March, 2018
March 26, 2018 | Articles
If you are not really in the know about vinyl, you may be amazed to hear that vinyl records are still selling. And they are selling well. Vinyl is so popular that even Sony started producing vinyl again. It has become so popular that there are now websites that will advise those new to the genre on everything from buying equipment to storing records. A notable example of one of those sites is Vinyl Vintage where they have reviews and buying guides and their recommendations.
All of this is great news to those of us who remember it from the first time around. But what about the younger generations? Do they look at vinyl records and don’t see the point? I hope not, but let’s remind ourselves of the benefits of vinyl records.
The Sound
Making vinyl records is an art. Listening to a vinyl record lets you appreciate that art. The listening experience of listening to music on vinyl is like no other. When you listen to vinyl, not only do you hear the song, but you hear all the component parts that make up the song. You hear a greater depth to the music. You also hear the noise of the music being played. You might hear the odd scratch, and the noise of the stylus moving over the record. All of this adds to the whole listening pleasure.
Nostalgia
Anyone who remembers original vinyl can’t help but feel nostalgic when listening. Buying a vinyl record was a whole event. Going to the record store with your friends. Either after school or on a Saturday. Flicking through the stacks of records, finding one you liked. Admiring the cover. Then rushing home and putting it on the record player. Turning the volume down when your dad complained it was too loud.
Listening to a vinyl record just brings those memories back.Even the smell of a vinyl record awakens these old feelings. Who doesn’t remember the first vinyl record they bought.
Your Collection
It’s impossible to have 1 vinyl record, or even 5 or 10. Vinyl is loved so much that records become an extensive collection. Vinyl records also retain a lot of their value so you could sell your records for a profit. Not that you would because you love your collection.
The Art
First time around, the album covers were as important as the actual vinyl record. Many album covers became iconic, in their own right. When the album cover ‘Sgt Pepper’ was made, it was the most expensive album cover ever made. It became an art masterpiece. The album ‘Abbey Road’ was released in 1969. To this day, people still recreate the cover on the very same crossing. That cover is so famous but shows neither the band name nor the album name. You can’t get that from a playlist.
Listen to the Whole Record
When you stream music, or listen to a playlist, you can easily skip songs and move onto the next one. It is not easy to do with vinyl so you just listen to the whole album without skipping any songs. This does broaden your musical knowledge and gives you a better appreciation of the whole album, rather than the one track you liked.
Tactile
Some people love vinyl records for the whole tactile experience you get. It is an event from taking the record out of the cover, to putting the stylus down on the record. You need to take care of a vinyl record. You need to learn how to handle it. You need to clean it, keep it in its sleeve and store it in the cover. However, caring for your vinyl collection is worth the time and little effort that it requires.
For the Generations
A vinyl collection is just that, a collection. Like a collection of anything, it can be handed down in the family. It is great to remember your father listening to records you are now listening to, and then think about handing it down to your children.
Whether you’re a first-timer, or an old timer, listening to a vinyl record is the best way to listen to music. People say that listening to a vinyl record is an experience, and it is. One to be treasured.
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March 18, 2018 | Latest News
So, you’re engaged (yay!), need to start planning the wedding, but haven’t the first clue where to begin? Rest assured, help is at hand! Planning a wedding is no easy feat. There are so many different aspects to co-ordinate and you need to get everything organized on some sort of time frame. This article will break down the main decisions you should focus on in the run up to the big day. Working on each point step-by-step will make the process less overwhelming and more manageable for you in the long run. Ultimately, you want to plan a day that allows you and your fiance to celebrate your love in the presence of your nearest and dearest. Here’s where you should start to do just that.
Start planning as early as possible
No matter how far into the future your ideal wedding date may be, it’s always a good idea to start planning as soon as you possibly can. This means you’ll be more organized and have good time to work out all the little details. Planning your wedding is an exciting time and taking care of it early means you can minimize the amount of stress you feel. You’ll be able to enjoy the process more rather than panicking as your wedding date gets closer and closer.
