Monday, August 31, 2020

Don't Panic - Organize!




They are the 90% who own a fraction of the assets of the remaining 10% of the population, to whom neither morality nor most laws apply. These are the 10% who at all times initiated wars to which they sent people from the 90 percent.

The men who were rich before and after wars, who become CEOs in elite schools to run the economy more or less splendidly. Who decides on the lives of the 90 percent and keep them as far away from themselves as possible. Those who employ the 90 percent. And what is better suited to this than fear and hatred of one another?

One could fight the division of the population, the prejudices and dislikes, the fear that another poor wretch could take something away from you, with education, with really good media work, with excellent propaganda, one could ensure real justice and equality, one could abolish the inhuman social-security-alms, strengthen the state - but for what? What is the point of questioning a concept that has proven itself for so long? What was good for so long to distract the masses from what they really hate and need to question?
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Why you might ask, do I face jail time for cheating and stealing, but billionaires go unpunished? Why do I have to move to the outskirts of the city and stand in traffic jams to never get up? Why is the legend "anyone can make it to the top" not true? Why can I suddenly no longer pay my rent?

Why does my health insurance company no longer pay for medication? Why is it not okay if I fly and smoke when I do not follow all the laws and regulations and rules, and why does this not apply to a few people?

Why does a CEO earn a hundred times more than me, he who has sunk millions and been rewarded with a bonus? Why should I save electricity and water and separate waste and why does this not apply to other people? Why have I been preached for years that I alone am responsible for my success, and then I get fired after all?
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The 90 percent might ask themselves that, but fortunately, that will never happen. Because they are busy. Burning witches or despising slaves. Or hating people who look different, have different sex, or believe in something or not, or who drill holes in the too-thin walls of too expensive apartments. Nothing will change, because people hate each other too much, because they see themselves in the other. Desperate and mortal, insecure and restless, looking for support...

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Saturday, August 22, 2020

DEMOCRATS: Don't Call Victory yet





Don't call victory yet - this blue Tsunami must be way more significant! 

Help people to come to the voting ballot, family, friends, colleagues… 

Democrats need to win 3:1 at least - It needs to be the biggest win ever!

When slavery was officially abolished in the USA in 1865, the great fear of the whites was that the black population would gain too much influence through voting rights.  "Voter Suppression" was intended to be an antidote, the deliberate making of voting more difficult, especially for black and also economically weaker Americans.  This attitude derives the current understanding of democracy by the Republican party leadership. 


Don’t fret over Trump, don’t waste your energy – he won't change.  Just ignore him. It will be needed to build a new America after Trump destroyed it.  Vote him out in the highest numbers a president has ever been defeated. Payback Trump for four years of misery, of humiliation, of neglect, of lies, of tricks and corruption, and for humiliating our soldiers and vets, as well as fleecing the country and its hard-working people…


Please, stop fretting about Trump and do something about it.
RIGHT NOW!
Find out instantly if your voter registration’s current.
If you wanna vote, you have to register.
There’s more than one way to register and it varies from state to state.
That’s why YOU need to be informed about your state’s rules and regulations.

http://vote.org/absentee-ballot  to receive an absentee ballot.
Make sure your friends and family do the same.


Only if EVERYONE Votes…
Forecasting the US Elections: The Economist is analyzing polling of economic and demographic data to predict America’s elections in 2020
https://projects.economist.com/us-2020-forecast/president


OSCE Election Observers Need to be Called in for US Elections to Avoid More Republican Voter Fraud
ODIHR carries out election observation in OSCE participating States to assess the extent to which elections respect fundamental freedoms and are characterized by equality, universality, political pluralism, confidence, transparency, and accountability.
https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/how-to-become-an-election-observer
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Voter Suppression:
In this year’s vote, they are going to pull out all the stops when it comes to voter suppression.  That is not a reason to give up, that’s a reason to go harder.
***Register everyone you know.***  Make plans and backup plans for all of them.
Prepare for it to be hard. But VOTE!

The deadline for registering is fast approaching in many states.

Check the rules surrounding absentee voting in your state.

Ballots MUST be put in the smaller envelope and then onto the mailing envelope
or they WILL NOT BE COUNTED.

Twenty-eight states have made changes in expanding or relaxing vote-by-mail processes. Some of these changes could mean automatically sending every voter a ballot, as is the case in California, Vermont, and seven other states, plus Washington, D.C.

It could also mean automatically sending every registered voter an application to cast an absentee ballot, which is often seen as an additional safeguard for states which don’t have an established automatic vote-by-mail program.  So far, eight states are currently going to send every voter an application in the mail.

Call your county board of elections or visit your secretary of state’s website to learn more about the rules in your state for absentee voting. Election officials are there to help you cast your ballot safely and accurately, and many offices are hiring additional staff to help answer questions.

