#and i do have like.. ideals that artists should be paid adequately

[sagesilentfire]

Hello, everyone. It's so strange to be saying this, but the last part of SAMATFOE is imminent, and we're getting closer and closer to the End. It's been a really fun five years. (Four to ya'll, but I've been working on this for longer than I've been talking about it publicly!) The cast of characters has expanded dramatically, I've gotten much better as a writer and artist, and I feel I've grown as a person too. I won't stop stalking the svtfoe tag or talking about svtfoe after this is done, don't worry, but I have a lot of non-svtfoe related plans in the future, so if you like Sílthéy and her weird siblings, don't stop following when SAMATFOE is over. 

But as for the actual contents of s5, well, I've got lots of plans. We've got a dark magic plague that's an incredibly transparent metaphor for climate change. We've got Mina playing the oil barons and trying to stop everyone from saving the world for her own personal gain. We've got Glossaryck (capitalism). We've even got the answers to a lot of mysteries and character arcs. Like, so many character arcs. It has been incredibly difficult to stuff all these character arcs into this far-too-short piece of fanfiction. But I hope I did that adequately. 

On a personal note, while hiring a beta/sensitivity reader for a piece as massive as SAMATFOE proved impossible for someone who does not own their own money, I have done a lot more research than I had at seventeen. I wanted the monsters to be more than just badly-done allegories for Native Americans – I wanted them to be people with their own culture, history, and ideas. People who are inspired by real-world Indigenous cultures, but, because they're literally nonhuman, are distinct from them. Whether or not they could count as Indigenous is discussed in-text, but I do not come to an actual conclusion because I want my readers to draw their own. It's not my place to say whether colonized space aliens could be Indigenous. And their connection to the land and to magic is drawn from their shared knowledge, not mysticism, and their culture is idealized because a caring godlike entity helped them to that, not because they're better than anyone. I hope to demonstrate that they are all people, first and foremost. Because we're going to be spending time in Septarsis! So much time! And Toffee has officially been promoted to main character status! It's Star and Marcie AND the Forces of Evil, babey!

But there's a lot of characters here. So, for the second and final time, 

Dramatis Personae:

Star - Star doesn't know what to do. She has everything she ever wanted, even if she doesn't realize it. She has no future responsibilities, having passed that to Eclipsa, but she is still special and important, being the most powerful magic-user ever to exist and the only one who can fix the dark magic, and Toffee doesn't even seem to hate her. Sílthéy does, though, and that is a sticking point. Star is much less oblivious now, though even her oblivious former self would probably pick up on the bad vibes Sílthéy is actively sending her way. She wants everyone to see how hard she's working to make everything better, but Sílthéy doesn't, and that is unbearable. Add that to Shinjai avoiding her and Marcie growing distant, and she has very little time for introspection, even if that would help fix things.

Marcie - Marcie is done with Mewni. She can't believe she believed the Butterflys' lies for so long. She's going to devote herself to Septarsis as fervently as she did Mewni. She just... she doesn't want to bother anyone, or take anyone's time. Why should she get attention paid to her, when there are stronger and smarter magic users out there who could do so much to actually help the world? Marcie is small and useless, and clearly so easily tricked. Better to work on herself before she brings anyone else into her orbit. Also, Star keeps making bad decisions, and Marcie's boundaries are pushing her away too... maybe it's better to do everything alone.

Ludo - Ludo is having a great time! He's earned the trust of some of the monsters in the Avarius village, his plumbing has been fixed, and Pemma is teaching him how to use the Avarius Beacon! Certainly nothing bad is going to happen to him or anyone he cares about! :D

Buff Frog - I'll confess here: Buff Frog is not a huge part of s5. He'll appear in the finale, but he's not a fighter anymore, and lives a peaceful life in Septarsis. He still has fond feelings for Star, but he's not too worried about her. She's strong, and he has twelve young froglets to take care of. She'll be fine on her own... right?

Toffee - Una'met Co'tzin-Nekohtzaca, Last Child of Old Septarsis, The Forces of Evil, Kéta'cha For the Dragon of Space, is doing FINE. They're definitely not five bad seconds away from a total mental breakdown, definitely not, that would be bad for everyone involved, and they are a calm, peaceful, certified not-doing-bad-things-er. The fact that everyone is almost certainly going to die a horrible death from dark magic is fine. They just have to cram thirty-plus years of training into the rapidly-dwindling time before the entire multiverse is dead. They barely know Star Butterfly, except that she's too good for things like "basic training" and "reading." How are they going to do this? And why won't Sílthéy tell them why she caused this in the first place? Well, they do know one thing, which is they can't tell Star about that.

Jackie - Jackie is done with Star Butterfly. She's talked to... someone, and done some digging, and that only served to verify the book she was given in s4. She doesn't know anything about Mewni save for what the book told her, but she can't believe that she trusted the family that doomed her dimension.

Janna - Janna doesn't like this apocalypse. No chance of survival is boring. So she's going to do what she can to help out. Also, she's been keeping her own secrets, secrets that might hold the key to survival.

Tom - Tom isn't angry anymore. He's not angry at Eclipsa for keeping Miquiz locked up, he's not angry for the Butterflys for spreading the dark magic that's thrown the Underworld into chaos, he's not angry that he keeps being left out of things. He's. Not. Angry. Anymore!

Moon - Moon didn't kill her mother. She didn't. It was Toffee, Toffee who couldn't come up with some loophole, Toffee who couldn't forget a conversation that happened when they were a child, Toffee who aimed the arrow at Comet's chest. And her holding onto anger isn't what's driving Star away from her, it's Toffee. They're the one driving her daughter away from her! But as cold reality and remaining dark secrets loom behind her, her brittle facade is beginning to crumble.

Glossaryck - Glossaryck misses when he and Star got along. Yeah, he's destroying her dimension, and everyone in it, and her, all to win kudos from his family, but it really sucks that Star won't give him the time of day anymore. He used to be her wise old mentor! Geez, she was going to die anyways, that's what mortals do! Might as well get along before it happens!

River - River is tired of being left out of the loop. He doesn't know what's going on. He doesn't know what to do. Moon barely speaks to him, she's always busy with Eclipsa, or whatever. But he might be the thing Moon needs, if she would only let him in.

Angie - Angie doesn't know if she should have had Mariposa. Sure, Mari is wonderful, and she loves her, and she DID NOT have a baby to replace Marcie dear god why were the svtfoe writers like that – *ahem* but the multiverse is ending, and Mariposa is just a baby... she didn't want to bring a baby into this world just to have them all die.

Rafael - Rafael is worried about Star. He's worried there's nothing he and Angie can do to help her. He's worried about Marcie. She seems really stressed about the dark magic. But he's the calm, goofy dad, so he's going to keep being that, and praying it'll help somehow. 

Mariposa - Mariposa is fresh to the world, and doesn't understand much of anything yet. But everyone is worried she won't survive long enough to understand the world at all.

Kelly - Kelly is chilling. Apparently Star and Marcie are off on a trip to Septarsis, but that's none of her business as long as art classes and hangouts with Nova and Jorby go well. She might drop by to visit, though.

Miss Heinous - Saint Olga is dead. Miss Heinous's one reason for existing, her greatest love and greatest enemy, the robot who raised her, is dead. What does Miss Heinous do now?

Meteora - Meteora's doing great. She's won popular opinion, she's training to be a true Crown Princess, or at least a high-ranking official, if Sílthéy's democracy takes off. She's stepped into her role as a leader, far more than her mother could claim. But that's fine. Not everyone is suited for leadership.

Eclipsa - Eclipsa has an albatross around her neck. She is doing her best to ignore it, to be a good queen, to love her people, but... she cannot get away from the child she killed. Would it be easier if she was just always evil, not done one evil act out of rage and grief? Well, she knows what happened to her mother. What does she do now?

Globgor - Globgor is doing his best. He's a little miffed by Sílthéy mistrusting him, as her first big act of s5 will be to demonstrate how little he's valued as a Legitimate Voice of the Monsters, but really, who can complain. There's so much else going on, who cares if he fades into the background?

Shinjai - Shinjai gets the wand. Shinjai does not want the wand, and the circumstances surrounding her getting the wand are ridiculous, but she gets it, and she hates it, and she can't control it. Unlike Star, her inability to control the wand makes her not want to use the wand at all lest she hurt someone with it. Oh, and Star keeps wanting to teach her fun spells now that she's been handed this nuclear bomb of a magic wand, and Shinjai does not want to deal with Star. She hasn't forgiven Star. She doesn't want to forgive Star. She'll ignore Star as much as she can, and focus instead on Alice and the teen militia, which is much more fun. She loves Alice. She loves learning to fight, learning to battle the most dangerous people in the multiverse and win WITHOUT the help of a wand. She'd be doing great, if her past would stop knocking at her door.

Rasticore - Rasticore's worried about his partner. Una is fraying at the seams trying to fix everything, and he has the feeling they're not telling him something. But what else is new? He'll wait. He has friends to make, a new teenage militia to help train, and a Miss Heinous to keep from destroying Septarsis stone by stone. He's endlessly patient. When Una wants to talk to him, he'll be there for them. He just... has... to... wait...

Mina - Mina is trying to destroy the world. She doesn't tell her followers that, no, they don't even know the dark magic is a thing, but she wants Glossaryck to win and the Solarian Age, of which she is the last remnant, to end everything with it. So she'll destroy the world, and fulfill Solaria's dream of taking the Forces of Evil with her.

Lilacia - Lilacia is, somehow, a spoiler. Like, legitimately, the Princess Formerly Known as Ponyhead's role in s5 is a spoiler, and not for magic power-up speech cliché reasons. But she's still her dumb, ditzy self, of course.

Still Unnamed Mystery Character - "Stella" is still mysterious, but I promise you we'll get who she is and her backstory in this part ;)

Alice - Alice is wary of the new Mewman presence on the outskirts of Septarsis. She knows why they're there, but she's still extremely suspicious. She does not want them to hurt Septarsis. But she doesn't know that the true danger comes a little closer to home.

Teyauh - Teyauh is also a spoiler, but she'll be there!

Linda - Linda loves her wife, and will follow her anywhere, but Teyauh will have to accept that her knees don't work how they used to, so Linda will have to follow in a suit of POWER ARMOR, BABY!

Nova - Nova is part of the Nuxalkmc, an Indigenous tribe native to the Northwestern Turtle Island, and she loves that about herself. Now that Kelly and her dimensional scissors are here, she can finally explore the multiverse to find new places and see if they're anything like home. Septarsis is one of those places, and she loves it at first sight.

Dr. Edevane - Dr. Edevane is a doctor. He and Toffee have a lot to nerd out talk about together. He will be useful, too.

Dennis - Dennis is busy reigning in dozens of siblings, including Ludo. It's a busy life, but a happy one. Nothing bad whatsoever will happen to him! (I'm lying)

Chloe - Chloe doesn't know this "Star Butterfly" person, but she's very suspicious. But man, Mewni would be such a cool place to visit... so much magic! ...No, she needs to concentrate on being mad. And she is mad. She wants Earth to be like Mewni, like it deserves to be.

Hekapoo - Hekapoo doesn't like her dad's plan. He says it'll work out, it's fine, but the plan is... questionable. She doesn't like it. And she definitely isn't getting conflicting feelings about puppeteering her brother around, either...

