| How to Build a Vivarium Posted: 28 Sep 2019 01:00 AM PDT A vivarium is an enclosed, live ecosystem, containing flora and fauna that are typically tropical in nature. Done right, it can provide a burst of living beauty to your living room! Before building your vivarium, decide which single animal species you want to feature, then go about creating the appropriate environment for it. Lay down healthy, well-draining layers of ground cover, and buy and install moisture, heating, and lighting systems. After that, add appropriate plants and microfauna, then add your featured creature to complete your vivarium. [Edit]Choosing Your Featured Animal and Enclosure - Pick a single species to feature in your future vivarium. The featured animal species is the biggest variable and most challenging component of establishing and maintaining a vivarium. By limiting your vivarium to a single species, you'll make things that much easier on yourself.[1]
- Only experienced vivarium builders who know how to set up and maintain exceptionally large enclosures should try to handle more than one species in a single vivarium.
- Talk to other vivarium enthusiasts to get recommendations on species choices.
- Good species options include corn snakes, bearded dragons, poison dart frogs, monkey frogs, anoles, geckos, pygmy chameleons, green tree pythons, and emerald tree boas, among others.[2]
- Plan your vivarium around the specific needs of your chosen species. Always build your vivarium to suit your featured creature, not the other way around. That way, you can recreate—as much as possible—the ideal natural habitat for that species. In turn, your chosen species will live a healthier and happier life in the vivarium.[3]
- Use online resources and the knowledge of any vivarium experts you know to plan out the ideal habitat for your chosen species.
- Choose a large glass tank as the best enclosure option. In most cases, glass is the best option for a vivarium enclosure. It aids in moisture and temperature control, and is great for viewing inside the vivarium. If you need a more lightweight option, however, choose a vivarium enclosure made of sturdy plastic materials.[4]
- The ideal size of the enclosure depends on the featured species. In most cases, though, aim for an enclosure in the range. A glass tank in this size range can cost $50-$200 USD.
- Cages make poor vivariums because of the difficulty in maintaining the proper temperature and humidity.
[Edit]Adding Layers to the Vivarium Floor - Put down a drainage layer of store-bought material (option 1). Shop at pet retailers or online and choose a vivarium drainage layer material—it's often made up of small, lightweight plastic pellets or balls. Pour a layer in the bottom of the enclosure.[5]
- As the name indicates, excess water in the enclosure will drain down into this bottom layer, preventing oversaturation of the earthen layers above.
- You can use aquarium pebbles instead, but your vivarium enclosure will be substantially heavier.
- Create a "false bottom" with hardware store materials (option 2). Buy about 12 PVC pipe connectors that are cylindrical in shape and about in length. Stand them upright and spread them over the floor of the empty enclosure. Then, cut to size and place a single layer of egg-crate material on top of the upright pipe connectors.[6]
- Egg crate material is usually made of white plastic, about thick, and made up of a grid of hollow squares. You can find it online, or at hardware stores or some pet retailers.
- The pipe connectors serve as piers that create a gap between the bottom of the enclosure and the underside of the egg crate material. Excess water will filter down into this void.
- Add a layer of a mesh fabric screen separator. Choose a screening material that lets water and air pass through but blocks fine dirt particles. You can use weed-blocking landscaping fabric if you wish, but it's better to buy a fabric screening material made specifically for vivariums—look for it online or in larger pet stores.[7]
- Your choice of screening material is especially important if you're adding microfauna (tiny organisms that will help keep the vivarium clean) to the enclosure. Vivarium-specific fabrics will let them pass through, while landscaping fabrics may not.
- The screening material comes in rolls that you can cut to size with scissors.
- If you're not using a screening material marketed specifically for vivariums, make sure it's labeled as non-toxic.
- Use a tried-and-true mix for your substrate layer. Don't just use potting soil, compost, coconut fiber, or another single material. Instead, search online and consult with knowledgeable friends about the best substrate material for your particular vivarium. Lay of your chosen substrate on top of the screening fabric.[8]
- One of the most common vivarium substrates is called "ABG substrate" and contains the following mix: 2 parts tree fern fiber, 1 part peat (or, in some cases, coconut fiber), 1 part charcoal, 1 part sphagnum, and 2 parts orchid bark.
