Category: Lifestyle

5 Things You Can Do To Stay Alive When Trapped In Fire

Getting out of a high rise building that is on fire can seem impossible. But if you stop panicking and start thinking straight you might find ways to protect yourself from the damage. Here are a few things you can do when trapped in fire:

Close all the doors and windows between you and the fire

If you are at a safe distance from the fire, make sure you close all the doors and windows that are between you and the fire. Fresh oxygen might make it easier for you to breathe, but it also feeds the fire and makes it grow. To block all the paths between the fire and you and seal out the smoke from entering the place where you are trapped.

Notify the fire authorities

Once you have secured your location, make it a point to notify the local fire authorities. Give them your address and let them know where you are trapped so that they can locate you efficiently. Installing a smoke alarm or a fire protection system like abv phel can help in detecting such fires before they cause any damage and will also signal the fire authorities to take action. 

Cover the vents and cracks in doors and windows

Even after closing the doors and windows between you and the fire, you can still be exposed to some smoke if there are vents and cracks in them. So try your best to close these vents and cracks before the smoke causes any harm to your health. Look for blankets, towels, sheets, or any other cloth that you can use to block the smoke from getting through these vents and cracks. Run the cloth under cold water and stuff it around the cracks and vents. This will keep the smoke out until the rescuers come for you.

Help Rescuers Locate You

If you haven’t been able to call 9-11, wave a light-colored cloth or a flashlight at the window to signal rescuers. You can also hang a sheet or cloth outside the window. You can open the window slightly until the rescuers see you. But make it a point to close it back if the smoke condition becomes worse.

Filter the air that you inhale

Heat and smoke tend to rise up whenever a fire breaks out. Staying low will help you reduce the amount of smoke that you inhale. If this isn’t helping much you can even use a mask to filter the air that you inhale. You can also wet cloth and cover your nose and mouth with it if you don’t have a smoke mask. It may not be perfect, but it will still help you filter the air that you breathe until the rescuers save you.

One thing you should avoid at all costs when trapped in a fire is getting out through the roof. By doing so, you will only be exposing yourself to the rising smoke, while limiting the options of your rescuers to save you.

Ways to Tackle Common Household Allergens

Nowadays, our homes are filled with a lot of allergens makes our lives miserable. A home should be a place you feel safe and relaxed, but these allergens can prevent that. However, you can tackle the common allergens in your home in various ways. 

Be smart when dusting

Mold, pollen, and dust particles are the most common allergens in our homes. During dusting, make sure that you start cleaning from the top toward the bottom. This helps in avoiding the dust from spreading to cleaned areas. Remember also that you will need more than a cloth or feather duster to remove dust. You can use damp microfiber cloths, as they will hold the dust. Clean blinds, curtains, and ceiling fans. 

Remember the filters

Ensure that your filters are clean and in good shape. These include filters in the air conditioning units and air conditioning and heating system. 

If you don’t have filters in your home, consider adding them. You can get an air filter with HEPA if you have a single room. You can turn your air conditioning and heating system into a filter system that serves the entire home. 

Cover and wash your pillows

Pillows tend to host dust mites. You need washable pillow covers. You should wash them every three weeks. Some pillows can also be dry cleaned or washed every four months. 

Clean your home often

Consider vacuuming your home with a HEPA filter every week. This will eliminate indoor allergens like pet dander and dust mites. When cleaning around the books section, use an electronic or microfiber cloth. This will trap the dust and not just move them around. Remember to use a filter mask when cleaning since dust will fill the air. 

As much as possible, avoid placing your carpet such that it extends wall to wall. Hardwood floors can be easier to clean because dust can be seen during cleaning. You can also clean with washable area rugs. 

Having a clean home is crucial, but most people are always busy, which makes it impossible to clean their homes. That’s why it is wise to get Bennetts services to get your home sparkling clean and remove all allergens.

Avoid pet’s dander

Pets spend most of their time indoors during winter as we do. Pet allergens can be found in dog’s or cat’s dander and in the saliva. You can reduce the danger that they shed by bathing your pets every week.

