Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Apr25

Building Brand Awareness With A Killer Video

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Building Brand Awareness With A Killer Video

A brand isn’t just an advert on TV or logo. It runs deeper than that, because successful brands connect with the audience on another level. Customers and consumers see the ones that they love and opt for them every single time. It’s called brand loyalty and it’s something businesses aspire to on a daily basis. So, it isn’t enough for you to aim for an audience with a novelty idea. Weird works, but it’s a short-term solution.

Long-term is where the future of the brand building is at today. Get them on the hook for the foreseeable future and the business will have a sustainable source of revenue. In a world dominated by social media and the internet, there is no better way than to create a video. Not only is it fun and engaging, but it is interactive, too, so customers feel as if they are apart of the clique.

But, before you hire professional videographers and develop a script, there are things to understand first, mainly, videos aren’t a sure-thing. For it to work, it has to be enjoyable, good-looking, and add value. Here are the ways to hit your brief:

Research The Audience:

It goes without saying, but videos should be marketed towards a particular demographic. In the same way you’d aim for an audience with SEO, PPC, etc., the video should hit a specific group. Remember that this is the most important part, because the research will determine the type of video that the company creates. Now, let’s move onto the issues which aren’t as obvious.

Introduce Oneself/Be The Lead Actor:

You don’t want to use the power you have and award yourself the number one position? How commendable of you; however, it’s a mistake. In the future, it’s more logical and humble to hire actors to represent the brand. Let’s face facts and admit that professionally trained thespians are better in the role. Still, it’s vital that the company and the brand introduce themselves in the very beginning. What is it? What is it looking to do? Who are the people behind the mask? These questions are important to answer as they break the ice and instill trust in equal measure. When customers can put a face to a name, they are less worried about scams and online purchases. A company profile vid is a perfect way to kick-start a corporate marketing plan whether people know who you are or are newcomers.

Be Dramatic:

Okay, so you’re no Ridley Scott or Steven Spielberg and the video isn’t going to be nominated for an award. Because you’re an amateur, it’s easy to take the route most traveled and neglect all of the things that go into being a director. For instance, terms such as artistic integrity aren’t on your radar. However, everyone should tap into their creative side no matter how pretentious it seems as it sets the mood. Using music is a prime indicator of tension and atmosphere because the tune builds and grips the audience. Check out The Tune Peddler for royalty-free songs as well as Incompetech. Like everything creative, a video needs a theme which runs throughout as well as a plan of attack. Over to you, Scorsese.

Answer FAQs:

Feedback is vital, as it gives you an insight into the mind of the target base. With this invaluable info, the business can tweak or develop new measures to generate leads. Asking people on the street for advice is played out and annoying, yet consumers love to post in the comments section at the end of a mini-production. Take a look at YouTube if you are a non-believer. Don’t gloss over the reviews and feedback that watchers leave, even if it’s mostly garbage. There will be things in there that are like gold dust and can help. Plus, people will ask questions. To show that you care and to interact with the audience, be sure to post a response. Something quick and simple can go a long way with viewers.

Promote Online For Free:

The video is ready and you are going to post it on the firm’s site. Great, but what’s the plan going forward? Your website or blog is simply one cog in a large machine that is the industry. To compete with rivals and increase your market share, the company has to raise awareness across the internet. A digital presence is essential, and a video is an excellent way to build on the foundations. By posting on Facebook and Instagram, and tweeting a link on Twitter, you can include all of the business’s followers. Also, by uploading to YouTube, the video may receive a chunk of the host’s traffic. One percent of a couple of billion is plenty for a small business with big ideas.

The internet is an amazing tool. Be sure to use it well while promoting your video and business!

Apr25

8,000 Followers Jamboree

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8,000 Followers Jamboree

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! It has been an exciting week here on lifewithlilred, because I’ve finally crossed the 8,000 followers threshold. I have to say, I am so pleased with this progress, because I had a 1,000 follower gain in four short months. That’s huge! My blog is something that brings me so much joy, and to see the fruits of my labor paying off is just a sweet added bonus to the happiness that I get from writing daily.

Thank you so much to every single one of you that has clicked that follow button on my website – I wouldn’t have been able to reach this milestone without you! With such amazing readers and friends, the 2,000 follower gap to 10,000 doesn’t seem that far away at all. Here’s to all of you, with my most sincere thanks!! Much love. -Sarah

Apr24

Is It Possible To Speed Up Healing From Injuries?

