Wednesday, September 26, 2018

The Top 25 Animal Welfare Organisations on the Web

The internet is a fantastic source useful information, resources and data. Everything you need to know is now available in your pocket, making research and education easier. However, with billions of sites competing for your views, it can be hard to find exactly what you are looking for.

To help you find the information you need, we’ve compiled the top 25 online publishers in the animal welfare and pets community. These organisations are experts in the field, have high site visitor traffic and publish factual, engaging content perfect to use for referencing and gathering information.

 

1. Animal Welfare League Australia

 

The Animal Welfare League Australia is the poster child for animal welfare publishing online. Established in 2007, they are one of Australia’s leading non-profit organisations and advocate for the fair treatment of companion animals (pets). Publishing relevant and authority content, the website is full of detailed and informative knowledge and advice. It is one of the most visited animal welfare websites in Australia and covers all aspects of animal welfare, ownership and rehoming. For those looking at creating content in the animal welfare and pets industry, this is a great starting point. The social media accounts are a great place to see what is hot among the audience. The additional educational resources help to simplify the learning process of animal welfare and are perfect for using as authority reference  links.

AWLA Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018.

 

2. PetRescue

 

PetRescue is an animal welfare organisation was established in 2004 and provides lots of up-to-date information covering pet adoption, no kill visions, breed specific legislation, cat management and TNR Advocacy. While cats and dogs are the main focus of the site, other animals are also covered in detail. The resources section offers up useful knowledge and is ideal for gathering sources and references for your content. The site also connects to various rescue groups. All of which provide more details covering each species.

PetRescue Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018.

 

3. Shelter Mate

 

ShelterMate is a software that was developed by the RSPCA to help connect databases and the Activ4Pets platform. While the information is limited when compared to the other sites on this list, it gives a look at the technical side of animal welfare. The published content covers the workings of the software, the different platforms it is used with and how it is changing the way animal welfare databases operate. For those with an interest in the software and web-based side of the industry, it opens up the past, present and future of how information is stored, backed up and synced.

ShelterMate Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018.

 

4. RSPCA Queensland

 

RSPCA QLD is Australia’s original animal welfare organisation. The RSPCA was founded in in 1824 in London and was launched in Brisbane in 1848. With over 130 years experience in the animal welfare industry, the publisher has amassed a wealth of factual and relevant content. It is also among the most visited websites in the industry and focuses on the legislation and policies governing animal welfare in Australia. It makes up part of a larger network of state specific sites, with the QLD site being the most popular.

RSPCA QLD Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

5. National Desexing Network

The National Desexing Network was formed in 2004. The site provides a wealth of information and data about pet welfare and current desexing policies. There is plenty of information surrounding government legislation and legal frameworks currently in force. The interactive map makes it easy to find local clinics who are part of the networks directory. Perfect for targeted local content and those interested in population control and governing laws. The site is definitely one of the best sources of animal health facts and there is plenty of confirming data.

NDN Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

6. Lort Smith

Lort Smith was constructed in 1936 in Melbourne by the Animal Welfare League of Victoria. It is currently the busiest Animal hospital in Australia and caters to all types of animal, both wild and domestic. There are more than 440 volunteers working with the non-profit organisation. The site is filled with fantastic blog posts, ranging from animal care, tips and advice, legislation, fundraising and success stories. There are also a lot of medical related information and animal welfare support, too.

Lort Smith Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

7. NØ kill Network

The nØkill Network provides lots of knowledge and data covering the no kill movement. It’s a great resource for humane rehoming information with lots of verified shelters who participate in the program by state. The PDF book is invaluable for accurate and in-depth information and facebook page content is great for discovering audience interests, research and resources. The site content can be on the morbid side at times. But it is a valuable cause that has a huge following and touches on some controversial topics.

NØ kill Network Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

8. Animals Australia

Animals Australia is one of Australia’s leading animal welfare organisations and currently represent forty different member groups and more than two million individual supporters. The website publishes lots of relevant investigative posts that expose animal cruelty. They also formulate campaigns to raise public awareness. A great source of government legislation and current laws, information and animal welfare knowledge.

Animals Australia Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

9. SA Dog Rescue

 

SA Dog Rescue is a great source of information about the rehoming and adoption process. SA Dog Rescue is a registered not-for-profit organisation and is run solely by unpaid volunteers and without any grants or government assistance. There are lots of details and insights about the process of animal adoption from start to finish and how the organisation is run.

SA Dog Rescue Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

10. Forever Friends

 

Forever friends started out in 2011 and is an Australian registered charity in the animal welfare industry. The non-profit organisation publishes fantastic content perfect for research and understanding. The news section is a great resource for animal rescue related info, advice, guides and fundraising ideas. Social media channels are active and there are lots of engaging posts covering all aspects of animal welfare, rescue and adoption.

Forever Friends Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

11. Blue Cross

 

 

BlueCross is a British animal welfare organisation that has been running since 1897. It is seen as one of the best examples of a non-profit entity. There is so much information on the site, both educational and scientific. It offers some great resources covering pet care, medical and illness, current EU legislation and learning. The pet advice section is very detailed and covers many of the more common questions people are asking.

