Category: Internet Marketing

The advent of large language models (LLMs) marks the most significant shift in the search experience since the rise of mobile technology.

Google’s SERPs are evolving beyond the traditional 10 blue links, introducing AI Overviews and other enhanced features. The full impact on brands and consumers is still unfolding

This article explores the hypothesis that the integration of LLMs into everyday life will fundamentally change how people search. 

With LLMs capable of providing detailed answers, consumers are likely to move away from simple queries (e.g., “car insurance,” “running shoes”) toward more complex, conversational searches (e.g., “How much is car insurance for a 2022 Accord?”).

Hypothesis: The shift in consumer search behavior

Since the introduction of LLM models, consumers have started to shift their search patterns for items containing longer queries.

Methodology: Analyzing Google Ads data

Since search data from various LLMs, including Google’s Gemini and AI Overviews, isn’t available yet, I used search query data from Google Ads. 

I pulled every search query from Jan. 1, 2022 to May 31, 2024, which resulted in 41 million search queries and over 83 million impressions. 

I broke the data down into three buckets:

• Pre-ChatGPT (Jan. 1, 2022–Nov. 30, 2022): No such thing yet as consumer-facing LLMs. Consumers would still be searching “traditionally.”
• 12 months Post-ChatGPT (Dec. 1, 2022–Dec. 31, 2023): During this data range, consumers are now exposed to LLMs and may have begun altering the way they interact with search.
• 2024 YTD (Jan. 1, 2024–May 31, 2024): Gemini launched on Dec. 6, 2023. This bucket helps keep the months clean, but now with Google’s product fully launched, this would be the most “advanced” they could be given the date range.

Results: How search term lengths and metrics have changed

After looking at 41 million search terms and their corresponding impression, click and cost data over the past 29 months, what can we conclude?

Search term length has increased since the launch of ChatGPT, but it has been slow. CPCs are up, and CTR is down. LLMs and AI Overviews seem to be driving fewer clicks to traditional ads as consumers searching for longer queries may find what they are looking for through the AI Overviews.

Let’s start by looking at how the data has changed over time by query length. Looking at the data from these three datasets, you can see some small shifts over time. 

Most notably, there was a shift between keywords with 5-6 words and keywords with 7-8 words. Search terms with 7-8 words in them have nearly doubled since the launch of ChatGPT and have taken that volume from the 5-6 search term bucket. While the rest have stayed fairly consistent, only moving by <15 in either direction. 

What could this mean? I would say that those consumers who had previously searched for slightly more complex terms have started to be even more specific with additional conversational modifiers to their queries. 

Overall, we are still only talking about 10% of keywords with more than seven words. The majority still have less than four search terms in the query. 

Now, let’s examine some of the throughput metrics and how they have changed over time. Starting with CPC, we can see a big spike in CPC costs over the last six months. 

All search term buckets have felt this CPC increase, with the biggest jumps being in the 3-6 keyword length buckets. CPCs are up by 60% after being fairly flat over the last 18 months. 

Something is certainly happening here, especially when you examine the click-through rate on the same data set. 

The hypothesis on click-through rate with AI Overviews would be that ads get fewer clicks. So far, that seems to be true, with click-through rates down across the board. Again, this is most notable in the 5-7 search term length buckets. 

This would align with the thought that the more detail someone enters into the query, the more likely Google surfaces an AI Overview due to the more defined query.

The search volume is there, as impressions have not decreased. However, it’s important to note that while CPCs have been rising, CTRs have declined over the past six months, coinciding with the rollout of the AI Overviews.

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Action items: Adapting to the new search environment

Monitoring search term data

Begin by tracking your search term data. This allows you to understand how your specific product and keyword sets are being influenced and identify any shifts or trends that might indicate changes in consumer behavior.

Analyzing consumer behavior

If you notice a shift or evolution in how consumers are searching, it’s time to dig deeper. Analyze the data to uncover insights that can influence the types of landing pages, ad copy and content you create. 

As consumers move from traditional search queries to more conversational searches, they provide more direct insights into their intent, which can significantly improve conversion rates.

Monitoring LLMs

We’ve started tracking various LLMs (such as ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini) to observe how frequently they display certain brands and how these results fluctuate daily.

For example, over a week, the presence score (how often a brand appears across different LLMs) can vary by as much as 20% daily. 

Understanding and monitoring this data in these early stages can provide a competitive edge as the pace of change in search technology continues to accelerate.

Random finding

I had no idea that consumers search only with emojis. This is not something I had considered doing myself.

However, after looking through the search query results, I found many emoji-only searches. 

