Tips for an excellent book page layout that get noticed

f_01310676324_viral2.jpgPeople are nowadays fascinated with color and creative designs. The more attractive and colorful an object is, the higher is the possibility for a person of buying an object. So if one even plans to write a book, much has to be considered about the layout of the book page for the enhanced sales of the book.

First and foremost, one has to choose the right font style for the body type of the book layout. This is very important for both the appearance of the book and for the transference of files for printing purposes. There are numerous fonts to choose from for the book, but the most common fonts are the Old style fonts that are easily readable for large body copy like Times New Roman and Baskerville. While creating the layout of the page, remember to use a contrast font for the heading. Most of the times, children’s books are set in a slab serif font. With regards to printing of the book, it is very important to ensure that all the fonts that are chosen are resident in the Windows font folder; including the italicized and bold versions. This is because some of the fonts may not be installed into the computer, thus resulting in the difficulty of printing of the material. To avoid any complications in such matters, it is better to use common book fonts like Garamond and Times New Roman.

The next thing to remember about the layout of the book page is that for the page layout to be visually appealing, and to keep the readers interested in it, it is necessary to have contrast on the pages. Use contrasting type for headings and keep them different from the body type. Make it a point to choose one justification for the book, and to stick to it. The center justification is considered to give the book layout a formal look. Left justification produces a more conservative professional look while full justification gives the book layout a clean and orderly look. Creativity always brings success to arts. In the art of writing a book, creating a unique visual element that you like, to be repeated throughout the book, gives the book a special look. This visual element could be a decorative ornament under each heading or a fancy drop cap.

Organization is very important in a page layout. So make it a point to organize your type properly by grouping things together that relate to each other. The next point to consider in a page layout is the addition of a picture or art on a page. The difference between using no pictures and a single picture is much greater than the difference between using one picture and several pictures on a page. Having a picture as a whole page background proves to be very attractive. However, the real challenge here lies in finding a picture that fits with having text on parts of it. Never compromise on the aspect of interference between structures in the picture and the text. The classic layout of a combination of text and a large picture on a page is functional, but proves to be quite boring in terms of layout. Instead, putting the picture in the center of the page and having the text waved around looks more attractive. Having a small picture on a page too is a great idea as this picture may add a lot of attraction to a text page if used wisely. The picture, preferably black and white, has to be a small object with a message. These pictures can be chosen from a wide range of hundreds of thousands of professional stock photos found at picture agencies like AgeFotoStock.com and Alamy.com.

Whatever photo is chosen, make sure that there is a lot of white space on the page to let the reader give their eyes some rest. Make sure that the layout of the page is the same for each page of the book, like in all pages being left centered, right centered or centered. This is because if you mix designs, the perspective client will consider you to be unprofessional. Avoid clashing of colors of the design and the font of the page. Keep the number of colors, and fonts used in the page layout at a minimum to avoid clashing of the different colors and fonts. And most important of all, think and plan out the page layout before actually attempting to do the page layout. Using all these methods will indeed produce a page layout that will be tempting and interesting to the perspective reader of the book!

Entry Level Retail Jobs Lead to Lucrative Careers

f_11310676573_cover.jpgIf you were to survey store managers, merchandisers, buyers, or other high-level retail executives, virtually all of them would say that their first retail jobs were in customer service or in retail sales. They may have started part-time when they were students, took seasonal mall jobs during the holiday season, or started full-time after taking classes in merchandising or in management. For almost every retail professional, though, what began as a retail job turned into a retail career.

How did they work their way up the ladder of retail work? First, they built a foundation based on customer service and sales. This is partly because, when it comes down to it, every successful retail operation is built upon customer satisfaction. A retailer that offers great prices and good merchandise may do well initially, but if the retailer doesn’t take care of customers, the operation is no more than a flash in the pan. Therefore, a proven commitment and passion for exceptional customer service is necessary before advancement is possible.

But the act of keeping customers happy is only one component of enjoying career advancement through retail opportunities. Equally important are the skills you acquire while developing your talent for customer service. After all, customer satisfaction requires a high degree of efficiency (for example, quickly ringing up sales), the ability to troubleshoot (determining what the problem or challenge is and how to fix it), strong interpersonal skills (remaining calm when a customer is upset), and great communication (both in listening and speaking).

Customer service or sales jobs in retail quickly separate those with star potential from those who simply take store jobs out of convenience. Store managers understand that those who have stellar customer service skills directly contribute to the profitability of the enterprise. After all, you are instrumental in establishing and maintaining customer relationships, which result in repeat customers and increased sales. Because retailers almost always promote from within the company, you are well positioned to move up in the company.

As you gain experience in customer service or sales, you are likely to discover other positions that appeal to you. Perhaps you would like to explore retail merchandising, and assume responsibility for merchandise displays, signage, and everything else the customer sees when he or she enters the store. Merchandising is an exciting job that engages your creativity, your understanding of human nature, and your knowledge of the products your store carries.