- While you can mix up the substrate yourself, it's easier to buy pre-mixed substrate online or at a pet retailer.
- Single-material substrates (like just potting soil) lack the nutrient diversity and varying textures that create a healthy and welcoming substrate for plant and animal life in a vivarium.
- Apply of "leaf litter" on top. For the top layer of your vivarium floor, use "leaf litter"—that is, dried leaves from tropical plants. You can buy leaf litter at retailers that sell vivarium substrate materials.[9]
- Some vivarium enthusiasts prefer to use moss as the top layer for aesthetic purposes. However, leaf litter gives a more natural look and provides shading and hiding spots for the animals inside the enclosure. You can use a combination of moss and leaf litter if desired.
[Edit]Completing the Environment - Create a background, if desired, for aesthetic purposes. Some vivarium enthusiasts like to adhere a natural-looking background to the back wall of the enclosure. In many cases, this is done by using silicone adhesive to stick on pieces of rigid foam made to look like rocks, tree limbs, and so on. Such background materials can usually be purchased at retailers that sell other vivarium supplies.[10]
- You also can cut and decorate background materials out of rigid foam yourself. Consult with other vivarium enthusiasts for advice on the best materials to use and procedures to follow.
- A background can help conceal mechanical equipment (for lighting, heating, moisture, etc.) placed behind the enclosure.
- Install a moisture system based on your chosen species' needs. Most vivarium-suited species require humidity levels of at least 60%, and often over 75%. Check with vivarium equipment suppliers to find the best moisture control system for your chosen species and enclosure setup.[11]
- Your setup may include, for instance, a humidity control monitor and a misting sprayer to add moisture as needed.
- You can help to maintain the right humidity level by using an enclosure lid that is part glass and part screening. In most cases, a top that is 75% glass and 25% screening will help maintain 60%-75% humidity inside.
- You may also want to buy and install a vivarium drainage system that uses PVC pipe drain lines to help you rapidly reduce the moisture level. However, in most cases, it's sufficient to adjust the humidity manually by increasing or decreasing the amount of screening on the enclosure lid.
- Control the temperature based on your chosen species. There are numerous heating options for vivariums, and it's usually best to use a combination of them to get the proper balance of conditions inside the enclosure. Make sure you know both the ideal air and surface temperatures for your chosen species, and use thermostat- and timer-controlled heating elements to maintain the proper ranges.[12]
- For example, you might use heating lamps to maintain the proper air temperature, and an under-tank heating mat to create a higher surface temperature in one section of the tank—this creates a basking area for your chosen species.
- As with humidity control, proper temperature control is vital. Consult with experts to get the right equipment for your vivarium setup.
- Use bright, mid-warmth lighting that simulates day and night. For aesthetic purposes, it's best to go with lighting that's in the 5000-6500 kelvin range, which is in the mid-range of the warm-to-cool lighting scale. In terms of light intensity, it's very difficult to make your vivarium too bright for the health of the life inside it—so choose lighting that makes it easy to see everything inside the vivarium.[13]
- Always make sure you use timers to keep your lighting on a day-night routine. Also make sure there is adequate shading—created by plant life, leaf litter, and other materials inside the enclosure—so the creatures inside can get relief from the lighting when desired.
- As with moisture and temperature control systems, a vivarium novice should consult with experts and buy a lighting system from a vivarium supply retailer. Only try to design your own lighting system if you're fully confident in your abilities.
[Edit]Filling the Vivarium with Life - Add habitat-appropriate plants, but don't overdo it. It can be tempting to pack your vivarium with 20 or even 30 different plant species to add visual interest. However, a vivarium can quickly look overly cluttered this way, and it's also easier to maintain an enclosure that has only around 8-12 different plant species.[14]
- Choose plants that are appropriate for the environmental conditions inside your vivarium, as well as for the featured species you've selected for it.
- Consider buying a pre-selected plant mix from a vivarium supply retailer. This is easier than buying the mix of plants individually.