Rhombulus - Ṯ̶̡̧̧̡̧̠͉̻̦̜̭͚̰̪̣̬̠̦̲̹̯̯̮̹̰̺̣̳̬̳̬͙̙̞̹͚͖̼̲̰̼̻̭͇̘̻̹͔̝͌͐̀̇̓̀́̄̇̓̊̚ͅH̶̛̠̽̎̇̽̉̃̔͒̽̈́͌͝Ȩ̸̢̧̛̛͔̭͍̪͈͚̮̘͙̭̳͍̺͖̗͇͍̘̱̉̽͑̆̌̓̆͛̓̌̈́̐̾͑̅͂͗̔̽̌̋̈́̎̈́́̓̓͌̆̄͐̀̋̅͂̒̓̔͗̈͊̊͆̄̒͘͘̚͘͝͝͠͠͠͠ͅ ̷̧̪̰͈̺̯̳̙̳̹̙̣͔̗̜̫̗̲̠̙̝̠̯̻̯̩͈͇͉̞̙͙͈̲̻̹̰̳̣̤̣̀́̐͆͜͜͜ͅͅK̵̨͎̙̩͓̘͇̳̩̲̝̳̼̖̯̘͖̹͙̪̰͙͔̤̭̘͖̖̪̬͓͚̫̦̝̠͍̙̊͛̏̈́͛́̒̈́͂͜͜͜͝ͅÍ̸̡̧̨̨̥͍̮̮͇̟͈͙̩̥͙̥͖͚͉̬̟̻̹̰̟̘͓̪̦̹͈̺̤̜̣̺͉̘͕̮̲͓̳͍͈͍̜̯̯̘̪͙̩͛́̐̆̈́͗͋̔̐̒̌̚͜ͅT̵̨̟̲̑̅̑̕̚T̶̨̨̨̛̞͖̻̖̞̹̜͉̦͓̣̠̗̘̣̺̲̹̘̻͎̤̝̤̜̞̜̳̭͎̲͙̮͓͕̼͇̘̃̈́̑̅͐̆͛͊̎̀̈́̔̐̂͛͒̎̕͜͜Ę̴̟̻͍͓̲̙͙̬̺̖̘͎̺̯͐̍̀͊̊̃̃̐̒̊̽̅̉̒̇̎̒͗͆̓͋͂̍̎̈̓́́͌̈͌̕͘̕̕͜͝͝͠͝͝Ņ̷̡̥͕̞̘͙͇̪̺̯͕̪͖̗̙͖̭̻̳͙͖̯̺̟̳̟̪̼̤̞̘̯̘̥̏́̊̾̓̀͐̑̈́͛͊͜͝͝͝S̸̨̨̨̡̤͕͚͈̻̯̫̯̦̖̣͈͔͉͚̠̪̮͚̳͈͇̯̱̯̙̙̬͎̝̪̬̦̙͇̝̲̤̰̃͒̓͒̾̀̋̎̊̈̀́̐̎̇͜͝ͅ ̵̧̧̛̣͉͕̤̻͔̰̜̺̮̘̞̠͓͚̹̗͒͐̽́̆̈́́̏̀̎̋͌̔́̌͗̎̍̉̀̃͌͂̎̽̿̃͂̎̽̌̈́̄́̀́̓̿̅́̎͆̾̆͑͌̔̿̑́́̕̕̕͝͝͝M̸̢̡̨̭͓̘͙̟̩̦͎̤̟̮̤͍͔̝̑̀̅̊̑̊́̂̈͑̽͋̃̑͋͐̆͆͊̈́́̋͑̋͜͝I̸̡̛̖̺͇͎͕̗̹̦̦̻̻̙͈͔̮̭̤̺͚͙͙͖̱̙͚̣̼̠̺̘̐̄͋͒̒͗̎̓͐͗͛̊̀̓̄̅̆̇̐͒̄̌̔͗̒̎̃̒̊̍̋͐̊͛͘͠͝͝͠S̴̨̡̡̨̲̖̺̭̺̱̰͎͓͇̰̙͙̩̯̺̖̲̥̜͖̦̙̹̜̻͙̠͉͇̲̲͍̞͚̭̯͕͋͐̌̾̈́̄͐̇̔͜͝͝Ş̴̢̨̢̝̬̤̯̗̞̳̟̞̲̠̮͇̻͙͖̻̜̺̘̑̑̆̈́̇͋͗͒͒́̅́́̚̕͝ ̷̨̡̡̛̛͚̩̣̠̠̹̘̟̼̘̤͇͖͓̙̺̙̮͚̫̺͖̠͇͙̏̆̋̆̀̅̓̔͋��̐͛̃̾̃̿̓́̑̇̏̈̉͊̂̍̾͑̐̈́̀̑͑̈́̏͗̇͋̀̆́̍̊̃̀͐͘̚̚͝͝͝͠͝ͅͅḨ̶̨̧̻̺̟͚̠͍̗͙̗̹͇̗̦͔͕̮̦͖͔̝͚̟̖̖͉̾̔͒̓̋̀̔̅̿̈̑͆̀̇̇̄̈́́͋̿͐͆̔̂̈́͋̈́̊̊̈́̓̈́͋̕͘͝͝͝I̷̡̡̢̨̹͎̼̻̖̗̭̫̩̣̬̻̦̠̗̰̥͕̗̟̯̰͉͙̯͖̦͚̟̖̞͍̦̙̯̲̲̖̲̲̜͚̓̍͜ͅM̶̧̡̢̧̧̙̥̭̲̖̦͙̘̙͈͓͖̩̜̦͍̦̘͍̘͕̳̜̱͚̥̹͓͕͉͔͕̫̺̮͕̳͖͉̭̺͙̠͖̥͕͖͙̜̉͑͛̎̓̈́͐͋̐̀̏̊̀̽͋̈́͊̄͌̋̌̐̓̄̉̓͒̕̕͝͠͠͝ͅͅͅ

Reynaldo - Reynaldo looks and looks and he does and does, but he does not win this bet. It is the thing he wants most, that he will do all sorts of terrible, horrible-things-that-make-him-want-to-throw-up to get. What is it? 

Omnitraxus Prime - Omni will do anything to protect the multiverse. Including trusting zir dad, who is looking more untrustworthy by the day, and trusting Mina, who was never trustworthy in the first place. Mina has much more training than Star, and strong magical ability from spending three hundred years close to the wand, and it's the best option... right?

Necahua - Necahua is a mess currently, and being a mess leaves you more open to mistakes. Uh oh! Una still loves them, though. 

In fact, I made a short story in my creative writing class about the relationships between Una'met, Necahua, and Cayeto, since I feel they got overlooked in the main story. Yes, no one in my class had any idea what was going on. I'll post it next, before chapters 1 and 2 of s5.

Cayeto - Cayeto is also in the short story. He doesn't play a huge role in the main plot, but he is just another reason Toffee does the things they do. He died hoping that Una and Necahua, specifically, survived, and Necahua died, so he does not have the best grip on reality.

Xocochiapal - Xoco is the de-facto ghost leader of the ghosts now. No legislation without representation, right? Toffee does most of the work, but she's in charge when they can't address a thing right away. She was right despite everyone else blindly going to their deaths, and now everyone knows it. She also was the highest-ranked Septarian to become a ghost, and her hatred of the Mewman occupation is a clear and strong motivation.

Tecoloa - Tecoloa is the voice of reason. The good one. She died protecting her elementary school class from the worst of the heat, and that caring nature has translated into protecting everyone she can. 

Sílthéy - Sílthéy is a character now, and OH BOY is she happy about it. She hates Star and will never get over it, and she loves to remind Star of that fact. She feels immense guilt for what happened with Septarsis, and will never get over that, either. She is a mess, but she's been hiding her messiness for 0/0 years, so she's a pro. And it's not like anyone here can stop her from being a mess, can they? So she'll go on being a mess in her corner, and she'll be fine. Her hobbies include storytelling, dissing Star, and doing the most bizarre stuff in the background of any given scene. She owns her weirdness. She's annoying, but that just makes her more fun to write.

Mocel - Mocel is mad at Eclipsa. She's mad at all Mewmans, really. She cares a lot about Miquiz, and she hates that he's locked up while she, with her lightweight ash body, can sneak out whenever she likes. The world isn't fair, and she knows it.

Miquiz - Miquiz is dying a second time. The dark magic wound on his chest is expanding. He doesn't want to leave, not without seeing the sun again, but he may not have a choice. He doesn't want to leave without saying something to Eclipsa, but again, no choice. He doesn't know what to do.

Tecolo - Tecolo is just vibin. He wants to see Ludo again, and he will, but he's mostly busy having fun with his dead and living relatives after centuries floating in the void.

[oflgtfol]

Do you do commissions? :0c

ahh no sorry!! i dont have a viable way to accept any form of payment and i just dont rlly feel like im.. Good enough?? plus its so hard to get motivated even just for my own pleasure so a sense of Obligation just sounds …. too much for me lmao,,, but

DEPENDING on what it is…. i mayyybe accept requests?? that’d take care of the Not Allowed To Have A Paypal Or Anything Like That issue and also the obligation and i’d feel so mucn more comfortable drawing it bc then like.. it doesnt matter if it came out less than my expectations bc its not like you paid me $30 or anything at all for it… BUT yeah it does depend on what it is, if im comfortable drawing it, if i have the time, if its anything super complicated, yeah bc ultimately it is. free. so its not like im gonna slave for 48 hours straight on it lmao

THIS IS SUCH A RAMBLY ANSWER so tl;dr no to commissions, but maybe yes to drawing it anyway depending on what it is?

[linearao3]

What makes you write fanfiction? I've been thinking about your tweets about free entertainment and the vast majority of people in entertainment being exploited. And I know that's true, so it feels kinda pointless to wish it didn't affect you. But I definitely would pay you for them if it was legal

I have very complicated feelings about this, Anon. On the one hand, it is really tempting to participate in the idealization of fan fiction as an anti-capitalist space. Fan fiction pays in emotion — the satisfaction you get from bringing people something they like, the satisfaction of feeling (ideally) that you’ve done something the way you wanted to do it. You have complete artistic control when you write fanfic, and because the barrier to entry is so low, it’s easier to find an audience than it is if you’re asking people to pay.

On the other hand, nothing really can escape the economic landscape we live in. You may be familiar with the essay How Fan Fiction Makes Us Poor. We can defiantly claim fanfic as a space where we don’t care about money, but it’s a place where we do something that other people get paid for, and we don’t get paid for it. Which isn’t necessarily bad — some people get paid to cook, but I’m not going to charge people if I ask them to dinner at my apartment. On the other hand, when it becomes an expectation, as I think it increasingly has and as I was tweeting about, that all writers should work for free, then it starts to feel less like an individual choice I’m making to give people something I want to give them, and more like I’m conforming to a harmful social pressure.

On yet a third hand, though, or maybe in an ambivalent juggle between the two hands, for a very long time I was a participant in the “legitimate” artistic space of theater. Now, publishing pays like crap — maybe a couple thousand for a book if you’re lucky — but theater pays far worse. There are a lot of reasons for this — mostly, rent has risen while audience wages have remained stagnant, so you can’t really charge a ticket price that can adequately cover both space costs and artist wages. Actors get about $500 a week for a five week process; playwrights get about $100 flat, and are usually expected to contribute to production costs on small productions. So “legitimate” art was basically costing me money, while theoretically existing within a capitalist ecosystem. At least fanfic is more nakedly exploitative, is I guess what I’m trying to say? It’s not acting like it’s doing me a favor. And that is an attraction, for me. I feel freer to not give a fuck and just do what I want.

Anyway I’ve been in a temper lately so this may result in either non-publication (not that I was publishing very briskly to start with) or some fic not really very geared to appeal to anybody but me. I’m sorry to be having a shouting fit in public; I want to be serene about things, I really do. And I really appreciate you reading, very much. The emotions we do this for are real, and I’m grateful for them.

[lol-jackles]

I just read your post about finances and investment properties and found it very interesting! I'm wondering, if you don't mind, what advice would you have for an 18 year old college student (me!) with little to no knowledge of finances, loans, real estate, etc, and only about 4k in savings. Any smart moves I should be making with my money now that will help me later in life? Tips on setting up a passive income? Thank you so so so much!

1. Study to get a practical degree.  That means no communication or gender studies degree.   Even my hippie friends are forbidding their children from pursuing liberal arts degrees.  An art professor I have business with straight up tell his students they should not get an art degree but study business instead because if they are serious about being a professional artist then they will be entrepreneurs and need to know financial management.  So while you're in school take a course on investing or money management or accounting or economics or all of them.

2. Have an emergency fund that covers 3 to 6 months of living expenses: rent, food, and utlity.  Other people say it's 3 to 6 months of your salary.   I have 13 months emergency fund that my financial planner is trying to wean me off of because that much sitting in the bank is not growing money (Oprah used to paranoidly keep $50 million in savings that she called her bag lady fund in case her career implodes).  As a college student I'm assuming your expenses are already paid for - housing, meal plan, etc, that said, you should have at least $1,000 in your emergency fund so you're off to a very good start with your $4,000.  

3. Track your spending by using a spreadsheet or anything on paper. Have all your expenses in it: food, rent, utility, phone contracts, utility, Netflix, Prime, etc.  Also have an area for income and all it’s sources (savings, job, stipends from your parents) and a total.  This starts to give you an idea of your income vs expenditures.  Use this to aid you in living beneath your means by living off of beans and rice that you buy in bulk and prepre meals yourself.  Avoid spending money on alcohol if you can, brew your own coffee.  

4. If possible, NO student loans.  Apply for scholarships, grants, fellowships.  

5. Get a part time paying job, whether during school or a summer internship.  From having an earned income you can open a Roth IRA account because though you may not have much money at your age, but what you do have is TIME.  Invest now for your retirement and it accumulates far faster when you start early than when you start later.  Read this New York Times “Roth IRAs for teenagers” article.  

"A person who contributes the maximum to a Roth IRA beginning at age 19 will have accumulated $330,000 more than one who begins contributing at age 25, by the time each person is 67."

See that?  A 19 years old will have six more figures by the time he retires than the other guy who did the same thing 6 years later.  

You can open an IRA account with your bank, though they are more about saving your money than growing your moneny.  You can go with a brokerage  companies like Charles Schwab,  Fidelity, and Vanguard. 

If you want to just put money in it and forget about it then use a Target Date Fund, you pick when you want to retire and it will re-allocate itself to become more conservative the closer you get to retirement.  Charles Schwab is probably the easist, here is there their target date funds.  You'll most likely want to use the SWYNX fund since you're so far away from retirement.  It's a pretty good way to get started if you're still learning or don't care to learn and just want to save for retirement.

If you want to be more hands-on, they have other mutual funds and you should consider building a portfolio out of low-cost index funds and exchange-traded fund (ETFs), this approach makes it easier to ensure adequate diversification in your portfolio and lower your investing risks and helps minimize the fees you’ll pay. 

I usually don’t advice reddit for advices but here is a good beginner’s guide to IRA.

Reminder, it must be "earned income" in order to open a Roth IRA account, though that hasn't stopped a friend from opening a Roth IRA for his granddaughter who is four years old, naturally the problem is how to create her "earned income" status, and asked me if my former collegues would hire her as a model.  I can't fault him, it's best to open a Roth IRA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE because not only is it the best retirement plan now, but  it could get pulled at any time by the government.

To summerize:

Find a good job that pays well.

Cut down expenses, live within your means.

Destroy high interest debt as much as possible, ideally to have no bad debt

Invest and max out in tax efficiency retirement accounts, put rest into taxable accounts

Time, maintain #2 and #4 for decades

Retire with $1.5 to $3 million dollars to live the rest of your years in a comfortable middle class style

Noticed that I didn’t say that you retire wealthy even though you will have anywhere from $1.5 million to $3 million dollars.  That’s because those millions need to last you 20 to 30 years after you retire.  This is why I’ve said bonds, stocks, and indexes are for maintaining your wealth, it’s not a quick rich scheme.  Sure some people strike it rich with stocks but those are exceptions not the norm, like how lottery winners are rare.

Part II of Buildng your wealth: Real Estate.  For beginners like yourself I suggest this book “ How to Find, Buy, and Rent Houses for Wealth” , it’s sound and detailed without overcomplicating things.  It assumes the readers are looking at buying rental properties the "normal" way and not as a full time gig.  Next find a local mentor that already owns property in the area you would like to own. Real estate investment requires local insight and if you move into commercial investment, things are still very much word-of-mouth and referral-based.  

If you’re serious about real estate as a full time gig then find the real estate investors club (REIC) in your area, people get together and throw ideas around, just be mindful that they are also your competition when it comes to buying a piece of property.  

Until then you can listen to real estate podcast here to get a feel of the industry.

[delicatepersonpeach]

What are the best work-from-home jobs?

I have referenced free Work From Home that should be possible with no speculation.

1. Game analyzer

This kind of home work is ideal for gamers, since you ought to have insight for it. It’s tied in with testing new games for substance and specialized blunders before they hit the market. Such positions are generally well known.

