Photograph of a Black man leading his colleagues through a presentation, speaking with his hands to demonstrate emotional intelligence in leadership

Personal Development

Personal Development Archives

Personal Development | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

Emotional intelligence in leadership is vital to helping your team thrive. But what is it? Read more to learn how EQ can help you succeed.

Emotional intelligence in leadership is vital to helping your team thrive. But what is it? Read more to learn how EQ can help you succeed. | SUCCESS

Emotional Intelligence Is Crucial to Good Leadership—Here’s Why

Comment

Why Emotional Intelligence in Leadership is Crucial | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/SOnline23_SEPT_SEO-DUPES_Emotional-Intelligence-in-Leadership.jpg

Home

SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/success_opengraph_image.png

Jayson DeMers

John C. Maxwell

Karima Mariama-Arthur

Travis Bradberry

Business &amp; Branding

Business &amp; Branding Archives

Stay ahead in business: strategies and insights for success

<p>Content has many functions: It enhances the value of your site, builds <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/breeding-customer-loyalty/">customer loyalty</a>, attracts new customers through ongoing syndication and improves your <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-become-a-top-ranked-and-top-rated-business-online/">search engines ranking</a>. But the bottom line for any content strategy is increasing your customers and revenue. And content, coincidently, has one more function: It converts. It forges a direct path for the reader to become a buyer.</p>



<p>Your definition of a “conversion” might differ depending on your business, but no matter what format you choose, getting your readers to convert is an instant, measurable action that leads you right to more revenue. Writing content that is optimized for conversions can be difficult, especially if you’re new to the art, but the following strategies can help you achieve that goal.</p>



<h2 id="h-1-speak-directly-to-your-target-audience">1. Speak directly to your target audience.</h2>



<p>If you’re hoping to convert a reader, you have to speak directly to them, your target audience. That means writing in a way that makes your brand feel familiar, trustworthy and approachable. The usual holdup here is failing to understand who or what your <a href="https://www.semrush.com/blog/target-audience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">target audience</a> is; many businesses like to believe they’re writing for everybody under the sun, but the reality is you need to narrow your target audience down to one or two specific demographics—and write for them.</p>



<h2 id="h-2-don-t-sell">2. Don’t sell.</h2>



<p>Encouraging conversions isn’t the same as selling. With direct selling, you’re making a pitch to an individual with the sole intention of getting them to buy a product. With conversion optimization, you’re creating a set of environmental circumstances that naturally encourage more people to make a buying decision. Using your content to pitch your products and services directly will immediately turn off your prospective buyers; instead,<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/5-tips-to-write-a-blog-post-people-will-actually-read"> focus on writing great content</a> and let your users figure out for themselves whether or not they are prepared to buy from you.</p>



<h2 id="h-3-bolster-yourself-as-an-authority">3. Bolster yourself as an authority.</h2>



<p>People are more likely to buy from sources they trust, and brand trust is becoming increasingly difficult to build. One of the best ways to increase the trust your customers have in your brand is to use your content as a means of <a href="https://www.semrush.com/blog/semrush-authority-score-explained/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">increasing your authority</a>. When people see you as an authority in the industry, they’ll feel more comfortable making purchases from you. To do this, you’ll have to carefully select topics that fit in your target niche and explore them in great detail, showcasing your thorough understanding of the subject matter. It also helps to introduce new ideas, thereby<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/3-practical-tips-to-become-a-thought-leader"> becoming a “thought leader”</a> in your readers’ eyes.</p>



<h2 id="h-4-borrow-from-others-authority">4. Borrow from others’ authority.</h2>



<p>Unfortunately, asserting your own expertise can only get you so far. If you want to rapidly increase your perceived authority, borrow that authority from others. There are several ways to do this; one of the easiest is to quote other recognizable industry leaders in the context of your blog—it shows you’ve done your homework and aligns your brand under their name. Citing facts from prominent or trustworthy sources is another subtle way to boost your authority through others’ established reputations, and if you can work in a testimonial somehow, you’ll be in great shape.</p>



