Learn How to Self-Promote Your Music

Learn How to Self-Promote Your MusicLearn How to Self-Promote Your MusicUnless you have major label money behind you, the ability to self-promote your music is one of the most important skills you can have. When you dont have money to hire PR people to run media campaigns for you, it is up to you to make sure people know about the music you are making. Getting started can be a little overwhelming, however. These steps will help you start out on the right foot, to make sure all of the right people are standing up and taking notice of you. Identify Your Goals When you platzplatzdeckchen out to promote your music, dont try to cover too much ground at once. Look at the way larger artists are promoted- they have specific campaigns that promote specific things, like a new album or a tour. Choose one thing to promote, like A singleA showA website Once you know what to promote, you will be able to make clear goals for yourself, i.e. if you want to promote your website, then your goal is to bring traffic to the site. With these goals in mind, youll find it easier to come up with promotion ideas, and youll be better able to judge the success of your promotions. Target the Right Audience With your promotional goal in mind, figure out who the right audience for your campaign is. If you have a gig comingup, then the channel to reach the right audience for your promotion is the local print publications and radio stations in the town in which your show is happening. If you have a limited edition single coming out, your primary audience is your band mailing list, plus the media. Going for the right audience is especially important if youre on a budget. Dont waste time and money letting town X knowing about an upcoming show in town Y or a folk magazine about your new zum guten ton gehren hop album. Have a Promo Package Just like when you send a demo to a label, to self-promote your music, you need a good promo package. Your package should have A press release detail ing your newsA short (one page) band bioA CD (a demo recording is ok, or an advance copy of an upcoming release)A package of any press coverage you have had so far- press coverage begets press coverageYour contact information (make sure to include an email address - people may hesitate to call you)A color photo, or a link to a site where a photo can be downloaded. The press is more likely to run a photo if they dont have to chase it. Find Your Niche The sad truth is, every writer, radio station, website, or fan for that matter, you are trying to reach is likely being bombarded with info from other music hopefuls. You need a reason to stand out. Try to find something that will make people more curious about you- give them a reason to want to know more. Being elusive worked wonders for Belle Sebastian at the start of their career and people wrote about Marilyn Manson for being, well, Marilyn Manson. You dont have to devise a huge, calculated persona, but giving people a reason to check out your show or your CD before the others can only help. Bribe Em Another way to stand out from the crowd is plain old free stuff. Even press people and label bosses love getting something for nothing, and youll whip your fans into a frenzy (and get new fans) by giving stuff away. Some ideas Put some money behind the bar at a show and give free drink passes to all the industry people who come to check you out.Give people on your mailing list an exclusive download once a month (be it a new song or an alternate version of a song)At gigs, raffle (for free) mix CDs made by the band- everyone who signs up to your mailing list at the show gets entered in the drawing. Branding Get your anthroponym out there. Make up some stickers, badges, posters, lighters or anything else you can think of that include your bands name. Then, leave the stuff anywhere you can. Pass them out at your favorite clubs, leave them on the record shop counter, poster the light posts- go for it. Soon, y our name will be familiar to people even if they dont know why, and when they see your name in the paper advertising an upcoming show, theyll think hey...I know that name, I wonder what thats all about.. Keep Track of Your Contacts As you go through all of these steps, chances are that you are going to pick up a lot of new contacts along the way. Some of these contacts will be industry people and some will be fans. Never lose track of a contact. Keep a database on your computer for the industry people you have met and another database of fan contacts. These databases should be your first port of call for your next promotional campaign - and these databases should always be growing. Dont write anyone off, even if you dont get much feedback from them. You never know who is going to give you the break you need. Know When to Act Small This step ties in with targeting the right audience and identifying your goals - you can save a lot of time spinning your wheels by keeping the s mall stuff small. While its always useful to keep other people up to date with whats happening in your career, that guy from Rolling Stone doesnt really need to know every time your band is playing a half hour set at the local club, especially if the local press really hasnt given you much coverage yet. When youre getting started, the easiest place to start a buzz is your local area. Build up the small stuff to get to the bigger stuff. But Know When to Act Large Sometimes, a larger campaign really is in order. Go full speed ahead when you have something big brewing, like A new albumA tourAn important piece of news, like an award or a new record deal This kind of news warrants contacting both the media and people you want to work with, like labels, agents, managers and so on. Find the RIGHT Niche As mentioned, finding your niche is helpful in getting noticed. There is one caveat, however - make sure you get noticed for the right reasons. You certainly will get some attention for bad, unprofessional behavior, but the problem is that your music wont be what everyone is talking about - and isnt that what you really want to be recognized for? Dont do yourself the disservice of self-promoting a bad rep for yourself. Make sure you get noticed for your talent instead. Also, dont be fake. If youre not sure what your niche is yet, dont push it. Stay true to yourself and your music. Grow your Database In plus-rechnen to keeping tracks of the contacts you have, dont be afraid to help your database grow by adding some dream contacts to your list. Is there an agent you want to take notice of you? Then include them on your press release mailing list or promo mailing list when you have big news to share. Let them know youre still working and still building your career- pretty soon, they may be knocking on your door. Take a Deep Breath For many people, the idea of self-promoting their music to their fans is easy, but the idea of calling up the press is downri ght terrifying. Relax. Heres the truth- some people you call will be nice, some people wont be. Some people will never return your calls or emails. Some will. You shouldnt take any of it personally. You definitely shouldnt be afraid to try. Covering bands is the job of the music media - they expect to hear from you. Dont be discouraged by someone who is rude, or someone who is polite, but still says no. Dont write them off, either. Next time, you may hear yes.

