Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Journal.
The Demonization of Self Publishing Needs to Stop
Sometimes I see something on Facebook and it makes me want to throat somebody. Maybe that's not the best way to start an essay, but it's true! So the other day I was scrolling through Facebook and saw a meme that made my blood boil. No, it wasn't one about Trump, though that is a good guess. This one was about self-publishing and how it's bad for everyone involved because nobody makes money, except for the book cover designers and editors, which I will not only refute but show why that is an asinine argument to make in the first place.
By Edward Anderson8 years ago in Journal
Writing a Novel
Writing a novel is NOT easy. Trust me, I know that. Now I have been writing books since I was thirteen. At the time, I was twenty when I self-published my first book. Some people, probably most people, have been writing for well much longer than I have before they published their first book and honestly, the timeline does not matter. Don't even think about a timeline. Unless you are being published by a traditional publishing house. Then you have to. But if you are self-publishing, take whatever time you need but do NOT procrastinate.
By Just A Girl8 years ago in Journal
How to Make a Profit in Business
Teach. There’s the short, straight, no bullshit answer for all you busy entrepreneurs and workers trying to get a little ahead in the game! For those of you who want more out of business and life, let me take you on a journey. The company I work for, TherapyCable, is a video marketing company for the healthcare industry. For years, we had gone through different business models to try and turn a profit. We created plans and ideas that we THOUGHT our potential clients wanted rather than simply asking them. Does this sound familiar? I’m sure while starting your own business or venture you’ve come across similar struggles and hurdles to cross. Business is not easy by any means. It takes a dedicated and hardworking team to succeed. What finally worked for us? We realized that teaching and giving away all our knowledge for free is what our clients actually needed before contracting us.
By Austin Armstrong8 years ago in Journal
How to Increase Productivity by Meditating at Work
During work, our productivity is almost never consistent. There will be days when we're so interested in what we're doing and utterly determined to get it done. But then there are days when we can't even write out a simple email, because we're either tired or bored out of our minds and can't fine the motivation to do anything. You can certainly say our productivity is always changing depending on the day as well as the work we're assigned. And, come on, we all know it's like the biggest challenge to be productive at work on a Friday.
By Jennifer Violet8 years ago in Journal
How Do You Break the Vicious Circle That Is Hospitality and Retail?
I have had a pencil, crayon, pen, or charred piece of wooden stick in my hand for as long as I can remember. The first thing I ever sat down to draw was an illustration on a McDonald's Happy Meal box —thanks for that, by the way. A simple image of a skittish Tigger barging into Pooh's house and landing on the bear's adorable soft, yellow potbelly. I sat down, captured by the scene, the colours or the simple outlines that possessed me for some reason with the ancient set of crayons I had at the age of about four, and drew it as well as I could.
By Maura Dudas8 years ago in Journal
Top Four Secret Video Marketing Strategies
So you’re a small business owner, an entrepreneur or maybe someone just interested in online growth, and EVERYONE seems to be talking about social media and video marketing. Well, it’s time for a wake-up call. Your competitors are creating videos. Everyone is doing it and if you don’t want to get left behind or leave a HUGE amount of potential clients and/or money on the table you should be too. Here’s the best part, it’s easier than you think! Over the last few years, video marketing has not just been work or a fun hobby for me, but become an OBSESSION! Below are the absolute best social media video marketing strategies that I have found and tested to not only make you come across as the expert you are and highlight what you do/sell, but to have your videos actually show up and rank on Google and YouTube. I’m going to break it down for you step by step so you too can achieve video marketing success and outrank your competitors. Let’s jump in!
By Austin Armstrong8 years ago in Journal
Why Is Rebranding So Important (and How To Do It Right)?
Rebranding the company can sound intimidating for some business owners. It takes time, careful planning, and significant changes, and there is a risk it won't pay off at all, or maybe it will even make things worse.
By Nina Simons8 years ago in Journal
Are You a Multitasking Junkie?
How many times have you been halfway through answering an email when the phone rings? So, what do you do? You pick up the phone and continue answering the email, or maybe you browse the internet, or you notice there is cake in the break room. Don’t worry, everyone has done this at some point. You’re not alone. We are a society dominated by multitasking. This would be impressive if it wasn't so dangerous and unproductive.
By Ellen Ross8 years ago in Journal
Why Poor People Party Properly - My Own Private Poverty - Rich Versus Poor
Sometimes, I find that I love my own poverty too much, and it never fails to fill me with shame. No-one can take away my ability to end up with nothing. I work, I’m poor. I claimed benefits, I’m poor, I’ve broken the law and I still ended up poor. I’ve been poorer. Homeless at times, if you don’t count living on sofas as a housed situation. It is though. Our sofa surfers, in the United Kingdom, are kept from the streets by the kindness of beautiful souls.
By Johnny Vedmore8 years ago in Journal
10 Signs You're Working for a Failing Business
If you're self-employed, there's a chance you've been asked by family, friends, or complete strangers whether or not you've tried looking for a more "stable" job. While annoying, this question is still well-meaning, as freelancing requires constant marketing and scouting. Work can dry up quickly, and clients can be unreliable when it comes to paying on time. Having a regular 9 to 5, on paper, seems like the simplest way to ensure security and constant income.
By Jessica Pilla8 years ago in Journal
