Reginald Chan

Author: Reginald Chan

  • What To Know About Setting A Website Up For Your Webinars?

    What To Know About Setting A Website Up For Your Webinars?

    Webinars, or “web seminars” provide people and businesses with the ability to bring people together from all around the globe to discuss and collaborate, even during these difficult times of pandemic and social isolation. Webinar platforms work great for this purpose, however, if you want maximum traffic through your website, then it may benefit you more to host it through your website. There are many ways you can ensure your webinar’s success, and this article will give you a few tips on how you can make that possible.

    What Is an Embedded Webinar?

    The definition of an embedded webinar is just where a webinar can be found on the homepage of a website. The folks at nerder.com say that this can be a challenging thing to code into your website, that is why you should leave it to the IT experts. This will alleviate the hassle of learning how to do it. If this is just a one-time thing, then that might be a better option for you. However, if this is something you’d like to do more than once, then it’s quite easy to learn how to do it if you truly want to learn. 

    The Benefits of an Embedded Webinar

    While many platforms offer services designed specifically for webinars, hosting it through your website instead has a few special benefits that you won’t receive if done any other way. Below are just a handful of reasons why you should choose to host through your website. 

    Expand Your Following

    There is a possibility that people who attend your webinar will not be as familiar with your website as others. This creates more of a following for you that you would not have gained otherwise. Also, the followers you already have are more likely to accept the invitation since they already frequent your website. This will result in a greater turn-out for your webinar. On top of this, the webinar will broadcast in many locations, thus increasing traffic on your website. If your site has SEO optimization, then this will do wonders for your website. 

    Better Branding

    Branding is an important part of any business nowadays and determines the way people interpret a company and evaluate how trustworthy they are. Regardless of whether or not this is a reasonable way to judge a company, it is the reality of the world we live in and businesses must adjust. ClickMeeting is the major player in the world of webinars and offers branding features where you can play around with your logos and overall image. With this feature, you can match your webinar to your blog or website. 

    Unique Content

    Hosting from your website will give your page a type of content that maybe your page (or your competition’s) hasn’t seen before. This adds versatility, allowing your website to be less one-dimensional. 

    How to Embed a Webinar

    The steps for embedding a webinar on your website or blog are quite simple. The steps do not require much expertise and can be completed in minutes if followed closely. Look for a software or an app that offers great support for anyone needing extra assistance with setup. 

    Features Needed for Embedding

    There are a few features that your website needs for the web seminar to go smoothly. Before sending out all the invitations, make sure your website has the following.

    Video Embedding

    Video embedding is, of course, a necessity to host a webinar from your blog, support site, or resource center. Video embedding allows you to input a code on your page that will appear as your webinar. This will allow you to host a webinar that reaches many people all across the globe instead of confining you to a single platform that will only reach those who receive an invitation. Hosting from your own page will make it where you can sidestep using a webinar platform altogether, which will save you money and the time it takes to learn how to use it. 

    Video Snipping

    You’ll want to be able to cut out useless content from your webinar. Parts, where there are delays or pauses, should be cut out so more people will be willing to watch your webinar all the way through. Remember to always keep an original copy of your webinar, but put the edited version on your website so anyone who couldn’t make it can find out what they missed. 

    Transcripts

    This is a new feature that allows you to download, generate, and publish the transcripts of all your webinars. This is an amazing tool that will connect you with a wider base of people who might not have understood the entirety of the webinar due to language barriers or hearing impairments. It also accomplished the following:

    • Increases your rankings and improves SEO
    • Meets compliance regulations 
    • Makes your website more accessible
    • Allows viewers to scan webinars for useful information

    Choosing a Topic

    You’ll want to select a topic that piques the interest of your typical viewers but will also somehow appeal to those who don’t. When you choose your topic, make an outline of the subjects that will be discussed alongside the main ones. If it’s possible, get a guest speaker who is well-versed in the topic or well-known in the community of those who might follow your website. There’s a chance that many will fill your seats just to hear what that person has to say. It will also give you and your blog or website credibility. 

    Promoting the Webinar

    Social media has made promoting much easier, but there are ways you can make your webinar stand out from the rest. One way is to get the guest speaker to put out a video or post encouraging others to tune in. Always make sure that the time, place, and any other important details are included in the promotion ads. 