Blue Cross Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

12. Pets At Home

 

 

Pets At Home is another British leader when it comes to animals, pets and welfare. The pet talk section at pets at home covers every type of animal from dogs and cats to hamsters and reptiles. Massive resource for information covering species specific nutrition, care, and surgeries. Also a huge Vlog on Youtube covering a range of topics from tips and tricks, advice, care guides and how to’s.

Pets At Home Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

13. The Dog Blog

 

 

The Dog Blog is an educational blog and podcast site filled with a plethora of dog related information. Information for teaching and understanding how and why animals behave as they do are well presented. Lots of  interactive lessons can be found on the website and the community is very active. The publisher provides podcast and has developed an app for Iphones to further educate dog owners.

The Dog Blog Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

14. Dogue

 

 

Dogue (pronounced the same way that Vogue is) is a fantastic canine related publisher that has a unique ezine format. It covers dog advice, dog care, dog DIY, dog fashion, dog food recipes, dog training videos and lots of engaging media. It is a great source of information relating to rehoming, care and the running of small animal welfare businesses. The blogs are detailed and light-hearted and come loaded with plenty of reference sources and historical timelines, and so on.

Dogue Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

15. Pet Welfare

 

 

Pet Welfare Australia offers a well designed website that is easy to navigate. There’s tons of useful information available. The majority of this surrounds companion animals, but there are external resources for other species. The 9 ways to save lives section is full of interesting and useful info, videos and data. Through education, research and advocacy they highlight many important causes in the animal welfare industry.

Pet Welfare Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

16. Pet Industry Association Australia

 

 

PIIA was founded in 1979. It is Australia’s only trade only association and plays a vital role in monitoring and protecting the Australian pet industry. As they are faced with government and organisational resistance and restrictions, it is an excellent place to discover legal and policy information. The site also offers up lots of  educational, news, and public resources. The association regularly proceeds with formal submissions with governmental and regulatory agencies and aims to keep the pet industry thriving while maintaining standards.

PIIA Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

17. World Wildlife Fund Australia

 

 

WWF began its journey in Australia in 1978 with just 3 member of staff. Since then, it has grown to become a huge player in the animal welfare industry and has created an identity that is famed around the world. The website provides an invaluable source of information, data and posts covering wildlife, environments and ecosystems. The social media accounts are active and are a good source of audience opinions, questions and interests.

WWF Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

18. WildCare

 

 

WildCare was originally named the AKHAI (Australian Koala Hospital Association Inc) and was formed in 1993. It is located in Queensland  and became a registered charity and incorporated association in 1994. The website provides detailed, in depth and useful information. Especially around native wildlife. The majority of information is easy to digest legislation and conservation guidelines. The data covering species information is extremely engaging and is great for using as a reference source.

WildCare Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

19. Wires

 

 

WIRES has been in operation since 1985. It wasn’t until 1986 that they launched as an organisation in Australia. Working to preserve and rehabilitate native wildlife, they currently have 28 different branches and more than 2,500 volunteers working with them. Training and wildlife tabs are fantastic resources regarding  animal welfare policies, data, statistics, and so on. The blog is detailed and covers diseases, species numbers, avice, guides and how to style posts. Wires also has a mobile app that can be used for advice and assistance when dealing with injured animals.

Wires Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

20. Wildlife.Org

 

 

The Wildlife Preservation Society Queensland, also known as WPSQ was formed over 55 years ago. With a focus on both wildlife and ecosystems, the website offers loads of useful information. Great resources in the education, conservation, wildlife and news and events sections. Over all, the blog is very detailed and focuses on the society’s campaigns, current environmental emergencies and animal welfare policies.

Wildlife.org Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

21. The Animal Rescue Site

 

 

The animal rescue site is a modern and effective way of fundraising for animal welfare. The entire website is based on a buy and click to feed system. The American based organisation is a great representation of how nonprofits can generate income and revenue aside from the usual asking for donations scheme. There is plenty of information covering how the platform works. Live data graphs show exactly how many bowls of food have been generated for shelters. And the blog is full of useful, targeted content covering the industry.

The Animal rescue Site Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

22. Animal Welfare League – South Australia

 

 

Animal Welfare League is another giant in the industry and offers an informative and educational website. Founded in 1964, they have one of the the biggest animal shelters in Australia. The advice and education section is very detailed and provides insights for both public and professional visitors. Approximately 12,000 dogs and cats are cared for at their 3 main shelters. Much of their efforts are community focussed and they aim to educated owners for better treatment of animals.

Animal Welfare League Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

23. Animal Welfare.Gov

 

 

Government website covering current laws and legislation. Useful resources include Animal Welfare Action Plan, Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines, Animal welfare legislation, Our role in animal welfare, Committees, Domestic animal businesses, Electronic collar fact sheets, Humane vertebrate pest control, Aquatic animal welfare, Parliamentary inquiry into the RSPCA Changes to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, Record of prosecutions, Protecting fruit trees and wildlife Animals used in research and teaching Digital agriculture. Brilliant reference points. Up to date Australian information.