Another retail career path is in management. Perhaps you like the idea of being in charge of every aspect of your department, hiring and managing employees, and bringing your personal touch to the customer experience. Once you have demonstrated that you have an aptitude for management, you can rapidly advance up the management ranks, moving on to store manager, regional manager, or even district manager.

Retail career advancement can take many different forms. Taking advantage of in-house promotion opportunities is key, but you can help increase the speed with which you move up the ladder by volunteering for company trainings, attending management training programs at community colleges, developing relevant technology-related skills, and taking classes in specialty areas like merchandising.

Wherever your retail career path leads, keep in mind that entry-level retail jobs give you the chance to develop a variety of skills that will serve you well.

I Know What Color You Are

f_21311083214_business-people.jpgThere are 4 color personality types. Red, Blue, Green and Yellow.

In a nutshell knowing what the different color personalities people have means you’ll understand people better then they understand themselves.

At this point this tells you nothing. No worries it didn’t mean anything to me when I first heard about personality colors. But man I wish I knew about this years ago, it would have saved me a ton of aggravation.

Everybody has a color type. And with that color type we act in a certain way. Certain things are important to us. We like to be talked to in a certain way. We like and dislike certain things.

Take me for example. Lets say you were calling me as a potential prospect.

What if you knew how I liked to be talked to? Knew what was important to me. Knew what I didn’t like. Knew what I liked. Knew if I was over sensitive. Knew if I needed support. Knew if I like to have fun.

Knew if I would be teachable. Knew if I was money motivated. Knew if I would be a leader. Knew if I was creative. Knew if I needed all the facts and figures…. I could go on and on.

What if you knew all this information and soooooooo much more about me after only talking to me (anyone) for only a few minutes and then gained more and more insight to me the longer you talked to me?

Do you think this would impact your business and your personal life in a positive way?

If I have to answer that for you…honestly click away and go play a video game you’re just wasting your time. (Sorry about that I had some guy tell me he saw no value in this. Gee no wonder he’s not achieving all the success he could be.)

But for everyone else who sees the power of this. Would you not agree you’d have an unfair advantage on everyone else?

I can give you a brief overview of the four different personality colors. There is much more to learn but this will give you a good idea of the power of knowing color personalities. (They’re in no particular order)

First there is Yellow. Yellow’s make up 35% of the population and are open and indirect with their feelings. They are the best at using both sides of their brains. They are relationship and family orientated, logical, analytical and teamwork is very important to them. Their voice is soft and gentle and speak in relaxed tones.

Yellows have jobs like teachers, social workers usually any nurturing job. They like giving back to others. They don’t like pushy people, aggressiveness, sudden change or animal cruelty.

Some of their weaknesses are. They are over sensitive, take things personally and will buy other peoples excuses.

Talk to a yellow slowly and relaxed and let them know they are appreciated.

Next is Blue (that’s me). Blues make up 15% of the population. Blues are open and direct with their feelings. Very right brained, talk fast, very creative, must have fun doing things. Strong on family and relationships, spontaneous and enthusiastic.

Blues have jobs like sales (of any kind), singer songwriter anything that is creative.

They don’t like not having fun they don’t like facts and figures or being sold.

Their weaknesses are being unorganized, scattered and poor savers.

When you talk to a blue focus on fun, talk about excitement. Never try to sell a blue.

Next is Greens. Greens make up 35% of the population. They are indirect and self-contained with their feelings. Right brained, very logical, and analytical. Precise and need to have all the facts and figures. They are savers. Organized, task orientated and accurate. Let’s get the kids to college. And they’re the best negotiators.

Some of their jobs include, engineers, accountants, CPA, professor. Anything to do with logic and reasoning.

They don’t like pushy people. Not having all the facts and figures. Not being on time, aggressiveness. Get depressed easily and are hard to please.

Some of their weaknesses are, they over analyze everything (to death). Hard to please and pessimistic about everything.

When speaking to a green, give them the facts and figures. You cannot overload a green with information.

And finally the Reds. Reds make up 15% of the population. Reds are direct and self-contained with their feelings. Reds are right brained. Their slogan is “It’s my way or the highway” Forceful, stern and to the point. No chitchat, money is power, take action. Task orientated, Impatient, un-teachable, show me the money.

Their jobs consist of being CEO’s, Attorneys, military leaders, and president of the bank.

Reds do not like losing control, indecision, small talk or crying. They don’t like talking about time freedom, family or vacations.

Some of their weaknesses are having a big ego, domineering and un-teachable.

When you talk to a red you need to let them think you need them. They like being sold, close them, focus on money, and stroke their ego. Talk about your leaders income.

Now everything I just outlined about the different color personalities is not a judgment it’s who people are.

Just imagine if you had this information the next time you talked to a prospect? How do you think your next call would go?

Learn this skill so the next time you’re talking to someone and they say something in a certain tone or way or ask you a question. You’ll know exactly why they’re acting the way they are and why they are asking the questions they do.

Instead of taking things personally or getting frustrated, you’ll say to yourself “Hey you’re suppose to act like that or say that because you’re a green” (pick a color)

Master this one skill and your business life and personal life will skyrocket. Guaranteed!!!

Until Next Time.

To your success,
Duffy Rogan