Are You Writing Effective Article Titles?

According to Wikipedia, a suitable article title is decided by recognizability, naturalness, precision, conciseness and consistency.

You have got an idea to write an article. The first thing is to develop your idea into a headline. Your headline is the main attraction to entice readers to read your article. Your title is also what you want to talk about. Your readers are interested to know what you have to say about the subject.  A headline is the starting point to write an article. What can an effective article title do for you?

1.      Think about the title: A title answers many of your pressing questions. Is the title relevant to a subject you want to write about? Will the readers be interested? Are you able to write well about the subject? Is the topic useful to your readers? Is the title (Keywords) good enough to be listed on page one of Google search and capture the attention of online searchers?

2.      Focus:  The most useful thing about an article title is that it brings the subject matter to a focus.  So, when you write, you are guided by the subject matter and what you write will match the headline.  The key issue is relevancy.

3. Your title states a problem: The most useful title is one that states a common problem of readers. You are to provide workable solutions to solve a problem. Readers are interested to solve their own problems. This is an example to solve a problem: Effective ways to energize yourself.

4.      Your title highlights a subject:  Recently I wrote an article on soft skills. In it, I answer the” what “question and I highlight 10 important soft skills for the readers to acquire. A title explores a subject and provides knowledge that readers are interested to know.

5.      Your title tells the way to get something done: This is the title of another recent article, 10 keys to live a balanced and happy life.  The content answers the “how” question.  Readers want to know how to get something done.

6.      Is your article title searcher-friendly: There is no need to look for keywords. Just think of those common words people are using to look for information on the Net like the way you do. Use simple words and write naturally. Here are some examples:

·         Query:  how to grow a career in it #1

       Landing Page: www.allaboutlivingwithlife.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-to-grow-your-career.html

            Google Search Rank: No 1

·         Query:  ways to kick off a new day #1

       Landing page:  www.allaboutlivingwithlife.blogspot.com/2010/05/7-steps-to-start-new-day-on-right-note.html

            Google Search Rank: No 1

·         Query: what George Washington do to achieve greatness #1

       Landing page: www.allaboutlivingwithlife.blogspot.com/2011/08/5-ways-to-achieve-greatness.html

             Google Search Rank: No 1

7.      Emotional marketing value: Do your article titles carry EMV? According to the Advanced Marketing Institute,   reaching your customers in a deep and emotional way is a key to successful copywriting, and your headline is unquestionably the most important piece of copy you use to reach prospects. Are your headlines appeal equally to people's intellectual, empathetic, and spiritual spheres and perfectly balance?

            This is one of my article titles which is perfectly balanced:

"Are You Spending Your Lunchtime Productively"

Your Headline's EMV Score:	50.00%

This score indicates that your headline has a total of 50.00% Emotional Marketing Value (EMV) Words. To put that in perspective, the English language contains approximately 20% EMV words.

And for comparison, most professional copywriters' headlines will have 30%-40% EMV Words in their headlines, while the most gifted copywriters will have 50%-75% EMV words in headlines.

When you write an article, the first thing is to answer the No. 1 question from your readers: What’s for me?

10 Positive Ways to Live With Life Delightfully

Living your daily life delightfully is about living with a positive attitude. How do you live a delightful life every day? Try the following 10 positive ways:

1.      Have a holiday every day: I am not asking you to go for a holiday every day. All I ask from you is to change to a holiday mood while you live your life every day. When you are on holiday, you are relaxed and you are focused and paying attention to what you do. You are also paying attention to the surrounding. When you eat, you do it slowly enjoying the food. When it is time for a break, you really loosen up so that you can regain your energy and continue the journey. Why don’t you adopt the same attitude every day? Be here and now and focus on what you do and learn to enjoy it. Don’t rush about at work, go slow, take your breaks and go for your lunch. You transform your life when you change your mood and your attitude. 

When you like your work every day is a holiday. ~ Frank Tyger

2.      Be happy: Think and talk to yourself positively when you wake up. It is the most beneficial thing you can do to yourself to start a new day. Start a new day cheerfully, confidently, and enthusiastically. When your thoughts are positive you behave and act the same way. There are no other better ways to live your life every day.

3.      Focus on your strengths: You look at life optimistically and you think highly of your self-worth when you focus on your personal strengths. When you think of what you can do, life is hopeful and you are full of confidence to face challenges ahead of you.