Animal welfare.Gov Quick Resource Links

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

24. Second Chance Animal Rescue

 

 

Second Chance opened their first animal shelter in 2015. The organisation is non-profit and relies on public support. The website has lots of useful content published, ranging from animal welfare, guides, medical related information, data and legislation. The pet library is useful for researching content and finding sources. The Facebook page is well-received and offers additional off-site info.

Second Chance Quick Resource Links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

25. Western Australia’s animal welfare law

 

 

Western Australia’s animal welfare law is part of the WA Gov website and covers all applicable laws and policies governing the industry. Being part of the government website, it is the most reliable source of information for data and resources. There are plenty of links covering different aspects of the law, ranging from agricultural to companion animals. The social media pages are active and also full of recent information and updates to the law, policies and news.

The Western Australia’s animal welfare law quick resource links

 

*All links have been checked and are working as of September 2018

 

So, there you have it. The top 25 organisations in the animal welfare online community. While the majority of these sites are from well-known leaders in the industry, some are relatively small. Why did they make this list? Well, partly because of their unique approaches to fundraising and cause recognition and partly because they cover many smaller, yet vitally important questions. Given the sensitive nature of animal welfare, each site has its own resource links and detailed information that may at times prove to be distressing.

 

We have verified each link on this list, reviewed the sites and taken a closer look at the analytics to create this list. It will prove to be invaluable for your research, understanding and execution of content in this industry category and provide you with all the information you could ever need. We are doing a series of these posts covering the most important industries. So, check the blog for more.



Article first published here: The Top 25 Animal Welfare Organisations on the Web
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Wednesday, September 19, 2018

The A-Z guide to starting a podcast

There are many reasons why podcasts are a fantastic avenue to explore. It enables you to be able to quickly deliver content on a regular basis while also making it easier for your audience to absorb. Podcasting allows you to expand your brand or identity beyond traditional text and image posts. It allows you to create a true identity and personality for your business that just isn’t possible with other methods. And you can deliver your message in context.

One of the best things about podcasts is that your audience is able to listen to what you have to say no matter what they are doing. There were many situations where it’s not possible to read written content. Whether it is driving, going to lunch or even relaxing at night, a podcast lets you get your message across in the most convenient way possible. They can be downloaded onto mobile phones and listened to on the go. It allows you to show your expertise on the subject and educate at the same time.

And here’s the best bit. You most likely already have all of the content that you need to begin making podcasts. It is a fantastic way to repurpose content on your website or blog effectively creating two different audiences for one piece of information. So, what exactly do you need to do to start your own podcast?

 

Before you begin

Before you begin producing your first episode, take a moment to think about how you want to come across. Speaking in a monotone voice will only turn your audience off. This is where listening to other podcasts in a similar genre comes in handy. It allows you to listen to the ways that other presenters speak, allowing you to perfect your enthusiasm and vocal animation.

You definitely want to try and have guests appearing on your podcasts. They bring credibility and fresh ideas. But if you’re a little shy of the mic, it might be best to start producing a solo show. This allows you to become comfortable with the recording process and focus on engaging your audience. Understanding the types of questions that you want to ask and answer for your listeners and learning not to interrupt any guest speakers are two important things to know.

In fact, there are eight basic steps to take into consideration before you even begin recording podcasts. These will help you build structure and flow and allow you to come across as naturally as possible.

 

Things to think about

  1. How many episodes will you put out each week?
  2. What category will you fall under?
  3. What will you name your podcast?
  4. What type of listener will you target?
  5. What topics and subjects will you cover?
  6. Where will your script come from, or will it be off the cuff?
  7. Will you be promoting anything?
  8. Will you have guest speakers appearing?

 

Things you will need

Okay, so you now know why podcasts are a fantastic option and you have asked yourself the most important questions. Now it’s time to look at the things you are going to need to create your podcasts. The actual equipment that you are going to need will depend on whether you intended on mixing yourself or outsourcing the project. The most important thing about podcasts is the audio quality. After all, podcasts are all about the audio. Which takes us nicely on to the first piece of equipment.

 

Audio equipment

Finding the right audio equipment for your podcast is possibly the most important step to take. You don’t need to invest in anything too expensive or fancy. In fact, a basic noise-cancelling microphone will do the job nicely. Naturally, the type of microphone that you decide to purchase is entirely up to you. As long as it can capture clear audio, it will serve its purpose.

All too often, people rush out and buy the most expensive microphone that they can find. But here’s the thing. The quality of your audio primarily depends on the location where you do your recordings. As an example, if you try to record your podcast in the bathroom, the microphone is going to pick up on the echoes. Reverberation is not your friend, so find a room that is nice and quiet. Carpeted floors and furniture help prevent echoes, so a bedroom or living room is a good choice.