- Follow the instructions for each plant type or plant mix for installing and maintaining the plants. In most cases, you'll need to do very little once the plants become established in the vivarium.
- Add microfauna to keep the vivarium naturally clean. For most vivarium enthusiasts, the goal is to create an enclosure that is practically a self-sustaining habitat. To achieve this, microfauna—tiny critters that love to eat things like droppings, leaf decay, and mold—are essential. The most common microfauna options for vivariums are springtails and woodlice (also called isopods).[15]
- You can buy microfauna at vivarium supply retailers or online. Simply add the recommended amount to the enclosure once the proper environment is established.
- So long as the proper environmental conditions are maintained, the microfauna will take care of themselves and you won't need to clean the vivarium so long as everything inside is healthy.
- If any plants appear diseased, however, or if one of your featured creatures dies of a possible infection or disease, you'll have to remove everything from the vivarium, sanitize what can be salvaged and replace what can't be, and re-create the habitat.
- Quarantine each chosen animal for 3 weeks. Before adding your first animal or any subsequent creatures to the vivarium, you should isolate and observe them for illness for 3 weeks. Doing so helps prevent the introduction of unwanted bacteria or illnesses into the closed ecosystem.[16]
- For the quarantine period, set up a smaller enclosure with environmental conditions that match the vivarium as closely as possible. Your vivarium species supplier can help you get the necessary supplies for setting up a proper quarantine.
- Check on the quarantined animals regularly, and know what signs of illness to watch for in that species. Do not introduce them to the vivarium if they display potential signs of illness.
- Observe the animals closely for the first several days. The first 3-7 days are usually the most critical for the adjustment of your featured species to the vivarium. Watch for any signs of illness or distress, and remove any animals that appear to be ill.[17]
- The care needs for the many vivarium-suited species varies widely, so it's difficult to give anything more than very general care guidance. Make sure you know exactly what your featured species needs—in terms of things like food, water, environmental conditions, companionship, and so on—and make every effort to meet those needs in the vivarium.
- With the proper setup, your vivarium will offer a spectacular display of flora and fauna in realistic habitat for years to come!
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Glass enclosure
- Drainage layer material
- Mesh fabric screening material
- Vivarium substrate mix
- Leaf litter mix
- Moisture control system
- Heating control system
- Lighting control system
- Habitat-suited plant life mix
- Microfauna
- Habitat-suited single animal species
- Rigid foam background materials (optional)
- PVC pipe connectors and egg crate material for "false bottom" (optional)
[Edit]References |
| How to Make Fennel Tea Posted: 27 Sep 2019 05:00 PM PDT Fennel has been used as an herbal tea for centuries. It has a slightly sweet flavor and can improve your digestion, especially if you make it with peppermint and ginger. Studies have also shown that drinking fennel tea can suppress your appetite, which makes it helpful if you're trying to lose weight. Crush your fennel, boil some water, and enjoy your homemade herbal tea! [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Simple Fennel Tea - 1 to 2 tablespoons (6 to 12 g) of fennel seeds
- of water
- Honey or mint to serve
Makes 1 serving [Edit]Fennel Tea with Ginger and Lemon Verbena - 2 heaping teaspoons (4 g) of fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) of freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon (2.5 g) of dried lemon verbena
- of water
Makes 2 servings [Edit]Fennel Tea with Peppermint and Chamomile - 1 teaspoon (1 g) of dried chamomile flowers
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) of dried peppermint leaves
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) of fennel seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of dried cut ginger pieces
- of water
Makes 1 serving [Edit]Simple Fennel Tea - Bruise 1 to 2 tablespoons (6 to 12 g) of fennel seeds in a mortar. For lighter-tasting tea, use fewer seeds or use all of them for bold tasting tea. Put the seeds into a mortar and crush them gently with a pestle.[1]
- Pound the seeds until they crack open and become fragrant.
