Clean Technology: Tomorrow’s Technology

The popularity of clean technology is rapidly growing: people are realizing that by being eco-friendly and applying these principles to their companies, they are able to deliver quality products and services, while promoting the protection of the planet, its natural resources and the importance behind these efforts. As technology continues to evolve and adapt to our needs, many agree that green technology is tomorrow’s technology.Clean technology is defined as the different products, services and procedures that aim at providing top performance at affordable costs, while conserving the natural environment and promoting the productive and balanced use of the planet’s natural resources.The concept of this technology was first presented by the Cleantech Group (founded in San Francisco, California, USA in 2002), a company that provides support to corporations, investors and smaller companies in the form of market research and assessment on how to incorporate this technology to their products and services, and how to market them. That makes this technology a very appealing option to most companies and their target audiences.Popular ways of using this technology in our daily lives is through recycling (processing used materials to create new ones), renewable energy (energy obtained from natural resources, such as sunlight, wind, water and geothermal heat), sustainable or green transport (walking, cycling, green vehicles, carpooling, public transportation), green or sustainable chemistry (designing products that contain little or no hazardous substances to the planet), using energy-saving light bulbs and greywater (wastewater generated from activities such as laundry, dishwashing or bathing. It differs from sewage or blackwater, as it doesn’t contain human waste).As there is a growing interest in clean technology and its benefits, there has also been a growing demand for careers or courses focused on the topic, such as Environmental Engineering or Environmental Systems (a form of civil engineering, where professionals are able to create structures or the right landscape that can perfectly blend in or protect the environment), Environmental chemistry, sustainable chemistry or environmental chemical engineering (courses help the student understand the positive and negative effects chemicals can have in the environment), and Environmental technology courses (that focus on producing electrical or electro technology-oriented graduates, that are able to develop tools and equipment aimed at monitoring, calculating, shaping and controlling the impact on the environment or discovering new technologies that can be used to create or recycle energy.The need to minimize pollution (as it affects not only the environment, but our health) and use more clean technology to prevent and reduce it, this initiative has led country leaders to come together and create strict obligations to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in industrialized countries.The need for further research and documentation has resulted in the creation of non-profit organizations worldwide. The fast and effective communication through the internet, and proper ecological education in schools, and the development of careers focused on creating sustainable development and clean technology, has helped people all over the world understand the problem and educate themselves, and the new generations to favor this technology, and make the lifestyle changes necessary to make it tomorrow’s technology.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

5 Tips to Hiring a Travel Copywriter

I’m anticipating many changes in the travel copywriting and content creation world in 2014. If you are a company in the travel and hospitality industries I would like to ask you a question.Is your content addressing the need of your ideal clients or are you still stuck with not knowing how to create content? Since returning from South America, I’ve done research and discussed with my clients about our travel copywriting services and strategies.Here are five tips to hiring a travel copywriter:One: Knows and understands your ideal client’s needsHiring a travel copywriter or content writer who can’t feel the emotions and hear the voice of your ideal client is not going to cut it. A travel copywriter who has not been overseas or never went through immigration and customs will not understand the hassle your ideal client may have to go through. So if you need content for tips to international travel or lessen your stress when traveling overseas – a travel copywriter who has not been through the experience may not be able to write effective content.For example, when I wrote for a wellness and travel company, one of the prerequisites was that I try out their products. I smelled and touched them, wore them on my body and used them. That was the only way to understand the products and successfully describe the texture, smell and anything that the ideal client needed to know and feel before making a purchase, which leads us to tip #2.Two: Knows the products or servicesJust like the tip above, I need to know the products or services that I write about. I have more authority and power in my copy and content when I know the products or services well.I’ve not been to Africa. When I was hired by Sandfield Travel to rewrite content on their website two years ago, I felt overwhelmed and charged way less than what I would have normally charged. I researched, studied the photos, watched videos and worked really hard in ensuring the content was SEO-friendly and keyword rich.In my opinion the content could have been better if I had walked the streets of Uganda or personally volunteered in the orphanages. I’m just being honest now that I have done more travel copywriting compared to two years ago.If you are marketing a destination and need someone to work on your blog, email newsletters and social media platforms, make sure you take this tip into consideration. This is connected to tip #3…Three: Have first hand experiences (in the travel and hospitality industries)
Not all travel copywriters have traveled to every country in the world but some of us travel more or less than others. After traveling to South America for eight months (39 countries in total), I know I can write better content on South America now compared to last year.All I had was just second-hand information. At the moment I know how it is like to have altitude sickness, I can describe in detail the city of Cuzco or Machu Picchu or the difference between the Otavalo Market in Ecuador and the Witches Market in Bolivia.Another crucial first hand experience that sets a travel copywriter apart from others is an experience in the travel industry. If we had time, I would sit with you over a cup of coffee or tea and tell you all the tales of being a travel agent/tour consultant/ticket agent/tour guide and more (12 years of tales!!). Nothing beats first hand experiences.Four: Understands WordPress Content Management System (CMS)WordPress is no longer just for bloggers. Companies like CNN, eBay and Oprah are using WordPress. I am referring to self-hosted WordPress websites. It is user-friendly, allows you to update or edit your content without the need to code, mess with html or hire a techie person to help you out.You can easily go into your back office to delete, add or update content, images or videos.Most travel and hospitality companies hire a travel copywriter because they don’t have the time to write, manage and publish content through blogging and other platforms. A travel copywriter that can do all the work for you and understands WordPress CMS will free up your time and let you focus on other money making activities.Within WordPress you need a travel copywriter that understands meta descriptions, focus keywords and other things related to producing and publishing relevant content on your website.Five: Knows how to seamlessly connect your blog content, e-newsletter and social media platforms
You are not optimizing your content marketing strategies if you are not connecting your blog with a newsletter and social media platforms. A travel copywriter that uses all these three channels constantly in his or her own business understands your needs as well.I believe in being consistent in writing my own blog posts, newsletters and engaging with followers on Twitter. I must admit I am not always consistent in my social media platforms but I’ve not stopped blogging and publishing my weekly newsletter since I started blogging in November 2010 even when I was traveling at sea and in the remote areas of Peru. That’s what it means by ‘walking the talk’!Finally, a travel copywriter that believes and sticks to deadlines and cares for your success.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off

