Technically, it’s the online version of ‘word-of-mouth,’ and the fact that there are so many reviews out there speaks volumes of its effectiveness. At times, users share advice in their reviews on how to find the best mobile shopping deals out of the merchandise or service, what works well with the product, or when the best time to cash in on an offered deal is.

Other times, reviews feature rants and complaints from disgruntled customers, giving you – the third person – a chance to reconsider before spending your money. why diverse opinions matter and they are not afraid to share it, but what really counts is what you do with that opinion.

Types Of Reviews

Reviews are abundant on the Internet but can be grouped into a few types:

1. The Full-Blown Essay

Reviews can come nestled in a paragraph with conveniently placed “trigger words.” These may be written by the manufacturer or by someone engaged by the seller to write about the product. They are mainly positive about the product or service sold and can help you pick the best choice, especially when you have hundreds of similar brands in the global market to choose from.

A similar source would be online reviews written in personal blogs. It’s fair to assume that these might not be unbiased reviews, but you can be sure that if there is a name attached to the review, it carries some level of honesty.

2. The Review Websites

There are also online review websites populated with reviews. Just to name a few, we have:

• Dpreview.com for digital camera enthusiasts,
• BoxOfficeMojo.com for movies,
• Tripadvisor.com for travel experiences,
• Bizrate.com for a wide range of merchandise including electronics, clothing, toys, and jewelry,
• Yelp.com for business reviews.

Amazon.com and Upwork.com let you rate service providers or people that use these portals to find their businesses.

3. Forum And Discussions

Lastly, you can find online reviews by running keywords through a search engine, e.g., “white bread vs whole meal.” Depending on the popularity of your search, you could easily find many discussions in online forums.

These are not as structured as the other types but may reveal the most information about what you are looking for despite the back-and-forth.

Distinguishing Genuine Reviews from Fake Ones

Like everything else on the Internet, given enough time, someone will turn it into something controversial. Despite the intentions of most reviewers, business organizations are quick to figure out that reviews from regular users can be turned into great marketing tools to improve their brand image or smear their rivals.

It’s not the least bit ethical, but the Internet makes it almost impossible to catch these rogue reviewers. What’s to stop them? All they need is a fake username to pose as a customer and write a review on the product or service page, either giving it a five-star review or an angry, albeit fake, tongue-lashing.

In fact, 5% of all online reviews are fake. Reviews can be bought for as low as $5.

These writers are real people, but they were never really there or have ever used the product. In September 2011, TripAdvisor.com was investigated for spreading advertising falsehoods. They were being investigated for not doing enough to ensure that their reviewers’ posts were genuine.

But how do you tell if a review is real or not?

Part Science, Part Gut Feeling

You know that knowledge is valuable when even academics are giving it due attention. Myle Ott of Cornell University has developed a computer algorithm to weed out fake reviews based on the words used. His research was so compelling that Google requested his resume.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kawamura of Edinburgh University believes that “Yes” or “No” reviews are the best benchmarks for trustworthy reviews. He found that when allowed to give subjective opinions, reviewers tend to exaggerate their claims for attention, making these reviews less credible.

For the rest of us, well…

When reading any review, take the time to consider the reviewer’s intention. Is the person too soft or too critical of the service? Was the assessment fair, or is the reviewer just being difficult? Does the review sound like a promotion rather than an honest opinion? Paying attention to these nuances can help you discern the truth or lies in a review. Dig deeper.

Another criterion is the reviewer’s credibility. A regular reviewer who is consistent in their stand (and username) holds more credibility compared to new users or the ‘housewife’ whose home coincidentally has every single appliance from the same manufacturer.

Reviewers may also agree or disagree among themselves. At times, these online altercations may reveal useful underlying information, like whether the reviewer is actually working for the company they are vouching for. Again, dig deeper.

The Best Policy

Despite the efficacy of online reviews, you should take every review with a pinch of salt. Opinions vary, and we all have different levels of tolerance and expectations. That doesn’t mean you should avoid online reviews altogether.

In fact, some of you are probably active reviewers on the Internet. You are free to vent, share, influence, grumble, justify, skewer, or condemn any product, service, or organization you have come in contact with.

We encourage you to do so as this can serve as an impetus for providers to improve and stay competitive. However, spare a thought for the effect of your review and choose your words wisely. And if you look forward to receiving pure, honest, and thoughtful reviews from others, do the same when you write your reviews.

The post How Online Reviews Can Save Your Shopping Experience appeared first on Hongkiat.

In this blog post, we explore the top loyalty platforms available, highlighting their standout features, pros, and cons. Whether you run a small business or a large enterprise, these platforms can help you build and maintain strong connections with your customers.

Read on to find out which loyalty platform is the perfect fit for your business needs.

Overview:

Yotpo

Yotpo helps businesses create engaging customer experiences by leveraging user-generated content like reviews and photos. This builds trust and credibility while offering features such as SMS bump, loyalty rewards, and referral programs. Integration with platforms like Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce ensures seamless operation.

The platform is user-friendly and customizable to match your brand’s look. Yotpo’s analytics tools provide insights into customer behavior, helping businesses refine their strategies for better satisfaction and loyalty.

Notable Features:

• User-generated content (reviews, photos)
• SMS bump
• Loyalty rewards
• Referral programs
• API integration
• Analytics and reporting tools
• Integration with Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, BigCommerce

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Responsive customer service
• Highly customizable

Cons:

• Limited email template options
• Requires some coding knowledge for installation

Visit Yotpo

TapMango

TapMango enhances customer engagement for businesses in the food and beverage industry. It offers custom mobile apps, customer-facing tablets, and branded key tags that double as gift cards. TapMango supports online ordering, eliminating the need for third-party services.

With easy customization, TapMango allows businesses to tailor loyalty programs to their needs. Automated referral systems and review incentives help attract new customers, while robust analytics provide insights into customer behavior and program effectiveness.

Notable Features:

• Custom mobile apps
• Customer-facing tablets
• Branded key tags
• Online ordering support
• Automated referral systems
• Review incentives
• Integration with Shopify, BigCommerce

Pros:

• Easy customization
• Eliminates need for third-party ordering services
• Robust analytics

Cons:

• Pricing details upon request

Visit TapMango

LoyaltyLion

LoyaltyLion helps e-commerce businesses build customer loyalty with customizable points-and-rewards systems, in-cart rewards, and customer tiers. Businesses can reward customers for purchases, reviews, and referrals, creating an engaging shopping experience.

Integration with platforms like Shopify and email tools like Mailchimp makes running targeted campaigns easy. LoyaltyLion’s analytics offer insights into customer behavior, helping refine loyalty programs for better results.

Notable Features:

• Points-and-rewards systems
• In-cart rewards
• Customer tiers
• Email marketing integrations (e.g., Mailchimp)
• Analytics and insights
• Integration with Shopify

Pros:

• Customizable loyalty programs
• Strong integration capabilities
• Valuable analytics

Cons:

• Higher starting cost

Visit LoyaltyLion

Kangaroo Rewards

Kangaroo Rewards engages customers through personalized rewards and offers. Customers earn points based on visits and spending, with an easy sign-up process via a loyalty tablet at the point of sale. Businesses can customize a white-label loyalty app to match their branding.

The platform includes customer experience kiosks, contactless payment solutions, and appointment bookings. Integration with apps like Shopify and Mailchimp makes it a robust solution for enhancing customer loyalty programs.

Notable Features:

• Loyalty tablet integration
• White-label loyalty app
• Customer experience kiosks
• Contactless payment solutions
• Streamlined appointment bookings
• Integration with Shopify, Mailchimp

Pros:

• Customizable branded app
• Comprehensive reward options
• Integration with popular apps

Cons:

• High learning curve
• Can be expensive for startups

Visit Kangaroo Rewards

Perkville

Perkville helps membership-based businesses reward customers for various actions like purchases and referrals. It integrates with POS, membership, and CRM systems like Mindbody and Lightspeed, making it flexible for gyms and fitness centers.

Businesses can create customized loyalty programs to fit their needs. Perkville’s user-friendly tools ensure customers feel valued and appreciated, boosting retention and attracting new clients.

Notable Features:

• Integration with POS, membership, CRM systems (e.g., Mindbody, Lightspeed, Vend)
• Customized loyalty programs
• Points and rewards for various activities

Pros:

• Flexible reward options
• User-friendly interface
• Enhances customer engagement

Cons:

• Requires customer account sign-up

Visit Perkville

Smile.io

Smile.io is designed for small businesses to create effective loyalty programs focusing on points, VIP tiers, and referrals. It allows customization to match the brand, offering a seamless customer experience.

With easy setup and management, Smile.io integrates with platforms like Shopify. Customers enjoy earning and redeeming rewards simply, making it beneficial for both businesses and their loyal patrons.

Notable Features:

• Points programs
• VIP tiers
• Referral programs
• Customizable branding
• Integration with Shopify

Pros:

• Easy to set up and manage
• Seamless customer experience
• Flexible and customizable

Cons:

• Limited free trial

Visit Smile.io

The post 6 Best Loyalty Software of 2024 to Increase Customer Retention appeared first on Hongkiat.

That said, it’s quite rare to find a piece of writing that is flawless and free from errors – even dictionaries are known to contain mistakes missed by their editorial team. But if you don’t want to frustrate your readers, you cannot skip proofreading your posts.

So How Does Proofreading Work?

The key to proofreading is to detach yourself from the work or to review it in unfamiliar settings.

Why? Well, the brain is a know-it-all that likes to fill in the blanks for us, making us miss things that are “right there”. When we are familiar with the work, the brain predicts the next scene. Under these circumstances, it becomes easier for us (or our brains) to miss typos that are hiding in plain sight.