<h2 id="h-5-add-an-emotional-element">5. Add an emotional element.</h2>



<p>People are more likely to convert when there is an <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/master-the-sales-mindset/">emotional undertone to your content</a>. The type and level of emotion you choose will depend on your brand and the subject matter you’re exploring. Using sympathy is sometimes effective, as is using excitement to drive a quick conversion. Using fear is another common tactic—for example, implying that readers might be vulnerable without a product like yours. But be careful; using too many emotional appeals can make you seem tacky or aggressive.</p>



<h2 id="h-6-use-strong-action-words-to-increase-activity">6. Use strong action words to increase activity.</h2>



<p>When you lead into your call-to-action, use action words to increase the likelihood that your readers are going to take the plunge. Gimmicky phrases like “click here” and “act now” probably won’t work very well in the modern era, but you can still use phrases like “read more” or “get started.” Using any type of passive language, on the other hand, could let users skip right over your call-to-action, leaving your conversion rates to suffer as a result.</p>



<h2 id="h-7-get-rid-of-distractions">7. Get rid of distractions.</h2>



<p>Your ultimate goal is <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-launch-and-maintain-a-successful-e-commerce-business/">getting your users to convert</a>, so when you introduce your call-to-action, take care that you don’t distract them with any other options. For example, if you close your article with a call-to-action that leads people to a signup form, don’t also include lead-ins to other areas of your site or, in a more egregious error, include lead-ins to external sites. Including too many options can disorient your visitor or lead them randomly around the site instead of leading them directly to your conversion opportunity.</p>



<h2 id="h-8-interlink-your-pages-to-decrease-bounce-rates">8. Interlink your pages to decrease bounce rates.</h2>



<p>It’s also worth noting that decreasing your bounce rates, thereby keeping more visitors on your website for longer, can also increase your total number of conversions, and one way to keep your bounce rates lower is to tightly interlink your pages. Including links in the body of your content to other pieces of content or other sections of your site can keep them interested for longer instead of allowing them to leave. If you have the option, funneling them to a conversion is always better than leading them to another page, but interlinking your pages is a way of hedging your bets.</p>



<p>These strategies are helpful ways to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-complete-guide-to-money-how-to-create-wealth/">boost the conversion rates</a> of your content. Don’t forget about the most important element of conversion optimization: analysis and adjustment. Roll out your strategy for a month and measure the results of your efforts, then make a few changes, implement for a month and measure the results again. Gradually make more of the changes that seem to be effective and ditch the ones that do not. Only through a process of analysis and revision will you be able to perfect your content-based conversion strategy.</p>



<p style="font-size:12px"><em>This article was published in May 2015 and has been updated. Photo by </em><a href="https://www.twenty20.com/Korneevamaha?t20p=photo.index"><em>@Korneevamaha</em></a><em>/Twenty20</em></p>

Writing content that is optimized for conversions can be difficult, especially if you’re new to the art, but the following strategies can help you achieve that goal.

Writing content that is optimized for conversions can be difficult, especially if you’re new to the art, but the following strategies can help you achieve that goal. | SUCCESS

How to Make Money from a Blog

How to Make Money from a Blog | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Make-Money-from-Your-Blog.jpg

Jayson DeMers is the founder and CEO of EmailAnalytics, a productivity tool that connects to your Gmail or G Suite account and visualizes your email activity—or that of your employees.