The example above shows consumers looking for the movie “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Google is smart enough to interpret and map these searches correctly.

Depending on your vertical and brand, this could be an untapped opportunity worth exploring.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/keyword-query-length-insights-445376

SEO can seem overwhelming, with so much information and numerous tools available.

In less experienced hands, the masses of recommendations from these tools can often waste a lot of time while delivering little in the way of results. 

Fortunately, Google Search Console (GSC) offers accurate diagnostic information about your website, including rankings and traffic.

This helps you focus on optimizing well-performing areas, leading to better results.

It’s a more practical approach than spending months or years chasing ideal keywords.

By understanding GSC, you can take this intelligence and build an SEO strategy and a simple SEO plan based on the hard facts of your current situation. 

This article outlines a three-step process for reviewing, planning and improving your SEO using Google Search Console metrics. The goal is to guide you in finding the most important information for quick SEO wins.

Google Search Console: 3 steps to easy SEO wins

The process has three simple steps:

• Step 1: Review traffic, rankings and opportunities in Google Search Console.
• Step 2: Analyze what ranks currently and look for opportunities.
• Step 3: Optimize and improve your content to get some easy wins.

This simple approach allows you to easily rank the tasks around the potential so you spend time working on what matters the most and will generate actual results as quickly as possible.

Before analyzing Google Search Console, you need to set it up. You can learn how to do that and cover the basics with this Google help doc.

You can also download our template for tracking opportunities here:

• Search Console Easy Wins – Template.

Dig deeper: Google Search Console launches recommendations

Step 1: Review your traffic, rankings and opportunities 

The first step is to review your visibility and traffic in Google Search Console. This information will help you understand how well you’re performing and guide you in optimizing your approach.

Sign in to Google Search Console at https://search.google.com/search-console. Review your traffic and indexing overview by clicking on Search results under Performance.

On this screen, you have two of four potential metrics enabled by default:

• Total clicks (enabled).
• Total impressions (enabled).
• Average CTR (disabled).
• Average position (disabled).

Above the main metrics, you have filters that, by default, show web search results for the last three months. 

Applying additional filters

To make the data here as accurate and relevant as possible, add some additional filters and you would typically look to:

• Exclude branded search traffic.
• Filter to the primary target geography.

Exclude brand traffic

My business is called Bowler Hat, so you will filter anything that mentions “hat” to cover variants like “bowler hat,” “bowlerhat,” “bowler hats,” etc. 

To do this, you will add a new filter (next to the type and duration).

• Click New > Query > Queries not containing. 
• Type “hat” then click Apply.

Do this for your brand name now. If you review the results, you should not see any branded traffic. 

Filter to primary target geography

By default, the results shown here will be everything, everywhere, which can skew your results. The best option is to filter this by your primary geography, so you will look at the UK only for this account. 

• Click New > Country.
• Select your country (here I am selecting “United Kingdom”) then click Apply.

This now filters the data so you only see your target country (which makes the clicks, impressions, CTR and rankings much more accurate).

Note: If you are only used to seeing traditional rank reports and the like, this kind of filtering, which removes all organic brand traffic and international traffic, can reveal some hard truths.

If I had a dollar for every time you reviewed a client’s search console and there was practically no unbranded organic traffic, I would have a great big jar of dollars.

At the very least, you will start to understand your traffic accurately, which may challenge some of your perceptions about what works and drives clicks.

Also, should your requirements be a little more complicated, you can read up on regular expressions and create filters to exclude or focus on what matters.

Real traffic analysis 

By applying the filters above, what is left represents your real exposure and traffic from Google Search.

The next step is to enable the four key metrics and review them individually.

If you use SEO and PPC, note any keywords and landing page combos that may be useful in your Google Ads campaigns. 

Clicks

• Clicks are the main goal and what you’re ultimately aiming for.
• Here, you will see precisely how many clicks you get for your target search terms. 

Impressions  

• Impressions are how many times you showed up in search results.
• The amount of clicks you receive vs impressions gives you an idea of the size of the opportunity.
• The screenshot below has a few exciting examples:
  • 305 clicks from 12,743 impressions with a CTR of 2.4% in position 6.5.
  • 53 clicks from 10,687 impressions with a CTR of 0.5% in position 4.6.

CTR 

• CTR (click-through rate) is another metric that often speaks to the overall opportunity.
• The first keyword ranks 6.5 on average and has a 2.4% click-through rate. The second keyword, despite ranking better, which would generally improve click rate, has an appalling 0.5% CTR – only one in every 200 searches results in a click.
• These keywords have room for improvement, but the second one represents a huge opportunity and should be investigated further – why do so few people click?

