Tag Archives: pro tips

Blog Post Ideas For When You’re Out Of Blog Post Ideas Finale

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Blog Post Ideas For When You’re Out Of Blog Post Ideas Finale

Howdy! I decided to make my Blog Post Ideas For When You’re Out Of Blog Post Ideas post a series, so today we are going to wrap things up with the grand finale! Writer’s block and blogs with no content will be a thing of the past, because after this post yours truly will have provided FIFTEEN prompts to help get you started. We will conclude with these ideas:

You could write about…

Your Pets:

Who doesn’t love animals? Whether it be your dog or cat or maybe you have more exotic pets like a snake or parrot, animal posts are always fun. I, myself, have written about my two beloved rescue pups, Gem and Ollie, many a time. You could share pictures of your furry, feathery, or scaly friends, which is sure to bring a smile to your reader’s faces. Or you could write about the rescue organization that you adopted your forever friend from. No matter how you go about it, pet posts are sure to please!

Your Job:

Being in the working force is something that almost all of us are familiar with. No matter if it’s the dream job or a dead end deal that you’re ready to move on from, chances are that your readers can relate. Of course, don’t spill details that you’re not comfortable with like your coworker’s names or the company that you’re employed by. But, do share humorous work stories like that time that your boss had toilet paper stuck to his or her shoe or when you accidentally asked for “one sex” instead of “one sec” while getting out your resume in a job interview. Or, perhaps you just need to vent about a bad day on the job. We all get it, so share away.

Your BFF:

With #friendshipgoals always being a relevant trending topic, why not write about your bestie? Maybe you have been best friends with your number one for over a decade, like mine. Or you might have met your A1 in an unconventional way. Your readers will be inspired by your loyalty to your ride or die AND your best friend will love being featured on your page – it’s a win/win. With friendship in mind, you could also write about tips for making new friends, which is especially beneficial to those that are shy or have some social anxiety. So, take a seat at your laptop and spread the friendship love!

Your Dreams:

What was the craziest/scariest/funniest/weirdest dream that you’ve ever had? Do you wake up with feelings of “wtf?” every morning from your vivid dreams during your snoozefest? Then, creating a dream log on your blog might be a great and interesting way to create content. We share our crazy dreams with people sometimes as soon as we wake up, so why not do the same on your page? Or, if you forget your dreams pretty easily, then you could always write about your daydreams, instead. A shopping spree or a trip to Europe, anyone?

Food & Drinks:

We all have to eat and drink, it’s a fact of life. And, because of that, us lucky bloggers will always have something to write about. Are you an adventurous eater? Or maybe you are a bit picky and are trying to branch out some more. Perhaps you love to host dinner parties. A meal brings people together in every walk of life, so food related posts can really help to bring a sense of community to your page. Share your favorite recipes, tell us your cooking disasters, and dish on your kitchen hacks that will make cooking and cleanup afterwards easier. Us foodies want to know!

I hope that this brainstorming series was beneficial to all of my blogging friends that tune into lifewithlilred. Thank you for checking it out! Which ideas are you going to incorporate into your blog? How do you go about creating content on your page? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Blog Post Ideas For When You’re Out Of Blog Post Ideas Pt. 2

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Blog Post Ideas For When You’re Out Of Blog Post Ideas Pt. 2

Hellooooo! Yesterday we talked about five different topic starters for when you are experiencing a case of writer’s block. And today, we are going to discuss a few more ideas for when you’re totally out of ideas for your blog post for the day or week. Let’s get to it!

You could write about…

A Movie/Book Review:

There is truly not enough time in the world to get through all of the books or movies on your must watch/read list when you lead a busy life. And when you finally get to tuck into that sequel or movie that you’ve been dying to see and realize that it really sucked can make it seem like you wasted your time. Not to mention that it’s disappointing! Reviews for books, movies, or even TV series are always going to be helpful for those who want to know whether to give that piece of pop culture the time of day. It also provides a hub for those who want to dish their opinions, as well. This is an excellent topic to focus on if you are a book worm or the film critic of your friends.