Avoidance is crucial when it comes to animal allergies. However, you can wash your hands with water and soap after petting a dog or cat. Keep your pets out of the bedroom and vacuum carpet regularly to avoid allergens, the best vacuums for pet hair are much better for this than regular vacuums.

Check humidity levels

Since air is dry during winter, most people use a humidifier to add some moisture. If you use humidifiers to avoid dryness, remember to check the humidity levels. Failing to do so will be creating a perfect environment that dust mites and mold can grow in number. You need a humidity meter to keep the moisture level in check. The recommended humidity level is 50%. You can use a dehumidifier when required and a vent fan for you to eliminate moisture in the kitchen and bathrooms. 

Reduce the pollen entering your home

You can keep pollen away from your home by ensuring that the windows remain closed. Avoid entering your home with shoes on or at least have a doormat to wipe your shoes before entering. You can also prevent humidity by ensuring that the temperatures are cool. Dust mites do well with high humidity. 

Clean vents

Allergens can be found anywhere in your home. This includes vents. Cleaning the dryer vent helps in reducing the allergens. Clean the air ducts every year as dust mites, pet hair, and others can build up there. You will be sure that you are inhaling clean air when you switch on the heating and air conditioning system. 

Get Mold Services

If you find that there are molds in your home, the chances are that it will bring allergies to your family. This will affect their health. When you can see visible signs that the mold is affecting your health, consider getting a mold removal service. The company will test your home and offer you the best action plan.

Use medications

The best step you can apply to tackle household allergens is to be aware of your allergy’s triggers. This will help in taking preventative measures. Medications usually eliminate allergy symptoms and make you enjoy staying at home. Consult your doctor on the right options you can take. 

Conclusion

Allergens can make our home unbearable to stay in, but with the right steps on how to tackle them, you can make it much more comfortable. Apply the tips above to reduce allergens and keep your family healthy.

Ways to Earn an Online Degree As a Busy Mom

Ever since you became a parent, your dreams of earning a degree might have taken a back seat. Between parenting and managing the house, it might seem like you barely have enough time for anything else, least of all yourself. But thanks to the internet, busy people—most especially busy moms—can earn that much-coveted degree without having to physically go to school.

But how would you do it with your hectic schedule, you ask? Let’s take a look.

1. Seek the Babysitter’s Help

You’ll need a few hours to yourself while attending your online classes, which means you will most likely not be able to attend to your kids in that span of time. Call your babysitter and ask for help. There’s no shame in relieving yourself of your babysitting responsibilities once in a while, especially if it’s to learn something new. As they say, reliable child care actually helps mothers improve their career.

2. Plan Ahead

If your online classes are scheduled, this means you would have time to plan your activities for the day. So if you have to take your son to basketball practice at 5 p.m. and your classes are at 5 p.m., then take him earlier. If you have to attend a meeting between parents and teachers at your daughter’s school next week, make sure to tell the school to schedule your one-on-one with the homeroom teacher at a time you don’t need to log in to study.

To keep track of all the things you have to do, and to avoid any overlap, make sure to bring a journal and jot those items down.

If, on the other hand, your online classes are not scheduled, then you wouldn’t have any problems. You’d be able to log in to your classes at a time that is most convenient.

3. Take Courses that are Flexible

There are online courses that are “friendly” to the busy people because they are more flexible. Consider avoiding a course that might require too much writing assignments and puts a lot of emphasis on deadlines. Courses like journalism might not be the best because you’ll be tasked to write a lot and trained to respect the dates of submissions, precisely because this is exactly what you’ll be doing once you become a media professional. In communication research, on the other hand, students are trained to conduct different types of research, which includes a lot of fieldwork and a lot of writing. These courses are obviously very time-consuming and will require your full attention. As a very busy mother, you may not be able to give that in the first place.