THE Most IMPORTANT Link Right Now!
A state-by-state guide to voting by mail and early in-person voting - PLAN YOUR VOTE:
https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/plan-your-vote-state-by-state-guide-voting-by-mail-early-in-person-voting-election/index.html

https://www.npr.org/2020/08/22/904693468/more-than-550-000-primary-absentee-ballots-rejected-in-2020-far-outpacing-2016

Daily chart – America’s anachronistic electoral college gives Republicans an edge
This chart shows how important it is that the popular vote MUST be at least 30 percent higher to make sure Democrats win the election
https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2020/06/12/americas-anachronistic-electoral-college-gives-republicans-an-edge
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Voters need to understand Oct 22 is when they need to mail their ballot to ensure it arrives by Nov 3.

How Trump could lose the election—and still remain president | Opinion
Scary...
Biden needs really 80% of the votes - To avoid this scenario!
Plus more than 80K Dems as poll watchers...
https://www.newsweek.com/how-trump-could-lose-election-still-remain-president-opinion-1513975 
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Don't let Trump and the Republicans steal another election this November
Register, request an absentee ballot, and vote by mail here:
http://vote.org 

IMPORTANT:  2020 Election: Secure Your Vote
Need A Witness For Your Mail-In Ballot?
The details matter a lot and could affect the outcome in November!
New Pandemic Lawsuits Challenge Old Rules
https://www.npr.org/2020/06/01/865043618/need-a-witness-for-your-mail-in-ballot-new-pandemic-lawsuits-challenge-old-rules


Vetted Democrats should drive voters in poor areas to polls, and back home, to neighborhoods, or bus stops. Give masks, sanitizers, snacks, water, etc. to people in waiting lines.

PLAN YOUR VOTE: 
A state-by-state guide to voting by mail and early in-person voting 

https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/plan-your-vote-state-by-state-guide-voting-by-mail-early-in-person-voting-election/ 


While you need the USPS to receive your absentee ballots, you do not need to rely on them to deliver your completed ballot. You can bring in your ballot to your county registrar’s office or secure drop boxes in your county. Check your county registrar’s office for more details.

“The President made plain that he will manipulate the operations of the Post Office to deny eligible voters the ballot in pursuit of his own re-election,” Pelosi and Schumer said. “The President’s own words confirm: he needs to cheat to win.”



VOTE
Early Voting Calendar - Vote.org 
https://www.vote.org/early-voting-calendar/
#Election #VOTE






VOTE
1) If we vote, we keep the House.
2) If we vote, we take the Senate.
3) If we vote, Donald Trump is gone.
4) If we vote, we save America.


VOTE
Tips to Mitigate Threats to Our Votes and Voter Registrations Before November
https://medium.com/@jennycohn1/tips-to-mitigate-threats-to-our-votes-and-voter-registrations-before-november-690099f76cf4


VOTE   
While you need the USPS to receive your absentee ballots, you do not need to rely on them to deliver your completed ballot. You can bring in your ballot to your county registrar’s office or secure drop boxes in your county. Check your county registrar’s office for more details.


“The President made plain that he will manipulate the operations of the Post Office to deny eligible voters the ballot in pursuit of his own re-election,” Pelosi and Schumer said. “The President’s own words confirm: he needs to cheat to win.”


Early in-person voting is seen as a strong option 
for concerned voters - ABC News 

Don't let Trump and the Republicans steal another election this November
Register, request an absentee ballot and vote in person or by mail NOW: http://vote.org 


Voter Help Desk
Answers to your frequently asked questions  
https://www.usvotefoundation.org/voter-help-desk



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Monday, August 10, 2020

Successful Publishing: Newsletter August 2020




Dear friends, I hope you all had a great summer with lots of interesting ‘beach reads’, leisure time or much time to write your next novel. Today, I will show you lots of possibilities to get next years’ writing vacation in an attractive, free writer's residency and also to earn more money with writing - outside of books - for example, for magazines.

***CONTENT***
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- ACCESS COPYRIGHT
- WRITER’S RESIDENCY 2021
- LUCRATIVE WRITING CONTESTS
- FREELANCE WRITING
- AUTHORS RELIEF FUNDS
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Canadian Writers: Join Access Copyright for Free
If you are a writer, publisher, or visual artist, Access Copyright is an organization that believes that you should be fairly compensated when your works are copied. By becoming an affiliate of Access Copyright, you will have access to services that will help maximize royalty income for the secondary use of your works - all for free.
Benefits of Being an Access Copyright Affiliate:
  • Royalty Payments: They ensure our affiliates are fairly compensated.
  • Affiliate Outreach: They make sure the interests of their affiliates are heard by policy and decision-makers on important issues, such as intellectual property.
  • International Network: Access Copyright has reciprocal agreements with reproduction rights organizations (RROs) from around the world. When their affiliates’ works have been copied in a country with which they have an agreement, they distribute the royalties to them.
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WRITER’S RESIDENCY 2021