There are additionally offers for stable situations, however these are for the most part independent additional profit on the off chance that you need to telecommute. Contact

For a task as a game analyzer straightforwardly to the product organization, look into present place of employment notices, for instance at Joblift , Adzuna or on the relating situation entrances like Note, notwithstanding, that there isn’t generally cash for the tests.

2. Convenience analyzer

The convenience test is an uncommon type of item test that manages advanced substance. For instance , they test applications, programming or sites for the producer . You assess speed, ease of use and appearance and search for consistent and specialized mistakes. They depend on given test plans and report the outcomes.

Aside from interest and general involvement with taking care of the items to be tried, you needn’t bother with any expert information. Fixation and exact work are significant. The work is useful for understudies and for telecommuting. You can discover extends for stable situations or independent work by means of employment opportunity sheets or web indexes on the Internet. You will obviously likewise secure position offers on the significant organization stages. As we would see it, coming up next are especially suggested:

The compensation is normally execution related. That implies there is a fixed sum for each test.

3. Make advanced items

On the off chance that you make digital books, sound or video courses , you can offer them to however many clients as you need with no extra exertion. These advanced items regularly produce automated revenue even after years . This isn’t about exemplary home work, with which you promptly create ordinary pay, but instead an independently employed action with a high beginning consumption of time. Since the advanced items should offer your clients advantages and meet their quality necessities.

4. Telecommuting as a developer

As a developer, you can likewise function admirably from home, despite the fact that you should obviously have the suitable programming abilities. It is a benefit on the off chance that you have an order of a few programming dialects ​​such as C ++, PHP and Java. Most software engineers spend significant time in data sets or application advancement , for instance . Developers function as workers or specialists. Thusly, understudies can acquire pragmatic experience.

5. Visual creator

Telecommuting is no issue for both independent and utilized visual creators. On account of a business relationship, be that as it may, it relies upon whether the business permits home work. To function as a visual fashioner, you need uncommon abilities that pass on a training or a degree. Nonetheless, the work title isn’t ensured.

6. Website specialist

Website specialists are independently employed or utilized. It is feasible to telecommute as only one PC workstation is required. Much of the time, correspondence with clients happens on the web. On account of a representative relationship, notwithstanding, the business can demand presence in the workplace. A website specialist makes and keeps up the sites of his clients. He should be comfortable with both the specialized and the innovative sides of these assignments.

Website specialists are frequently themselves customers for visual fashioners and publicists. The work requests numerous abilities and offers great pay openings. The client securing happens at the independently employed regularly through its own site, as this is additionally a significant business card of their own work just as web based promoting exercises, notices on entries and references.

7. Video maker

A video maker makes recordings and movies. Normal activities are picture films, publicizing clasps or recordings from private occasions . On the off chance that you are shooting yourself, you can’t work totally from home. Altering, sound altering and embeddings impacts take up an enormous piece of the time.

In the event that telecommuting is essential to you, represent considerable authority in these exercises. To do this, fill in as a consultant with accomplices who focus on recording. There are additionally organizations that are searching for experts for this work.

8. Compose, address or edit messages

Regardless of whether for organization distributions, online shops, sites or magazines , the requirement for content is extraordinary. A lot of this is composed by independent publicists and audited by editors and editors. A corrector focuses on spelling, language and typography blunders. A proofreader likewise checks the substance, design and rationale of the writings. An etymological and, on account of specializations, specialized preparing is a benefit. In any case, sidelong participants with the correct ability can likewise acquaint themselves.

9. Interpret

As an interpreter, you can without much of a stretch work from home. Since, in contrast to a translator , you just interpret recorded as a hard copy . The work title isn’t secured. All things considered, the work sets exclusive standards. You not just need a decent information on the particular unknown dialect and the social qualities of the country, yet additionally need to dominate the nuances of the native language. Besides, expert information is required if the writings manage uncommon points.

It bodes well to practice during your examinations or preparing. Since artistic interpretations have unexpected necessities in comparison to the interpretation of specialized writings or sites. The conceivable profit rely upon the language, your capacities and the kind of text. Numerous interpreters work independent.

10. Information and address recording

In certain associations, it is at times or consistently important to physically gather information . These are, for instance, locations of mail things, records or business cards, yet additionally overview and exploration results. These errands are regularly appointed to consultants. Nonetheless, stable situations are additionally conceivable. Installment depends on the amount, with a fixed cost for every informational index being concurred.

In the event that you consistently accomplish this work as a consultant, you need to enlist at any rate one independent company . For a business relationship, you finish up a work contract. This work isn’t troublesome, however requires a significant degree of fixation. You can secure significant opportunities on position sheets and classifieds. Continuously check whether you can telecommute.

11. Web research

The two organizations and examination foundations infrequently reevaluate research work. These are regularly basic errands, for example, discovering organization information or costs for statistical surveying . Some examination work additionally requires information on the applicable territory, particularly in the logical field. This work functions admirably for understudies.

A fixed cost is paid for every data investigated. You ought to thusly have adequate web insight. These exploration errands are regularly performed by consultants. Work with a business contract is conceivable in singular cases. Relating bids for employment and orders can be secured on the normal position trades, remembering for Joblift or Adzuna .

12. Virtual help

This includes taking on secretarial work for which no presence is required. Organizations like to utilize this choice at busy times or to connect excursion stages. Indeed, even little organizations without their own secretariat utilize this help. The assignments incorporate noting calls, coordinating arrangements or noting messages.

Menial helpers telecommute as independently employed or are utilized by a relating administration organization. In this calling, it is likewise regularly feasible for representatives to telecommute. Installment is made by time or at a fixed cost for assignments taken on. This occupation is additionally reasonable for a primary occupation.

13. Client care

Client care is frequently, yet not generally, founded on a work contract. Since it’s tied in with speaking with an organization’s clients by telephone, email or visit . This requires more broad information on the organization’s items and administrations. You can discover applicable situations hands on trades.

They answer questions, manage client concerns and get grumblings. Cordiality and client direction are thusly the main necessities. Client care can likewise be given without help from anyone else utilized home specialists as a feature of virtual help.

14. YouTube

Your own YouTube channel is additionally reasonable for telecommuting. In the long haul, you can accomplish a decent easy revenue and assemble your own business. However, that likewise implies that there is a ton of exertion before progress. You need to consistently deliver intriguing recordings and utilize smart showcasing to cause to notice your channel. Since this is the best way to arrive at enough endorsers of create a respectable pay.

The pay is produced by setting commercials and through associate connections in the video depiction. YouTubers with an extremely high reach can likewise get item arrangement contracts. Running your own YouTube channel is consistently an autonomous work.

On the off chance that you need to realize how to make your own YouTube divert quickly by any stretch of the imagination, you should watch the accompanying video:

15. Sell DIY items

Do you get a kick out of the chance to be imaginative in your art? At that point you can bring in cash selling your hand crafted items . Sewing and embroidery, independent gems and enlivening things acquire extra pay or even a fundamental pay. You telecommute and can transform your side interest into a calling.

16. Sell stock photographs

As a side interest photographic artist, have you saved a ton of pictures and new ones are continually being added? Utilize this fortune to bring in cash. Positively a portion of your works are appropriate for sites and distributions. About trades, for example, Alamy or iStock can be photograph rights deal .

Obviously, you can’t telecommute simply because you are removing photographs from home. However, you are not attached to fixed working hours and do an enormous piece of the post-handling of the photographs and doling out the watchwords at home.

[sparkcreative17]

5 Tough Questions to Ask an advertising Agency Before You Hire These individuals

There are a lot of great agencies in existence. And there are a lot of bad people too.

So how do you know what that you are really getting when you warning a new agency?

Whether you are substantial enterprise or a small business, you now have a set budget, with a fixed number of resources and a placed amount of time to get it accomplished. Many times you need to rely on a new team of partners that can assist assure you have effectively used your budget and are getting the nearly all from it. Research, instinct, along with experience aside, since the greenback stops with you, it is important to you should definitely have the right team by you Marketing Agency.

So , what I thought can be helpful is to share wide variety my learning's related to selecting the right partner marketing agency that may help you through those times when you may have questions or need to give your entire project to an company.

Tough Question #1: Who'll really be working on my bank account?

Well, that depends. Many agencies have a hierarchical practice structure that requires a single position of contact between the consumer and the agency itself. It creates life easier on the agency's end. From the client view, you would ideally have immediate access (phone, email etc . ) to all individuals working on your current account. This includes everybody from Production Artist up to the man or woman ultimately responsible for your business (usually an Account Executive or organization principal). Ultimately though, this overhead can cost you time and money, which make smaller projects more costly.

This preference is to work with firms that have a more senior man connected to my account. One who knows the in's in addition to outs of getting things performed or is even carrying it out project themselves. Its similar to when I go to a restaurant as well as order my food. I'd like to see a waitress that will take note, identify costs for ala cart items that may or may not be desired, and know that special instructions take longer or will cost considerably more. The same works for an firm. What has generally functioned for me is to either start using a smaller agency where you access more senior staff, as well as make sure you have an experienced profile executive that understands your own personal processes, your business, and their unique firm's cost structure (no ala cart, surprise invoices).

Tough question #2: How can the agency measure promoting success?

That's an easy concern to answer, but only if anyone asks it. There are many ways to trail results via software and also systems... quality of plan responses, number of new customers, music coverage, internet conversions, quality traffic, email clicks, etc . However the first question you need to ask is definitely, what is most important to me as being the client, and is that the most important thing to my "boss"?

Previous to moving forward on a project, determine, what is most important to evaluate, and then what results could well be adequate to justify the moment and cost involved. Regarding though, and look to your advertising and marketing agency to be a partner, not really a huge vendor. For example , you may have encourage generating 100 qualified prospects, but have only a limited funds, a small market, or don't the sales resources to go by up on leads generated. This can be why an experienced Account Account manager and marketing team is really important. They help you set targets so that you can meet them together. Once you have set your goals along with objectives, you can then build a decide to address the cause and-effect romantic relationship between your marketing program and your benefits. Lastly, I cannot stress ample that you communicate them typically to your sales team, executives, in addition to marketing partners as each one will play a role in their achievements.

Tough Question #3: What exactly is market to sell or sector to educate?

Let me answer this kind of question with a question. Would you like sales pressure? I have a tendency. If you are looking to build a long term partnership with a customer, then unquestionably, the better method to use is Education-Based Marketing. People are tired of providing and sales pressure. Confidence needs to be built. You do that through demonstrating that you are a frontrunner in your field and have sorted the problem for others who are very much like themselves. Prospective customers want facts and advice, which is the basis of Education-Based Marketing. In addition to until business owners realize what exactly customers want - and allow it to them - many businesses will continue to get a very poor response to their marketing.

Browse multiple techniques to get your concept across. Training videos on YouTube may well work for some clients, everywhere white papers on the same theme, delivered via email could work better for others. Today, widespread educational techniques include personal blogs, white papers, case experiments, articles and videos... and quite a few can be produced at a quite low cost. Just make sure you are presenting people what they want inside medium they want it inside.

In looking for marketing help support, look for people who specialize in knowledge as well as selling. It will help your personal reputation, your relationship including your SEO results.

Tough Concern #4: How am I those billed for services: upon an hourly rate, project pace or retainer?

A project usually takes 10 minutes or 10 2 or 3 weeks. That being the case, merely were to charge clients on an hourly basis, I'd have to know exactly how longer the project will take and therefore there would be no surprises. The hourly rate means you will find yourself billed exactly on the time frame it takes me to do the career.

In the end, some agencies have got to charge for additional time, consequently must recoup it throughout other areas. I am not as significant a proponent of an on an hourly basis quote because

#1, several skill sets have different fees (ie a Production Musician will not be billed at the same charge as the Creative Director), #2, I have to track hours to specific projects. An admin hassle.

Now of course, for much larger agencies, clients may have essential in that clients can selectively bypass the higher-tiered staff members for ones with a lower payments rate but you don't need to ask a Production Artisan about overall marketing strategy.

To get small projects, ask for being billed in increments that happen to be smaller than 1 hour. For more substantial projects, many smaller shoppers like to be quoted for a project basis. Together most of us develop the plan, I offer a quote, and the project is now completed and paid with stages. It is a good sense of balance when you want to test an agency to get performance and build a longer name working relationship between buyer and agency. It does, nevertheless , mean the agency is much less likely to negotiate terms of agreement since the long term connection may be uncertain.

As an business owner, I personally prefer a retainer-like. Why? Because it allows me to devote costs and hours adequately. And for the client, he/she can certainly count on me for A number of hours allocated to these individuals. This allows for some negotiating bedroom with both parties. For example , when working with a retainer, my talk with the client would be i would usually charge X due to amount of work but in the attention of developing a long-term romance, I'll charge X take away Y%. Furthermore, in the energy of fairness, I didn't quibble if the amount of do the job in a given month was a little over (and My partner and i wouldn't expect that the clientele would complain if a four week period was a little light. Finally, it works out even.

Just one alternative in how I give projects versus other businesses, is that I bundle my very own services into larger plans with a set price design. This allows the client to get the selling point of a retainer model (a cost reduced set of bundled deliverables) with a set price for completion of the undertaking.

Inner Spark Creative is a full service advertising and marketing agency serving clients across the southeastern United States. Services include SEO, pay per click, website design, location marketing, marketing automation, and more.

References SEO

[kauaiphotographers3-blog]

Newborn Photographers: prime 10 Things to seem for

Kauai photographers Choosing newborn photographers of late is nearly as concerned as selecting pediatricians. You raise around to your friends to seek out out United Nations agency they use. You discuss with your folks and go surfing for hours gazing footage, however what do you have to very hunt for during a sensible newborn photographer? What attributes and policies ought to they need and the way does one tell if they need them? This list ought to analysis find the proper one that can document the reminiscences of this special moment in your life.

This is a high 10 list. There could also be additional things that square measure necessary to you. Here's a tip 1st and foremost, build your own list. Use some or all of those suggestions and so raise it with things that ar vital to you and your family. it's additionally necessary to notice that similar to finding true love which good paediatrician, you'll not notice everything on your list. thus take care you recognize what's most vital to you and what you'd be willing to urge "close enough" to or to sacrifice all at once. once more this all comes right down to however you are feeling, therefore make certain you're feeling comfortable!