 

Editing software

Editing software is important if you want to create a professional sounding podcast. Again, the majority of audio editing software offer exactly the same types of features. One of the best audio editors perfect for podcasts is Udemy. It is a fantastic choice for those new to the world of podcasts, and the user interface will guide you through the process.

If you don’t feel like you have the time or knowledge to mix your own podcasts, you can outsource this to be done on your behalf. The pros of this are that it saves you time, effort and the need to learn about audio mixing. However, it will also add on to the cost of producing podcasts and you may not get exactly what you envisioned. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal choice and outsourcing is definitely a viable option when first starting out.

 

The script

You can have the most expensive microphone on the market and a comprehensive audio editor. But if you don’t have a script, or at least an idea of what you’re going to talk about, these are both useless. The script is your content. It is what you will talk about, and what will attract your audience. You don’t need to put together a script that Broadway would be proud of. You simply need a beginning, a middle and a conclusion to prevent waffling.

You can also try to repurpose content on your website or blog or have somebody write the script for you. If you are lucky enough to have plenty of great content on your website, then take a closer look at the analytics and see which posts are performing the best. These are the ones that you can easily turn into podcasts. You already know that there is audience engagement, and a podcast can take it to the next level.

At the end of the day, if you want people to take you seriously, then you have to know what it is that you’re talking about. There is nothing worse than listening to someone stuttering their way through a podcast. Having a script is like having a map that guides you through the entire recording. It allows you to have all of the important information to hand and helps you answer what it is that you are discussing. A script doesn’t just help you prepare; it helps you prepare for success.

As a side note, one of the best ways to find out exactly what it is that your audience is searching for is to look at their comments. These allow you to gain a better understanding of what it is that they are searching for. From here, you can begin to develop a series of podcasts that you know your audience is going to love.

 

Ready to launch

Once you have recorded, edited and mixed your very first podcast, you will be ready to launch. If you were smart, you would drop hints to your audience on your website or blog about the upcoming podcasts. If you haven’t been promoting your podcast, then it’s never too late to start. A simple call to action is all that is required.

Knowing where you will publish your podcast is also important. Are you going to self-host it on your own website? Or will you publish it to iTunes? There are also various podcast hosting companies that will publish on your behalf. Just as an example, some of these include Buzzsprout, SoundCloud, PodOmatic, Spreaker and BlogTalkRadio.

Another great platform that you can use to publish your podcasts is YouTube. While YouTube is definitely more geared toward video content, there is nothing stopping you from uploading your podcast there using a basic image still for the video. Publishing on YouTube will also allow you to monetize the video if you are part of the YouTube Partner program. With a little creativity; slotting relevant images in at the right time can be a simple and effective solution.

 

Growing your audience

As soon as you have published your first couple of podcasts, you can start to look at the analytics. The first thing you want to keep on top of is the number of downloads of each podcast. This helps you see which podcasts your audience is most receptive to and allows you to tailor your content further toward their needs. Another great way to grow your audience is to take on sponsors.

You definitely want to include social media share buttons. One of the easiest and quickest ways of building an audience is on social media. Of course, you have to create content that people love enough to share. But we’re pretty sure that you can do that. If you don’t already have a Facebook page, then now is the time to set one up. A Facebook page allows you to build a community, which can further boost your podcast efforts.

Lastly, one of the greatest ways of developing your audience is by featuring guests on your podcast. Snaring just one or two well-known internet personalities can help your podcasts fly. Keep your guests relevant to your niche. As an example, if you have a health and lifestyle company, then it would be pointless featuring a guest big in the world of construction. Try to satisfy your audience’s hunger and feed them with all of the knowledge that they desire.

 

Final thoughts

While it may feel intimidating to start producing podcasts when you have little to no knowledge, it is definitely a fantastic way to improve your reach. It may surprise you just how easy it is once you have learned the basics. Not only do podcasts allow you to give your content character and identity, but they also provide another source of traffic to your website or blog.

Many of the leading podcasts creators started off small. A mobile phone, a basic script and an understanding of what their audience wants. This doesn’t mean that you need to start recording on your phone. It’s simply to highlight that you don’t need to break the bank or be an expert to enter the world of podcasts.



Article first published here: The A-Z guide to starting a podcast
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Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Having page visibility problems on Facebook? Read this!

So, you have spent hours putting together the perfect Facebook page for your business or brand. You uploaded your header. You have filled all of your important business information. You have probably also optimised it perfectly so that your audience can find you. You go ahead and hit that publish page button waiting for your audience to find you, but nothing happens. You begin to wonder if you have done something wrong? Perhaps the layout is not enticing enough? Or maybe you are giving the wrong impression?

You decide to search for your Facebook page to see what others are seeing. And low and behold, your Facebook page is not showing in the search results. How are your audience supposed to find you if your Facebook page is not visible? And what exactly can be done to make your page visible?