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Is It Possible To Speed Up Healing From Injuries?

When you have suffered an injury, the first thing that you’re going to wish for is a return to normal health and function as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this is usually easier wished for than actually achieved — and most of us accept this. In the event of injury, you’re going to have to wait for your body to heal.

However, it’s worth wondering… is there anything you can do to speed up this process? Is there a way to boost your body’s natural healing ability? Well, as it happens, there is. So whether you’ve had a serious injury requiring the assistance of William R. Rawlings Injury Lawyers to claim recompense for, or have sustained a mild injury caused by clumsiness, here’s how you can boost your body’s ability to recover:

Exercise — gently!

Doing an amount of exercise every day is genuinely beneficial, even when you have suffered an injury. Too much rest can be a bad thing and may even harm your chances of healing quickly. Light exercise that is mildly, not seriously, painful helps to remind your body it needs to heal, as well as oxygenate the damaged area.

Obviously, you have to be very careful about how you do this. If you begin to feel intense pain, or you need to medicate the pain to allow you to exercise, then your body clearly isn’t ready for such strenuous activity. Try and tone your exercise down until you’re comfortable doing it; one of the best exercises to try is swimming, as this is low-impact and the water can help support the injured area.

Before you begin your exercise regimen, it is a good idea to speak with a doctor for their recommendations. They might advise appointments with a physical therapist or sports chiropractor to help get you started. Exercising with an injury needs to be done carefully to avoid causing more damage. This is something you could be doing without even knowing it so getting advice from a professional with the know how is most beneficial.

Find the right supplement:

There are a number of supplements to consider to help promote healing, though it is worth mentioning that there is no absolute proof that these will help. There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence for the benefit of supplements, and (providing your doctor agrees) there’s no harm in giving them a try, but it’s probably best not to expect miracles.

  • For broken bones, supplement calcium.
  • For damaged muscles, supplement magnesium.
  • For soft tissue or skin issues, supplement collagen.
  • For cuts or scrapes, using honey to treat the area may help to accelerate healing, though you should only do this under advice from your doctor.

Eat a nutritious diet:

The better your nutrition during the healing process, the faster the healing itself should be. Fill your diet with vegetables if you are seeking to promote quick healing, particularly with dark, leafy greens.

You should also add protein to your diet. The easiest way to achieve this is by eating plenty of meat or, if you’re a vegetarian, tofu. If you’re particularly concerned about your protein intake, then speak to your doctor, as they may be able to recommend a protein shake that would be beneficial for you.

In conclusion:

By trying the above and a little bit of luck, there’s every chance that you’ll be back on your feet, or wherever you injured, in no time.

injure

Yayyy!

Apr24

7 Ways To Stop Stress

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7 Ways To Stop Stress

Is stress starting to get you down? Long-term stress can have lots of negative effects – it can damage your sleep quality, create achy muscles, make your skin more reactive to spots and rashes, raise your blood pressure, and bring on serious conditions such as heart disease and strokes. Taking steps to reduce stress could save your mind and body. Here are seven ways to counteract stress:

Take a hot bath:

Nothing beats a hot bath for helping you to relax. The hot water is great for your skin and can help your muscles relax, whilst pumping your body with feel good endorphins that help to rid it of the stress hormone cortisol. It’s the best way to unwind after a stressful day.

Get more sleep:

A lack of sleep could lead to stress, which could be affecting your sleep, creating a vicious cycle. Going to bed earlier and catching up on sleep could help you to break this cycle and destress. If you’re finding it difficult to get to sleep, consider changing your bedtime activities – staring at bright screens or eating lots of food can make it harder for us to get to sleep, so quit these activities an hour before bed. You may also be able to up the comfort of your bedroom with better bedding, sleep-inducing scents, and black out blinds.

Listen to music:

Listening to music that you like can release endorphins that can help you to overcome stress. Studies have found that calmer music and classical are most effective at combating stress, however, louder music may appeal to some people – it’s all a matter of taste.

Exercise:

Physical exercise also releases endorphins that can combat stress. It doesn’t matter what activity you do, so long as it helps to get your blood pumping, igniting those feel good hormones and flushing out the cortisol. This could be a long workout at the end of the day or a short five minute burst of HIIT when you don’t have the time.

Book a holiday:

A holiday in the sun could be just what you need to get away from the causes of your stress. Hotels like the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Villahermosa could offer the spa treatment you need on a budget. Cut yourself off from work if you need to or take a weekend away without the kids and get some much needed R&R.