Your Favorite Songs/Bands:

It’s always fun to be introduced to new music. Not only that, but it’s interesting to see what your favorite blogging friends like to listen to when they’re making the commute to work. Use a post to highlight your all time favorite tunes or describe a concert that you went to recently. I’m sure that many of you revel in the chances to show your friends your favorite bands, so why not do the same on your page? Music posts are a great way to tell your readers more about yourself and starts great conversation in the comments, too!

Your Workout Regime:

Fitness will always be a hot trending topic, as most of us try to live a healthy lifestyle and try to incorporate some form of working out into our week. It doesn’t matter what level your workout is at. You could do the bare minimum or be a body builder, but there will always be someone who is right there with you and could benefit from your tips. New Year’s Resolutions are definitely still relevant, especially as some might be slowing down with their goals to get in better shape. Use your post for the day to help motivate those that are in the resolution slump or just beginning their fitness journey – it could help change someone’s life.

Crafting/DIY:

Pinterest will always be the mecca of all things DIY, but that doesn’t mean that your blog can’t become the next crafting hot spot! Similarly to working out, it doesn’t matter if you are an expert crafter or barely scraping by on your project, because someone will always benefit from it. Tell us about the best crafting products, give a step by step guide on your latest DIY endeavor, or you could even tell us about the time that your craft was an epic failure. Crafting is a fun and lighthearted topic to write about and can help inspire the artistic side in your readers. It doesn’t get much better than that if you have a passion for all things arts and crafts.

Ballin’ On A Budget:

Saving money is something that literally everyone could benefit from. In fact, if you were to write about your best tips for penny pinching, you would have a reader in me because I love that shit! Do you know where to score free swag? Maybe you know how to coupon so well that it brings new products to dirt cheap prices. Or, perhaps you know how to save tons of moolah on your travels. No matter what the saving money technique is that you shine in, I WANT TO KNOW! And, chances are, so does everyone else because who doesn’t love saving money?!

Writer’s block sucks, but the prompts above sure don’t! Use my tips above and you’ll be cranking out new content in no time. What are your go to writing topics? How do you cure a bad case of writer’s block? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

3 Things You Should Know About Getting A Hearing Aid

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3 Things You Should Know About Getting A Hearing Aid

Hearing loss doesn’t announce itself and it has a habit of creeping up on you. It’s a slow and incremental process that can take years or even decades and many of us don’t even notice its onset until it’s too late. When we do notice the signs, however, it can be difficult to come to terms with. Hearing loss has a number of causes. Some are hereditary and genetic while others are influenced by our work, our lifestyle, and how well we maintain our auditory health.

Nonetheless, we’re lucky enough to live in an age in which technology offers us more solutions than ever to mitigate the negative effects of hearing loss on our day to day lives. With the advent of digital technology, hearing aids are more discrete and effective than ever before. They are also even more accessible as you can purchase hearing aids otc. By no means, however, are they perfect.  Here are some things you need to know before you get your first hearing aid fitted:

Keep your expectations realistic:

Hearing aids are just that.. An aid to hearing. They cannot, unfortunately, reverse hearing loss. Many people simply stop using their hearing aids after a few days because the experience doesn’t match their expectations. They simply remember a time when they had perfect hearing and expect the technology to replicate that. While digital hearing aids have come a long way, technology has its limits. Although there are limits, hearing aids have advanced in a big way, therefore, if you are concerned about using them, be open to the idea instead. You may be surprised by how beneficial they are especially if you have been living with hearing loss for a while.

Expect a period of adjustment:

Having a hearing aid feels weird on a number of levels. First, there’s the feeling of having this tiny piece of plastic and circuitry nestling inside your ear canal and/or clipped to the back of your ear. It’s presence can feel obtrusive and you may feel that it’s conspicuous or that people will notice it (they likely won’t). Secondly, there’s the odd distortion effect that can take weeks or even months to get used to. The hearing aid is calibrated to the frequencies that your ear is “missing” due to nerve damage, replicating the vibrations that are translated by your brain. If, however, you’ve been without hearing for a long time it will take a while to recognize these vibrations as sound. Thus, you can expect everything to sound tinny for a while as though you’re listening to a dictaphone recording of the world. Be assured that your brain will adjust and the hearing aid will start to feel more natural.