Siena Art Summer Residency Program 2021
It awards accomplished professional artists & writers the opportunity to stay for a month in the historic city of Siena, in the heart of Tuscany, Italy.  $30 Entry Fee. Deadline Sept 30
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Hosking Houses Trust
We offer older women writers' residencies in Church Cottage where they are able to pursue their own work in domestic peace without interruption. Many of these residencies also carry bursaries. Tell us why you want a residency; do you need time and privacy or have you financial, personal, housing, or medical needs, or are you just tired?  Applicants from outside the UK and Ireland are received but there must be a valid reason to justify a visit, such as a study or attendance at a conference. Location Stratford-upon-Avon, UK.
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Peter Blazey Fellowship
Only for Australians or Residents. Non-fiction in the fields of autobiography, biography, or life writing. Prize: $15,000, and a one-month writer-in-residence at The Australia Centre. Deadline Aug 24
Bemis Center Grants
The center is located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska’s historic Old Market, and is accepting applications for its fall 2021 Artists-in-Residence program. Residences feature private live/work studios with a kitchen and bathroom. US-based artists-in-residence receive a $1,000 monthly stipend and an additional $750 travel stipend. International artists-in-residence gets airfare, ground transportation, and meals. Deadline Aug 15
https://www.bemiscenter.org/residency/current_opportunities.html

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LUCRATIVE WRITING CONTESTS

Natan Notable Books Award
Recen­t­­ly pub­­lished or soon to be pub­lished non-fic­­tion book on Jew­ish themes. Prize $5,000. Deadline Aug 15
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The Yale Drama Series
Original, unpublished full-length plays, with a minimum of 65 pages.
Prize: $10,000. Deadline Aug 15
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Palette
Submissions for our Featured Poetry category are open year-round to poets at any stage of their career. Featured Poems are published online only and will spotlight a number of poems from new authors each month. We highly encourage emerging authors to submit. We are thrilled to offer significant payment to our partner poets: $50 per poem, up to $150. We are proud to be paying for published pieces but will be highly selective in our choices for publication. All submissions must be no more than ten pages and no more than five poems.
https://www.palettepoetry.com/submit/
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Costa Short Story Award
Open to writers in the UK or Ireland. Short story (maximum 4,000 words)
Prize: £3,000.  Deadline Aug 28
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Debra E. Bernhardt Labor Journalism Prize
An article that furthers the understanding of the history of working people.  Articles focused on historical events AND articles about current issues (work, housing, organizing, health, education) that include historical context. The work should be published in print or online between Aug 26, 2019 - Aug 30
Prize: $1,000.  Deadline Aug 30
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Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence
Open to Emerging African American writers.  Prize: $10,000 for a short story collection or novel published in the current year.  Deadline Aug 31
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Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Nonfiction
Essay, maximum 5,000 words. Prize: $250.  Deadline Aug 31
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Writer’s Digest Essay Awards
Think you can write a winning essay in 2,000 words or less? Enter the first-ever Writer’s Digest Personal Essay Awards for your chance to win $2,500 in cash, get published in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a paid trip to our ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference!
$25 Entry Fee. Deadline September 15
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FREELANCE WRITING
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles & Divine Intervention
True stories. Payment $200.  "Miracles are all around us if we’re open to them. Sometimes we just can’t explain how good things came about. Are they celestial, otherworldly, heavenly? However they happened, these events give us peace and comfort, guidance, hope, and faith."  Deadline Aug 31
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Trailer Life
It’s a monthly magazine for RV enthusiasts. They cover travel destinations (unlimited), outdoor activities, technical trailer info, and DIY projects for trailers. photos. They also purchase Payment: $75 - $700, depending on the type of submission
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Upstreet
Payment, upon publication, will be between $50 and $250 for short stories or essays. Each author will also receive one complimentary copy and may purchase more copies at a reduced rate. Only accepts submissions from Sept 1, 2020, and March 1, 2021. Upstreet, based in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, is an award-winning annual literary anthology containing the best new fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction available.
http://upstreet-mag.org/guidelines/
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Home Business Magazine
Pays 20 cents/word.  Page length word counts (approximate): Articles are usually either one page (700 words), two pages (1,200-1,400 words), or three pages (2,100–2,300 words) in length.  Keep videos to less than ten minutes. Send us your home-based business/work-from-home success story. These receive high readership from our audience. If we do publish your editorial, please promote it through your social platforms. Pays 20 cents/word.
https://homebusinessmag.com/editorial-guidelines/
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WPHUB
WPHUB focuses on the WordPress development community, specifically toward theme developers, plugin authors, and customization specialists. They are looking for writers with some development background.  Payment: $100 - $200 per article
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Great Escape Publishing
Submit articles on the craft and business of getting paid to travel, whether by writing, photography, tours, or other means aka Digital Nomads. They do NOT publish straight travel pieces. Payment: $50-$75 for articles requested for the website, $100-$150 for interviews and personal stories, and $150-$200 for articles with specific income advice a reader can follow to earn more income.
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International Living
"If you are an ex-pat living overseas, we want to hear from you. Imagine you’re talking to your friends back home. What do you want to tell them about your experience overseas? What are the most important things you can tell someone about your life in another country."  Payment $75.
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Photoshop Tutorials
Want to share your tutorial or Photoshop article with thousands of readers a day? Here’s your chance to promote yourself while educating thousands of Photoshop users. You can also earn $50 for your quick-tip or $150-300 for your full tutorial.
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Wanderlust 
This British travel magazine accepts proposals from freelance writers, but not many. Payment: Current rates for most magazine features are £220 per 1,000 published words. Fact pages are paid at £90 per page (approx 750 words) pro-rated. 
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Smarter Travel
The magazine accepts multi-page slideshows and both short- and feature-length stories on a range of consumer travel topics, including booking strategies, saving money, avoiding scams, packing tips, best places to go, travel tech, travel trends, and travel tips that represent all kinds of travelers and travel experiences. Payment: $500 for long-form articles and multi-page slideshows, and $100 to $250 for shorter posts.
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Hidden Compass
An online, quarterly travel magazine that encourages the deep exploration of a destination through powerful storytelling. “Some of the most fascinating stories are the ones that bridge the gap between travel and other disciplines (e.g., science, history, and art)." Payment: Feature stories and feature photo-essays: $300. Stories and photo essays in other departments: $200, and $50-75 per photo.
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A List Apart
Write about the design, development, and meaning of web content, with a special focus on web standards and best practices. Length: 1,500 - 2,000 words. Payment: $200 per article
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National Wildlife
Readers include people concerned about the environment who appreciate the drama and beauty of all wildlife, both plant, and animal. Interesting, relevant, provocative, and sometimes challenging articles on the following subjects: environmental and wildlife issues, wildlife profiles, species status reports, personal adventures, personality profiles, scientific trends, essays, relationships between people and land, gee-whiz features, wildlife art, underwater and historical pieces. Articles generally run from 500 words for shorter department pieces to 2,500 words for some major features. Payments vary depending on experience but begin at $1.50 a word.
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Bitch Magazine
They provide and encourage an engaged, thoughtful feminist response to mainstream media and popular culture and pay $500 for feature articles, $200 for dispatches, and $50 for the Department of Everything pieces. Non-fiction only!
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Ms. Magazine
America's oldest feminist magazine considers articles on politics, social commentary, popular culture, law, education, and the environment. Payment rates are negotiated.
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AUTHORS’ RELIEF FUNDS