 

Give it time

While it is true that publishing your Facebook page is instantaneous, it won’t appear in the search results immediately. Yes, it can be infuriating when you want to get yourself out in front of your audience. But it can take up to 48 hours for a public page to start appearing in the search results. In fact, for Facebook pages that have no followers or likes, it can take even longer.

Typically, the majority of Facebook pages will start to appear in Facebook searches within 48 hours. If this time has already elapsed, then you will need to take a closer look at your Facebook page settings. Often times people publish a Facebook page without looking at the visibility settings. If you are certain that all of your visibility settings are correct and your page is still not showing after 48 hours, then the Facebook help centre should be able to assist you.

 

Missing information

This is something that eludes many people. There are certain sections of your Facebook page that need to be completed before the page will begin to appear in the search results. After you have checked that your page is actually published, there are four vital bits of profile information that needs to be completed. These are:

  • An uploaded profile picture
  • And uploaded cover photo
  • A call to action button
  • Completed about section

To add a profile picture to your page, simply navigate to the page and click on the camera icon located at the lower right-hand corner of the profile picture box. Select upload photo from the computer and then set as the profile photo. The same process is used for uploading a cover photo by using the camera icon on the cover photo area.

Adding a call to action button to your Facebook page is not only good for business but also required for your page to become visible in Facebook searches. To add this button, you will need administrator privileges. Navigate to your Facebook page and select the add a button section below the cover photo of your page. Choose an appropriate button from the menu and follow the instructions that appear on-screen. Once you have clicked finish, you can click on it to test it and check that it is working properly.

For the about section, you need to add at least the required basics. The type of information that you need to provide will all depend on the type of page that you have created. As an example, if you have created a local business page, you will need to add your phone number, address and further information relating to it. To add this information to your Facebook page simply click on the about button located to the left of the page. Navigate to the edit page info button and then select the sections that you wish to add information to. Finally, click save changes to update your page’s information.

 

 Remove country or age restrictions

If you have enabled restrictions to prevent people from certain countries or who are in a certain age bracket from viewing your page, these may be reducing your page visibility on Facebook. While they definitely serve a purpose, it is important to remember that many people use fake information on Facebook and you could be excluding genuine customers from accessing your page. It is not uncommon for people to use a fake date of birth or location to try and protect their privacy. By removing restrictions you are also opening yourself up to a wider audience, which can only be a good thing for businesses.

To edit your Facebook page restrictions you first need to navigate to your Facebook page. Once you have arrived at your Facebook page, locate the settings button at the top of the screen. Click on the settings button and navigate to the general tab on the left-hand side of the screen. Scroll down to the country restrictions and click on edit. Select visible to everyone and then save. Repeat the process for age restrictions. At this point, it is also a good idea to navigate to the “targeting and privacy for posts” section. Again, click on edit and make visible to everyone.

The reason that age and country restrictions prevent your page from appearing in search results is that users need to be logged in to be able to access the page content. This is all part of the verification process to ensure that the users fit your set requirements. This is also true if you want your Facebook page to appear in the search engine results, such as Google and Bing. With either type of restriction being put in place, you are effectively removing yourself not only from the Facebook search but also Google searches.

 

 Check the spelling

Okay, so this is something that many people don’t even consider to check when their Facebook page isn’t showing up in the searches. When you are creating your Facebook page, it is easy to make a typo, especially with the name that is  in the URL. The excitement of creating a Facebook business page or a fan page makes it all too easy for sausage fingers to hit the wrong key when typing. We are all guilty of it and it’s an easy mistake to overlook.

If this is the reason why your Facebook page can’t be found, the fix is easy. Navigate to your Facebook page and click on the about button on the left-hand side. Navigate to pages name and click on the edit button. Enter the correct name for your Facebook page and then select continue. You will be asked to review the change before making a request for it to be updated. If you are eligible, you can also change the URL of your Facebook page to reflect your business name.

Again, navigate to the about section on your Facebook page and click on the page info button. Select the username section and click on edit. Next, enter your desired business name and check if it is available. If it is available then a green check mark will appear next to it. Select the create username button for Facebook to review the request. Typically, it takes less than 24 hours for the review process, and the URL will reflect the correct business name of your Facebook page.

 

 Final thoughts

If you have tried all of the above fixes to no avail, then the next step is to contact Facebook support and ask for their assistance. Typically, the reason that your Facebook page is not showing in the Facebook searches is because of one of the above reasons. When it comes to Facebook, one thing that you are always going to need is a little bit of patience. It may be frustrating having to wait for your page to appear in the searches. But once it becomes visible, you will be well on your way to building your audience on social media.



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Thursday, August 23, 2018

What is the Best Audio to Text Transcription Software in 2018?

If you are looking for a way to turn your audio and video content into written text, then you have two options available to you. The first is manual transcription, which involves someone typing out the words they hear from your audio. The second is automated transcription, where software does the hard work for you. Both have their own pros and cons, so let’s take a closer look at your options.