How Smart Companies Use Freeconomics

How Smart Companies Use FreeconomicsHow Smart Companies Use FreeconomicsThis is a term coined in recent years to describe the strategic giving away of goods or services in anticipation of fuspurring sales in the long run. While the term freeconomics is a frduct of Internet marketing, the model is actually very old. One of its better-known pioneers is Gillette, which built its business model on giving away its patented safety razors for free to spur sales of its proprietary blades. This formula has been copied by Schick and other competitors in the razor market. Do not confuse freeconomics with Freakonomics, which is derived from the title of a book and which describes how economic analysis can be used to understand a variety of social phenomena. Freeconomics encompasses a crucial strategic issue for product managers, controllers, and CFOs across industries developing pricing structures that attempt to maximize revenues through a carefully designed mix of free (or nominally priced) an d fully priced products. The key is determining which customers or products are highly prices include (per How About Free? in the spring/summer 2009 issue of the Wharton Alumni Magazine) Adobe Reader software is offered free to the general public to make PDF documents a widely accepted standard, while the companies and websites that create those documents must buy the Acrobat software to produce them.???Yahoo sponsors fantasy football leagues with no entry fees, but charges for the statistics that are necessary inputs for the parteicipants.Several tax preparation firms lure in clients with free basic online filing but charge for more complicated returns.Music groups offering pay what you wish music downloads. The band Radiohead employed this in 2007 as a publicity move, then offered the same doppelalbum on CD. It sold more copies than their prior two CDs combined. This is an example of adapting revenue models to new technology. Tax preparation firm HR Block started offering to file federal form 1040EZ for free in 2011. While this was not conceived as a pro bono initiative on behalf of low-income individuals, it nonetheless can have that ancillary purpose. The main motivation for HR Block was the expectation that most people responding to the offer actually would need to file a federal 1040, a state income tax return, or have to file either within two years. All these come with a charge. Freeconomics Versus Donations For companies that, due to the recessionary environment, have underutilized staff, donating their time and skills to free work for charities and community organizations can be a wise strategy. Doing so can create goodwill and improve public relations. With the correct projects and pro bono clients, this can generate increased sales when the economy rebounds. Moreover, in all business and economic environments, contributing staff time to pro bono work is a way for firms to reduce cash donations while still keeping up a charitable commitment. Th e September 1, 2009 issue of The Wall Street Journal ran an article on this topic. Among the examples cited was that of an electronics firm that undertook, for free, a major project for a church. After the job was done, the pastor thanked the company from the pulpit, which amounted to a highly valuable endorsement before potential customers. Pro Bono Financial Services In 2008, New York mayor Mike Bloomberg announced a variety of initiatives, including a campaign by the citys Department of Consumer Affairs to educate city residents about taking control of their finances, starting with how to deal with debt. Free and inexpensive financial education classes, counseling and workshops were part of the plan. Drawing on this model, financial services firms could consider redirecting some of their charitable giving instead into offering some of their expertise to low-income people on a pro bono basis. Dress for Success An organization called Dress for Success obtains donated womens business attire from leading designers and manufacturers, which they then give to jobless low-income women who do not have the appropriate wardrobe to dress for interviews. Free Employee Benefits Another application of the freeconomics model is in offering your companys products or services as a free employee benefit. Among other positive outcomes, this can increase employee loyalty to the firm and spur employees to offer the positive word of mouth, winning their friends and family as new customers.