Have a digital detox:

Much of our stress nowadays is technology based, whether it’s work emails or social media pressures or simply the strain of having to stare at a screen all day. There are many resorts and hotels that are now being marketed for this purpose such as these retreats at It’s Time To Log Off. Take a digital detox and watch your stress dwindle away.

Try meditating:

Meditation is also great for reducing stress and can be something that you can do at any time throughout the day. Finding some time to yourself, closing your eyes and freeing your mind of the things worrying you can help you to gain better perspective and reduce your cortisol levels.

Stress sucks. Take a deep breath, get yourself in the zone, and reduce your stress levels with the above tips.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Apr24

Pacer Progress

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Pacer Progress

Hi everyone! Roughly fifty days ago, I downloaded the Pacer pedometer app on my iPod. Since then, I have been dedicated to reaching 10,000 steps or more every day. Of course, this hasn’t always been possible, but I’ve been trying my best and I’m happy to say that I’m still motivated even after close to two months.

On the app, you can see insights into your progress each day or over a span of time. I only just discovered the page where you can see your steps since downloading the app, and I was really happy with what I saw:

  • Total Steps: 382,550
  • Total Calories: 9,502
  • Total Active Hours: 58
  • Miles Traveled: 127

(I am also prewriting this so my stats are higher than this by four days!)

It’s easy to feel like 10,000 steps a day is nothing. But, when it was put into perspective of  just how many miles I walked or how long I was active for, it makes a big difference. I am hoping to reach at least one million steps by the end of summer and I know that with my motivation to keep making progress, my goal is more than achievable.

Who else uses a pedometer app on their smart devices? How do you fit more activity into your day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr23

Gift Giving Advice To Help You “Wow” Your Partner

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Gift Giving Advice To Help You “Wow” Your Partner

If there’s a big occasion coming up for your partner, then you might be worrying about what to get for them. Shopping for gifts can be a stressful experience. However, there are lots of different ways in which you can treat your other half without buying anything in the shops. A gift is simply supposed to show that you care about someone, after all.

Obviously, you don’t have to stick to any individual idea; if you’re really pampering your significant other on this big occasion, then you could treat them to a combination of the things mentioned in this article (or other ideas you might already have). The following advice will give you some inspiration as to different gifts that could “wow” your partner:

Get them a personalized gift:

You can’t beat a personalized gift. Whether it’s your partner’s birthday or you’re just planning ahead for Christmas, a custom-made gift is appropriate for any occasion. It tops anything that you could buy in a store because it’s one-of-a-kind. It’s something that you created especially for your significant other. You could give them a memory book, for example. The book could contain photographs, concert tickets, and any other physical reminders of the time that you’ve shared together. A personalized gift is a special present that’ll definitely impress your partner.

wow

Photo albums are great, too!

Spend a romantic day together:

If you can’t find anything in the stores to buy for your partner, then maybe you could spend a romantic day together. In fact, that’s probably a better present than anything you could find in the stores. If you’re a guy, then you might want to check out this sheer underwear for men to give your significant other a real treat once you get home. Woo wee!

You want to get the right balance of fun and sentimentality on your romantic day together. The important thing is that you enjoy each other’s company and make some new memories. That’s the best gift you can give to your partner, after all. If you treat them to a day that they’ll never forget, then that’s a permanent present.

Bake them a cake:

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or even Christmas, you can’t beat a cake on a special occasion. Everybody loves cake. And if they don’t, then you could bake them some other special treat. Food of some kind is usually a winner in most people’s books when it comes to great gifts. There are tons of options such as DIY cake, cupcakes, or even home made chocolate! The point is, that this is usually a winning “recipe” when it comes to gift-giving.

wow1

Yum!

Whatever gift you end up getting for your significant other, remember that the key to success is thoughtfulness. You don’t have to spend a fortune. You just have to make it clear that you really thought about what you were buying for them. You know them best, at the end of the day, so a simple gift that suits their interests is usually the best way to go.