The top 10 things to appear for in an exceedingly newborn artist are:

   Attention    A Plan    Meeting    A Home choice    Patients    Digital talent    Love    Comfort    Adequate Time temperament

Now for a a lot of careful rationalization. i am going to begin at the highest.

   Attention- you would like to seem for somebody UN agency can offer you their full attention. What I mean by this is often that there ought to completely ne'er be anyone else scheduled  for that photographer's time on an equivalent day as your shoot. Your shoot might solely be 2 close to hours, however it's not attending to facilitate anyone if your creative person is preoccupied thinking of different shoppers. you ought to be their prime priority. the way to tell: it's completely okay to simply raise if you've got an issue in order that is what you'll liquidate this case. merely raise your potential lensman if they schedule multiple shoots on a similar day. you may raise this in email, over the phone, or at their studio if they need one. That goes for the remainder of those "just ask" answers. do not be afraid, I will guarantee they're wont to respondent queries like these.

   A Plan- a very important factor to know in a very newborn shoot is potency. Babies of any age do not very similar to to be dressed, undressed, and altered, over and another time. it's vital that your artist have a minimum of a rough arrange or pattern to travel by on what shots to induce during which order. thereon note but, it's conjointly necessary that your creative person shrewdness to deviate from the set up effectively once a chance for an honest shot presents it's self. a way to tell: this can be another "simply" raise answer as several of those are going to be. you'll simply raise your lensman, "Do you have got a concept or attempt to get sure shots in any specific order?"

   Meeting- explore for a artist World Health Organization would be willing to, or higher nonetheless recommend a gathering with you. This is an excellent chance to urge to understand your creative person and for them to induce to grasp you. I will tell you right away once your lensman has met you face to face instead of simply through Associate in Nursing email or telephone, it'll come back through within the pictures. throughout this meeting you get an opportunity to allow them to grasp your vogue, your temperament, and even some considerations you will have. this is often additionally a good time for the artist to gift their rating, show you merchandise they will supply, have the contract signed, and to urge any deposit paid. the way to tell: Contact the creative person and tell them you're interested. Then raise if they typically wish to meet purchasers before the shoot. Some photographers could even say on their website that they're going to meet with you.

   A Home Option- the simplest time to require newborn portraits is before fortnight getting on. once your baby is that tiny, taking them to AN unknown atmosphere sort of a studio isn't ideal. rummage around for a lensman WHO can return to you. Your artist ought to feel snug in your home and will be ready to get lovely intimate images each with background instrumentality and within the settings for your house. a way to tell: raise wherever the creative person commonly takes newborn photos. Then once you meet with the lensman, if attainable, meet in your home. this might not continually be doable, however it's smart to raise as a result of seeing your home provides the artist nice insight into United Nations agency you're, your personal vogue, and therefore the overall feel of what causes you to comfy.

   Patients- something will happen on a newborn shoot. Your creative person ought to perceive this and have the utmost respect for yours, and most significantly your baby's comfort. If your baby must eat, feed them. Your lensman has to perceive and encourage things like feeding breaks, dynamical breaks, and even tiny breaks simply because if the baby wants time. This patients comes from expertise that may be a style of sub purpose to appear for. Your artist is that the absolute last one who ought to get irritated, frustrated, or sad together with your baby. i might say that though you get aggravated the photographer's job remains to be calm, collected, and even try and make sure you recognize that everything goes to be simply fine. the method to tell: after you met along with your creative person if they appear relaxed and calm then are that way on your shoot in addition. particularly if you're meeting in your home, look to take care that your lensman is snug and assured. you do not need somebody UN agency is acting to a fault nervous or maybe simply awkward being in your home or meeting you for the primary time.

   Digital Skill- it's extraordinarily vital particularly with newborn photography that your artist edit each single photograph when the shoot. Those wealthy black and white pictures high in distinction and superbly classic will solely come back from a beginning sensible photograph as a base combined with digital redaction ability and knowledge. this can be not solely true with black and white pictures. I will guarantee you that ninety nine.9% of all pictures would like a minimum of color correction and your creative person ought to be versed in digital writing. the way to tell: explore the photographer's on-line galleries. Your photos can look terribly similar. except merely raise, "Do you edit each photo?" As a lensman I will tell you that I even have received this question associate degreed it's fully not an inappropriate one to raise.

   Love- It feels like a silly issue to seem for however love could be a vital ingredient permanently newborn images. Your artist should love what they are doing and whereas they're taking your child's portraits they ought to love your baby like their own. they need to conjointly perceive your love for your baby. i do not assume it's 100% needed, however it's going to facilitate if the creative person is additionally a parent particularly if you area unit a touch too involved as most oldsters are right at the start notably with the primary kid. i do know I was! a way to tell: examine their galleries on-line. If the lensman loves what they are doing you will understand as a result of you may love their pictures likewise. you'll be able to additionally scan their "about me" page if they need one to find out a bit additional concerning them. do not be afraid to raise if they need youngsters if that's necessary to you and see however they're once they meet with you. This one extremely should not be too arduous to work out and if it's i might keep wanting.

   Comfort- Your artist ought to recognize that the foremost vital think about obtaining smart newborn images is that the comfort and happiness of the baby. truly the creative person isn't to blame. Even you're not accountable. The baby is that the one guilty and can do what he/she will. Neither you or the lensman will force the child into something. Your artist ought to apprehend this and encourage bottle breaks, frequent diaper changes if necessary, and even just a few mamma baby time. the way to tell: raise your creative person if they encourage breaks and also the like.

   Adequate Time- the quantity of your time the lensman offers you are some things to suppose. regarding 2 hours for a newborn is simply right for many. quite that the baby wont be able to handle. one hour on the opposite hand can possible not be enough because the kid can virtually undoubtedly want some breaks on the approach. A second half to the present purpose is adequate programming time. ensure the artist can permit you to book a session before you've got the baby. as a result of the most effective time to require newborn portraits is before time period older, the simplest factor to try to to is to schedule before you even have the baby. a way to tell: Ge on the photographer's web site or contact them to search out out the number for time they provide as a general sitting time. do not go together with somebody World Health Organization can cause you to pay additional for that second hour. As way as programing goes, simply raise what their policy is on planning newborn sessions for associate unborn  baby. they must allow you to have a warranted spot notwithstanding if the baby is born early, late, or on time.

   Personality- it's important that you simply like your creative person. Find someone who you get along with and could even be your friend. You don't want to be stuck in a contract with someone you don't like or who doesn't understand you and your style.        How to tell: Be in contact with the photographer that you're thinking of using. Call them, set up an appointment to meet in person, email them some ideas you have or some pictures that you like. They should be receptive, supportive, and appreciative or your vision and enthusiasm.

There you are; the top ten things to look for in newborn photographers. Like I mentioned before make your own list of things that are important to you in finding the photographer to document such an amazing time in life of your family. Remember these are memories that you will want to keep for a lifetime and beyond and you have one shot at capturing those memories perfectly, so choose the photographer that is right for you.

808 Pictures. Kauai photographers specializing in family photography, wedding photography, engagement photography, couple photography. Our friendly team of photographers has won photography awards for their outstanding skills and have been published in international magazines. We offer the best prices for photography packages and have hundreds of five-star Google reviews.

References Kauai photographers https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kauai_photographers

[subetaspeaks]

Re: Art vs Stories

I figured I would make a new post instead of just responding because this is important not just for you, "No offense intended", but for all artists.  First of all, as a disclaimer, I may go off on several tangents, repeat myself and this will probably be very long. For that I am sorry. I would like to start off by saying that the issue addressed in your post is not the artist’s fault but rather the fault of an uneducated customer base and your own.  I would also like to express, so that you can follow the rest of the post with ease, that artist and writer go hand in hand in the same category. An artist is not limited to pretty pictures put down onto a piece of paper or a digital canvas. The term “Artist” is wide and diverse and it is important to understand this because it will help you and your customers understand your worth. I am not putting the customer base at fault, but in my experience most just do not understand how much time and effort actually goes into a piece. Why would they if they have never attempted it themselves? They do not live in your shoes and they do not know that you may have spent X amount of time practicing your craft in order to perfect it. It is up to you as an artist to educate them in this matter. Without that education any price that isn't free would look like extortion. With that knowledge however, you can help them understand where your pricing comes from and also help them understand that "Free" comes at a cost to you. When an artist charges for their commission, they actually aren’t just charging for that singular piece. Or at least they shouldn’t be. They are selling a skill that the customer cannot accomplish themselves and they are selling the ability to do so in a certain amount of time. This alone means that it should never be free. It also means that low turn around times are NOT an indicator that the artist puts less effort into their work, but rather the complete opposite.  An artist's skill did not come to them overnight. It took time to develop and to nurture. It took hours of practice and determination, research and countless failures. They had to train themselves  to get to the point that they are at and that alone should be respected.  So why do so many sell themselves short? There are multiple reasons, the top being that they feel that their style is not popular, competition from other artists, and the lack of knowledge. You handing out things for free does not help your case either as it hurts your confidence, hurts other artists, and solidifies this ever growing mentality of self-entitlement. Stand for your ground, and stand for your art regardless of the form it takes. It doesn't matter if you do this for a living, and shame on those for belittling artists who do (you know who you are), or if this is just a hobby; that skill set still took time to develop and you should be paid adequately for it!  I wish I had the post that explains pricing, but I will break it down quickly. Minimum wage here in Texas is $7.25 USD per Hour. This is for an untrained employee who is probably fresh to their field or probably only has 1 year worth of training behind them.  Ideally you should get a pay raise, however much, annually.  Consider this for a moment.  For every 8 hours I work a minimum wage job, I am paid $58 before taxes.  So why is it, customers expect a $20 8 hr commission from an artist? They don't know any better, and if they do they sure as hell aren't going to argue with you if you sit there and agree to it. It falls on you to stand your ground, educate them and to charge what you deserve. If they do not like it? Then remind them that this skill did not come free to you... It should not come free to them either. If you have respect for yourself and other artists your customers will learn to respect you as well... Anyways... I think I have rambled on long enough. Shame me, blame me... block me I don't care. I needed to get this off my chest.  TL;DR Don't hand out stuff for free, don't blame other artists, educate your customer base.

[martin9395]

Dry Natural Herbs From Your Food Items Dehydrator

Dry Natural Herbs From Your Food Items Dehydrator

 This article describes the method of preparing and drying natural herbs in your food items dehydrator, whether it be actually coming from your cannabis backyard, or the produce part at the convenience store. The savings in costs, over costs spent at the market place for weeds, will definitely much more than spend for your dehydrator in a brief opportunity Tianqiao District.

 There would certainly be little bit of disagreement in stating, that the Chefs of the globe, whether they be mommies and also papas in the home kitchen, or the cooking artists of great eating bistros, that utilizing clean weeds are the essence of wonderful foods. Also though they add really little bit of in the technique of nourishment, they do incorporate marvels to a dish. The majority of our company do not possess a year around weed backyard at our disposal, so the following ideal alternative is actually to catch the quality, taste, as well as smell of those cannabis in the very best technique, a meals dehydrator Huangqiao Village.

https://dryer.com.ru/

  Historically, indigenous societies dried herbs in the sunlight, eventually procedures cultivated were actually bag drying out, room drying, oven drying, as well as final, microwave drying out. These approaches do dry herbs yet at the price of reduction of flavor, scent, cleanliness, and protection Jinan.

 Contemporary food items dehydrators certainly not merely do this extra successfully than various other approaches of drying, a much more secure item is actually obtained than a number of the natural herbs coming from over the counter that have undergone irradiation during the course of the drying process Shandong.

 Additional interest needs to become paid out to drying out cannabis, over florals. Your goal ends up being to dry them not for appeal however, for taste and also smell. Temps, humidity, as well as opportunity, become extra vital so as certainly not to lose the significance of the natural herb. Food items dehydrators create great airflow, temp policy along with manageable thermostats, and some styles along with cooking timers. The temperature level selection for weeds is actually 90 degrees F to 105 degrees F, while the moment assortment is actually one to 3 hours. Carry out certainly not dry organic cannabis along with porks, fruits, and also veggies, yet alone, those foods items will incorporate as well a lot moisture to the method if incorporated in the meals dehydrator. To check out the efficiency of the drying out process, squash the herb, it needs to fall apart like an incredibly dry out leaf in autumn, or even only like the natural herbs that visit of those costly tiny jars in the shop China.

 Only a term regarding storage space of organic cannabis. Unquestionably, I just like to keep weeds in clear containers in an open seasoning shelf in the kitchen for going to good friends to find. This is actually find if you use those natural herbs up over a period of numerous months, any sort of longer and also different colors fading takes place. For substantial period storage space, maintain the cannabis out of the light, in air tight jars, or utilize a vacuum sealant to portable all of them if room conserving is preferred Millet Microwave Baking And Curing Equipment.

 In review, producing your own natural weeds at home with a meals dehydrator will certainly end up being a process that will spare money, enrich the foods you bring in, create a degree of complete satisfaction, and also an abundance of helpful next-door neighbors that will definitely drop in typically to acquire only a little bit of seasoning Millet Microwave.

 Freeze Dried Foods - What Are the Options? MRE's, Freeze Dried Food and also Why it is actually a Great Choice

 Freeze drying out is actually a just recently developed strategy of protecting food items packs. It entails the freezing of the food, then eliminating the majority of the foods items humidity within a vacuum cleaner, and finally closing the meals in air-tight storage space. Freeze dried out foods could be transported at regular temperature levels, saved for quite long time frames, and also be actually consumed along with lowest planning. The moment prepared to consume, freeze-dried foods look as well as taste the exact same as the original, all-natural products Millet Microwave Baking.

 Freeze-dried meals was actually created throughout World War II as a strategy of keeping blood for field of battle traumas, without requiring refrigeration or even ruining the natural attribute of the plasma. The modern technology was actually eventually related to foodstuff after the conclusion of the war. Coffee was actually one of the initial freeze-dried products to be actually created widespread. A lot of fruits, veggies, chickens, eggs, as well as meals are actually freeze-dried.