This is how to make your life awesome 6 secrets from research

This is how to make your life awesome 6 secrets from researchThis is how to make your life awesome 6 secrets from researchTheres a lot of good advice on how to be happier or more productive or how to have better relationships. But tips on how to improve your wholelife- something that will last decades and experience countless unpredictable changes - those should be regarded with extreme skepticism.The only way toreallyget some good insights would be to follow a lot of people for their entire lives and see what actually works. Luckily, somebody did The Study of Adult Development combined three massive longitudinal studies - research projects that followed people from youth until old age - to figure out what makes a good life.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult DevelopmentThe Study of Adult Development is a rarity in medicine, for quite deliberately it set out to study the lives of the well, elend the sick. In so doing it has inte grated three cohorts of elderly men and women - all of whom have been studied continuously for six to eight decades. First, there is a sample of 268 socially advantaged Harvard graduates born about 1920 - the longest prospective study of physical and mental health in the world. Second, there is a sample of 456 socially disadvantaged Inner City men born about 1930 - the longest prospective study of blue collar adult development in the world. Third, there is a sample of 90 middle-class, intellectually gifted women born about 1910 - the longest prospective study of womens development in the world Like the proverbial half loaf of bread, unterstellung studies are notlage perfect but for the present they are, arguably, the best lifelong studies of adult development in the world.George Vaillant is a professor at Harvard Medical School and led the study for over 30 years. His book isAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult Development.With alm ost a century of data on nearly 1000 people, there are plenty of insights. Well cover 6 big ones that can get you on your path to awesomeness. (Remember skimming my blog posts voids the warranty. If you dont read the whole thing and your life goes on to be awful, you will know why.)Forgive me for starting with something obvious, but it had such an impact that it cannot be ignored 1) Avoid smoking and alcoholHi, my name is Eric and it welches never my intention to write afterschool specials but here we goKids, smoking is schwimmbadeanstalt.It welches the 1 predictive factor of health.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult DevelopmentIn both male cohorts not being a heavy smoker before the age of 50 welches the most important single predictive factor of healthy physical aging. Among the College men heavy smoking (more than a pack a day for thirty years) was ten times more frequent among the Prematurely Dead than among the Happy-Well. Ye t if a man had stopped smoking by about age 45, the effects of smoking (as much as one pack a day for twenty years) could at 70 or 80 no longer be discerned.And drinking too much doesnt only hurt your health. Over the long haul it makes you less happy and screws up relationships.Some people drink because they have problems. But the study showed alcohol is also an independentcauseof problems, not merely a result.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult Developmentprospective study reveals that alcohol abuse is a cause rather than a result of increased life stress, of depression, and of downward social mobility Alcohol abuse- unrelated to unhappy childhood- consistently predicted unsuccessful aging, in part because alcoholism damaged future social supports.Maintaining a healthy weight increased lifespan and regular exercise boosted both longevity and happiness. Plain and simple those things you know youre supposed to do to stay healthy? D o them.(To learn more about the science of a successful life, check out my bestselling bookhere.)Okay, obligatory obvious stuff out of the way. You have to keep yourself healthy. But you also have to keep your brain healthy. And maybe not for the reasons you might guess 2) Years of education = goodIts probably no surprise that, on average, the Harvard men were healthier at age 70 than the underprivileged men. But heres the twist If you compared only the guys from both groups who attended college, the difference vanished.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult Development the physical health of the 70-year old Inner City men was as poor as that of the Harvard men at 80. But remarkably, the health of the college-educated Inner City men at 70 was as good as that of the Harvard men at 70. This was in spite of the fact that their childhood social class, their tested IQ, their income, and the prestige of their colleges and jobs were markedly inferior to those of the Harvard men. Parity of education alone was enough to produce parity in physical health.This wasnt due to family income and it wasnt due to IQ. Pursuing more education led to better habits and healthier lives.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult DevelopmentThe components of education that appeared to correlate with physical health in old age were self-care and perseverance - not IQ and parental income. The more education that the Inner City men obtained, the more likely they were to stop smoking, eat sensibly, and use alcohol in moderation.(To learn the two-word morning ritual that will make you happy all day, clickhere.)Okay, prepare yourself the next one can be a little sad for some people because we cant change the past or can we?3) A happy childhoodHow much someone was loved as a child predicted their adult income better than knowing what social class they were brought up in.FromAging Well Surprising G uideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult Development for both the Inner City men and the Harvard men the best predictor of a high income was not their parents social class but whether their mother had made them feel loved.Many say that you can find out what someone is really made out of by seeing how they handle a really stressful situation. The Study of Adult Development found that the people who aged the best had coped well with something so horrific you wouldnt wish it on your worst enemyAdolescence.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult DevelopmentAgain, as I have followed the lives of the Inner City men, one of the best indicators of successful aging was how well they had adapted in junior high school. Of the 150 Inner City men with the best scores for coping in junior high school, 56 were among the Happy-Well and only 13 were among the Sad-Sick. Of the 19 Inner City men with the lowest scores for adolescent a daptation, only a single man was among the Happy-Well, and 11 men, three-fifths, were among the Sad-Sick or Prematurely Dead. Successful adolescence predicted successful old age.Yes, all this kinda sucks for some people. Amazon doesnt sell Time Machines and me saying, Well, you should have picked your parents better is far from helpful. So if your childhood was less than perfect and your adolescence felt like a bad reality show, does this mean youre doomed?No. What went right in childhood was much more predictive than what went wrong.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult DevelopmentA warm childhood, like a rich father, tended to inoculate the men against future pain, but a bleak childhood - such as with a poverty-stricken father - did not condemn either the Harvard or the Inner City men to misery Perhaps the best summary statement is, What goes right in childhood predicts the future far better than what goes wrong.And theres even more reason for hope. Sometimes love and support come late - but that can be enough to heal old wounds.When people found a loving spouse or trusted friends in adulthood, the damage of a tough childhood could be undone.