So, in thinking about which course to take, also consider what kind of career path it can give you. How about getting a marketing degree, where you will be taught how to effectively reach people? While your professor might also be the kind who likes to give deadlines, a course in marketing would be a lot less stressful and time-consuming compared to others.

You might also want to consider learning how to help manage branding and public image. With this course, you can be a social media manager, an event manager or a public relations officer, among other things. These jobs do not require you to render as much time in the office as other jobs would—something that works to your advantage as a busy mom.

  • Social Media Manager: You’re essentially tasked to boost a company’s online presence and client engagement by producing good social media content and analyzing usage data, among other things. These do not require you to be in the office at all times since all you need is a laptop and an Internet connection. As a social media manager, you can actually also work from home and tend to your duties as a mom!
  • Event Manager: You’re in charge of running and organizing promotional events for a specific company. After attending the event, then, you can always go home and tend to other things. No need to report to the office afterward, unless of course there’s some paperwork you need to do. 
  • Public Relations Officer: A public relations officer, on the other hand, concerns herself with managing reputation through events and by writing press releases, among other things. These things can also be done outside the confines of the office.

In these situations, it pays to be practical but without sacrificing what you really want to be in the future.

Final Thoughts

Motherhood should never be a hindrance to achieving your dreams. If anything, motherhood should even inspire you to achieve them because you have a cheering squad behind you all the way—wonderful kids who look up to you in everything that you do.

Go and take that big step. When everything seems to go haywire, just remember that mothers are superwomen when it comes to raising their kids. Surely, earning an online degree is a walk in the park compared to that.

How to Find the Best SAT Prep Material to Help Your Kid Ace the Test

Soon, your child might be taking one of the most important tests of their lives. As a parent, you naturally want to help them ace the SAT (or at least get a passing grade) so they can enter into a good college. You might spend the entire day thinking about what you can do to help but have ended up being unproductive.

Take a deep breath! In this post, we share with you the ways you can find the best SAT material to help your child ace the test.

1. Check the Internet

The Internet is a gold mine of online programs for SAT takers, but always remember that your child does not have all the time in the world to go through all of them. It’s best to be picky and to choose an SAT program like PrepScholar SAT courses, which will pinpoint your child’s strengths, and the weaknesses they have to work on. Choose a program that motivates your child, not one that coddles them. Inspire them and not make them lazy. In short, sign them up for that one program that already covers everything and has been proven to be effective.

2. Spend Time in a Bookstore or Go to a Public Library

If there’s anywhere you have to be to score good SAT material, it’s the bookstore or the public library. This is where you are bound to find prep books that will assess what your child already knows and doesn’t.

These tests are important because they will give your child an idea of what the SAT makers actually want them to learn. Your child can also get a feel of how taking the SAT would be, allowing them to precondition their mind before actually going to “war.” Remember that the SAT is not only about your child knowing their world history or Math; it’s also about them knowing how to cope with the mental stress of having to answer difficult questions for hours on end.

Check out the reference books section, and spend some time going through the books you think your child will easily understand. You can go to other specialized sections and browse through those, too.

Here is a list of subjects you should cover with the books you purchase and borrow:

  • Literature
  • US History
  • World History
  • Mathematics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Foreign Language: Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Spanish, Italian, German or Modern Hebrew

This is not to say that you have to limit yourself to these subjects alone. The more subjects you can cover, the better.

3. Talk to Other Parents

There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for tips from other parents who have already gone through the grueling process of helping their child prepare for the SAT. If we go by the saying that experience is the best teacher, these types of parents, then, are the best teachers for you. Go ahead and call your friend whose daughter passed the SAT with flying colors, and ask for titles of books she got to help her prepare. Or maybe host a lunch meeting for the “experienced” and “not-so-experienced” parents so you can get each other’s recommendations for other SAT material. You may have to invest a little time and even money to organize this last one, but once you have that list for your child, you’ll feel like everything was worth it.