Quite a few organizations are offering funds right now due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak – and the resulting hardships that writers and artists endure. These funds are intended to assist fiction and nonfiction authors, poets, playwrights, screenwriters, translators, and journalists. Find them all here:

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FREE MARKETING
For self-employed and start-up folks, artists, craftsmen, etc. the cost of ads are often too prohibitive in these times. Find hundreds of ideas on how to market your business or service without incurring a cost. “To the TOP” - With Smart Free Marketing for Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed. e-Book Special:  $ 9.95
I hope these tips, info, and links are helpful for your publishing endeavor and wish you all another wonderful summer month.

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More Books by Doris-Maria Heilmann:
111 Tips to Create Impressive Videos
How to Plan, Create, Upload and Market Videos
111 Tips To Make Money With Writing
The Art of Making a Living Full-time Writing
An Essential Guide for More Income as Freelancer
111 Tips on How to Market Your Book for Free:
Detailed Plans and Smart Strategies for Your Book’s Success 
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111 Tips to Get Free Book Reviews:
Best Strategies for Getting Lots of Great Reviews 
plus 1,200+ reviewer contact links 
https://books2read.com/u/mZ5nx5
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111 Tips to Create Your Book Trailer
How to Create, Where to Upload and How to Market Your Videos 
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Book Marketing on a Shoestring:
How Authors Can Promote their Books Without Spending a Lot of Money 
https://books2read.com/u/mZ5gdp

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Monday, August 3, 2020

Emergency Funds for Writers and Artists






COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists
This call for proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications may be submitted until further notice. The fund will distribute support ranging from $1,000–8,000 for local coverage of the preparation, response, and impact of this global pandemic as seen through evidence-based reporting. Beyond reporting on medical and physical health-related to COVID-19, we especially encourage reporting that covers social, emotional, economic, and equity issues.
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/funding-opportunities/grants/what-we-fund/covid-19-emergency-fund/

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Women’s Media Foundation Journalism Relief Fund
The IWMF's Journalism Relief Fund is open to women-identifying journalists in dire straits - journalists who have faced significant financial hardship, lost work, were recently laid off, or who urgently need assistance to avoid severe, irreversible outcomes. This fund will provide small grants of up to $2,000 per request. However, special consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis to those who have greater financial needs.
https://iwmf.submittable.com/submit/41e7f7ce-db40-4ff6-873f-e24450e27497/journalism-relief-fund-english

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South Carolina Humanities’ Minor Grants
Mini-Grants are to support public humanities programs of modest cost. Awards are $2,000 or less. Mini-Grants are reviewed monthly with deadlines on the first business day of the month. 
https://schumanities.org/grants/howtoapply/

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New Work New England 
It provides grants of $7,500-$15,000 directly to New England artists in dance, film, interdisciplinary work, music, musical theater, opera, poetry, storytelling, and theater to support creating and producing new work that has the potential to engage multiple New England communities.
Deadline Sept 3

https://www.nefa.org/NewWorkNewEngland

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CFA Artists Emergency Relief Fund 
It is a fund of last resort available to CFA members. Individuals are eligible to apply for these funds who can demonstrate their status as a professional artist who has suffered a disaster which significantly interrupts or prevents them from making or performing their art form and earning a living. The artist must be a permanent resident of the US. 
https://centerfortheartsnh.org/emergency-relief-fund

