Gmail, What Are You Doing??

If you're a Gmail user, please keep reading. (If you're not a Gmail user, this doesn't apply and 

you can return to your "regularly scheduled programming.)

As you're probably aware by now, Gmail has rolled out a new "inbox organization" system. Your inbox now has "tabs" where your emails are "sorted" for you into one of five categories:

• Primary
• Social
• Promotions
• Updates
• Forums

The problem is, Gmail decides FOR YOU which category emails are routed into. Unfortunately for you (and me!), emails from me (ones that will come from Resume Writers' Digest and/or BeAResumeWriter) will automatically be put into the "Promotions" tab ... because Gmail doesn't realize that the majority of the emails I'm sending you aren't "promotional" at all -- but solid content. Invitations to free, value-packed trainings. Links to take surveys (that I share the results from freely with the careers industry community). Free special reports to help you in your resume writing business, and with your clients.

But you may not see them, unless you take swift action!

Check your Promotions tab at the top of your Gmail account. Choose an email from me (they come from Resume Writers' Digest or Bridget Brooks or BeAResumeWriter.com) and drag and drop it to your Primary inbox tab. A message will pop up asking if you want to do this for all future emails from me. Click YES and you'll be assured you won't miss anything.

If you want to completely remove the new tab feature in Gmail, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Settings box in the upper righthand corner of your inbox
   and select "Settings." 
2. Click on the "Inbox" tab and unselect all categories except "Primary." 
3. Save your changes.

That's all there is to it!

Unfortunately, if you don't take action, you'll only be able to find my emails in your "Promotion" tab. Which is fine ... if you check that regularly. Otherwise, you'll miss out on valuable free teleseminars, articles, and resources to help you grow your resume writing business!

This Huffington Post article includes a video showing you the changes.

Asking Good Questions ... And Listening To the Answers

Last week, I did a teleseminar for the National Resume Writers' Association on "Ask Better Questions; Write Better Resumes." (If you missed it, you can still catch it here.)

One critical component I didn't cover on the call -- but that needs mentioning -- is the importance of listening (REALLY listening) to the answers you get. And it's not just about listening when you're gathering information to write the resume. But that's important too.

How, And Why, To Listen To Your Customers 
Do you listen to your customers? Do you listen to prospective customers? If you know how to listen, you can learn the secrets to building a strong and powerful resume writing business – the kind of business that has the capacity to make real change in the world. Most people know that listening is a powerful skill, yet they don’t take the steps required to become a better listener.

When you listen it means you have to give 100% of your attention. And let’s face it, there are a lot of people, thoughts, and things battling for your attention. It’s hard to listen. The following tips, steps, and ideas will help you become a better listener.

1. Stop Multitasking. When you’re talking with someone on the phone, via email, on social media or face-to-face, simply stop everything else you’re doing. This is the first step to eliminating distractions and allowing you to hear what the person is trying to communicate. For example, it’s often difficult to understand a client email completely when the television is on.
2. Stop Thinking – Learn to Focus. It’s difficult, admittedly, to shut out the other thoughts running through your mind and simply hear the person that’s talking to you. However, when you can accomplish it, you gain valuable insight. When you listen, you’ll be able to ask insightful questions that will help you writer a better resume.
3. Ask Questions. The only way someone knows if you’re listening is if you ask questions. The more relevant and thoughtful the question, the more you’ll learn. The same is true for any type of communication; email, phone calls, face-to-face, it doesn’t matter. Asking follow-up questions shows the person that you’re hearing what they have to say.

Why Listen? 
We like people who listen to us -- and guess what? We buy from people we like. We also respect people who listen and respond thoughtfully, as if they actually heard what we had to say. Finally, listen to learn. Listening to others not only helps you learn about your customers and their needs and goals, it also helps you learn more about you and the business you want to build. When you listen, you quiet your mind and that’s when real learning happens.

The Easiest Way to Start A Resume Writing Business Blog

Blogging is gaining new popularity as a way to attract new resume writing clients -- but many resume writers are intimidated by how to get started with blogging. While WordPress is popular as a blog platform (and website builder), Blogger is probably the easiest way to get started with a resume writing business blog. (It's the platform that I use for this blog, so I'm a bit biased.)

Yesterday, I wrote about predicting which blog posts you write will be most popular. But I haven't talked about the "how tos" of blogging.

It is very easy to set up a Blogger blog. Simply go to www.blogger.com and enter in some basic information. Blogger has quite a few different themes to choose from, and you can further customize your blog by choosing the colors and fonts.

Blogger makes it very simple to add page elements to your site, such as Google Adsense (to make money from ads on your blog) and other items.

If you want to further customize your blog, Blogger allows you to change your template by editing the Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) of your blog. But beware: This is not for the faint of heart! You need to have some technical knowledge to do this without screwing up your blog template.

You can host your blog for free by using Blogger. Your blog's URL will have "blogspot" in it, for example, my blog URL is http://rwdigest.blogspot.com/

You can host your blog on your own web host by changing the ftp settings in your blog. This will allow you to customize your domain, such as www.yourdomain.com/blog.

Another option is to switch to a custom domain. If you have registered a URL, you can go to the "publishing" section of your blog's settings and enter the domain. When someone goes to that domain, they will be directed to your blog.

Blogger will also allow you to write your posts in advance and set them up as drafts. When you are ready to publish them, you simply press a button and your post is on the web.

Inserting pictures and links in your blog posts is also very simple using Blogger's editor. Blogger's comment section allows you to control who can post comments and whether or not they can add links to your blog.

I Can Predict Which Blog Posts You'll Want To Read

As a blogger, sometimes it's a surprise to you which of your content becomes the most popular. By popular you mean the most shared via social media methods, the most talked about on other blogs or forums, and the most read and commented on. (One of the things I like about using Blogger as my blog platform is that I can see my post analytics — how many people viewed a particular post, and which of my posts are most popular.)

But wouldn't it be nice to have some knowledge beforehand as to what makes content popular so you can write future blog posts with the goal of getting lots of interaction and shares?

It's possible! Here are some of the blog posts that will get you the most engagement!

• Anything with a number in the title draws readers like moths to a flame. People like to be given privileged information, insights into mistakes they might be making, and actionable steps, which is what numbers in the title signify. 
• "List posts" such as a "top 10 list" are still going strong. Information in list form or bullet form is easier to digest and easier for many to take action on, thus making it attractive to readers.
• Sharing financial information. Who doesn't want to know what other people make? Sharing information about how jobseekers can make more money is ALWAYS going to get read.
• Giving away something valuable almost instantly qualifies that content to become a favorite. Readers appreciate that you can relate to their problems and offer you free tools or solutions.
• Share your favorite tools. Why? Because it's valuable information your readers can take and use immediately. Plus, your readers will give feedback on their own favorite tools, thus making the content even better.
• Give insight into your personal results. Reveal what others most want to know. Here you let the reader in on your business goals, case studies, and actual client results of their job search.
• Before-and-after case studies. Speaking of case studies, careers industry clients want to see before-and-after examples of resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, etc.
• Resource lists are another type of content that readers like, especially if you are an expert in your field or considered successful in what you do. Readers respond favorably to hearing about the resources you've used to help you become successful.