Below is a list of questions you can ask fellow parents:

  • What SAT materials did you get your child? Where can I get them?
  • Did you enroll your child in an SAT prep course? If so, where?
  • How did you help your child study? Did you implement a strict study plan, or simply allowed them to go at their own pace?

Conclusion

The SAT is arguably one of the most important tests your child will take. It will, after all, determine which colleges they can go to. But the process of preparing does not have to be as cumbersome for your child. As a parent, you can do your part by making it as easy for them as possible. Get the best materials and courses so they don’t have to spend precious time they could to studying instead. Also, make their environment as conducive to learning as possible. If they want a change of scenery while studying, you can help them design the perfect outdoor reading nook.

Those are only some of the many ways you can help as a parent. If you do your part and your child does theirs, there’s no reason they won’t ace that test.

Pros and Cons of Debt Management Programs

 

Debt can feel overwhelming to tackle on your own — especially because managing money is typically a learn-as-you-go process. Many people find it helpful to work with a professional for this reason. One available resource people can utilize is the credit counseling agency.

Reputable credit counseling agencies, usually not-for-profit, can help you take a hard look at your budget and formulate a plan for your personal finances. These services are often free or inexpensive, too. You may even find you’re eligible for a debt management plan (DMP) through your credit counseling agency.

Here are some of the pros and cons of debt management programs to consider before enrolling.

Pro: DMPs Tend to Simplify Repayment

Have you ever felt buried under a barrage of bills and credit card statements? Before you can even think about paying your debts, you have to keep track of them — a task made more challenging when you owe money to multiple creditors.

Enrolling in a DMP means you’ll only have to make a single monthly payment to your credit counseling agency, which will then disperse your funds to creditors. This approach tends to be simpler than trying to juggle multiple monthly payments, potentially saving you time and stress.

Pro: DMPs Can Cut Interest Rates

Not only can DMPs consolidate a handful of debts into one payment, but they can also reduce how much you’re paying in fees and interest. As NerdWallet notes, your credit counselor may be able to get you concessions from your creditors such as:

  • Lower interest rates
  • Lower monthly payments
  • “Re-aged” accounts to end late fees

Reducing how much you’re paying in interest and fees means your monthly payments can chip away more aggressively at your debt, ideally helping you pay it off faster. Creditors may agree to more favorable terms if they see you’re committed to a DMP and making a serious effort to tackle your debt. You can usually expect a DMP to take somewhere in the ballpark of three to five years.

Pro: DMPs Damage Your Credit Less Than Other Strategies

You’re still repaying your debts under a DMP, so it makes sense this strategy tends to damage your credit score less than some other strategies — especially bankruptcy, which stays on your credit report for years.

While enrolling in a DMP itself won’t affect your scores, some of the actions you take — like closing old credit accounts — may. If you fall behind on payments, this will also hurt your rating. Some consumers decide these possible adverse effects are better than continuing to rack up debt and interest until they’re forced to take more drastic action.

Con: Only Certain Kinds of Debt Qualify

DMPs are an option for certain forms of unsecured debt, like credit cards and medical bills. Mortgages, auto loans, and student loans are ineligible for this form of debt repayment.

Con: You May Have to Pause Credit Use for Years

The terms of your DMP may restrict you from opening new lines of credit, or using credit while in the plan. On one hand, this may feel restrictive. On the other, it may help you develop your financial habits and avoid worsening your debt problem.

Con: You’ll Pay a Fee

Make sure to inquire about fees before signing up for any program. DMPs may require service fees and monthly fees; the exact nature of these fees varies by location and organization.

As with any debt relief solution, there are pros and cons to consider before deciding to enroll in a debt management plan. Doing your research ahead of time will help you know what to expect.

How to Treat Nail Fungus Naturally During Pregnancy

As a mom-to-be, you know all the joys and wonders of expecting a baby to enrich your life, so you cherish the nine months of that blissful process. Yet, pregnancy sometimes comes with different discomforts that make self-care a bit more difficult. From swelling, backaches, hormonal changes that affect your skin and hair, all the way to various bacterial and fungal infections, your body is changing all around, and treatment often needs to differ from what you’d do without a bun in the oven.

