Quality Translations - Ten Essentials to Ensure Cost Effective Professional Translations

The number of translation agencies and freelancers is growing daily. A simple search on Google for "translation companies" gives more than 13 million hits! So you need a way to choose the best company at the best price to give you a quality translation.

Ten essentials you must take into consideration when selecting someone to translate your documents.

They must be native speakers of the target language - this is absolutely essential for quality translations.

Proof reading of the final document must be done by a second (or even third) equally competent and professional translator. For long translations and particularly if you have a short deadline, you will find that the best agencies will use a number of professionals to complete your translation.

How experienced are the translators in the company? They should have experience not only of translation into your required language, but also knowledge of the subject matter.

Is the agency (or individual) a member of a professional translation association (e.g. the ATA - American Translation Association, the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators, the Institute of Translation & Interpreting or other similar body.

What references can the agency (or individual translator) offer for successful translation projects - particularly for translations relating to the area you require?

Are deadlines a problem? Can the agency deliver your document professionally complete within your schedule?

How is the pricing computed? Is it by number of words, pages, sentences or other system? Most often price is calculated based a standard page. You will find, however, that you will get a better price if the cost of the translation is based on the number of words in the source text, particularly since a standard page is rarely found and can vary from 1,200 to 1,800 keystrokes or more depending upon the agency!

How competitive is the price? Remember to take into account that if you require urgent delivery the price will be higher. Prices will also differ depending upon the source and target languages.

Does the translation agency or translator have an efficient project management system to ensure quality control, accurate billing and ontime delivery?

And finally, will the translation be provided in the identical format as the original source text - thereby minimising your need to reformat. The better translation agencies will also offer a system allowing a client's server to "order" translations directly into the translation company's system with no email, copy/paste, etc. This is very useful for companies that use content management systems to manage dynamic text for special offers, etc. The person who types in the special offer can order translations on the spot with just a click, and the CMS sends the order. The web page is then updated automatically with the translation.

As a professional translator for many years, Kaeli knows the pitfalls in commissioning professional, quality translations. For immediate quotes for professional translations with over 1,000 language combinations visit http://translation-services.omniglossia.com

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Music Publicists - Guidelines to an Effective New Media Music Press Release

As an independent or unsigned musician you may be wondering just exactly what is the function of a music publicist. Well, clearly they certainly have a few important functions in the promotion of your music career - this is for sure. This article is geared to showing you the guidelines to publicity in the music business regarding the new media music press release. The primary function of a good music publicist is to generate awareness for an artists project and their CD product releases. They do this easily, if they are good and evidently they must be very well connected. A well connected music publicist has built many relationships over the years with music journalists, and music media outlets. There are many entertainment publicists for hire however it is crucial to slowly make the right decision when hiring a music publicist. When a publicist who has built relations and is well connected speaks - the music media and entertainment media listens. There are many music-publicist wanna-be's so do it slowly, and most certainly do exhibit caution in your selection of a music publicist.

There are obviously various strategies employed by a real music publicist to create awareness for a music project from advertising, marketing, to obtaining features and reviews. Evidently one of the biggest forms of music marketing implemented by a music publicist that allows them to powerfully promote their artists release or tour is the almighty music press release. Hands down, this is one of the most effective methods of music marketing for your project. In today's world over 90 per cent of press releases are distributed digitally to new media Internet entertainment related web portals. So this is the way to go. Forget about print releases. They are just not effective and rarely used any longer.

An effective new media digital release should contain the following elements in order to be effective and powerfully and strategically draw awareness to your music project, release, and tours.

* The story contained in the music media piece should be newsworthy and be of interest to readers. Powerfully and slowly create a headline and subheadings that cannot be ignored.

* Define your target audience and subsequent press list - In the case of a music press release obviously your release should be geared and directed toward music journalists and new media entertainment web portals that specialize in your music genre.