When you become more accustomed to the hearing aid you can start to explore its features. You can tinker with the settings and set programs for different kinds of environments. Just remember to take them out when getting in the shower!

If you have two hearing aids, use both:

If your hearing loss is only in one ear, don’t be surprised if you get two hearing aids. This is because your “good” ear will have picked up the slack for the “bad” ear over the years. Have you ever heard a voice that you thought you heard on the right, when in fact the person talking to you was on your left? That’s a common symptom of hearing loss. Having two hearing aids helps to redress that balance but your brain will only properly attune to the adjustment if you wear both.

Hearing aids have come a long way. And while they are not perfect, give yourself the proper chance to get used to them before throwing in the towel.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Help! Feeling Stressed

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Help! Feeling Stressed

Sweaty palms, splitting headaches, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping at night: all of these are indications of stress. Stress is an invisible yet destructive phenomena that can damage your mental and physical health, without mentioning your relationships in your personal and professional life. When you’re stressed out, you’re not yourself anymore. Not that you turn into the kind of strong and powerful character that the Hulk becomes. You become weaker and more easy to break. Stress is the Kryptonite of Superman. It affects you in ways that can isolate, harm, and limit you in your every day life. That’s precisely why it’s crucial that you don’t approach stress without a plan.

Silence is where anxiety brews:

The more you stress about things, the more it turns into a constant feeling of anxiety. And anxiety is not just a thing that you can brush aside easily. It’s debilitating! So it’s important to develop healthy habits before it eats you alive. You need to learn to talk about it with someone you trust, whether it’s a friend or a therapist – or both. More often than not, being able to open up about what’s going on in your mind is all you need to get back on track and take control again. Additionally, if you work with a therapist, you can discover the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help you to develop a healthy response to stress. But ultimately, the easiest way to destroy stress is to get rid of the stressful factor.

Is it a money problem?

If you’re stressed out over financial issues, you need to look for solutions rapidly before it destroys your sanity. For instance, if you’re struggling with loan repayment, you can consider loan refinancing options such as Refinancestudent.loan for student loan repayment or a new mortgage deal. If you’re in debt; it’s time to learn to manage your budget efficiently and find ways of saving money without depriving yourself – in other words, where can you cut down on expenses without putting your health and professional career at risk?

Is it a love problem?

Relationships are difficult to maintain, so it’s natural to feel stressed out when things go wrong. Thankfully, these are problems that can be sorted out through communication and with common effort. But, there are situations where the best thing that you can do is to let go of the relationship. If you have contempt for each other, this could evolve into finger-pointing and resentment that could really push you two apart.

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^^^ Amen to that!

Is it health related?

When your health is at risk, of course, it’s impossible not to stress out. However, stress weakens your body. According to Healthcoachfx.com, stress consumes a lot of energy which your immune system can’t use to heal your body. As impossible as it sounds, when you’re dealing with serious diseases, you need to learn to relax through meditation and mindful activities to help decrease your stress levels and strengthen your immune system.

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Yoga helps, too!

Stress is like a tight embrace of darkness. Don’t let it win. Talk about it and look for a solution to better handle your problems so that you can start feeling better today.

Featured Image By: Flickr

3 Things You Need To Know When Your Partner Has Hearing Loss

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3 Things You Need To Know When Your Partner Has Hearing Loss

There’s nothing more wonderful than falling in love with someone and embarking on life’s journey with them. As strong as your love is, no couple can escape one immutable fact of life… People change. This doesn’t just mean that their personal and career goals change or that their likes and dislikes change. Their bodies change, too. If you met your beloved in high school, college, or early in your career, you may not be prepared for the health issues that come later in life as you grow older together.

Thus, when a partner develops hearing loss, it may seem pretty trivial at first. So, you may have to repeat yourself now and then. It’s no big deal, right? Well maybe not right now, but over time your partner’s hearing loss may drive a wedge between you if you don’t educate yourself. A 2009 British study revealed that 44% of respondents with hearing loss encountered problems in their relationships as a result. If your partner is beginning to lose their hearing there are some things that you should know as soon as possible:

It’s not their fault:

There are numerous causes of hearing loss. While some can be caused or exacerbated by lifestyle or career choices such as working with loud machinery or attending a lot of rock concerts, there are other causes such as Meniere’s disease which are genetic and hereditary. While there are measures we can all take to safeguard our auditory health, it’s not your partner’s fault if they suffer hearing loss. Even some prescription medications can result in hearing loss, so click here to learn more.