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6375d859dd2114be6af7d7f0a0559d8dde0aaddc9d488bba92f5f7b2fc39ae90?s=96&d=mm&r=g

<p>Our world has shifted in the past several weeks, and like
many people, you’ve likely found yourself in one or more of the following
situations: </p>



<ul><li>You are stuck (but safe) at home. </li><li>Your income has diminished or disappeared.</li><li>You are increasingly concerned about your
financial future. </li></ul>



<p>It’s a tough place to be, this uncertainty, but, if you
decide to take back control (and you should!), there can be opportunity in
these newfound circumstances—like <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/thinking-about-starting-a-side-hustle/">starting
or growing a side hustle</a>. Something that, depending on your goals, you can
use as supplemental, short-term income or even a springboard to a new career.</p>



<p>The prospect of starting a side hustle is exciting, but it
can also be intimidating. You may love the idea of starting a business of your
own, but maybe you don’t feel comfortable enough with the technology to <em>get started</em> on your own.</p>



<p>That’s why we decided to put together this guide. </p>



<p>In the following sections, we’ll talk about some of the most
important elements of starting a side hustle, explained in a way that everyone
can appreciate—no matter how much experience with technology you have. </p>



<h3>Overcoming the Mental Block</h3>



<p>First, it’s important to address the mental block that
negatively affects many people who would describe themselves as “not tech
savvy.” </p>



<p>These days, new technologies are designed with accessibility
in mind. They’re created specifically to make them easy to use, no matter your
skill level. If you enter your side gig with the mentality that this is
something you can learn, and not something that’s going to confuse you before
you even begin, you’ll stand a much better chance of success. </p>



<p>Think positively. <a href="https://emailanalytics.com/inspirational-quotes-for-hard-times/">You can
do this.</a></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p><strong><em>Related: </em></strong><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/100-simple-secrets-of-productive-people/"><strong>100 Simple Secrets of Productive People</strong></a></p></blockquote>



<h3>Creating a Website</h3>



<p>No matter what kind of side gig you’re running, you’ll need
a website. It might sound intimidating, but it’s easier than ever. </p>



<p>Lots of websites today are built with <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/free-website-builders">the help of
free website builders</a>, like Wix, Weebly and WordPress. Using these tools,
you can design and launch your own website almost immediately. </p>



<p>Most of these builders use something called a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WYSIWYG">WYSIWYG editor</a>, which means
“what you see is what you get.” With it, you can drag and drop new elements,
type new text, and see a live preview. And you don’t need any coding knowledge to
use it. If web design isn’t in your wheelhouse, you can use templates to create
your site, filling in text details to start.</p>



<p>One caveat is that most free website builders give you a
subdomain, such as yourname.wordpress.com, so you’ll probably want to buy and
connect <a href="https://domains.google/learning-center/5-things-to-watch-out-for-when-buying-a-domain/">your
own domain name</a>. <a href="https://www.godaddy.com/">GoDaddy</a> is a
popular tool and makes the process quite easy. </p>



<h3>Managing Social Media</h3>



<p>Social media connects us all, so your side hustle will
benefit from having a presence. Getting started is free for businesses on most
platforms, and it’s just as easy as creating a personal account. Some sites,
like Instagram, allow you to set up a separate business account; others, like
Facebook, require you to connect from your personal account. (Don’t worry, your
personal information will not be publicly visible on your business page.)</p>



<p>For example, on Facebook, when logged in on desktop, click
the arrow in the upper-right corner to see an option for “Manage Pages.” From
here, you can “<a href="https://www.facebook.com/help/135275340210354?hc_location=ufi">Create a
Page</a>” for your business or brand. After clicking “Get Started,” you’ll be
prompted to fill out various fields, like your page name and category, and add
a profile picture and cover photo. And just like that, your page is up, and you
can start posting. &nbsp;</p>



<p>Try to post new content at least once or twice a week on
your social pages, and reach out to new people and new groups regularly. For
help figuring out what to post, check out “<a href="https://medium.com/@jaysondemers/100-killer-ideas-for-your-social-media-content-c440db070db8">100 Killer Ideas for Your Social Media
Content</a>.”</p>