SEO mix: Clicks, impressions, CTR and position

• Carefully review your keywords, considering clicks, impressions, CTR and ranking position to identify opportunities for optimization. 

Optimization targets

As you work through this list of keywords, you should make a list and choose keywords to improve. 

We want more clicks, and that can be done by improving rankings and CTR.

Pick three or so keywords, enter them into the SEO easy wins template and then move on to the next step.

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Step 2: Landscape analysis 

Before working on any optimization, review the search landscape for your target terms. Understanding the page layout will show you where the opportunities are and where to focus.

I’ll use a keyword from a new business we’re helping, Stairfurb, as I feel a real-world example provides the best overall. 

Landscape analysis for ‘glass banister’

• 322 clicks.
• 8,636 impressions.
• 3.4% CTR.
• 2.6 position (ranking).

This keyword has reasonable volume, a pretty strong ranking between Positions 2 and 3 and a fairly average CTR of 3.4%.

The intent is right here. As the business sells glass banister kits, we want to see more than a lowly three clicks for every 100 searches. Let’s look at what is happening here.

The image above only shows the initial results, but the full page is structured as follows:

• 8 shopping ads.
• 8 organic shopping (merchant listings).
• 1 organic.
• 1 organic (StairFurb).
• 1 organic.
• 1 organic.
• 6 images.
• 4 People also ask.
• 1 organic.
• 1 organic.
• 1 organic.
• 8 merchant listings.
• 1 organic.
• 8 merchant listings.
• 1 organic.
• 1 text ad.

This is a fairly complex set of blended search results. There are shopping ads, organic shopping listings (three sets of them for 24 organic products), organic results, images and People also ask, among other things.

Yet, for this site, despite a strong showing in the second organic placement, there are still 8 paid shopping and 8 organic shopping listings above the organic, meaning that there are 17 links above (including the one organic in Position 1) that a user can click and head off in a whole other direction. 

Opportunities

• Improve organic ranking (move from Position 2 to Position 1).
• Improve exposure in organic shopping listings.

Fortunately, Search Console also gives you some intel on product listings in the Search Appearance tab of the Performance report (Performance > Search Results > Search Appearance tab).

There are two rows of information here:

• Product snippets: These are a traditional listing that includes some product details. In the image below, you can see the price, return details and stock. 

• Merchant listings: These are the organic shopping results that feature prominently for this search query (three blocks on Page 1 with a total of 24 organic products listed). 

Now, what is really interesting here is the CTR of 34%. One in three people who see that listing will click on it – that is huge. 

Contrast that to some of the organic CTRs you see and you can see how improvements here can really scale your traffic.

Landscape analysis for keyword ‘B’

• 60 clicks.
• 630 impressions.
• 9.5% CTR.
• Position 1.

This keyword is slightly different, with a solid Position 1 ranking and ~10% CTR. 

The only lever to press here is CTR, so if you review the results, you see:

• 8 shopping ads.
• 1st place listing.

Opportunities

• Improve CTR. 

Here, ensure you have the best possible page title, meta description and all the schema data to make this listing as attractive as possible below those pesky magnetic shopping ads. 

Landscape analysis for keyword ‘C’ 

• 25 clicks. 
• 9,000 impressions. 
• 0.3% CTR.
• Position 7.

This one is a little different again. Clicks are low, with only one in 300 searches giving you a precious click here. 

Landscape analysis shows us:

• 8 shopping ads.
• 8 organic shopping.
• 4 People also ask.
• 8 organic.
• 8 organic shopping (second instance).
• 2 organic.

Opportunities

• Optimize for organic shopping. 
• Target People also ask / snippets. 
• Improve ranking.
• Improve CTR. 

Lots of scope here for improvement across various elements of the page. 

Step 3: Optimize

If you spend time in GSC like this, you will get familiar with the Search Results section and find a treasure trove of opportunities.

The specifics will always depend on your keywords, industry and location, but just follow the process. 

• Filter out the brand and focus on target geography.
• Review high volume, low CTR, etc.
• Review the results. 
• Look for patterns.

Some general approaches to try out:

• Keywords in positions 2, 3, 4 and 5 for easy optimization tweaks.
• Keywords in the top three with low CTR for metadata tweaks.

The key is to analyze, keep notes (using this handy document) and identify patterns.

You will soon understand what works for you and can refine your approach over time. 

Maximize your SEO potential with Google Search Console

SEO can be complex, and commercial tools often lead to time-consuming technical fixes with limited impact.

Use Google’s diagnostic data to uncover straightforward optimization opportunities that provide quick wins.