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult DevelopmentIt is not the bad things that happen to us that doom us it is the good people who happen to us at any age that facilitate enjoyable old age For women, as well as for men, spouses could sometimes heal dysfunctional childhoods A good marriage at age 50 predicted positive aging at 80 After following disadvantaged Hawaiian youth for almost half a century, Emmy Werner explained that the most salient turning pointsfor most of these troubled individuals, however, were meeting a caring friend and marrying an accepting spouse.We need love at every age. A warm childhood is a great blessing but, as with so many other things in life better late than never.(To learn 5 secrets from neuroscience that will increase your attention span, clickhere.)So if the study found one big thing you damn well better remember, what was it?4) Relationships are everythingPlenty of the men and women who had smarts and family wealth didnt fare well. And many who had fewer advantages did just fine. It was peoples ability to deal with others that made the biggest difference.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult DevelopmentThe lives of all three cohorts repeatedly demonstrated that it was social aptitude - sometimes called emotional intelligence - not intellectual brilliance or parental social class that leads to a well-adapted old age. successful aging means giving to others joyously whenever one is able, receiving from others gratefully whenever one needs it, and being greedy enough to develop ones own self in between.Whats one of the biggest mistakes we make when it comes to relationships? Not working hard enough to create new ones when the old ones fade away.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult DevelopmentSuccessful aging requires continuing to learn new things and continuing to take people in a widening social radius at age 50 was just as important to successful psychosocial aging as emotional maturity.Asked to summarize the results of The Grant Study (the Harvard group),Vaillant simply replied,Happiness is love. Full stop.(To learn 3 secrets from neuroscience that will help you quit bad habits without willpower, clickhere.)So what separated those who succeeded with others from those who failed? It ended up being one of the most powerful predictive factors in the study 5) Coping skillsUsing mature defenses. Basically that means how you respond to the painful thoughts and feelings produced by difficult people and this occasional horror show called life.When things dont go their way, teenagers scream and pout and blame everyone but themselves. However, wh en people become adults well, sometimes theystillscream and pout and blame everyone but themselves.And this does not lead to good things.How you cope with the inevitable problems of life has far-reaching, long-term consequences.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult Development In both samples mature defenses were common among the Happy-Well and virtually absent among the Sad-Sick.Blaming others, being passive-aggressive, living in denial, acting out and retreating into fantasy were all maladaptive coping mechanisms associated with poor outcomes. These behaviors soothed bad feelings in the short term and wreaked havoc in the long term by ruining relationships and producing lousy life decisions.Those who thrived chose more mature methods of coping like altruism, sublimation, suppression and humor.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult DevelopmentThese four mature coping strategies are n ot only associated with maturity, but they can be reframed as virtues. Such virtues can include doing as one would be done by (altruism) artistic creation to resolve conflict and spinning straw into gold (sublimation) a stiff upper lip, patience, seeing the bright side (suppression) and the ability not to take oneself too seriously (humor). These latter behaviors are the very stuff of which Victorian morality plays are made and they provide antidotes to narcissism.Adolescence always ends but, sadly, self-absorbed, attention-seeking adolescent behavior can continue long into old age. For some people it reaches truly tragic, pathological extremes like blogging.(To learn the 5 questions that will make you emotionally strong, clickhere.)So if you learn to use mature coping skills and dont act like a selfish brat, youre ahead of the game. But those who truly thrived took it to whole nother level 6) GenerativityBottom line generativity is giving back.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts t o a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult DevelopmentGenerativity means community building. Depending on the opportunities that the society makes available, Generativity can mean serving as a consultant, guide, mentor, or coach to young adults in the larger society. Research reveals that between age 30 and 45 our need for achievement declines and our need for community and affiliation increases.When were young, were all a little selfish. And thats okay. We need to figure the world out, we need to figure ourselves out and we need to build a life.But when that is done, the best way to selfishly improve your life is to be unselfish and focus on helping those around you.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult DevelopmentAmong all three samples generative men and women at 50 were three to six times as likely to be among the Happy-Well in old age as among the Sad-Sick In all three Study cohorts mastery of Generativity tripled the cha nces that the decade of the 70s would be for these men and women a time of joy and not of despair.Spend your first few decades building a good life and a well-rounded self and then spend the remaining decades sharing with others what you have gained and learned.(To learn the 4 secrets to reading body language like an expert, clickhere.)Okay, weve covered a lot. Lets round it all up and learn what effect the big six actually have Sum upThis is how to make your life awesomeAvoid smoking and alcohol Duh.Years of education = good Education seems to increase good habits (and being surrounded by smart, ambitious people never hurts).Have a happy childhood Its huge. And surrounding yourself later in life with people who love you can help repair a difficult youth.Relationships are everything Happiness is love. Full stop.Mature coping skills Stop projecting and stop being passive-aggressive. Use mature defenses like humor when life gets hard. (Yes, immature humor is still mature coping. Your e welcome.)Generativity Build a good life, a well-rounded self and then give back.George Vaillant spent so long interviewing people who were receiving Social Security checks that by the time he finished, he was receiving them, too.His father had been an archaeologist, an arena that he had no interest in. But looking around at the stacks and stacks of reports covering literally thousands of years of peoples lives, he realized, in a way, hed become an archaeologist too.His book contains a startling number of insights into what does (and decidedly does not) create a good life. We covered the big ones. So what would happen if you could tellgood ol George your personal score on the above six recommendations?On average, hed be able to predict your health and happiness for the nextthirty years.FromAging Well Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult DevelopmentThe protective factors a stable marriage, the ability to make lemonade from lemons, avoiding cigaret tes, modest use of alcohol, regular exercise, high education, and maintaining normal weight- allow us to predict health thirty years in the future.Watch out. I have a chart and Im not afraid to use itNone of the above pieces of advice was inherit a billion dollars or win the Olympic gold medal in ice dancing. Theyre things we all can do, even if that means forming new relationships or taking some college classes at night.A good life is not outside your reach. It will take some effort - but you knew that, right? The important part is that its in your control. Frankly, George said it bestWhether we live to a vigorous old age lies not so much in our stars or our genes as in ourselves.Join over 320,000 readers. Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Thisarticlefirst appeared in 2014 onBarking up the Wrong Tree.