    Time should be managed efficiently, and make sure not to start too late after the original start time or to finish much later, as many people might have engagements. Once the seats are filled and you’re ready to begin, you might experience some nervousness or unexpected awkwardness. The best way to avoid this is by practicing what you’re going to say many times before the webinar. This will ensure that you’re fully prepared and there won’t be any surprises.

  • How a Security Camera Can Make Employees Feel Safe?

    How a Security Camera Can Make Employees Feel Safe?

    Providing a healthy and safe workspace for your employees is the most important and at the same time the most basic thing you can offer them. Multiple studies have shown that the person who is feeling safe and cared for is happier and more relaxed, which causes increased motivation and productivity. One of the best ways to provide just that is by installing a security camera system on your business property, which can serve both as the prevention and the key to solving a possible problematic situation that your employees have gotten into.

    Customers Committing Theft

    A customer shoplifting or stealing isn’t necessarily dangerous for the employee but it surely is an uncomfortable and frustrating situation. It is hard to remember the faces of all of the customers in detail and it could be crucial for catching the perpetrator. By installing cameras, you won’t leave such a heavy burden on your employees and at the same time, you will get the necessary hard evidence of misconduct. In some cases, if the worker confronts the person who is stealing, they could react badly and cause verbal or physical harm to them. Having it all videotaped will help your employee have some peace of mind knowing that the whole incident is caught in video form.

    Theft of Employee’s Private Property

    Unfortunately, there is also a possibility of the personal property of the employee being stolen or destroyed in the workplace. For example, they have their own office in which they receive clients. It is a busy day and in the moment of inattention one of the clients steals something of theirs, like a cellphone or a wallet, and they don’t notice it until later. Because of the quantity of the clients, possibly heavy workload, and tiredness they may not remember every client that walked through the evidence. This is the moment in which the video footage of the day would be crucial for determining the perpetrator. Additionally, it is not that impossible that due to some sort of dispute between them and other employees someone who they work with steals their things. Nobody wants to work in that kind of climate and those kinds of people, so determining who did it may be crucial for the smooth run of the company.

    Armed Robberies

    This is one of the most dangerous situations an employee may be met with. There are protocols in every establishment which are required in these kinds of situations, but it is nonetheless extremely scary and stressful. The employee who went through this event may be too traumatized to remember every detail, or in some unfortunate cases even hurt. When the police are called they will surely ask if you have security cameras installed because that is the most accurate representation of what took place. It will help them determine the exact time, place, and harm that was done, the perpetrator is more likely to be caught and your employee will get their justice.

    Harassment

    If your employee files a complaint of harassment to you about another employee or a client, it is important to believe them and find out what happened exactly. Having security cameras could help you with that. Whether it be sexual harassment, stalking, or verbal abuse, you will be able to determine the exact event and bring the guilty party to justice. This will improve your relationship with your worker and they will feel consoled and cared for, making them more eager to go to a safe place of work.

    Conflict

    As previously mentioned, there is a chance that there may be some conflict between the employees, and it could escalate to some of the more serious offenses. Also, you could never know your clients completely, and there have been many cases where clients caused a conflict between them and the worker because some of their needs weren’t met the way they wanted them to be. This could be extremely disruptive to the work environment, and having security cameras could be a key to proving that your employee has been put in an uncomfortable situation.

    Violence

    Every conflict that was previously mentioned could in the worst-case scenario escalate to a violent episode. There have even been cases of fights between the clients in some establishments. It is not that common but it happens, and solving the problem and punishing the guilty party will be much easier if the place in which it had played out has video footage of the event. The safety of employees could be seriously damaged, so you need to offer them some comfort along with hard evidence.

    Injuries in the Workplace

    If the employee gets hurt in their workplace, they will need some sort of evidence of it to be able to get their personal insurance compensation. Medical bills could be extremely costly, and it could cause your employee additional stress. To prove to them that you care about their well-being, it would be best to provide them with the footage that will help them in their case. Well cared for employees are happy employees.