When you can deliver industry-breaking news (like the recent decision by The Ladders to discontinue their resume writing services -- and why this is GOOD NEWS for jobseekers) your content will see more traffic and get shared quite a bit. Obviously the trick is to be quick on breaking news, and if you're not one of the first to report it, at least add a unique angle to what you offer it up.

While you don't have to write your content to win a popularity contest, why wouldn't you want to gear it towards what your readers like? It's not about winning a contest, but connecting with your readers, growing trust, and mutually beneficial relationships, and gathering new readers into your fold.

Don't Make These Four Mistakes With Your Careers Content

Writing good content does not have to be hard, but it does require a little bit of thinking it through before you post. Some resume writers make mistakes with their careers content when they're first getting started with content marketing to grow their resume writing business.

Here are some of the most common mistakes you can make with your careers industry content:

Mistake #1
Posting low quality content in order to just post something. Consistency is important, but not more important than quality. Yes, more content might mean more traffic and new visitors -- but if your content is crap, will the visitors stick around? Will they find you credible? Will they visit again? Will they buy from you?

Mistake #2
Making it hard to read the material on your website. Consider your font type, font size, contrast between the words and the background (black words on white background is easiest on the eyes), use of white space and graphics, and keep your paragraphs short. This is a fairly easy fix.

Mistake #3
The content is not relevant to your career clients. It seems obvious that an article about food is not what your visitors want to see when they come to your resume writing blog, but this type of thing happens often. Define your site and stick to the topic or a complimentary subject. The only time the readers should see something about food on your resume writing blog is if you're working it into an analogy post or as an example of something jobseekers can learn from.

Mistake #4
Writing for the search engines and stuffing keywords. While "chief technology executive salary negotiation" might be an excellent keyword phrase according to searches, there is a reason why there are not very many exact matches. When this phrase is in your title and seven more times in the article, it makes for a pretty awful reading experience for your viewers. You are writing for search engines and stuffing keywords -- which can get you in trouble with Google.

Again, writing good content does not have to be hard. Put yourself in your prospective resume client's shoes and write what you would want to read yourself. Ultimately, your site needs to serve your readers first in order to ultimately serve you.

Avoid These 7 Mistakes When Starting a Home-Based Resume Writing Business

© gpointstudio - Fotolia.com

Most folks getting started in the resume writing industry these days are starting a home-based resume writing business. When I started my resume writing business 17 years ago, my husband and I rented an office to work out of, but we moved it into our home 9 years ago, and haven't looked back.

I always laugh at the ads in the home-based business magazines. "Starting a home-based business can be an exciting venture. Get started cheap, and make big money overnight."

Starting a home-based resume writing business can be exciting, and you can get your start for under $1000. But it takes hard work to make big money, and you want to avoid some of the most common mistakes in order to see your home-based resume writing business succeed.

Here are some of the top mistakes:

Failing to do your homework. What's that old saying, "Those who fail to plan, plan to fail"? (One good resource is my "Ready, Set, Goal: Business Planning and Goal Setting For Resume Writers" special report.)  It's also important to research the industry. Here's the link to the results of the 2011 Resume Writers' Digest Annual Industry Survey, which outlines typical hourly rates and average package prices for resumes/cover letters.

Failing to choose a niche. Yes, you can be a "general" resume writer, but you'll be more successful in standing out from the crowd if you ALSO pick a niche. Your niche is what is going to help you determine who your target audience is (and market to your ideal client), and what kind of career services they need. Without choosing a well-defined niche, you'll find it harder to attract clients. (Especially online!)

Failing to legitimize your business. Many people start a business without getting the proper credentials and licensing. Check into what your city, county, and state require in terms of business permits and licenses. Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which is your federal tax identification number for your small business.

Failing to know the law. This is especially important if you are planning on offering career coaching in addition to resume services. Some states require you to be licensed to offer career advice. You need to know if that's a requirement in your state. Also, some cities have zoning restrictions on home-based businesses. Research the law in your area so you don't get shut down!

Failing to get involved in the industry. One of the easiest shortcuts to success in the resume writing industry is to learn from your colleagues! This is truly a business that sees other resume writers as colleagues, not competitors. Join one of the professional associations in the resume writing industry, and get involved in the e-lists. Consider attending a conference! (Jon and I will be at the National Resume Writer's Association conference in Chicago in September. I'd love to see you there!)

Failing to market the business. Without a marketing plan you cannot have a successful home-based resume writing business. You might get away with that a little bit with a brick-and-mortar business in a busy mall, but you cannot get away without marketing if you're home-based. If you don't market, prospective resume clients won't know you exist. (Use the search box in the upper-left hand side of this blog -- type in "Marketing" and check out the blog posts that relate to marketing your home-based resume writing business.)

Failing to persevere. A home-based resume writing business can take time to build, and you'll need to actively work on your business each day in order to make it happen. Many resume writers -- including me! -- started by working part-time in their resume writing business before making the leap to full-time.

By avoiding these mistakes often made by home-based resume business start-ups, you're more likely have a profitable business that you can be truly proud to call your own!

Pros and Cons of a Home-Based Resume Writing Business

Starting a home-based resume writing business can be an exciting and profitable venture. It can also be a good lifestyle choice -- for example, if you're thinking of starting a family, a home-based business allows you to be home with your children. It's also a good choice for military spouses (resume writing businesses can literally be run from anywhere in the world), and those who are thinking about semi-retirement. But a home-based resume writing business isn't just for moms, trailing spouses, or those who eventually want to be self-employed.

But it's not for everyone. Having worked from home for the past 9 years, I want to share some of the pros and cons of a home-based resume writing business, from the perspective of someone who can "tell it like it is!"