Dig deeper: How to link GA4 with Google Search Console

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/how-to-use-google-search-console-to-unlock-easy-seo-wins-445389

Home Business Magazine Online

The desire to transform our living spaces is a common aspiration, but the misconception that home improvement always comes with a hefty price tag often deters homeowners from taking the plunge. However, with a little creativity, careful planning, and strategic decision-making, it’s entirely possible to achieve stunning transformations without draining your bank account. A reputable home improvement contractor can offer valuable guidance and expertise, even on a budget, ensuring your project’s success. Budget-friendly renovations offer a world of possibilities, allowing you to refresh your home, enhance its functionality, and increase its value without sacrificing your financial well-being.

Prioritize and Plan Your Projects

The foundation of any successful budget-friendly renovation is a well-thought-out plan. Begin by identifying the areas of your home that need the most attention and prioritize your projects accordingly. Consider the impact each renovation will have on your daily life and the overall aesthetic of your home. Focus on projects that address your most pressing needs or those that will yield the highest return on investment.

Once you’ve prioritized your projects, it’s crucial to create a realistic budget. Determine how much you can comfortably allocate to each renovation without straining your finances. Researching costs and comparing prices for materials, labor, and permits can help you gain a better understanding of the financial scope of your projects. If you’re unsure where to start or need professional guidance, consulting with a home improvement contractor can provide valuable insights and ensure your budget aligns with your vision.

DIY vs. Hiring Professionals: Finding the Right Balance

When embarking on budget-friendly renovations, deciding whether to tackle projects yourself or hire professionals is a critical step. DIY projects can save you money on labor costs, but they require time, skills, and the right tools. Simple tasks like painting, replacing hardware, or installing new light fixtures can often be successfully completed by homeowners with basic DIY knowledge. However, more complex projects like electrical work, plumbing, or structural modifications are best left to the professionals.

Hiring a reputable contractor ensures that the work is done correctly and safely, adhering to building codes and industry standards. While it may seem counterintuitive for budget-minded renovators, professionals can often save you money in the long run by preventing costly mistakes and ensuring the longevity of your improvements.

Finding the right balance between DIY and professional assistance is key. You can consider hiring professionals for specific tasks that require specialized skills while tackling other projects yourself. For instance, you might hire a plumber for bathroom renovations but handle the painting and tile installation yourself. This approach allows you to save money where possible while ensuring critical tasks are completed by qualified experts. If your project involves landscaping, consulting with Burlington landscapers can provide you with professional design advice and potentially save you from costly mistakes.

High-Impact, Low-Cost Interior Upgrades

There are numerous ways to refresh your home’s interior without breaking the bank. A fresh coat of paint can instantly transform a room, creating a new ambiance and sense of style. Choose light and neutral colors to make spaces feel more open and airy, or opt for bold accent walls to inject personality and vibrancy.

Updating outdated hardware, such as cabinet knobs, drawer pulls, and faucets, is another cost-effective way to give your home a facelift. Choose modern or vintage styles to complement your existing decor and add a touch of personality. Replacing light fixtures can also dramatically change the look and feel of a room. Opt for energy-efficient LED bulbs to save on electricity bills while enjoying a brighter and more inviting space.

If your kitchen cabinets are in good condition but look dated, consider refacing them instead of replacing them entirely. This involves replacing the doors and drawer fronts with new materials and veneers, giving your kitchen a fresh look for a fraction of the cost of a full cabinet replacement.

Cost-Effective Exterior Transformations

The exterior of your home is its first impression, and even minor improvements can significantly boost curb appeal and overall value. Landscaping is a fantastic way to transform your property without a major financial investment. Planting colorful flowers, shrubs, and trees can add vibrancy and life to your yard, while strategically placed rocks or mulch can create visual interest and define different areas.

If your home’s exterior looks tired, a fresh coat of paint can work wonders. Consider painting your front door a bold and inviting color or refreshing the trim and shutters for a more polished look. These small changes can make a big difference in how your home is perceived from the street.

Updating your mailbox and house numbers is another simple yet effective way to enhance curb appeal. Choose a style that complements your home’s architecture and consider adding solar-powered lights for a touch of elegance and practicality. If you have a porch or patio, adding outdoor lighting can create a warm and inviting atmosphere for evening gatherings. String lights, lanterns, or spotlights can all be used to illuminate your outdoor space and highlight its best features.

For more extensive exterior renovations, consulting with Burlington landscapers can be a wise investment. They can provide expert advice on plant selection, layout, and design elements that will complement your home’s style and enhance its curb appeal. With their guidance, you can create a beautiful and functional outdoor space that adds value and enjoyment to your property.