Check out this simple exercise to understand how our brain often misleads us.

How to Proofread

The easiest way to get proofreading done is to get someone else to do it for you. Fresh eyes pick up more mistakes, and just about anyone can do a quick proofreading job. They just need to have a good enough grasp of the language to catch the typos and irregularities.

If you want to go in-depth with proofreading or do your own proofreading, here are some tips and techniques that may help.

1. Read It Out Loud

You can read the post out loud or to yourself (if you are in a public setting). If there is dialogue in your writing, give it voices so that you can attach different personalities to your characters. If it is a speech, read it like you are in front of your audience – dramatize it, strive for perfection, and your mind will become more sensitized towards mistakes and typos.

2. Print It and Read It with a Pen

For lengthier posts or assignments, I would suggest printing out the post to read. More importantly, hold a pen while you read, and don’t be afraid to use it. When you allow yourself to “mark” your own article, you will “accept” the fact that the post is not yet ready, and there is still work to be done.

You will be amazed at how many typos you can find with this method. I find bright-colored ink works better than black or blue, but that’s just me.

3. Change Elements of the Piece

If you don’t want to read out loud or don’t have a handy printer around, you can do proofreading on-screen, but you will need to change the “in-house environment” of the piece.

1. Break down your piece into 3 to 4 lines for better clarity. Paragraphs that are too lengthy overburden your short-term memory. Sometimes by the time you get to the end of that paragraph, you might have forgotten what you’ve read near the beginning. You can put everything back to its “original position” when you’re done.
2. Change the font size or typeface. I have a specific typeface and font size that I am more comfortable with; you will need to find yours. If it is possible, publish your pieces in this comfort font. If you don’t want to make typeface changes, you can zoom in instead.
3. Try changing the spacing (as in 1.5 or double spacing) of the piece. If there is a lot to work with, you can split the post into two columns to make it easier on the eyes. Don’t underestimate how big of an influence spaces can have on your reading.
4. When in doubt, leave the piece aside for a while – maybe 10 days to 2 weeks. Work on something else first and totally distance yourself from the product. By the time you go back for a second look, it’s like reading it for the first time. If it isn’t, then give it a couple more days.

4. Don’t Trust the Spellchecker. Not Fully.

It is okay to depend on the spellchecker for most spellchecks, but remember that it cannot recognize context, which means it will block words like “infinitesimal” or “compartmentalization” whenever there is a typo but allow a mistake like this too go through. Like a traffic light, spellcheckers should not be trusted fully – they are tools, and tools have limits and faults too. Don’t let your trust in them be the reason for your mistakes.

5. General Tips on Proofreading

1. Always use copy paste, don’t rewrite a word that is already there. Copy-pasting minimizes errors.
2. When making a correction that spans a few words, read it on the spot to check for any mistakes. Then read it again during the next cycle. Mistakes that you introduce to a post is a major no-no.
3. Never proofread until the editing process has been completed; otherwise, that proofreading round is basically pointless.
4. In determining usage consistency, always confirm which version of the spelling or word is the right one before you make the changes.
5. Right up until it is time to print or publish, you might still find small mistakes and typos that you’ve missed. It’s alright. In books, these typos are removed in subsequent editions. In online publishing, the mistake can be rectified almost immediately.
6. When in doubt, consult the dictionary. When you have two dictionaries telling you different things, follow the newer edition, or follow the one that is considered the authority in your publishing circle – so skip urbandictionary if you write for offline publications. Remember that language is “alive”.
7. If you are helping someone else proofread their work, the writer of the post may argue with you on some of the grammar rules or changes you want to make. What you should do depends on the situation, but at the end of the day, it is the writer’s name on the post, so he or she should have the last say.
8. To make sure you catch as many of the typos as possible, do repeated readings: proofread by cycles. I call them cycles because of the repetitive nature of this exercise. In each cycle, check just one particular issue, and ignore the rest; you will get to them eventually.

Here’s a sample routine you can adopt:

1. Check two- and three-letter words. Sometimes they go missing. The culprits include ‘is’, ‘be’, ‘of’, ‘the’, ‘and’, ‘for’, ‘to’ – you get the idea.
2. Check capitalization (you may need to be more particular with brands).
3. Check subject-verb agreement. (Google has or have?)
4. Check for the letter ‘s’ (the most notorious, confounding letter in the alphabet, ‘s’ can be found missing from plurals and tenses).
5. Check punctuation and uneven spacing.
6. Check if you closed the “quotes, (parenthesis, and [brackets you open.
7. To hyphenate or not to hyphenate (this needs a post of its own, which I am ill-equipped to write).
8. Check for consistency (if you are using email, go all the way. Ditto if you prefer e-mail, but never do both in the same piece).
9. If you have particular formatting styles, check for consistency for this as well.
10. If you included Figures with running numbers like Figure 1.1, Figure 1.2, do run a check as well to make sure the numbers are right.
11. Check, check, and triple check everything.

So that’s that!

Up to this point, we’ve looked into basic techniques that you can use in a proofreading exercise. However, if you want to go deeper, here are a few areas you have to be careful with.

The next section deals with English, the language, which I am far from being a subject expert in. With that in mind, please double-check anything you are not sure of using external sources from other sites or blogs, or with your grammar teacher, if you have one available.

Problem Areas

Truth be told, some of the most common typos appear in the shortest of words. Here’s a short list of the usual mistakes we make not only in articles but also when commenting or chatting:

1. Dealing with Contractions

This happens to a lot of writers and often occurs in comments as well.

• its, it’s
• your, you’re
• were, we’re
• their, they’re

Tip: If this is a common problem for you, avoid contractions and write out the full phrase. “it’s” becomes “it is”, “they’re” becomes “they are” and so on. Continue this until you have earned the right to use apostrophes again.

Don’t judge a book by its cover. Unless it’s (it is) a really, really bad one.

2. Words that Sound Too Close for Comfort

Homophones are words that sound exactly like each other but are not spelled the same way, such as:

• to vs too
• an vs and
• made vs maid
• for vs four
• weather vs whether

Tip: Sometimes you catch them, sometimes you don’t. I have no magic bullet to solve this problem. However, you can identify your weak spots and run a special check just for that word and its homophone.

3. Our Favorite Mistakes

Then, there is this group which just gets you when you are not looking. They don’t sound the same and carry totally different meanings but you see them misused in (too many) places on many occasions.

• form, from
• lose, loose
• then, than
• angle, angel
• bought, brought

For an explanation on how to differentiate some of the words listed above, check out this poster by the Oatmeal (if you need it desperately enough, buy the poster and slap it on your wall; don’t worry, I don’t get paid anything if you do or don’t).

4. Too Much of the Same Thing

Another easy-to-miss typo hotspot is in the words that have the potential to carry two of the same letters, such as:

• accommodation (2 c’s, 2 m’s)
• occasionally (2 c’s, 1 s)
• millennium (2 l’s, 2 n’s)
• possession (total of 4 s’s)
• referring (two r‘s before -ing) but furthering and offering (one r before -ing)

5. Separated By A Common Language

You may have noticed the use of ‘color’ and ‘colour’ in many publications, online and offline. Which of the two is correct? Well, it depends on who you are writing for. If you are writing for a U.S. audience, then words like

• colour, honour, neighbour, favourite, humour

are spelled:

• color, honor, neighbor, favorite, humor

Notice the missing ‘u’? I’m not sure what the reason is for this personal vendetta against the 21st letter of the alphabet considering that in both British and American spelling:

• Curious and viscous are spelled with a ‘u’
• Curiosity and viscosity are spelled without a ‘u’
• four (4) and fourth (4th) are spelled with ‘u’s
• 40 is spelled as forty (no ‘u’)
• Pronounce comes with an ‘ou’, pronunciation only has just the one ‘u’
• arduous, superfluous, and strenuous have two ‘u’s each

American spelling also snips words like dialogue, catalogue and programme, leaving you with dialog, catalog and program. And let’s not forget the preference for –re in British spelling (centre, litre, fibre) while it is –er in American spelling (center, liter, fiber).

6. Rules Are Made to Be…

If you listened to your grammar teacher, you might have heard of the “i before e except after c” thing – it is what you use to remember if it is spelled receive or recieve.

Basically, this rule is used to explain why i comes before e in words like

• hierarchy, pier, fiery

and e comes before i after a c in words like:

• conceive, receive, deceive, perceive

(Note to self: maybe we should change the rule to i after e only before v.)

The problem arises with words like

• weight, weird, height, foreign, their, atheist, neighbor

as well as in:

• relief, mischief, piety, believe

(Note to self: Okay, this throws before-V out the window.)

The frustrating thing with this language is that it gives off the feeling like it is making up rules and breaking them as it evolves.

Conclusion

We are now splitting infinitives, ending sentences with prepositions while beginning them with conjunctions – things that will make purists and grammar enthusiasts lose it big time.

Perhaps the most important thing I can share with you about proofreading is this: don’t get too pedantic about it – that means overly fussy. Once you’ve gotten the hang of proofreading, you might see mistakes everywhere – in blog posts, headlines, mail, emails, shop signage, brochures, etc. Refrain from trying to correct everything, for the sake of your sanity and for everyone else’s.

Secondly, chances are the things that drive proofreaders nuts are things regular readers like you and me don’t really notice. Don’t let the technicality of proofreading destroy a good story worth telling. Like the editing process, proofreading should help improve a post, not impede or ruin it.

Disclaimer: I am not an English teacher, please do not direct English grammar questions my way. If you do, I’d approach the problem like how the IT guy does it – I would Google it.

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The post How to Improve Your Proofreading Skills appeared first on Hongkiat.

