CranioSacral Therapists - 5 New Rules For Writing Client-Compelling Copy

Attracting CranioSacral clients is much easier when you realize marketing is not about selling. It’s about building relationships that lead to a sense of trust.

How do you do that? The same way you develop any worthwhile relationship: By having great conversations.

When a marketing conversation is in written form, like a web page, an article or a brochure, it’s called “copy.”

Here are 5 rules should keep in mind whenever you write copy. They’ll help you create a deeper connection with your readers. And that connection ignites the trust that leads them to your door.

Rule 1: Put Your Reader First in Your Message

Whenever you sit down to write, imagine you’re speaking to only one person sitting right there in your office.

What are her challenges? What is she struggling with? What will her life finally feel like when she’s enjoying the results your therapy offers?

Every word you write should focus on telling this one person what’s in it for her.

When you write to one person and put her needs first, she’ll feel your compassion and care. And she’ll connect with you.

Rule 2: Write the Way You Speak

You should never write copy to dazzle or impress. Instead, you want your message to enter your reader’s mind as easily as possible. Since people think the way they speak, you’ll want to keep your copy conversational.

Use contractions. Start sentences with “and” or “but.” Use the occasional fragment.

That doesn’t mean it’ll be sloppy. Just easy to understand.

Rule 3: Make Everything Bite-Sized

As a writer I’m pained by this fact, but it’s true: People don’t read long blocks of copy. No matter how brilliant it is.

But when that same information is broken down into bite-sized chunks, your readers will gobble them up.

So write short sentences. Keep paragraphs no more than 5 lines deep, even if that means it only includes 1 sentence. And insert a subtitle every 250-350 words in longer articles.

Rule 4: Use the Active Voice

Want an easy way to make your copy more vivid and compelling? Use the active voice.

Every sentence has a subject and a verb. In active voice or tense, the subject is doing the action.

Active Voice: “I finished Jane’s session with a CV4.” The subject (“I”) did the action.

Passive Voice: “Jane’s session was finished with a CV4.” Here the target of the action becomes the subject.

It’s fine to use a passive voice now and then for interest and variety. But if you want potential clients to consistently read to the end, keep your copy lively by using an active voice.

Rule 5: Invite Your Reader to Take the Next Step

“Call today.” “E-mail me.” “Click here to read the next page.”

In marketing copy, instructions like these are referred to as “a call to action.” And it’s a critical component if you want your copy to lead more clients to your treatment table.

So whenever you write, ask yourself, “What specific step do I want my reader to take next?” Then don’t hold back. Give her that information.

You’re not being pushy. You’re providing a service. If your reader likes what you’ve had to say, she wants to know what you recommend next. Don’t make her work to figure it out.

Now, Start Writing!

Writing client-compelling copy is one of the most powerful skills you’ll ever use to fill and grow your practice.

Look for all kinds of reasons to strike up a marketing conversation. More clients will follow.

CranioSacral Therapists - 5 New Rules For Writing Client-Compelling Copy

Becoming a Professional Hunter

When I first told my (then) wife I wanted to qualify as a Professional Hunter, she looked at me aghast and yelled, “you want to be a WHAT! Are you mad?” When I attended my PH training course and examination, the sentiment was repeated……. but thankfully, this time, in humour!

We get many e-mails from young men and the occasional young lady asking us how they get a job in the industry. Some erroneously see it as a ‘glamour’ job, some are genuine hunters and some simply need psychiatric help. Sometimes sorting the wheat from the chaff isn’t easy, so I usually tend to give as much advice as I can and then it’s up to them if they choose to pursue the matter.

Getting started in the industry isn’t easy for anyone, but it’s not impossible. After all, if an Englishman like me can do it, then anyone can. Two of the hardest challenges you’ll be faced with is getting your initial training and then getting your first few seasons’ experience, especially with dangerous game. I was lucky in that my first few years experience was in a more relaxed generation and I was the luckiest SOB in the world to meet and become friends with the late Mr Vivian Good. Viv was not only a great PH, he was also a good man who gave unstintingly of his advice, hospitality and friendship. When I first went along to get my official training and sit my first PH exams, I struck lucky yet again by attending the Goss Professional Hunting Academy in Kwa Zulu Natal, run by Ian Goss. Ian is a tough, ‘old school’ taskmaster, but he gives a superb standard of training and strict examination. Even today, when I tell someone I passed with Ian Goss, they’ll often comment something like, ‘hell, you must be good then!’

One of the most valuable things Ian gave to me was his parting advice as I drove off with my very first PH licence tucked in my pocket. He told me, “Steve, don’t for a moment think that I’ve made you into a good Professional Hunter. I haven’t, but I have put you on the road to becoming one, and as you take your first steps down that road, you’ll learn something new every day.” Nearly 20 years later, that statement still rings as true today as it was then. I’m still learning new things about the business on a daily basis and I doubt I’ll ever be able to thank Ian enough for all his help, friendship and support he’s given me over the years.