4.      Kindness: Do you want peace of mind? It is easy. Don’t be jealous or envy others and be angry with yourself. Fill your heart with love and forgiveness. Don’t hold grudges against anybody. When you do that, your mind is at peace with the world.

5.      Do what is right: Don’t take shortcuts and the easy way out. Do things the right way the first time. Do not produce shoddy work.  You are what you do, protect your reputation, and project a positive image. Another important thing to remember is that when you do what is right, you go to sleep with a clear conscience

6.      Live your own life: Remember the ten 2-letter words? If it is to be, it is up to me. Do what you want to do and live your dream. Be passionate and realize your aspiration.

Your future depends on many things, but mostly on you. ~Frank Tyger

7.      Focus on what you have: Life is also about contentment. You can’t compare with others; there will always be people better than you are materially. The most important thing is to appreciate and enjoy what you have. Can you be happy when you keep thinking of the car that you want to have but could not afford it, just because your neighbor is driving one around? 

8.      Solve problems: The point is that when you don’t solve a problem there and then, it is always in your mind and disturbing you. The other thing is that it will develop into a bigger problem. Take the bull by the horns and attack the problem directly. When you face it and don’t dodge it a problem becomes smaller and can be solved easily.

9.      Take care of your health: Health gives you the vitality to live a full life every day. Fitness promotes alertness and robust energy in you and life is worth living when you feel alive.   Exercise every day to get a kick out of your daily living.  

10.  Just do it: Instead of worrying about the future, focus your energy and pay your attention to doing the best you can with what you have today. Life is hopeful when you take action and don’t standstill. Taking action is the best way to cure laziness and inertia and beat procrastination.

Life is what you make it.

Reader’s Top 30 Favorite Evergreen Posts in 2010 (Part 3)

21. Early Riser – 10 Marvelous Things You Can Do

A healthy habit: This is a healthy lifestyle; you get up early it means that you also sleep early. Your body’s rhythm is in alignment with nature between day and night and work and rest. Do you remember this old saying by Benjamin Franklin: early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise?


22. Getting Peace of Mind -10 Things You Don’t Do

Peace of mind is about spiritual well-being. It is in addition to physical and mental fitness. Here are 10 things you should avoid to get peace of mind:


23. 10 Simple Steps to be Successful in Life

Be responsible and take charge of your life now. Do not drift aimlessly or let others tell you what to do. You are in full control of your life. Take these ten simple steps to transform your life meaningfully and be successful:


24. Early Risers are Successful People

Do you know why there are people who do not want to get up early? The main reason is that they don’t enjoy what they are supposed to do for the day. They also don’t find meaning in what they do day in and day out. There is no excitement or incentive for them to start a new day early. Another reason is that they don’t plan ahead to take charge of a new day. They take their own sweet time and allow things to happen and react to them: They are not proactive to do what they want to do. Early risers do things more efficiently and effectively:


25.  10 Delightful Ways to Treat Yourself

The best thing in life is to treat yourself right. By looking after yourself well, you will be able to live better, do a better job and also treat others well. Here are the things that you can do to yourself:


26. 10 Advantages of Positive Thinking

Life goes on whether you think positively or negatively. However, the advantages of positive thinking far outweigh negative thoughts. Here are the 10 benefits of positive thinking: 


27.  How to Ask for a Raise or Bonus

In certain business establishments, there are no written benefits for the staff. There are also cases where there are no unions to represent the workers and so there are no collective agreements for the workers to exercise their rights. In a world of employment uncertainty, how do you ask for a raise or bonus? 


28.  How to look after your liver

One of your vital organs in your body is liver and the one major function is detoxification. Until now there is no way to replace the functioning of your liver.


29. 10 Tips to Get Peace of Mind

Peace of mind is a state in which your mind is blank and there is nothing to bother you except that you are concentrating on the task at hand. How do you develop such a calm and peaceful state? Here are ten ways to do it:


30. 10 Instant Healthy Habits to Change Your Life

These are the healthy habits you can implement immediately to change your health for the better.

The Healing Power of Touch

Touch

Whether it’s a gentle squeeze or a big hug, we all know that a parent’s touch can be comforting. But science shows that it can actually do wonders for your health too. “Touch can calm the stress response and lower blood pressure,” says James Nicolai, physician and medical director of the Andrew Weil, M.D. Integrative Wellness Program at Miraval Resorts. “And that has a positive effect on the entire body.”