Pros of a Home-Based Resume Writing Business

• You can get started building a home-based resume writing business in your spare time. Many resume writers get their start this way. Work a full-time job, and write resumes at night and on the weekends. This allows you to develop your skills, build a client base, and get experience without needing the resume writing business to provide all of your income (and benefits).
• Low start-up costs. If you already have a computer and word processing software (Word is the industry standard), you've got almost all the tools you'll need. With free and inexpensive website design/hosting software, you can quickly establish an online presence. Once you start generating income, you can join a professional association in the resume writing industry, and pursue certification.
• Low operating costs. You already pay a mortgage or rent and you already have utilities (and probably, Internet access), so your operating costs really won't change at first just because you have a home-based resume writing business. You may at some point invest in some extras, but you can keep them lean and mean by only purchasing what you must have.
• No commute. Wake up, walk 10 feet and you're at work. No need to drive to work and spending money on cars, gas and work clothing. Because I live in Nebraska (hello, snow!), I love working from home for this reason.
• No childcare. Technically you can work on your business while your kids are playing, napping, or with their other parent. This advantage varies depending on the age of your children and the willingness of your spouse to assist. (I can't speak to this one personally, as I borrow "my" children from their real parents, and then return them when they are all sugared up and I'm worn out.)
• Flexible working hours. This is probably the biggest reason why I am self-employed. Being a home-based resume writer has allowed me to take care of ill family members (including helping my Mom take care of my Dad before he died last year), be there for my niece's and nephew's school events, and follow my favorite college hockey team on the road, while still getting my work done.
• Professional satisfaction. Running a successful home-based resume business can give you the same professional satisfaction you had at a job, only better, because it's all yours. And most resume clients don't care where you work from -- you'll be working with them via phone, Skype, email, Google+ Hangout, etc.

Cons of a Home Business

• You're always "at work." When your work is at home it can be hard to separate yourself from it. You can never really "leave" the office, even if you stop working for the day. This is probably the biggest misconception I hear about working from home. People say to me, "I'd never be able to work from home because I'd just end up in front of the TV all day." For me, the opposite is true. I'll "check my email real quick before I go to bed" at 10:30 p.m, and the next thing I know, it's 1 a.m.
• Family and friends may not understand you're working. Once you're not working a job anymore, your friends and family may often start relying on you to do all kinds of things for them now that you "don't work." It may be difficult to explain to them that you do indeed work. My former sister-in-law was famous for this. My mom came over to watch my youngest niece while my brother worked (from home) and his then-wife taught preschool in the morning. She was supposed to be home by noon, but would frequently call and say she was running late and to just leave my infant niece with my brother to take care of … even though he was on deadline. You have to set your boundaries…and enforce them.
• Undefined working hours. Sometimes when you work from home and switch hours around to accommodate the needs of the family, it can feel like you never get off work, that you're always at work, and it can get quite frustrating. See Cons #1 and #2.
• Lack of benefits. You will not have health insurance, paid vacations, and other benefits that you get at a job. If you want them, you'll have to pay for them -- and that means charging enough to make a decent living…including benefits! You can build in your own paid days off as you generate more profit.
• Loss of social contacts. You'll spend an enormous amount of time alone working from home. You may start to feel isolated. Here again is where your network of other professional resume writers can help!
• Your motivation must come from you. There will not be anyone to force you to do the work and no threat of being fired if you don't. If you're not the type of person who is intrinsically motivated, self-employment may not be for you.

Regardless of the pros and cons of having a home-based resume writing business, the decision is up to you. Any of the cons can be turned into pros with just a little forethought and planning.

Happy Fourth of July, Resume Writers!

Today, we celebrate our freedom ... which includes the right to choose where we work! 

Happy Independence Day to my colleagues in the careers industry!

© romantiche - Fotolia.com

How to Optimize Your Resume Writing Business Profile on Bing

In yesterday's post, I emphasized the need to develop an online presence on Bing, the fastest-growing social search site on the web. One of the best ways to do this is through a free profile on the Bing Business Portal.

In the Bing Business Portal, you can list your business details, profile, create your mobile website, upload photos, and even create business cards, QR codes, and more. It's important that you use every aspect of your Bing business listing in order to get the very best search results. Here are some ideas to help you optimize your resume writing business profile on Bing.

1. Consider your target audience. As with all types of marketing, it is very important to understand intimately who you are targeting with your profile. You need to know their demographics, their desires, fears, and needs. If you don't know those things you can't effectively attract them to your profile.

2. Fill out your complete profile. Use every inch of space to fill out your profile. Even if you work primarily with clients online (which most resume writers do), fill out the geographic-specific information too so that it makes it easier for your market to locate you in their search. In the "More Details" area, list your payment method, professional affiliations, when you started your resume writing business, and fill out your tagline. In the Description area, use all the keywords you can think of to describe what it is that you do for your audience.

3. Complete your mobile site. Even if your normal website is already mobile friendly, it won't hurt to fill out all aspects of your mobile site on your Bing business listing in the Bing Business Portal. The more information you provide and the more keywords you use, the more likely you are to show up in the search results.

4. Upload relevant photos. This is a good place to upload photos of examples of your work (before-and-after resume samples are an excellent example). You are able to fill in a caption for the photo, which can describe the photo in a keyword-rich way. This will ensure that your target market can find you and see examples of your work, or photos of your products if you publish information products (ebooks, for example).

5. Check for errors. Always double-check every aspect of your Bing business listing for errors. It's easy to make a spelling error, or a typo, so check to be sure that you have it written correctly and that everything looks the way it should in the Preview area. You can always update it later, but as with any content, it's best to edit and optimize from the start.

6. Fill out the "What I Sell" tab. Even though it may seem like duplication, the "What I Sell" tab is very important as it's yet another chance for you to enter search terms that your target audience will use when they're looking for a resume writer like you.

7. List all your events. Do you offer teleseminars or webinars on career topics? Speaking to any groups, or at a national conference? Whether the events are online or offline, this is a great place to list every event that you have so that when people search for events like yours they can find them easier. Again, this is another chance to enter search terms (keywords) that your target audience is using to find you.

8. Integrate your social media. Within your listing, under "Details" there is a space for your Facebook address, and your Twitter address (with more to come later). Ensure that you complete this area so that your target audience can connect with you on your other social media sites too.

9. Verify your site. This might seem like an obvious tip, but you may be shocked to learn that a lot of people forget to verify their Bing business listing. Depending on how you choose to verify, you may be sent a code via snail mail 7 to 10 days later. It can sometimes be mistaken as junk mail, so be on the lookout for it, because it has a PIN number you will need to enter in order for your listing to go live.

Once you have created your Bing profile, remember that it's not "Set it and forget it." Check back every few months to make sure that your profile is still up-to-date. And remember, the more complete your Bing profile, the more effective it will be for you.

The Next "Bing" Thing for Resume Writers

You've probably seen and heard more about the Bing search engine over the past few months. They're really taking a run at Google, and while they're still well behind the world's #1 search engine, it can be worthwhile for your resume writing business to optimize your presence on Bing. It will only take about an hour or so, and you may see a significant increase in traffic to your website and social media profiles as a result.

Over the next few days, we'll take a look at how to create your Bing-friendly profile.

Did you know that some mobile devices default to "Bing" for search? If you didn't, you probably also need to know that Bing is the fastest growing search engine and if you're not using it to its full advantage to promote your resume writing business, you may be missing out.

With Bing Webmaster Tools, you can optimize your website. With Bing Ads, you can ensure that your customers find your resume writing business website. If you want to be found locally, ensure that you claim your business on Bing Business Portal. It's free to get started. Simply go to http://www.bing.com/businessportal and follow the easy instructions provided.

