Author: Abby Shelton

SEO

What Is Digital Marketing?

Abby Shelton

Authentic Presence Digital Marketing is the process of using electronic devices to promote and sell products or services. It includes a wide range of activities, such as creating website content, optimizing content for search engines, and using paid advertising to reach specific audiences.

It also involves the use of data to track customer behavior and provide personalized experiences.

Digital Marketing

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a digital marketing technique that involves optimising a website and its content to rank higher in search engines results pages. This is a key part of the digital marketing strategy for businesses because it can help them reach more customers by making their products or services more visible to people who are searching for them.

In order to do this, SEO professionals use a variety of techniques such as keyword research, on-page optimisation and link building. However, it is important to note that SEO is a long-term strategy that requires consistent effort and patience in order to see results. Furthermore, it is also essential to keep in mind that the algorithms that search engines use to rank websites are constantly changing, so SEO efforts must be continuously updated in order to remain competitive.

As a result, SEO is often seen as a form of black hat digital marketing, with some practitioners engaging in practices that are deemed to be unethical or against the guidelines set out by search engines. In addition, it is important to note that SEO is not a standalone activity and should be used in conjunction with other digital marketing strategies such as social media marketing and pay-per-click advertising.

Digital marketing is a broad term that encompasses all aspects of promoting a brand or product online. This includes activities such as website development, search engine optimization (SEO), paid advertising campaigns and social media marketing. It is a key aspect of online marketing because it helps to drive traffic and visibility to websites, which in turn can lead to sales and conversions.

One of the main advantages of digital marketing is that it can be tracked and measured, making it easy to see what is working and what is not. This information can then be used to refine and improve future marketing campaigns. Another benefit of digital marketing is that it can be targeted at specific audiences, which can be particularly useful for businesses that offer niche products or services.

SEO is a critical component of digital marketing, as it allows businesses to compete with larger competitors in their industry. By using SEO tactics, smaller businesses can increase their visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs), which in turn can lead to more traffic and potential sales. However, it is important to remember that SEO is not a guaranteed way to get more business, and it can be difficult to compete with large companies that have bigger budgets.

Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing (SMM) is a form of digital marketing that leverages social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter to promote and sell products or services. While many people may think of social media marketing as a standalone discipline, it’s actually a key component of a larger digital strategy that encompasses paid advertising, SEO and content marketing.

SMM can help brands build brand awareness, increase e-commerce sales and nurture customer loyalty. It involves creating and sharing content on a regular basis to reach a targeted audience in the channels where they spend their time. It can also include influencer collaborations, community engagement and the use of social media advertising.

Unlike traditional advertising, social media marketing offers the ability to engage in two-way communication with customers, which can be beneficial for companies seeking feedback or wishing to create a sense of community around their brand. However, social media can be a dangerous place for businesses, as negative comments posted by disgruntled customers can quickly damage reputations if not responded to appropriately.

For many small businesses, SMM can be a cost-effective way to advertise and promote their offerings. However, it’s important to remember that not all social media platforms are created equal and each has its own set of best practices and unique features. For example, the frequency of posts on Instagram differs from that on Facebook and both should be considered when creating a social media strategy.

It’s also important to consider the goals of a social media marketing campaign before implementing it. While direct purchase may be a desired outcome, it’s often more effective to build brand awareness and encourage follower engagement by sharing content that provides value and sparks interest.

Managing a social media presence requires a blend of creative thinking and objective, data-driven strategy. This makes it a great option for professionals who enjoy the challenge of balancing these two disciplines. In addition, integrating social media with your customer relationship management system can provide a complete view of customer interactions and enable you to deliver personalized experiences across all channels.

Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

PPC is an online advertising model where you pay when a user clicks on your ad. The amount you pay depends on how much competition there is for the keyword you’re bidding on, as well as other factors like your ad’s relevance and quality score. PPC is a great way to get instant traffic to your website, and it can also be used to generate leads or conversions. PPC can be a bit pricey, but it is well worth the investment if you are using it to drive targeted traffic to your site.