 Freeze-dried meals has several advantages. Given that as long as 98% of the water content has actually been removed, the food items is actually incredibly light-weight, which minimizes the price of delivery. This also creates it popular along with anyone that possesses to lug their food along with them. Given that it needs no refrigeration, delivery and also storage space costs are actually very little. Freeze-dried food is actually additionally relatively clean, as the dehydration procedure makes it basically difficult for yeast and also dangerous germs to survive the method. Finally, since the bodily construct of the food items is not modified throughout the freeze-dried procedure, the meals keeps a lot of its color and also flavor when it is prepped through including water. This creates it even more desirable to folks, than food maintained through other techniques Curing Equipment.

 Some of the significant downsides of freeze-dried meals is its cost. The devices demanded for this procedure is pricey, and the procedure on its own is opportunity eating and delivery demanding. These expenses are actually normally handed down to the buyer, that makes freeze-dried meals extremely pricey when reviewed to various other techniques of meals maintenance including canning or even freezing.

 Raw Materials

 Some foods items are extremely fit to the freeze-drying method. Fluids, lean sections of chicken, and also tiny veggies and fruits may be actually freeze dried out conveniently. Coffee is actually one of the most usual freeze-dried fluid. Chunks or slices of shrimp, crab, seafood, beef, and also hen could be freeze-dried. They are actually typically combined along with vegetables as component of soups or even main dish meals. Nearly all veggies and fruits may be freeze-dried, consisting of grains, corn, greens, tomatoes, berries, lemons, oranges, and blueberries. Also things like olives as well as water chestnuts could be processed by doing this.

 Dense sections of pork and bigger, whole veggies and fruit products container not be freeze dried out along with any sort of results. Along with a lot of other meals, it is simply certainly not efficient to maintain all of them by freeze drying Curing Equipment.

 The Manufacturing Process

 A suspended animation processing center is usually a huge industrial plant along with present day tools. Its own food-handling regions should be actually approved due to the United States Department of Agriculture, as well as the provider and also its own employees should comply with federal government regulative procedures. The vegetation might consist of a getting and also storing place for biting meals that get to the plant wholesale; a food items preparing food region for those foods items that need to be actually cooked just before handling; a sizable location along with several sizable freezing and also drying chambers; as well as a packaging location. The center may additionally feature an analysis area where boosted strategies of freeze-drying meals are cultivated, and an exam kitchen area where new planning approaches to boost the final taste, high quality, as well as texture of the food items are made an effort. Some vegetations are devoted to freeze-drying merely one item like freeze-dried coffee. Others refine a large range of meats, vegetables, and also fruit products. Nonfood items such as chemicals as well as pharmaceuticals are actually usually processed in different vegetations coming from food items items.

 The freeze-drying procedure differs in the information of temperature levels, opportunities, tensions, as well as intermediate actions coming from one food to another. The following is a generalised description of the procedure with a number of certain exemptions kept in mind.

 Examining and also prep work

 The meals is very first inspected for contaminants and also purity. Fruit products, porks, and some various other edibles are evaluated for microbial matters and wasting. A lot of the job of the vegetation is actually dependent on the produce period for each food. In January, as an example, the plant would be processing oatmeal, olives, limes, oranges, and also blueberries. In July, it would process green grains, greens, as well as strawberries, to name a few.

 Some type of food items, like sea food as well as meat products, have to be actually prepared before freeze drying out. They are actually generally purchased actually partitioned small parts. If they have actually not been actually pre-cooked as well as frosted, these foods items are placed in big, industrial-sized teakettles and adequately prepared. Fruits and veggies are actually generally acquired already reduced, pitted, as well as peeled off. These foods are actually simply cleaned with sprays of water. Some veggies, like greens and corn, are promptly heated, or paled, prior to cold. Coffee is actually obtained as a pre-brewed focused liquid. Given that the fragrance of coffee is vital to individuals, a percentage of coffee grain oil may be included in the fluid. Unlike the water, the oil is actually not eliminated during the course of the drying procedure.

 Icy

 The food items pieces are actually spread on standard, metallic holders which are piled twenty to 30 high in slots in a rolled pushcart. Along with meals that has actually been pre-cooked and frosted, the racks are pre-chilled to stop partial thawing during managing. With fluids like coffee, the pre-brewed coffee is poured right into superficial pans. The carts are actually wheeled into a huge, walk-in coldroom where the temperature level could be as reduced as -40 F (-40 C). Within this very cool temp, the food items is swiftly frozen. There are normally a dozen or even more coldrooms effective, and the carts are actually always kept there till it is time to move them right into the drying out chamber.

 Drying out

 The carts are actually wheeled away from the coldroom and also into a vacuum cleaner drying chamber. In the situation of fluids like coffee, the icy coffee is 1st ground up in to little particles in a low-temperature mill. The drying out enclosure is actually a big, long, parallel cylinder with semi-elliptical ends. One end is actually pivoted to open and also shut. When the trays of frozen food parts are within, the enclosure is actually closed and sealed off. In a large plant, there might be twenty to 30 drying enclosures effective any time.

 The drying treatment involves a process called sublimation. In sublimation, a sound material is pushed to modify condition into an effervescent material without ever before becoming a liquid. When it comes to freezedried food, the solid ice crystals entraped in the icy meals parts are actually required to become water vapor without ever before becoming liquid water. In the drying out enclosure, this is actually accomplished through leaving the sky along with an air pump to lower the tension to about 0.036 psi (0.0025 pub). The temperature of the meals is increased to about 100 levels by straight conduction via the base of the racks, radiation from heat lights, or even microwave heating system. When the chamber is left of air, the tension is actually below the threshold at which water may concurrently exist in a strong, liquefied, and gaseous (water vapor) condition. This limit is recognized as the triple aspect of water. Once the stress drops below this aspect, the warmth results in the ice crystals trapped in the frosted items of food to transform directly to water vapor. The vapor is pulled off as well as condensed within the chamber leaving behind the meals at the back of. The dried out food items is actually loaded with little spaces, like a sponge, where the ice crystals were actually when existing. Not only does this produce it simpler for the food items to reabsorb water when it is actually readied for intake, however the dried out food keeps its own original dimension and shape. The time for this drying out procedure varies. Freeze-dried liquids create take just around four hrs to prepare, while semi-solids and solids like soup and also sliced up porks might take 12 hours or even additional.

 Sizing and combinationing

 The dried out meals items are actually cleared away from the drying enclosure as well as examined for moisture information and also pureness.

 Some meals parts may be ground to a smaller sized measurements or may be actually minimized to a particle. Others might be actually screened to separate all of them by size. 2 or even more different products may also be blended together to fulfill a consumers certain specifications.

 Packing

 Freeze-dried meals need to be sealed off in impermeable compartments to prevent all of them coming from absorbing dampness coming from the sky. A number of kinds of compartments might be utilized: plastic laminated aluminum foil pouches, steel and also plastic containers, or metallic and thread drums for bulk packaging. Some freeze-dried food items is suction jam-packed, through which the air is actually evacuated from the compartment prior to securing. Various other meals has an inert gas like nitrogen infused in to the container just before securing to change the oxygen in the air as well as avoid oxidation or even ruining of the food items. The product packaging is actually performed in the freeze-dry vegetation practically as quickly as the foods items show up of the drying chamber. The vegetation can easily create, fill up, as well as secure the bundles to the intended body weight for completion user. Packages that are actually to be actually sold straight to the individual are crammed in containers, stacked on pallets, and also carried to the grocery store warehouse. Other freeze-dried food is actually packaged in bulk and also marketed to a second processor chip for unification into various other food items items. Freeze-dried blueberries, as an example, might be sent to a provider that helps make hot cake as well as muffin mixes.

 Quality assurance

 Each food items has various handling, storage space, as well as rehydration needs. A number of the variables consist of the sizing of the raw foodstuff prior to freezing, the cooking food or even blanching time as well as temperature level, the fee of freezing and also last icy temperature level, the rate of application of suction as well as the final vacuum stress throughout drying out, the rate as well as approach of use of heat and also the last dried item temperature, the allowed residual humidity information after drying, the storing temperature level and also atmosphere (suction, nitrogen, etc) after drying out, and also the rehydration procedures. At big freeze-drying centers, digital microprocessors manage the moments, temperatures, and stress throughout each action of the process. A central computer system collects this data, examines it using statistical quality management procedures, and establishments it for eventually referral. This guarantees that the food delivered to the general public for consumption has actually been via a solely controlled process that satisfies government standards as well as differs only somewhat from batch to batch. The personal computer also accumulates information on the microbial and also wetness levels of the raw, bulk food entering into the plant and also the last freezedried items. Special devices may include electronic gasoline chromatographs and air analyzers. Even the product packaging products are tested for their ability to stop water vapor and also oxygen sending.

[onecreativeproject]

Best SEO Onpage & Offpage Infographics

Usability of a website checklist in 2017

I've been thinking a lot lately about my procedure. Experience is a factor that is potent, but it is rare that people sit down and attempt to map out that which we know. Despite the fact that it is part of my offerings that were paid, I Have decided to share this checklist. Several disclaimers: First, I don't claim this list is comprehensive or unique. Jakob Nielsen has a great 113-level checklist in his e-book, Homepage Usability, for instance. That is just my way of organizing what I feel is important while trying to keep it manageable. Second, my usage of terms may differ from yours. I use "usability" in an extremely broad sense, and my use of "accessibility" isn't very industry standard. Do not like it? Write your own checklist ;) Lastly, an advance warning that this post is quite lengthy. Basic Overview The listing is split into 4 roughly equal sections, (I) Accessibility, (II) Id, (I-II) Navigation, and (IV) Content. I'll describe and rationalize all of the sections and line items under, however you can also obtain the checklist as a simple, 1-page PDF. I try to keep it easy with 3 basic ratings: (1) Green Check Always = Good/Move, (2) Red Check = Wants work, but no disaster, (3) Red X = Bad/Fail. Not allpoints are fundamentally relevant to any or all sites.

Font Size/Spacing Is Effortless to Read

Opinions vary on the best dimensions for text, but err on along side it of slightly also too large. Poor raises frustration, and frustration prospects to website abandonment. Also, make sure your line spacing is adequate - white-space is the best buddy of a designer.

Critical Content Is Above The Fold

The "fold" is that imaginary line where the bottom of your display cuts off a page. Content can fall below the fold, but such a thing crucial to comprehending who you are or that which you do (especially on the home-page) should fit on that first display. Screen-resolution that is average these days is depending on your audience.

Ads & Pop-ups Are Unobtrusive

Ads are a truth of lifestyle, but integrate them properly in to your website. Do not try to force adverts and pop ups down peoples' throats. Also, do individuals a favor and make your ads apparent. Should you blur the line between advertisements and content also significantly, your content may suffer.

Navigation Labels Are Clear & Concise

Don't say "Talk Online With Our Group" when "Contact U-S" will work. Your main navigation should be easy for mere mortals, and short, to the stage to grasp.

Number of Buttons/Links Is Reasonable

Psychologists want to argue about how many bits of information we could process, but should you commence to see through 7-or so menu items, believe hard about whether they are needed by you. In the event that you've got 3 layers of Javascript menus that are flyaway, do your-self a favor and start over.

Company Emblem Is Prominently Placed

Put your logo or brand where it really is simple to find, and that usually signifies the upper- left of the screen. It is expected by people, when you make their lives simple and they like it.

Load -time Is Reasonable

Call me old-school, but I nevertheless want to see sites come in less than 100KB (60KB is even better). In case a site requires for ever to load, most folks will just leave. Yes, lots people have broadband now, but that makes our endurance thinner.

Site Search Is Effortless to Access

Make certain it is prominent, in the event there is a site research. Usability recommendations tend to like the the upper-correct corner of the page. Keep the button easy and apparent - "Search" nonetheless is most effective for most sites.

URLs Are Meaningful & Consumer-friendly

This is really a point of some debate, but significant key-word-based URLs are typically great for both lookup engines and visitors. You don't possess to reengineer a whole website just to get URLs, but do what you can to make them helpful and descriptive.

Major Headings Are Obvious & Descriptive

Most individuals don't read online, they skim. Use headings (major and minor) to set content aside and keep it organized. Headings should be clear, and for SEO gain, using heading tags (, , etc.).

Main Duplicate Is Explanatory & Concise

That isn't a lesson in copywriting, but look a T your homepage - can you say the sam-e factor in two as several words? Try to be concrete and descriptive and a void jargon - no one cares if you can "leverage your synergies".

Tagline Makes Company's Purpose Clear

Answer "What would you do?" concisely with a descriptive tag-line. Avoid advertising jargon and boil your worth proposition that is distinctive down to several words. This can be also an advantage for SEO.

Clear Path to Contact Information

Similarly, visitors want to know if they require to, they can get in contact with you. It's also difficult to do if no one can contact you to do business. Preferably, list your con-Tact information as text (perhaps not in a picture) - it will get found by search engines, including local searches.

Links Are Consistent & Simple to Identify

The underlined, link that is blue is a staple of the web. A little artistic license is okay, but consider a-T least making your links possibly blue or underlined. Links should stand out, and you also ought to use them sparingly enough that your content is n't disrupted by them.

Flash & Add-ons Are Used Sparingly

No matter how great your site looks, individuals won't wait FIVE FULL MINUTES minutes for a plugin to load. Use technologies only once your targets are really enhanced by it and sparingly. Sticking to regular HTML/CSS is a plus for lookup engines.

Emphasis (daring, etc.) Is Used Sparingly

It's a reality of human cognition: you will successfully draw attention to nothing and try to attract attention to everything. We've all seen that site, the one with a red, blinking, underlined "NEW!" next to everything. Don't be that guy.

Clear Way To to Organization Information

The good old "About Us" page may possibly seem dull, but confidence is crucial on the web, and people need a simple method to understand more about you.

HTML Page Titles Are Explanatory

More importantly, your page titles (in the tag) should be descriptive, distinctive, and perhaps not jammed full of keywords. Page titles are the first thing search-engine visitors see, and if those titles do not make sense or look spammy, they will move on to the next result.