Maximizing Your Investment with Commercial Painting Services

For commercial property owners, maintaining a fresh and professional appearance is essential for attracting customers and clients. The exterior of your building is a reflection of your business, and a well-maintained façade can make a positive first impression. Commercial painting services offer a cost-effective way to refresh the look of your property and protect it from the elements.

Choosing the right colors and finishes is crucial for creating a professional and inviting atmosphere. Consider your brand identity and the type of business you operate when selecting paint colors. Neutral tones are often a safe choice for a classic and timeless look, while bolder colors can make a statement and attract attention.

Conclusion

White vinyl fences have earned their place as amongst the top budget-friendly renovations for homeowners seeking a low-maintenance, durable, and visually appealing fencing solution. Their resistance to the elements, ease of cleaning, and versatile design options make them a practical and stylish choice for any property. The eco-conscious aspects of vinyl, such as its long lifespan and potential for recycling, further add to its appeal.

By investing in a white vinyl fence and entrusting its installation to a professional fence company, you’re not just adding a fence to your property—you’re creating a lasting asset that will enhance your outdoor living space for years to come.

The post Budget-Friendly Renovations: Transforming Your Home Without Breaking the Bank appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/growing-a-business/home-office-expansion/budget-friendly-renovations-transforming-home-without-breaking-bank/

Home Business Magazine Online

In the competitive landscape of dentistry, a well-designed and modern office isn’t just a luxury — it’s a necessity. An inviting and functional space can attract new patients, improve staff morale, and enhance the overall efficiency of your practice. Whether you’re considering a minor refresh or a major overhaul, dental office remodeling Chicago IL is an investment in your practice’s future. This guide will delve into the key aspects of dental office renovations, offering insights into the planning process, design considerations, and the transformative power of a well-executed remodel.

Why Remodel Your Dental Office?

Your dental office is more than just a place of work; it’s a reflection of your practice’s brand, values, and commitment to patient care. A dated or poorly designed office can leave a negative impression on patients, hindering their experience and potentially deterring them from returning. A well-thought-out remodel can address various concerns, ranging from outdated aesthetics to inefficient workflows. By creating a more welcoming, modern, and functional space, you can elevate your practice’s image, improve patient satisfaction, and ultimately boost your bottom line.

The Planning Process: Laying the Foundation for Success

A successful dental office remodel begins with careful planning and collaboration. Engaging a reputable dental office design company is a strategic move, as they possess the expertise and experience to guide you through the entire process. From conceptualization to implementation, they can translate your vision into a reality that aligns with your practice’s goals and budget.

Before embarking on the remodeling journey, it’s essential to define your objectives clearly. Are you looking to update the look and feel of your office? Improve patient flow and optimize space utilization? Upgrade your equipment and technology? Or perhaps create a more calming and spa-like environment for your patients? Identifying your goals will help your design company create a tailored plan that addresses your specific needs.

Design Considerations: Creating a Welcoming and Functional Space

The design of your dental office plays a pivotal role in shaping the patient experience. A well-designed space can reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and enhance patient comfort. Consider incorporating natural light, soothing colors, and comfortable seating in your waiting area. In the treatment rooms, prioritize ergonomic design for both staff and patients, ensuring optimal comfort and efficiency during procedures.

The layout of your office is equally important. Aim for a logical flow that guides patients seamlessly through the different areas, from the reception desk to the treatment rooms. Adequate storage space is essential for maintaining a clean and organized environment. Consider investing in custom dental cabinets that not only offer ample storage but also enhance the aesthetics of your space.

As technology continues to evolve, integrating state-of-the-art equipment into your dental office can significantly enhance your practice. Digital X-ray machines, intraoral cameras, and laser dentistry tools can improve the accuracy and efficiency of diagnoses and treatments, leading to better patient outcomes. Incorporating technology into your office design can also streamline workflows, improve communication between staff members, and enhance the overall patient experience.

The Role of a Dental Office Design Company

A dental office construction and design company specializes in creating functional, aesthetically pleasing, and efficient spaces for dental practices. They have a deep understanding of the unique requirements of dental offices, including infection control protocols, equipment placement, and patient flow. A good design company will collaborate closely with you to understand your vision, budget, and practice goals. They will then develop a comprehensive design plan that addresses your specific needs and incorporates the latest trends in dental office design.

The design company will also oversee the construction or remodeling process, ensuring that the project stays on track and on budget. They will work with architects, contractors, and other professionals to ensure that your vision is brought to life seamlessly and efficiently.

Custom Dental Cabinets: A Tailored Solution for Your Practice

Incorporating custom dental cabinets into your remodel can be a game-changer for your practice. Unlike standard cabinets, which may not fit your space or meet your specific needs, custom cabinets are designed and built to your exact specifications. This allows you to maximize storage space, create a more organized and efficient workflow, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of your office.

Custom cabinets can be tailored to accommodate your specific equipment, instruments, and supplies. They can be designed with features like pull-out drawers, adjustable shelves, and built-in lighting to enhance functionality and accessibility. Furthermore, custom cabinets can be crafted from a variety of materials and finishes, allowing you to create a look that complements your overall office design.

The ROI of a Well-Designed Dental Office

Investing in a dental office remodel is not merely a cosmetic upgrade; it’s a strategic decision with the potential to yield significant returns. A thoughtfully designed and well-maintained office can have a profound impact on patient perception, staff morale, and overall productivity.

• Patient Attraction and Retention: First impressions matter, especially in the healthcare industry. A modern, welcoming, and aesthetically pleasing office can create a positive first impression for new patients, making them more likely to choose your practice over competitors. For existing patients, a comfortable and updated environment can foster loyalty and encourage them to continue seeking your services.
• Staff Morale and Productivity: A well-designed workspace can boost staff morale and productivity. Ergonomic workstations, efficient layouts, and ample natural light can create a more comfortable and enjoyable work environment, leading to happier and more motivated employees. This, in turn, can translate to improved patient care and a more positive overall atmosphere within your practice.
• Enhanced Efficiency and Workflow: A well-planned remodel can optimize space utilization and improve patient flow, resulting in greater efficiency and a smoother workflow. Eliminating bottlenecks, streamlining processes, and strategically placing equipment can save valuable time and resources, allowing you to see more patients and increase revenue.

The Financial Aspect of Dental Office Remodeling

While the benefits of a dental office remodel are clear, it’s important to approach this investment with careful financial planning. The cost of a remodel can vary significantly depending on the scope of the project, the size of your office, the materials and finishes used, and the location of your practice.

Before choosing a remodel, establish a realistic budget and explore financing options. Many dental office design companies offer financing solutions tailored to the specific needs of dental practices. Additionally, there may be tax deductions or credits available for certain types of renovations, so be sure to consult with a financial advisor or accountant to maximize your financial benefits.

Conclusion

A dental office remodel is an investment that can pay dividends for years to come. By creating a more welcoming, efficient, and modern space, you can attract new patients, improve staff morale, and enhance the overall profitability of your practice. While the process can be complex and requires careful planning, partnering with a reputable dental office design company can streamline the process and ensure a successful outcome.

Remember, your dental office is a reflection of your practice. A well-designed and thoughtfully executed remodel can transform your space into a powerful tool for growth, success, and a positive patient experience. By investing in your office, you are investing in the future of your practice.

The post Dental Office Remodeling: Refresh Your Space and Enhance Your Practice appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/management/working-smarter/dental-office-remodeling-enhance-practice/

Romance books have always been a popular genre – but ‘spicy’ books have a new and massive readership thanks to several high-profile books lately (Sarah J Maas, we’re looking at you). If you’ve always wanted to make money writing books, and you have a creative imagination, this could be a great way to make money. Here’s your total guide to writing erotica, PG romance, and everything in-between!

 

What is Romance as a Genre?

Romance writing spans a very broad spectrum of types of books. There is one obvious common theme: people fall in love. But other than that, almost anything goes!

A recent boom in ‘romantasy’ blends romance with fantasy books, and this has introduced a whole new generation to romance writing (and reading). But there are lots of different types. You can either self publish or traditionally publish, depending on how quickly you want to make money and how much control you want over the publishing process.

How Spicy Do I Need to Be?

‘Spicy’ is a term used for erotic writing that is graphic and/or explicit, while more ‘traditional’ romance is often called ‘closed door’. It means you get hints of what happens, but most is left up to the reader’s imagination as it happens ‘behind closed doors’. Spicy books are often very explicit, so you need to be comfortable with writing R-rated things!

The good news is there are audiences for all levels of ‘spice’. So, if you’re not comfortable writing explicit sex scenes, you can still make money writing romance books.

How Do I Write a Romance Book?

While it is now easier than ever to publish your writing thanks to eBooks and platforms like Amazon and Apple Books, you still need to put in the work if you want to make consistent money from your romance writing!

Here are a few important things to consider.

Read, Read, Read!

First of all, before you even set pen to paper or fingers to typewriter, make sure you know your genre. Get your hands on a library card, or sign up to a free trial of Kindle Unlimited, and read as much romance fiction you can get your hands on. This is the best masterclass you can take when you’re learning how to write romance novels.