In addition to Google Search Ads, Bing Ads (a Microsoft product) and social media platforms like Facebook offer PPC ads. For example, Facebook allows you to create a variety of different ads that will display on their platform, including video and image ads. Facebook also offers a tool called “Boost” that allows you to target specific keywords with your ad.

The key to a successful PPC campaign is to focus on your goals and to ensure that the ad you’re creating is relevant to the user. A well-written and targeted ad will lead to higher clickthrough rates, which in turn leads to a better return on your investment.

If you’re new to the world of digital marketing, it may be a good idea to work with an experienced PPC agency to help you get started. An experienced agency will be able to provide you with advice on what your budget should be and how you should set up your ad targeting. They will also be able to recommend the best bidding strategy for your needs.

There are many benefits of PPC, such as the ability to reach a targeted audience, the ability to track performance and results, and the ability to measure and optimize your ad. In addition, PPC can be a great complement to SEO efforts. By driving immediate traffic to your site, PPC can help you increase brand awareness and encourage users to engage with your content. Moreover, by using PPC in conjunction with SEO, you can improve your overall ROI.

Content Marketing

Content marketing is the process of creating and sharing valuable content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience. It includes blog posts, videos, infographics, podcasts and other relevant content to help potential customers learn about your business and make purchasing decisions. Unlike traditional advertising, which has become less effective in the digital world, content marketing is designed to educate and inform audiences. It builds relationships with consumers, and over time, establishes brands as experts in their fields.

To develop a successful content marketing strategy, first identify your target audience and understand their needs and goals. Then, create a plan with specific goals for the next 3-6 months. This will give you the flexibility to create the right content at the right time.

Lastly, set up your analytics tools to track the results of your content. This will help you determine if your efforts are working. Look for metrics like website traffic, email signups and conversion rates to measure the success of your content.

When developing your content, keep in mind that people have different needs at each stage of the buyer journey. The most important thing is to produce high-quality content that answers your audience’s questions and addresses their concerns. This will increase the chances of them converting to paying customers.

In addition, content should be optimized for search engines. This means using relevant keywords in your title and headings, as well as in your body text. It should also be short and easy to read. Finally, don’t use jargon or technical terms that will only confuse your audience. Millennials and Gen Z have very different expectations from previous generations when it comes to how businesses communicate with them.

Content marketing is closely linked to many other digital marketing strategies, including SEO, social media marketing and PPC. It’s important to develop a cohesive strategy that encompasses all these aspects in order to achieve the best results. If you’re not sure where to start, contact a digital marketing agency for advice. They’ll be able to provide you with a comprehensive strategy that will take your business to the next level.

Plumbing

The Truth About Epoxy Pipe Lining

Abby Shelton

There is a lot of information on the internet about Epoxy Pipe Lining. Unfortunately, much of it is not accurate and can be misleading.

Pipe Lining

Corrosion is the main reason for having to perform plumbing renovations in your home or commercial property. The process of lining your pipes with epoxy protects them from future corrosion, thus eliminating the need to carry out expensive pipe replacements in the near future. This is because the epoxy creates a barrier between the water and your plumbing pipe’s metal. This means that water will never come into contact with the metal, which prevents it from corroding and causing further damage.

This lining process can be carried out in your home or commercial property without needing to dig up any of your existing walls and floors. This makes it a much less invasive process and is especially useful for properties that have historic buildings or structures on the site. The method of lining your pipes is also quicker than traditional repiping, as the entire process can be completed in just one day.

The lining process starts by assessing your pipe system to determine whether it can be lined. It is then thoroughly cleaned using hydro jetting in order to prepare it for the application of the epoxy. Once the pipe has been cleaned and prepared, a specialized lining machine will coat your pipes with an even layer of epoxy, which will then harden in just a few hours. This is much faster than traditional repiping methods which take several days to complete and requires extensive digging.