<h3>Building an Email List</h3>



<p>Building a highly engaged <a href="https://medium.com/@jaysondemers/50-proven-ways-to-grow-your-email-list-f54003f18e7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="email list (opens in a new tab)">email list</a>&nbsp;can be a&nbsp;game-changer for any&nbsp;side&nbsp;hustle.&nbsp;Email lists are essential for building your audience and keeping your customers engaged and buying from you over the long term.&nbsp;However, many side hustlers&nbsp;are&nbsp;so overwhelmed by the complicated tech involved, that&nbsp;they lose sight of the value&nbsp;a list&nbsp;can bring their business.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>The good news is that it’s never been easier set up, launch and grow an email list. In fact, most&nbsp;of the&nbsp;software available today&nbsp;have&nbsp;easy-to-use&nbsp;drag and drop features&nbsp;and&nbsp;are&nbsp;completely free&nbsp;to start&nbsp;for new businesses with small lists.&nbsp;</p>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Mailchimp (opens in a new tab)" href="https://mailchimp.com/" target="_blank">Mailchimp</a> is a great place to&nbsp;begin your list building efforts.&nbsp;It’s&nbsp;free to get started, and&nbsp;easy to use. Whether you use&nbsp;Mailchimp&nbsp;or a similar email&nbsp;application, you’ll&nbsp;be able to design your own email templates, again, with a&nbsp;WYSIWYG editor or&nbsp;by&nbsp;basing your work on templates.&nbsp;Here’s&nbsp;a simple resource for you to get started with&nbsp;Mailchimp&nbsp;in just a few hours: <a href="https://mailchimp.com/resources/mailchimp-101/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Mailchimp 101 (opens in a new tab)">Mailchimp 101</a></p>



<h3>Recording Videos</h3>



<p>Videos
as a content form are gaining in preference, and are a great way to engage your
audience. Not only does the combination of visual and audio aid result in more
absorbable information for the viewer, but it also presents more opportunity to
promote your brand across platforms. </p>



<p>To
kick-start your video recording, you don’t need much more than your laptop or
smartphone, which have built-in cameras. Begin with narrowing down the focus of
your video, find yourself a nicely lit space and press record. It can be that
easy!</p>



<p>Although
you don’t have to worry about producing a professional, high-quality video
right off the bat, there are a few things you should keep in mind: </p>



<ul><li><strong>Audio is just as important as the video image.</strong> Without clear audio, the video can lose more than half of its purpose, so remember to speak clearly and avoid shooting in places with excess background noise. </li><li><strong>Orient your video for the intended platform.</strong> Typically, videos are more visually appealing and perform better when recorded horizontally; however, if you’re filming something to share on social media, you may opt to record vertically. &nbsp; </li></ul>



<p>Overall,
uploading a video to your website or social media pages is as easy as posting a
regular blog post or status update, and just like building a website, videos
can be as easy or complex as you need them to be. Once you’re confident in your
video capabilities, try leveling up with a ring light or upgrading your sound
with a wireless phone-suitable microphone.</p>



<h3>Using Google Analytics</h3>



<p>One of the best things you can do for your website is to set
up Google Analytics, a free service that helps you measure and analyze the
traffic coming to your website. Once you have it set up, you’ll be able to see
how many people are visiting your site, where they’re coming from, and what
they’re doing when they get there (e.g., are they making a purchase?). It’s
extraordinarily helpful for evaluating the effectiveness of your marketing
strategies. </p>



<p><a href="https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/1008015?hl=en">Getting
started</a> is simple, and the Analytics Help Center provides step-by-step
instructions: </p>



<ol><li><a href="https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/analytics/">Create an
Analytics account.</a></li><li><a href="https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/1042508">Set up a property</a>,
which represents your website. </li><li><a href="https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/1008080">Add the tracking
code to your website</a>, so you can collect the data properly.</li></ol>



<h3>Online Marketing </h3>



<p>As you develop your side hustle, you may consider other
forms of online marketing. Many of these sound technically complex, but anyone
can learn them with the help of online tutorials. </p>