One particularly unpleasant scenario no future mom wants to even think about, let alone plan for, includes treating fungal nail infections. Of course, ideally, let’s hope you never have to go down that path. Just in case you do, there are various natural ways you can help your toes heal without the use of excessive medication and antibiotics that could otherwise cause health issues for you or your baby. Here are a few to keep in mind.

Focus on prevention 

Let’s start off with a few simple, easily applicable tips and behavioral changes that can reduce your chances to get a fungal infection in the first place, which is especially risky during pregnancy when your immune system might be weaker, or you’re experiencing feet swelling. Of course, summer heat can’t help, hence the need for taking extra precautions!

  • Dry feet are healthy feet, so if you work out or sweat a lot due to the weather, make sure to wash your feet with mild soap and water regularly, and keep your feet dry.
  • Regular trimming is essential, and keep your grooming tools clean and disinfected. 
  • Choose breathable shoes and bamboo socks, which are naturally moisture-wicking and keep your nails and skin healthy.
  • You can even wear special anti-fungal, copper-infused socks that help kill the bacteria and fungus that could cause an infection. 

Feat soaks that heal your toes

If you’ve already contracted an infection, you should do your best to heal it in its earliest stages, and preferably before it spreads to other toes. In case you can pinpoint the shoes and socks you’ve worn when you’ve noticed the infection begin, get them properly cleaned and disinfected. 

Some natural soaks are great for treating infections. For instance, adding baking soda paired with vinegar in your warm water soak can be very effective when applies several times per day. Alternatively, some oils such as tea tree oil, oregano oil, and orange oil are extremely helpful with fungal infections. An old natural remedy might not be your favorite, but you can try it nonetheless: rub some garlic over your infected toes, as its natural antibacterial properties can be very powerful against milder infections. 

Laser therapy

Before your mind instantly leaps to hot and painful laser treatments, this option is far more comfortable and actually more effective in treating fungal infections. The key difference is that cold laser treatment for nail fungus uses low-intensity blue light for targeting the actual fungus, and red light for improving your overall immune system. This combination means that you’re using light against the infection without causing any harm to your toenails or skin around them.

One of the greatest perks of this treatment is that your body cannot really develop any form of resilience to it, which is often the case with repetitive use of antibiotics and topical treatments. The duration and number of laser treatments will depend on the severity of the infection, so your doctor will help you determine what you need to do to speed up the process.

Tweak your diet

When you’re relying on Mother Nature to do the healing, you also need to make sure you’re doing everything in your power to help your body heal. For instance, what you eat makes all the difference, especially during pregnancy, in terms of fortifying your immune system and helping you fight off an infection, and prevent one in the future. 

For starters, garlic has antimicrobial properties perfect for the situation, so add some freshly crushed garlic over your tomato salad, or add it to your kefir drink. While we’re at it, dairy products rich in probiotics such as kefir and yogurt are an excellent choice, too. Finally, prebiotic-packed foods such as fruits and veggies are a must, since they are loaded with all of those essential micronutrients that your immune system needs.

As beautiful as this time of your life may be, you need to pay special attention to the kind of decisions you make with regard to your health. If you find yourself battling a fungal infection on your nails, try these natural solutions that will kick the infection to the curb, and of course, always talk to your doctor about the best way to move forward. 

Fall Fashion Trends For All Body Types

Fall is here and with it, the new fashion trends have arrived. World-known fashion icons and stylists have spoken and they have the best trends for us this fall. The tattoo frenzy that has been present for a while now and people are more and more inclined to get their own custom tattoo design from companies such as Tattoo Stylist. Some of the things that will be hot this season are bold colors and animal prints, but that’s not all. The color palette still pretty much stays the same, like every fall (fall colors), but there are some other things coming our way. So, no matter what body type you are, here are this season’s fashion trends. 