This tech dependency is shaping how today’s generation acts, thinks, and behaves, which is drastically different from those who lived before the digital era. For example…

Read Also:  5-Step Guide to a Complete Tech Detox

1. A New Kind of Danger on the Road

Have you caught yourself checking your smartphone while driving? I have, when stopped at a traffic light, waiting in a drive-thru, or picking someone up. It’s not smart, I know, but I never do it while the car is moving. However, that’s just my story.

Today, we see younger drivers and more powerful cars. In many places, a 16-year-old who’s just learning to be responsible can legally drive a car at high speeds. Combine their inexperience with the distraction of smartphones, and the risks on the road increase significantly.

The Impact

Texting while driving has become so dangerous and common that the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is pushing to ban texting and the use of electronic devices while driving. Check out this news report for a detailed look at the severity of this issue.

2. The Digital Divide – At Home

Gadgets are a big part of our lives, even for the very young. iPads, for instance, have become the go-to for keeping children as young as four years old busy. Their easy interface and fun apps are irresistible to kids, creating a constant need for digital entertainment. Ever tried taking an iPad away from a child? It’s clear why these devices are often considered toys.

Imagine this scenario ten years from now. Adults gathered at a Wi-Fi-enabled cafe, probably not talking to each other, but lost in their devices. At home, this tech obsession could lead to more arguments between partners due to poor communication. And this pattern could continue when this generation has kids.

Actually, all of this is happening right now.

Technology has built invisible walls between us, even when we have every opportunity to communicate. Interested in this topic? Check out this article and this one for more insights.

The Impact

The world still largely functions offline, but we’re grooming the younger generation to excel online. This shift might seem positive, but it comes with drawbacks. Our youth are relying on Google instead of storing knowledge in their heads, and the rise of textspeak is eroding grammatical standards. Not to mention, social networks are opening up a whole new set of challenges.

3. Searching for the ‘Like’ Button Offline

Why are social networks so addictive? It might be our desire to be popular, just like in school. These platforms are like a virtual high school – we have friends, followers, share thoughts, and show off our lives and possessions. It’s high school without the classes, but with an easier way to spread information with just a click.

The Impact

We’ve become so attuned to sharing online that we instinctively post about everything we see. A car accident, a begging dog, or a dramatic event – it all goes online. Instead of helping or interacting in these situations, we’re more focused on capturing the moment for our next viral post. In the real world, we’ve become passive observers, catering to our urge to share rather than actively participating.

4. All Things Short and Sweet

Our attention spans are shrinking. I’ve noticed that I can’t sit through an entire movie anymore. But that’s not really the issue.

The real problem is that I find it hard to focus on one task at a time. This doesn’t mean I’m good at multitasking; it just means there’s too much demanding my attention – at home, work, and school. But again, that’s not the main point.

The concern is our collective inability to concentrate on a single task for an extended period. It’s not just me; it’s a widespread issue. We’re becoming like digital goldfish!

Speaking of ‘short,’ let’s talk about our short tempers. This icon is my least favorite…

…because it means I need to be patient. But patience is something our generation struggles with. We’re used to getting news instantly, not waiting for the next day’s newspaper. Sure, newspapers offer more detailed and verified information, but when it comes to speed, Twitter is our go-to source. Quick, concise, and easy to share.

The Impact

"So4those of u who weren’t payg attntn, 1)our attntn spans r gettg shortr, 2)we hv short fuses 3) we prefr 2absorb reli short bits of info." – 136 chars and you can read this.

5. Argh, Matey!

I came across this article about a student who failed an English class for writing an essay on the difference between piracy and stealing. It’s a tricky topic, and I’m no expert in Internet ethics, but it got me thinking.

When you search “piracy vs stealing” on Google Images, you’ll find many explanations. Essentially, stealing means taking the original item, like in shoplifting, while piracy involves copying something but leaving the original behind. It’s a way to separate the two, but it’s still a grey area.

The distinction might not seem important because many people download movies, songs, e-books, and even college assignments without paying. It’s a global issue, and despite what people say, their actions often suggest they don’t see it as wrong. If piracy equals stealing, then we have a world full of thieves.

The Impact

You might not want to support big studios or publishers, and that’s a personal choice. But remember, it’s not always about money. It’s about recognizing and valuing the hard work behind a creation, whether it’s an article, song, graphic, or even the concept of the “piracy vs stealing” debate.

When someone else shares, copies, or claims your work as their own, it feels unjust. It’s like having a classmate steal your assignment and get credit for it. This behavior could eventually harm originality and creativity, because why create something new if someone else will just take the credit?

Conclusion

While this article highlights some negative aspects of technology, it’s important to remember the many benefits it brings to our lives. But let’s not forget who’s in charge. When technology starts consuming too much of your life, it’s time to power down and enjoy some offline moments.

The post 5 Ways Tech Addiction is Changing Our Behavior appeared first on Hongkiat.

What we post on Facebook – our private information, photos, thoughts, and likes – can sometimes be turned against us. Even though Facebook can feel like a safe space to share our lives, we need to be careful about what we put out there for the world to see.

Read Also:  Essential Facebook Etiquette: 10 Dos and Don’ts

Here’s a list of five things I believe you should think twice about before posting them on your Facebook page, starting with:

1. Professional Contacts

Let’s talk about your friends’ list. Just because you can have up to 5,000 friends doesn’t mean you should try to reach that number. Here’s an idea: maybe keep your bosses, managers, supervisors, or even colleagues off your list.

Even if you’re close to these work connections, mixing your professional and personal lives can be tricky.

Read Also:  The Facebook Dilemma: How Many Friends Are Enough?

For instance, if you have a tough day at work, you should feel free to share your thoughts without worrying about who might see it. Keep your work circle out of your Facebook space, so you have the freedom to express yourself without the fear of work-related consequences.

Speaking out about work frustrations can be a good way to relieve stress, especially when you can do so freely. Make sure you can vent without looking over your virtual shoulder by keeping these individuals off your Facebook friends’ list.

2. Excessive Personal Photos

We all love sharing snapshots of our lives. Whether it’s a touching or funny moment, or just a selfie for a little ego boost. Galleries filled with pictures of our homes, children, workplaces, parties, purchases, vacations, pets, and family are our way of saying, “Look at my fabulous life. What about you?”

However, oversharing can attract unwanted attention, especially if you’re posting photos that show where you live, what your kids’ school looks like, what you bought your spouse for their birthday, or your latest tech gadget. It’s good to share your life with friends, but you don’t want to give too much away to strangers.

Remember, you have the power to choose which photos you share. Use that control to protect your privacy on Facebook.

3. Your Current Location Tags

Do you often find yourself tagging your location everywhere you go? It’s time to kick that habit. Regularly pinpointing your location, even tagging your own home, is not a wise move.

Long before social media, security experts advised against setting obvious patterns in your daily routine to prevent becoming a target for theft. This advice is even more crucial in the age of Facebook.

Moreover, avoid broadcasting when you’ll be away (heading to Phuket next week!) or when you’re home alone (Just me tonight, partner’s at a conference in Australia). The only thing missing is a map to your hidden key and valuables — let’s not make it any easier for would-be intruders.

You might call it being overly cautious, but with a little research on someone’s Facebook profile, it’s possible to plan a small burglary. To be clear, that’s not a challenge – it’s a reality check.

4. Heated Rants and Comments

Writing out of anger can lead to regrettable posts, and on Facebook, this happens more often than it should. Remember, what you post shapes people’s perception of you, even if your page is private.

Using harsh words and insults doesn’t solve anything. You might think, this is my Facebook, I can say what I want, but deep down you know it might come back to bite you. Your views and opinions may evolve, but your Facebook posts could linger on. Remember: What you post can haunt you forever.

5. Your Birthday Details

If there’s one piece of personal information you should keep to yourself, it’s your full birthdate.

The post 5 Things You Shouldn’t Post on Facebook appeared first on Hongkiat.

These platforms offer a variety of content, from scripts and voice actors to insider details and behind-the-scenes scoops. Whether you’re curious about the future of your favorite sitcoms, dramas, or animated series, this list has got you covered. Note that these are not celebrity gossip sites; they focus on the characters, casting decisions, and development of films and shows.

Here are 10 go-to websites for all your movie trivia needs, listed in no particular order.

NotStarring.com

Specializes In: Revealing which actors declined specific roles and why.

Have you ever questioned the casting decisions in certain films? NotStarring.com provides insights into which actors passed on roles in successful movies. It’s a fascinating look into what might have been.

For example, actors who declined the James Bond role (played by Daniel Craig) include Colin Farrell, Orlando Bloom, Hugh Jackman, Clive Owen, and Sam Worthington.

Movie Mistakes

Specializes In: Highlighting errors, bloopers, and scenes that made it past the editing room.

Film production is a complex process involving various crew members, and mistakes can happen. Movie Mistakes is a community-driven platform that showcases these errors, some glaring and some subtle, that make it into the final cut.

Explore some of the most memorable mistakes in films here.

IsMyShowCancelled.com?

Specializes In: Providing updates on the status of your favorite TV shows.

Ever felt that a TV series ended abruptly, leaving you with unanswered questions? This usually signals a show’s cancellation. IsMyShowCancelled.com helps you understand what’s going on with your favorite series.

The site also offers information on the last episodes of concluded series, any revivals, and how your favorite show fares in ratings compared to others.

Behind the Voice Actor

Specializes In: Discovering the voices behind your favorite animated characters.

Ever wondered who voices iconic characters like Bart Simpson, Jimmy Neutron, and Timmy Turner? Surprisingly, they’re all voiced by women! Voice actors often go unnoticed, but their skill in bringing animated characters to life is truly remarkable.