Due to the proliferation of Bing search, if you've not done this yet, you're not taking advantage of every opportunity to promote your business. As mentioned before, Bing is the default search on many mobile browsers now — due to that fact alone it is going to grow fast. Your business needs to be where the action is and today the action is with local search.

You can then make your profile super attractive by including photos, logos, and keyword-rich content. In the Bing Business Portal you can create a complete listing, ensuring to use keywords that will attract your target audience, and also offer deals to help you get more clients and/or customers.

Top Keywords for Your Resume (A-N)

Keywords are more important than ever on resumes as more and more companies use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software.

Keywords are usually nouns or short phrases which refer to work experience, education, training, terminology, licensure, affiliations, skills, and abilities within a specific industry and/or profession.

Resumes are electronically searched for keywords matching the position's responsibilities or other criteria deemed relevant for the role (i.e., a bachelor's degree for a pharmaceutical sales position).

Work in keywords throughout the resume -- not just in a keyword summary section. Some applicant tracking systems can determine contextual cues, so use keywords in job descriptions, achievement bullets, and Qualifications Profiles.

.net
3PL / TL / LTL
401K

A/R Management
Academic Advising
Account Analysis
Account Executive
Account Maintenance
Account Management
Account Penetration
Account Reconciliation
Account Relationship Management
Account Retention
Account Settlement
Accountant
Accounting
Accounting Management
Accounting Software
Accounts Payable
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable/Payable
ADA
Administration
Administrative
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Expertise
Administrative Management
Adult Education
Advanced Technology
Advertising
Advertising & Marketing
Advertising Collateral
Advertising Design
Advertising Planning
Advocacy
Analysis & Forecasting
Analyst
Animation
Annual Reports
Applicant Screening
Applicant Tracking
Application Design
Application Development
Appointment Management
Architect
Architectural Design
Architecture
Art Design
Art Direction
Assessment Processes
Asset Management
Asset Protection
Asset Recovery
Asset Valuation
Association Management
Audio Production
Audit
Audit Controls
Audit Management
Audit Reviews
Auditing
Auditor
Audits
AutoCD
Automotive Knowledge

B2B and B2C Sales
Bank Compliance
Bank Operations
Bank Reconciliation
Banking
Banking and Cash Management
Banking Practices
Banking/Finance
Basel II Regulations
Benchmarking
Benefits Administration
Benefits Analysis
Benefits Integration
Benefits Management
Best Practices
Bilingual
Board Relations
Bookkeeper
Brand Operations
Branch Sales
Branch Visibility
Brand Awareness
Brand Building
Brand Cultivation
Brand Management
Brand Operations
Brand Response Advertising
Branding
Branding & Advertising
Branding Identity
Budget Administration
Budget Allocation
Budget Development
Budget Management
Budget Oversight
Budgeting
Budgeting & Finance
Budgeting/Forecasting
Budgets
Building Inspections
Business Administration
Business Analysis
Business Analyst
Business Consulting
Business Continuity Planning
Business Development
Business Images
Business Leadership
Business Management
Business Operations
Business Planning
Business Process Consulting
Business Reengineering
Business-to-Business
Buyer

#+
Call Center
Campaign Development
Campaign Management
Campaign Planning
Candidate Recruitment
Candidate Selection
Candidate Sourcing
Capital Budgets
Capital Investment Analysis
Career Development
Case Management
Cash Flow Analysis
Cash Flow Optimization
Cash Management
Cash Management & Collections
Catering
Change Management
Chapter Development
City Planning
Civil Engineer
Claim Management & Avoidance
Clerical
Client Consultation
Client Management
Client Needs Analysis
Client Presentations
Client Relations
Client Retention
Client Service
Client/Server Technology
Clinical Consultant
Clinical Services Management
CNC
Code Compliance
Code Enforcement
Code Testing
Cold Calling
Collections
Commercial Architecture
Commercial Loan Operations
Commercial/Retail Banking
Communication
Communication Strategy
Communications
Community Outreach
Community Relations
Compensation
Compensation Analysis
Compensation/Benefits
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Intelligence
Competitive Market Analysis
Competitive Market Intelligence
Competitive Market Positioning
Compliance
Compliance Reporting
Compliance/Auditing
Computer-Aided Testing
Concept Development
Conference Planning
Conflict Resolution
Consensus Building and Teaming
Construction
Construction Estimating
Construction Planning
Consultative Sales
Consumer Banking
Continuous Improvement
Continuous Process Improvement
Contract Administration
Contract Negotiations
Contracts
Controller
Convention Management
Copyediting
Corporate Accounting
Corporate Administration
Corporate Communications
Corporate Development
Corporate Marketing
Corporate Mergers
Corporate Retirement/Pension
Corporate Strategic Business Planning
Corporate Tax
Corporate Tax Filings
Corporate Tax Planning
Corporate Training
Corporate Vision and Strategy
Cost Analysis
Cost Avoidance
Cost Containment
Cost Control
Cost Reduction
Costuming
CPA
Creative Design
Creative Development
Creative Direction
Creative Innovation
Creative Problem Solving
Creativity
Credit & Collections
Credit Management
Crisis Communications
Crisis Management
Crisis Planning
Curriculum Development
Custodial Accounts
Customer Management
Customer Needs Assessment
Customer Relations
Customer Relationship Management
Customer Retention
Customer Service

Data Analysis
Data Collection & Analysis
Data Entry
Data Modeling
Data Processing
Decision-Making
Demand Forecasting
Demographic Analysis
Design Development
Design Elements
Designer
Development Coordination
Diagnosis & Treatment
Dictation
Digital Recording
Discrimination Investigations
Distribution Management
Distributor Relations
Document Management
Document Processing
Due Diligence

Earnings Distribution
E-Commerce
Educational Administration
Educational Programming
EEO
Efficiency Improvement
Employee Assistance
Employee Benefits Planning
Employee Development
Employee Education
Employee Improvement Plans
Employee Recruiting & Staffing
Employee Relations
Employee Safety
Employee Security
Employee Training
Employment Law
Engineer
Engineering Management
Entry Level
Environmental Compliance
Escalated Customer Service
Estate Planning
Estimator
Event Design/Execution
Event Graphics
Executive Assistant
Executive Management
Expense & Inventory Control
Expense Control
Expense Elimination
Expense Management
Expense Tracking
Expense Tracking & Analysis

Facilities Management
Feasibility Studies
Field Inspections
Field Sales Force Management
Finance
Finance and Accounting Management
Financial Accountability
Financial Administration
Financial Aid
Financial Analysis
Financial Analysis and Reporting
Financial Analyst
Financial Audits
Financial Controls
Financial Management
Financial Modeling
Financial Models
Financial Performance
Financial Planning
Financial Reconciliation
Financial Reporting
Financial Reports
Financial Restructuring
Financial Services
Financial System Design
Financial Systems
Fiscal Management
Fleet Scheduling
Food & Beverage
Food Preparation
Forensic Accounting
Front Desk Management
Fundraising/Development

GAAP
General Accounting
General Ledger
General Ledger Accounting
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Understanding the Role of Keywords in Marketing Your Resume Business

The Google Keyword Tool is key that unlocks the door to web traffic to your website and thus, new resume clients. The Google Keyword Tool pulls its data straight from Google’s database. Here you can find out exactly how many people each are searching for the keyword terms you’re targeting every month. You can find out keywords that people who search for one term ("find a resume writer) also tend to search for ("certified resume writer" and "best resume writer" are two of the top matches).