- Boil water in an electric kettle or on the stove. Fill a kettle with at least of water and put the lid on. If you're using an electric kettle, switch it on. If you're using the stove, place the kettle on a burner and turn it to high. Bring the water to a vigorous boil.[2]
- Place the seeds into a teapot or infuser. If you'd like to use an infuser, pour the seeds into an infuser basket or ball that seals shut. Then, place the infuser into a large mug or teacup.[3]
- Pour of boiling water over the fennel and steep it for 5 to 10 minutes. Carefully pour the water into the teapot or the mug that you're using. Cover the teapot or mug and let the tea steep until it's as strong as you want.[4]
- You can cover your mug with a saucer or small plate.
- Strain the fennel tea and sip it slowly. If you used a teapot, place a strainer in your teacup and pour the tea into it. If you used an infuser, remove the basket or ball and enjoy your fennel tea![5]
- You can sweeten the tea with your favorite sweetener, such as honey or agave.
- If you have leftover tea, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within 3 to 5 days.
[Edit]Fennel Tea with Ginger and Lemon Verbena - Crush 2 teaspoons (4 g) of fennel seeds in a mortar. Put the seeds into a mortar and push down on them with a pestle until the seeds crack open. You should also smell a strong fennel fragrance.[6]
- Crushing the fennel will release its oil and make your tea more flavorful.
- Put the crushed fennel into a pot with grated ginger, lemon verbena, and water. Transfer the crushed fennel to a small pot on the stove and add 1 teaspoon (2 g) of freshly grated ginger along with 1 teaspoon (2.5 g) of dried lemon verbena. Then, pour in of water.[7]
- Lemon verbena is sometimes sold as "vervain". Check local health stores or online to buy herbs for your tea.
- Bring the tea to a boil and simmer it over low for 10 minutes. Turn the burner to high so the water begins to boil vigorously. Then, turn the burner down to low and let it bubble gently for 10 minutes. The fennel, ginger, and lemon will flavor the tea.[8]
- You can leave the lid off of the pot. Some of the water will evaporate, but this will intensify the flavor of the tea.
- Strain the tea into serving cups and enjoy it hot. Place a tea strainer over a teacup and slowly pour or ladle the fennel tea into the cup. If you don't have a tea strainer, place a fine-mesh strainer over a teapot or jug and pour the tea through it. Then, pour the tea into teacups.
- You can brew another batch of fennel tea with ginger and lemon verbena, but cut the steeping time down to 7 or 8 minutes.
- Refrigerate leftover tea in an airtight container for up to 3 to 5 days. You can reheat the tea before serving it or pour it over ice for a cold drink.
[Edit]Fennel Tea with Peppermint and Chamomile - Bring water to boil in an electric kettle or on the stove. Pour at least of water into the kettle and put the lid on. If you're using an electric kettle, switch it on. If you're using the stove, set the kettle on a burner and turn it to high. Heat the water until it boils vigorously.[9]
- You can put the dry tea ingredients into the teapot while you wait for the water to boil.
- Crush 1 teaspoon (2 g) of fennel seeds and put them into a teapot. Put the seeds into a mortar and pound them with the pestle until they crack. Then, transfer the seeds to a teapot or large mug.[10]
- If you don't have a mortar and pestle put the seeds into a sealable bag and hit them with a rolling pin.
- Add the chamomile, peppermint, and ginger. Put 1 teaspoon (1 g) of dried chamomile flowers, 1 teaspoon (2 g) of dried peppermint leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of dried cut ginger pieces into the teapot with the crushed fennel.[11]
- Pour of boiling water into the pot and steep the tea for 10 minutes. Carefully pour the water into the teapot and put the lid on it to prevent steam from escaping. Set a timer for 10 minutes.[12]
- If you're steeping the tea in a mug or large teacup, place a small dish or saucer over it.
- Strain the tea and sip it while it's hot. Set a tea strainer over your cup and slowly pour the hot tea through it. Put the strainer aside and enjoy the hot herbal tea. If you'd like to sweeten it, stir in a little honey or agave.[13]
- You can refrigerate the cold tea in an airtight container for up to 3 to 5 days. Then, drink it chilled or reheat the tea before drinking it.