That’s particularly true among children, says Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami. In a series of studies, Field and her researchers showed that babies and kids who received regular massages from their parents reaped a number of benefits, such as better sleep, less anxiety, and a stronger immune system. “What’s more, it also helps strengthen the bond between parent and child,” she says.

Like exercise and proper nutrition, regular massage and touch is an integral part of staying healthy, says Field. Read on for more reasons why you should get touchy-feely.

 1. It eases stress. “Kids love to touch; there’s a lot of hugging and wrestling,” says Nicolai. “Intuitively, they know it helps them relax and makes them happy.” Research backs this up: A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that children who received a massage had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as less anxiety and depression than those who watched a relaxing video.

2. It fends off colds. A snuggle a day may keep those sniffles away: Touch has been shown to raise the body’s production of natural killer cells, the immune cells that help protect against viruses, explains Field. What’s more, researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center showed that massages increased levels of cold-fighting white blood cells and lowered amounts of a hormone linked to the stress hormone cortisol.

3. It can improve breathing. According to a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics, asthmatic children who were massaged daily for 20 minutes before bed had better control over the condition and breathed easier after a month than those who received relaxation therapy. Stress can tighten airways, which constricts breathing, say experts. That’s why regular touch may help ease wheezing and coughing.

4. It improves sleep. “Massage has been shown to help kids fall asleep faster and snooze more soundly,” says Field. And that has a big payoff in the classroom: Researchers from the Touch Research Institute found that kids who received this touch therapy were better behaved and scored higher on attention and cooperation tests than those who didn’t.

Massage 101
To reap these benefits, consider giving your child regular massages. “In our studies, we instructed parents to give their children massages for 15 minutes every evening before bedtime,” says Field.

To start, figure out the right level of pressure: Studies suggest that a moderate amount is best. “Research shows that a very gentle massage doesn’t have the same effect,” says Field. “Kids can get ticklish from a very light touch.” She recommends practicing on yourself or your spouse first to determine the appropriate amount of pressure.

Then massage your baby or young child with gliding strokes on his or her shoulders, back, arms and legs. As your kid grows older, you can incorporate different types of techniques and include his or her hands and
feet. Ask your child what he or she likes, and if he or she is experiencing any discomfort.

“Older kids and teens tend to not like their parents giving them massages,” says Field. Rub their shoulders while they sit in a chair, or make them an appointment with a massage therapist.

Think your child would benefit from a deep-tissue massage? Avoid doing it yourself, warns Kiera Nagle, a licensed massage therapist with the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. “If done incorrectly, this type of firm bodywork can harm muscles and nerves,” she says. Seek out a licensed massage therapist with experience in pediatric massage, says Nagle, and remain in the room during the treatment. Bonus: Most therapists are happy to give you massage tips that you can use at home.

How often do you hug your kids? Do they accept your hugs or squirm away?

10 Values to Value in Life

It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are. – Roy Disney

What do you do when you pick up a purse on the road? Your action is guided by your values in life. When you think honesty is important, you will look for the rightful owner and return the purse. Your personal values are your lighthouse in your life. You think and act according to what you believe in. Do you think the following values are important in your life? Do you live your life according to these values? Do they bring you success, happiness, and peace of mind?

1.      Appreciation: It is to value what you have. It is also to express thankfulness to people for what they have done for you. It is also an attitude of love and forgiveness and an expression of kindness.

2.      Preparedness: It involves planning ahead and organizing in advance. Knowing what you want in life and working on it every day is the way to be prepared and be lucky and meet success.   

3.      Focus: To know your intention is to work purposefully and pay full attention. Your energy and effort are focused one-directionally. There is not enough time and energy to do everything in life but there is always enough time and energy to do just one thing.

4.      Strengths:  Think of what you can do and focus on your capabilities. You will be self-assured and face this competitive world bravely.

5.      Simplicity: The way to go about in life is to avoid clutter and confusion. Find an efficient and effective way to get things done. The simple way is always the most productive way.

6.      Perseverance:  Be persistent because success is what you do day in and day out and not once in a while. When you know you are doing the right thing, just continue and do not give up. You will see light at the end of the tunnel.