What’s great about the Google Keyword Tool is that you can figure out what keywords Google thinks are relevant – straight from Google. Google likes to rank sites that target groups of related keywords. Does Google think your keywords are related? Why not ask Google?

Google’s keyword tool offers a wide range of different tools and options. You can search by broad, phrase, or exact match. This allows you to figure out broadly how many people are performing searches for a keyword, as well as precisely what people type into Google. You can search by specific countries or languages, as well as filter your results any number of ways.

By and large, for most projects the Google Keyword Tool is all you need. Some projects might truly require more complex tools, which generally have to be paid tools, since Google charges a fee for outside apps to pull their data. If you’re doing SEO or PPC research on a small to medium scale however, the Google Keyword Tool can easily provide you with all the data you’ll ever need.

Here’s how to use the Google Keyword Tool.

Step 1: Enter Your Keywords

To access the Google Keyword Tool, go to: https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

To get started, enter the keyword you want to research in the “Word or phrase” box.

Step 2: The Exact Term Checkbox

Check whether you want Google to treat your term as an exact term.

What exactly does this mean?

If you don’t check this box, Google will give you all kinds of keywords that are related to your keyword. For example, if you type in “interior decorating tips,” Google might give you terms like “interior decorating,” as well as “choose furniture” or “home decor.”

On the other hand, if you checked the box, Google will incorporate only keywords that contain your keyword or something very close to your keyword. So you might get keywords like “quick interior decorating tips” or “green interior decorating tips.”

Unchecking the box is a good way to brainstorm for new keywords. Checking the box is a good way to research exact search volumes for closely related keywords.

Step 3: Interpreting the Results

Once you hit search, you’ll then be presented with all the results that Google came up with.

First you’ll have the “Search Terms” box. This will give you all the data for the exact search terms you entered.

Below that, you’ll have the “Keyword Ideas” box. This is where Google will give you all the data they have about keywords that are related to yours.

The competition gauge is semi-accurate. If you’re doing keyword research using a specific methodology, it’s better to use your own methodology than use this gauge. For example, if you’re gauging competitiveness based on the PR ranking of the top pages and the number of exact match anchor text links it has incoming for the search term, stick with that strategy rather than use Google’s “Competition” gauge.

The “Global Monthly Searches” is the main number you want to look at for most sites. This is how many people in total search for your keyword term each month. The “Local Monthly Searches” on the other hand gives you data for how many people searched your term just in the country you selected. This is useful for local businesses or businesses that only target one country.

You can also use the "ad group" (currently in beta testing) to see broader "categories" of keywords:

Step 4: Refine by Match Type

Next, you can refine by match type. This is a crucial step that a lot of beginning marketers accidentally skip.

On the left hand side you can choose to see the result for Broad, Phrase or Exact match. Make sure you have the correct box checked.


What does each of these mean? Let’s take a look at an example.

Example Keyword: Resume Service

Broad: Any keyword that has your keywords incorporated is displayed. For example, “Resume Service” or “Resume Writing Service” would both count as a search for broad match.

Phrase: Only keywords that incorporate the word in the order that you entered will be displayed will show up. So “Resume Preparation Service” would count for phrase match, but “Service for Writing Resumes” won’t. (Notice how the listings under "keyword" changed.)

Exact: Only the exact words “resume service” will count, anything else with any added words will not count.

A lot of people accidentally leave the keyword tool set at broad match and think their keywords have a lot more volume than they really do. When you’re targeting specific keywords to rank for, always research volume using exact match.

Step 5: Exclude Terms

Often time’s you’ll want to exclude certain terms from showing up in your results. For example, if you’re promoting a paid resume writing service, you’ll probably want to exclude any keywords that allude to free services. So exclude the word "free" and "sample" and you'll see how that changes the results.

Step 6: Location and Languages

Under “Advanced Options and Filters,” select which country(s) and language(s) you want your results to display for.

If you’re only doing business in certain countries (and most resume writers are!), it helps to get a gauge for how much volume is in those countries, rather than the global volume.

Step 7: Devices

Choose which devices you want to see results for. If you’re researching data that’s exclusively for mobile devices, this can be a good way to narrow down your results.


Step 8: Filter Results

If you’re looking for keywords with a specific amount of search volume, it can help to just tell Google what you’re looking for. That way your search results won’t get crowded with keywords that don’t fit your criteria.

For example, if you’re only looking for exact match terms with 1,000 to 5,000 searches a month, all you need to do is setup a couple filters and you’re set.

Step 9: Sort Results

Choose how you want your results sorted. By default Google sorts by relevance, but you’ll very often want to sort by number of searches instead.

Step 10: Search by Website

Another common way to find keywords is to enter a competitor’s URL into the Google Keyword Tool. Google will pull up a list of all the keywords they think are relevant to that URL.

This is a great way to “steal” keywords that you wouldn’t normally think to search, or that Google wouldn’t normally pull up through relevance.

As you can tell, the search results are much more wide ranging than when you type in one specific keyword to stem your research from.


Step 11: Downloading the Results

If you want to download your results offline, just click “Download.” You’ll be able to save your results in spreadsheet format, with both the keyword data and the volume data.

Step 12: Estimating PPC Costs

If you want to estimate PPC costs outside of an AdWords account, here’s how you do it. Note that if you have an AdWords account, it’s better to use internal tools, as that’ll take into account your Quality Score and relevance when calculating click costs.

Start by going to the “Traffic Estimator” tool in the upper left corner.

Enter your keyword, then set your daily budget and max CPC.

Google will display your results, along with the estimated CPC below.

That’s how to use the Google Keyword Tool! You now know how to use one of the most versatile keyword research tools on the planet. Using the Google Keyword Tool, you can research any niche or market you’re tackling, whether you’re using pay-per-click or Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies.

Five Ways to Improve Your Skills as a Resume Writer

I've been writing resumes since I was 12. A lot has changed in that time. In fact, the resume writing business continues to change all the time. LinkedIn was launched in 2003, but I didn't join until October 2008. Most resume writers will tell you that LinkedIn has really impacted the hiring process — but the reality is, most of that change has come in the last five years. If you're a resume writer and you're not on LinkedIn, you're already behind the times. If you're not also helping clients improve their LinkedIn profiles, you're missing out on a great source of revenue ... and results for your clients.