Most of the time, we only see the voice actor’s name in the credits, making it challenging to connect the voice to the character. This anonymity allows talents like Frank Welker and Hank Azaria to voice multiple characters without drawing attention.

Trailer Addict

Specializes In: Offering a collection of movie trailers, teasers, and featurettes.

Movie trailers have evolved into captivating mini-stories that give us a taste of the film’s magic. Whether you’re waiting for a movie’s release or just browsing, Trailer Addict provides a wide range of trailers you can watch right from your laptop.

Trailers often showcase the best parts of a movie, setting your expectations high. The site also features red band trailers, which are too explicit for mainstream media.

Movie Insider

Specializes In: Providing updates on upcoming and pre-released movies and TV shows.

If you’re eager to stay ahead of the curve, Movie Insider is your go-to source for news on upcoming films in any production stage. The site also offers trailers, behind-the-scenes photos, and an interactive map of active filming locations.

Similar Site: ComingSoon.Net also provides the latest news, reviews, and previews of upcoming movies and TV shows, along with exclusive interviews and box office statistics.

The Movie Spoiler

Specializes In: Revealing movie endings and plot details.

If you’re not satisfied with Wikipedia’s plot summaries or missed a crucial detail in a movie, The Movie Spoiler is the place to go. The site offers detailed summaries for over 1000 mainstream movies.

Similar Site: MoviePooper! offers a similar service, and you can even request summaries for specific movies.

Soundtrack-Movie.com

Specializes In: Identifying and offering movie scores and soundtracks.

If you’ve ever been moved by a film’s musical score, Soundtrack-Movie.com allows you to identify the composer, songwriter, and other details. You can even listen to music clips for free.

Simply Scripts

Specializes In: Offering full movie and TV show scripts.

If you’re interested in reading the full script of a movie or TV show, Simply Scripts is your destination. The site offers various versions of scripts, some of which are raw drafts, all for free.

Similar Site: Daily Script offers scripts in plain text or PDF format, although their collection hasn’t been updated since 2010. However, they provide links to other script repositories.

Explore More Movie Fun

Enjoyed the list above? Here are a few more sites that you’re likely to find just as entertaining.

How It Should Have Ended

While this site offers comics and movie reviews, it’s most famous for its alternate endings. These endings often provide a more satisfying conclusion than the original ones.

The Editing Room

This site humorously highlights the plot holes in popular movies, offering shorter and often more logical versions of the original scripts.

Even More Options…

If you’re still on the hunt for more movie-related content, these additional sites are worth checking out:

• Sidereel
• Screen Rant – Unfiltered TV and Movie News
• Total Film – Your Modern Guide to Movies
• Slashfilm (/film) – Blogging the Cinematic World
• Den Of Geek

The post Top 10 Websites for Movie Trivia Enthusiasts appeared first on Hongkiat.

Rest assured, it’s unlikely that your job will require you to survive on a deserted island. So, why do interviewers ask such perplexing questions? The truth is, these questions serve a purpose, and it’s not necessarily to hear your answer.

What recruiters are really interested in is what your responses reveal about your character and problem-solving abilities.

Categories of Unconventional Questions

Before we delve deeper, let’s explore the range of these unconventional questions. Glassdoor is an excellent resource for discovering some of the most peculiar questions ever asked by companies. For example:

1. “How many cows are in Canada?” – Google
2. “How many quarters would it take to reach the height of the Empire State Building?” – Jet Blue
3. “In an ideal world, how would people communicate?” – Novell
4. “Can you estimate the number of windows in New York?” – Bain & Company
5. “What is the angle between the hands of a clock at 11:50?” – Bank of America

Looks like we’re in a tight spot, aren’t we?

What’s the Objective?

Contrary to popular belief, the answer isn’t the most crucial part. If interviewers are skilled at their job (more on that later), they’re generally interested in three key aspects:

1. Assessing your confidence level and how you handle unexpected situations
2. Understanding your ability to think creatively and bring more than just academic qualifications to the table
3. Evaluating your problem-solving skills, especially for new challenges that may not have textbook solutions

Be Prepared for Anything

Keep in mind that these questions are designed to catch you off guard. Therefore, it’s highly unlikely that there’s a ‘correct’ answer. Your goal should be to come up with a response better than “I don’t know, what’s the answer?”

If your reply is along the lines of seeking someone else’s opinion or simply saying “I don’t know” (or “I don’t really care”), don’t expect a callback anytime soon.

Quick Thought Exercise! How many penguins would it take to encircle the North Pole? Also, provide two standard deviations from your answer (Goldman Sachs).

Understanding Concepts

If you’re the type who likes a challenge, remember that your approach to the question often matters more than the answer itself. While academic settings focus on the right answer, real-world problems emphasize the importance of the underlying concepts.

Think Creatively

Consider the question: How would you fit an elephant into a fridge in three steps? Take a moment to ponder if this is new to you. Done? Simply open the fridge, place the elephant inside, and close the door. It’s a straightforward answer to an unconventional question, meeting the three-step criteria.

The only obstacle to this answer is the common assumption that an elephant is too large for a fridge. Discard that notion, and you have an elegantly simple solution that even Einstein would appreciate.

Here’s another variation involving a miniaturized you and a blender, along with one author’s suggested answer.

Guidelines and Suggestions

These puzzling questions often go viral due to their ambiguous nature. By the time you’re in the interview, the questions have likely changed. So, can you really prepare for them?

Here are three tips that might help:

1. Remember that the questions are related to the job role or the company’s operations. Keep this in mind throughout the interview.
2. Recruiters may use these questions as tie-breakers. So, make a lasting impression.
3. Lastly, don’t take it too seriously. Sometimes, even the interviewers are unsure about what they’re doing.

Inexperienced Interviewers

Indeed, not all interviewers are experts. In smaller firms, the boss or managers, rather than HR professionals trained in recruitment, conduct interviews. Some companies use unconventional questions simply because they’re trendy.

Research suggests that questions designed to intimidate should be eliminated from the interview process. A company could miss out on an excellent candidate who excels in all other areas but stumbles on one puzzling question.

The Optimal Strategy

So, what’s the best course of action when faced with such questions? Engage with them creatively, but aim to leave a memorable impression on the interviewers. For instance, consider the question about using penguins to measure the North Pole.

If asked, I’d likely respond that while I don’t know the exact answer, it’s worth noting that penguins don’t inhabit the North Pole. Moreover, the North Pole isn’t a physical location with defined boundaries; it’s just ice, everywhere. Then, I’d hope they don’t follow up with a question about using unicorns to measure rainbows.

The post How to Handle Unusual Questions Asked During a Job Interview appeared first on Hongkiat.

Although many multi-author platforms depend on and even appreciate guest bloggers for their valuable insights, there are some behaviors that are simply not acceptable. This post elaborates on how to differentiate between good and bad guest posts, enriched by real-world examples.

Let’s just say, truth is often more bizarre than fiction. (Note: Names have been omitted as they are not remembered.)

1. Paying Attention to the Little Things Matters

Getting off on the wrong foot during a pitch can have severe consequences. Even if you believe you have an 80% chance of winning over your audience, certain blunders can quickly reduce those odds. In this section, we’ll discuss these common errors and how to sidestep them.

Don’t Underestimate the Impact of Spelling Mistakes

One common error is misspelling crucial details, like the name of your contact, the site owner, or even the blog you’re pitching to. For instance, our blog’s name is often misspelled, which may seem trivial but can be the tipping point in a sensitive situation.

Treat Your Readers with Respect

Another frequent mistake is using patronizing language towards your readers. Phrases like “WRONG!”, “That’s a foolish approach,” or “Are you uninformed?” have no place in a post meant to impress. Always be courteous and considerate in your language.

2. The Pitfalls of Being Unnecessarily Rude

Discourtesy has no place in guest blogging – much like a child fussing over the color of their new gadget, it’s not acceptable. You can’t just submit a lengthy article on an unrelated topic and expect it to be published. No. Trust me, if we publish just anything, you wouldn’t want your work featured.

If your article is rejected, don’t pester the editor for the “magic” title that will ensure publication. Blogs are not required to feature your content.

Keys to Successful Guest Blogging

If you submit a top-notch guest post, like this example, or this one, we will reach out to discuss publishing your work. The authors of these exemplary posts were cooperative, patient, and professional, making the guest blogging process a mutual endeavor.

3. The Importance of a Relevant Pitch

Some of the submissions I’ve received would astonish you. Topics have ranged from trekking in Nepal to hotel reservations in Mumbai, and even peculiar subjects like “why controversial figures deserve your affection.” Clearly, these are not suitable for our blog.

Before submitting, ensure your article aligns with the blog’s focus. If it doesn’t, it’s best not to submit it. Sending an irrelevant article will likely result in silence, as blog owners are not obliged to engage with off-topic submissions.

4. The Art of Patience in Guest Blogging

Being a guest, whether in someone’s home or on their blog, requires a certain level of patience and understanding. Just like you wouldn’t expect immediate attention from your Aunt Ellen, you shouldn’t expect instant responses from blog owners.

Guest blogging operates on a set schedule, and your contribution, no matter how important to you, is still a “guest” in this system. Being overly demanding can make the blog owner reconsider your submission.

Remember, the blog can function perfectly well without your article. So, avoid being high-maintenance. If you’re truly exceptional, some leniency may be granted, but remember, there’s only room for one diva.

5. The True Objective of Guest Blogging

The main reason blogs accept guest contributors is to obtain high-quality content. In return, you gain valuable exposure. However, if you come with demands like link swaps or sponsored posts, don’t expect a warm welcome.

