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The Inverted Pyramid – A Simple Approach to Catch Audience Attention

Filed Under Guest Writer, Marketing, Successful Blog | 1 Comment

A Guest Post by
Rahil Muzafar

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What Is the Inverted Pyramid

Inverted Pyramid is a term well known in the field of journalism, and it refers to a particular structure of laying out a story. While following the Inverted Pyramid structure, you need to start from the most important part of the story/news. The idea is to give the crux of the story in the headline, or the first two three lines.

You might not have noticed this approach because you are used to this style. However, imagine if journalists weren’t employing this approach, and taking the route of story tellers, they will have to start from the scratch and the culmination will come in the end. And even though, reading the newspaper (or watching a news channel) might not have been such a gloomy experience if this approach wasn’t at play, but it is this approach that provides the journalist or reporters what they are looking for, and that’s … reader’s attention.

Is the Inverted Pyramind recommended for all types of writers?

The approach is commonly used by journalists, but not all types of writers. For example the novelists can’t start from the conclusion and then follow it with the rest of the story, but they’re lucky in the sense that their targeted audience is ready to devote some time in reading the novel. But in case of journalists, they don’t get the audience with such leisure time (nobody would prefer going through the doom and gloom news in their leisure time). However, web writers can learn a thing or two from the approach.

What’s in it for web writers?

If you notice, web surfers are actually more in rush, as compared to someone with newspaper in his/her hands. In their bid to scan through hundreds of Google results or web pages in a matter of minutes, they usually just glance through the titles or headlines. And if it fails to grab their attention, they are gone. Thus, one of the most important skills a web writer can learn is to form a headline that will be a magnet for clicks. Now, I’ve worked with a number of writers and some of them are naturally gifted in this regard, and they can come up with more interesting and catchy titles as compared to their counterparts, who might be equally good at writing, still not able to churn out good titles. But if you lack in creativity, you can simply use the “inverted pyramid” approach to overcome this weakness.

How to use the “Inverted Pyramid” approach?

It’s quite straight forward, all you need to do is to think of the most important part of the story, article, blog post, or marketing copy. It’s the part that you think can catch the attention of your targeted audience, and then use that particular information in the title. Note that it is not some revolutionary idea. In fact you see this approach being used a lot while surfing through the web. Remember all those headlines promising overnight riches or miraculous results, that’s inverted pyramid for you and you can use it as well in your writing, from now on.


Bonus Tip:

At times, writers get obsessed with SEO and goes to the extent of spoiling the titles in a bid to add certain keywords in the titles, especially the dry ones like Norton 360 Discount or System Mechanic Coupon. Whilst having keywords or key phrases in the title can surely boost your chances for getting ranked for those keywords, you should make sure that the inclusion of the keywords is not done the cost of ruining the main purpose of the title i.e. attracting the readers.

Rahil Muzafar

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Author’s Bio:

Rahil is an Internet Marketing expert. He works for various coupon codes and discount websites, for example verybestsoftware.com that shares different types of deals and discounts for software like Norton 360, System Mechanic, or Acronis. You can avail these discounts by visiting Norton 360 coupon and System Mechanic coupon

Thanks! Rahil!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your business!!

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Imagine your transformation

Filed Under Guest Writer, Motivation/Inspiration, Successful Blog | 1 Comment

So you are sick and tired of your life as it currently exists. You are ready for a change. There has to be ‘more than this.’ But where and how to start? What happens or what needs to be present in order for transformation to occur? I’m glad that you asked. By simply asking, you have already taken the first step.

Because my brain tends to the rational and scientific when exploring answers, during my research, I came across this particular example that deals with cellular biology.

I’m not sure where science ends and psychology starts, but I think that they are intertwined and so have incorporated some of the information from the cellular biology answer in today’s post. As mentioned previously, awareness is the first step.