6 Reasons Why You Need to Have Several Resume Versions

6 Reasons Why You Need to Have Several Resume Versions6 Reasons Why You Need to Have Several Resume VersionsWhen youre job hunting, you might think having one resume can do the trick to help you land a job. Think again.There are many cases in which having multiple versions of your resume can help you get your foot in the door faster.For the greatest impact, tailor each resume for every job application.Here are six scenarios in which having various resume versions can help you land a job1. Same Industry, New PositionIf youve worked as a high school science teacher for years but are looking to teach the Scientific Method to elementary school kids, youll need torevamp your resume.While you can highlight your overall successes as a teacher, youll need to illustrate why youd be the best candidate to teach to a whole new demographic.2. Same Industry, Various PositionsLets face it. When youve been job searching for a while, you can abflug to get desperate. That desperation can cause you to apply for any old job in your industry, regardless of experience.Having a resume that caters to various jobs within your industry not only shows your versatility, but also makes you a more competent candidate than you would be if you sent out a resume that wasnt really a match.Make sure to highlight your experience, but dont skimp on your skills that are transferable in the industry.3. Same Industry, Telecommuting PositionYou love your career as a writer. But frankly, youre tired of schlepping into the office, day in and day out. You want to continue in your career, but from the comfort of your home office.Redesign your resumeto illustrate any previous work-at-home experience and spotlight the work-at-home traits you already possess to make your telecommuting transition seamless.4. Completely New Career FieldSure, in your previous position you were your companys marketing maven, but that isnt going to transfer when youre applying to become a new organizations social media manager.Sp otlight the specific skills and work experiences that make you a fit for the new job. Then, build new skills and experience by volunteering, interning, freelancing, or taking on a part-time role.5. New Industry, Same PositionEven if you worked as an accountant in a law firm, it might not be the same as working as an accountant for a theatrical company.Its up to you to show how your solid experience in your career can seamlessly cross over to a new industry.6. New Industry, New PositionYoure consumed with making cute cookies. The thing is, youve been a bookkeeper since, well, forever.When youre applying for a completely different position in a brand-new field, previous work experience doesnt count. But passion sure does.Emphasize all your post-500 p.m.endeavors working and studying in the field you truly love and make that thefocus of your resume.Job seekers have to be creative when looking for a job. Depending on what type of job youre looking for, customizing your resume to shine a light on the strengths you already possess willmake you the perfect candidate for the position.Dont forget toutilize your titelbild letteras well Your cover letter will be a great introduction into the changes you are making in your career, as well as a place to explain why you will be a good fit for the role.Interested in finding a new position? You can get started by browsing telecommuting, part-time, and flexible positions in 55 categories.Readers, do you have different resume versions? If so, how many? Let us know in the comments section belowJessica Howington contributed to this post.

Boost Your .NET Developer Salary

Boost Your .NET Developer SalaryBoost Your .NET Developer SalaryMicrosofts .NET development ecosystem spans a wide array of capabilities and tools. With a large feature platzdeckchen and frequent updates in the ecosystem, it is difficult for .NET developers to know which .NET development skills and training to pursue in order to increase their marketability - and earning potential.Here are five skills that could help location you as a candidate for a higher .NET developer salary1. ASP.NET MVCASP.NET MVC is rapidly taking over the .NET web development market. Given that web development is the way forward in programming, this is one skill you definitely need to boost your .NET developer salary. .NET developers can use this open source web application framework to create beautifully styled web applications with ease, and take advantage of the latest client-side web development technologies. ASP.NET MVC also lends itself well to unit testing.2. Client-side web development technologiesA developer with .NET development skills who can create gorgeous, interactive web applications is likely to earn a higher .NET developer salary, especially if he or she has a strong portfolio of work. For example, according to Robert Half Technologys Salary Guide, AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) skills can add an average of 6 percent to a developers starting salary. Some of the other client-side web development technologies that are most in demand right now areHTML, CSS and JavaScriptjQueryBootstrap3. DatabasesMicrosoft .NET plays nicely with every major database out there, but it still takes some knowledge from the developer to work with it. SQL skills are critical, but experience with systems such as Entity Framework also can go a long way toward increasing your value as a .NET developer in todays job market. Specific experience with a database such as Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle can also help you achieve a better .NET developer salary. Some applications now use various No SQL databases such as MongoDB or CouchDB, and having these skill sets in your repertoire could give you an advantage in .NET developer salary negotiations.Discover what .NET developers are paid in your areaGO TO SALARY CALCULATOR4. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)The Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) certification can be quite useful for your career and could help sttte you for an increase in your .NET developer salary. The designation is valued because it is developed and maintained by Microsoft with a requirement to recertify every two years. Employers know that a developer with an MCSD certification is going to be up to date and meet minimum levels of competency in .NET development skills. Earning an MCSD isnt easy, but there are a wide variety of training resources and books to help you do your best on the exams.5. Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP)The Microsoft MVP program is prestigious. Earning MVP status can position you as a major player i n the job market and help you make the case for a higher .NET developer salary. When employers see that you are a Microsoft MVP, they understand that you have been thoroughly vetted by Microsoft and have a proven track record of leadership and technical excellence in Microsoft technologies.There are no set requirements to earn the MVP award, except that you must demonstrate an extremely high dedication to the .NET ecosystem and to helping and mentoring others. The MVP award is given only to those with a visible commitment to the .NET community individuals need to be re-nominated and selected every year.Skilled .NET developers are some of the most sought-after technology professionals in todays market. Taking steps to further expand your knowledge and abilities and earn valuable certifications can help set you on the path toward a higher .NET developer salary.We can help you find your next developer jobSUBMIT RESUME