If you’re considering a financial investment, look into the blog’s advertising options. If you have a team capable of writing diverse topics, perhaps starting your own blog is a better route. Guest blogging is a win-win situation when everyone brings the right elements to the table.

6. The Unacceptable Act of Plagiarism

It happens more often than you’d think. Far too often, actually. I’ve even received a guest post that was a direct copy of an article from another site – which had originally taken the content from our site.

Related: Check out these plagiarism tools to detech bot generated content.

Imagine the absurdity of being shown your own stolen car at a dealership. It’s unacceptable on multiple levels.

The Wasteful Use of Skill

Some individuals attempt to dilute their work by merging multiple authors’ pieces into one. Others spin their articles, changing tenses or sentence structures. Sometimes, it’s so well-done that it’s hard to catch unless you’re particularly observant.

It raises the question: Why not produce an original piece to begin with?

All successful relationships start with trust and understanding. No blog owner wants to feel deceived by accepting a fraudulent guest post.

7. The Dangers of Identity Deception

Just as you wouldn’t want to go on a blind date with someone hiding their true identity, you wouldn’t want to accept a guest post from an impersonator. If a submission comes with a suspiciously attractive photo, perform an image search. You might find it’s just a stock image.

Be wary of submissions featuring two first names. It could be a sign that the individual hastily chose two common names to create a fake identity.

The most egregious case I’ve encountered involved an author claiming to have “multiple personalities.” After initially accepting the post, I found that the author had copied content directly from product descriptions.

When confronted and officially rejected, the author reacted poorly. He insisted that I honor the initial approval and accused me of using “an unjust reason” to withdraw the post. Ironically, he signed the email with another contributor’s name, revealing that he had lost track of his own impersonation.

Conclusion

Despite the hurdles, we continue to welcome guest submissions as they offer a meaningful platform for skilled writers genuinely interested in delivering quality content.

Many guest bloggers have even transitioned into becoming regular contributors on our platform. Implementing a stringent screening process for submissions has proven more effective than completely eliminating guest blogging opportunities.

By adhering to this approach, we maintain high content quality without sacrificing the fresh perspectives and diversity brought by guest bloggers. This strategy has been successful in achieving our objectives.

The post The Seven Sins of Guest Blogging: Real Stories appeared first on Hongkiat.

Now, think about what you do when you’re not connected to the Internet. I hope your answer isn’t a spur-of-the-moment, socially acceptable response. Many of us who earn our living online also use the Internet for our leisure activities. These might include playing games, socializing from the comfort of our armchairs, and perhaps even keeping tabs on our exes. As you might guess, these aren’t the healthiest of pastimes.

Our preference for gadgets, text, and images over real-life interactions could be a sign of bigger issues on the horizon. In this article, we’ll briefly discuss some of the ways our Internet addiction is causing problems for us. We’ll also explore why it’s increasingly important to disconnect from the digital world in order to reconnect with humanity.

Our Well-being

Recently, I found myself grappling with a brief episode of ‘computer fatigue.’ It’s a genuine set of symptoms, although not severe enough to warrant a sick day. You might have encountered it too: a persistent strain across your nose bridge, between your eyes; blurred vision, a metallic taste, headaches, and mild dizziness. These symptoms aren’t severe enough to necessitate a doctor’s visit, but they can hinder productivity to a noticeable extent.

After clocking in an average of 13 hours daily on the computer, I yearned to return to traditional paper-based work, at least until my health improved. A grueling week later, I discovered the remedy: a much-needed 12-hour sleep marathon.

The following morning, all my symptoms had vanished. One of the perks of having an understanding boss, particularly in the freelancing world, is their tolerance for such minor setbacks. However, I think it’s essential to advocate for better self-care, especially considering how relatable this scenario might be for many of us.

Family and Friends

The old adage cautions against mixing business with pleasure, but it’s unclear where ‘family’ fits into this equation. In the traditional 9-to-5 work environment, many of us find our time with loved ones dwindling. This issue is exacerbated when we become engrossed in the digital world.

Our increasing reliance on the Internet, whether it’s for responding to emails, reading blogs, browsing social media, or pursuing hobbies on our PCs, mobiles, or tablets, inversely affects the time we spend with those around us.

Despite boasting hundreds or even thousands of friends on Facebook, how many do we actually meet for a casual drink? And when we do, how much quality time do we truly spend with them? More often than not, upon settling down and placing your order, both of you might immediately reach for your smartphones, scrolling through daily updates, news, tweets, and messages before finding a topic to discuss.

Ironically, we tend to spend more time interacting with friends on our phones than with those sitting right in front of us. In essence, the quicker we connect to a nearby Wi-Fi network, the faster we disconnect from the real world.

Creativity

“Undoubtedly, creativity is the most valuable resource humans possess. Without it, progress would be impossible, and we would be stuck in an endless loop of repetition.” – Edward de Bono.

Consider this: Advancements and innovations are born from ideas. These technological leaps forward propel our society’s progress.

Therefore, it’s vital to ensure a continuous flow of ideas, which is where creativity comes into play. Creative ideas are unique – sometimes they are a new twist on an existing concept, while at other times, they are entirely revolutionary. Examples include quantum physics, the ability to fly, electricity, and more recently, the tablet.

The potential of the human mind is astounding when we allow an idea to mature over time.

The Dilemma of Originality and Sharing

In today’s digital age, the ease of sharing content has seemingly diminished the need or motivation to create original ideas. The question arises: why fix what isn’t broken?

We see this trend in various aspects of our lives. Students and academics heavily rely on Wikipedia for research, while blogs often recycle content from other sources. Memes and rage comics rehash old jokes that have been circulating since the internet’s inception, and YouTube is brimming with covers of popular songs by talented young artists.

The impact of this ‘sharing is caring’ mentality extends beyond just these examples. Consider the film industry: 2012 was dubbed the ‘year of the sequel,’ with over 95 movie sequels in production and at least 50 films slated for remakes. This pattern is also evident in the music industry with its abundance of covers and mash-ups, and in literature, where originality can sometimes be questioned (as seen with the Hunger Games series).

This trend, coupled with the fact that credit is often overlooked on the web, prompts us to consider whether we are indeed running out of new ideas. If this is the case, it may lend credence to Edward de Bono’s assertion about the state of originality in our society.

Disconnecting from the Digital World

Technology, with its captivating allure, effortlessly provides us with what we desire, when we desire it. In today’s world, it may seem challenging to spend a day without our smartphones, constantly checking for notifications, engaging in online games, or sharing our latest meal on social media.

However, when the weekend rolls around, it’s essential to take a break from the digital realm. This is a time to reconnect with our physical selves, the people around us, and our surroundings.

Engage in activities that don’t require immediate feedback or comments from others. You could try writing for your own pleasure, learning to play a new musical instrument, or picking up a book from your shelf without reading a review first.

Consider embarking on a road trip with your partner, children, or even your mother. Alternatively, you could invite your college friends for a camping, fishing, or abseiling adventure. Be bold and try something new that doesn’t involve signing up or logging into a website.

If possible, leave your electronic devices behind. If you can’t leave your home for a trip, consider turning off your Wi-Fi. Reconnect with yourself through meditation, a relaxing bubble bath, or by preparing a delicious salad just for you.

Conclusion

As humans, we are inherently social creatures. Even though social networks have become a significant part of our lives, they can’t replace the unique joy of sharing a cup of coffee with a friend in a cozy café, sheltered from the rain, while enjoying good music. This simple experience can often be more rewarding than we ever imagined.

Moreover, one thing that people can provide, which technology cannot, is emotional and moral support, along with the motivation to keep striving. This is a realm where technology falls short.

The post Get Off The Internet: A Challenge to Reconnect With Yourself appeared first on Hongkiat.

I frequently get asked if I know of more jobs like this. Internally, I respond, “No, and thank goodness for that.” Before you navigate away, let me assure you that this isn’t your typical ‘work from home‘ advice article. In fact, it leans more towards a horror story – less gothic, more gruesome. When you’ve been in my position for a while (which isn’t very long by web standards), you begin to notice the stranger aspects of working online as a web editor, such as the following:

1. Time Flies Differently Here

You know those moments when parents gather and exclaim, “Oh, how time flies!” as they discuss their kids now in college and the impending stage of retirement? Well, time on the Internet is a different beast altogether. Unlike the traditional 9-to-5, unless you establish a routine, a blink could mean it’s already Wednesday, and two blinks later, you’re at Sunday. Ironically, the reverse also holds true: spend a year on the Web, and it feels like four have passed.

Information that was fresh just two days ago is now considered ‘old’. The digital world demands a constant awareness of new trends, news stories, and product releases. In the time it takes for a letter to reach its destination via post, you could have witnessed six different revolutions, uprisings, or scandals online.

The Internet operates on a different time scale, and when you finally disconnect and glance at the calendar, you might be shocked at how far into the year you’ve traveled.

Navigating the Web: What to Expect and Do

Establish a routine. Regular reality checks are essential. Step out of the house, go for a run, catch up with friends, or read a physical newspaper (the kind that doesn’t update itself and can be lent to someone else without the fear of it being stolen). These activities can help ground you in the real world amidst the fast-paced digital landscape.

2. Everyone Seems to Dislike You

This is a harsh reality. If you’ve spent enough time on the Web, you’ll notice that animosity is one of the most prevalent emotions you’ll encounter. It seems that for many keyboard warriors, there’s no shortage of things to despise: an artist who arrives late for a concert, open letters advocating for a cause, even minor errors (did you catch that?) in blog posts can elicit strongly worded emails.

The reason behind this isn’t always clear. Some people just seem to enjoy expressing their dislike. It’s a twisted interpretation of the quote by Oscar Wilde:

“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.”