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Environmental Journalism Rapid Response Grants
Journalism Projects Covering: Climate or conservation in North America, Water quality and availability in the United States, Mississippi River Basin, including agriculture, food, water and sustainability, Oceans and coasts globally, including fisheries, sea-level rise and coastal restoration. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. All application materials must be in English and must be submitted via the Submission Form. The total amount requested cannot exceed $2,500 per individual or $5,000 for team or outlet applications. Please apply for the minimum budget required for the success of the project. Partial funding may be offered.
https://www.sej.org/initiatives/fej-program-guidelines

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Authors League Fund 
Recipients of Authors League Fund assistance must be career writers with a substantial body of work in one or more of the following categories: Book authors with at least one title published by an established traditional publisher. Authors with multiple titles are given priority; Dramatists whose full-length plays have been produced in mid-size or large theaters or published by established dramatic presses. Journalists, critics, essayists, short story writers, and poets with a substantial body of work in periodicals with a national or broad circulation. Whether print or online, these periodicals must have strong editorial oversight and a sizable readership. 
https://authorsleaguefund.org/apply/

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Writers Emergency Assistance Fund
Coronavirus-related WEAF funds are only! available to those who cannot work because they are currently ill or caring for someone who is ill. All other guidelines outlined still apply. The general WEAF helps established freelance writers who, because of illness, disability, a natural disaster, or an extraordinary professional crisis are unable to work. A writer need not be a member of ASJA to qualify for a grant.
http://asja.org/for-writers/weaf

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Emergency Rolling Grant for US Journalists Covering Police Misconduct
Grants average $5,000 but can be as high as $10,000. They cover out-of-pocket expenses such as travel, document collection, and equipment rental. FIJ also considers requests for small stipends. FIJ will review proposals as they are submitted. Grant decisions can be expected within two weeks of submission of application.
https://investigate.submittable.com/submit/168263/emergency-rolling-grant-for-u-s-journalists-covering-police-misconduct

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Fund for Investigative Journalists
FIJ's Board of Directors looks for stories that break new ground and expose wrongdoing – such as corruption, malfeasance, or abuse of power – in the public and private sectors. FIJ encourages proposals written for ethnic media as well as those submitted by journalists of color. Grants average $5,000 but can be as high as $10,000. They cover out-of-pocket expenses such as travel, document collection, and equipment rental. FIJ also considers requests for small stipends. FIJ also has a small crew of experienced investigative journalists who are available to mentor a select number of our grant recipients. Deadline September 14
https://investigate.submittable.com/submit/166503/fund-for-investigative-journalism-september-14-2020

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Coronavirus Rolling Grants for Freelancers
FIJ’s board of directors is looking for stories on the coronavirus that break new ground and expose wrongdoing—such as corruption, malfeasance, or abuse of power—in the public and private sectors. Grants average $5,000 but can be as high as $10,000.  They cover out-of-pocket expenses such as travel, document collection, and equipment rental. FIJ also considers requests for small stipends. To be considered, foreign-based story proposals must come from US-based reporters, have a strong US angle involving American citizens, government, or business, and must be published in English, in a media outlet in the United States.
https://investigate.submittable.com/submit/163797/coronavirus-rolling-grant-for-u-s-freelancers

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Economic Hardship Reporting Project (EHRP)
A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, has established the EHRP Emergency Relief Fund, made possible by the support of the Heising-Simons Foundation. The fund will aid journalists facing economic distress because of the coronavirus pandemic. Submit a well-researched but brief pitch of fewer than 500 words. Include your CV and a proposed budget. Award grants go to experienced journalists, though we are open to submissions from emerging talents. 
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Emergency Funds for Artists of Color in Greater Pittsburgh
Black artists and artists of color may apply for up to $500 in assistance. These grants support artists: self-taught or classically trained, makers, musicians, actors, writers, poets, performers, dancers, digital or analog, multi-platform, emerging to established. The Emergency Fund for Artists is designed to assist artists of all disciplines living in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania. There are no deadlines.
http://www.pittsburghartscouncil.org/programs/artist-services/emergency-fund

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Toledo, Ohio Arts Commission
The Arts Commission values the many artists across disciplines who are part of Toledo's vibrant creative community. The Accelerator Grant is a competitive program offering financial support with quick turn-around for local artists to advance their creative projects and their careers. Eligible categories of support for this program include equipment, supplies, professional development, and project support. Grant amounts are not to exceed $1,500. Deadline Sept 14
https://theartscommission.org/stories/accelerator-grant-program

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Idaho Quick Funds Projects for Individuals
This quarterly Quick Funds grant opportunity supports artist-initiated projects and activities. Examples include attendance at an artist residency, release time to create and exhibit a body of work, staging of performances, readings, or the creation of public art. Applicant must be a practicing artist, at least 18 years old, a United States citizen, legal resident, or refugee, and be an Idaho resident for at least one year. Awards up to $1,500. Deadline Sept 14
https://arts.idaho.gov/grants/quickproject-individuals/
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Authors League Covid Fund for Writers
The Authors League Fund helps professional authors, journalists, poets, in financial need because of medical or health-related problems, temporary loss of income. Most of those we help suffer severe health problems but have inadequate insurance; some face eviction; many are older writers whose income has ceased through no fault of their own. The fund exists to help professional writers continue their careers with dignity by providing no-strings-attached “loans” to pay for pressing expenses. Repayment of this emergency support is not required.
https://authorsleaguefund.org/
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Thursday, July 23, 2020

Why Granny Au-Pairs Are a Much Better Choice




Twenty-something au pairs are often full of energy, enthusiasm, and charm, but their life experience is low and – while they might have one eye on your child — the other’s firmly trained on their smartphone, their new boyfriend or the weekend’s social possibilities.