    Invasion of Employee’s Privacy

    Let’s end with the main concern that people have when they hear that the video security system will be installed at the place they work in and that is an invasion of their privacy. That is why there are a few things you should discuss with them before doing that. It is important to be extremely transparent and inform them about video surveillance immediately. Don’t hide the cameras from them and avoid installing them in places that require privacy, like bathrooms. It would also be a smart idea to avoid filming the sound with the security camera, as it would make your workers feel like they aren’t able to talk to each other freely and like they are being controlled. 

    Final Word

    As we can see from previous examples, there are a lot of unpredictable things that could happen to an employee. Knowing there is evidence that could prove the cause of their misfortune and help them get their justice will make them feel comfortable and safe. No business can be successful if the workers are treated badly and carelessly, so make sure that you give them everything they need to feel at ease and happy. In these cases, security cameras could be crucial for that exact purpose.

  • How to Stay on Top of Legalities After New Baby Arrives?

    How to Stay on Top of Legalities After New Baby Arrives?

    Welcoming a baby into your family is no laughing matter. You’ll have to consider many things, including the room for the new family member, future expenses, future plans, and so much more. Parents get caught up in these things that they tend to forget that there are many other aspects they need to take care of when a baby arrives in a family. What’s worse is that those things are essential for the baby.

    It might sound odd, but the truth is that there are a lot of legal matters involved once a child is born. Most parents overlook this part of childbirth, and we can’t blame them. It’s exciting bringing a human baby into this world. As parents, it will be your duty to incorporate them into this world, which means handling their legal documents.

    According to the Washington Post, there are 14 important documents that you need to secure for your child. While not mandatory, these legal documents are going to guide your child into becoming a legitimate citizen of the country. As such, you need to manage these early on so that your child won’t have issues with documents in the future.

    Why Staying On Top Of Legalities Is Important

    A lot of people don’t have the drive to settle legal documents, but as parents, you are obligated to help set up your child after he or she arrives. If you don’t have the time to do so, the good news is that companies that organize your legal documents and even digitize them, so they are available for years to come. Managing these legalities early on is important as it helps set up the life of your baby. Unless you outsource the entire process, no one else is going to do this thorough process for your child other than you. However, it’s more than just about legitimizing your child’s identity.

    The Important Documents

    The first document you’ll need to secure is the easiest one to get, which is great. The birth certificate is proof of your child’s birth. This document includes essential information such as the name of the parents, the place of birth, the weight of the baby, and basically just about anything regarding the new family member.

    Most hospitals will help you manage the birth certificate, so this shouldn’t be something you should worry about. Make sure to get this and make numerous copies of you. Once your baby grows up, your child will need this document for various purposes, such as securing government IDs, enrolling in school, and even getting a job.

    Social Security Numbers weren’t gotten until you applied for a job back then. However, times are way different today. The Social Security Administration itself recommends getting your baby their own Social Security Number immediately. This will help you get them health insurance, among other things.

    Your pediatrician will help set up what’s called an immunization record as well. This document details all of the vaccines and shots that your baby has been given. This document is vital as some shots aren’t supposed to be administered multiple times. These are some of the necessities you need to secure. 

    Next up, you’re going to want to consider some optional but highly recommended documents that will help secure your child’s health. These include life insurance packages, health cards, and more. As you can see, there are many documents that you’ll need to secure after your baby arrives. Just how can you manage to stay on top of these legalities?

    How To Manage The Legalities

    First and foremost, you’ll need to plan ahead. You know when your child is going to be born, so you have the time to prepare everything you need for the special day and the hectic ones that come after. For starters, you’ll need to ready your own legal documents. Some of the ones that you need to prepare ahead are your birth certificate, Social Security number, and insurance plan, if there are any. Most of your child’s legal documents will require you to present your as well, so make sure you come equipped with the papers.

    Another thing you’ll need is money. Childbirth is an expensive process, but the fees don’t stop there. You’ll also have to pay for some of the documents and insurance plans too. The good news is that document organizing isn’t as expensive as childbirth. Last but not least –  free up your schedule. You’ll need to have excellent time management skills if you want to finish all documents within a few days or so. You won’t have a lot of time to spend with your child during the days after their birth, but it will all be worth it eventually.