While some plumbers will claim that their lining materials are safe for use in drinking water, the truth is that they may not be. This is because the epoxy used in lining and coating does not undergo rigorous testing and inspection like other plumbing materials. This is why it is recommended that you work with a company that offers NSF certified epoxy liners.

It is also important to note that if the epoxy lining has been damaged during installation, or if it isn’t cleaned correctly afterward, then corrosion will continue to eat through your plumbing pipe and the lining. This can cause the liner to crack, delaminate and leak. The good news is that this can be easily fixed by a professional plumbing team using the correct procedures.

Increases Flow

The lining process creates a smooth surface inside the pipe that greatly reduces friction. This improves the overall functionality of your pipes and can lead to higher water pressure, more even flow, and fewer issues with water quality.

Epoxy lining is a sustainable solution to repair and maintain your water pipes. It allows you to extend the life of your existing piping system for decades while providing a high-quality, durable liner that prevents future corrosion and protects against leaks and other damage.

It requires less time and effort than a traditional repipe, leaving minimal disruption to your home or business. Plus, there’s no need to disturb the soil around your pipes because all the work is done from existing access points. This means a much faster turnaround and less waste to dispose of.

There’s also no need to remove or replace your old plumbing fixtures, which saves you a lot of money in the long run. The relining process can be completed in one day, so you’ll have your water back shortly after.

Myth 2: Epoxy pipe lining is messy and disruptive

Epoxy pipe relining is a quick, affordable and non-invasive way to rehabilitate your pipes. It’s also safe for your pipes, your family and the environment. It uses a patented, non-toxic epoxy coating that’s safe for potable water, so you don’t have to worry about your water being contaminated by chemicals or contaminants from the relining process.

In fact, the relining material is FDA approved for use in drinking water systems. It is also a great choice for hot and cold water recirculation, fire sprinklers, hydronic heating and HVAC systems.

The only drawback of epoxy pipe relining is that the liner may shrink slightly as it settles, which can affect your water pressure and speed. However, this can be minimized by correct restoration after the relining process.

Prevents Blockages

As the name suggests, epoxy lining adheres to your pipes’ inside, making it impossible for anything to stick. This prevents abrasive materials from building up and blocking your pipe, which is another common cause of blockages.

The lining itself is impervious to corrosion, so it will stay in place for up to half a century. It also protects the inner walls of your pipes against damage from mechanical forces, which makes it a great option for areas where there’s high stress and pressure, such as a bend in a pipe.

Unlike traditional pipe repair, epoxy lining is minimally invasive. It uses small access points to work on your pipe system, which means you don’t have to deal with a huge disruption in your home or business. There’s no need to tear down walls or floors, which saves you a lot of time and money.

Epoxy lining is also environmentally friendly, since it produces no harmful by-products. This is an important factor to consider if you have your pipes exposed to chemicals or other substances. This type of lining is an excellent choice for preventing leaks, which can lead to contamination in your drinking water. Leaks are often the first sign of a problem, and it’s important to act quickly to fix them before they get worse.

A leaky pipeline can also increase your water bills significantly. This is especially true if the leak is located underneath your property and you’re paying for groundwater. Epoxy pipe lining can help reduce the amount of water you’re wasting.

The process starts with a thorough inspection of your pipelines to identify the extent of the damage and any blockages that need to be cleared. Once the inspection is complete, the pipes are cleaned using high-pressure water jets to remove any debris or buildup. The piping is then prepared for lining by saturating a woven felt material with epoxy resin. The liner is then pushed into place through existing access points and an internal bladder is inflated to form the lining to the pipe or section of pipe. After the lining is cured, the bladder is removed and a camera inspection is performed to confirm the success of the installation.

Saves Money

Whether you’re a homeowner or commercial property owner, it’s important to keep your plumbing system running at its best. This includes rehabilitating the pipes when they have corrosion, leaks, or blockages. But, what is the most effective solution? Is it repiping or epoxy pipe lining?