The South African Professional Hunting academies, although occasionally criticised by some, are a very good way for the novice to start his PH training and get his first licence, but remember, if you’re not a South African resident, you are forbidden to sit the exams, which means that although you’ll have completed the training, there is no possible way you can actually gain the PH licence.

Don’t even consider attending one of these academies unless you have at least a reasonably good knowledge of the basics such as rifles, ballistics and a general knowledge of the common mammals in general and hunting in particular. If you turn up not knowing a kudu from 30.06, you’ll be wasting your money and everyone’s time and you may very well get kicked out on your ass!

It should be noted that at the time of writing this article, South Africa is currently considering revising the Professional Hunter training and examination system, and if this happens, the course will become considerably longer, more expensive and harder to complete. The proposed syllabus currently looks like it’ll comprise of something like 150+ unit standards and each unit standard will equate to a day’s work or study.

Another option if you are unable or reluctant to attend one of the South African PH training academies, or even if you do attend the course. Your next step will be to begin looking for your first seasons work.

If you live in South Africa and want to restrict yourself to that country, then it’s fairly straight forward, all you have to do is join PHASA and put an advert in the magazine and hope that something comes up. If you’re from overseas, then it’s a bit more difficult. My advice would be to get on the internet and start researching for good quality hunting companies that might pique your interest and operate in the countries you’d like to work in. Then you get yourself organised with a good quality, professional CV/resume and start sending it to the companies of your choice and asking for work. Remember that even if you offer to work for nothing but keep and tips, and you may well have to, it still costs the safari company a great deal of money to keep you in camp and train you, so if you and your application needs to be of the highest possible standard. If it’s not, then forget it until you can make yourself more desirable to any potential employers. I’ve never forgotten one bloody idiot that wrote to me many years ago telling me that just because he had a masters degree in medieval history, had been chairman of his university clay pigeon club for a year and lived on a farm in the shires, he was ideally suited for me to employ him as a Professional Hunter. Quite why, I could never fathom – he hadn’t even ever fired a rifle and knew zero about even the basics of Africa or the African hunting industry…….. Needless to say, he didn’t get a job, but he did give me a laugh!

If you’re lucky enough to break into the safari industry, and some do manage to do it, you can expect your first season or two to be spent doing some of the more mundane tasks such as road and camp building and vehicle maintenance. You’d better make sure you make a good job of everything you do. Stuff something up and you just might be out of a job the next day. After all, a safari company simply can’t afford vehicle breakdowns in the middle of the bush for instance. – The good news is that if you get it right, you’ll be taking the first steps down the road to a great career.

Working as a PH is a great job, but don’t expect it to ever make you rich. If you want to make serious money, go get a job as a lawyer or a banker or something, sure it’s not as much fun as working as a PH, but you’ll probably make enough money to come on safari on a regular basis. If you feel you can forego the money in exchange for the lifestyle of a Professional Hunter, then I’d encourage you to go for it. I did, and I’ve never regretted it. My bank manager and my ex-wife might have done, but I never have……..

Becoming a Professional Hunter

Is Your Resume Helping Or Hindering The Job Search?

How long have you been searching for a new job? What kind of feedback have you been receiving? If you’ve been submitting for multiple positions and getting little interest in return, the culprit may very well be your resume.

In my experience as a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) who has worked with clients spanning all major industries, I’ve found that a powerfully worded and targeted resume serves as the foundation for a successful job search. Here are some of the benefits:

-A simplified job application process (i.e. less tweaking and editing between submissions)

-A steady stream of interviews.

-Providing an interviewer with a selection of career highlights that can easily become talking points, allowing you to elaborate on what you do best.

Here are 3 common scenarios that befall most job seekers, along with the inside scoop on what it means about your resume:

1) No Interviews

While every job seeker has a different sense of what constitutes an acceptable number of interviews, none is never okay and points to significant issues with your resume. Be on the lookout for the following:

-Ineffective Targeting: Is your resume one-size-fits-all? Overly general documents rarely receive interviews. Boil down your job target to 1-2 positions and make sure every aspect of the resume highlights in-demand skills.

-Unacceptable Structure: Recruiters and hiring agents are very specific when it comes to the structure of a resume. Basically, your document needs to have an opening paragraph, a work history that separates responsibilities (in paragraph form) from accomplishments (in bullets), and brief closing sections listing education, training, etc. If your resume does not conform to this structure, it will be rejected.

-Incompatibility Issues: Complex MS Word templates can cause a host of issues when viewed by different types and versions of software. Remove any complex graphics and logos and remember: a resume succeeds or fails based on content alone.