Set your budget
It’s important to make sure you and your partner are on the same page financially before you begin planning the wedding. Sitting down together and setting a clear budget is the first thing you should do. Of course, your budget plays the defining role in the type of wedding you have. Discuss your priorities as a couple together and your goals for the future. Your budget for the wedding should allow you to start off married life in the way you want (preferably free from major debt).
Let your groom have input
It’s easy to get carried away with all the wedding planning, especially if you’re someone who’s been planning your big day since you were a kid. But don’t forget about your fiance’s input! Ask him his opinions on things and listen to his ideas for the wedding. He may be fine with leaving most of the major decisions to you, but it’s likely he’ll want to have a say in the DJ or band you hire, the guest list, the food planning, and tracking the expenditure.
Book a photographer you love
Your wedding day is a day you’ll remember forever and looking back at your wedding photographs is the main way you’ll relive those wonderful memories. Research wedding photographers in your area and take a look at their experience and portfolio via their website. Be sure you book someone whose work you love and who you’re confident could capture your day in a way you’re happy with. Some photographers will also be able to set you up with event rental companies, too, which makes things much easier for you — look at this special offer at bluebendphotography.com.
A good idea is booking you and your fiance in for an engagement photo shoot. This gives you an opportunity to see the photographer in action, how well you work together, and if you’d be happy with the same results for your wedding photos.
Book a venue
Deciding on the perfect venue is one of the main decisions you’ll make. It’ll eat up a big part of your budget and determine how big your guest list can be. You should book the venue at least a year in advance of the big day; this will give you plenty of time to plan all the smaller details. Your venue should be in a good location, near enough for most of your guests to get to without massive effort. If you do choose a venue in a rural area, make sure you let your guests know of overnight accommodation options in the wedding invitations.
Above all, you should give yourself enough time to organize and plan the wedding you really want to have. Enlist the help of some of your family members who’ll be happy to give you support and take some of the responsibility. Together you’ll better plan the wedding day of your dreams.
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March 11, 2018 | Articles
What was meant to be a simple photo-sharing app has become a force to reckon with, albeit in just a few years. Since the launch of Instagram Stories in August 2016, the growth of this platform has simply exploded with its user base doubling.
This growth goes to show how well users respond to high-quality visual-driven content. With the growth hitting new heights every year, is a fact that the trend won’t stop any soon.
No matter how you see it, People love Instagram because they can communicate with just a few images. In fact, many people are now opting for Instagram over Google when searching for images.
But few people have failed to take advantage of this platform for monetary gain. So, where should you start?
Reach, Influence
You first need to reach out to an audience that will eventually buy from you. Instagram allows you to forward your message to as many fans as you can. If you can post at the right time, and use the right hashtags the proper way, you can reach more people organically as compared to other social media networks.
Grow Your Audience
You might reach out to an audience, but if the audience is small, you won’t make so much out of it.
You need to grow your audience by getting more followers.
The best way to do this is to come up with relevant and high-quality content that attracts users to your page. However, doing it manually takes time, and might not be the best way for a busy person like you. You can use software to grow your audience. Visit The Small Business Blog to find out more about this and get the best service to give you genuine followers.
Engagement is Key
Making money on Instagram is similar to making money in the real world. You find a market, engage the participants in the market and then convince them to buy your item.
On Instagram, you find a niche market, attract users to your page and engage them to convince them to buy whatever you offer.
What if your followers are cold? You put a post expecting hundreds of comments and only a measly few turn up. This means you are doing everything wrong. Your posts might be irrelevant or you are not unique. Take time to find what drives your audience and give them the content.
Don’t Waste Your Link
Whether you are an established business or you are just starting out, you need to make sure your link works for you. You need to redirect your users to your landing page so that they can see what you offer, and possibly make a purchase.
In Closing
When many people are gathered on a single platform, the possibility of making money is huge. Instagram, apart from being a social platform for sharing your photos, gives you a chance to make money as well. You can do this by growing a targeted audience that knows what you sell and is ready to buy.
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