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Showing posts from May, 2020

Content Marketing Tips and Strategies: A Guide for Beginners

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Content marketing is a whole new ball game that’s now gaining a lot of traction. In the Information Age, content marketing is one of the most effective strategies of getting your products or services in front of consumers.  Traditional advertising involves a fight for getting customers’ attention in a way that “interrupts” them in whatever they’re doing, such as in the case of TV ads or even, in the Internet age, Facebook and YouTube ads.  What Is Content Marketing?  Content marketing is the process of creating content (such as blog posts, videos, or images) that does not explicitly promote your brand, but is designed to generate interest in your brand’s services or products. If this is a new concept for you, there’s no need to be intimidated! We hope this guide will help you get started on content marketing as seamlessly as possible.  If you already know a bit about content marketing, we hope this can also serve as a good refresher course for you.  Why T...

25 Best Online Business Courses

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In this world that changes at such a rapid pace, you need to keep improving in order to stay competitive.  If you work for a company, making yourself indispensable means that when push comes to shove, your employer will not want to let you go. If you run your own business or work freelance, expanding your skillset also translates into more potential clients or customers. So if you’ve got some free time at home, what better way to spend it than learning new business skills? What Is an Online Course?  An online course is a course of study that you take on the internet, usually through video lessons and readings. They typically come in 2 forms: Some online courses offer credit for students enrolled in college or university.  Others offer professional training or certification, without college credits.  Online platforms for learning have become more popular in recent years, estimated at $190 billion in 2018 , with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% ...

25 Mythical Creatures and Where to Find Them in Literature

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Whether you are reading or writing a fantasy novel, it can be helpful to have basic knowledge of mythical creatures. Although fantasy editors tend to frown upon using tropes and clichés , these can still provide a good source of inspiration for your writing.  Thankfully, you have the whole world’s mythology to choose from when you get bored with the more common mythical creatures.  Celtic Mythical Creatures  Celtic culture boasts many legends and folklore featuring mysterious, scary creatures. Many of them have become well-known through their portrayal in literature. Banshee The word Banshee means “woman of the fairies,” and this creature from Celtic myth is known for making a mournful scream, a wailing that is said to foretell a family member’s death.  One of the earliest occurrences of the banshee in literature is in Cathreim Thoirdhealbhaigh , which translates to Triumphs of Torlough, written by Sean MacCraith. Norman literature also features the banshee...

25 Best Movies Based on Books: Read It Then See It

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Just because some people aren’t big on reading doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the best stories. Thanks to Hollywood, we are able to experience some of the most thought-provoking, heartwarming tales that have made the jump from page to screen. Not all movie adaptations are created equally. Because books tend to be lengthier, a whole new screenplay usually needs to be created in order to create a movie version. Then, there are the creative liberties taken by screenwriters, directors, producers, and even the actors themselves for a unique spin on what was presented in the book. 25 Best Movies Based on Books While you may sometimes hear a disgruntled viewer mumble something about how “the book was so much better than the movie,” these 20 movies based on books are unforgettable gems in their own right. 1. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) This adaptation of the classic novel by Harper Lee is one of the most spot-on portrayals of Atticus Finch, his daughter Scout, and the village hermi...

MasterClass Review: Is This Learning Platform Worth the Price Tag?

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Among all the options for learning online, Masterclass is one of a kind. With a team of all-star instructors leading classes on cooking, writing, sports, and more, anyone can learn form the experts right from their home! So far, it’s the only platform to offer an all-expert roster of instructors. But is it worth the cost? What Is MasterClass? MasterClass is a learning platform for many different subjects taught by world-renowned experts in various fields. Aaron Rasmussen and David Rogier formed Yanka Industries Inc in 2014, and published the website under the MasterClass brand name in May 2015. Within a few months, the website boasted 30,000 sign-ups. Although MasterClass started with only three instructors, it added 12 classes in 2017, growing to more than 50 classes by the end of 2018. How Much Does MasterClass Cost?  To get access to the lessons, you have two options:  Pay $90 for lifetime access to one class; or Pay $180 for The All-Access Pass: this gives...

Start Your Passion Project Now: Tips for Working on What You Love

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Perhaps you’ve had an idea for a “passion project” burning in your heart for months now, but you’ve never gotten around to starting it. It may be something you openly share with other people, or something you keep a secret. But despite all your excitement, you still haven’t taken the first step.  Well, wait no longer! We’ll show you how to finally start working on what you love. What Is a Passion Project?  A passion project is a venture you pursue for your own benefit, most often during your free time. You might start working on a passion project just for the pleasure of it, or because you want to make a difference in the lives of others. For example, IBM programmer Craig Newman started a passion project that involved sending out an email newsletter detailing a list of social events around San Francisco as a way to help his friends find them. From this list, he ended up creating a web interface which later became known as Craigslist.  Generally, passion projects ar...