2) Interviews That Don’t Result in Job Offers

A great resume sets the foundation for a great interview. In fact, many of the complaints job seekers have following a lukewarm interview, including not being able to connect with the interviewer and having to elaborate on non-relevant topics all boil down to problems with the resume. If you fall into this category, analyze your resume for the following issues:

-Lack of Concrete Successes: Recent jobs, particularly those held within the past 10-12 years should each have a “Key Accomplishments” or similar section listing major successes. Take the time to dig up metrics (if available) for these accomplishments- it can have a huge impact during an interview.

-Too Many Non-Relevant Jobs: While it’s perfectly acceptable to hold jobs spanning multiple industries and types, no one says you have to give each of them equal importance on a resume. Which jobs are the most important? Allow these to take up the bulk of the resume’s space and streamline non-relevant ones.

3) Low-Ball Job Offers

The phone rings: it’s a job offer! Only problem? The salary is less than what you were making at your previous job. Don’t make the mistake of taking something that undervalues your skills: tighten up your resume instead. Be on the lookout for the following:

-Wording that’s Light on Leadership: There are 2 ways to think about wording on a resume. The first is to simply state things as plainly as possible, such as “Managed multiple projects within deadlines and guided various teams.” The second is to tailor every idea with an eye towards leadership, such as “Spearheaded multiple projects within aggressive deadlines, mentoring project teams and offering key insights.” Which approach do you think results in higher job offers?

A well-written resume has been shown to consistently reduce job search times and result in higher salaries. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have. Best of luck!

Is Your Resume Helping Or Hindering The Job Search?

Vacancy at Laidera Consulting Firm, Monday 2, January 2017

Laidera Consulting Firm is a leading, learning and International certification consultancy firm, we have been in the I.T. industry for a good number of years, LCF is a privately owned institute of Nigerian origin. We currently have offices in Ibadan, Oyo state with professional employees.

FRONT DESK OFFICER / RECEPTIONIST

JOB REQUIREMENTS

B.Sc/HND in any Social Science course.

TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV’s to akingbade.lateef@lcfed.com

Vacancy at Laidera Consulting Firm, Monday 2, January 2017

Operations Officer at The Poverty Reduction And Rural Women Empowerment Initiative, Monday 2, January 2017

The Poverty Reduction and Rural Women Empowerment Initiative, is currently recruiting suitably qualified candidate to fill the position of Operations Officer.

OPERATIONS OFFICER

JOB DESCRIPTION

Paying and receiving cash, verifying amounts and check for deposit slips across counter.

Error-free and fraud-free posting of customers’ withdrawals and deposit

Input customer transactions in the banking system.

Attend to customer inquires across the counter.

Cash and other transaction .

Account opening and updating of customer account details on the database

Perform related clerical duties as required.

Managing office petty cash and preparing cash count certificate

Maintain appropriate interpersonal relationships with employees and customers.

Maintenance and update of account opening and closure registers of customer mandate uploads.

Customer confidence and protects bank operations by keeping information confidential.

Complies with bank operations and security procedures by participating in all dual control functions.

Cross-sells bank by answering inquires; informing customers of new services and product promotions.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

OND/HND/BSC in Accounting, Economics and any related field.

Experience: Entry Level

TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates should send their application and CV’s to prrwei@yahoo.com indicating “Operations” as the subject of the email.

Note: Only candidate residing in Shagamu and its environs should apply.

DUE DATE: 12 January, 2017

Operations Officer at The Poverty Reduction And Rural Women Empowerment Initiative, Monday 2, January 2017

9 Tips for Reducing Eye Strain and Computer Vision Syndrome

Let’s face it. Whether you use a computer for work or at home (or both), you’re more than likely spending at least 2 hours at a time staring at the screen. It’s just the way it is these days, computers have brought so much enrichment into our lives as well as increased productivity. The problem is that the eye was never designed for such close activity for hours on end and as a result, Computer Vision Syndrome or Eye Strain has become a very common complaint.

Symptoms of computer vision syndrome include physical fatigue, decreased productivity, increased number of work errors, headaches and neck or shoulder pain. You may also experience irritation, dryness, redness or a burning sensation in the eye as well as blurred or double vision after computer use.

The good news is that with a few little changes, you can prevent, reduce or relieve computer related eye strain.

1. Have an eye test

Regular eye tests with your optometrist are extremely important for preventing or treating computer vision syndrome. Your prescription may have changed over time and updating this may be all that is required to resolve the symptoms of eyestrain. It is recommended to have an eye test every year if you spend a lot of time working on the computer.

In addition, your optometrist can discuss various options with you to address eyestrain such as anti-reflective and blue light blocking coatings on your spectacles. Your optometrist may also suggest glasses specifically for computer work. For example, if you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, you may be tilting your head at an awkward angle causing muscle aches and eye strain. A different type of lens, such as an extended focus or occupational lens may be more suitable for you.