    Most of the documents we’ve stated above are for the safety and security of your child. Giving your child health insurance is near impossible when he or she lacks the necessary documents. If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it is that we all need insurance. As such, it’s a must to have your child’s life, and health secured immediately.

    Once your child grows up and becomes a fully-functioning adult, these documents will help them secure a career for themselves. It basically sets them up for success. Without the right documents, they might not be able to get loans, benefits, and other helpful assets.

    It’s important to make sure that all of the details given for these documents are accurate. The process of revising legal documents takes a lot of time and effort. Way more than the time and effort it would take for you to set these up properly upon your child’s birth. It’s more practical to stay on top of these legalities immediately.

    Last but most importantly, the documents are there to protect your child in the case that something bad happens to you. We can’t predict what happens tomorrow or the day after. Documents such as wills, guardianship, and others will ensure that your child stays protected and prepared in the worst-case scenarios, no matter how unlikely.

  • How to Decide What Size of a Loan You Need?

    How to Decide What Size of a Loan You Need?

    Whether you’re thinking about running a business or are just needing money to make general home improvements, loans can help you get the financial boost you need in a pinch. A lot of people have gotten through some tough times by taking out loans. Of course, loans are no easy matter, and it should be something that you need to plan for adequately. If you are taking an obligation to pay off the loan in the future, it’s best to begin knowing what lies ahead.

    Loans allow you to take out financial aid from either a bank or any lending institution. Generally, you have to agree to payment terms, including the duration of the time you have to pay the loan and the amount of interest that incurs throughout the payment time. Banks offer loans for various purposes.

    According to Debt, the most popular types of loans are student, mortgages, auto, veterans, small business, payday, and home equity. Each loan has its purpose, even though there also are general purpose loans available. The amount you can loan often depends on your credit limit, existing loans, and the type of loan you are considering. Taking out a loan is the easy part. The hard part?

    People tend to overshoot their goals and make loans that are more than what they need. This may sound like a great deal in the long run, but the interest will keep you at a loss. As such, it’s important to properly think about the amount you need to loan before making one. How does one determine how much he needs?

    Consider Thinking About What It’s For

    There are many purposes for loans, and it’s completely up to you what you’ll use it for. The first question you need to ask yourself is about what the primary goal of the loan is. This is an important question as it can help determine whether or not you are capable of paying the terms at the right time.

    Let’s say you want to take out a loan of $50,000 to run a business. However, the company you are planning on setting up still requires work, and it could take at least ten months before it can generate a decent profit. Knowing what type of loan you need can help direct you to the best options possible.

    Keep in mind that personal loans are very different from business loans. There’s a marketplace for small business loans that help direct you to possible payment terms that consider your business’ profits regarding the tenure. Institutions that offer such loans help you think about exactly how much you might need to take out.

    If it’s for a personal expense like a new gadget or even money for a home renovation, be more considerate of your loan. Do you really need to make that loan? This is just one of the questions you should be asking. If you do need it, then make sure to loan only as much as you need.

    Plan Ahead

    One of the last things you’d want is to fail to make payments on time. Not only will this leave you with bad credit under your name. You’ll also incur penalties that add hefty fees on top of the interest. In cases like these, it’s best to plan ahead and think about whether or not you have the means to pay the loan in the future.

    According to a Wall Street Journal report, Americans have skipped their payments on over 100 million student loans, auto loans, mortgage loans, and many other forms of debt during this pandemic. Now, they’ll have to pay fees unless the institutions they loaned from decide to waive these and adjust their payment terms.

    True enough, no one saw the pandemic coming. However, the same can be said for just about any emergency situation. You need to be prepared for what’s to come. Ideally, you’d want to make sure that there’s enough money in your savings account to pay for up to three months of your loan.

    Think About Your Other Future Financing Needs 

    Making the right loan means thinking about what else you need to pay for in the future. Other financial expenses like taxes, your employee’s salary if you have a business, utility bills, and many others are put into consideration when making a loan. If you have a lot on your table in the future, then it’s best to keep your loan to a minimum.

    Understandably, most loans can be paid for in manageable terms. Usually, the terms are between 12-36 months. Just because the terms are flexible doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t think ahead. Your future financial expenses will coincide with the payment of your loan, so it’s best to make sure that you are capable of paying for both.