7.      Challenges: Look at problems positively. Life is not smooth sailing all the way.  Meeting and overcoming challenges in life is a certain way to live life and grow.  

8.      Confidence:  Be optimistic because if there is a will there is a way out. Think and be creative and resourceful to meet challenges in life.

9.      Learning:  Value information and knowledge. To stay ahead you have to keep learning new things and gain insights. When you are knowledgeable, you are creative to make changes. Changes mean progress.

10.  Conscience: When you do good, you feel good. When you do what is right, fair, and just, your action will stand the test of time.  You will be appreciated and praised by others,

Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.” – Dalai Lama

Are You on Holiday Every Day?

Holiday

When you are on holiday, you are totally relaxed and your mind is focused on where you are. You pay attention and observe the surrounding because you are in unfamiliar places. You also look at the people there and watch closely how they go about living their life. When you are eating, you are also mindful and eat slowly to savor the food because you don’t get to eat it every day. A holiday is enjoyable and the memory is sweet and lasting because you are totally absorbed in what you are doing.

The question is: Are you on holiday every day? I know you can’t be going on a holiday every day, but can you go to work in a holiday mood?   

When you are at work, you behave differently. You are tensed and working under stress and you may not enjoy what you do. Can you switch to a holiday mood while at work?

You can change your mindset and transform it into a holiday mood when you go to work. When you do, you will look at your workplace more kindly:

·         Just relax: Instead of getting worked up, why not work with a calm mind? You feel good while working when you tell yourself to loosen up.

·         Pay attention: Your mind is focused on what you do when you explore places. Do the same when you are working on the task at hand. Be interested and work with your heart and do the best you can. It is your attitude that determines how well you do a job.

·         Go slow: When you are on holiday, you feel free and easy because you are not in a hurry. Why not behave the same when you are working. When you have already planned and organized your day, there is no need to feel uptight. Work a little slower to avoid feeling restless and stressed.  Things still get done when you are feeling relaxed and composed. 

·         Develop an interest: Switch on your holiday mood, observe and look closer at what you do. Think of what you can do so that you can work more productively by being more efficient and effective. When you love your work, your work will love you back.  

·         Take breaks: When you are on a holiday, you welcome a deserving break to have a cup of coffee or lunch after walking here and there. After that, you are fresh and energetic and looking forward to going sightseeing again. Do you ignore breaks while at work? Do you work continuously without taking your lunch or eat and work? These are unproductive and unhealthy habits. Be in a holiday mood and take your breaks and go for your lunch.    

Are you ready to go on a holiday every day?

7 Great Ways to be an Effective Manager

Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out. ~Stephen Covey 

You can be an effective manager in seven great ways:

1.      Be a leader:  A manager is a technically competent person. He may not need to work, but he must be able to provide solutions to problems when he is referred to. He coaches and inspires confidence among workers. He develops people. They are given resources and are encouraged to work independently. They are enthusiastic and motivated because of the trust placed on them. A leader anticipates events and takes proactive action to prevent emergency situations.  A leader has many followers because he is knowledgeable and competent.

2.      Be a master communicator: An effective manager is patient and listens attentively. He listens first to seek understanding before speaking. He is able to know the hidden messages by observing the other person’s body language. An effective manager is also able to write concisely, precisely, clearly, and fully.    

3.      Personal effectiveness: An effective manager plans, organizes, prioritizes, and maintains a balanced life. He is keeping in good shape so that he is energetic, alert, attentive, and responsive. He keeps promises and meets deadlines without fail.

4.      Creative to sustain long-term survival: To be effective, a manager has to follow closely the market trend and understand the changing needs of customers. He is innovative and constantly developing new products to cater to the varied taste of smart shoppers.

5.      An open mind: He is continuously updating his knowledge and learning new things to stay ahead.  As an adaptable and flexible person, he initiates changes to seek progress.  

6.      Take action: There is a sense of urgency. When it is time to act, prompt action is taken. An effective manager does not hesitate. 

If I had to say in one word what makes a good manager, I’d say decisiveness. You can use the fanciest computers to gather the numbers, but in the end, you have to set a timetable and act. ~Lee Iacocca

7.      Productive: An effective manager focuses on the few important things to do that produce the desired results. To be productive is to do the right thing at the right time. The right time is always now.

An effective manager is creative and he inspires, motivates and supports the team to achieve greatness.