Be the Very First to Know What the Experts Think About Writing Guide

Be the Very First to Know What the Experts Think About Writing Guide In the event youre indecisive to pay a person to compose your essay, explore other facets of our websites or contact our betreuung team for any extra guidelines. Moreover, our site blog consists of free writing tips and tutorials to help prospective clients in addition to for students who only require academic guidance. Have a notion of who you need to give the information to before you start. There are many sites and apps offering images to inspire you. When you are finished, unfold the paper. The same as any resume, acover letter has to be tailored to the particular role, company or sector youre applying for. Its possible that forfirst job resumes, its not essential for the applicant to have a comprehensive cover letter. however, it cannot go amiss when it has to do with applying for work. Its definitely well worth it to brush up on the principles of writing a business letter. The War Against Writing Guid e An outline can help you to view how the action in your story flows. Then, youve got to compose paragraph-by-paragraph, and you should be sure everything is joined to your primary thesis statement. Your story should provide a whole resolution to the objectives and conflicts in the story. In some cases in the event the individuals title is unclear, do a little bit of studying to verify it. The Demise of Writing Guide Because there are seven standard notes in a scale, there are seven standard chords also. For lots of people, writing lyrics is the simplest aspect of songwriting. So there youve got it a comprehensive guide to writing a great song. When you turn into a student of songwriting, youre realize exactly how similar most songs are. A lot more people on the planet is now able to understand you Word plays on business names are usually a very poor idea. You are able to use an industrial signature guide thats approximately the size of a charge card, made from plastic, and has a rectangular cutout in the center. If a company supplies a fur coat for a prize, explain why you object to wearing fur and ask the sponsor to offer you a prize that doesnt trigger animal suffering, like a trip or jewelry. How to Get Started with Writing Guide? If youre fond of writing a good deal of letters to your nearest and dearest or friends then grant writing schablone is best for you. The absolute most important thing to consider is you maynot force the story out of your mind. The one most typical trait among those who have written a book is they didnt quit. One of the greatest approaches to compose a highly effective memoir is to be honest and genuine. Imagine that the topic of the story is your neighbor or a relative. After you select a topic, you should narrow it down to something more specific. The principal character of your story should have an objective. The very first person is as soon as the most important character is telling the story. Writing Guid e and Writing Guide - The Perfect Combination You will score higher on the test if its possible to anticipate the kinds of questions that you will find. When testing day arrives, be sure to embrace all the writing rules. Students make a number of punctuation and grammar errors. Even though some students purposefully offer inaccurate citations and bibliographies, most arent even conscious of their indiscretions. Most teachers wont be fooled. In the place of submitting carbon-copy statements to each school, students ought to take time to personalize each statement. Above all, they should avoid writing a generic essay that could easily belong to another applicant. Generally speaking, higher school students have a tendency to concentrate on their club participation whilst college students often incorporate major class projects. What Does Writing Guide Mean? Essays can be of different kinds and have various purposes, but the fundamental structure is always the exact same. Disa bility refers to a functional limitation which affects an individuals capability to carry out certain functions. Definitions of Writing Guide Before you can begin writing an essay, you will need to comprehend the precise guidelines supplied by your teacher. To... Format for a Research Paper irrespective of the nature of your research, if youre writing a paper an outline can help you to not just organize your thoughts, but in addition function as the schablone for your whole paper. At Essay Info youll find guidelines for writing a variety of kinds of academic assignments. There are several different varieties of writing papers to pick from. Becoming a better writer isnt simple. If you own a question about SEO writing, dont hesitate to speak to us. Our blog explains nearly every sort of essay for students, and other academic types of writing. Our blog gives in depth tips together with a thorough guide which will genuinely enhance your writing.

