you can visualize it and identify the trouble spots. You can also attend conferences and see how other speakers develop, learning their techniques.
Arrive Early: it will help you get to know the environment and visualize the audience with more peace of mind. It’s important to have an informal conversation with audience members before you begin.
Organize your information in a simple pattern that the public can easily recognize, using various types of material such as examples, statistics, or quotes so that interest does not wane.
Organize the speech in a structured way. Use the introduction to set the audience’s expectations and have a conclusion ready to summarize the explanations and make a final point and go straight to it if you find that time is running out. That doesn’t mean you have to stick to a rigid script; it’s quite the opposite: the structure must be varied and straightforward in its form and content.

At the Time of the Exhibition

Body Language: Try to maintain a dynamic attitude, varying the tone and intensity of the voice and making the best possible use of your hands to transmit the information. Remember that body language is as important as a spoken language, but try not to walk around the stage or play with objects or with your hair as you distract the audience and show insecurity.
Plant Your Feet: Your feet must be well fixed on the ground. That transmits your physical balance that will be reflected in your emotional balance. On the other hand, you should also avoid crossing your legs if you are standing.
Breathe: A deep breath every few minutes not only helps you relax but also allows you to set the pace of your exposure.
Addressing an Individual Person in the Audience: This is a very effective technique. While addressing a large group tends to intimidate us, speaking with just one person is the most normal thing in the world for the vast majority. Therefore, you can choose someone from the audience that you trust and pretend you were addressing them exclusively as if the rest were not present.
Use an Audiovisual Support: With a projection, you divert the attention of yourself, illustrate the contents of your exhibition, and make the presentation more enjoyable for the viewer.
Being Wrong on Purpose: If the problem lies in fear so great that it causes us not to react as we would like, you can follow our advice to identify your fears and overcome them, thus avoiding their appearance. When we have overcome the fear of making mistakes in public, we are prepared to make mistakes “on purpose.” It may sound paradoxical, but making “silly” mistakes like not finding a piece of paper or dropping something on the floor can make the atmosphere more relaxed and bring you closer to your audience. In the same way, jokes and jokes make it easy to break the barrier that separates you from the public.
Focus: Pay attention to and focus on the viewers who agree to your words! There’s nothing that causes a greater sense of security than having interlocutors who get your message. And with greater security, your message becomes more explicit, and the number of receptive viewers increases.
Show Mastery on the Subject: Although humor can win over the audience and make you feel comfortable, it is useless if they see you doubt your knowledge. The more you know about the topic you are talking about, the more confident you will feel. Therefore, you should always try to communicate some of your personal thoughts on the matter, which you should have prepared in advance, so that the public perceives that you are involved at a deep level, not just reciting some knowledge.
Don’t Panic for a Moment of Silence: In the context of a public speech, silence can be thunderous, but sooner or later, any speaker loses the thread of his presentation. Now is the time to take a deep breath and let the audience absorb what they just heard before refocusing their attention on your words.
Prepare for Mistake: Even the most experienced speakers make mistakes often. It may be that a projector does not work or that you cannot find some data. For these embarrassing moments, you must have a prepared exit, like an anecdote, that allows you to redirect the situation and projects the feeling you are in control.

There are many more techniques that we could share, but with the ones we have mentioned and with practice, facing an audience without succumbing to panic is within everyone’s reach.

Mar, 2021

How To Build An Audience On YouTube – The Basics

If you want to be successful as a YouTuber, it’s important to know how to build your audience. After all, what’s the point of making videos if no one is there to see them? This post aims to teach you basic steps and savvy hints to develop your audience. So let’s learn how to build a viewership that is engaged, interested, and continuously growing.

Create Top Quality Content

The first step to learning how to build a YouTube audience is to create the kind of content that keeps viewers coming back for more. When I say “quality”, I’m not talking about having the best camera or sophisticated software. Sure, you need a reliable setup when making YouTube videos, but that alone won’t build your audience. Rather, you need to create content that does better than what’s already out there. Viewers are looking for someone who can satisfy a need — a need for information, entertainment, escapism, and all the rest of it. Get noticed on YouTube by providing content that is engaging, valuable, and useful.

Optimize for your Audience, not Views

In order to succeed on YouTube, you shouldn’t be asking how to generate traffic, but rather how to build a YouTube audience. Yes, traffic is great. So are views. And in creating your top quality videos, you should be able to improve both of these things. But the advantage of optimizing for your desired audience is that you will be building a stronger channel for the future. Give yourself a better chance for YouTube success by using a consistent video strategy that focuses on viewer experience and customer satisfaction.

Use Great Branding Techniques for your Channel

Making your channel look visually appealing can seem like a low-priority task. But remember, humans are visual creatures. If you want to know how to build a YouTube audience and attract more subscribers, you’ve got to look the part. Branding your channel will make it look more professional, cohesive, and recognizable to visitors. Think about your brand — the logo, colors, font, slogan, and overall style that you use on your website and marketing materials. Your branding should appear consistently in all aspects of your business and across your channel.

Customize your Thumbnails

As mentioned above, your branding should carry across every one of your videos — and that means creating customized thumbnails. The thumbnail is one of the first things a viewer will notice about your video when they see it in search results or suggested lists. A big part of learning how to build a YouTube audience is simply finding ways to be noticed. The more you can do to stand out, the better. Start creating custom thumbnails for your videos — they will play a significant role in getting your content seen by the right people.