Home-page Is Digestible In 5 Seconds

We frequently discuss regarding the 5-second rule. There is some disagreement over exactly how many seconds you get, but readers certainly are a fickle bunch, plus they require to get the basic gist of your home-page in just a number of moments.

Adequate Text-to-Background Contrast

Dark-grey on light-grey may seem fashionable, but I'm-not going to damage my eyesight to study your blog. Screens and eyes differ wildly, s O keep your core duplicate contrast high. Good, oldfashioned black-on-white is still best more often than not.

Styles & Shades Are Consistent

Make sure people know they are still on your own site by being consistent - confuse them-and you're going to lose them. Headings layout, and styles should be steady website-extensive, and colours should usually have the sam e meaning. Do not use text that is red, red links on another, and red headers on onepage somewhere else.

Site H As Custom Maybe Not-discovered/404 Page

If your page in your site does not exist, a white page with "4 4 Maybe Not Found" is a good way to lose a consumer. Create a custom 404 page, ideally one that guides your visitors to content.

Company Logo Is Connected To Residence-page

This might sound minor, but people expect logos to hyperlink to home-pages, and confusion follows when they they do not. I have seen video of consumers hitting an emblem over and over, without any idea what things to do next.

Images Have Proper ALT Tags

Not only do sight-impaired visitors use ALT tags, but search engines require them to comprehend your images. This can be especially critical when you use pictures for content that is crucial, for example menu items.

Main Navigation Is Easily Identifiable

Every website on the internet has had a primary menu since the browsers came on the marketplace. Make your main navigation effortless study, to find, and use. Should you've even more or two navigation places, make it clear why they are different.

[goldmemberzz]

Best SEO Onpage & Offpage Infographics

Usability of a website checklist in 2017

I've been thinking a lot lately about my procedure. Experience is a factor that is potent, but it is rare that people sit down and attempt to map out that which we know. Despite the fact that it is part of my offerings that were paid, I Have decided to share this checklist. Several disclaimers: First, I don't claim this list is comprehensive or unique. Jakob Nielsen has a great 113-level checklist in his e-book, Homepage Usability, for instance. That is just my way of organizing what I feel is important while trying to keep it manageable. Second, my usage of terms may differ from yours. I use "usability" in an extremely broad sense, and my use of "accessibility" isn't very industry standard. Do not like it? Write your own checklist ;) Lastly, an advance warning that this post is quite lengthy. Basic Overview The listing is split into 4 roughly equal sections, (I) Accessibility, (II) Id, (I-II) Navigation, and (IV) Content. I'll describe and rationalize all of the sections and line items under, however you can also obtain the checklist as a simple, 1-page PDF. I try to keep it easy with 3 basic ratings: (1) Green Check Always = Good/Move, (2) Red Check = Wants work, but no disaster, (3) Red X = Bad/Fail. Not allpoints are fundamentally relevant to any or all sites.

Font Size/Spacing Is Effortless to Read

Opinions vary on the best dimensions for text, but err on along side it of slightly also too large. Poor raises frustration, and frustration prospects to website abandonment. Also, make sure your line spacing is adequate - white-space is the best buddy of a designer.

Critical Content Is Above The Fold

The "fold" is that imaginary line where the bottom of your display cuts off a page. Content can fall below the fold, but such a thing crucial to comprehending who you are or that which you do (especially on the home-page) should fit on that first display. Screen-resolution that is average these days is depending on your audience.

Ads & Pop-ups Are Unobtrusive

Ads are a truth of lifestyle, but integrate them properly in to your website. Do not try to force adverts and pop ups down peoples' throats. Also, do individuals a favor and make your ads apparent. Should you blur the line between advertisements and content also significantly, your content may suffer.

Navigation Labels Are Clear & Concise

Don't say "Talk Online With Our Group" when "Contact U-S" will work. Your main navigation should be easy for mere mortals, and short, to the stage to grasp.

Number of Buttons/Links Is Reasonable

Psychologists want to argue about how many bits of information we could process, but should you commence to see through 7-or so menu items, believe hard about whether they are needed by you. In the event that you've got 3 layers of Javascript menus that are flyaway, do your-self a favor and start over.

Company Emblem Is Prominently Placed

Put your logo or brand where it really is simple to find, and that usually signifies the upper- left of the screen. It is expected by people, when you make their lives simple and they like it.

Load -time Is Reasonable

Call me old-school, but I nevertheless want to see sites come in less than 100KB (60KB is even better). In case a site requires for ever to load, most folks will just leave. Yes, lots people have broadband now, but that makes our endurance thinner.

Site Search Is Effortless to Access

Make certain it is prominent, in the event there is a site research. Usability recommendations tend to like the the upper-correct corner of the page. Keep the button easy and apparent - "Search" nonetheless is most effective for most sites.

URLs Are Meaningful & Consumer-friendly

This is really a point of some debate, but significant key-word-based URLs are typically great for both lookup engines and visitors. You don't possess to reengineer a whole website just to get URLs, but do what you can to make them helpful and descriptive.

Major Headings Are Obvious & Descriptive

Most individuals don't read online, they skim. Use headings (major and minor) to set content aside and keep it organized. Headings should be clear, and for SEO gain, using heading tags (, , etc.).

Main Duplicate Is Explanatory & Concise

That isn't a lesson in copywriting, but look a T your homepage - can you say the sam-e factor in two as several words? Try to be concrete and descriptive and a void jargon - no one cares if you can "leverage your synergies".

Tagline Makes Company's Purpose Clear

Answer "What would you do?" concisely with a descriptive tag-line. Avoid advertising jargon and boil your worth proposition that is distinctive down to several words. This can be also an advantage for SEO.

Clear Path to Contact Information

Similarly, visitors want to know if they require to, they can get in contact with you. It's also difficult to do if no one can contact you to do business. Preferably, list your con-Tact information as text (perhaps not in a picture) - it will get found by search engines, including local searches.

Links Are Consistent & Simple to Identify

The underlined, link that is blue is a staple of the web. A little artistic license is okay, but consider a-T least making your links possibly blue or underlined. Links should stand out, and you also ought to use them sparingly enough that your content is n't disrupted by them.

Flash & Add-ons Are Used Sparingly

No matter how great your site looks, individuals won't wait FIVE FULL MINUTES minutes for a plugin to load. Use technologies only once your targets are really enhanced by it and sparingly. Sticking to regular HTML/CSS is a plus for lookup engines.

Emphasis (daring, etc.) Is Used Sparingly

It's a reality of human cognition: you will successfully draw attention to nothing and try to attract attention to everything. We've all seen that site, the one with a red, blinking, underlined "NEW!" next to everything. Don't be that guy.

Clear Way To to Organization Information

The good old "About Us" page may possibly seem dull, but confidence is crucial on the web, and people need a simple method to understand more about you.

HTML Page Titles Are Explanatory

More importantly, your page titles (in the tag) should be descriptive, distinctive, and perhaps not jammed full of keywords. Page titles are the first thing search-engine visitors see, and if those titles do not make sense or look spammy, they will move on to the next result.

Home-page Is Digestible In 5 Seconds

We frequently discuss regarding the 5-second rule. There is some disagreement over exactly how many seconds you get, but readers certainly are a fickle bunch, plus they require to get the basic gist of your home-page in just a number of moments.

Adequate Text-to-Background Contrast

Dark-grey on light-grey may seem fashionable, but I'm-not going to damage my eyesight to study your blog. Screens and eyes differ wildly, s O keep your core duplicate contrast high. Good, oldfashioned black-on-white is still best more often than not.

Styles & Shades Are Consistent

Make sure people know they are still on your own site by being consistent - confuse them-and you're going to lose them. Headings layout, and styles should be steady website-extensive, and colours should usually have the sam e meaning. Do not use text that is red, red links on another, and red headers on onepage somewhere else.

Site H As Custom Maybe Not-discovered/404 Page

If your page in your site does not exist, a white page with "4 4 Maybe Not Found" is a good way to lose a consumer. Create a custom 404 page, ideally one that guides your visitors to content.

Company Logo Is Connected To Residence-page

This might sound minor, but people expect logos to hyperlink to home-pages, and confusion follows when they they do not. I have seen video of consumers hitting an emblem over and over, without any idea what things to do next.

Images Have Proper ALT Tags

Not only do sight-impaired visitors use ALT tags, but search engines require them to comprehend your images. This can be especially critical when you use pictures for content that is crucial, for example menu items.

Main Navigation Is Easily Identifiable

Every website on the internet has had a primary menu since the browsers came on the marketplace. Make your main navigation effortless study, to find, and use. Should you've even more or two navigation places, make it clear why they are different.

[a-clouded-melange]

Best SEO Onpage & Offpage Infographics

Usability of a website checklist in 2017

I've been thinking a lot lately about my procedure. Experience is a factor that is potent, but it is rare that people sit down and attempt to map out that which we know. Despite the fact that it is part of my offerings that were paid, I Have decided to share this checklist. Several disclaimers: First, I don't claim this list is comprehensive or unique. Jakob Nielsen has a great 113-level checklist in his e-book, Homepage Usability, for instance. That is just my way of organizing what I feel is important while trying to keep it manageable. Second, my usage of terms may differ from yours. I use "usability" in an extremely broad sense, and my use of "accessibility" isn't very industry standard. Do not like it? Write your own checklist ;) Lastly, an advance warning that this post is quite lengthy. Basic Overview The listing is split into 4 roughly equal sections, (I) Accessibility, (II) Id, (I-II) Navigation, and (IV) Content. I'll describe and rationalize all of the sections and line items under, however you can also obtain the checklist as a simple, 1-page PDF. I try to keep it easy with 3 basic ratings: (1) Green Check Always = Good/Move, (2) Red Check = Wants work, but no disaster, (3) Red X = Bad/Fail. Not allpoints are fundamentally relevant to any or all sites.

Font Size/Spacing Is Effortless to Read

Opinions vary on the best dimensions for text, but err on along side it of slightly also too large. Poor raises frustration, and frustration prospects to website abandonment. Also, make sure your line spacing is adequate - white-space is the best buddy of a designer.

Critical Content Is Above The Fold

The "fold" is that imaginary line where the bottom of your display cuts off a page. Content can fall below the fold, but such a thing crucial to comprehending who you are or that which you do (especially on the home-page) should fit on that first display. Screen-resolution that is average these days is depending on your audience.

Ads & Pop-ups Are Unobtrusive

Ads are a truth of lifestyle, but integrate them properly in to your website. Do not try to force adverts and pop ups down peoples' throats. Also, do individuals a favor and make your ads apparent. Should you blur the line between advertisements and content also significantly, your content may suffer.

Navigation Labels Are Clear & Concise

Don't say "Talk Online With Our Group" when "Contact U-S" will work. Your main navigation should be easy for mere mortals, and short, to the stage to grasp.

Number of Buttons/Links Is Reasonable

Psychologists want to argue about how many bits of information we could process, but should you commence to see through 7-or so menu items, believe hard about whether they are needed by you. In the event that you've got 3 layers of Javascript menus that are flyaway, do your-self a favor and start over.

Company Emblem Is Prominently Placed

Put your logo or brand where it really is simple to find, and that usually signifies the upper- left of the screen. It is expected by people, when you make their lives simple and they like it.

Load -time Is Reasonable

Call me old-school, but I nevertheless want to see sites come in less than 100KB (60KB is even better). In case a site requires for ever to load, most folks will just leave. Yes, lots people have broadband now, but that makes our endurance thinner.

Site Search Is Effortless to Access

Make certain it is prominent, in the event there is a site research. Usability recommendations tend to like the the upper-correct corner of the page. Keep the button easy and apparent - "Search" nonetheless is most effective for most sites.

URLs Are Meaningful & Consumer-friendly

This is really a point of some debate, but significant key-word-based URLs are typically great for both lookup engines and visitors. You don't possess to reengineer a whole website just to get URLs, but do what you can to make them helpful and descriptive.

Major Headings Are Obvious & Descriptive

Most individuals don't read online, they skim. Use headings (major and minor) to set content aside and keep it organized. Headings should be clear, and for SEO gain, using heading tags (, , etc.).

Main Duplicate Is Explanatory & Concise

That isn't a lesson in copywriting, but look a T your homepage - can you say the sam-e factor in two as several words? Try to be concrete and descriptive and a void jargon - no one cares if you can "leverage your synergies".

Tagline Makes Company's Purpose Clear

Answer "What would you do?" concisely with a descriptive tag-line. Avoid advertising jargon and boil your worth proposition that is distinctive down to several words. This can be also an advantage for SEO.

Clear Path to Contact Information

Similarly, visitors want to know if they require to, they can get in contact with you. It's also difficult to do if no one can contact you to do business. Preferably, list your con-Tact information as text (perhaps not in a picture) - it will get found by search engines, including local searches.

Links Are Consistent & Simple to Identify

The underlined, link that is blue is a staple of the web. A little artistic license is okay, but consider a-T least making your links possibly blue or underlined. Links should stand out, and you also ought to use them sparingly enough that your content is n't disrupted by them.

Flash & Add-ons Are Used Sparingly

No matter how great your site looks, individuals won't wait FIVE FULL MINUTES minutes for a plugin to load. Use technologies only once your targets are really enhanced by it and sparingly. Sticking to regular HTML/CSS is a plus for lookup engines.

Emphasis (daring, etc.) Is Used Sparingly

It's a reality of human cognition: you will successfully draw attention to nothing and try to attract attention to everything. We've all seen that site, the one with a red, blinking, underlined "NEW!" next to everything. Don't be that guy.

Clear Way To to Organization Information

The good old "About Us" page may possibly seem dull, but confidence is crucial on the web, and people need a simple method to understand more about you.

HTML Page Titles Are Explanatory

More importantly, your page titles (in the tag) should be descriptive, distinctive, and perhaps not jammed full of keywords. Page titles are the first thing search-engine visitors see, and if those titles do not make sense or look spammy, they will move on to the next result.

Home-page Is Digestible In 5 Seconds

We frequently discuss regarding the 5-second rule. There is some disagreement over exactly how many seconds you get, but readers certainly are a fickle bunch, plus they require to get the basic gist of your home-page in just a number of moments.