Pay attention to common themes and tropes, what you like to read and what turns you off (pun intended), and this will help you shape an idea of what kind of romance writer you want to be. It will also show you what is a bit too commonly seen, the bad kinds of tropes you want to avoid, and hopefully spark ideas about how you can tackle them in a fresh new way.

Romance Book Length

Romance is usually between 50,000 words for commercial (‘chick lit’) up to 80,000 for historical romance. Romantasy books that blend romance and fantasy genres are generally longer, up to around 100,000 words, but it doesn’t have to be that long.

You can also try your hand at short reads. Amazon Kindle determines the length of a read by the page numbers – you can’t set this in your upload metadata, but generally if you stick within certain page limits you’ll come up in the right search filters.

The rough page count for short reads would be:

• 15 minutes – 1 to 11 pages
• 30 minutes – 12 to 21 pages
• 45 minutes – 22 to 32 pages
• One hour – 33 to 43 pages
• 90 minutes – 44 to 64 pages
• Two hours or more – 65 to 100 pages

This is book pages, rather than number of pages in word. A book page is around 280 words. So, a 30-minute read at 15 pages long would be around 4,200 words. These short stories do particularly well when enrolled in Kindle Unlimited, which is ideal for new writers to build their brand – the returns are smaller, but more people are likely to read your book.

You Need a Plot

Romance isn’t just about people falling in love and doing rude things to each other! Readers of romance love the story of why people fall in love, out of love, and even when they’re torn between loving two people. Plot is very important in romance books, but there are some key moments most will have, including:

• A meet cute of the couple-to-be
• A honeymoon phase
• The problem turning point (do they have a spouse or partner already? Does someone else come into their lives? etc)
• An argument between the lovers
• Either an ending where they get back together for good (known as a happy ever after) or at least in the short-term (called ‘happy for now’)

Think about what it is that makes people fall in and out of love. Spicy books are great at focusing on the physical elements of relationships, but romance readers are a smart audience and they’ll want more than surface lust to keep them reading. Working out who your characters are, what their aim is and the obstacles they face to get to it, and why they end up in love are all important plot points you need to include.

Think About Your Audience

It helps to have a clear audience in mind before you start writing. This will impact the tone of your writing, how explicit you are with intimate scenes, and the type of plot you will write. For example, some older readers prefer classic Mills and Boon ‘gentle closed door romance’ while there is a growing trend for women in their 20s and 30s to enjoy particularly ‘spicy’ novels. Having a couple of ‘ideal readers’ in mind when you’re writing will help you stay on track and focus the ‘brand’ of your book.

Pick Your Protagonist Well

Your main character needs to be someone who is a go-getter, even if they are naturally timid. They need to have a reason to change across the book – this could be because they have moved from a village to a city (or vice versa), have a new job, go on holiday or similar. A change in circumstance and/or location is usually what makes characters seek out new things – and that’s what drives the plot of a romance book.

While your character can be anyone, generally your protagonist will be female, as the majority of romance readers are women. You can have male or non-binary perspectives, but there is a smaller niche for them. Many romance authors like to do ‘dual POV’ or dual point of view, which means you write one chapter in your protagonist’s voice and another in the antagonist (or second protagonist) voice and alternate through the book to give different perspectives. This is particularly useful for telling the story in a broader way, rather than sticking in one character’s head – but it can be tricky to do, so takes some practice.

If you decide on dual POV, be very careful not to ‘head hop’. This is when you change internal thoughts from one character to another in the same scene. It is confusing for the reader! So stick to one scene, one person’s inner thoughts – then you can always change the character in the next scene.

Find a Proofreader

Before you publish or send your book to an agent to get published, you need to have someone else read your book. There are different types of editors, costing different amounts. A developmental editor is very deep-dive and will work on the structure and story of your romance novel. A copy editor or line editor will improve how your sentences flow and fact-check things to make sure you don’t make any glaring mistakes. The cheapest option is a proofreader, who reads the book and highlights your spelling and grammar errors.

It might feel hard to pay before you get any income from your book, but if you’re the only person reading it you can easily miss errors because you’ve been staring at the same pages for weeks! A good proofreader will help you bring your book up to standard. It’s important for whether you are self publishing or sending to an agent.

First, with self publishing, it is important to avoid spelling and grammatical errors which can put off your readers – and with platforms like Kindle Unlimited, you’re paid by the number of pages that are read. So you want people to keep reading!

Secondly, if you want to be noticed by a publisher or agent, you need your manuscript to be in the best shape possible to get their attention. Mistakes can stop them reading and reject the book, which means you’ll have to start the long query process all over again.

