Neil C. Hughes

Ready for the festive wind down or drowning in copy and commissions? I have some gaps in my schedule over the next two weeks: let me free up your metaphorical plate so you can fill it with mince pies and festive cheese. Get in touch! 🥧 🧀 #freelancewriter #freelanceeditor #freelancecopywriter

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If you are struggling to create video content especially reels for instagram then check out this short instruction video on how to use the video editing feature of Adobe Express. To find out more click here https://lnkd.in/ejxtVtxb #AdobeExpressAmbassadors #Ad 

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You Don't Own Me.... is very fortunate to have the talents of some amazing professionals - adding their insights and knowledge to the Guest Blog page ⭐️ https://lnkd.in/eczKpAbJ If you feel you have an important message to share around domestic abuse and would like to add your blog to You Don't Own Me, then please do get in touch! #support #blogs #hope

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Quote of the day: 'It is never too late to be what you might have been'. George Eliot I have had a few coaching conversations recently with people who have talked said 'I'm too old to .............' The reality is that, as George says 'It is never too late to be what you might have been'! What are your thoughts and experience about creating your new life? Share your thoughts in comments below please. #motivation #inspiration #antifragile #coaching #create #be #possibilities 

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SHOW UP OR BLOW UP USEFUL INFO & INSPO IS HERE 📌https://bit.ly/4cimsgj 📌 PS Check out Steph Walsh 🐠 The Feel Good Animator 🐙 pixel chart below 👇 #story #listenup #sharpenyourpencils #wisdom #speaking #businsswomen #somaticoach #publicspeaker #live #video

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Podcasters may be damaging your website performance, without them even realising it. Having been a guest on 1000s of podcasts and the BBC, Sky News, Channel 4, CNN and many others over the past 26 years around the world 📻 I have a catalogue of interviews which will never see the light of day. Why? Because storing all those interviews would require a HUGE amount of storage space for me and the hosts of the shows. Many of the podcast hosts have also realised the amount of storage needed and simply deleted their earlier shows or they've gone out of business. (Some have also realised that jumping on the latest trendy 'to be' job title isn't all it is cracked up to be and requires a lot more than just a microphone and podcasting platform, as I am sure podcast expert Neal Veglio will no doubt agree with!) Those who have been #reading my #blogposts over the years on my website will have been seeing some changes happening recently ♻ The look and feel of the posts are being upgraded, and additional subject related resources are being added to enhance the entire experience so are not currently visible on the site. Jerry and Henriette the technical brains behind Dawn Bates International #DBI have been cleaning up the mess left behind by 'award winning tech marketing companies' whom I hired to help with the e-commerce side of my business - and subsequently fired with gusto 😠 During this process more than 170 broken podcast links and magazine article links have been discovered which has negatively impacted my website and brand. All of this is really frustrating as I choose the podcasts I go on with a lot of care, and I'm a #consciouscommunicator, which means those who work with me are informed of links changing, or those which are no longer valid. One of the reasons I love to keep my circle small, work offline and go sailing is because I enjoy a stress free life, out in nature. The weeks and months I spend at sea away from WIFI are the most wonderful for me as I can really unplug and work ON my business (and #books) not IN it. Having people and a team I can trust surround me is vitally important, and for those who have read many of my books, you'll understand why. The way we operate our businesses, the way we communicate and the way we treat people matters. So, if you're a #podcasthost, a magazine with #guestcontributors, please make sure that before you delete interviews or close your business, send an email out to your guests to ensure they can update the links on their websites which have been promoting you and your show. Not only is it the basics of respect and integrity, but it's also damaging to the brand of the person who chose to give their time to show up for you and your show. As for #sailing, there's just 10 days until I take the helm again, this time in slightly less than tropical conditions than in the photo below. *To purchase any or all of my books, please visit https://lnkd.in/dfkX5X6i #guestspeaker

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Want to know a secret? Well before one of our client’s recent conferences, our team had already pre-drafted all of the event’s social media content. Then, not only were they all approved in advance, but we received this lovely note from our client: “These are fabulous! It’s almost as if the seminar has happened already!” How did we do it? 1. Getting very clear on the mission-driven organization’s goals for this conference — what matters to them and what success looks like. 2. Reviewing the conference agenda together and pinpointing the stand-out parts that were especially worth highlighting. 3. Setting up an easy process for photo sharing. 4. Being ready to communicate and make small adjustments in real-time. Conferences take so much planning and we were proud to take this big important piece off of our clients’ shoulders. While their team focused on the actual experience, we made sure to amplify it — getting engagement from their community, their community’s community, and who knows, possibly future community members as well. #marketing #socialmedia #missiondriven #agency

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Do you think having a website is important as a freelancer? 🤷‍♂️ I've been speaking to a few freelancers about this and I'm finding: - They don't tend to get many enquiries through their website - Their website tends to be the last thing they update - They feel like they need to have one (maybe because it's the done thing?) - They don't get many visitors to their website In our case the only enquiries we get through our website tend to be the odd wedding request and the good old "your site is broken" or "seo services for you sir". So my question is, do you really need one and are they really that beneficial to have over other portfolio sites/social media?