Don’t blame yourself:

At the same time, you mustn’t blame yourself for any (perfectly natural) feelings of frustration that you may be feeling. Becoming irritated at having to repeat yourself, being half heard, or misheard by your partner is completely normal. Don’t beat yourself up too much about it and just try and adapt your thinking to help you grow beyond it.

Hearing aids are not a perfect solution:

Surprisingly, only 1 in 4 hearing loss sufferers regularly uses a hearing aid. There are many reasons behind this, but chief amongst them is the fact that hearing aids can take a lot of getting used to. When someone with hearing loss starts wearing a hearing aid, it can take a long while to adjust. After years of being unable to hear, it can take a while for the inner ear to recognize the vibrations as sound and even when recognition occurs the sound can seem distorted and unnatural. Some users even feel that hearing aids create more problems than they solve. Rather than getting even more frustrated if your partner seems reluctant to use their hearing aid, resolve to support them by gently encouraging them to use it regularly to help them adjust. They’re by no means perfect but they can certainly help.

Hearing loss can be frustrating for both the person suffering and their partner. Be sure to encourage each other to help minimize the stress that it can cause.

Featured Image By: PxHere

Blogger Recognition Award #6

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Blogger Recognition Award #6

Hihihi! This past Friday, lifewithlilred was nominated for its sixth Blogger Recognition Award by my friend Cherilyn over at Cherilyn Does. I love chit chatting with Cherilyn and her blog is definitely a must read – especially if you have an interest in makeup. She seriously does the most fabulous product reviews! Thanks for your friendship and the nomination, darling! The rules to this award are as follows:

The Rules:

  • Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their blog.
  • Write a post to show your award.
  • Give a brief story of how your blog started.
  • Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
  • Select 15 other bloggers that you want to give this award to and comment on each blog to let them know with a link to your award post.

Because my original thoughts on my first Blogger Recognition Award hasn’t changed much, you can view them here and I will just move on to my nominees!

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

Once more, do give Cherilyn’s page some love – her blog is such a treat! What are some of your blogging tricks and tips? Who is one of your favorite bloggers? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

A Myriad Of Money Management Mistakes

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A Myriad Of Money Management Mistakes

It is a fact of life that some people simply don’t manage their money particularly well. If you feel like you are one of these people, there are several things that you can do to change things. First and foremost, you need to work out the mistakes that you are making in the first place. In this article, we are going to take you through just a few of the most common ones so that you can avoid repeating them:

Lifestyle Inflation:

If you get a pay rise, you shouldn’t automatically ‘improve’ your lifestyle by that same percentage. Instead, you can use this extra cash to clear some of your debts, channel money into your savings, or make some sound financial investments. Just because you have the cash doesn’t mean you have to spend it!

Paying Bills Late:

Getting into a habit of paying your bills on time is a positive step that you can make. You can even automate this to happen directly from your bank account so it can be one less financial worry to have every month. The last thing that you want is to incur any additional fees or payments than you already have.

Paying Bank Fees:

Bank fees can come in multiple forms, but most of them are totally avoidable. For example, you should never use an ATM when you are charged an operational fee. Avoid paying late fees on your credit cards by clearing the balance in full every month. Compare bank accounts online to make sure that you are not paying more fees than you need to.

Not Educating Yourself Financially:

With all of the free tools and articles about money out there these days, you have no excuses for not educating yourself financially. You should know all of the different options available to you about where you can best invest your money, as well as information regarding where you can get quick support such as bad credit personal loans with guaranteed approval. Read as widely as you can and you can avoid many common money management mistakes.

Lack Of An Emergency Fund:

Though it may be frustrating to channel some of your paycheck off into an emergency fund every month, you will be very thankful for it once you need it. There are all sorts of life situations out there which could require a great deal of cash such as job loss, medical expenses, car repair, and essential home maintenance. Whenever you make a withdrawal from your emergency funds, make sure that you replace what you have spent as you never know when the next situation may arise.