In today’s world, both men and women are often filled with unchecked animosity and a desire to confront others, albeit virtually. Everyone has an opinion they would ‘virtually die for’, and there’s little you can do to sway their viewpoint, even though they may be eager to change yours.

What to Expect and How to Respond

Be ready to accept criticism even when you’re not seeking it. If you can’t handle criticism from people on the Internet, then you might be better off working away from it. Honestly, it’s not worth the stress. You can’t afford to be upset all the time.

3. You Are Your Own Manager

If you’re drawn to working from home because of the perceived freedom, brace yourself for a challenging first few months. Freedom, in this context, is a misnomer. What you’ll actually need are self-control, discipline, and a willingness to make significant sacrifices.

The necessity of these traits will become evident when you find yourself explaining to clients or your boss why tasks aren’t being completed: “I got distracted”; “The deadline is still a week away, I didn’t realize the client wanted an early draft”; “I had to assist with my daughter’s recital costume,” and so on.

If you found your previous job’s strict supervisor irksome, you might find yourself missing the structured environment they created, which allowed you to focus and achieve your goals. That kind of setting was optimized for you to concentrate on the task at hand.

No distractions, no calls from home, no interruptions within that 9-to-5 zone. Your hands were tied, but you got work done. At the end of the day, that’s what clients and bosses value: accomplishments.

What to Expect/Do

Stay disciplined, deliver results, or return to an environment that enables you to do both. How will you know it’s time? When nothing gets done.

4. Scammers Are Everywhere

In the process of receiving guest contributions (many of which are from incredibly talented writers), I’ve encountered a relatively small group of individuals who will go to great lengths to have their post featured on our site. However, their efforts seldom include providing good, original content.

Make a Stand

As an editor, it’s crucial to acknowledge and appreciate the effort that writers invest in their work. Equally, it’s essential to demand this effort. Having collaborated with numerous talented and diligent individuals, I find it difficult to respect writers who plagiarize content from one site and attempt to present it as their own on another.

We, as writers, should extend professional courtesy to our peers in the industry. This could include crediting the original author, providing a backlink to their site, or even mentioning them by name occasionally. Creativity is a rare commodity; let’s strive to preserve it rather than extinguishing it prematurely.

However, it’s possible that these individuals have their reasons for resorting to such actions. Perhaps they struggle to generate original content, or they believe that rewording is acceptable. Alternatively, they might be adhering to the adage, “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

5. Trust Your Instincts

Regardless of the underlying reasons, the unfortunate reality is that some individuals will continue their actions until they are caught. Sometimes you’ll catch them, sometimes you won’t. However, the consequences are real and they can damage your reputation and your brand more than they harm the individuals themselves.

Working from behind a computer screen, it’s challenging to pick up on subtle cues. In face-to-face interactions, you can study body language, notice changes in tone, hesitations, and overly long responses. But when all you have is text, these cues are absent. So, what’s an editor to do? The best approach is to roll with the punches and trust that your instincts will guide you when necessary.

Guidelines and Expectations

Exercise caution. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure what the best course of action is. I typically rely on my instincts or a moment of frustration to guide my decisions. Perhaps you have a better idea or strategy.

6. It’s the People

In my experience, working in the digital realm is truly exhilarating. It provides an opportunity to interact and collaborate with a diverse group of passionate individuals, all striving to make a significant impact in their respective fields. The web is a unique platform where age, language, and educational background do not serve as barriers but rather as enriching elements of one’s journey.

This dynamic environment is a testament to the survival of the fittest, where perseverance and determination outshine prejudice and discrimination. It’s a space that values action and ‘making things happen’ above all else. If you harbor a dream and are committed to making it a reality, the web is undoubtedly the place to be.

The post Confessions of a Web Editor – An Inside Look appeared first on Hongkiat.

For starters, if you were to choose to work from home, most bosses would ask that you take a pay cut (in lieu of not having to turn up at the office). Plus, you can absolutely expect your friends and family to take advantage of your newfound ‘freedom’.

The working hours will become a blur, and sometimes if you are not careful, you’ll find yourself working 7 days a week just to catch up with all the time you’ve lost! But if you have decided that working from home is your only option, here are a few tips that may help you make the best of it.

1. An understanding family

One of the hardest thing about working from home is setting boundaries with the people you share ‘home’ with. It’s definitely easier to understand that you are not to be disturbed when you are at the office than when you are in the back room.

Start setting boundaries from the first day you start work. Granted it will get some getting used to (about 66 days, in fact, ) but your children, flatmates, siblings or parents must learn to give you your 8 hours (or more) a day so you can get things done.

2. Get help

If you have very young children, you will need to get help. A 3-year-old would consider having to go poo an emergency, and they expect you to treat it like one (drop everything and get me to the loo quick!).

In this case, it would be helpful to have another adult in the house, or to drop your children off at daycare, or a babysitter to get a few uninterrupted hours to yourself.

During busy periods, you can always get a cleaning lady to help straighten up the mess you call home. Give yourself the peace of mind required to get your work done.

3. Get your own no-fly Zone

It will help to have a room, a workstation or at the very least a desk in a quiet area in your home. Here is where you keep your laptop or PC, fax machine or phone, work documents like reports and invoices, your stationery etc. And it would be good to ensure that no one but you are to use your equipment.

In case this is not possible, stock up on your essentials (e.g. always keep some ink stored away for emergencies).

4. I’m working, honey!

Within these four invisible walls, you are working and you are to treat it like how you would treat your old office. Coming to work is merely a hop into your ‘cubicle’ and going home is ‘hopping out’.

Everything else should remain as it was – keep problems, issues, and matters that have to do with a home outside of your no-fly zone. If you can convince yourself to compartmentalize like this, it will be easier to convince everyone else.

5. Have a routine (and breaks)

Apart from the reason that we are just tired of commuting, another reason to work from home is because of other responsibilities you have that require you to be home.

It could be because of your children, your old nana or your spouse who had suffered a broken leg from an accident. In this case, you will need to set a routine that will ensure that you can be there for them and for your company.

For the rest of us, the routine will help with keeping up with house chores – and the breaks you schedule in will help you keep your sanity. It’s also great to help you recharge for the next project or refuel your inspiration.

If you get breaks while you’re in the office, there is no reason you can’t take breaks when you are at home.

6. Deliver the hours

Depending on what has been ironed out in the clauses of your contract (or discussed over two cups of coffee) you will be expected to deliver certain working hours for your work-from-home job.

The good news with working from home is that nobody is keeping track; the bad news is nobody is keeping track (let that sink in for a bit).

Don’t think that you can prop up your feet and catch a whole season of your sitcoms in one afternoon and try to work it back during the weekends. Do it often enough and it will turn into a habit in the long run. Have some self-restraint and keep the entertainment to after hours or the weekends.

7. Open up, be reachable

The problem most managers have with their employees working from home is that they can’t keep an eye on them. Make it easier for your boss by being reachable whenever possible. Let them know when you are not around like when you are heading out to the bank or post office, and when you will be back.

Keep yourself in check at all times so your boss doesn’t have to. After a while once a routine is set in, the reins will loosen and you will have the freedom to roam about freely… which could lead to another problem.

8. Deliver the goods

One thing that should always be at the back of your head is that your productivity should not diminish when you work from home. If it is counterproductive for you to be working from home, what’s to stop them from making you brave traffic and parking wardens to turn up at the office again?

Set quotas for yourself and discuss roadblocks or problems that you have with your colleagues or managers while working on a project. Consider joining in brainstorming sessions via conferencing tools, but stay away from the office politics or gossip.

9. Get out of the house

Moderation is key. Working in solitude has its disadvantages but only because humans are social creatures. Hence, getting out of the house is very important.

If you don’t have to go back to the office to have meetings or deliver progress reports, you can bring your laptop and work at a coffee shop or meet a friend during lunch.

The idea is to break the monotony of working with your shadow and your reflection.

10. Stay healthy

Get plenty of fluids and eat healthily, and if you aren’t a fan of exercise, just try to move around whenever you can. This gets oxygen into your blood circulation which can be the cure to that dullness you’ve been feeling after looking at the same project day in, day out for months! Relax with music, do some light reading, or make lunch for yourself.

Also you should pamper yourself for being able to keep away from online distractions and for getting the job done with minimal (or no) supervision. Not everyone can do it, so when you do, reward yourself for it!

The post 10 Tips to Make WFH (Working From Home) Work appeared first on Hongkiat.

At least, that’s what the common notion of Christmas is to most of us. But in some parts of the world, you may find strange and bizarre traditions and customs that would raise an eyebrow or two.

Here are some of the strange things people around the world do for Christmas in the name of celebration.

1. Go Bananas With Christmas (India)

In India, only about 2.3% of the population are Christians, but because of the large population they have, we are talking about 25 million people here! Christians here celebrate Christmas with midnight mass and gift-giving like the rest of the world, but with the absence of fir trees or pine trees to decorate, they usually made do with banana trees and mango trees instead.

(Image Source: Tom Elliot)

That means instead of Christmas pine trees lining up celebrating households, you’ll find brightly lit, well-decorated Christmas banana or mango trees on the streets. They even use the leaves of those trees to decorate their houses.

2. Toss Your Shoes and Get Hitched (Czech Republic)

If you don’t want to celebrate another Christmas single, then try this: stand with your back to the door and throw a shoe over your shoulders on Christmas day! If the shoe lands with the toe pointing to the door, congratulations, you’re going to get married soon! There’s no clue as to how long before you meet your prince charming, though.