* Clearly talk about the unique qualities of the band or release - something that stands out among the sea of other artists and musicians

* Include quotes from reviews, and magazine media outlets if you have them

* Add multimedia to your new media press release such as video and photos

* Note details of tours and releases and don't forget to add a link to your websites and contact information.

* Don't forget to add your press release to the news and media page of all of your websites.

* Obviously you must make sure your digital music press release is properly optimized for the search engines. The release will be found easier when it is enriched with keywords and this will ultimately drive massive traffic to your website if the story is interesting.

Once the carefully and powerfully created music press release is complete, optimized and ready to blast, you should slowly target the geographic areas and music and entertainment markets you want to blast out to. There are a few good press release distribution wires available such as beatwire.com, prnewswire.com, businesswire.com, and prweb.com among others.

It is crucial that music press releases are written precisely the way they have to be in order to generate the interest you need for your project in order for the press release to be worthwhile. Every single element such as copy, multimedia, the story, etc must be taken into consideration. Obviously it cost a couple bucks to utilize the services of a press release wire distribution service so you want to make sure that the press release is worthy, professionally written and search engine optimized. If you're not sure how to write and prepare a professional music press release then by all means engage a professional music publicity writer to do it. It doesn't cost much and it can assure the effectiveness of your release. The music press release is far too important to just throw something - anything up there. You can view some professionally written press releases at my website which is listed below. Best of luck. Let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance.

©2009 Ken Cavalier All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Ken Cavalier is a music business consultant, publicist, and marketing expert and author. He has been assisting unsigned and independent artists with their music careers since 1983. He is the founder of The Allure Media Entertainment Group, Inc. an artist management and publicity firm in Philadelphia, PA. He is a voting member of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Science (?The Grammy Association) His passion for music and assisting independent artists with their careers prompted him to form The Indie Music Marketing & Consulting Group. An organization specifically designed to assist Indie Artists with marketing and promoting their careers. The firm specializes in publicity and copywriting services providing professionally written music press releases, one-sheets, features, bios, and other music media among a wide variety of music marketing and music promotion services for Indie musicians.

For more details and information on his company's services visit: http://www.indiemusicconsultant.com

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Music Marketing - The Essentials of an Effective Music Press Kit

As a struggling independent musician in a highly competitive over-crowded market it should be left unsaid that you need to stand out from the crowd. There are many ways to do this. There is music publicity, radio promotion, extensive tour presence, and the almighty music marketing and music promotion. You need to get your message out there --period.

Getting your music marketing message out there is one thing but getting the right message out there is another. Your professional image as an independent artist is of the utmost importance in order to rise above the sea of competition. Most independent bands and independent artists have some sort of a music press kit or music promotion kit that they use for promotional purposes. Generally, musicians will use either a traditional print music media kit, a digital press kit (DPK), or an online EPK (Electronic Press Kit). But just how professional and convincing are they?

A frequently asked question that I get all the time from my independent artists and musicians is which type of press kit should we put together? Which kind of music press kit works best and is most impressive and effective? The answer to that question depends on a few things.

What I mean by this is that I recommend creating and maintaining two types of press kits -- either a print or digital music press kit, and an electronic press kit. The reason for this is simple. Certain media outlets, labels, venues, music management companies, etc. prefer a print press kit or digital press kit with your full blown CD so it can be listened too on high efficiency stereo equipment to get the full effect of your music and its production qualities. Others prefer not to have their office congested with piles of press kits, and their preferred method is just reviewing your music online.

For the reasons just noted, we recommend you do a print or digital press kit and have one online as well. There's really nothing to creating an online EPK so why not have it available. There are a few very good EPK services out there and they cost just a few dollars per month. But I am putting an emphasis on the fact that an EPK (Electronic press kit online) is not enough. You still must have the traditional print or digital press kit in your music promotion arsenal.

It is notable to mention that your Music press kit is probably your most valuable promotional tool and it needs to be taken very seriously. Other than your CD and live performance it is usually the first impression of you as an artist that labels, venues, and other music media outlets will receive. There are many graphic art firms that specialize in the preparation of media promotion kits that you may want to consider if your budget permits. If not, for a few dollars, a little creativity, and time and effort, you can do it yourself. Here are the basic elements of a print press kit and Electronic press kit, and the professional means by which to go about it.

In your traditional print music press kit version the elements to include are a professionally designed cover with your logo or photo, a cover letter of introduction, Band or Artist biography, a professional 8- x 10- black and white glossy promotional photo, media feature articles and press releases, album reviews and quote sheet, your full length - extended play, or professionally recorded demo CD, an industry CD-one sheet, a business card and professionally labeled envelope. The supplies needed are heavy stock paper, portfolio cover, large envelope, address labels, business cards, and your 8- x 10- glossy photo. Now here's how to go about putting the print press kit together.

COVER AND LETTER OF INTRODUCTION:

Your professional music press kit should have an impressive cover. This should include a photo of the artist, artist's name, and artist's contact information. Sort of like the cover of a book. You should also include a cover letter of introduction. This should introduce you as the artist stating briefly a little about yourself. Don't get too specific in this letter you can leave that for the bio and other media which you will include.

Make sure you address the letter to one specific person - - being personal is important. It gives the appearance of a non-cookie cutter look and that you feel this media outlet, label, venue, or music agent has significance. Make sure that either at the top or the bottom of this letter you have included your full contact information or your artist's representative's contact information. The cover letter should be inserted just inside the kit's cover prior to any other information. The contact information should also be included at the bottom right on every page in the music promo kit.

Artist or Band Biography:

The next page or what would actually be the first informational page of the music media kit would be your artist biography page. Here you should include a brief history of the artist or band, a little about each member if it's a full band. This should be no longer than one page and should not be a long drawn out history of the band but just a brief synopsis of what you have accomplished and where you plan to go. More importantly, you should include things like significant shows or tours, contests won, radio play, or any achievements that you feel are noteworthy and may raise you above others in terms of popularity and development. Keep it simple, concise, and meaningful. If there are no writers among you or your friends than we highly recommend having your band bio written for you by a professional music copywriter. It's so important and it must be professional.

Media and Press Section:

The following pages in your music promotion kit should be media and press. These are basically significant clips of any feature articles you may have received in music industry magazines, or newspapers. Don't go overboard. Include only media clips that really highlight you as an artist. Pick the best five clips you have and make sure they are professionally reproduced. Noting irritates a person receiving these kits more that sloppy crooked copies of media. Take pride in the quality of the kit. Plastic see-through partitions should be used for each individual item.

Album Reviews and Quote sheets:

You may want to consider including good reviews of your CD and quotes you have received regarding the CD or your performance. This page should be professionally laid out with categorized headings. One should be -Album Reviews and the other should be Quotes. Don't forget to put quotation marks before and after each review and quote.

CD: Either a Full Length Album, EP, or Professionally Recorded Demo:

There are a few different ways to attach your CD to your music press kit. If your portfolio has a sleeve in the rear you can just slip it in there. Another method is to use Velcro strips placed on the rear of the CD and attached somewhere on the inside of the back cover. This however is not the recommended method. Especially if the rear cover of your CD has important information printed on it. If you are enclosing a full length record or EP (Extended Play) the hope would be that you have taken the time to release a professional recording so its professionalism is up to snuff. However if you are only using a demo CD it is extremely important to note the following:

- Make sure it is of professional recording quality (No basement stuff)

- Make sure the production quality is as professional as possible

- Include no more than 3 songs, maybe four of your very best

- Place them in a sequence of best

- Do some semblance of professional cover art and labeling

- Make sure your contact information is displayed on the demo

- If you really want to make sure, have it evaluated by a professional

CD- Music Industry One-Sheet:

If you are enclosing a CD of a professionally recorded and commercially released full length album or EP than it's a good idea to attach a music industry one sheet. One-Sheets are generally used during the music distribution process but by enclosing one it gives the recipient of your press kit more insight on your actual record. A one sheet usually includes a photo of the album cover, album title, artist's name, brief description of the record, track listings, UPC code, price point and a few other things. Notes in the one sheet should include touring information, radio play, some quotes, and a few other things. The one sheet should be professionally written and produced as it is an item that generally can get into the hands of very important people.