 

Bold Colors

Fall is all about colors and instead of blending in with the fall background, this year you will have to add some pop. It’s simply refreshing to see bright pops of yellow, pink and golds this year, and that’s what all the trends are about. People usually go a bit darker during the fall with more jewel tones, but this fall is your chance to make maximum impact. Some of the recommended pieces are a bright mustard dress, vibrant red suits, and high shine sequined blouses and pink blazers. So, don’t be shy to stand out from the crowd with your fashionable pieces in bright colors. 

 

Romantic Outfits

Even though fall is a bit dark and gloomy because of the weather, that doesn’t mean you still can’t preserve some romance. The best way to do it this year is with your romantic outfit combinations. Rely on dark floral patterns that are always fun and hot, pastel colors are also a safe bet as well as emerald. You can also uplift any outfit with feminine details, such as romantic fall fashion jewelry from Moon Magic, pastel-colored hats, and chic handbags. What is more, you don’t have to rely on brown, black and navy colors this fall, and you can opt for a blazer in a lighter color that you can easily pair with any other pieces, even in darker colors. So, when combining your next outfit, think romantic and feminine and you will look great!

 

Borrowing from the Boys

Masculine patterns are also hot this fall. However, this doesn’t mean you still can’t look feminine, because this is not about borrowing your boyfriend’s oversized hoodie. Rather, this fall’s trends are borrowing the patterns from the boys, such as checks and plaids. Look for patterned suits, ruffled turtlenecks and pair them with delicate jewelry. Also, you can rely on wide-leg pants paired with a checked blazer and you are good to go!

 

Animal Print

Animal print trends have surfaced a few seasons ago, and they are here to stay. It’s a huge trend this fall and it’s really not going anywhere, so think about upgrading your wardrobe with a few of the animal print pieces. However, some things have changed in the past few seasons. The popularity of the animal print trend has shifted from leopard and cheetah to zebra and snake! What is more, you can really have fun with this trend. For those who like to make a statement, you can rely on animal print jacket or a top and pair them with simple black jeans. However, those who feel that is a bit too much for them, you can experiment with smaller accessories, such as shoes, handbags and scarves. Whatever is the case, having at least one piece in animal print will elevate your look and make sure you look amazing. 

 

Trends are constantly changing and gaining and losing popularity from season to season. However, this fall has retained some of the trends from previous seasons and granted us an opportunity to try out something new, such as bold colors and new animal prints. So, if you haven’t already updated your fall wardrobe, this is the time to do it and follow these trends and tips. 

Why Stainless Steel Water Bottle Is Good For Travel

People often wonder how safe and clean is the water that they drink when traveling or out of their usual homes. One of the ways to ensure that everyone gets to drink healthy water is by carrying an adequate supply with them where ever they intend to travel. In water containers, the steel water bottle could be one of the most useful options to use. Compared to the alternative solutions available to carry water around, it makes perfect sense to use steel carry bottles most of the time. 

It is not that people are not offered options to carry around water to drink. But the advantages of using a steel carry bottle like the Fill2Pure ones are to be noted as below. 

Reusable in construction

With most water bottles made of plastic and other disposable materials, the bottles are mostly single-use most of the time. This adds to the extra burden of having to dispose of the bottles after their use. Plastics are some of the hardest materials to degrade in the environment and hence the ecological cost of using single-use plastic bottles is only to be noted. 

It would be found that having a reusable disposition, the steel water bottles are more eco-friendly than ever before. In fact for the factor of reusability of water bottles a large part of the plastic types have been redesigned to act as multi-use bottles as well. Steel is the ideal multi-use water bottle material of choice at the moment. 

Hot and cold use

Few materials can hold hot and cold liquids with equal ability as steel can when made out into water bottles.  An added insulation not only keeps the temperature of the fluids from deteriorating and at the same time makes it rather easy to carry around. The good property of steel to withstand boiling temperatures without defect and this is one of the reasons why steel is the preferred material for use as water bottles. 