 

Manual Audio to Text Transcription

Manual transcription has been around for decades. It is a trusted method of accurately transcribing audio to text and allows extra information to be added as required. However, manual transcription is time-consuming, expensive and labour-intensive. Of course, where manual transcriptions truly shine is the human touch. Text can be transcribed in a natural and targeted way with as few errors as possible. This is particularly beneficial if grammar and punctuation is important, such as when transcribing a recorded interview.

 

Automated Audio to Text Transcription Software

Automated transcription software can be a powerful tool to make use of. The software effectively listens to the audio content and then converts it into written text. This can save hours of work compared to manual transcription. However, the text output will only be as good as the software permits, words may be misheard and misspelt, and the final result will generally still require proper proofreading and editing. Depending on how much audio you have to transcribe, this approach can make life much easier.

 

What Audio to Text Transcription Software is Best?

In this section, we are going to take a look at the best audio to text software available on the market. For fairness, we have run an audio file through the software to check the results and to perform an accurate comparison. Each piece of software will be rated out of 5 for its accuracy.

 

Google Web Speech API – ★☆☆☆☆

To use Google Web speech API, you first need to install Virtual Audio Cable. Google Web Speech API allows you to automatically transcribe any audio that is playing on your computer in real time. Once you have installed Virtual Audio Cable, you can open the Google Web Speech API page, hit record and watch as it types out the audio that it hears. There is no denying that Google is able to keep up with the fast-paced speech. But how much does it actually understand? And is it able to write an understandable sentence?

Original Audio – Now, while it’s true I always have a jar or a tin of cookies or biscuits in my kitchen, at Christmas I wanted to have more or a kind of grotto feel. So, that does mean my Christmas chocolate cookies.

Google Web Speech Output – How watts it’s true I’m always have car or for of 10 cookies of pissed kits in my kitchen that Christmas i wanted to Have more of eight kind of gross a field so that does me my christmas got to get cookie.

Okay, so we can see from the text above that the transcription by Google Web Speech API is kind of disappointing. If you were looking at saving time on content output, then this method may actually take you twice as long. All of the edits and corrections will make for a hard task.  In fact, over 70% of the text output is wrong. Maybe the audio was too challenging, so let’s try another snippet from Nigella Lawson’s Christmas Cookies recipe.

Original Audio – Now, when you take the biscuits out of the oven you will see that they have a rather cracked finish. But I love that. It makes them look so homemade and comforting.

Google Web Speech Output – How then you takes the briskets shout for the open you will to say that day had a father cracked finish but I love that if naked then look so home maid and conspiring.

So that really didn’t improve matters. While the foundations for a great transcription tool are definitely there, at this point in time you would be better off manually typing out what you hear. Trying to edit the text after will leave you scratching your head wondering what it’s actually supposed to say. Another issue is that the software randomly decides it’s not going to type anymore and then kicks back in when it feels ready. Out of the full transcription, it made 212 errors out of 283 words.

Due to the poor transcription and the tool being stubborn/erratic it gets 2/5 stars

 

Trint  ★★★☆☆

Trint is an audio to text transcriber that is available both on computers and phones. When first signing up, you are offered a free trial with 30 minutes of audio to be used. Unlike Google, Trint allows you to upload files, URLs, and videos to transcribe instead of simply listening to what is being said. But how well does it actually perform? For the reason of fairness, we will use Nigella again to compare the text output.

Trint is an audio to text transcriber that is available both on computers and phones. When first signing up, you are offered a free trial with 30 minutes of audio to be used. Unlike Google, Trint allows you to upload files, URLs, and videos to transcribe instead of simply listening to what is being said. But how well does it actually perform? For the reason of fairness, we will use Nigella again to compare the text output.

Original Audio – Now, while it’s true I always have a jar or a tin of cookies or biscuits in my kitchen, at Christmas I wanted to have more or a kind of grotto feel. So, that does mean my Christmas chocolate cookies.

Trint Output– Now while it’s true I always have a jar or a tin of cookies of biscuits in my kitchen at Christmas I want it to have more of a kind of grotto feel. So that does mean my Christmas chocolate cookies.

Wow! That first bit of audio is almost spot on word for word! The only errors are “want it” instead of “wanted” and “of” instead of “or”. Uploading audio and video files is quick and easy. The interface allows for drag and drop and takes seconds to upload. The software also automatically detects the language and accent, along with starting new paragraphs when more than one person speaks. So let’s see how it goes with a little more of the audio.

Original Audio – Now, when you take the biscuits out of the oven you will see that they have a rather cracked finish. But I love that. It makes them look so homemade and comforting.

Trint Output – Now when you take the biscuits out of the oven you will see that they have a rather cracked finish. But I love that it makes them look so homemade and comforting.

Again, the audio to text output hits the mark. In fact, it even puts periods in at the right places. Of course, no software can add in punctuation at this point in time. Trint is feature rich, allows you to record and transcribe video simultaneously and does what it promises. The free trial lets you test run it for yourself, which is always a good thing. In the full transcription, it made 14 errors out of 283 words.