Not Having a Budget

If you haven’t got any sort of household budget, you have no idea what is coming in and going out of your bank account every month. There are plenty of budgeting apps out there which allow you to clearly track all of your expenses. Otherwise, you can track everything manually along the way.

Now you know some of the most common money management mistakes so that you can avoid making them yourself. Budget wisely and watch your bank account increase over time.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Blogging Tips (Since You Asked!)

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Blogging Tips (Since You Asked!)

Hey! Okay, ever since my post about my 2017 stats, I have been receiving a lot of cries for help in the blogging world for tips and tricks. So, today, I thought that I would share the wealth and give some advice for those who want to see more action on their page. The tricks that are seen below have worked wonders for lifewithlilred and I have already seen an increase in my numbers in this month alone. Let’s get to it!

Write, Write, Write:

You can’t have a blog without content and it is SO important that you keep cranking posts out. In 2017, I posted every single day and that gave me the best stats yet in my almost four years of blogging. Can’t commit to daily posts? Then try and create a schedule and stick to it so that your readers will know which days to come back to see something new.

Branch Out:

I always thought that my page would be strictly a beauty and fashion blog, but one will find that they lose inspiration for content very quickly if they limit themselves to just one or two categories of writing. Try giving other styles of writing and different subjects a go and see the spikes in your stats from your spicy new content.

Interact With The Blogging World:

Bloggers won’t bite, I promise. The blogging community is so fantastic, talented, and welcoming. Explore different blogs, make new friends, and gain insight into literally any topic that you can imagine. I have made countless amazing friends through lifewithlilred and that’s what is most important to me, always. The extra exposure that you can get from interacting with others is just another sweet added bonus of the blogosphere.

Social Media Is Your Friend:

If you have a ton of Facebook friends or followers on Twitter and Instagram, then why not share your blog on your social media? My URL for lifewithlilred is the first thing that people see when they find my personal Facebook page. I never am spammy about my posts or anything like that, but my URL is there for those that want to explore my blog further.

If you have a specific likeable page for your blog on social media, that’s great. I have one, myself, but I pick my battles and I chose to spend more time on my actual WordPress blog rather than trying to get more people to like my lifewithlilred Facebook page. Be picky about what you put your time and energy into and make sure that what you choose is what would benefit your blog the most.

In Conclusion:

Admit it, when you started blogging you thought that it would be a piece of cake. You also might have been a bit shocked to find out that it’s not in the slightest. Blogging is hard work that you really have to dedicate yourself to if you want to see results. Not only that, but it’s a little bit of luck, as well. But, with the tips above, you can make the odds of seeing the fruits of your labor flourish turn more in your favor. Good luck!

What are your blogging tips and tricks? What are your goals for your blog? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pinterest

How Should You Deal With Your Anxiety Problems?

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How Should You Deal With Your Anxiety Problems?

Are you noticing some of the symptoms of anxiety, such as panic, uneasiness, sleep problems, or an inability to stay calm? You might not even have realized that the problems you’re experiencing are to do with an anxiety issue. But you need to take action sooner rather than later if you are showing signs of anxiety. Symptoms tend to increase and get worse over time if you don’t take action, but how should you deal with the problem?

There are many different ways in which you can tackle anxiety head-on and rid yourself of the problem once and for all. Now is the time to look into the concrete steps that are worth taking, so read on to learn more about them:

Work on Controlling Your Breathing:

The first thing you can do is get better at controlling your breathing, and even though this might sound like a relatively small and minor thing, it actually has a pretty big impact on your life and the way you handle your anxiety. Once you’ve mastered your breathing and become able to control it in whatever way you want to, you will be able to cancel out the worst symptoms that are associated with anxiety. Of course, it’s not a one size fits all fix to anxiety problems, but it’s certainly a very good place to start.