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My new weekly blog on my website concerns itself with all things writing, books, publishing and related matters. I'd welcome the thoughts on some fellow writers and creatives about some of the issues raised... #blog #blogger #newblog #blogging #writer #writing

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Friday has arrived and we hope you've all been as busy as we have! I've literally been neglecting my socials this week, but with good reason! I've been recording a 137,000 word audio book with two more booked in for the coming 6 weeks, deadline, deadlines. On top of all the many daily projects we are receiving. I've added a new skill to my VO Tool belt, the old "Punch & Roll", to be honest it's been about 12 months or more since I've narrated an audio book and this was something I was completely unaware of....why, I don't know, I just didn't. So after endless googling, watching Youtube Videos and exploring where to find this feature in my DAW, being Adobe Audition which is my recording and production software of choice, I'm a creature of habit and I've used it for years! The point I was getting to is, OMG, Punch & Roll is just soooo much easier when recording any long form Narration. So "Gold Star" for this little Self Learner or is it self teacher, either or, my audio book narration sessions have become so much more enjoyable and much more time effective. What's a new skill you've picked up this week? Let me know and lets share our upskilling wins! I love to learn new things, which is why I'm where I am in my Voice Over Journey today! No challenge is too big or small, so if you'd like to work with a highly experienced, down to earth, easy going but very hard working Voice Over Artist, we'd love to voice your project. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Listen and download our demos at https://lnkd.in/gdmrEMj6 To get in touch Direct message me here on linkedIn or email - [email protected]

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13 things to remove from your website - not my content, but another Andy who speaks a lot of sense about removing stuff that stops your website visitors engaging. It's 12 minutes, fast paced and well worth a view and comparing to how your website is (and then diarise in fixing things). If nothing else, pick one thing out (there's likely to be a few that get you thinking) and act on it. https://lnkd.in/ebgk4nin #websiteux #justdoonething

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There are times that your target audience needs to have a clear understanding of how your product works. Educating your audience is more effective with a voice. This can be done through an explainer video. The main aim is not to look posh or classy, but to deliver a message clearly. This helps a lot as it will be answering customers' questions in your absence. Let's come together in making a memorable video that helps your customer service. Do you want an explainer video? I'm just a message away. Share your thoughts with Kaiser: Deep Voice | Deep Thinker

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It's so important to have alt text on images but a time consuming excercise, despite the benefits to people. I made it 1000x faster with a GPT. Just upload your image and click send. Instant alt text. https://lnkd.in/ebyaGPif #alttext #inclusivity

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It’s Not What You Pitch or Present - It’s The WAY That You Do It Part One - Structure Last week I had the pleasure of creating and hosting an in-house interactive Pitching & Presenting Workshop for a valued client. Some of the outputs may appear to be obvious and some were specific to the group, but I thought I would share 18 tips over 3 posts to look to inspire your own skills and confidence in such a key area of business. Here goes for structure: Structural integrity is key – what are your presentation or pitching cornerstones and how do you support them with the backstory around each one you have chosen. A strong cornerstone led presentation will keep you (and the audience) on track - but don’t have too many. Have a clear beginning, middle and end – try a dramatic opening statement, a stat or something intriguing – to get them straight into “lean forward” and engaged mode. What is your summary statement, sentence or picture? Is it a drop the mic moment? Leave them on a high. When transitioning through the content, if it is not clear that you are moving to another cornerstone – TELL the audience that you are moving on and to be ready for some different content. Less is more on slide content – use more bullet points and less sentences and paragraphs. Trust that the bullet points will be your triggers to tell your story. The audience will always read ahead if you have a lot of words on any slide. A picture paints a thousand words. Choose memorable imagery and know why you have – this is part of the audience journey that you control. Watch out for Part Two - Delivery a Little Later….. #pitching #presentations #business

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"Who uses speech recognition then?" I get asked this often, especially when out and about networking and here's my answer: Pretty much anyone that does a lot of typing/admin. Often this includes: ⚖️ Solicitors 🧑🏻‍⚕️ Doctors 💰 Finance 🏠 Property However, we have some obscure users too, such as: 📕 Authors 🐶 Vets ☢️ Radiologists 🏎️ A retired race car driver (yes, really!) So in short, if you do a lot of typing in your working day, speech recognition can improve your productivity and save you time and money. Deirdre has some more info below in our latest video... #VoiceTechnology #Tech #Admin

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📽 Yes!!! Great day ahead today. I'm teaching video editing skills. I love doing a good video edit, but I really like passing my knowledge and skills onto others. It's very rewarding to see them grow and develop 🚀 What are you up to today? Anything good? #HelpWithDigital #VideoEditing #DigitalSkills #TechEducation

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In my latest podcast episode I talk about 'stresslaxing' (do you do that too?!) and a book I've written. It's about growing up in a strange family and how music really, really helped. It's called 'Dad Bought Me A Grave'. And it's a true story. If you have 10 mins have a listen to the pod. I'll put a link below. #podcast

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