- To make refreshing fennel tea, brew the tea with twice as much fennel. Then, chill the tea and pour it over ice just before serving.[14]
[Edit]Warnings - If you're pregnant or nursing, ask your doctor before drinking fennel tea since more research is needed to determine if it's safe.[15]
- Avoid drinking fennel tea if you have a blood-clotting disorder or are allergic to carrots, celery, or mugwort.[16]
- Talk with your child's pediatrician before giving them fennel tea. Your doctor might recommend a safe dose to give your child if they're colicky.[17]
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Simple Fennel Tea - Measuring cups and spoons
- Teapot or mug
- Tea infuser, optional
[Edit]Fennel Tea with Ginger and Lemon Verbena - Measuring cups and spoons
- Mortar and pestle
- Small pot
- Fine mesh or tea strainer
- Teapot or small pot
- Teacup
[Edit]Fennel Tea with Peppermint and Chamomile - Measuring cups and spoons
- Mortar and pestle
- Fine mesh or tea strainer
- Teapot
- Teacup
[Edit]References |
| How to Market Yourself Posted: 27 Sep 2019 09:00 AM PDT You've likely heard that you need to be able to market yourself in today's job market, but actually doing it can feel overwhelming. Whether you're creating your own job or applying for one, knowing how to market yourself will help you be successful. Before you can start marketing yourself, you need to create your personal brand. Then, you can reach out to your audience to promote yourself as an entrepreneur or to apply for a job. [Edit]Getting a Job - Present yourself as a professional in your area of expertise. Dress to fit the role you're trying to take, such as business casual. Additionally, make sure your hairstyle and grooming habits also fit the standard for your field. When you meet with a potential employer or client, don't wear too much fragrance because it may trigger allergies and is considered disrespectful.[1]
- Professional attire can vary depending on what type of work you do. For instance, a consultant might wear a suit or sheath dress, while a freelance tattoo artist might prefer an outfit that shows off their tattoos and creativity.
- Similarly, appropriate hairstyles can vary. For instance, you might be more likely to get a job with a Fortune 500 company if you have a conservative hairstyle. On the other hand, a hair stylist or muralist may attract more attention with a bold cut or hair color.
- Use a firm handshake and eye contact to convey confidence. Body language tells people a lot about how you're feeling, and you can use this to your advantage. When you're meeting with a client or potential employer, make eye contact as you approach them. Then, give a firm handshake. While you're talking, continue to make eye contact.[2]
- This will make the person perceive you as confident and self-assured, even if you're actually nervous.
- To get better at making eye contact, ask a friend to make sustained eye contact with you for 5-10 minutes. Repeat this exercise until you feel more comfortable staring into someone's eyes.
- Answer questions as though you're sure of yourself. It's normal to feel nervous when you're trying to sell yourself, and that can come through when you're answering questions. Be definitive about the answers you give. Keep your voice firm and assertive so that the person believes your responses. If you're completely stumped on a question, tell them that you'll check on it and get back to them within 24 hours.[3]
- You might say, "That's a great question. Let me double check my numbers and I'll have an answer for you within 24 hours."
- Create a polished resume. Present your name and contact information at the top of your resume. Then, list your educational experience. Use the bulk of your resume to describe your work experience or skills. Update your resume at least once a month so you know it's accurate.[4]
- Include keywords on your resume so that the employer knows that you fit what they're looking for. Whenever possible, use actual keywords from the job posting.
- Use strong verbs to describe what you accomplished at your past jobs.
- Tell stories to demonstrate your strengths and skills. Talking about your skills is hard, but anecdotes might be the solution. To find an story, list the skills or strengths you want to present. Then, think about times in your career or life where you displayed those skills. Write about these experiences, then revise what you've written to create a short anecdote.[5]
- For instance, let's say you want to show that you're innovative and great at collaboration. You might say, "The first website I designed was tricky because my client had built their original website. Since he was proud of his efforts, I wanted to keep what was working. For the first phase of the design, I worked closely with him so he still felt like the site belonged to him. Then, I created a unique format that won him a professional award."
- Focus on your actions and achievements rather than your talents. Listing off your talents can feel like bragging, but talking about your actions and achievements may feel more natural. Plus, this shows that you can produce results and aren't making empty promises. Sit down with your resume and identify actions or achievements from your work history and life that demonstrate your skills. Then, use them to impress a potential employer or client.[6]
- For instance, instead of saying that you're creative, you could tell them about your special projects at your last job. Rather than saying you're accountable, you could talk about how you typically turn in projects before the deadline and have never been late.