Interview Questions to Hire the Best Intern - Spark Hire

Interview Questions to Hire the Best Intern - Spark HireYou have extra work that needs to get done, and your top performers are in need of leadership training. Its time to hire an intern. You set out on the hiring process as you would for any position but interns are different. They dont have much experience in the workplace nor the job search, so youll need to evaluate their application materials accordingly. Skills and experience, for instance, may be less important than personality traits and the potential to learn and grow.When it comes to the interview, the questions you typically ask experienced professionals wont make sense for intern candidates. You need to ask these candidates questions that are relevant to their experience and that will assess the qualities most important to the position. Ask intern candidates these interview questions to find the perfect match 1. What do you hope to gain/learn from this internship? What skills do you wish to develop?Most internships offer little to no pay, so an intern must gain something from the experience to appreciate it. Also, its unethical and illegal. You cant just hire interns for free laborI can then tailor the internship to the candidates strengths and talents, when possible, or know when its not a good fit because I cannot offer what they are looking for. Like a full-time, permanent position, it has to be a good fit for both the intern and the employer.Kate Azar, CEO Chief Philanthropy Advisor, Social Good Strategies, LLCAlways hire the best fit interns are no exception via KAzarPDClick To Tweet2. What do you know about us as a company?The reason this is such an important question is it separates the candidates who really want to work for us from those who simply want an internship. A candidate who is serious about joining us will have done their research and will be able to provide a well-thought-out and comprehensive response to this question. ansicht are the candidates who are much mora likely to put the extra effort in to help the business achieveits goals. The depth of their answer also demonstrates their ability to research a topic and pick out the most important bits of information.Yeen Teck Hoe, Co-Founder CEO, Helpling SingaporeLook for interns who will put in the extra effort via HelplingSGClick To Tweet3. Do you draw happiness from this work?Im always interested in if interns are able to not only answer yes, but give an engaging answer as to why. Ive found that interns who love their work and can draw happiness from the work are more engaged, more productive, and more likely to push hard, stick with the job, and develop into an impressive employee. On the flip side, interns pursuing jobs primarily for money or simply to have a job dont work outnearly as often.Jim Hoddenbach, Co-Founder, Disciples of FlightAre yourinterns here because of passion or cash?via DisciplesFlightClick To Tweet4. What is a strength and a weakness you can bring to the internship and how do you t hink this internship will help you to improve upon both?If the student gives you an honest answer to the weakness like, I have a tendency to procrastinate, then it tells you that they are self-aware, honest, and ready to improve.If they give you some prepared response, then you are likely to have someone that is a game-player. While that works in some organizations, we are a tech startup, and we need people that are open and ready to improve themselves and the product on a daily basis.The strength answer tells us a bit, but the answer is not as important as their weakness.Angela Hood, Founder and CEO, ThisWay in aller herren lnderTips on how to ensure honest answers from interns via ThisWayGlobalClick To Tweet5. What do you know about the industry? Can you explain it to someone else?I always ask interns to explain what pay per click advertising is. Im not so much interested in the candidates coursework in school, but rather relevant experience. Once I have their response, I confirm if its correct or educate if it isnt. I then ask how they would explain what I said to someone like themselves, who does or does not know the industry. If they can reiterate what I said in an easy to understand manner, theyll understand the concepts Im looking for them to write about. This shows me that they not only can grasp a new concept, but can teach others about it in a clear manner.Michelle Brammer, Director of Marketing and Internship Coordinator, eZangaIts important to ask questions as well as educate internship candidates eZangaMichelleClick To Tweet6. Where do you see yourself in five years?Interns, more than any other candidates, are going to be asked this perennial question. When people are taking internships, theyre still figuring out what theyd like to do in life.A great many interns wont have a good answer to this question. Some will still be figuring out their career path. What I listen for is if this job is a logical fit for them in their path of discovery.Steve G ibson, Director, JotFormWhere do you see yourself in 5 years? InterviewQuestion via StephenEGibsonClick To TweetWhat do you look for when youre hiring an intern? Let us know in the comments below

Etihad Airways allows passengers to bid on their very own row

Etihad Airways allows passengers to bid on their very own rowEtihad Airways allows passengers to bid on their very own rowFlying internationally for work can be exhausting- all you want to do in between meetings, conferences, lunches and dinners is relax in your own space.Etihad Airways might have a solution, plucked directly from every airline travelers dream.The Neighbor-Free Seat option allowspassengers in Economy Class toreportedly try and get up to three empty seats next to their own - fully paid, of course - based on the layout of the cabin and how manyseats are available. The price will vary based on how many seats are open on the flight, the airline told Ladders.And no need to wait Allix Wright, the companys North American spokesperson, told Ladders that this option is currently available.How to score a Neighbor-Free SeatThe site sayswhen passengers book online, they can bid for this perk. Those who score this seatingwill be notifiedbefore takeoff.Wright told Ladders that the company isnt able to comment on how much the service costs passengers, but that the price depends on the number of seats that can be bid upon, adding that the system has a defaultminimum and maximumbid amount set. It will not accept an offer lower than the minimum amount or higher than the maximum amount.Etihad passengers with a confirmed ticket document number beginning in 607, and who dont have certain things,including group bookings, tickets already upgraded using miles and more, are reportedly eligible for the service, depending on how many seats are free, among other conditions.But how do you send aloud and clear message to other passengers that those seats next to you may be empty, but theyre taken? WrighttoldLadders that the airline will equip those seats with specially marked headrests.Other ways to relax on your flightEtihad announced a series of specific changesbeginning on July 3rd,including that while complimentary chauffeur service will remain in place at its hub in Abu Dhabi, passengers will have to pay at specially negotiated rates in every other location.But guests currently have the option to stay in The Residence on Etihads Airbus A380 planes- each suite has a living room with a couch and tables, a bedroom with a double bed, and a shower room, and guests can reportedly take advantage of a VIP Travel Concierge service. These are a few amenities passengers have with this option.Travelers at The Residence will keep getting chauffeured for free where the planes fly, specifically, Abu Dhabi, New York, Sydney, London and Paris.Wright also pointed out different features Etihad provides, including a service called Flying Nannies. They help parents out by tending to kids on the flight in a certain ways, like getting them ready to sleep and keeping them entertained, and have recreational options.Etihad offers a variety of relaxation options - but for business passengers, having a Neighbor-Free Seat could be one wayto rejuvenate. And its a good opti on until airlines add more legroom.