Lack of taste or odor

With other alternatives to steel water bottles, it is key to understand that they impart some kind of odor or taste to the water in them.  This factor is particularly acute when carrying the water for extended periods of time. Steel water bottles tend to keep the natural taste of water to a larger extent than possible plastic or PET alternatives. 

This ability to retain the taste is key when hot fluids are carried in the water bottles. The plastic types do not tolerate heat to any extent and even the slightest of warmth helps in odorizing the water in them.  

Extra abilities

Steel water bottles on one hand can be made to act in so many different ways. One of the most notable methods of using steel water bottles is as a portable water purifier.  By having additional add-on facilities on the water bottles, it is possible to be able to filter out and purify the water that is stored in the bottles. This is achieved in a number of ways and has been found to be rather effective too. 

Machine washable

There would not be a home that does not have a dishwasher or a similar facility to keep clean the vessels and containers that handle food materials. The steel water bottle is to be noted for its characteristic that it can be put in the dishwasher for cleaning up after use.  Few other alternative materials can offer this scope of action as borne out by the water bottle. 

Variations in presentation

When compared to the alternative solution to carrying of water, it is possible to have a wider variety of presentations in the case of the steel water bottles. It is possible to color the bottles in many ways, add designs to the exterior of the bottles and so on. Plastic or mud water bottles do not offer this type of variations in presentations. 

Hard and tough

The steel water bottle is one of the hardiest of materials to be had around to carry water.  Most drops on the floor would not damage the bottle quite unlike the plastic materials in popular use. It is for this reason that steel bottles are used by adventure enthusiasts and athletes most of the time. The hard exterior of the steel flask often tends to present one of the toughest of materials. 

Conclusion

No doubt, water is a precious commodity that few people can do without. Carrying water around for use is made all the more pleasant if the right kind of materials is hard for their use. Steel bottles and flasks have been around for some time and despite the onslaught of newer materials tend to be in high demand for the sheer good experience that comes with using them. 

Spread the Word Easily—How to Promote Your Brand during Popular Events

The biggest question for business owners is how to gain more customers and boost your business and profit. Well, one way to reach new buyers and gain better following is to promote your brand and improve exposure. While you can pay for ads and improve your social media presence, you can also use big events to build momentum and reach a large audience. Events like festivals, fairs, sporting occasions, and various other gatherings and conferences can help boost traffic to your business and promote your brand. So how can you effectively take part in these events and gain exposure? Here are a few effective ideas to try out.

Choose the right event

Study government and travel websites to find events, analyze them and see which ones attract your target audience. If you sell foods or craft products, you’ll attract plenty of attention at any festival and fair. Sports gear sellers could make big bucks by attending races, stunt shows or matches. But if you cater to a specific niche, make sure to be smarter about your event choice. What does your audience like to do in their free time? How do they get ready for the event and what they do after? These are all the questions you need to ask yourself.

Become a sponsor

Sponsoring an event will cost you some extra money, but it’s a great way to put the name of your brand out there and reach a lot of people. Make sure to consult with the organizers and ask for details of each sponsorship package. The more money you spend, the more your brand will appear to attendees. For instance, top sponsors get ads in event programs, various venue signs, best booth spots, and radio call-outs. In order to ensure you get the level of exposure you’re paying for, insist on signing a formal contract.

Hand out freebies 

When you visit any fair or festival, see where the biggest crowd is and be sure you’ll leave the booth with a nice little freebie in your hand. People just can’t resist free things, so if you surprise the attendees with some treats, expect to attract a big audience. And make sure to offer promo items that are useful not only for the event. For instance, useful promotional lanyards are a perfect solution since they can be used long after the event is over. Put your logo and name on the lanyards and you’ll get a free ad every time someone decides to wear them.

Organize a contest

Hold a fun little contest during the event and award the winner with a gift card, a package of your products or some free services. Make sure to ensure the contest is fun so that it attracts a large number of competitors and spectators. 