Adequate Text-to-Background Contrast

Dark-grey on light-grey may seem fashionable, but I'm-not going to damage my eyesight to study your blog. Screens and eyes differ wildly, s O keep your core duplicate contrast high. Good, oldfashioned black-on-white is still best more often than not.

Styles & Shades Are Consistent

Make sure people know they are still on your own site by being consistent - confuse them-and you're going to lose them. Headings layout, and styles should be steady website-extensive, and colours should usually have the sam e meaning. Do not use text that is red, red links on another, and red headers on onepage somewhere else.

Site H As Custom Maybe Not-discovered/404 Page

If your page in your site does not exist, a white page with "4 4 Maybe Not Found" is a good way to lose a consumer. Create a custom 404 page, ideally one that guides your visitors to content.

Company Logo Is Connected To Residence-page

This might sound minor, but people expect logos to hyperlink to home-pages, and confusion follows when they they do not. I have seen video of consumers hitting an emblem over and over, without any idea what things to do next.

Images Have Proper ALT Tags

Not only do sight-impaired visitors use ALT tags, but search engines require them to comprehend your images. This can be especially critical when you use pictures for content that is crucial, for example menu items.

Main Navigation Is Easily Identifiable

Every website on the internet has had a primary menu since the browsers came on the marketplace. Make your main navigation effortless study, to find, and use. Should you've even more or two navigation places, make it clear why they are different.

[bottled-thoughtss]

Best SEO Onpage & Offpage Infographics

Usability of a website checklist in 2017

I've been thinking a lot lately about my procedure. Experience is a factor that is potent, but it is rare that people sit down and attempt to map out that which we know. Despite the fact that it is part of my offerings that were paid, I Have decided to share this checklist. Several disclaimers: First, I don't claim this list is comprehensive or unique. Jakob Nielsen has a great 113-level checklist in his e-book, Homepage Usability, for instance. That is just my way of organizing what I feel is important while trying to keep it manageable. Second, my usage of terms may differ from yours. I use "usability" in an extremely broad sense, and my use of "accessibility" isn't very industry standard. Do not like it? Write your own checklist ;) Lastly, an advance warning that this post is quite lengthy. Basic Overview The listing is split into 4 roughly equal sections, (I) Accessibility, (II) Id, (I-II) Navigation, and (IV) Content. I'll describe and rationalize all of the sections and line items under, however you can also obtain the checklist as a simple, 1-page PDF. I try to keep it easy with 3 basic ratings: (1) Green Check Always = Good/Move, (2) Red Check = Wants work, but no disaster, (3) Red X = Bad/Fail. Not allpoints are fundamentally relevant to any or all sites.

Font Size/Spacing Is Effortless to Read

Opinions vary on the best dimensions for text, but err on along side it of slightly also too large. Poor raises frustration, and frustration prospects to website abandonment. Also, make sure your line spacing is adequate - white-space is the best buddy of a designer.

Critical Content Is Above The Fold

The "fold" is that imaginary line where the bottom of your display cuts off a page. Content can fall below the fold, but such a thing crucial to comprehending who you are or that which you do (especially on the home-page) should fit on that first display. Screen-resolution that is average these days is depending on your audience.

Ads & Pop-ups Are Unobtrusive

Ads are a truth of lifestyle, but integrate them properly in to your website. Do not try to force adverts and pop ups down peoples' throats. Also, do individuals a favor and make your ads apparent. Should you blur the line between advertisements and content also significantly, your content may suffer.

Navigation Labels Are Clear & Concise

Don't say "Talk Online With Our Group" when "Contact U-S" will work. Your main navigation should be easy for mere mortals, and short, to the stage to grasp.

Number of Buttons/Links Is Reasonable

Psychologists want to argue about how many bits of information we could process, but should you commence to see through 7-or so menu items, believe hard about whether they are needed by you. In the event that you've got 3 layers of Javascript menus that are flyaway, do your-self a favor and start over.

Company Emblem Is Prominently Placed

Put your logo or brand where it really is simple to find, and that usually signifies the upper- left of the screen. It is expected by people, when you make their lives simple and they like it.

Load -time Is Reasonable

Call me old-school, but I nevertheless want to see sites come in less than 100KB (60KB is even better). In case a site requires for ever to load, most folks will just leave. Yes, lots people have broadband now, but that makes our endurance thinner.

Site Search Is Effortless to Access

Make certain it is prominent, in the event there is a site research. Usability recommendations tend to like the the upper-correct corner of the page. Keep the button easy and apparent - "Search" nonetheless is most effective for most sites.

URLs Are Meaningful & Consumer-friendly

This is really a point of some debate, but significant key-word-based URLs are typically great for both lookup engines and visitors. You don't possess to reengineer a whole website just to get URLs, but do what you can to make them helpful and descriptive.

Major Headings Are Obvious & Descriptive

Most individuals don't read online, they skim. Use headings (major and minor) to set content aside and keep it organized. Headings should be clear, and for SEO gain, using heading tags (, , etc.).

Main Duplicate Is Explanatory & Concise

That isn't a lesson in copywriting, but look a T your homepage - can you say the sam-e factor in two as several words? Try to be concrete and descriptive and a void jargon - no one cares if you can "leverage your synergies".

Tagline Makes Company's Purpose Clear

Answer "What would you do?" concisely with a descriptive tag-line. Avoid advertising jargon and boil your worth proposition that is distinctive down to several words. This can be also an advantage for SEO.

Clear Path to Contact Information

Similarly, visitors want to know if they require to, they can get in contact with you. It's also difficult to do if no one can contact you to do business. Preferably, list your con-Tact information as text (perhaps not in a picture) - it will get found by search engines, including local searches.

Links Are Consistent & Simple to Identify

The underlined, link that is blue is a staple of the web. A little artistic license is okay, but consider a-T least making your links possibly blue or underlined. Links should stand out, and you also ought to use them sparingly enough that your content is n't disrupted by them.

Flash & Add-ons Are Used Sparingly

No matter how great your site looks, individuals won't wait FIVE FULL MINUTES minutes for a plugin to load. Use technologies only once your targets are really enhanced by it and sparingly. Sticking to regular HTML/CSS is a plus for lookup engines.

Emphasis (daring, etc.) Is Used Sparingly

It's a reality of human cognition: you will successfully draw attention to nothing and try to attract attention to everything. We've all seen that site, the one with a red, blinking, underlined "NEW!" next to everything. Don't be that guy.

Clear Way To to Organization Information

The good old "About Us" page may possibly seem dull, but confidence is crucial on the web, and people need a simple method to understand more about you.

HTML Page Titles Are Explanatory

More importantly, your page titles (in the tag) should be descriptive, distinctive, and perhaps not jammed full of keywords. Page titles are the first thing search-engine visitors see, and if those titles do not make sense or look spammy, they will move on to the next result.

Home-page Is Digestible In 5 Seconds

We frequently discuss regarding the 5-second rule. There is some disagreement over exactly how many seconds you get, but readers certainly are a fickle bunch, plus they require to get the basic gist of your home-page in just a number of moments.

Adequate Text-to-Background Contrast

Dark-grey on light-grey may seem fashionable, but I'm-not going to damage my eyesight to study your blog. Screens and eyes differ wildly, s O keep your core duplicate contrast high. Good, oldfashioned black-on-white is still best more often than not.

Styles & Shades Are Consistent

Make sure people know they are still on your own site by being consistent - confuse them-and you're going to lose them. Headings layout, and styles should be steady website-extensive, and colours should usually have the sam e meaning. Do not use text that is red, red links on another, and red headers on onepage somewhere else.

Site H As Custom Maybe Not-discovered/404 Page

If your page in your site does not exist, a white page with "4 4 Maybe Not Found" is a good way to lose a consumer. Create a custom 404 page, ideally one that guides your visitors to content.

Company Logo Is Connected To Residence-page

This might sound minor, but people expect logos to hyperlink to home-pages, and confusion follows when they they do not. I have seen video of consumers hitting an emblem over and over, without any idea what things to do next.

Images Have Proper ALT Tags

Not only do sight-impaired visitors use ALT tags, but search engines require them to comprehend your images. This can be especially critical when you use pictures for content that is crucial, for example menu items.

Main Navigation Is Easily Identifiable

Every website on the internet has had a primary menu since the browsers came on the marketplace. Make your main navigation effortless study, to find, and use. Should you've even more or two navigation places, make it clear why they are different.

[getyourtitsoutlove]

Best SEO Onpage & Offpage Infographics

Usability of a website checklist in 2017

I've been thinking a lot lately about my procedure. Experience is a factor that is potent, but it is rare that people sit down and attempt to map out that which we know. Despite the fact that it is part of my offerings that were paid, I Have decided to share this checklist. Several disclaimers: First, I don't claim this list is comprehensive or unique. Jakob Nielsen has a great 113-level checklist in his e-book, Homepage Usability, for instance. That is just my way of organizing what I feel is important while trying to keep it manageable. Second, my usage of terms may differ from yours. I use "usability" in an extremely broad sense, and my use of "accessibility" isn't very industry standard. Do not like it? Write your own checklist ;) Lastly, an advance warning that this post is quite lengthy. Basic Overview The listing is split into 4 roughly equal sections, (I) Accessibility, (II) Id, (I-II) Navigation, and (IV) Content. I'll describe and rationalize all of the sections and line items under, however you can also obtain the checklist as a simple, 1-page PDF. I try to keep it easy with 3 basic ratings: (1) Green Check Always = Good/Move, (2) Red Check = Wants work, but no disaster, (3) Red X = Bad/Fail. Not allpoints are fundamentally relevant to any or all sites.

Font Size/Spacing Is Effortless to Read

Opinions vary on the best dimensions for text, but err on along side it of slightly also too large. Poor raises frustration, and frustration prospects to website abandonment. Also, make sure your line spacing is adequate - white-space is the best buddy of a designer.

Critical Content Is Above The Fold

The "fold" is that imaginary line where the bottom of your display cuts off a page. Content can fall below the fold, but such a thing crucial to comprehending who you are or that which you do (especially on the home-page) should fit on that first display. Screen-resolution that is average these days is depending on your audience.

Ads & Pop-ups Are Unobtrusive

Ads are a truth of lifestyle, but integrate them properly in to your website. Do not try to force adverts and pop ups down peoples' throats. Also, do individuals a favor and make your ads apparent. Should you blur the line between advertisements and content also significantly, your content may suffer.

Navigation Labels Are Clear & Concise

Don't say "Talk Online With Our Group" when "Contact U-S" will work. Your main navigation should be easy for mere mortals, and short, to the stage to grasp.

Number of Buttons/Links Is Reasonable

Psychologists want to argue about how many bits of information we could process, but should you commence to see through 7-or so menu items, believe hard about whether they are needed by you. In the event that you've got 3 layers of Javascript menus that are flyaway, do your-self a favor and start over.

Company Emblem Is Prominently Placed

Put your logo or brand where it really is simple to find, and that usually signifies the upper- left of the screen. It is expected by people, when you make their lives simple and they like it.

Load -time Is Reasonable

Call me old-school, but I nevertheless want to see sites come in less than 100KB (60KB is even better). In case a site requires for ever to load, most folks will just leave. Yes, lots people have broadband now, but that makes our endurance thinner.

Site Search Is Effortless to Access

Make certain it is prominent, in the event there is a site research. Usability recommendations tend to like the the upper-correct corner of the page. Keep the button easy and apparent - "Search" nonetheless is most effective for most sites.

URLs Are Meaningful & Consumer-friendly

This is really a point of some debate, but significant key-word-based URLs are typically great for both lookup engines and visitors. You don't possess to reengineer a whole website just to get URLs, but do what you can to make them helpful and descriptive.

Major Headings Are Obvious & Descriptive

Most individuals don't read online, they skim. Use headings (major and minor) to set content aside and keep it organized. Headings should be clear, and for SEO gain, using heading tags (, , etc.).

Main Duplicate Is Explanatory & Concise

That isn't a lesson in copywriting, but look a T your homepage - can you say the sam-e factor in two as several words? Try to be concrete and descriptive and a void jargon - no one cares if you can "leverage your synergies".

Tagline Makes Company's Purpose Clear

Answer "What would you do?" concisely with a descriptive tag-line. Avoid advertising jargon and boil your worth proposition that is distinctive down to several words. This can be also an advantage for SEO.

Clear Path to Contact Information

Similarly, visitors want to know if they require to, they can get in contact with you. It's also difficult to do if no one can contact you to do business. Preferably, list your con-Tact information as text (perhaps not in a picture) - it will get found by search engines, including local searches.

Links Are Consistent & Simple to Identify

The underlined, link that is blue is a staple of the web. A little artistic license is okay, but consider a-T least making your links possibly blue or underlined. Links should stand out, and you also ought to use them sparingly enough that your content is n't disrupted by them.

Flash & Add-ons Are Used Sparingly

No matter how great your site looks, individuals won't wait FIVE FULL MINUTES minutes for a plugin to load. Use technologies only once your targets are really enhanced by it and sparingly. Sticking to regular HTML/CSS is a plus for lookup engines.

Emphasis (daring, etc.) Is Used Sparingly

It's a reality of human cognition: you will successfully draw attention to nothing and try to attract attention to everything. We've all seen that site, the one with a red, blinking, underlined "NEW!" next to everything. Don't be that guy.

Clear Way To to Organization Information

The good old "About Us" page may possibly seem dull, but confidence is crucial on the web, and people need a simple method to understand more about you.

HTML Page Titles Are Explanatory

More importantly, your page titles (in the tag) should be descriptive, distinctive, and perhaps not jammed full of keywords. Page titles are the first thing search-engine visitors see, and if those titles do not make sense or look spammy, they will move on to the next result.

Home-page Is Digestible In 5 Seconds

We frequently discuss regarding the 5-second rule. There is some disagreement over exactly how many seconds you get, but readers certainly are a fickle bunch, plus they require to get the basic gist of your home-page in just a number of moments.

Adequate Text-to-Background Contrast

Dark-grey on light-grey may seem fashionable, but I'm-not going to damage my eyesight to study your blog. Screens and eyes differ wildly, s O keep your core duplicate contrast high. Good, oldfashioned black-on-white is still best more often than not.