<ul><li><strong>Content marketing/blogging. </strong>One of the easiest things you can do is create regular blog posts for your site. With <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/7-little-known-benefits-of-content-marketing/">content marketing</a>, you can make your site more robust, appeal to new customers, and hopefully achieve more conversions. </li><li><strong>Search engine optimization (SEO). </strong><a href="https://medium.com/@jaysondemers/seo-101-building-an-seo-strategy-part-1-of-5-4c5766d53517">SEO</a> relies on a combination of content marketing, changes to the phrasing and structure of your site, and content development with other publishers to increase your rankings in search engine results.</li><li><strong>Paid advertising.</strong> Many forms of paid advertising exist to make your website more visible, often taking advantage of platforms like Facebook and Google, but they require an upfront investment. The easiest place to get started is Facebook, and here’s a guide that will show you how to get set up in just a few hours:&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="How to Create a Facebook Ad (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.facebook.com/business/ads" target="_blank">Facebook Ads</a></li></ul>



<h3>Troubleshooting</h3>



<p>Inevitably, you’re going to run into issues as you build your
site, market your business and make new sales. What’s important is that you
know how to identify and resolve those issues. </p>



<p>Here’s a best-kept secret: All those “tech geniuses” you
know? They probably don’t know that much about technology. Instead, they are
probably exceptionally skilled at Googling. Whenever they encounter a problem,
they type a description of it into the search bar (e.g., “WordPress blog post
not publishing”) and look at the top results. In most conceivable scenarios,
you’ll find a short video or a concise post that walks you through the problem
and its solutions.</p>



<p>Get used to this flow of search-read-apply, and you’ll be
able to solve almost any tech problem—even without formal skills to back you
up. </p>



<h3>Planning Your Business</h3>



<p>Even if your side hustle feels more like a hobby right now,
it’s important to treat it like a business. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/write-your-business-plan">Develop
a business plan</a>, keep a tight leash on your budget, and remain committed to
learning and adapting, and you’ll stand a good chance of being successful—tech
savvy or not.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Photo by GaudiLab/Shutterstock.com</em></p>

The prospect of starting a side hustle is exciting, but it can also be intimidating, which is why we put together this guide: to talk through some of the most important elements explained in a way that everyone can appreciate—no matter how much experience with technology you have.

The prospect of starting a side hustle is exciting, but it can also be intimidating, which is why we put together this guide: to talk through some of the most important elements explained in a way that everyone can appreciate—no matter how much experience with technology you have. | SUCCESS

The Non-Tech-Savvy Person’s Guide to Starting a Side Hustle

The Non-Tech-Savvy Person’s Guide to Starting a Side Hustle | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/The-Non-Tech-Savvy-Persons-Guide-to-Starting-a-Side-Hustle.jpg

Everyone wants to reach peak productivity—accomplishing more in less time—but what’s the best way to do it?

Everyone wants to reach peak productivity—accomplishing more in less time—but what’s the best way to do it? | SUCCESS

100 Simple Secrets of Productive People

100 Simple Secrets of Productive People | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/100-Productivity-Secrets.jpg

Do you show up to work every day, work to the best of your ability and always strive to be better? Great! But that might not be enough. Because your <em>speaking habits</em> can compromise your potential for career success, even if your performance is impeccable.

Let’s say you have an extremely impressive résumé and you’re interviewing at a new firm for a potential promotion. On paper you’re the ideal candidate and you’re objectively more skilled and more experienced than your competitors. But, during the interview, <a title="8 Reasons Why You Didn't Get the Job | SUCCESS.com" href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/8-reasons-why-you-didnt-get-the-job" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">your conversation gives the interviewer a bad impression</a> and he is forced to go with a more impressive candidate.

Whether you’re interviewing for a new job, trying to land a new client, motivating your employees or making a pitch to land funding for your business, how you speak and hold conversations can make or break you, regardless of how skilled or talented you are in other areas.