    Study The Interest

    Interest rates are unavoidable when making a loan. It’s something that you should really look into before signing a loan contract. You might be enamored when seeing interest rates like 1.3%, but don’t be. Usually, this refers to the interest that’s added to your monthly payment. For example, you’ll be paying a total of 46.8% interest on a monthly interest rate of 1.3% on a 36-months term.

    Financial institutions are going to be upfront about the interest rates. They’ll even show you the total you’ll pay once you’ve made all of your payments on time. Interest rates can go up to over 50%, which is enormous. As such, you really need to be smart before making a loan. 

    Always make sure that interest rates are fair. The shorter your term, the more affordable the interest rate is. You’ll pay more for a large loan that’s on a longer payment term, so check out interest rates properly. 

    Loans are a significant and sometimes necessary step for your future. As this is your future we are talking about, you need to be wiser before signing any contract. Planning means being able to ensure that you are going to pay your debt fully. If you plan properly, you won’t even feel the debt making a dent in your savings.

  • 5 Ways To Sell Online Quickly In 2021

    5 Ways To Sell Online Quickly In 2021

    If you have things to sell or you want to start making money by selling online then these days there are loads of ways to do it. It really depends on what you’re trying to achieve, if you just want to declutter your house and sell your old things social media or an auction site might be the best option. However, if you’re looking to start a business and make some money then there are other options to look at. 

    Dropshipping

    You might have heard the term ‘Dropshipping’ now as it’s become a pretty popular way of making money. Dropshipping is what is known as a retail fulfillment method and what it means is that you can essentially have a ‘store’ but not keep any products. You will sell the products but then pass the order onto a third-party supplier, who then ships the order to the customer. It can be easy money if you get it right as essentially you sell other people’s goods and take a cut for yourself. You need to know where to get the goods that you want to sell and know things like how to import from 1688, but if you do your research and follow all the tips and guides you can find online then dropshipping can be a great way to make some cash.

    Etsy

    Etsy is a fantastic place for small, independent business owners to sell online without having to have their own website. It is a great place for those amazing and talented creative people to sell their handmade jewelry or artwork and crafts to people who they might otherwise not be able to reach. 

    Amazon

    Everyone knows what Amazon is and these days it’s the first place people go to when they are looking for a particular item. Amazon is the biggest online shopping website in the world and accounts for almost half of all retail sales online. If you have something to sell then get it on Amazon because that is where the buyers are and you can even pay an extra fee to get Amazon to deliver your stuff for you too.

    eBay

    You can pretty much buy and sell anything on eBay and that’s why it’s such a great place. The things that you might see as complete trash and taking up space in your home, someone else would pay good money for. If you’re not sure if something will sell then try it on eBay and you might just find a buyer.  

    FacebookIf you’re looking to sell a big item that will be difficult to deliver, then Facebook Marketplace is the perfect place to target local buyers. Most local communities even have a Facebook group where people buy and sell things and you can often sell your item within hours. You might find yourself with a lot of time wasters too but seeing as it’s free to sell on Facebook and it can be really easy to do, then time wasters aren’t too much of a headache to deal with.

  • Free Professional Graphic Design Resources

    Free Professional Graphic Design Resources

    Even the most experienced web/graphic designers sometimes need a little help, especially when project timescales are tight. We’ve all been there; suddenly, the thing that could wait until next week now needs doing like yesterday. In these types of scenarios, premade graphic design resources come in very handy. 

    Why? Because premade graphics, add ons, photos, templates, backgrounds, icons, illustrations, etc. save you time by streamlining your creative processes. Taking a walk on the premade side will also benefit business owners, bloggers, beginners/intermediate web or graphic designers, digital artists, and other creatives for the same reasons. 

    And it turns out you can save money too, because, well, FREE professional graphic design resource recommendations are aplenty within this article. Whether you need an add on for speedy photo editing, the perfect Procreate stamp for your latest illustration, or a handy social media template to shout about your business, keep reading!

    Where To Find the Best Free Resources 

    If you’re looking for the best design resources on the market, look no further than Design Bundles. Independent designers make these premium resources with other creatives in mind, and every download includes a dual license for personal and commercial use. 