Apr23

How To Prepare Your Home For Guests

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How To Prepare Your Home For Guests

If you’re having friends or family staying at your house for a while, then you’re going to want to make sure that your home is in tip-top condition for when they arrive. As the host, this is your job, so it’s essential that you do all that you can to make your home a comfortable and welcoming space, so that your guests can have the best time possible on their trip. This often seems like a daunting task, but try not to get too overwhelmed. As difficult as it may seem, preparations for your guests can be split into four simple steps:

  1. Clean And Tidy Everywhere

If your house is dirty and untidy, then your guests aren’t going to feel comfortable staying there. Because of this, it’s vital that you get all of of your cleaning supplies together and tackle every single room in the house. You need to make sure to vacuum every room, wipe down all of the surfaces, clean the mirrors, and tidy away any clutter. Your house doesn’t need to look like a show home, but your guests shouldn’t have to step over junk as they walk around.

guest

Cleaning is not fun but it must be done!

  1. Sort Out Their Space

If you’re having guests staying with you, then you need to find somewhere for them to sleep. If you’ve got a spare room, you could turn this into a guest bedroom with the help of an interior design company, like World of Renovation. If you don’t, then you should consider alternative sleeping arrangements, like sofa beds and blow up mattresses. You might even want to consider giving up your own bedroom for your guests and taking the sofa yourself.

  1. Stock Up The Fridge

The last thing that you want is for your guests to go hungry while they’re staying with you, so make sure that your fridge and cupboards are stocked with plenty of snacks and other foods for when it’s meal time. You might want to go shopping with them when they arrive so that they can help you pick out some of their favorite things, but if you’d rather get it done beforehand, then make sure to ask about any allergies or dietary restrictions.

guest1

 Talk about well stocked!

  1. Remember The Little Touches

Things like tidying your house and giving your guests somewhere to sleep are obvious, and because of this, it’s usually the little touches that mean the most and help your guests to feel welcome. Things like putting together a welcome pack of fancy toiletries can really make your guests smile and show them that you care. You could also make sure to buy their favorite foods and drinks, place some light reading near their bed, and put out a vase of flowers in their room. You don’t have to go overboard, because the smallest things can often bring a lot of joy.

Preparing your home for house guests might seem like a difficult and long-winded task, but it’s honestly not as daunting as you might think. All you need to do is follow the four simple steps above, and then you’ll be ready to welcome your guests with open arms and enjoy your time with them.

Apr23

Darling Daffodils

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Darling Daffodils

Hellooo! Despite the random spring snow flurries in Ohio, the flowers have began to bloom! Although the weather isn’t perfect, it is so nice to see spring staples starting to emerge like our patches of hyacinths, crocuses, and the lovely daffodils that line our driveway:

Not only are these flowers beautiful but they sure are inspiring. They are so delicate and even though snow is falling and the wind is blowing them every which way, they hold strong and their beauty seems all the more radiant for it. What a life lesson that you can learn from such a little bloom!

What is the weather like in your neck of the woods? What kind of flowers are blooming in your area? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr22

Hello, Hyacinths

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Hello, Hyacinths

Howdy! With a really sporadic spring happening in Ohio, I was worried that none of my favorite flowers were going to come up to say hello. The weather in my neck of the woods has been crazy. We’re talking temperatures in the 70’s one day to a pretty decent snowfall the next and just a downright bitter cold chill in the air.

Despite Mother Nature being bipolar, quite a few of the flowers in our yard have began to bloom, including one of my favorites – hyacinths!

I love hyacinths oh so much. Their gorgeous pastel colors, their distinctive but beautiful smell when you pass them by or cut a few sprigs for a vase on your table. There is nothing better than walking by the patch of hyacinths that have been growing in my yard for every spring that I can remember. They look so sweet in their floral clusters and it’s always a treat to take a deep breath and inhale their aroma which, despite the snow falls, means that spring is here.

What is your favorite spring time flower? Who else has had snow fall in their area even though its late April? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr21

Frugal Flowers

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Frugal Flowers

Hi everyone! One of the things that both my parents and myself love having around the house is fresh flowers. Whether they’re picked from our yard or selected at a farmer’s market or store, there is nothing like a huge bouquet sitting on the kitchen table to make you smile.

We never look to spend too much on satisfying our flower fascination, and my mom seriously took the cake with the last bouquet that she bought when it comes to saving money. She got four bunches of the flowers seen below for ONE DOLLAR at the store. You definitely can’t beat that!

four

When it comes to the little odds and ends that make you smile, I always say:

treatyoself_main01

Whether it’s a dollar bouquet of flowers or that new color of lipstick that you’ve been dying for, a little pick me up certainly goes a long way!

How do you like to treat yoself? What is your favorite flower? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah