Why Do We Need to Take a Break and Recharge?

This is one of my favorite quotes from Anne Lamott. Whether we are living a fast-paced life or a routinary and boring one, it is very important that we get out of the circle and take a break. Everyone is believed to function and perform better after getting a recharge. 

Thus, here are some simple tips on how we can recharge our energy and improve our personal well-being: 

1. Be Active and Exercise

When you exercise, happy chemicals called Dopamine are released into our brain. It is a neurotransmitter in the brain that's necessary for feelings of pleasure and happiness making one feel good. It is also known to help one feel less stressed. So, sweat all your worries out of your system. 

2. Be with Nature

Whether you opt for the mountains and lush greenery or the beach, spending time in nature is an effective way to de-stress. Take time to appreciate the natural beauty of the surroundings, enjoy the fresh air and listen to the calming sound of the waves or the chirping of the birds. 

3. Go Offline

This is actually a bit of a challenge for online workers like me. It is hard since most of us are so used to checking our mobile devices out of a habit. However, according to studies, one can find himself more productive after taking an offline break. It is suggested to set our phone on airplane mode so that we can still use its other functions like the camera. 

4. Get Pampered 

A simple manicure, foot massage or a trip to the spa can make a huge difference. This is the main reason why Nailaholics Nail Salon and Spa celebrates the National Pampering Day annually where customers were treated to a FREE manicure, foot spa or foot massage. 

According to Arvin Amaro, Marketing Head of Nailaholics Nail Salon and Spa, “Filipinos are very hardworking in any given aspect of our lives and a nation of energetic and industrious people best deserves real pampering once in a while. This year, as Nailaholics celebrates the 2nd National Pampering Day, we go deeper and dedicate this to everyone and remind them to take it slow, take it easy, zone out and relax for a while."

Luckily, Val and I were able to join this year's celebration since there was no work due to the transport strike. Val opted to get a foot massage while I opted for a manicure. It was indeed a good way to recharge under the care of Nailaholic's friendly nail technicians.

In case you are wondering, Nailaholics is located at the 3rd Floor, SM City Bacolod Northwing. For the complete list of their branches, click here.

How about you? Were you able to join the National Pampering Day celebration?

Trying to Conceive? A Woman's Overall Well-Being is the Key.

If you are following our story, you would know that Val and I have been trying to conceive for the past four years. With various treatments, medications and different doctors consulted, we have learned this lesson the hard way -- a woman's overall well-being is a key to a successful pregnancy. 

Women have the tendency to shrug off minor health problems and just see a medical practitioner when things go bad. We should stop doing this and instead we make sure that we are taken cared of. Keep in mind that prevention will always be better than cure. It is very important that our health should be a top priority and that women need superior medical service. 

Thus, we are happy to share that ManilaMed's Center for Women’s Health champions this advocacy where every women’s health issues are not left behind. As one of the institution’s Center of Excellence, it provides top medical offerings from experienced medical professionals to cater women in all their life stages---from child-bearing age, pregnancy, and to adulthood possessing any health-related concerns.

The center has five major units to make patients feel better about being a woman; the OB-GYN Ultrasound and Maternal and Fetal Medicine units are aimed to care for pregnant women and their newborns while the Breast Diagnostic Center and Colposcopy and Cryotherapy Center are for patients to safeguard their health from common illnesses among women.

Staying true to the commitment of holistic care, the center also offers other innovative surgeries and procedures such as Routine Pap Smear, Acupuncture for Infertility, Reproductive Urology, Pediatric Cardiology, Breast Surgery, and even Cosmetic Surgery.

In addition, the center knows the true essence of motherhood with its Fertility Enhancement unit that gives medical attention for women who would like to have higher chances of conception. 

Thus, if you are trying to conceive, visit the Center for Women’s Health every Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. For more details, you may contact (02) 523 8131 loc 3100 /3101 or (+63)917 831 4892 or visit the website for more details.

ManilaMed is located at ​850 United Nations Avenue, Ermita, Manila, Philippines. Click here to view map. 

4 Ways to Build Customer Relationships with Email

Last December 8, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop organized by the Negros Online Workers (NOW) about Business Development and Digital Marketing. One of the main points discussed was email marketing and how it can help businesses grow. The speaker mentioned that email marketing still the most effective strategy wherein one can use it to create influence, relationship, and rapport among subscribers and followers. Once this is established, sales and marketing will be easier. 

I have been following global speakers, authors, and coaches such as Tony Robbins, Sha Nacino, James Taylor and Brian Tracy. I have noticed that all of them are using email marketing to reach out their target audiences. What I like about the emails that they send is that these are not direct sales emails wherein they simply ask us to purchase a product or a service but instead, they are focused on sharing their stories, tips, and experiences.

Reading their emails seems personal as if it was sent by a friend or someone you really know and not just from a random digital marketer. Thus, it was no surprise that the conversion rate and sales derived from their email marketing is higher compared to all other marketing channels. 

Thus, if you are also into email marketing, here are the 4 Ways to Build Customer Relationships with Email (Original article published at My Emma)

1. Set goals and map your customer journey.

Consider each decision your potential customer will face on their way to the action you want them to take. 

For example, if you work for a university, your target audience, potential students and their parents, will have several questions to ask before choosing which school to enroll in. Think of it as a choose your own adventure that begins with questions like “Do I want to go to college?” and “How much will it cost?”, “What programs does this school offer?” and “What’s the food like?”. The more you can answer these questions on the front end, the easier your customer’s decision will be. 

2. Make the connection. 

Let’s say someone new signs up to receive your emails. Great! But your work here isn’t done — in fact, it’s just getting started. You want to make them feel at home with your brand and explain the value to them as a subscriber. One of the best ways to do that is with an automated welcome email. 

A welcome email tells your brand story and introduces them to who you are and what you do. A welcome email is the best way to start your customer relationship strong. Not only that, it has 4X the open rate and 5X the click rate of other bulk emails. 

3. Nurture and provide value.

Every good relationship needs nurturing. You set up coffee dates to catch up with friends and call those that live far away, so why wouldn’t you do the same for your invested customers? The best way to maintain a strong relationship is to create an ongoing, customized experience for each subscriber. Email service providers give you the customer insight and tools you need to group them by interest, create content they’ll love, and test the messages that resonate most. 

Customized experiences go beyond the “hard sell” of cold calling and focus on the long-term goal of converting subscribers into lifelong brand advocates. Let’s say your customers signed up for a newsletter about pets. First, you’d start by addressing your subscriber by name and then you’d continue to “wow” them with selections based on their previous preferences. 

This ensures your email is full of customized content that’ll feel more like a letter from a friend instead of just another business ad. 

4. Listen and learn.

The definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,” so let’s stay away from that in your email campaign. Instead of ignoring subscribers who opt out of your messages, be willing to find out why they unsubscribed. Take it as a challenge to re-engage inactive subscribers and customers who haven’t opened your emails in a while and spend time learning what type of content they’d like to receive. 

Create effective tests to understand what’s working, and pinpoint the methods and messages that could use improvement. This will help you scale your efforts and success over time.

By the way, the team at Emma is willing to help you send better emails, they created a video series to equip you with all the knowledge you need to send messages your customers will want to open. In the video, Caroline Matis shares their proven blueprint for strong email strategy. Click this link to watch the video.

Home based career seminars for Negros Online Workers happening this December 2018

The Negros Online Workers, together with Dojo 8 Coliving Space is holding a series of workshops and talks in Bacolod City this December 2018. JUMPSTART 2019 is a 4-part series of learning events that will help freelancers and aspiring individuals become successful in their online careers. Beginners will learn the basics on how to start their home-based career including basic digital skills while experienced freelancers will have up skill learning sessions.

“This is in line with our advocacy in promoting more earning opportunities in places where there are limited jobs offered as well as to provide support to parents especially women who are not able to work due to family obligations,” says, Ma. Clarice Lao, Founder of Negros Online Workers.

Participants will learn the different work-at-home career options, tips on getting started, and information on where and how to apply. “We would also discuss current trends, pay rates and challenges faced by online workers,” added Lao.

To address the current demand for this new skillset, Karlo De Leon, a Biz Systems Consultant and Messenger Marketing Funnel Expert will conduct the Basic Automation and Chatbot Workshop for experienced freelancers. The workshop will also include bonus topics on Business Development.

Aside from the learning sessions, NOW Talks will be the main highlight of JUMPSTART 2019. Freelancers and aspiring individuals are invited to join on December 16, 2018 to meet the freelancing community here in Negros. It is an afternoon full of inspiration, fun and opportunity to expand your network.  Participants will also have the chance to enjoy goodies from JJC Nutri Treats, and get signed copies of the book, Thank Goodness I Got Lost by Jostine Bulan, freebies from Flip and Color and other exciting raffle prizes from our event sponsors.

For more details about Jumpstart 2019, you may visit: www.facebook.com/negrosworkshops 

This event is supported by media partners:  When in Manila.com, Sigrid Says, The Blue Ink, Mea in Bacolod and My Metro Lifestyle and sponsored by: Payoneer, JJC Nutri Treats, Flip & Color, Project Ushered and Bacolod DIY Party Rentals.