Word Press Vs Blogger

As an author, I get asked all the time about which blogging site I prefer and why. 

Honestly, I have my author blog on word press. If your an author and your looking to connect with readers and build your platform--then word press is good choice. 

But as you know, I also have blogs on blogger, too. Why? Because I like being in control of the ads on my blog without having to pay all the extra fees of self hosting my own site. Call me cheap... I like to think of it as being thrifty. 

So whenever I'm working with someone I usually ask them this question:

Do you want to make money from your blog?

If the answer is yes, I say go Blogger. 

If the answer is no, I say go Wordpress. 

Each of these sites are great sites to create a blog and start building your platform. And, as you know there are pros and cons to both of these. So I'll just list a few here:

BLOGGER (pros)

* connects with Google sites for building on additional web space 

* your choice if you want ads on your web log

* posting media and sharing videos is free

* you can use URL links as page tabs 

* your connected with Google+ platform

*hey, it's Google, why wouldn't it be a pro?

WORD PRESS (pros)

*static page - makes your blog appear like a website

*connects with your social media to get the word out you've posted a blog

*wider selection of available templates to customize your site

*more detailed stats and spam filter

*easy transition from free to self hosting 

BLOGGER (cons)

*limited templates unless you  know html to load xml files

*no set static page

*does not link with social media to notify of a new blog post

*only connects with Google+, you add FB and Twitter to your list

WORD PRESS (cons)

*you can't use URL links as page tabs

*you can't insert html code for photos, links, or ads such as affliates like Amazon

*you have to pay an extra fee for media to upload and use youtube videos

* you can't use html or xml files to customize your own template without extra fees

So what do they both have in common?

They both are open to your custom domain. 

They both allow you to connect with others and get your message out there. 

They both are user friendly tools for building a platform

So which one is better? 

Well, that my friends if for you to choose. 

What do you think? Which one are you currently using? or like me are you on both sites?

  Susan

What a Cover Letter Should Be

Jobs are hard to come by.

Let's face it, the world is evolving and new markets are opening up all over the world. But, that doesn't necessarily mean that with these new markets come new job opportunities for everyone. It's sad, really to think the world is moving forward and man kind just might be left behind unless we catch up with the times.

So what does that mean for the person who is looking for a job in today's market?

Well, there are jobs. Yes. But there are few diverse jobs and more niche jobs out there. So, as a job seeker, you need to be on your toes. You need to stand out above all others in what you do and what you can provide for your prospective employer.

Employers receive dozens of resumes everyday for the job your looking for. Why are you any more qualified then the person who got their resume in before you? Finding a job isn't a rat race, it's a talent show.

No, really. Employers are looking for talent. They don't care if you got your resume on their desk before anyone else. They want to know what you can do for them.

And it all starts with a great cover letter.

A cover letter should do four things.

1. Introduce yourself to the employer
2. Give a brief description of your talents
3. Tell the employer how your talents can be of benefit to their company by hiring you.
4. Request a face to face meeting to further discuss your mutual alliance

Right after the salutation, don't say Hi, my name is.....

Your first paragraph should be something more along the lines of what job your applying for and why you're applying for it. For example:

I am applying for XYZ position at your company. I'm have been a XYZ for X number of years and am looking for a company that provides their employees with opportunities for advancement. 

Then in the next paragraph, tell them what you've got. Yep, this is where you summarize the skills you can bring to the table at the interview.

In the past X number of years, I've supervises a staff of x number of employees. I've been responsible to over see YZ project using AB resources. 

Then here you sum it up to why these talents are important to the company where you are applying for the position:

In my last project, I increased revenue for my company by X%, and this is just one of the way I can be beneficial as a part of your team at XYBB company. 

And you wrap it up with a call to action. 

I would like the opportunity to sit down with you and discuss other ways my experience can be beneficial to your company. I will call on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 to arrange this meeting. I look forward to speaking with you. 

Honestly, these are just some sample scenario paragraphs of who a cover letter should be. I'm not saying you can't use them as an example, but don't cut and past the whole thing without rewriting it to fit the needs of the position you are applying for. It's always best to have someone else read your cover letter first whether they are a professional or a friend.

Susan

Why You Should Write All Your Blog Post in MS Word

Blogging is one of those things we take for granted. We click on the "new post" button and open up a page to a blank white rectangle where we start to type. It's a no brainer, right?

Take a lesson from someone who thought the same thing.

As a writer, I back up everything. And I do mean everything. You never know when you might lose your content, want to make changes, or take from that writing to build a new post at a later date. 

I spent an entire year, writing blogs on a site that I thought were "safe" from ever disappearing. Those blogs were part of a paid blogging network. Little did I ever expect that the site would get bought out and I'd be left with no more blog posts. 

Mistake #1

I didn't have a back up of those blog posts. 

Mistake #2

I counted on that blank white rectangle square in my blog host to catch all my mistakes. There are probably some in this one, but not as many as there would be if it hadn't been for my word document software catching my spelling errors and fragment sentences. 

But, as writers we know we can have a fragment. We write. We drive English teachers across the states in mad frenzies because we make a statement with just two words that may not have a verb. Writers rights.

Mistake #3

This is kind of like talking out both sides of your mouth. 3a. Never assume you're blog is going to make a good book. 3b. Assume your blog will make a good book. A word document makes it so much easier to keep all your post together for formatting purposes. 

So now that I've shared my experience with blogging within a blog, let me give you a bonus to writing your post in a word document. 

You have access to more fonts, more layout flexibility and take a look at my signature below. Yep, just wrote it in word. BONUS!! No separate application or pic needed. 

Susan

Holiday Pay vs Regular Hours

Question: As an employer, how do you compensate your employees when they work on a holiday that normally they would have off?

Answer: If your employee works on an holiday that is a regular scheduled paid day off, then that employee is entitled to both holiday pay and working regular hours for that day worked.

However, that doesn't mean your employee is ranking up the hours toward overtime. Your employee's pay should be broken up in the following way.

For example, the employee worked 42 hours that week, plus 8 hours for holiday pay. The employee's pay would look like this:

Regular hours 40
Over time 2
Holiday 8

Usually, holiday pay is at the same rate as your employee's regular hours. Unless your employee is a salaried employee or has a set day rate for compensation.

So the next time a holiday is around the corner, you can be assured that you and your employees are on the same page about getting paid.

Susan