Collect information

In order to gain insights into how your customers interact with your brand (which can help you market your business better) make sure to encourage people to leave their information. For instance, ask event attendees to leave a business card when grabbing a free sample or fill out a contact form in exchange for some freebies. Use the data you’ve collected to contact people and reach out to potential prospects.

Sell your products

The best thing you can do at events is going beyond giveaways and actually making money by selling your services. You can promote your restaurant by selling food at fairs and festivals and throw in a special offer with every meal. For example, every person that grabs food from your stall can get a coupon for discounts or earn a buy-one-get-one-free deal. Encourage people who love your product to sign up for promotional e-mails and you might gain regular customers. 

Select the right workers

This might not be a promotional strategy, but having a good team will definitely help you attract more people and reach your target audience. While introverts can help at the event, it’s best to assign them a behind-the-scenes position like stocking and setting up. Put fun, communicative and attractive people forward and make them interact with event attendees.

If you’re smart about taking part in events, you can gain a lot of exposure, reach new people and leave a great impression on all attendees. Expect to notice great results and your business might even go viral!

Look Adorable Beside the Pool – Latest Swimsuit Trends

One of the favorite ways to enjoy the sun, good company, and even fashion, are pool parties. Surely, all of us attend at least one during the summer. This time, we are bringing some of the trendiest bathing suits for pool parties that you can wear next season.

The elegant one-piece swimsuit

One of the best choices for a pool party, especially if it involves food and a more elegant atmosphere is a one-piece. One suggestion we have for you is a one-piece swimsuit that has some interesting details on it. Little bows on the shoulders, straps, or even off-the-shoulder ruffles are pretty trendy this season, and we have no doubt they will still be cute for summer 2020. Soft, pastel colors or bolder tones like red, yellow, and green will look chic, or you can get a more elegant option and choose black or white. This kind of one-piece will look good on everybody and you can have fun with the design and choose the ones with open back or deeper V neck, which is another trend we all love. Even brands like Victoria Secret have gotten on the body positivity train and hired models that wear these pieces so fashionably, so they can be your inspiration as well.

Chic, classic bikini tops

Choosing the right top is one great way to look chic, pool ready, and still appropriate for a party. You have heard about triangle bikini comeback we are sure. They are easy to style and wear with any bottom, they are comfortable, they dry easily, and are very trendy, especially for a pool party. Just throw some see-through cover-up and you will be ready to go. Animal print, florals, and bright colors will surely make it the centerpiece of your outfit. Your pool party outfit should be practical, and since we doubt you will go wearing just a bikini, here is how you can combine the two styles. A cropped swim top will look like a regular crop top you wear with shorts and skirts, so it can double as both a bikini and a cute shirt. If you wear some airy, summer shorts, you will get a casual, trendy look, that looks good on any body size and shape, and what is best, you will be ready to take a dip at any time.

Universal high waisted bottoms

Not that long ago, curvy girls felt like they had to cover their bodies, especially for pool and beach parties where everybody is wearing a bikini. Well, thankfully the fashion community and brands have started making lines that make everyone feel comfortable and sexy. One such piece is definitely a high waisted bottom. It hides all the imperfections you want to hide and it accentuates your waist. The designs are endless, and we would recommend some of the bright colors like blue, pink, or red. Or you can play with colors and patterns and choose florals, stripes, or polka dots for a retro vibe.

Chic wrap bikinis

Another style that fits skinny, muscular, plus size, and curvy girls is a wrap bikini. Again, it helps you emphasize just the parts you want because it is normally made of thicker fabric that acts like a body shaper, plus it looks super interesting and chic. Since it has details, we recommend a simpler design for a pool party like an all-white or black bikini that you can style with big sunglasses or a hat to make it stand out even more. You can choose thin or thick straps that go all around your body or just below your breasts because every style is trendy, so you won’t go wrong.

Pool parties mostly require outfits that can double as a bathing suit and your regular pool-hanging outfit. That is why we have tried to take the trendiest swimwear for the next season and show you how to wear them regardless of your body size and shape.