Do I Need an Agent to Publish My Romance Novel?

Yes or no! There are two reasons both answers are true.

Self publishers don’t need an agent – they can publish whatever they want, whenever they want. But as we talked about earlier, they also have to do all the marketing and business side of selling romance novels, too.

Some traditional publishers, like Mills and Boon (read more below) will accept book submissions from someone who doesn’t have an agent. There aren’t many places that do this, and they’re very competitive, but it is a way in to the industry if you can get it.

Most traditional publishers will only take submissions from an agent. This means you need to get literary representation before you can think about publishing. This tends to be more for commercial women’s fiction or high-profile genres like romantasy.

Where Can I Publish My Romance Book?

You can choose to self publish your book on platforms like Amazon, or traditionally publish to get your book into shops. There are pros and cons to both.

Self publishing gives you total control over what you write, when it is published, and you receive a higher percentage of sale revenue. However, you also need to design your book cover, run your PR, and continue to market the book once it is published, all of which can cost money and take a lot of time to learn and carry out. You don’t get an advance payment with self publishing, so you need some funds to get started.

Traditional publishing is historically more ‘prestigious’, but that matters less these days. However, you will have an editor and marketing team behind the book if you manage to sell it to a publisher, so you don’t have to do everything as you do with self publishing. You will also be paid an advance if you sell the book, but make a smaller percentage on royalties.

Publishing on Amazon

It is very easy for anybody to self publish on Amazon and similar platforms. You need to have a finished book that is in a book format – software like Vellum can help you with this, or there are Word templates online you can use. Many authors enjoy using Scrivener, which has some helpful preset templates and can be exported into various formats. If you’re a member of the Society of Authors, you can get a 20% discount on the software – plus they do a free 30-day trial for everyone.

You need a few things before you can hit publish:

• A book cover
• A back blurb (the short description on the back of the book to entice readers)
• The manuscript
• An ISBN number (two if you plan to allow for physical copies to be purchased)
• Social media art for promotion
• Short descriptions for meta data
• A list of keywords that relate to your book to help people find it in searches

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing is the most common platform for new writers to start on. There is a helpful tutorial on the website, and lots of YouTube videos for more in-depth lessons about the nuances of promoting your romance book.

Publishing Mills and Boon Books

If self publishing sounds too complicated, or you want the prestige of being a traditionally published author, Mills and Boon are the most famous name in romance. The brilliant news is that you don’t need to have an agent to submit to them – which is very unusual in the world of traditional publishing!

There are some guidelines to follow before you submit. Read their submission guidelines on the website – and make sure you know which imprint you want to submit to, too. Different imprints are like different brands underneath the Mills and Boon umbrella, and they each have a distinctive voice, audience, and types of story.

Mills and Boon Modern – has a hero willing to take charge, but the heroine has a feisty side to her. Think international glitz and glamour for this series.

Mills and Boon True Love – this series is about relatable women and deeply desirable men, without graphic scenes but intense emotion and tension.

Mills and Boon Medical – the clue is in the name here, with medical settings taking the foreground, and dedicated medical professionals with hearts of gold who work together.

Mills and Boon Historical – every time period up to the 1950s and every level of spice is accepted, with dynamic characters who have relatable conflicts

Harlequin Books

Mills and Boon also have Harlequin books, which is another type of novel. They are more cross-genre than the above imprints. The Intrigue submission guidelines state that books with thriller storylines around 55,000 words are welcomed. The Suspense submission guidelines state that imprint is for more complex, sustained suspense romance stories around 70,000 words long.

Getting Started Resources

The internet is your friend! There are so many amazing YouTube channels and podcasts and Substacks, it’s too many to list, but these ones are great for beginner writers – some are romance-specific, while others help you learn more about the craft of writing and also self-publishing.

YouTube Channels

• Alexa Donne
• Abbie Emmons
• SPA Girls Podcast (romance self publishing focus)
• Reedsy
• The Creative Penn
• Leslye Penelope

Podcasts, Websites, and Newsletters

• The Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing (language content warning)
• Chapter Break
• How to Write a Book (Elizabeth Day)
• BBC Maestro – JoJo Moyes Romance Masterclass (this is a paid class, keep an eye out on the site for discounts a few times a year)
• How to Write a Romance Novel (Penguin Books Website)
• How to Write Exciting Romantic Fiction
• How to Write a Romance Novel (The Novelry Blog)
• The Romance Novelists’ Association

Keep an eye out for the next in this series, which will be all about how to create an author brand to sell more books!

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