Fairly accurate transcription and fast processing gives Trint 3/5 stars

 

Happy scribe ★★★★★

As with Trint, Happy Scribe provides a 30-minute free trial so you can sample the software before subscribing to a plan. Also, like Trint, the software is available online rather than needing to download software to your computer. So, we will use the same audio file again to compare the software and see how well it performs.

Original Audio – Now, while it’s true I always have a jar or a tin of cookies or biscuits in my kitchen, at Christmas I wanted to have more or a kind of grotto feel. So, that does mean my Christmas chocolate cookies.

Happy scribe Output– Now while it’s true I always have a jar or a tin of cookies of biscuits in my kitchen at Christmas I wanted to have more of a kind of Wrotto feel. So that does mean my Christmas chocolate cookies.

The first thing to note is that the transcription process took approximately twice as long as Trint did. However, it actually transcribed the audio almost perfectly except for one word. So far, so good. Let’s now compare the next part of the transcription as used in Trint.

Original Audio – Now, when you take the biscuits out of the oven you will see that they have a rather cracked finish. But I love that. It makes them look so homemade and comforting.

Happy Scribe Output – Now when you take the biscuits out of the oven you will see that they have a rather cracked finish because I love that it makes them look so homemade and comforting.

Again, there is only one error. All in all, Happy scribe is possibly the best transcription software we have tested to date in this post. While Trint performed well, in the rest of the transcribed audio, it changed bowl to ball. Sprinkles to pink holes, and saucepan to source pain.  Happy Scribe, on the other hand got just 2 words wrong out of 283 words! The accuracy is almost equal to human transcription.

The accuracy is through the roof and it is easy to use so receives 5/5 stars

 

Sonix.ai ★★★★☆

The final audio transcription software we have checked is Sonix.ai. As with Trint and Happy Scribe, there is a 30-minute free trial to use. The software is also 100% online and requires no separate tools. The UI is clean and easy to follow and files can be dragged and dropped. Once you select the language and country, your file is transcribed and an email is sent when it’s ready. So, let’s test old Nigella’s audio again.

Original Audio – Now, while it’s true I always have a jar or a tin of cookies or biscuits in my kitchen, at Christmas I wanted to have more or a kind of grotto feel. So, that does mean my Christmas chocolate cookies.

Sonix Output– Now while it’s true I always have a jar or a tin of cookies of biscuits in my kitchen at Christmas I wanted to have more of a kind of Wrotto feel. So that does mean my Christmas chocolate cookies.

Again, it changed grotto to wrotto but other than that it is pretty accurate. We love the fact that this software shows its confidence percentages. It tells you that it is confident with 92% of the text, not sure with 8%. The fact that there is a play button that plays the audio while highlighting the transcribed audio makes the proofing easier. You can read and listen as you go and correct errors in real time. But how does it fare against the remaining sample text?

Original Audio – Now, when you take the biscuits out of the oven you will see that they have a rather cracked finish. But I love that. It makes them look so homemade and comforting.

Sonix Output – Now when you take the biscuits out of the oven you will see that they have a rather cracked finish because I love that it makes them look so homemade and comforting.

The same errors were made in the second part of the sample as were seen in Happy Scribe. In fact, weirdly every error was exactly the same between the two. Perhaps they use the same transcribing software behind the scenes, who knows? Regardless of that fact, Sonix is perhaps a little more feature rich and easier to work with. However, for the full audio transcription of 2.02 minutes, the error count begins to rise ever so slightly. Out of 283 words, it made just 5 errors! Again, a great piece of software that will ultimately save you hours of time.

Almost error free and simple UI gives it 4/5 stars

 

Which is the Best?

It is surprising that a web giant such as Google is so far behind when it comes to Audio to text transcription. Out of the three that actually deserve to be on this list, the one that we found to perform the best with the highest degree of accuracy is Happy Scribe. Ultimately, it would be a good idea to try all three out for yourself and see how they perform for your audio and video files.

Disclaimer: Before we forget to say. We are in no way affiliated with any of these software providers. Nor do we make any revenue from them. Out of 9 different tried and tested types of transcription software, these were the only three that actually made life all the more easy rather than creating work. So, what is your favourite audio to text transcriber? And how do you feel it measures up to our top 3?

 



Article first published here: What is the Best Audio to Text Transcription Software in 2018?
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Monday, August 6, 2018

How to Write 5000 Words a Day, Every Day

The average person writes roughy 700 – 800 words an hour, which means it will take between six to seven hours to write 5000 words. Now, this sounds pretty good right? Well, once you add in research,editing and formatting you can add another couple of hours on top.

However, there are ways to speed up your productivity levels and shave a few hours off the time it takes to write 5000 words a day, every day. Once you have a plan of action to follow, you will find that your speed improves drastically, your stress levels decrease and things feel more natural and fluid. To help you on your way, we have put together our top tips to help you improve your writing skills.