Business Card and Professional Envelope and Labeling:

If you or your representative has a business card that should also be attached to the folder somewhere. Once the package is fully assembled it should be placed in a professional envelope with printed address and return address labeling. This may seem very time consuming and you may think, why can't I just write out the recipient's address. Well, that looks sloppy and unprofessional and remember what we said about sloppy. A lot of people won't even open a package if it looks unprofessional on the outside. Some may call us anal-retentive, but we get results by utilizing these professional methods.

Some important notes to help you make the most of your print music press kit.

One thing you need to remember is that things are constantly changing with you as an artist. New feature articles, new national tour, new more updated image/photos, etc. Therefore once you get the first version of your music press kit finished, you are never finished. Keep updating it with new materials and new photos for future mailings. Remember when it comes to your music press kit, you are never done. It's a work in progress.

Once you have sent your press kit to someone it does not end there. FOLLOW UP a couple weeks or so later with a phone call, email, or correspondence. Labels, media, and venues receive hundreds of press kits weekly. Don't let yours get lost in the shuffle. Make sure to bring it to their attention and to the forefront of the barrage of music press kits they receive.

The Digital Music Press Kit (DPK):

The Digital Press Kit generally contains the same information as the traditional print music press kit, although it has the ability to allow you to actually add more without being overcrowded. Basically all your information, your bio, media articles, music, quotes, etc. are housed on a CD Rom as files. The DPK, because of certain expertise involved in programming, graphic arts, etc., should however probably be professionally done. Unless of course you, another band member, or someone you know, is proficient in doing this. The benefits of a DPK are pretty obviously. They take no paper, no portfolios, no paper photos, or any print media. Everything is digital. The DPK is usually housed in a DVD Case which has professional artwork. So there is still the element of graphic artwork involved on the cover and CD stamp. Overall, the DPK is a good alternative to the print music press kit.

Electronic Press Kit (EPK):

The Electronic Press Kit, better known as the EPK is basically an online version of your promotional materials -- sort of like a website but not quite. It's similar to the DPK only in that all the files and graphics are digital. You basically create an EPK like you would create a website. However there are a few good services out there that provide template based WYSIWYG editors that basically give you the opportunity to simply upload your files. There is usually a section for your biography, your photos, your press, your music, your videos, and your backline requirements. The EPK is something that you should use in addition to your print or digital music press kit.

Whichever kind of press kit you decide to use, please remember it must be professionally reproduced and prepared. This is your first impression so you must make it a good one.

©2009 Ken Cavalier All Rights Reserved

Ken Cavalier is a music business consultant, artist manager, speaker, and author. He is widely considered an expert in his field and his focus is the advancement of his musician's and artist's careers. Ken is also the founder of Allure Media Entertainment, an artist management & consulting firm in Philadelphia, PA. As a voting member of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (The Grammy Association) and other distinguished music industry organizations, Ken has authored many informative guides on music promotion and music marketing. His widely popular Music Business Tip Sheet "The Unstoppable Indie" is published and distributed monthly to thousands of independent artists and bands. Ken is available for independent artist consultations on an hourly basis or on a short term management-consulting basis and he also provides music publicity copywriting services such as artist biographies, press releases, feature articles, music marketing plans, and other music industry related press for independent musicians.