- Ask questions about the job so you can get the interviewer talking. While you might think that talking about yourself is the best way to promote yourself, it's best to talk about the job and what the company needs. Create a list of questions ahead of time so you will be prepared during your interview. Listen intently to the answer so you can figure out what the company needs solved. Then, explain how you will help the company fix a problem they have.[7]
- The interviewer will likely have a more positive view of your interview if they talked a lot. This is because people enjoy talking about themselves.
- For instance, you might ask, "What does your current supply chain look like?" "How do you attract clients right now?" or "What grants have you already pursued?"
- Present yourself as a solution to the interviewer's problems. If a company is hiring, that means they have a role that needs filled. Focus on being the solution to what the company is missing. Your interviewer won't care about your skills and expertise if it doesn't help them solve their problems.[8]
- You could say, "It sounds like maintaining your social media pages is a problem for you. I know how to create engaging content that will attract customers, so I can turn this problem into an asset."
- Show off your enthusiasm for the job. Tell the interviewer that you're excited about this opportunity and why. Explain why this job is a great fit for you, and how you hope to help the company grow. Finally, offer to come in for a second interviewer to talk more about what you'd bring to the job.[9]
- You might say, "This is a stellar opportunity because I know your company is poised to double in size in the next 5 years. I've worked with 2 other startups, so I know I can help you recruit the talent you need. I'm available later this week if you want to talk more about what I can do for you."
[Edit]Creating Your Personal Brand - Identify your strengths and expertise. In order to sell yourself, you need to know what you bring to the table. Think about the skills, talents, and knowledge you possess. This will help you figure out how to brand yourself. Here are some things to consider:[10]
- What degrees do you hold?
- What classes and workshops have you taken?
- What type of career experience do you have?
- What kind of volunteer work have you done?
- What type of hobbies do you do?
- What tasks are easiest for you to complete?
- Choose a niche in your field to pursue. Clients will better understand your brand if you focus on one area, which is your niche. To find your niche, consider how your interests, skills, and expertise overlap.[11]
- For instance, let's say that you do web design and enjoy promoting local businesses. You might decide that your niche is going to be building websites for small businesses.
- Similarly, let's say that you're an artist who wants to teach classes. If you enjoy working with children, you might offer intro to art classes to school children.
- Design a logo to represent your personal brand. First, choose a color scheme for your logo. Then, draw an image or use a photograph of your work. Consider adding your name or business name to the design. Finally, test your logo by showing it to people who are in your target audience so you can get their feedback.[12]
- You may not need a logo if you aren't running your own business, so it's okay to skip this step if you don't think you'll use a logo.
- Make sure your image is scalable, which means it can be sized up and down to fit on your promotional materials.
- You can use programs like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape to create a digital file for your logo.
- Get promotional materials to market yourself. Make or order a set of business cards that feature your name or business, along with your logo and contact information. Additionally, create or purchase additional promotional materials, like flyers, brochures, or newsletters. Then, hand out your promotional materials while you're out networking.[13]
- If you have a mission statement, a promotional catch-phrase, or a call-to-action that expresses your purpose for marketing, then include it on your marketing materials. For example, if you are marketing yourself for the dog therapy service you provide, you might include text like, "I can help Fido through his ruff times."
- Include your logo on all of your promotional materials.
- Practice delivering your marketing pitch. Turn your strengths, expertise, and niche into a concise marketing pitch. Think about what your clients can expect from you. Then, write out a 2-3 sentence explanation of what you can do for them. Read the explanation out loud and revise it until it sounds right. Finally, practice your pitch until you can deliver it with ease.[14]
- Stand in front of your mirror so you can practice gesturing during your pitch.
- Film yourself giving the pitch so you can evaluate your delivery.
- Practice your pitch for family and friends, and get their advice on how you can improve.