Promote Your Videos on Other Platforms to Increase your Audience

Ever wondered how to spread YouTube videos to a wider audience? You need to start promoting your videos outside of YouTube. There are many different platforms and audiences to target, like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also use email lists or Q&A sites like Quora and Reddit.

Attract and engage with subscribers outside of YouTube. Engage with followers and cross-promote your content on social media.

Develop a Video Publishing Schedule

Consistency is important in all aspects of YouTube. One way that you may be able to attract viewers to your channel is by establishing a regular video publishing schedule. Developing a video routine is a big part of growing your viewership. It can help keep your channel in the forefront of viewers’ minds, and let them know when to expect new content. Aim to post videos at set intervals (such as twice a week or once a fortnight) or on specific days (like every Sunday).

Don’t worry if it takes you a few months to develop a routine. It will take time for you to determine how many videos you can produce reliably. Remember to keep track of the entire creation process. This includes how long it takes you to research ideas and keywords, write a script, capture footage, edit, upload, and optimize the video for your audience.

If possible, you could try to create a backlog of videos before you set up your channel. This can be a good safety net for unforeseen situations where you are unable to produce a video; however, don’t work too far in advance. Give yourself the leeway to respond to trends and improve your content using data from YouTube Analytics.

Build a Community Around Your Channel

People like to feel that they are a part of something bigger than themselves. Much of YouTube’s popularity is the sense of community that it fosters. YouTube can offer a connected experience — to grow your viewership, you will need to establish a close-knit, active community.

YouTube subscribers appreciate content creators who listen to, interact with, and create videos in response to their fans. I’m talking more than just replying to the occasional comment; if you want to see how to build a YouTube audience, you must connect with your viewers and get to know them. In fact, 4 in 10 millennial subscribers say their favourite YouTube stars understand them better than their friends.

This is only part 1 of what will hopefully develop into a multi-part series. In the mean time, what sort of methods have you tried to grow your viewership on YouTube? Feel free to share your advice below to help others learn how to build a YouTube audience of their own. Got questions? Leave them in the comments!

Mar, 2021

What You Should Know Before Using a Crane

Most of the crane accidents that take place around the country every year are completely preventable. They typically happen because a crane operator forgets to check on equipment before conducting a lift or because the operator conducts the lift without taking the proper safety precautions. Therefore, if you are still new to operating cranes, there are some things you should know before you start lifting anything.

Thorough Inspection

Inspecting the work area, load, and equipment before starting the operation can promote crane safety. Check your equipment for any signs of wear or cracks on the booms and cables. Any equipment that has even slight damage shouldn’t be in service. Inspect the operating functions every time you’re about to use your crane. Have the necessary repair when you identify a defect. You don’t have to wait for a problem to escalate. You might also need to have an area check. Your crane should operate on level ground. Examine possible overhead hazards such as tall buildings that might disrupt the power lines or work area.

Safe Working Load

Crane manufacturers set the safe working load, which guides the load rating. Having calculated the minimum breaking strength, crane manufacturers divide it by the safety factor to have an accurate SWL. The nature of the equipment and its anticipated roles determine the safety factor. When you opt for mini crane hire, you can check the indicated maximum SWL to know if the different offers meet your needs. You can go for tracked cranes, crawler cranes, or star lifter cranes. The specifications should guide you on rigging and loading. Overloading a crane can cause the slings to fray or break. As a resultant, an accident can occur, leading to fatal injuries and damage. If you adhere to the safe working load, you can prevent several crane accidents.

Work With a Certified Operator

Cranes are massive and complex machinery that need specialized knowledge for safe operation. Workers working on the cranes should, therefore, have the expertise and knowledge of safety procedures. Getting a person who knows how to operate a crane is possible. However, it is recommendable to work with a certified contractor if you’re safety conscious. Accredited contractors have the theoretical and practical knowledge on how to operate a crane safely.

Allocate Adequate Crane Operation Time

Despite knowing how cranes work, being careful when operating one should be a priority. Several crane accidents can be attributed to careless operators. Rushing through the work can make a worker forget some safety procedures. Contractors ought to plan the operations so that they can have adequate time for crane inspection. The safety checks might take time. An operator who wants to be done with the operation might rush through the safety procedures, and missing a crucial step would not be a surprise. Workers should know the importance of taking time to pre-inspect the equipment, load, and the state of the ground.

Avoid Distractions

Whether you’re working on the ground or operating the crane, being attentive and alert can prevent several crane accidents. Avoid any distractions as all the operations surrounding cranes require your full attention. One of the notable distractions is the use of a phone. Your cell phone should be off when you’re operating the crane. A second of answering your phone or checking a message can lead to a severe accident. Your focus needs to be on the crane’s movement and the surrounding.

Review Safety Cards

Crane operation is complex enough that you might forget some procedures if you are new to the process. It is prudent to have a checklist where employees can confirm safety procedures. The checklist should include the procedure of checking different parts of the crane. It should also put more emphasis on maximum weight. The security measures ought to further outline the crane safety procedure after lifting the load.

Don’t Leave the Load Unattended

Once you use the crane lift, don’t leave the load suspended. The move is potentially hazardous, as strong winds can sway the load, causing it to tip over. This falling load can injure other people and cause property destruction. It would be best if you put the load down once you’re done with the lifting. Store the stabilizers, crane, and other equipment in a safe place.

These are just a few of the things you need to know before you start using a crane. If you need further details on crane operation or if you need to obtain a crane rental, call Casey Crane Hire today, and we will be happy to lend a helping hand.