So why should only young women be au-pairs? This was the question Michaela Hansen, a mum-of-two asked before setting up "Granny Au-Pair" in Hamburg, Germany in 2010. As a young mother, she’d had a Spanish au pair — “a lovely young lady but not a big help: she couldn’t fry an egg and was mainly interested in parties. It was like having an extra child”.

Older au-pairs says Hansen, have more life experience and can rise to most challenges. “They don’t easily get flustered if confronted with a screaming toddler. They are more focused. They’re not out all night. They’ve raised their own children and have that experience to fall back on.”

We are all looking for childcare solutions – when au pairs are so pervasive, why hadn’t we heard of granny au-pairs? The concept “fit my thinking” – as a child, her own granny lived in the family home. The older generation has a lot to offer, she feels, in support of the middle generation and to share with the younger.
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Monday, July 6, 2020

Tips for Successful Publishing - Newsletter July 2020





Tips for Successful Publishing - Newsletter July 2020
by 111Publishing and SavvyBookWriters

CONTENT: 
- WRITING CONTESTS
- WRITERS RESIDENCIES
- GRANTS & RELIEF FUNDS
- WRITERS: HOW TO MAKE MORE MONEY

Dear Authors and Publishers:
Read in this July newsletter how some writers found creative hope amid the health crisis in writing short stories - and participating in writing contests. Or they applied for a free writer's residency or a fellowship - something to look forward to later this year or next year.  Others are finishing a novel or two, maybe even write a prequel, a teaser for their work. All mixed with the joy of long, sunny days in July and fresh air. 

Just after I listed these writing contests, I found an article about the winner of the Desperate Literature Prize, an Irish author, Angela Finn. She won US$1,122 for her short story, plus a seven-day residency at Umbria Italy’s beautiful Civitella Ranieri, located at a 15th-century castle (https://civitella.org/) plus publication, plus …  Sure, there are more valuable monetary prizes, such as the SundayTimes Audible Short Story Award £30,000 for a 6K word short story (see below).  No matter what the prize is: Enjoy the writing process - do what you love most!
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The 32 winners of various awards share in a total of £100,000 (US$124,067) in prize money accounted for by nine different prizes. Find out which huge variety of writing contests were/are available:
Don’t you think now it is worthwhile to participate - besides the joy of writing?  For example:

WRITING CONTESTS

Marystina Santiestevan First Book Prize
Awarded annually to a poet writing in English who has not yet published a full-length poetry book. The winning poet will receive $1,000 and 30 author copies.
$25 Entry Fee. Deadline July 4
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Oregon Literary Awards
Fellowships of $3,500 each are given annually to Oregon writers to initiate, develop, or complete literary projects in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. One Women Writers Fellowship and one Writer of Color Fellowship of $3,500 each are also given. Submit three copies of up to 15 pages of poetry or 25 pages of prose. Deadline July 8
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F. Scott Fitzgerald Short Story Contests
Residents of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC are eligible. No restrictions on the subject. Limit 4,000 words. First prize $500.
No Entry Fee. Deadline July 31
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The Kindle Storyteller Award
A £20,000 literary prize which is recognizing outstanding writing. It is open to writers publishing in English in any genre, who published their work through Kindle Direct Publishing.
Deadline Aug 31
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Jan Garton Prairie Heritage Book Award
A  $1,000 Award will be given to the best book of the year that illuminates the heritage of North America's mid-continental prairies. Books may be in any genre.
No Entry Fee! Deadline July 31
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BlackInk Writing Competition
Submit stories of up to 3,000 in any genre for consideration. The winning short stories will be published in BlackInk magazine for Black History Month in October 2020. The overall winner will receive £500 in prize money. Write a short story with a maximum of 3,000 words
No Entry Fee. Deadline Aug 3
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Minds on Fire Open Book Prize
Awarded annually and open to any poet writing in English. Previously unpublished manuscripts of 48-90 pages should be submitted. The winning poet will receive $1,000 and 30 author copies. $25 Entry Fee. Deadline Oct 30
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SundayTimes Audible Short Story Award
It’s the richest prize for a single short story in the English language, worth £30,000. The award, for a story of 6,000 words or less, is open to any novelist or short story writer from around the world who has been published in the UK or Ireland. Deadline November 2020