Get Into the Habit of Talking About Things:

Sometimes, talking about your problems and how you’re feeling can be all you need in order to get back on track and take control once more. At the very least, you will find that by getting into the habit of talking about what you’re feeling, you will feel like that problem is less of a burden. Even though it sounds like the simplest thing in the world, talking about problems and deeply personal things like this can be incredibly difficult and hard to do. Friends and family are always a good place to start for talking about your feelings. Or, you could do a search for “San Francisco-area counseling and psychotherapy” (or for your local area) to schedule an appointment with a therapist. This can be most helpful if you are looking for an unbiased opinion, but it all depends on what you are most comfortable with.

Try to Live in the Moment:

Living in the moment is more than just another cliche that gets thrown around a lot. You need to remember just how influential the power of your mentality is. If you can look at your life and the way you experience it in the right way, it can help you to live in the moment and stop focusing on your worries and concerns. That’s a big part of what causes someone to experience difficulties with anxiety, so make sure you start making more of a conscious effort to live in the moment each day of the week.

Consider Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:

Forms of therapy are known to help people who are struggling with problems relating to anxiety. Therapy is believed to be the best and most successful form of treatment for people with anxiety problems, and the most common among them is cognitive behavioural therapy. It’s about working through your problems and finding practical ways in which to respond to them. That will mean that your behaviors will change and improve when anxiety strikes, and that should help you stop the symptoms and stay in complete control. As long as you collaborate with a professional on this, the results should be great.

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 Pixabay Image

Talk to Your Doctor About Medication Options:

Medication is an option for people who are struggling with anxiety issues, and there are many of them out there. Many people are scared by the idea of taking medication for anxiety issues, but there are options that will help without causing any harm. If you’ve consulted with your doctor and can make arrangements, even things like medical marijuana delivery are worth considering. Local dispensaries are also becoming more and more common. However, if there are none in your area, you can turn to sources online – best of lists or Area52.com are good options to browse through.

Anything that helps to reduce your anxiety without putting your body at risk is worth thinking about. Let your doctor guide you and make an informed decision before doing anything with regards to medication and be sure to have a pharmacy selected before your appointment. To get started, simply enter a search for “pharmacy in Abilene, TX” (or your local area) to find a trusted pharmacy nearby. It’s a good idea to set up automatic refills at the pharmacy you choose so you are never without your medication.

Mindfulness and Applied Relaxation:

Mindfulness is a technique that can be used to ensure that your anxiety is dealt with at its root. You will find that when you’re more aware of your mental processes and when you’re mindful of your actions and surroundings, your anxiety symptoms can be mitigated. Applied relaxation is another similar technique that is often used to treat anxiety problems. It’s all about making a conscious effort to relax and find time to dedicate to that. It’s something that most people don’t do in the course of their every day lives, but you should make yourself an exception to that rule.

Understand Your Triggers:

Everyone has their own triggers, and these can sometimes have an impact on how your anxiety affects you. For some people, certain social situations can cause anxiety. When you understand when your anxiety is likely to strike, you work on preparing for that and finding ways to control and treat your anxiety better. However, it’s not about avoiding situations in which your anxiety causes you problems because that’s not going to help you overcome them and move forward in life. Sometimes, confronting and dealing with your problems is necessary. It can be difficult to overcome your triggers and is something you might need additional support with from a therapist. To begin researching different options, simply enter a search for “anxiety treatment melbourne” (or your local area) to find the best fit for you.

Don’t Give Up if These Options Don’t Work For You:

Even if none of the things we’ve talked about above work for you, you still shouldn’t give up because it’s not the end of the world. There are so many other treatments and options out there, and you should discuss them with your doctor. Mental health problems are now taken more seriously than ever before, so you will get help if you’re willing to ask for it.

Anxiety is a mental health problem that affects a lot of people, and it emerges for a variety of different reasons. Taking action is essential because the problem will only intensify if you ignore it or accept it. Getting past your anxiety problem is more than possible; you just need to take action as soon as possible.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

In A Band? Here’s How To Get Some Attention

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In A Band? Here’s How To Get Some Attention

So, you’ve started a band, wrote what you think are some pretty good songs, and practiced until you’re all really tight. You’ve been playing lots of local venues, and it’s gone down well, but you want more; you want a real music career. The first thing you’re going to have to do is get more attention for yourselves. Here are a few sensible steps you should take if you want to propel your band into the spotlight:

Create Your Own Website:

If you have a band, then you should have your own standalone website and you should absolutely take the time to update its content regularly. If you don’t do this, not only will new people not find you, but anyone who has been following you will probably start to lose interest. Your website really does need to stay fresh if you’re to attract as big an audience as possible.