2. Relax your eyes

Focusing fatigue is another cause of eye strain and occurs from constantly focusing on your screen. On a regular basis, look away from your computer screen and focus on distant objects. Looking at distant objects relaxes the focusing muscle in the eye, which reduces eye fatigue. Try doing this for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Better still, take a break from the computer. It’s a good excuse to go for a quick walk or make yourself a cup of tea.

3. Dry eyes and blinking

It sounds simple enough but quite often people are so engrossed in what is on their screen that they forget to blink. It’s important to blink often to keep your eyes hydrated. If you still experience dry eye, your optometrist will be able to suggest eye drops or gels to keep your eyes hydrated.

4. Check your lighting

Quite often eye strain can be caused by too much or too little sunlight coming into the window or by the lighting in the room being too bright or dim. Try the visor test to see if lighting may be a problem. Look at your monitor and cup your hands over your eyes like a baseball cap. If your eyes immediately feel better, then you need to change your lighting. Experiment with brighter or dimmer lighting as well as angles of lights to determine what feels more comfortable.

5. Reduce glare

An anti-glare screen attached to your monitor can help reduce glare and reflections that cause eye strain.

6. Upgrade your monitor

Most computer users now have LCD screens but on the off chance that you still have an old style CRT monitor, it’s time for an upgrade. CRT’s can flicker which will contribute significantly to eye strain. LCD screens on the other hand, are easier on the eye and usually have an anti-reflective surface. Choose one with the highest resolution possible and the larger the screen the better.

7. Play around with your monitor settings

The ability to adjust your settings is there for a reason! Adjusting your monitor settings can have a big impact on reducing the symptoms of eye strain and fatigue. Adjust the brightness so that it is the same as your surroundings and the text size is comfortable to read. If the white background in this article looks more like a light source than a background, then it’s too bright.

Black text on a white background is the best combination for the eyes. Text size can be adjusted on all computers and web browsers so choose a size which is comfortable for you.

If you are able to adjust your monitors colour temperature, reduce the amount of blue and favour orange and red. Blue light has been associated with eye strain as well as macular degeneration.

8. Clean your monitor

Not only will this keep your screen nice and clean, but dust particles can decrease screen sharpness making the eyes work harder.

9. Modify your workstation

Review the way you are set up at your workstation. If you have access to someone who is trained at assessing workstations, it’s worth having them take a look. Check your posture and ensure that your workstation and chair are at the correct height and that you are sitting at the right distance. Your monitor should be between 45 to 75 centimetres away from your face. The top of your monitor should be around eyebrow level keeping your neck in a natural position.

So there you have it, some very simple tips to reduce computer vision syndrome. And as always, see your optometrist if you have any concerns.

9 Tips for Reducing Eye Strain and Computer Vision Syndrome

Three Helpful Tips For Military Transition Resumes

If you are a military officer or non-commissioned officer (NCO), then you know that what is written on your evaluation reports is critical to the advancement of your career in the military.

When you retire or transition from the military to the civilian sector, how you translate the information from your evaluation reports onto a professional resume will make a difference between getting “just a new job” or a “great new career.”

Here are three tips for military transition resumes that will significantly increase your chances of getting job interviews in your top choice companies.

Tip #1: Lay Off The Military Acronyms On Your Resume

Yes, I know how you used them every day since you signed up to work for Uncle Sam, but it’s time to stop. The reason for this is because civilian employers usually have no idea what they mean and won’t take the time to figure them out. Get in the habit of spelling everything out, even if it is cumbersome. Save the acronyms for when you are barbecuing or drinking with your old military buddies. You’ll thank me for it.

Tip #2: Translate Your Military Skills And Strengths Into Corporate Skills And Strengths

Some of my transitioning military clients have undersold themselves and wonder why they haven’t gotten many job interviews. Listen, you have done things and been responsible for more in your time in the military than most people will in their entire lives! Have you led others? How many? What was the dollar value of the supplies and equipment you were in charge of? What kind of schooling and training did you receive?

If you were an officer or NCO, you are probably better qualified than 90% or more of the other job applicants. You just got to show them how and why you are better qualified on your resume!

Tip #3 Have Your Resume Written By A Professional Who Was Prior Military

Each branch of the military has numerous specialty branches. And just as I wouldn’t expect an infantry soldier to be an F-16 pilot, you shouldn’t expect to be a stellar professional resume writer. Professional resume writers are experts at what they do, just as you are an expert at what you do.

However, when you gather up your military records and evaluation reports, make sure that the professional resume writer you decide to work with has been in the military. After all, I am sure you would agree that someone who is prior military will be much more qualified to create a winning resume for you than someone who isn’t.

Three Helpful Tips For Military Transition Resumes