[Edit]Reaching Your Audience - Start a website to promote yourself and your work. First, decide if you want to create a free website or pay a fee to have your own domain. Then, choose a website host and a template for your site. Include several pages on your website, such as an "About Me" page, examples of your work, a "Contact Me" page, and a blog to drive traffic to your site. After you set up your site, update it regularly so it's accurate and active.[15]
- You can create a free website on sites like Wordpress or Weebly. However, it's usually better to pay to reserve your own domain through a host like Wordpress or SquareSpace. Expect to pay between $100-250 annually to run your site.
- If you're going to be selling items through your website, look for a host that will allow you to do that. For instance, SquareSpace makes it easy to sell your wares through their sites.
- Create social media accounts to promote yourself and your brand. Social media is essential for marketing yourself, so set up an account on each platform. Then, post on your accounts at least once a day so your followers can keep up with what you're doing. This allows you to reach potential clients and show off your work for free![16]
- Start a Facebook business page or group to post updates, connect with clients, and show off your work.
- Use twitter to get yourself noticed and to build a digital network.
- Post on Instagram to promote your products and provide interesting content for potential clients.
- Create a professional profile on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a site that's dedicated to professionals, so it's a great place to promote yourself. Create a profile so that you can connect with potential clients and fellow professionals. It may help you find work![17]
- Describe your professional accomplishments and how you helped your clients.
- Include keywords that are related to your goals. For example, if you are a graphic designer, you could use "build graphics," "design websites," or "create visual content."
- Make connections with prior clients, networking contacts, and former classmates.
- Ask your connections to endorse your particular skills to establish credibility. If you don't feel comfortable asking people to endorse you, spend some time endorsing the skills of connections that you'd like to endorse you. Likely, they'll return the favor.
- Upload a professional-looking photo of yourself.
- Network to meet people and make connections. Attend events that are related to your field, go to conferences, and enroll in workshops to meet potential clients and fellow professionals. Talk to the people you meet, hand them a business card, and follow up with them later. This will help you build a community to support your career.[18]
- Treat every person you meet as a potential networking contact.
- Hand out your business cards to everyone you meet.
- Maintain an email database so you can send out promotional materials. When you're at local events, ask people to sign up to receive your emails. Additionally, allow people to sign up on your website. To get more people on your list, offer a free item or discount in exchange for their email address. Then, send promotional items like a newsletter or announcements to your email list.[19]
- When you get a new client, add them to your email list so that they'll receive your promotional items.
[Edit]Being an Entrepreneur - Use software that will schedule your social media posts. It's important that you post often on social media, but this can become really inconvenient. To make things easier, consider using a program that lets you schedule your posts so that they go out across all of your social media platforms. Then, you can spend a few hours each week planning out a week of posts.[20]
- Check out programs like Buffer, Hootsuite, and TweetDeck.
- Write articles about topics related to your niche or expertise. Sharing your expertise will help raise your prominence in your field. Additionally, it may help you attract clients. Post articles or blog posts on your personal or business website. Additionally, send your articles to professional websites and other people in your field so you can post as a contributor.[21]
- If you aren't good at writing, volunteer to contribute your ideas and expert opinions to other people's articles.
- Collaborate with other people to show off your skills. Partner with other professionals to produce products that show off all of your work. You might do this for free or for a share of your partner's profits. Offer to help someone in your field complete a big project, or work with people in related fields to share your skills.[22]
- For instance, if you're an artist, you might collaborate with 3 other artists to create a community mural.
- If you're a music promoter, you could partner with local bands and vendors to put on a small festival.
- Promote your goods or services by showing off your work. Instead of trying to sell yourself to clients, show them what you have to offer. Provide examples of your work and help clients understand how you'll help them. Keep the focus on your client and the work itself, not on yourself.[23]
- For instance, let's say you have a dog walking service. On your website, promote yourself with pictures of you walking dogs and playing with them. In person, get people talking about their dogs, then talk about the care you'd provide for their dogs. Don't talk about how much you love dogs, why you started your business, or what you love about dog walking.
- Be sure to use the same font, logo, and information on all of your marketing materials to help develop brand recognition.
[Edit]Warnings - Don't spam the comments on other people's websites in an effort to market yourself. This is a big turnoff to people and is more likely to push them away from you.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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