    The Design Bundles website hosts a dedicated section full of free design resources available for instant download. Seriously, there are no strings attached; everything in the category is FREE. They also release a free design every week, so it’s worth going back to the website frequently to check out the latest high-quality freebie.

    Here’s What To Expect 

    The section includes free SVG’s, graphic packs, illustrations, icons, templates, backgrounds, textures, seasonal imagery, and plenty more. These are compatible with popular design software, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, InDesign, or Canva, Monogram Maker, and others — perfect for purely digital projects such as web design or catering to printing requirements for branding and merchandise. 

    For handmade craft projects, the free downloads work with digital cutting machines like Silhouette or Cricut and their corresponding software. If you don’t have a digital cutting device, use a home printer and sharp scissors or a cutting mat paired with a precision craft knife to cut. 

    Now let’s take a look at some specific free professional design resources that are extremely useful for web/graphic designers, bloggers, hobbyists, business owners, and creatives of all inclinations to discover. Oh, and by the way, every category mentioned below is entirely free to download via Design Bundles and available for personal and commercial use. 

    Perfect Photos

    Are you ready for some epic photo-related factoids? Well, hold onto your seats. Blog posts containing images gain up to 94% more views than posts with none. Meanwhile, Facebook posts and tweets with photos receive around 37% more engagement and a 35% boost in retweets, respectively, compared to imageless posts. 

    With that in mind, sourcing high-quality free stock photos is a top priority for bloggers, web/graphic designers, and other creatives. But with more people than ever hip to the mighty stock photo and only so many websites to find decent ones for free, you often see the same images appearing over and over again. Enter the free images offered by Design Bundles.

    No longer will you have to spend ages scrawling the web or setting up time-consuming photoshoots. Their selection of free photos will help experienced creatives or business owners taking a DIY approach to marketing, produce professional social media graphics, digital and printed marketing materials, websites, blog posts, product mockups, and more.

    Awesome Add Ons

    Add ons are a fantastic way to streamline your design workflow or editing process and achieve professional results effortlessly. The free add ons available include preset effects, actions, color palettes, video textures, backgrounds, brushes, palettes, and gradients. There are also specific Lightroom, Procreate, Photoshop, and Illustrator presets. All of which equates to a massive time saver for photographers, digital artists, graphic & web designers, bloggers, videographers, and other creatives.

    Make use of the retouch presets to get those wedding photographs spruced up with ease, create stylized portraits to sell online, or invoke a specific atmosphere within your illustrations and videos in no time at all. You can also download the FREE add ons and apply them to typography, art prints, greetings cards, wedding stationery, websites, business branding, marketing materials, and more.

    Gnarly Graphics

    There is a free graphic in the collection for pretty much any occasion, season, or celebration. In some cases, a single download includes a range of elements and patterns following a specific theme. The graphics also come in different file types. Whether you’re a design pro working on a logo in Illustrator, a small business owner designing a company letterhead in Word, or a blogger creating a new blog/website header in Canva, there is a fitting graphic for you. 

    Consider the impressive range of free seasonal graphics to ensure your business branding or personal projects are on point throughout the entire year. Check out the Autumn watercolor clipart, and hand-drawn cherry blossom dividers perfect for spring. Other fantastic finds include Halloween clipart, fun illustrations, Fall graphics, quirky quotes, Cinco de Mayo clipart, animal graphics, vector patterns, textured backgrounds, and more.

    Terrific Templates

    Premade templates can help people of all design abilities (from little experience to ALL of the experience) produce professional results quickly and efficiently. While it can be fun to reinvent the wheel, it isn’t always necessary. Templates provide an aesthetically pleasing guide to follow with the opportunity to personalize your creations because you can customize the essential design elements. It’s a nice balance between following the rules for convenience and infusing your unique blend of creativity into the mix. 

    Some of the free templates include product mockups so you can preview/present your designs on ornaments, fast food packaging, beer bottles, gift boxes, headphones, soap bars, mugs, t-shirts, and many more items. The collection also includes frame mockups for artists to present their work online; and marketing templates for social media covers and posts, videos and animations, business cards, flyers, posters, ad banners, and newsletters.