If you have no idea where to begin on creating a website then that is okay – a lot of people don’t! That’s what web design specialists like those at congero.com.au (or a similar business in your local area) are there for. Web design companies not only build a page for you but often offer options like SEO, content creating, and tech support too. A strong website is only going to benefit you and is worth putting the time and money into to help your band’s following grow.

Upload Your Music in New Places:

Chances are, you’ve already uploaded your band’s music somewhere, but if you really want to get more attention, you’re going to have to keep uploading it to as many new platforms as you can, so that it can reach as many people as possible. For example, you could upload indie music on indiesound.com or feature your band on Dozmia.com. You should also be trying to get your music onto more popular platforms such as iTunes so that you can piggyback off recommendations and perhaps pick up more listeners.

Give Radio Stations a Go:

If you’ve recorded your music to a high standard (A professionally recorded promo CD rather than a raw demo, ideally.), then sending it out to various radio stations, both local and national is a good way of potentially getting more exposure. Obviously, just sending your music is no guarantee that your band will be featured, but if it is, you could see more opportunities to play in more places open up for you and that can only be a good thing, so give it a try.

Create a YouTube Channel:

It should go without saying that if you’re looking to promote your band in 2018, you need to have your own YouTube channel because so many now famous musicians have been discovered there. While we’re on the subject of YouTube, you might also want to take the time to comment on other people’s music videos, whether they’re indie like you or major names. Don’t be spammy, but where appropriate mention your own band (perhaps on the videos of bands you sound like), and you will probably get a lot more hits.

Network with Event Organizers:

A good way to get more attention is by playing more high profile gigs, rather than just playing in local clubs and bars where everyone probably knows you already. So, take the time to reach out to event organizers and let them know you’re available. If you stay in touch and build a strong relationship with them, it could pay off big time.

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Partayyyy

Talk to Playlist Curators:

Playlist curators on platforms like Youtube can get millions of views, so if you come across one who you think might dig your band’s style, don’t be afraid to reach out to them and ask them if they would like to include one of your songs. You lose absolutely nothing by asking, and you could gain a lot of attention if they agree.

Start Your Own Podcast/YouTube Channel Review Site:

A strategy that can really pay off if you’re dedicated to it is to move away from relentlessly promoting your band using the hard sell and, instead, set up another platform, whether that be a podcast, YouTube channel, review blog, or anything else, where you talk about music in general. By doing this, you can make a name for yourself as someone who’s passionate/knowledgeable about music and people will start to naturally look to your band. Of course, you’ll be able to slip in the occasional plug, too!

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Send Your CD Somewhere Unexpected:

Although you should send your CD out to various music blogs, magazines, and reviewers, you should also consider sending your disc out to more unexpected places, which are somehow related. For example, if you’ve written your album on the theme of Paris, then sending it out to someone who blogs about the city might get you more exposure than you expected. Or sending a CD on the theme of Buddhism to a publication like Tricycle could prove fruitful. Whatever it is you can think of that will give you an extra and unexpected opportunity to sell your music, do it and you might be pleasantly surprised by the results.

Spend Some Money:

If you’re a bunch of struggling musicians, it’s understandable that you might not want to spend any money on advertising, but considering the fact that you can advertise on platforms like Facebook and Dozmia for as little as ten dollars, it makes sense to give it a go. The increased exposure you’ll get from it might actually make you some money in the long-term.

Take Promo Photos:

Another area where you might want to spend a bit more money is in the promo photo department. A few great shots of your band in various poses can make all of the difference between someone giving you a chance and listening to your music, and them ignoring you completely. Now, which is your best side?

Whether you’re looking to boost your fan base by enough that you can make a little money doing what you love or you want to make it big, doing any and all of the above is a great place to start. At the very least, you will gain more attention, which is what you will need to do if you want to convince more people to give you a shot. Good luck!

Featured Image By: Flickr