The next big change in the hiring process — and, consequently, your resume writing business — might be just around the corner, or it might be five years away. But it's coming. That's for sure. Because nothing stays the same forever. There's always something new to learn. If you're planning on still being in business a year from now, you need to be investing in your skills. What you know today will not be all you need to know tomorrow. Get out there and learn all that you can.

Here are five ways to improve your skills as a resume writer:

1. Take a class. One of the great things about the resume writing industry is that there are lots of opportunities to improve your knowledge about the writing process, coaching clients, and new technology. (Check out the Events listing on BeAResumeWriter.com site — I collect information about training opportunities from multiple sources in the industry.)

2. Get involved. Is there a resume writing conference going on near you? Register and attend the meetings to find out what others in the industry are doing to grow their resume writing business. It's also a great opportunity to network with those who can help you succeed.

3. Gain certification as a resume writer. There is a lot of debate whether certification is worthwhile in the resume writing industry, but in business in general, it's all about expertise. When you can show that you are an expert in your field, you gain the trust not only of clients but also of other resume writers. (Some resume writers will only hire certified resume writers as subcontract writers.) There are many choices for certification. 

4. Ask questions. If you don't know how to do something, then ask. All of the major professional associations (PARW, NRWA, CDI) offer e-lists. Participate in the discussions and ask other resume writers for advice.

5. Find a mentor. Is there someone in the resume writing field that you look up to? They may be able to impart knowledge that can take you far. If they are willing, learn all you can from them.

If you want your resume writing business to grow, you need to grow along with it. Continually learn new skills that can grow your business!

A Winning Strategy

© Andres Rodriguez - Fotolia.com

Warning: This blog post is a bit off topic today, but I've received a lot of requests for my "winning strategy" for contests and sweepstakes. People say that I'm "lucky," but as the quote goes, "Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity." 

Since the beginning of 2013, I've won two sets of concert tickets, an Amazon gift card, an Apple TV, and a mini-season ticket package from the local baseball team. Yesterday, I won a Bissell vacuum cleaner and an Osprey Sling Pack backpack in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge Summer of Cycling Sweepstakes. My 12-year-old niece Julia was impressed that I keep winning so many things, and she asked me to share my tips for winning. Before school many mornings, she would text me and ask for "today's tip." I compiled the tips, and am sharing them with you here.

Jobseekers are always looking for the "secret" that will help them find a job faster, or more easily. But the fact is, just like when winning contests, the key is persistence, patience, and a positive attitude. That's just one of the tips I gave to Julia.  Tips that also apply to jobseekers are noted in red.

Day 1: Always crumple up your entry form when filling out a paper contest entry form. It gives the entry more "edges" and it "floats" to the top and is more likely to be picked. [Jobseekers: Set yourself apart from other applicants!]

Day 2: When calling a radio station to be a certain caller, use the "redial" function so you don't have to type in the number again, which wastes time. On a cell phone, hit the "Call" button twice and that will usually redial.

Day 3: Enlist a friend. The more people you can have trying to win a particular promotion, the better. Especially if you are calling a phone number -- have as many phones dialing as possible. (Remember, that's how [your sister] Emily won those hockey tickets with your phone that time!) Many online contests these days have a "social share" component to them -- you can earn extra entries if you share the entry link with your friends, family, and network! [Jobseekers: Your network is there to help you in your job search! The more people you have trying to help you find a new job, the better!]

Day 4: For big concerts and events, there will usually be some giveaways before the event as they work to make last-minute sales (unless the event is sold out). Find out who is promoting it and/or co-sponsoring it, and tune in.

Day 5: Figure out who does a lot of giveaways -- for example, First National Bank does a lot -- and "follow" what they do (i.e., on Facebook and Twitter). Make sure you have your account set to get notifications, especially if some of them are time-sensitive (i.e., "the first 10 people who comment will win.") [Jobseekers: Research who the big employers are in your area -- big companies are often constantly hiring, so if you're looking for an entry-level position, check their website often!]

Day 6: Many places have rules about how often you can win things (like every 30 days), so don't try to win stuff "just" to win stuff ... otherwise, you might be ineligible to be a winner when there's a giveaway you really want. [Jobseekers: If a company uses an applicant-tracking system, they will keep your application on file. If you apply for multiple jobs at the same company, the hiring manager can see that. Apply for vastly different jobs and they'll think you're not serious about your application. So don't apply for positions just to be applying!]

Day 7: Be sure you are eligible for the contest you're entering. Some have age restrictions. If it's a paper entry form, it will often be on the form, or on the box you put the form into. Otherwise, you'll have to look for rules on a website. [Jobseekers: Make sure you meet the requirements for the job -- or, if you don't have the specific credentials, you can demonstrate your expertise in another way!]

Day 8: Nothing you win is truly "free." With most winnings (whether tickets, lottery, or whatever), you have to declare them as income for your taxes. Of course, if you're 12, and you don't pay taxes, this may not apply.

Day 9: The more sweepstakes and contests you enter, the more likely you are to win. As they say, "You can't win if you don't play!" [Jobseekers: Sometimes you only need to apply to one job and you'll get it. But most people will find that they need to apply for multiple jobs -- customizing the resume and cover letter for each job, of course -- before they are offered a position.]

Day 10: Watch out for sweepstakes scams! Some contests are just designed to sell you something. That's why it's important to always read the contest rules. And never PAY to collect your prize. That's a scam too. Legitimate sweepstakes pay YOU, not the other way around. [Jobseekers: Watch out for employment scams!]

Day 11: Think about what info to put on the entry form. When I won "the best seats in the house" at the Detroit Red Wings hockey game, they were drawing the winners right away. The guy reminded me of that -- I had put my home number (at my house in Nebraska) on the form, but I changed it to my cell phone and I wasn't even back to my seat yet (wayyyy up high in the arena ... Jon and I didn't even have seats next to each other!) when they called to say I won tickets on the glass right behind the goal. [Jobseekers: Be mindful of the contact information you put on your resume and cover letter! NEVER use your work email address or work phone, but make sure you provide contact information so that it's easy to reach you to request an interview!]

Day 12: Say THANK YOU! When I won the Newsboys tickets from KGBI, I tagged them on my Facebook post about winning the tickets, and I also tweeted them that night to say thanks! [Jobseekers: ALWAYS write a thank you note after an interview!]

Day 13: The bigger the prize, the more likely your personal info (on the entry form) will need to be verified. Aunt Jean once won a trip to Hawaii from Baker's! And Jon and I each won an iMac computer. For big prizes like this, you have to fill out an "affadavit." They will check that against your driver's license, so make sure the info matches! [Jobseekers: Reference checks are part of the job search! Make sure the information you provide on a resume and job application can be verified!!]