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WRITERS RESIDENCIES
Wallace Stegner Grant for the Arts
This grant consists of $500 and a free, one-month residency in the Wallace Stegner House in Eastend, SK, Canada. Applicants must be published, Canadian writers.
Deadline Aug 31
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Hawai’i Volcanos Ntl. Park Residency
A month-long residency includes a $2,000 stipend. Four residencies offered, close to some of the best beaches in Hawaii. The residency includes the stipend, a studio, housing, events, publicity, etc. Deadline Sept 4
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NY Public Library’s Cullman Center Fellowship
Renowned for the extraordinary comprehensiveness of its collections, the Library is one of the world’s preeminent resources for study in anthropology, art, geography, history, languages and literature, philosophy, politics, popular culture, psychology, religion, sociology, sports, and urban studies. Deadline September 25, 2020.
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The Siena Art Institute’s Summer Residency Program
One month in the beautiful historic city of Siena, in the heart of Tuscany, Italy, grants resident artists a studio space at the Siena Art Institute and a private one-bedroom apartment in the historic city center of Siena, as well as flight compensation for getting to and from Italy.  Applications are now being accepted for the 2021 residency session.
Deadline Sept 30
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Fort Union Ntl. Park Residency
A month in the most beautiful part of Northern New Mexico! Fort Union National Monument, located in Mora County near Watrous, NM, was the hub of commerce, national defense, and migration at the final stretch of the Santa Fe Trail.
Deadline October 8
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Chaco Culture Ntl. Historical Park Residency
Residencies in April and October 2021. Includes a $1,000 stipend. Located in northwest New Mexico, close to the Four Corners, Iconic Shiprock, and Monument Valley. Deadline October 8, 2020.
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Death Valley Residences
A month-long January residency includes a $2,000 stipend. Artists will stay at the historic Stovepipe Wells Village, in a comfortable room, with all the amenities, including internet and use of the heated pool. 
Deadline Nov 13
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Haleakala Ntl. Park Residency
The Haleakalā Residency (July 2021) is open to all artists, writers, photographers, musicians, poets, and performers in ANY art media worldwide. This Residency features a $2,000 stipend, housing inside the Park on the Island of Maui. A rare privilege! Free use of the Wilderness Cabins in the Park for seven nights maximum.
Deadline November 14, 2020.

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GRANTS & RELIEF FUNDS
UK Arts Council England Relief Funds
Up to £2,500 for all forms of the arts including writers. More Relief Funds in the US and Canada can be found here:
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US National Endowment for the Arts Grants
Projects may be large or small, existing or new, and may take place in any part of the Nation. Cost-share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Deadline July 9
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Key West Emerging Writer Awards
Winners receive full tuition support for the January Seminar and Writers’ Workshop Program, round-trip airfare, lodging, a $500 honorarium. US writers of any age who have not yet published are eligible to apply. An award in each category of a short story, poetry, and novel-in-progress. Deadline July 15
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Jersey City Arts Relief Fund
All people who work professionally in the arts are encouraged to apply, including (but not limited to) visual artists, literary artists, performing artists, arts technicians, and organizations. Grant levels: $3,000, $1,000, $500. You must be a full-time resident or arts organization in Jersey City, NJ as of 1/1/2020 and arts industry earnings over $4,000 for two of the last five years.
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Morland African Writing Scholarships
Scholars writing fiction will receive a grant of £18,000, paid monthly over the course of twelve months. Submit an excerpt from a piece of work of between 2,000 – 5,000 words, written in English that have been published and offered for sale. Submit a description of between 400 - 1,000 words of the work they intend to write as a full-length book of at least 80,000 words. Deadline Sept 18

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WRITERS: HOW TO MAKE MORE MONEY
Now more important than ever:
111 Tips To Make (More) Money With Writing
- The Art of Making a Living Full-time Writing -
An Essential Guide for More Income as Freelancer
https://books2read.com/u/bWZMjz
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1988664187

And last but not least: Diversify!
Are You Still Selling Books Only Via Amazon?
Read all the tips about earning more here: https://lnkd.in/g8QNMfC

Don’t forget your friends in performing art. Compared with them, writers and creative artists, such as painters or sculptures are better off. We can at least continue with what we love to do. And we can publish what we wrote. Live is good... Have a wonderful July!
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Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Why Not Pitch “How-to” Articles to Magazines?





Pitch Your Knowledge and “How-to” Articles to Newspapers and Magazines!
Consider offering the content you have already written to re-write somewhat and propose them to trade magazines in your profession. What would be the benefit?
At least you can place a link to your website - which means: it is free marketing for your brand name and your company - and it is often paid! And it shows readers you are a knowledgeable, trustworthy person.