3. Kentucky Fried Christmas (Japan)

No kidding – just like how Christmas turkey is a must on Christmas, for the Japanese, it’s the Colonel’s Chicken. Since the beginning of this marketing campaign four decades ago, KFC has been associated with Christmas in the minds of the Japanese for generations, a tradition passed on from parent to child in spite of its commercialized beginnings.

(Image Source: katjamueller)

More than 240,000 barrels of chicken will be sold during Christmas, five to ten times its normal monthly sales. "In Japan, Christmas equals KFC."

4. Christmas Cakes (Japan)

Another Christmas food associated with Japan is the Christmas cake. These sponge cakes with whipped cream, chocolate and strawberries on top are ordered months in advance and are eaten on Christmas Eve. Any cake that is not sold after the 25th is unwanted.

(Image Source: Make Do & Mend)

For the same reason, single Japanese women over the age of 25 used to be called Christmas Cakes (yikes!).

5. A Christmas of Remembrance (Finland)

Families in Finland usually visit the graves of their ancestors and relatives on Christmas Eve to light candles in memory of the deceased. Even those who don’t have their kin’s graves nearby visit cemeteries to place candles in honor of their family members buried elsewhere. Hence, on Christmas eve, cemeteries would be lit up with candles presenting a beautiful sight.

(Image Source: Huffington Post)

Food will also be left on tables and family members leave their beds to sleep on the floor to give the dead a nice meal and a place to rest when they visit.

6. Skating your Way to Christmas (Venezuela)

In the capital city, Caracas, before young children go to bed on Christmas Eve, they tie one end of a string to their big toe, leaving the other end outside their bedroom window. The fun part of the Christmas celebration is on the day of the "Early Morning Mass".

(Image Source: Mike Hartz)

Streets were closed off to cars until 8 a.m. for people to roller-skate to the service, and they customarily proceeded to tug on any of the strings they saw hanging.

7. Let the Goat Live Until Christmas (Sweden)

In 1966, a 13-meter tall goat figure made of straw was erected in the town square of Gavle. At the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, the goat went up in flames.

But the town never stopped building it year after year, and vandals never stopped trying to burn the goat down! By 2011, the goat had already been burned down 25 times. The burning of the Gavle goat happened so often that bookmakers began taking bets for the survival of the goat in 1988.

(Image Source: Nicole)

Just to be clear, the town doesn’t want the goat to be burned down; in fact, In 2001, an American tourist served time in jail and was fined for successfully doing so.

8. A Spidey Christmas (Ukraine)

Instead of glittering ornaments and tinsel, Ukrainian Christmas trees are covered with an artificial spiders and cobwebs. Why the eccentric taste in spiders? According to the local folklore, there was a poor woman who could not afford to decorate their Christmas tree.

But the next morning, her children woke up to see the tree covered with webs and when the first light of Christmas morning touched the web threads, they turned into gold and silver, and the family was never left for wanting again. Hence, it is believed that seeing a spider web on Christmas morning brings luck.

(Image Source: Robin L. D. Rees)

9. The Christmas Sauna (Finland)

Most Finnish families have their own sauna because it’s believed that a sauna ‘elf’ lives in there to protect it and to make sure people behave themselves. And every Christmas Eve, people would head to their sauna, strip to their toes, and enjoy a nice, good soak naked. After sunset, though, the place is for the spirits of dead ancestors.

(Image Source: Destination 360)

10. Don’t Stuff It in My Socks (Philippines)

Christmas is huge in the Philippines since 80% of the population are Christians. Celebrations last all the way to January. Children will leave their brightly polished shoes and freshly washed socks on the window sills for the Three Kings to leave gifts in when they pass through their houses at night. The "Feast of the Three Kings" marks the end of the Christmas celebrations.

11. Pudding & Wishes (Britain)

The Christmas pudding is served on Christmas Day, but the traditions we’re looking at have to do with how it is made. Every member of the family (especially the kids) is to stir the mix clockwise while making a wish.

(Image Source: 99holidays)

Earlier traditions include putting a coin in the mix, which brings wealth to whoever finds it in their serving. Other additions include a ring for luck in marriage and a thimble for good luck in life.

12. Santa’s own Postal Code – H0H 0H0

Where do you send your letters to Santa to? The North Pole? Santa’s workshop? Actually Santa has his own postal code, H0H 0H0 (with zeros instead of the letter ‘o’) and it’s in Canada where postal codes are alphanumeric. Letters – the kind that bypasses parents – used to end up undelivered because there was no centralized address for Kris Kringle.

(Image source: The Big Red Box)

But for the past 30 years, Canada Post volunteers (in the thousands) had been helping Santa reply to a million letters (every year!) from children around the world in different languages, including Braille.

The post 12 Strange Christmas Customs You Probably Don’t Know appeared first on Hongkiat.

But like all kinds of advice, not all of them is good advice. As time goes on, some of the ‘experiences’ that well-meaning friends share with you are not even applicable to the current job-seeking atmosphere anymore. Here are the top 10 misconceptions about job interviews that you might want to keep an eye out for.

Your Resume Must Be One Page Long Only

Your resume must only have one page because it was believed that interviewers wouldn’t read your resume if it’s more than that. This is not true. It isn’t easy to summarize your whole list of achievements, contact info, objectives, or relevant qualifications on a single page.

Reducing the font size or cramping too much of everything in just to fit this one-page rule not only sounds ridiculous, but it may also ruin the good impression the recruiter may have of you. You can expand this to two pages, but it is best to keep the maximum length at that.

More related posts:

• 45 Creative Resumes to Seize Attention
• 7 Great Ways To Get Your Resume Noticed

No Call? No Job

So you have submitted your application and have waited days for the interviewer to call you but… no luck. Does that mean that you should move on since “someone else must have gotten the job”? Well, not quite.

Recruiters are a busy lot and usually only begin calling the selected candidates after the closing date of the job notice or a couple of weeks after your submission.

If you don’t get a call after applying, you can always send an inquiry email or give them a call to ask if they have hired someone for the spot, and you would probably find that they are still processing the applications.

They Called, I’m Still In The Running

So you got the call, congratulations! Not trying to be a wet blanket here, but sometimes you are called to interview for jobs that don’t even exist. Often enough, companies invite applicants for interviews for company studies or research to minimize expenses on recruitment research.

Instead of asking questions about you, they might ask questions how the working environment in your current or last workplace, how much is your salary scale, what benefits you are enjoying, etc. Even if you are caught in one of these ‘traps’, keep your chin up; you don’t know what it can lead to.

The Interviewer Is Well-Prepared

While being well-prepared is suitable for an interview, this rule will probably only apply to the candidates. Most interviewers have other more pressing matters to deal with and will only take a little of their time to prepare for your first meet-up with them.

Don’t expect them to have read your resume through and through. If they did, there wouldn’t have been a need for you to tell them “about yourself” at the start of the interview.

Take the opportunity to pitch yourself or your skills and make “you” stand out from the crowd. Highlight your strengths and other discerning factors, and be prepared to be asked questions that clearly show that they have never even looked at your application.

Interviewers Will Ask All The Same Questions

Although you know what to say when they ask you about your strengths and weaknesses, the skills you can bring to the company, and how you can help improve the company brand, sometimes they will throw you a curveball and ask you an odd question.

Trick questions like “How many balloons fit inside of San Francisco?” are popular with larger companies where the competition is high. These questions can help them tell apart those who are creative from those who are book smart.

How will you approach a seemingly overwhelming question like that? How will you react? That’s what they are looking for. Either that or they like to see sweat through the rest of the interview.

Looks Don’t Matter, Heart Does

Fairy tales may end with the lesson that no matter how you look on the outside, it’s the inside that counts. But when it comes to reality, the human instinct is to stick to the winner or anyone who looks like one.

Recruiters want candidates who look fresh, confident, energetic, and enthusiastic. You don’t have to be Prince Charming, but proper personal grooming and how you present yourself will definitely influence how much recruiters want you to join them. While we’re on the subject…

The Most Qualified Person Gets The Job

While being qualified gives the applicants a headstart, the job interview is more like a date. You might not be the most qualified, but if there’s chemistry between you and the interviewer, you most likely still stand a chance to be the winning candidate for the job.

Also, academic qualifications may have gotten you through the door, but that’s not the only thing interviewers are looking at. They need you to convince them that you are the man (or woman) for the job, that you can be a great addition to the company instead of just being dead weight.

Accept When Offered a Beverage

Interviewers may try to be accommodating and ask you if you would like tea, coffee or any other beverage. While the polite thing to do is accept the offer, unless the mentioned drink is right in front of your eyes, decline it.

You may be making the interviewer go out of their way to get you a drink when all they are there to do is decide just how good you are as a new addition to the family. And imagine if you’re in a lengthy interview, you sure won’t want your bladder to be full halfway through it. You’re already nervous enough as it is.

Keep Your Answers Short

How would you feel if you ask someone a lengthy question, expecting a similarly lengthy answer only to get, “Yes, I think so” and “No, I don’t think that.” as your answers? It’s okay to open up and talk about the company or to explain yourself when you are asked a question, particularly if you have done your homework.

If keeping your answers short will not help you get the job, why would you do it just because someone tells you to?

List Out All Your References

In some places, checking up with the references is only a practice used by human resources to confirm that you have previously worked where you said you did.

Most of the time, these references may never be contacted at all. However, you can use this in your strategy. After the interview, you would have gotten a sense of what the recruiters think of you or seek from you.

There is still time to pick the reference who can give you a leg up in the right sense, provided that you have contacted them beforehand and explained your situation to them.

The post 10 Common Misconceptions About Job Interviews appeared first on Hongkiat.

This is probably the reason why one-hour interviews fail to unearth the real person within; and only after the employee has joined your company that you realize they have lied in their resume; they are just all talk, no walk; they cannot work under minimal supervision or with any other team members, or they have the tendency to make the company adapt to their likes and preferences (true story).