You can visit Ken's Website http://www.indieartistcoach.com

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Music Teacher Website - An Effective Tool in Learning and Teaching Music

It is true that no one could stop anyone who insists to learn right. That is why it has been a good news to everyone that we are evolving to a much high-tech system year by year. Because of new trends and technology, people have created lots of stuffs that could help and make the lifestyle of people from different walks of life not that much complex and complicated. This even includes teaching and learning music. There have been many developments in making music learning and teaching fun and a hit. This is the same reason music teacher websites are intended and made for.

Nowadays, one of this useful and helpful ways that people usually rely on is this music teacher website. The website has been the simplest and quickest way of finding, gathering, browsing and a lot more in search for everything we tend to look for - all in relevance with music. It is just as simple as clicking and browsing the net; then, instantly you could get the information you need.

Thus, you can also achieve the desired outcome you are looking for, without the need of stepping outside to your house. That is why most people habitually surf through online net with a similar and certain purpose. As Internet has become the window to the global world, no wonder, music teachers also use the website to have an easier and a more accessible method to reach out to those people who want to explore and get into the world of music.

Through this music teacher website, those people who have their interests in and questions in mind about music can actually be easily found and accessed. This is the quickest way a music teacher website helps and aids those music teachers and as well as those people who want to be taught, trained, and educated more about music.

More so, this type of music-related website lessens the difficulty of searching for more and different forms of music teaching style, music lesson or anything about music. In fact, there are several created websites that has been established, which pertain to Music Teacher Website. This mostly includes general information, music lessons, activities, games, and the likes, all with regard and relevance to music.

Hence, in this website, there are specified ways in which people can learn music via net by simply following the indicated lesson plans and other instructions given by that particular site. Such is also consisted of communication of music teachers to their students by means of giving surveys to their students for the enhancement of the music teaching approaches and strategies.

In addition, with the outgrowing number of the website that are concern to music, music teacher, music lesson, music instruments, and more on about music this will give great help to everyone. May be, these benefit all - not only the students, but also those people who willingly like to enter such a website that can give them an overview and connection to music.

Our Music Teacher Website offers a reliable assistance for individuals who want to succeed in the field of Music Teaching [http://www.musicteachershelper.com/music-teaching].

Earl Marsden started developing a passion for music at the early age of twelve. He first learned to play the guitar at thirteen, and from there he pursued the study other instruments including the violin, piano and flute. Currently, he devotes some of his spare time to writing articles about music teaching while managing his own music studio.

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Reach The Top With Effective Internet Marketing Strategies

Business competition is at a different level now with the creation of the Internet. Today, several companies own websites to have a wider reach. The worldwide web functions as a venue for introducing a new product and raising profits. Furthermore, the Internet functions as a virtual office for the many online businesses. Indeed, big and small enterprises, including the known and new players, found a new playing field.

The worldwide web is just like the real world as it cradles many companies. There's an abundance of companies, selling the same products or services, trying to outdo each other. It's definitely difficult for new businesses to penetrate the online world, neither is it easy to remain on top.

The battle to remain at the top in the online world paved the way for Internet marketing. Its objectives are not different from traditional marketing except for the medium and schemes applied. Internet marketing is about introducing a new brand or promoting products and services over the internet. Nowadays, Internet marketing companies provide different services to help enterprises reach their clients and earn.

Internet marketing, just like traditional marketing, can be done in several ways. In fact, even social media sites serve as venues for Internet marketing.

Some Internet marketing strategies just like traditional marketing approaches. A banner advertisement, which is like a print ad, is placed on specific websites. Meanwhile, electronic mail, a more direct marketing approach whose content can be customised depending on the target audience, is like the traditional brochure, flyer, or newsletter companies hand out. It allows businesses to communicate directly and instantaneously with their clients.

One of the most effective Internet marketing strategies is search engine optimization (SEO). SEO strategies bring companies closer to their target client by guaranteeing that they land on the first page of search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing. One of the approaches employed by SEO companies is making unique and new articles for search engines spiders to crawl. Fresh, important content doesn't only let a website rank high, but also earns the respect and trust of customers. Remember, consumers value useful information.