Day 14: Luck is the smallest and least important part of winning. To consistently win contests, you need patience, perseverance, and a positive attitude.

Day 15: If the contest offers a daily reminder, sign up! HGTV's Dream Home contests do, and I remember to enter every day when I get the email reminder!

Day 16: Some contests require more than luck. Consider entering essay contests or even those that require you to guess the number of pieces of candy in a jar! (Don't forget to bring your Wonka candy to show your math teacher!)

Day 17: Push through "sweepstakes burnout" -- that feeling you'll never win. Just keep plugging away. It's usually when you're about to give up that something good happens! [This is another great tip for jobseekers!]

Day 18: You have the best odds of winning small sweepstakes. Look for contests at the grocery store, for example, or school. Big national sweepstakes will have lots more entries, making it harder to win. [For jobseekers, this means applying at small companies, and finding out about unadvertised opportunities.]

Day 19: The best sweepstakes to enter for really high chances are those that offer a lot of prizes. Sweepstakes that are giving away 100 prizes have 100 times the odds of winning, compared to those giving away just one prize. I won a $5 Amazon gift card yesterday in the Bausch and Lomb Ultimate Movie Sweepstakes. (Weekly winners win a 40-inch HDTV; 10,000 people were eligible to instantly win a $5 gift card.)

Day 20: Sweepstakes that are "annoying" to enter are also likely to have fewer entries: Look for writing, video, or coloring contests to enter.

Day 21: Some contests require you to enter a code, or make a purchase to enter, but almost ALL of them have an alternative entry option in which a purchase is not required. Read the official rules of the contest to find out how. Not everyone knows this, so these contests usually have fewer entries than other contests.

Day 22: Many contests let you submit an entry every day (for example, the HGTV Dream Home contest I mentioned on Day 15). The more days you enter, the more chances to win. I put it on my iCal (Mac calendar) with an alert reminder so I get reminded each day to enter! 

Day 23: Follow the rules! I read the rules for a contest yesterday where they are giving away $1000 cash in each "entry period," which is every 2-3 days...BUT the official rules say you can only enter ONCE per entry period...not *every day* and those with duplicate entries will be disqualified. It's almost like they are penalizing people who don't read the fine print! So, using yesterday's tip, I have set an alert in iCal to enter only on ONE day each "period" so I do not get disqualified. So ALWAYS read the rules!! [Jobseekers: Follow the requirements when applying for a job!]

Day 24: We talked on Day 21 about contests that require a purchase to enter. Today, we'll talk about "pay to play." Generally, you should NOT have to spend cash to enter a contest. The exception is lotteries. To win the Powerball or Mega Millions, or scratch-off lottery games, you have to buy a ticket. Powerball and Mega Millions offer the opportunity to win millions of dollars, but the odds are small that you will. The most I've ever won is $7. So, you're better off sticking to free contests and sweepstakes. Better odds, and free to enter!!

Day 25: With summer approaching, it's time to think about making sweepstakes entries a part-time summer job. If you're serious about putting these tips to work, plan on spending up to an hour a day entering sweepstakes. The next few days' tips will outline a plan. [Jobseekers: If you are serious about finding a job, you need to devote some serious time to your job search.]

Day 26: There are websites online that list available sweepstakes. Some offer daily entries, some weekly, some monthly, and some you can only enter once. You're a great record keeper. You can create a sweepstakes strategy list to track which contests you're trying to win. (Some you may have to enter using your Mom's name.) We can map this out.

Day 27: Set up a separate email address for your sweepstakes (again, probably under your Mom's name/info). This is an email you'll check each day, and this is the email address you'll use on the entry forms, to keep your "real" emails from getting clogged with spam. (I wish I had done this. I get a Lumber Liquidators email to my main account every day because of the HGTV contest.) [Jobseekers: Consider setting up a "disposable" email account that you can check every day for your job search, but that you can close later on. Unfortunately, your job search can attract spam emails!]

Day 28: I'll show you how to create an online list to manage your daily, weekly, monthly, and one-time entries, including where to look for new contests. This is your sweepstakes strategy. [Jobseekers: create a daily, weekly and monthly strategy for your job search! Track who you've talked to and who you need to connect with!]

Day 29: Start a notebook to track your wins. This will remind you of the prizes you've won, helping you to stay motivated. Second, you have to report wins of a certain size for tax purposes. Third, you can spot patterns to win more consistently. [Jobseekers: Keep a job search journal! Track the applications you've submitted, interviews you went on -- especially questions you were asked -- and job offers.]

Day 30: When developing your sweepstakes strategy, only enter contests that offer prizes that you would truly WANT. Remember to read the rules before entering. And watch out for sweepstakes scams. Good luck!! [Jobseekers: Don't apply to jobs just for the sake of applying for them. Only apply for jobs you WANT, and take the time to customize your resume and cover letter for each position!]

Day 31: We live in a sweepstakes-friendly state! States are allowed to have their own rules governing sweepstakes. Because of this, some sponsors will prohibit entry from residents of particular states. Florida, New York, and Rhode Island are commonly excluded from large sweepstakes. California and Utah are rarely included in sweepstakes sponsored by wineries or beer breweries. Hawaii and Alaska are often left out, because shipping to those states is more expensive. But Nebraska is rarely excluded. Yay, us!

Day 32: There is a difference between sweepstakes and a lottery. Sweepstakes are generally free while lotteries usually cost to enter. Do sweepstakes!! [Jobseekers: You should NOT be asked to pay to apply for a position. If you are asked to pay, it's probably a scam!]

Day 33: Figure out what kind of prizes you want to win and look for those contests! [Jobseekers: Figure out what kind of job you want and look for companies that hire for that position!]

Day 34: Learn about "odds." Your "odds of winning" is a measure of how likely you are to win. Like with last weekend's PowerBall drawing, the odds were 1 in 175 million. Not good. But smaller contests, or ones with lots of prizes being given away, will have better odds. The odds are usually listed in the Rules section. It's not that you shouldn't enter contests with "long odds" (that is, a short chance of winning), but don't get your hopes up on those!

Day 35: I'm going to reiterate the importance of reading the rules if the contest. For one, it will spell out exactly what you will win...and how to claim it! For example, I got an email Monday telling me I won a 5-pack of game tickets to the Lincoln Saltdogs baseball games...but that the first game (of 5) is THIS Thursday, and I have to claim the tickets in person at the Lincoln Journal-Star office during working hours. So...today or tomorrow, I have to make the drive to Lincoln to get them. If I had read the rules more carefully, I would have known that!

Day 36: Check out the website www.contestgirl.com -- it provides a list of open contests, and you can check the site each day. [Jobseekers: There are specialized websites that offer job postings. Find them and check them daily as part of your job search strategy!]