The Existing Problem

When advice-mongering sites give candidates sample answers to give, and the candidates take those sample answers to their interviews, everyone becomes the same faceless drone. That’s when recruiters may have to resort to unorthodox interview methods to separate the sheep from those who know what they are doing.

And let’s face it, half an hour is real easy to fake through and does little to nothing to help you decide. Plus, most resumes are spell-checked (any interview guide will suggest doing that) and hyped up, so if you base you base the recruitment on just their CV, the candidate in real-life may come up short of your expectations.

Hiring talent

Unless you are searching for someone who will only be doing one thing over and over again, chances are you need them to be great problem-solvers. But don’t just ask them how they would solve a problem, introduce these problems into the interview (not during the probation period, or after they are confirmed).

If you want your employees to have certain ‘talent’ criteria, there should be an effort to make them display their talent in the interview room itself. Heineken did exactly this to sort through candidates for their internship program. It’s a classic case of " don’t tell me, show me" and it’s just brilliant.

But the best video to really illustrate this is the test scene in Men In Black. I know it’s just a movie but the principle’s the same. Put them in an uncomfortable position (see: make things ridiculously uncomfortable) and see how they react.

Put Ants In Their Pants

Textbook methods are only going to get you average, mediocre candidates to join your company. Short of putting ants in their pants, there are a lot of things you can do to spruce up the atmosphere in the interview room, for instance, :

Asking off-track questions

Simple questions like "How did you get here this morning? Was the traffic bad?" can ease them into putting their guard down, and revealing more about their true self.

Plus, you get an inside look into their lifestyle: does he take public transport, does he live far from here, does he drive, does he still lives with his mother, and if he has an opinion on how to solve problems, or if he is the wait-and-see kind.

Distract them

Put up special items in the room, items that are designed to distract. One of the things that will work pretty well is a mirror or a reflective surface. You’d be surprised at how many candidates think looking good during the interview trumps paying attention to the questions.

The best place for it, right above your head, behind you. Even when they steal peeks, you’d notice.

Test Their Drive

Some jobs require you to be non-tolerant of certain situations. A chef should be picky about the quality of his raw materials, a restaurant manager about cleanliness, or a sales rep about sale quotas.

Apply this to the interview process, and you can give an editor an IQ test that is riddled with mistakes, a biodata form in Comic Sans to a designer to fill in, or put a hideous vase near the corner of the interview room when interviewing an interior designer.

When their natural instincts get the best of them and they voice out about these ‘atrocities’, you know you got the right person for the job.

Catch Them Off Guard

Rather than resort to oddball questions, there are many other ways to catch a candidate off guard and see how well they approach problems. For instance:

• in your expected salary section in the company form, but only 3 boxes and see the answers that candidates give
• turn up late for the interview and say, "Oh, you’re early" and watch how they tackle with the situation
• bring in the resume for another (non-existing) candidate, explain the mistake and watch how the candidate try to sell him/herself and trump the ‘other’ candidate.

Conclusion

Sometimes, though, it boils down to how you click with the candidate. You might even consider trying to simulate an actual working environment or to explain how things are going to work if the candidate gets the job.

Understanding where candidates are coming from — after peeling all the surface layers — may help find you a candidate that will be a great addition to your company.

Recruiting is a costly endeavor but it is not worth getting a bad apple to join in the growing orchard. Rather than choosing to extend the lengths of probation periods, you can always just throw them into the heat of the battle and see how they escape the zone or better yet, win the battle.

What interview methods have you tried out which helped you catch a great addition to your company?

The post Why You Should Shake Up The Interview Process (And How) appeared first on Hongkiat.

At the root of it all, it points to that strong emotion you have inside of you, for someone, or some thing. And anyone who has ever succeeded in making a name for themselves would probably state their passion for the work / craft / industry as a reason for their success, but do you know yours?

I asked around, compiled some questions, got some answers, had a few headaches trying to decipher why everyone is telling me different things about what passion is to them.

For example, some equate a passion (for something) to a hobby or a dream, but just because you love to sing (in the shower), that doesn’t necessarily mean that your passion is the act of singing.

Here are 10 things you should know about passion, which can perhaps help you find what your real passion is.

1. It’s not a bobby nor a dream

There should be a purposeful word choice in what you use in a sentence. With this logic in mind, ‘Passion’ is as far from a ‘hobby’ as a ‘hobby’ is to a ‘dream’. One special ingredient separates passion from the two.

In the 2004 movie, National Treasure, treasure hunter Benjamin Gates asks his sidekick, Riley, this simple question: "We don’t need someone crazy. But one step short of crazy, what do you get?"

His sidekick says "Obsessed" but he corrects him with "Passionate."

When you do what you love to do at a moderate level, you can call it a hobby. It could be cooking, gardening, singing in the shower, disassembling gadgets, playing with action figures; the mix. But when you go all out with it, to the point that someone deems you a step short from crazy, that’s passion for you.

2. Being happy with your passion

And you do it for a few reasons, one of which is because of how it makes you feel. Passion is engrained in your body and soul. For me, when you are really happy doing something, there’s a hint of what you are passionate about right there.

From that, add a level of obsession to it, a lot of man-hours, a devotion second only to a dog’s love for its master, and that’s just about as close as you can get to pinpointing what your passion is.

One of the reasons defining passion is so different from one man to another, is because sometimes it is hard to pin down what your real passion is.

3. You might not see it

It’s not true that passion has to be something that you can feel (as in touch, in physical form). Sometimes it is an effect of what you do.

Believe it or not, some people really like to help other people, and that is really important in some professions e.g. a nurse in a child’s hospital, a social welfare worker, a flight attendent, a special needs teacher etc.

That effect not only pushes them to get out of bed and face all kinds of things that would cause you and me to break down on a daily basis (see #4) but they also do it because their passion is to make a difference in someone’s life.

4. Rough it out

To be passionate about something is to weather the storm no matter how hard it is. If practising for hours on the guitar makes the skin of your fingers break, or dancing the ballet to the tune of the nutcracker gives you ugly toes, passion says ‘so be it’.

You cease to care because at the end of the day you just want to be known as the person who can play Stairway to Heaven in your sleep or still dance even without all your limbs attached (go ahead, click it. It’s beautiful).

5. Childhood crush

A probable source for what we are passionate about may come from what we were exposed to during our childhood. Many simple things such as sketching, music, collecting action figures or airplane models that we did when we were young evolve to become what we are passionate about when we are adults.

Have you seen what they can do with LEGO bricks? With just pen and paper? With wooden blocks? With trash and light? They may have the talent to do those things but passion is what brings those things from thought to reality, even when they are well into adulthood. For them, growing up doesn’t mean the same thing as letting go of what you love doing.

6. Being passionate is being invested

Invested here refers to how much of you, you put inside your passion. The time, the effort, the costs, the blood and sweat – it’s not always positive energy or good news all the way (see #4).

Passionate people may be angry almost all the time – passion is a combination of love and hatred – because along with the obsession, comes a need for perfection.

"Good enough" is never good enough because the passion does not allow it. And it has to do with #7.

7. You don’t mind going full nerd

No one can describe passion better than geeks and nerds. It probably began as a hobby, then it became a favorite pastime, then a partime unpaid job (because of the hours you spend on it), then you start collecting and learning the jargon, and joining communities of fellow fans.

This is where you shut out almost everything else and fully devote yourself into pursuing and elevating what you love so that it is out in the limelight, looked at by the rest of the world. And the irony of it is, the world probably don’t and won’t ‘get it’. But you do and you don’t care.

8. You can’t stop it

Say you don’t want to go full nerd on it; well, here’s the bad news, you can’t stop it or refrain from doing it. It’s always there in your heart and up there at the back of your mind.

You can’t switch it off or tone it down. And you won’t stop until you have let it all out or satisfy your craving – be it to draw your next masterpiece, or to write your breakthrough novel, or to redefine an industry. Follow it far enough in your career and your life and something big may come of it.

9. Raw passion, ambitions & limits

At least the one thing that everyone could agree on about passion is that it is closely associated with drive, enthusiasm, limitless energy, motivation, the push, etc. Passion can be transformed into raw enthusiasm which is then processed into an internal drive that keeps you going.

Passionate people are almost always ambitious. They want to have a say in the field that they love. They read about it, study it, embrace it and never really escape from it. It is a gift and a curse. And I don’t think everyone has it.

10. Embracing passion

"It is obvious that we can no more explain a passion to a person who has never experienced it than we can explain light to the blind." – T.S. Elliot

I think about passion the same way that I think about talent. Not everyone is gifted with it. Even if they are, not everyone has the bravery or the opportunity to embrace their passion. In order to survive, most of us prefer to be practical rather than passionate.

"Get a steady job, buy a car, pay your bills, sign checks, manage accounts." Don’t get me wrong, it is necessary to have a steady income to pursue your dreams but I don’t believe it when people say, "I am passionate about my work". Are you working for the money or for what you love? It’s a fine line between the two, but to be technical about it, it’s still a line.

Conclusion

When it comes to passion – a strong emotion of desire – there is a need to be brave enough to both acknowledge and embrace it. Some let their passion take over the wheel and do things that challenge the status quo, push boundaries, wreck tradition and ultimately reshape the world as we knew it.

To strive for your passion is to be different from the rest. Take it from astronaut Chris Hadfield who has some pretty good advice to share with youngsters who want to one day go to space like how he did.

Do you have the same level of bravery to embrace your passion?

The post 10 Things You Should Know About Passion (And How To Find Yours) appeared first on Hongkiat.