Styles & Shades Are Consistent

Make sure people know they are still on your own site by being consistent - confuse them-and you're going to lose them. Headings layout, and styles should be steady website-extensive, and colours should usually have the sam e meaning. Do not use text that is red, red links on another, and red headers on onepage somewhere else.

Site H As Custom Maybe Not-discovered/404 Page

If your page in your site does not exist, a white page with "4 4 Maybe Not Found" is a good way to lose a consumer. Create a custom 404 page, ideally one that guides your visitors to content.

Company Logo Is Connected To Residence-page

This might sound minor, but people expect logos to hyperlink to home-pages, and confusion follows when they they do not. I have seen video of consumers hitting an emblem over and over, without any idea what things to do next.

Images Have Proper ALT Tags

Not only do sight-impaired visitors use ALT tags, but search engines require them to comprehend your images. This can be especially critical when you use pictures for content that is crucial, for example menu items.

Main Navigation Is Easily Identifiable

Every website on the internet has had a primary menu since the browsers came on the marketplace. Make your main navigation effortless study, to find, and use. Should you've even more or two navigation places, make it clear why they are different.

[bruisedmango]

Best SEO Onpage & Offpage Infographics

Usability of a website checklist in 2017

I've been thinking a lot lately about my procedure. Experience is a factor that is potent, but it is rare that people sit down and attempt to map out that which we know. Despite the fact that it is part of my offerings that were paid, I Have decided to share this checklist. Several disclaimers: First, I don't claim this list is comprehensive or unique. Jakob Nielsen has a great 113-level checklist in his e-book, Homepage Usability, for instance. That is just my way of organizing what I feel is important while trying to keep it manageable. Second, my usage of terms may differ from yours. I use "usability" in an extremely broad sense, and my use of "accessibility" isn't very industry standard. Do not like it? Write your own checklist ;) Lastly, an advance warning that this post is quite lengthy. Basic Overview The listing is split into 4 roughly equal sections, (I) Accessibility, (II) Id, (I-II) Navigation, and (IV) Content. I'll describe and rationalize all of the sections and line items under, however you can also obtain the checklist as a simple, 1-page PDF. I try to keep it easy with 3 basic ratings: (1) Green Check Always = Good/Move, (2) Red Check = Wants work, but no disaster, (3) Red X = Bad/Fail. Not allpoints are fundamentally relevant to any or all sites.

Font Size/Spacing Is Effortless to Read

Opinions vary on the best dimensions for text, but err on along side it of slightly also too large. Poor raises frustration, and frustration prospects to website abandonment. Also, make sure your line spacing is adequate - white-space is the best buddy of a designer.

Critical Content Is Above The Fold

The "fold" is that imaginary line where the bottom of your display cuts off a page. Content can fall below the fold, but such a thing crucial to comprehending who you are or that which you do (especially on the home-page) should fit on that first display. Screen-resolution that is average these days is depending on your audience.

Ads & Pop-ups Are Unobtrusive

Ads are a truth of lifestyle, but integrate them properly in to your website. Do not try to force adverts and pop ups down peoples' throats. Also, do individuals a favor and make your ads apparent. Should you blur the line between advertisements and content also significantly, your content may suffer.

Navigation Labels Are Clear & Concise

Don't say "Talk Online With Our Group" when "Contact U-S" will work. Your main navigation should be easy for mere mortals, and short, to the stage to grasp.

Number of Buttons/Links Is Reasonable

Psychologists want to argue about how many bits of information we could process, but should you commence to see through 7-or so menu items, believe hard about whether they are needed by you. In the event that you've got 3 layers of Javascript menus that are flyaway, do your-self a favor and start over.

Company Emblem Is Prominently Placed

Put your logo or brand where it really is simple to find, and that usually signifies the upper- left of the screen. It is expected by people, when you make their lives simple and they like it.

Load -time Is Reasonable

Call me old-school, but I nevertheless want to see sites come in less than 100KB (60KB is even better). In case a site requires for ever to load, most folks will just leave. Yes, lots people have broadband now, but that makes our endurance thinner.

Site Search Is Effortless to Access

Make certain it is prominent, in the event there is a site research. Usability recommendations tend to like the the upper-correct corner of the page. Keep the button easy and apparent - "Search" nonetheless is most effective for most sites.

URLs Are Meaningful & Consumer-friendly

This is really a point of some debate, but significant key-word-based URLs are typically great for both lookup engines and visitors. You don't possess to reengineer a whole website just to get URLs, but do what you can to make them helpful and descriptive.

Major Headings Are Obvious & Descriptive

Most individuals don't read online, they skim. Use headings (major and minor) to set content aside and keep it organized. Headings should be clear, and for SEO gain, using heading tags (, , etc.).

Main Duplicate Is Explanatory & Concise

That isn't a lesson in copywriting, but look a T your homepage - can you say the sam-e factor in two as several words? Try to be concrete and descriptive and a void jargon - no one cares if you can "leverage your synergies".

Tagline Makes Company's Purpose Clear

Answer "What would you do?" concisely with a descriptive tag-line. Avoid advertising jargon and boil your worth proposition that is distinctive down to several words. This can be also an advantage for SEO.

Clear Path to Contact Information

Similarly, visitors want to know if they require to, they can get in contact with you. It's also difficult to do if no one can contact you to do business. Preferably, list your con-Tact information as text (perhaps not in a picture) - it will get found by search engines, including local searches.

Links Are Consistent & Simple to Identify

The underlined, link that is blue is a staple of the web. A little artistic license is okay, but consider a-T least making your links possibly blue or underlined. Links should stand out, and you also ought to use them sparingly enough that your content is n't disrupted by them.

Flash & Add-ons Are Used Sparingly

No matter how great your site looks, individuals won't wait FIVE FULL MINUTES minutes for a plugin to load. Use technologies only once your targets are really enhanced by it and sparingly. Sticking to regular HTML/CSS is a plus for lookup engines.

Emphasis (daring, etc.) Is Used Sparingly

It's a reality of human cognition: you will successfully draw attention to nothing and try to attract attention to everything. We've all seen that site, the one with a red, blinking, underlined "NEW!" next to everything. Don't be that guy.

Clear Way To to Organization Information

The good old "About Us" page may possibly seem dull, but confidence is crucial on the web, and people need a simple method to understand more about you.

HTML Page Titles Are Explanatory

More importantly, your page titles (in the tag) should be descriptive, distinctive, and perhaps not jammed full of keywords. Page titles are the first thing search-engine visitors see, and if those titles do not make sense or look spammy, they will move on to the next result.

Home-page Is Digestible In 5 Seconds

We frequently discuss regarding the 5-second rule. There is some disagreement over exactly how many seconds you get, but readers certainly are a fickle bunch, plus they require to get the basic gist of your home-page in just a number of moments.

Adequate Text-to-Background Contrast

Dark-grey on light-grey may seem fashionable, but I'm-not going to damage my eyesight to study your blog. Screens and eyes differ wildly, s O keep your core duplicate contrast high. Good, oldfashioned black-on-white is still best more often than not.

Styles & Shades Are Consistent

Make sure people know they are still on your own site by being consistent - confuse them-and you're going to lose them. Headings layout, and styles should be steady website-extensive, and colours should usually have the sam e meaning. Do not use text that is red, red links on another, and red headers on onepage somewhere else.

Site H As Custom Maybe Not-discovered/404 Page

If your page in your site does not exist, a white page with "4 4 Maybe Not Found" is a good way to lose a consumer. Create a custom 404 page, ideally one that guides your visitors to content.

Company Logo Is Connected To Residence-page

This might sound minor, but people expect logos to hyperlink to home-pages, and confusion follows when they they do not. I have seen video of consumers hitting an emblem over and over, without any idea what things to do next.

Images Have Proper ALT Tags

Not only do sight-impaired visitors use ALT tags, but search engines require them to comprehend your images. This can be especially critical when you use pictures for content that is crucial, for example menu items.

Main Navigation Is Easily Identifiable

Every website on the internet has had a primary menu since the browsers came on the marketplace. Make your main navigation effortless study, to find, and use. Should you've even more or two navigation places, make it clear why they are different.

[johnwiliam19]

Lessons Learned from 50 Cent’s Bankruptcy

A federal judge recently discharged the bankruptcy case of rapper 50 Cent after he paid more than $22 million of his debt.

50 Cent filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in 2015, with debts of $36 million and assets of less than $20 million. The “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” artist, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, paid off a five-year plan early with $8.7 million of his own money and $13.65 million he received in a settlement of a legal malpractice lawsuit.

Jackson’s bankruptcy case started when a woman won a $7 million settlement against him in 2015 for posting a sex tape. Soon after, he filed for bankruptcy to help with that debt, as well as his failed business ventures.

But late last year, Jackson nearly was in hot water when he posed with stacks of cash on Instagram. A judge questioned if he was really declaring all his assets, but Jackson said he was merely living up to his perceived image — a famous rapper with loads of money around him — and that the cash was a prop.

In his response to the judge, 50 Cent said: “Just because I am photographed in or next to a certain vehicle, wearing an article of clothing, holding a product, sitting next to what appears to be large sums of money or modeling expensive pieces of jewelry does not mean that I own everything in those photos.”

Here are four things everyday consumers can learn from 50 Cent’s high-profile bankruptcy case.

Chapter 11 Isn’t Just for Companies — People Can File, Too

Let’s face it — none of us are like 50 Cent. We’re not celebrities and we don’t have his life, grandioses or not. But what lessons can we take away from his very public proceedings?

For most of us, it’s to know your bankruptcy and the rules, inside out.

Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code usually involves a corporation or partnership, reorganizing to keep the business alive and pay creditors over time. But people in businesses or individuals also can seek relief in chapter 11.

For individuals, chapter 11 has some similarities to Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which is a reorganization of a consumer’s finances to pay creditors over 3-5 years. With the help of a bankruptcy attorney, chapter 13 filers work out a payment plan that allocates their disposable income into monthly payments.

Nearly anyone can file for chapter 11, whereas many small businesses are ineligible for chapter 13. Chapter 13 also is only available to debtors with regular income and subject to debt limitations — which, as of April 2016, were no more than $394,725 in unsecured debt (debt not backed by collateral, such as credit card debt) and $1,184,200 in secured debt (like mortgages and car loans).

Your Bankruptcy Case Can Last a Few Years, or a Few Months

A typical timeframe for a bankruptcy discharge varies depending on which chapter you file. For 50 Cent, he filed for bankruptcy in 2015 and had five years to pay off his debt, but paid up earlier this year.

Under Chapter 7, the debtor generally doesn’t pay back his or her creditors. Most people prefer to file under chapter 7, with common debts eliminated like medical bills or personal loans. Chapter 7 also is quicker than other bankruptcy proceedings, and typically lasts 4-5 months.

Chapter 13 filers who earn income that’s less than the state average for their family size enter a 3-year payment plan. Those who exceed the state average are bumped up to five years. The payment plan allocates consumers’ disposable income to make monthly, consolidated payments to creditors.

Chapter 11 can be a little more complex and expensive than chapter 13, and fewer types of debt are dischargeable. Special provisions do streamline these cases for small business debtors, though. Furthermore, Chapter 11 also does not require debtors to turn over their disposable income to a trustee, but the total value of his or her disposable income over a five-year period.

You Need to Be Completely Honest with the Court

If you try to game the system, as it initially appeared 50 Cent had when he posed with stacks of fake cash, you could be in big trouble. Luckily, he was in the clear.

However, people enter bankruptcy court to receive a discharge, and the biggest way to screw that up is to be dishonest. Other than having your bankruptcy case dismissed, you could be fined big time or end up in jail.

Section 727 of the Bankruptcy Code lists the various grounds for objecting to a bankruptcy discharge, including:

—lying under oath;

—destroying records or failing to keep adequate records;

—no good explanation for a loss of assets; and

—concealing or transferring property within one year before filing in an attempt to defraud a creditor.

You must tell the court about everything you own, plain and simple. If a bankruptcy trustee expects you may have left out assets, they’ll schedule a 2004 exam and ask questions under oath.

It probably goes without saying, but social media can ruin your chances at a successful bankruptcy if a bankruptcy trustee looks through your accounts and finds something unsavory. That includes posing on Facebook with assets, like a car that you own but haven’t told the court about.

Finally, if it’s found you have concealed or intentionally transferred property before your bankruptcy case, you can be sued. You can also lose all non-exempt assets without any debt relief.

You Can Recover After Bankruptcy

Say you’ve made it safely through your bankruptcy proceedings. You breathe a sigh of relief. (If you’re 50 Cent, you posted on social media immediately afterward.)

What next?

Outside of the impact of bankruptcy felt during proceedings, bankruptcy and debt solutions can impact your credit score, but not as largely as you might think. So don’t put off filing for bankruptcy. The sooner you get help with your debt, the better your credit score will be in the long run — which will help you be more likely to get a future loan for a house, car, or rebuild credit with a credit card.

Make sure to review your credit reports, as all credit card accounts should have zero balances after a bankruptcy discharge. When opening a new credit card account, put small balances on it and pay them off immediately. Also, make sure to live within your means.

And beware: those annoying collectors may still call. However, collectors who ignore the discharge order are violating federal law, under section 524 of Title 11 of the United States Code. A discharge effectively operates as an injunction against continuing to collect or recover from the debt.

Free Consultation with Bankruptcy Lawyer

If you have a bankruptcy question, or need to file a bankruptcy case, call Ascent Law now at (801) 676-5506. Attorneys in our office have filed over a thousand cases. We can help you now. Come in or call in for your free initial consultation.

Ascent Law LLC8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite CWest Jordan, Utah 84088 United StatesTelephone: (801) 676-5506

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Additional Bankruptcy Resources

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Utah Bankruptcy Attorneys

Should Filing Bankruptcy be the Last Resort?

Bankruptcy Lawyer Salt Lake City

Source: http://www.ascentlawfirm.com/lessons-learned-from-50-cents-bankruptcy/

from Divorce Lawyer West Jordan Utah https://divorcelawyerwestjordanutah1.wordpress.com/2018/04/10/lessons-learned-from-50-cents-bankruptcy/