Reaching target clients and increasing sales requires Online marketing strategies like SEO. With the aid of internet marketing companies, a company need not stay stuck at the bottom.

If you are looking for the best SEO Singapore company, Magic Webs can provide the amazing SEO Services you deserve.. This article, Reach The Top With Effective Internet Marketing Strategies is available for free reprint.

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Are You Effective Or Just Efficient?

A lot of popular time management or "life hacking" advice is aimed at making you ever more efficient. Perhaps you’re constantly reading lists of Firefox plugins, concerned that you might be missing out on some essential time-saving tool. Maybe you reorganize your email filing system each week so that everything is impeccably classified.

But have you ever stopped to ask yourself – Am I being effective, or just being efficient?

The first thing to clarify is the difference between being efficient and being effective.

Being efficient means processing things fast. You get through your to-do list quickly and, in any given task, you eliminate time-wasters.

Being effective means choosing to do the right things. You eliminate time-wasting activities or “busy work” from your day.

So you could rephrase the question Am I being effective, or just being efficient as the more dynamic Am I doing something that truly matters to me, or am I just being busy for the sake of it?

Another way to look at this is to think of effectiveness as the big picture. If you want to be truly effective, you need to think about what your values are and what you want to achieve in your life. This is hard work – and it’s the sort of work where you don’t get to show off an empty inbox or a neatly filed set of papers at the end of it. But it’s absolutely essential to do this big-picture thinking if you’re ever going to accomplish anything meaningful.

Your efficiency comes after this. Because, frankly, however efficient your system for organizing your MP3 collection, it’s unlikely to be particularly effective in contributing to your wider goals. You want to concentrate on being efficient at the tasks which really are significant. This might mean, for example, coming up with a system that saves you time and wasted energy when you take on a new project.

Increasing Your Effectiveness
So if being effective is more important than being efficient, how can you go about improving your effectiveness?

One way to start is to write down a list of all the commitments that you have in your life. Try dividing them into categories like your paid work, your relationships with family and friends, your community or church groups, and your education (if appropriate).

If you’re anything like most of us (including me) you might be surprised and even horrified to find out how much you’ve taken on. Do you really have the time and attention to carry out each of these commitments effectively? And which of these commitments is effective for you – do they add to your life, or just take up your time?

It’s never easy to say “no” to people, or to quit an activity that you’re currently engaged in. Sometimes, though, you’ll realize that to become more effective, you can’t simply keep ramping up your efficiency – you have to let something go.

Another great approach is to look at your values. What matters to you most in life? (You might want to list several things.) It could be your family, your health, your career, your church, your bank balance, your free time, your education, a particular cause or all sorts of other things. There are no “right” values – everyone’s will be slightly different.

One of my highest values is significance – I want to feel that the work I do matters in the world. Whenever I get caught up on trying to get ever more efficient at tasks that really don’t matter at all, I take a step back and think about where the significances lies.

(If you want some help clarifying your values, I strongly recommend the life coach Tim Brownson. He really helped me wrap my head around what matters to me – and it’s made my freelancing career go much more smoothly as a result.)

You can also look at people you admire. These don’t need to be celebrities or famous business people – you might look up to your parents, a teacher or mentor, or a colleague. Why are they worthy of your admiration? It’s probably not because they know every keystroke shortcut in existence – it’s because they live effective and meaningful lives.

How do you make sure that you’re effective, not just efficient? What tips do you have for focusing on the big picture, rather than getting bogged down in rushing through the day-to-day stuff?

Written on 4/27/2009 by Ali Hale. Ali is a professional writer and blogger, and a part-time postgraduate student of creative writing. If you need a hand with any sort of written project, drop her a line (ali@aliventures.com) or check out her website at Aliventures. Republished 5/15/2011.

Photo Credit: Lhechmann

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