Those are my "Winning Tips for Julia." Let me know in the Comments below when you get your first win!

Beyond Marketing - Why Social Media is Important for Resume Writers

Most resume writers understand the value of using social media to market their resume writing business. They create Facebook pages, LinkedIn profiles, and dutifully fill out their Google business listing — all in the hope of expanding their marketing efforts. However, did you know there are many more benefits of social media than marketing? With proper use and deployment of social media, any business can do all of the following and probably more.

• Find subcontract writers and freelancers. Looking for subcontract writers? Or someone to handle a one-time project for your resume writing business? Use social media to help. Create a detailed listing of what you're looking for and post it on your social media accounts. Ask your friends and followers to share. It's more than likely that the person(s) who answer a call like this will be more compatible than using a huge impersonal job board.

• Create more sales. You may think that sales and marketing are the same thing, but they're not. Marketing is increasing your reach so that you can get more leads, but sales are different. Social media can increase sales outside of your marketing efforts just because your clients might share with others the positive experience of working with you on their career marketing efforts. And if they like what you are talking about on social media, they might like to buy from you more.

• Reward customers. Provide discounts, special incentives, and targeted career content for your customers using social media to "check in" or when they communicate with you via social media. People love getting free things, so take advantage of that by using social media to encourage more interaction with your customers and between your customers.

• Brand your business. It's important that you brand your resume writing business across all social media accounts as honest, relevant, and even generous. (For example, be sure to mention when you volunteer your services by speaking to organizations or participate in job fairs!) Be aware of how consumers, as well as your referral sources and other resume writers, view your business via all your social media interactions. Listen to your customers and be perceived as a company that does so. Demonstrate these things as often as possible as a way to brand your business on social media.

• Connect with your customers. You can set up private closed groups using Facebook that only your clients can see. It's a great way to increase your connection with your clients and to build a community. Encourage your clients to support other jobseekers in their job search.

• Easy project collaboration. Another use for private Facebook groups is easy project collaboration. In Facebook groups you can upload documents and communicate easily in one spot about various projects, without ever having to have a face-to-face meeting — but still be able to keep excellent records of the events and ideas as they unfold. I know of one group of resume writers that is working on a book project through a Facebook group.

By being involved with social media, you can increase your profile among prospects while building a stronger connection with clients. Use social media to form a connection with your community. Your resume writing business can be an integral part of your community in every way that it can. And those are benefits that extend beyond using social media only for marketing.

Using Visuals in a Way You May Not Have Considered (On Pinterest)

I've blogged before about "Using Pinterest In Your Career Services Business" and "Best Practices in Content Curation" and today I want to combine both of those topics and talk about using visuals in your content curation on Pinterest.

Check out my Pinterest profile

One of the best ways to establish your expertise as a resume writer is by sharing content with your prospects and clients. When others realize your level of expertise, they will be more likely to recommend you to others, as well as patronize your resume writing services.

Using Visuals on Pinterest to Promote Your Resume Writing Business
They say that "seeing is believing." When marketing your resume writing business online, seeing is a big part of believing that your services can help your customers in their job search. To that end, using visuals on Pinterest can assist you.

You might be thinking that Pinterest is very focused on visuals. You're right. But Pinterest is not all about food and craft ideas. Here are some "visuals" for Pinterest you may not have considered:

• Tutorial videos. These "how to" videos show people ways to use technology in their job search (i.e., you may create a tutorial of a specific LinkedIn feature -- like customizing your profile URL) or talk about a specific job search technique (such as salary negotiation tips).

• Service demonstrations. This can be done in video form as well, but you can also do a slide show presentation board that shows prospective resume clients the evolution of a resume (explaining the importance of the different sections usually found on the resume, and how to build in accomplishments and visual interest). Another type of video would be an animated slide show. 

• Mix your media. Create pinboards that feature a mix of videos, slide shows, and grouped product images, all for a common theme. This gives readers several things to see on your board that can pique their interest.

Tips on Visuals

• Make them colorful ñ When images "pop," they are easy to see. Use a variety of colors. 
•  If you can't find an image, create one! You can create your own charts and visuals and then take a photo of them. Use clear writing and colorful pictures that are easy to see. 
• Make them informative! People want something pretty to look at, but they are mostly looking for information. Be sure that your visuals give lots of that. Don't forget to make great use of descriptions on Pinterest.

Visuals offer another type of media to help market your resume writing business online, so make the most of them on Pinterest!

Have You Heard of "Time Boxing"?

Resume writers are always looking for new time management strategies. One of these is called "Time boxing."

Does it seem like there aren't enough hours in the day to get all of your work done? That could be because you are working harder instead of smarter. Time boxing is one way to make the most of the time you have. It seems like a simple thing to do, so you may wonder if it really works. If you've never done it before, give it a try. 

What Is Time Boxing?
Like the name says, you are putting time into a box. Well, not an actual box, but a virtual one. Basically, you divide your time during the day into segments and use each for a specific task. These boxes can have a certain limit or maximum amount of time depending on how you work.

For most resume writers, the computer is our main business tool, so setting a limit on the time used per task can break up the monotony of the time we spend in front of the "small screen."

Start with a time limit, say 90-minute intervals. This is about the maximum amount of time that the brain will stay focused and creative before we get off our game. And for clients, you want to offer quality and your best work. Also, don't forget to schedule in distractions and free time. That is a big difference from what you might be doing now. When everything has its place within your day, it is easier to operate more efficiently.

Four Benefits of Time Boxing
1. Increased focus. When you know that you have a certain amount of time to devote all to one task, it is easier to get tasks completed. For 90 minutes, all you think about is writing the resume or answering all your emails. When the time is up, you move on to another task with the same fervor.

2. Curbs procrastination. When a task seems overwhelming, the result is often putting it off as long as we can. That only leads to a rush job and stress later on. With time boxing, you only spend a certain amount of time on a task and it makes it more manageable. With each box of time, you are closer to completing the goal. Even if you just start with 15 minutes in your time box to write the resume, you'll often find that once you get started, you find it easy to just keep going.

3. Time consciousness. Instead of wondering where your time goes, you can find out. If you want free time, schedule it in a box. Surf the Web or take some downtime, but within the confines of your schedule. It works the opposite way too: If it's not in your time box, DON'T DO IT. That means, if checking Facebook isn't in your time box for this block of time, don't look at it. But you can schedule a 15-minute period of time in your next time box to check it out. (It can help to use an egg timer, or the timer on your smartphone, to keep track of your time boxes.)

4. Motivating. When you see how much more energy you have for the tasks that need your attention youíll want to "box"everything up. When productivity increases, you can then look at big projects in a new way so that you are no longer putting them off.

How is your time spent during your business day? Time boxing may be the answer to plug those sink holes of time you have been encountering.