Epoxy pipe lining, also known as CIPP (cured-in-place piping), is a pipe-within-a-pipe technology that repairs or rehabilitates aging or corroded plumbing pipes without the need for extensive excavation. There are plenty of benefits to this method, including reduced cost and time, minimal disruption to staff or customers, and a lifetime warranty.

When you consider that the cost of repiping can be anywhere between $6,000 to $21,000, you’ll appreciate that epoxy pipe lining is a much more affordable option. The relining process is quick and easy, with turnaround usually within 1 to 2 days. It’s also environmentally friendly, leaving no damage to the environment or underground utilities and reducing waste.

Leaking pipes can cause significant damage to your home, resulting in high water bills and costly renovations. They can also lead to sewage backups, which are not only unpleasant, but can be dangerous for your health. However, there are some leaks that are not as obvious as others, such as those caused by corrosion.

If you are experiencing any of these issues, it’s time to call a professional. The team at Perry Plumbing & Pipelining can help you determine the best solution for your clogged or damaged pipes. We offer a wide range of plumbing solutions, from epoxy pipe lining to complete repiping, and we can install cleanouts and sewer access points for you.

With a team of licensed professionals, we can repair your corroded and blocked pipes quickly and efficiently. We will also provide a full inspection of your plumbing system, using robotic closed-circuit television, to check for any further problems or areas of concern.

Traditional repiping involves breaking into walls, floors, ceilings, and other structural features to access the corroded pipeline. This can be expensive and disruptive to homeowners, especially if the pipes run through the interior of your home. However, the spray-in application process of epoxy pipe lining is much quicker and more affordable than traditional repiping.

Photography For Beginners
Uncategorized

Photography For Beginners

Abby Shelton

Photography, in its simplest form, is about capturing light. This is why understanding exposure is one of the most important photography basics for beginners to learn.

Avoid blurry photos by holding your camera steady. This is easy to do by keeping your hands close together and using a tripod when necessary.

Composition

Composition is the process of arranging and placing various elements in your frame to create a visually pleasing photograph. It’s a critical aspect of photography because it decides how your audience will perceive the image and affects its overall message. To achieve a good composition, you need to follow some basic rules and be able to apply them to any genre of photography.

One of the most important photography composition techniques is leading lines, which direct your viewer’s eyes to the subject and add visual interest to a scene. This technique can be used in landscapes, portraits, and even travel photos. You can use straight or curved lines to create leads, but the best lead lines are those that are natural and unobtrusive.

Another way to improve your composition is by using negative space, which is the empty area in your photo. Negative space can make your subject stand out and creates a sense of depth in your image. It also helps to emphasize the shape and texture of your subject. In addition, you can use light and shadow to create a mood or highlight your subject.

Another composition tip is to use symmetry, which is the mirroring of objects in your photo. This can be done by placing a symmetrical object in the center of your image or by using complementary colors to enhance the emotion of your photograph. Lastly, you can try using different cropping options to see how these changes affect your photo’s composition. Skylum’s photo editor Luminar Neo allows you to experiment with these features and other composition tips without having to install any additional software.

Exposure

As a beginner photographer, you need to know how to properly expose an image. This can be difficult for beginners because it requires a lot of experimentation and knowledge of the three main settings of your camera: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. These settings are known as the exposure triangle and are critical to capturing the perfect photograph. Aperture is the size of the lens opening, shutter speed controls motion or blur, and ISO determines how sensitive your camera’s sensor is to light. These settings work together to control the amount of light gathered by your camera, and each one has its own side-effects.

Composition is another photography fundamental that you need to master. This is the way you frame your scene and place your points of interest in it. It is important to have a good understanding of composition because it will help you create more interesting and balanced images. You can use a variety of compositional techniques, such as the rule of thirds. This technique involves dividing your image into a 3 x 3 imaginary grid, and placing the most important elements in the intersections.