Eliminate Distractions

One of the biggest issues people face when it comes to writing are everyday distractions. These range from mobile phones, social media, televisions, radios, and even noisy neighbours. To be able to write quickly and clearly, you need to remove yourself from these types of disturbances and focus on the task at hand.

If possible, set aside a spare room as your own little writing sanctuary. Don’t make it feel too formal or office-like. The idea is to relax your mind and let your creativity flow. Office environments create a sense of rigidity and formality that can hinder your work output. When choosing a space to write in, try and find a place with plenty of natural light pouring in, preferably facing away from any main roads or distracting sounds.

Tip to take home: Get into the zone. Turn things off and move away to write 5000 words a day.

Research Your Topic Before You Start

Once you know what it is you will write about, perform research before you start. Take a note of any important key points on a notepad and then close the research tabs. Avoid researching while writing as this can slow your writing speed tenfold. You should also know what angle you want to come from. Will you write as the first person? Will it be a review? What are people going to be looking for?

Remember the word RAW. Research. Angle. Write. If you want to be able to write 5000 words every day, research is key. With that said, you don’t need to spend hours performing research. Simply perform a few searches on the topic, check a few of the top sites to understand what it is all about, jot down important points and any references and you’re halfway there. Take these notes and work out how you want to come across to the reader and before you know it, you will be ready to start writing.

Tip to take home: Research puts you in the know and helps improve your writing flow.

Build Your Title and Headings First

Once you have done your research and have your angle, you want to come up with a good title and headings. Make sure your title contains your keywords and is a search term your readers may be looking for. A great way to do this is to think about what you would type in to the search engines to find information on the subject. Question titles are always a great way to go.

Next, you should add your headings. Again, use targeted search terms for these and keep them relevant to your topic. Aim for one heading per 250 words and type them into your post before you begin to write. This allows you to use them as a guide for each section without being repetitive and breaks up the content in a search engine-friendly way. By doing this, you also create a template that turns your writing into bitesize snippets, making it feel like you have less to write than you really do.

Tip to take home: Learn to break things into parts for easy writing when you start.

Take Regular Mini Breaks

This is probably the most important piece of advice you can take. Taking regular mini-breaks helps clear your mind and recharge your batteries. Aim to write 1000 words and then step away from the keyboard for 15 minutes. Don’t sit in front of the TV or browse social media, but instead make a cup of coffee and relax in the garden and unwind. If you sit at the screen typing away endlessly, things soon become monotonous. This can make your writing feel exhausting and increase the likelihood of you losing interest.

Think of your break as a reward and as an incentive. The faster you write, the quicker you can enjoy a break. Just don’t lose your focus when taking a break. Clear your mind, think about ways to inject a little more depth into your content and allow your thoughts to ebb and flow without any pressure. Many people think that writing is an easy job, but the amount of brain power, concentration and dedication required can sometimes be overwhelming. If you experience writers block and you are struggling to write, step away from the computer, take five and then try again.

Tip to take home: Take a break and rest your brain to help you up your writing game.

Don’t Edit Your Content While Writing

This is one of the biggest mistakes writers make. Trying to edit your content as you write not only slows you down, but can make you doubt your own words. Forget about typos, syntax, errors and formatting until you have finished your writing. The aim of the game is to be able to

write 5000 words during your working hours and have the content that you need. Focus on writing first and editing second.

Once you have finished writing, dedicate some time to proofread it. Make sure that the sentences sound fluid as you read them and make complete sense. Correct any mistakes while you read and then run the text through a spellchecker such as Grammarly or Scribens to catch any typos that you may have missed. If you try to edit while you write, you lose your train of thought and your output will decline.

Tip to take home: Writing first then edits after helps you write all the faster.

Avoid Voice Typing Apps

There is no denying that voice typing apps serve a purpose. However, this should be reserved for taking notes and making plans only, and for good reason. The problem with voice typing apps is that they will actually slow you down. As an example, Google voice typing makes errors constantly. Capital letters are placed where they shouldn’t be, words are commonly spelled incorrectly, and grammar is almost impossible.

If you truly want to write 5000 words a day, learn to love your keyboard. The more you use it the quicker you will get. Voice typing apps not only make the writing process longer, but also increase the amount of time you need to spend proofreading and editing. Your writing should always come across as nothing but professional, and if your text is filled with errors then people may not take you seriously. Step away from the voice typing apps and allow your fingers to do the talking instead.

Tip to take home: Voice typing apps are not your friend, use a keyboard from start to end.

So, there you have it. Our top tips for writing 5000 words a day, every day. While some of them may seem like common sense, putting them into action will see your writing skills improve, your output increase and you content blossom.

Try to incorporate them into your daily writing routine and watch as your speed and proficiency explodes without sacrificing on quality and readability. If you can’t manage 5000 words a day, don’t be hard on yourself. We at Talk Agency understand it takes time to achieve, and at the end of the day quality will always reign supreme over quantity.



Article first published here: How to Write 5000 Words a Day, Every Day
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