Need Auto Insurance? Find Out How Here

It is mandatory for all new car owners to get auto insurance. The Road Traffic Act stipulates that all motorists should be insured against liability and it declares driving a car without a minimum level of insurance is illegal. The violation can attract severe civil and criminal penalties. This can be easily avoided by securing a proper auto insurance cover for your vehicle as per your state’s demands. It is quite a simple process.Nowadays, there is so much dependence on vehicles that the best thing to do is to follow all stipulated guidelines religiously. Getting the right auto insurance cover is one of them.What Is Auto Insurance All About?Auto Insurance simply means a contract or an agreement between an auto owner and an insurance company. Under this contract, premium is paid to the insurer and in return he pays for any car related losses as detailed in the policy.Key Legal RequirementsIn order to get an insurance cover for your vehicle, you would need to fulfill the following requirements. It’s advisable to find out the requirements in your respective state since these may vary. However, these are the broad requirements for auto insurance.Firstly, you should be in possession of a valid driver’s license before you go in for registration or insuring your car. For your license you would need to approach your local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). This is the primary requirement.You will also need to have an auto title. It is a legal certificate of ownership that confirms that you own the car. Most of the paperwork is already done when you purchase a gar from a dealer. Licensed dealers are needed to transfer the title of the car in your name. The title will list the owner’s name, address, make of the car, model and year of the car and the date of sale. This should be retained by you.Next, you need to get your car registered. You can apply for registration at the local DMV. The requirements may vary from state to state. In order to register your vehicle, you will require a valid driving license, signed certificate of title for the car, address of residence and proof of your insurance.The law also stipulates that that a vehicle more than three years old should have a valid MOT certificate. It is not possible to tax a vehicle without MOT and certificate of insurance and driving without them is an offence.It is also vital to keep the insurance company informed in case of any vehicle modifications and fixed penalties. Failing to do so is an offense and may affect any claim that you make.You are also legally obliged to take the basic level of auto insurance that will cover you against third party claims. Since the legal requirements for auto insurance vary from state to state, you will need to clarify the level of cover that you require while taking auto insurance. Only insuring the legal minimum isn’t necessarily the best choice to make.As a proof of your auto insurance, the company issues you the following documents – A Certificate of insurance which will also be required for buying your road tax; A cover note that will act as a temporary policy and certificate until your new insurance policy has been set up; and Policy documents which gives a detail of all that you are covered for. Read the documents carefully to understand your rights and obligations under the policy.Insurance companies have set up claim help lines and accident emergency recovery hotlines for ensuring a smoother process. In case of any ambiguity in terms of insurance or legal requirements, get your doubts cleared by talking to the company.

Posted in Advertising & Marketing | Tagged | Comments Off