Many people believe that photography is a hard skill to learn, but it’s actually a very easy and fun hobby that anyone can do. It only takes research and practice to get better at it. As with any new skill, you’ll need to take a lot of pictures in a variety of situations and with different subjects. Try taking pictures at different times of day, experiment with lighting, and try a variety of angles. Once you’ve learned how to properly use your camera settings, you’ll be able to capture professional-looking photographs in no time.

ISO

The ISO is one of the three pillars of photography (along with the shutter speed and aperture) that help you create a properly exposed image. Understanding how they work together is essential for a successful photo shoot. But getting a grip on ISO can be challenging for beginners.

The lower the ISO value, the less sensitive the sensor is to light. Higher ISO values make the sensor more sensitive, allowing you to capture images in low light situations, but at the cost of increased digital noise.

When to increase ISO depends on the lighting conditions and your artistic intentions. Generally, it is best to keep your ISO low, but you may need to raise it when shooting in bright sunlight or for fast shutter speeds (e.g., to avoid camera shake or subject motion). Increasing the ISO can also be useful when you want to achieve a specific effect, such as blurring the background of a portrait.

ISO is measured in numbers, with 100 being the lowest and 800 being the highest. Each increment of the ISO number doubles the sensitivity, so 400 is twice as sensitive as 200 and 800 is four times as sensitive as 100. Many cameras also have extended ISO settings that go beyond the standard range, but you should be careful when using these because they can introduce additional digital noise.

Getting a grasp on ISO can be challenging for beginners, but learning how it works and how to use it effectively will help you take great photos. Start by testing your camera in different lighting conditions and experimenting with the various ISO settings. With time, you will be able to use the ISO to your advantage and take photos that are crisp, clear, and well-exposed.

Shutter speed

The final piece of the exposure triangle is shutter speed, which determines how long your camera’s sensor is exposed to light. It affects how much blur is present in a picture and also controls how fast or slow a subject moves, if it’s moving at all. It’s one of the most important elements of photography, and understanding it can help you achieve a wide variety of different effects.

Shutter speed can be confusing, especially for a beginner, but it’s essential to understand how it works in order to get the most out of your camera. Shutter speed is the key to freezing motion, creating sharp images, and introducing interesting creative effects into your photos.

For example, if you want to capture an image of a person jumping over a hurdle, you’ll need to use a very fast shutter speed to freeze the action and avoid motion blur. This is because the shutter is open for a short period of time, which means that the subject and the background are likely to move during this time. A quick shutter speed is essential to avoid this, and it’s why sports and wildlife photographers tend to use very fast lenses.

Conversely, if you’re shooting a car speeding down a racetrack, you might want to use a slower shutter speed. This will allow the wheels of the car to remain sharp, while the body of the car will blur, giving a sense of movement to the photo. This is a technique known as panning, and it can create some really interesting and dynamic shots. It’s a good idea to practice panning before using it in an important shot, as it can be tricky to get right.

Aperture

Aperture is a setting on your camera that lets in more or less light to the image sensor. It works like the pupil in your eye, getting wider or narrower to let more or less light in. Aperture is a very important photography element because it can have a huge impact on the final image. For example, wide apertures can create beautiful, shallow depth-of-field effects while narrow apertures cause everything in the image to become sharp.

Apertures are labelled with f-stop numbers, and the larger the number is, the smaller the aperture is. This can be confusing at first, but it gets easier after you practice. To practice changing your aperture, find a scene in good lighting and take several photos with different settings. Then, look at them later to see how each one affects the exposure and depth of field.

Another important thing to remember about aperture is that it doesn’t work in isolation. You also need to consider your shutter speed and ISO when determining an exposure. For example, widening your aperture by a stop will have the same effect as lowering your shutter speed or increasing your ISO by a stop.

If you want to freeze motion, you will need a fast shutter speed. And if you want to blur the background, you will need a smaller aperture. Knowing how to use your aperture can help you get the results you want, no matter what kind of scene you’re shooting. It’s just a matter of finding the right balance between your desired outcomes. So learn how to master your aperture, and you’ll be well on your way to creating amazing photos!