However, carefully prepare the pitch - only after reading the last year’s magazine issues. You certainly don’t need to read line for line.  Just browse the headlines and the first paragraphs to find out if a similar topic has been previously published.  Moreover, it also helps to learn about the magazine’s writing style.
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Don’t overlook daily or weekly newspapers (even the free ones) with a wide variety of topics you could contribute as a professional.  Remember the tradesman Mike Holmes’ articles and books?  He is not the only one who writes useful articles for newspapers.  The topics could include, for example: how to deal with construction companies and building professionals, from tradespeople to garden designers, and how to tackle indoor renovation problems.  Reading the Ottawa Citizen Newspaper, or any other daily paper, you can find articles not only by tradespeople but also by nursery specialists, interior designers, pet trainers, or health professionals.
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Examples:
A realtor could write articles for house owners who like to sell their property on how to stage it.  A gardener or landscaper could write about the best plants for a shade garden or which spring bulbs are avoided by squirrels.  Several lawyers are publishing since years legal articles that can be found in travel, writer, or trade magazines, just to name a few. The same is true for IT specialists.  They could write for any kind of newspaper or magazine and provide valuable advice for anyone who struggles with hard/software and web-related issues. For inflight airline magazines, they could write about how travelers can protect their equipment or how to use devices to get stronger internet signals in hotels or remote areas. 
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Do you know the number of AARP members (American Association of Retired People) or the publication numbers of the AAA, the American Automobile Association?  They have the highest readerships in the United States!  Browse their magazines and find out if there is any topic you could write about and offer them (with a link to your website).  Study carefully the masthead for the names of editors (to use when pitching) and the submission guidelines for freelancers in order to avoid any mistakes. 
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In fact, there is almost no profession that cannot give advice to readers - and at the same time show your business’ name (and website link) to potential clients.  Additionally, you might often be paid for the article by the publishing house. 

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This was a quick excerpt of our latest business guide book:
“To the TOP”
Smart Free Marketing for Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed
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Saturday, June 20, 2020

13 Tools to Upgrade Your Writing



Trying to keep track of grammar, spelling, duplicates, and other errors can be exhausting when you pre-edit your manuscript.  Here are thirteen tools you can use to improve your writing.

Grammarly

Grammarly is arguably the best grammar tool available online.  This tool typically corrects up to 10 times more mistakes than a regular word processor.  Aside from this, Grammarly also checks for plagiarism and other types of errors that may be embedded in your writing. Many high school and college students use the tool to check their essays and term papers for originality. Most importantly, you can access Grammarly without paying a dime.

AutoCrit

AutoCrit is targeted mainly towards fiction writers. This tool scans and analyzes every part of your write-up that needs attention. After analyzing, it then suggests ways by which the write-up can be improved in terms of pacing, word choice, dialogue, repetition, momentum and much more. It also gives you a choice to accept or reject a suggestion. You can subscribe to AutoCrit for as little as $5 per month.

SpellChecker

SpellChecker specifically allows you to find spelling errors in your content. This tool also comes along with a free grammar checker tool, which allows you to check and correct grammatical errors.
Be aware: even using these tools nothing can replace human intelligence. You will still need the input of a professional editor.
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Books by Doris-Maria Heilmann:


Audiobooks for Success
Valuable guide book for authors, audiobook publishers, narrators, voice-over artists, and audiobook listeners. Learn how to create, produce, publish, and market your audiobooks.


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111 Tips To Make (More) Money With Writing
The Art of Making a Living Full-time Writing -
An Essential Guide for More Income as Freelancer
https://books2read.com/u/bWZMjz
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1988664187


111 Tips on How to Market Your Book for Free:
Detailed Plans and Smart Strategies for Your Book’s Success
https://books2read.com/u/bMre1a


111 Tips to Get Free Book Reviews:
Best Strategies for Getting Lots of Great Reviews
plus 1,200+ reviewer contact links
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111 Tips to Create Your Book Trailer
How to Create, Where to Upload and How to Market Your Videos
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CHWX6X2/


Book Marketing on a Shoestring:
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Saturday, June 13, 2020

How to Become an Influencer with Live-Streaming





Smart Content Marketing
Does your company belong to the skilled craft and trades? Such as cabinet maker, hairdresser or pastry chef? In one sentence: are you creating or designing something? Then your business is perfect to lifestream your working day and shows viewers your skills and craftsmanship. This way they will even more appreciate your products or services - and you can earn additional funds. 
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One of the emerging mediums of connecting with social media users is live streaming. It enables businesses to stream video footage and receives real-time feedback from followers. 
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Businesses can increase their perceived trustworthiness by using live streaming - which leads to greater influence across the social sphere and better conversions when promoting a product.
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Skilled business professionals understand that they must remain in frequent contact with their followers and are constantly looking for new ways to improve that connection.
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For companies, this results in undreamt-of access to special circles.  Agencies such as WeHype or HashtagLove help them to find suitable live streamers.  Christina Walden, a live streamer receives a fixed salary from a cooperation partner.  Another one, a farmer who life-streams his whole working day, gets advertising fees.  Currently, he cooperates with two manufacturers of computer and gaming accessories, whose logos, stuck to the tractor, are almost universally visible in the stream.  A two-week promotion campaign in which he advertised a product in the stream including a discount code for the viewers recently earned him 1,000 Euros.
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Where the live-streaming trend can go is shown in China.  It became already part of the daily business of traders to advertise their products via live stream apps and also sell them directly (think TV-shopping).  There are also companies that send ambassadors on the air around the clock.  They then entertain non-stop with live content marketing.

A great way to build up a large audience of followers! Don’t forget: 80% of people would rather watch live-streamed content than read an article or blog post.

This is an excerpt of our latest business guide:


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