“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.” – M. Scott Peck

For the benefit of those who haven’t read previous entries, journaling, meditation and yoga are all efficient ways of helping cultivate awareness. By identifying and prioritizing the things you wish to change, you are already on your way to doing so. Using these three methods form the Triumvirate of Revelation and is a means to filter answers to the top layer of your consciousness. I promise that they work. Scout’s honor.

Be willing - By opening yourself up to the need for change and your willingness to begin, you set in motion the process for evolution. Although it sounds rather hoo-doo-voodoo, it’s true, nonetheless. By lowering the psychological drawbridge to your consciousness, you allow for the flow of ideas/concepts and behaviors to now be exchanged.

Incubate - This is the most frustrating time for me, because I can’t “see” anything happening. This is the gestation or “dormancy” part of the equation, but it is essential to success of any transformation subsequent to this stage. Think of the seed in the ground; the caterpillar in the chrysalis, the baby in the womb. You MUST allow the idea of transformation to percolate in your mind before you can proceed to the next step. During this time, if it helps you to feel better about waiting, this is a good time to imagine how your life will look “after.”

• Why are you making this change?
• How will you benefit?
• What does your ideal situation resemble?

Shake things up - This is the point at which you pick an action item and begin. This, too, can be frustrating, because most people want wholesale change overnight. That dog will not hunt. It is not going to happen, short of a miracle. Let yourself off the hook and pick one action item and start. By attaining mastery on this first step, you will become more agile and proficient at subsequent steps. Crawl, walk, run.

When you are “shaking things up,” be prepared for some plates to drop. In anticipation of this possibility, let those around you know that you are starting something new. Friends will support you. Sometimes, the plates that you drop are meant to stay dropped. These “plates” may be friends, habits, jobs, partners… This is part of the filtering process as you move to your new form/version as you transform. Let them drop.

Grow - The growth stage is probably the most naturally fulfilling, because we finally feel confident that we made the right decision in changing. During this phase, we also refine our transformation and segue to mastery. Mastery is great, because that means we can teach someone else what we’ve learned. When you have achieved mastery, be on the lookout for people in the frustrated phase, because I can make another promise to you: if you think overcoming transformation is fun for yourself, wait until you can help someone else. It is a rush.

What do you want to be? What do you want to accomplish? How will you begin?

——-

Molly Cantrell-Kraig is a woman with drive. Possessing an innate sense of purpose and a pragmatic, solution-based approach to empowering people, she fused these two traits in order to establish Women With Drive Foundation. Based upon its founder’s personal history, Women With Drive Foundation is a means through which Cantrell-Kraig may effect change on both a micro and macro level. By providing women with something as essential as personal transportation in order to transition them from poverty to prosperity, she, through Women With Drive Foundation, seeks to empower women to help them help themselves. Through this action, the individual applicant benefits, as does society as a whole. Follow Molly on twitter as @mckra1g or @WWDr1ve (Women With Drive Foundation) or “Like” them on facebook.

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Finding a Job After College: What They Don’t Tell You In School

Filed Under Guest Writer, Strategy, Successful Blog | 2 Comments

A Guest Post by
Amy

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Tons of Jobs Out There for Me?

Last year, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with distinction and a 3.8 GPA. As a marketing major, I was always told that there were “tons of jobs out there for me” and that employers were “looking for my set of skills” so I wasn’t very concerned about the job hunt ahead of me.

I started looking for a job during my final semester, and when no offers for interviews came I figured it was because I wasn’t available yet and I would have to graduate first.

After graduation, I moved to a larger city and started to focus solely on my job hunt. I would apply for 10 to 15 jobs each day, but many came back with a rejection email because I didn’t quite fit the skill set needed. Most of my applications went without a response at all. I started to feel discouraged after a few weeks thinking that I wouldn’t be able to find employment. After all, the unemployment rate is rising, and I had much less experience than others in my field.

After a while, I finally got my first interview request. I was completely myself and felt comfortable during the first round, which resulted in a request for a second interview. However, I got nervous during that second interview and got a rejection email the next day.