Eliminate these five speaking habits before they destroy <em>you</em>:
<h2>1. Using Filler Words</h2>
Filler words have become so common in our colloquial speech patterns that we scarcely notice we’re even saying them. We start our sentences with the word “so,” never consciously realizing it. We inject our sentences with the word “like,” never thinking about the literal ramifications of its use, and fill every pause with an “um” or an “uh” as an almost involuntary reflex. These filler words seem innocent enough, but if they take over the bulk of your speech, they become distracting and reflect poorly on you as the speaker.

Fortunately you can train yourself to avoid them by making yourself conscious of their use and correcting yourself every time one slips out until your natural speech pattern is free of them.
<h2>2. Using Repetitive Vocal Inflections</h2>
The inflections in our voice say just as much as the words that are shaped by them. Imagine the sentence “I didn’t steal that car” with an emphasis on each different word within the sentence. “I <em>didn’t </em>steal that car” means something very different than “I didn’t steal <em>that</em> car.”

Too often our inflection becomes repetitive, distorting the meaning and power of our sentences and leaving our listeners uninterested. For example, some people draw into a near-constant monotone, never inflecting any syllable more than any other. Others fall into uptalking, the extraordinarily bad habit of ending every sentence with an upward inflection, like a question.

Add variance and significance to your intonation and inflections.
<h2>3. Talking Too Fast</h2>
When you get excited, or when you’re nervous, it’s ridiculously easy to speak too quickly. You have a lot to say and you’re trying to get it all out, so the words naturally come to you in a constant stream. Some people subconsciously fear silence and use rapid speaking to cover up any brief pauses that may otherwise result.

It’s far better to speak slowly. You’ll have more time to think about your choice of words; you can use pauses to add impact to your sentences; and most importantly, you’ll come across as a much more confident, in-control person.

It’s highly unlikely that you’ll speak too slowly for your audience, so no matter how fast you think you’re talking, try talking just a little bit slower.
<h2>4. Neglecting Your Mannerisms</h2>
Everybody has small ticks and mannerisms that go unnoticed and remain insignificant in daily conversations, but these small mannerisms can add up to real annoyance in the context of a professional or public speaking event. For example, if you tend to gesticulate wildly in repetitive motions or if you unconsciously smack your lips at the end of each sentence, your listeners could view you as unpracticed, or worse—unprofessional.

Work with a friend or record yourself speaking to uncover some of the mannerisms you might be neglecting. <a title="Ditch Your Bad Habits in 5 Simple Steps | SUCCESS.com" href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/ditch-your-bad-habits-in-5-simple-steps" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Breaking these unconscious habits</a> can and will be tough, but once they’re gone, they’ll stay gone.
<h2>5. Rambling</h2>
Rambling is an indication of nervousness, and it’s especially dangerous in a one-on-one context.

Generally, if you’ve prepared a speech, you won’t have to worry about rambling because you’ll have a specific, dedicated talk track. In a more improvised setting, which demands a back-and-forth between two parties, rambling is a much more dangerous threat. For example, in a job interview, if an interviewer asks a simple question expecting a simple answer and you respond with an extended monologue, your credibility could suffer some damage.

If you aren’t concise, your message will lose impact.

Don’t let any of these bad habits get the better of you. The best way to avoid them is through ongoing practice. So speak in front of a mirror or with a friend you trust, and actively work to suppress these all-too-common tendencies. In time you’ll be naturally free from any of them, and you won’t have to worry about your next conversation compromising your otherwise great chances at professional success.

<a title="How to Speak Well... and Listen Better | SUCCESS.com" href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/how-to-speak-well-and-listen-better" target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>How are your conversation skills? Find out 10 ways to be better at <em>both</em> sides of the conversation.</strong></a>

Your speaking habits can make or break your career success, so fix the bad ones.

Do you show up to work every day, work to the best of your ability and always strive to be better? Great! But that might not be enough. Because your | SUCCESS

5 Common Mistakes You Make in a Conversation

5 Common Mistakes You Make in a Conversation | SUCCESS