The Top Five MOST Annoying Buzz Phrases

The Top Five MOST Annoying Buzz Phrases The Top Five MOST Annoying Buzz Phrases Steve, said I. Are you using this for blog fodder?Nope, its all yours, says Steve, who works at Oracle and has a fantastic blog you should read.So Im taking it. Its not scientific and I didnt take a poll, these just come from my own experience. My hope is that it will make you a better business person because people wont cringe when they speak to you. In no particular order, here are the most annoying phrases inwell, the world5. It is what it is.Well, of course it is what it is. People say this when they have no way of effecting change. They say it to shut you (me) up and they say it because its a somehow suitably appropriate way to end a conversation. Its horrible and obvious. If you say it more than once a week, you need to read a book. Exception if you are 90 and wise.4. Think outside the box.When a fast food chain has parodied your business speak, its time to shelve it. Think outside the box has be come the very thing it claims not to be. Thinking outside the box is totally in the box. Everyone urges you to think outside the box. Outside the box is incredibly crowded and not tremendously insightful anyway. I say, get back in your comfortable box and stay there, where its quiet and you can actually think.3. At the end of the day.This one was my personal selection. People say this so often it comes out like athendoftheday which of course, is complete gibberish. WHY ARE YOU SPEAKING GIBBERISH PEOPLE? I could get all existential and talk about how units of time are now more valuable that ever and to reduce them to a bumper sticker is invalidating what is our only non-renewable resource as knowledge workers, but nah.its just overused. Bonus phrase When all is said and done.2. Granular.Shut up. JUST SHUT UP. You dont understand what you are talking about. Now, some of you may hate this article and go back through my writing with a fine tooth comb, and I guarantee that you will find that I have, at times, used the word granular. But, I have reformed and you should to. When you are comparing your work to sand, you need to find a new line of work.1. Hard StopThis earns the number one spot because it inspired the thread that Boese built. Hard stop is ridiculous because people 1) rarely mean it 2) hardly ever respect it and 3) mostly use it to make it sound like they have a super important deal to seal but they actually have to have their dog de-wormed or something.Have an overused, tired, sad crusty old business phrase you want to share?Out with it.

Job Interview Questions About Your Responsibilities

Job Interview Questions About Your ResponsibilitiesJob Interview Questions About Your ResponsibilitiesWhen, during a job interview, you are asked questions related to your current or previous positions, its important for your response to include a few detailed specifics about what you did in your previous role(s). Keep youranswer positive- its a good idea to bring up improvements or accomplishments, but best to stay away from mentioning frustrations or disagreements with co-workers. Since this is a very common interview question, make sure to prepare for it ahead of time, and have a good sense of how you would summarize your responsibilities for each of your positions. Generally, the focus will be on your current or fruchtwein recent role. Once you can answer the question, Why do I think I have the experience and skills that make me a great candidate for this job?, youll be good to go Best Answers for Questions About Your Responsibilities The best way to respond to this intervie w question is to describe your responsibilities in detail and toconnect them to the job you are interviewing for. This means that, prior to your interview, you should carefully review thejob descriptionfor the new position. Almost every job description you will encounter will provide a list of the skillsets and work experience an employer is seeking in their next employee (typically found under the subtitle, Responsibilities). For each requirement, ask yourself Why do I think I know how to do this function?When have I actually had to use unterstellung skills?How effective was I in performing this part of the job? What examples can I use to prove my aptitude for this job task? For example, if the job description requires that you have a solid knowledge of technology like Microsoft Office Suite or Adobe Creative Suite, be prepared to describe how youve used these programs in your previous job. If it requires that you have excellent customer service skills, be ready to cite a few occas ions when you successfully handled sticky client relations issues. Then match your qualifications to the job Tie your responsibilities at your current or previous positions in with those listed in that job description. By doing this, the employer will see that you have the qualifications necessary to do the job you are interviewing for with his or her organization. Focus most on your responsibilitiesthat are directly related to thenew jobs requirements. For instance, if you are interviewing for a role that requires management skills, emphasize projects youve led, events youve planned, and people youve managed. If you are trying to land a job in a creative field like graphic design or marketing, bring along a portfolio of designs youve created for significant project assignments. Be descriptive and engaging in your summary of responsibilities- most likely, the interviewer has a copy of your resume availableand is looking for you to go beyond the information listed in that document. This is your opportunity to provide the personal story that will advance you from being a name on the page to being a strong and memorable image in your interviewers mind. Avoid going too granular on the details company-specific jargon can overwhelm an interviewer. It can be a difficult balance, but strive to give a thorough description of your responsibilities, and use different language from whats on your resume. Mention any specific instances where you benefited the company,solved a problem, or had a major accomplishment. Results-oriented answers are beneficial here. You can say things like I created a schedule that stopped late delivery, earning the companys award for best team player. On a day-to-day basis, I was the primary point of contact with clients, working to ensure that their needs were met while escalating urgent matters to my supervisors. While you want to frame your responsibilities in a positive light,its also important to be honest. Dont embellish your job title o r duties, because you dont know who the hiring manager will be checking with when they check your references. Advance Prep Is Key to Interview Success The best way to conquer any nervous anticipatoryanxiety before a job interviewisto be prepared. Reviewing your answers to common interview questions beforethe interview will also help you give better responses. Check out these frequently asked questions (and see the recommended best answers) in advance of your interview. Use them to role-play your response. You can practice with a friend, or by yourself in front of the mirror. Its wise to also remember that you are interviewing your potential employer at the same time that they are interviewing you and that they will be interested in how you respond to the standard question, Are there any questions you have for us about this job or our company? Here are some ideas for what to ask. Since this invitation to turn the tables often occurs at the end of the interview, having a strong r esponse will help you leave a good impression on your interviewer.