In my second job interview, I decided not to let anything keep me from being myself. I got through both rounds of interviews with flying colors and was offered the job. However, the hours were long, the pay was low, and I would be knocking on doors selling a product. While those qualities may have been alright for someone else, I wanted something a little different. After careful consideration, I turned down that job.

On my way to my third interview, I was already planning on where I would drop off more resumes on my way home. I knew very little about the company and it was impossible to find their website online. But I knew as soon as I walked in the door that this was the place for me. This place had flexible hours, good pay, great atmosphere, and wonderful people to work with.The interview lasted five minutes and I knew I would accept any job they offered me. Turns out, third time is the charm.

After my three month long job search, I feel that I have grown a little wiser. The job hunt is frustrating for anyone, whether they are just coming out of college or in the middle of their career. Along the way, these are the points I have found that may help you find your perfect job.

  1. Don’t be discouraged – Anything you are feeling during your interview will read all over your face. Smile and be yourself. This way, your employer won’t be expecting “interview you” when you walk in the door on Monday.
  2. Keep throwing darts – Keep applying for anything that seems remotely interesting. If you throw enough darts, eventually one will stick.
  3. Look for something different – Don’t just look for a specific position. For example, most marketing majors start looking for marketing jobs, but most of those job listings online are for door to door or over the phone sales people. Again, this may be what you are looking for, but sometimes your skills may call for something else. While looking online, search for keywords like “entry level” if you’re looking to advance, “writing” if that’s what you enjoy, or simply browse the different job listings in your area. There may be something there that you would have never looked for in the search box.

    Don’t forget to visit the actual websites of companies where you think you would like to work. Some of them may not be using a website like Career Builder or Monster.com, and some smaller companies may be using Craigslist because it is less expensive. Also, look in places you may not have thought of at first. Hand in resumes to businesses around your home. Actually giving them the resume in person will probably make you more memorable to the person hiring for the company.

  4. Interview them too – While you are in your interview, make sure you are asking questions too. You need to make sure this job is right for what you want in your life as much as they need to make sure you are fit for the job.
  5. Relax – It may take some time, but something will happen if you work hard enough.

What tricks do you have for finding a job after college?

—-
Author’s Bio:
Amy Gardner writes financial topics including small business credit cards. Amy welcomes your comments.

Thanks, Rachel. Even the seasoned pros at home need reminders like these!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your business!!

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Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel for U.S. Businesses?

Filed Under Business Life, Guest Writer, Strategy | 1 Comment

According to a report released Oct. 5, from Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP), U.S. companies brought on more workers in September than the previous month, however the number was not enough to put a dent in the large unemployment numbers nationwide.

While the ADP report brought some encouraging news, two separate reports unveiled the same day noted that layoffs increased rather dramatically last month, while service companies are not hiring additional employees despite the sector’s relatively stable growth.

Looking back at the brighter report, ADP and Macroeconomic Advisers LLC report that private-sector employers added 91,000 positions in September, an increase of some 2,000 jobs from the previous month. The government’s official jobs report is slated to be released on Oct. 7.

Is Minimal Growth Better than None at All?

While the news is somewhat encouraging in that the country appears at this point to be dodging another recession, the recent report also demonstrates that growth is coming in very minimal numbers at best, providing us with weak growth at best.

While everyone is looking for any signs of growth, we shouldn’t be deceived by the numbers.

Much like when gas prices are inflated to high levels, drivers think they’re getting a deal when they pay less for gas, the bottom line being it is still $1 or $2 above what they paid the year before. Improvement, but much better is possible.

As for expanding on the down side, a report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas points out there were sharp increases in layoff announcements for September, with businesses planning to cut some 116,000 jobs, more than double the August report and the worst in more than two years. The biggest cuts came among the government and financial sectors.

What is Your Business Doing to Grow?

With the recent numbers showing a mixed bag, has your company been impacted either positively or negatively when it comes to job growth lately?

For many companies, especially smaller businesses, growth has been hard when you throw in the added costs for health care that many employers have been dealing with. While the government has tried to throw some incentives in the direction of small business owners, a fair number of them have either stood pat on hiring or even laid off where they felt it necessary.

If your small business is contemplating hiring, do you plan on? -

Lots of questions still remain for many small businesses, many of whom are playing the waiting game.

Photo credit: gaebler.com

Dave Thomas, who has authored a number of articles regarding business phone service writes extensively for www.business.com an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.

If it ain’t broke, break it!

Filed Under Guest Writer, Motivation/Inspiration, Successful Blog | Leave a Comment

“Don’t make waves.”

“Don’t rock the boat.”

“Maintain the status quo.”

“Don’t mess with success… “

Conventional wisdom also dictates that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” While it can be true that change for the sake of change is not always a good thing, it’s also prudent to value the infusion of new ideas and new modalities.

Nowadays, “disruptive innovation” is almost as ubiquitous as “authentic” in terms of the frequency with which they are used as buzzwords. Some cite its origins with the work of Clayton Christensen from 1998, but for the purposes of today’s blog post, I’m going to reduce the concept of disruption to its most elemental as I understand it.

Every complexity has at its core an essential truth.

Disruption is the affect of the individual against The Whole and the reaction of The Whole against the findings/actions of the individual in response. It’s a symbiotic co-creation that propels us as both individuals and as a society forward. Forward motion in this model reminds me of a liquid clutch in a manual transmission. Somewhere in the nebulous area between forces, a cohesion forms and the transfer of power occurs. It is this gelling of thought and action that also propels us as individuals forward.

For individuals, these forces are the intersection of will and action.

That said, when we decide to make a change in our lives, we must first undo or unlearn specific patterns. We must, in the words of Whitney Johnson, “disrupt ourselves.”

“Every act of creation is first an action of destruction.” – Pablo Picasso

Once you have made a decision to change something about your life, the “destruction” part may be actually relatively easy: throwing out junk that has been collecting dust in an attic; moving to a new home or city; ripping out pages of a Little Black Book filled with numbers you no longer wish to call. These acts serve to tear down and remove that which no longer serves you in order to create a vacuum for what you do want. It’s physics.

When you are in the middle of this stage, you must try to make sure that as you remove the portions of your life that need to be excised, that it’s not at the expense of those things that need to be retained. Take the time to assess, measure and quantify what you are doing, lest you “throw the baby out with the bathwater.” Sometimes it helps to have a close cadre of friends who support your new choice – friends who have the gift of discernment.

In addition to the liquid clutch analogy of disruptive forces, I also see disruption as a pebble being thrown into a lake. The pebble is your action. The sediment that is disturbed and suspended in the lake water represents the reaction against your action. The affects of your actions within your environment radiate in all directions, including the waves/ripples created on the surface.

What this means to you? When you decide to make a change, prepare yourself for the uncertainty that follows as your “new” reality begins to form in response to your actions.

When the sediment settles (and it always does), please remember to reach out to those who are still sifting. Your experiences and strength will help propel them forward. When have you “disrupted yourself?” What was the outcome? How did you grow? Please share  your stories with us in the comments below.

——-

Molly Cantrell-Kraig is a woman with drive. Possessing an innate sense of purpose and a pragmatic, solution-based approach to empowering people, she fused these two traits in order to establish Women With Drive Foundation. Based upon its founder’s personal history, Women With Drive Foundation is a means through which Cantrell-Kraig may effect change on both a micro and macro level. By providing women with something as essential as personal transportation in order to transition them from poverty to prosperity, she, through Women With Drive Foundation, seeks to empower women to help them help themselves. Through this action, the individual applicant benefits, as does society as a whole. Follow Molly on twitter as @mckra1g or @WWDr1ve (Women With Drive Foundation) or “Like” them on facebook.

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