Consider the many scenarios in which author services could be advantageous to you, regardless of where you are in your career.

Are you an experienced writer who needs assistance with breaking into a new area? Are you a novice writer who has many ideas but doesn’t know where to start? The expert content team at Lapiz is ready to guide you through the writing/publishing process from concept to publication.

“Creativity is the process of having original ideas that have value. It is a process; it’s not random. You can’t be a creative thinker if you’re not stimulating your mind, just as you can’t be an Olympic athlete if you don’t train regularly.”

There are many avenues for today’s writers to become published authors, whether it be a published book/eBook, journal article, a blog, medical grant writing, abstract writing, or technical writing. Today, everyone can find a niche in which to showcase their writing.

However, traditional marketing techniques are no longer effective, and audiences aren’t interested in reading content that doesn’t captivate them and hold their interest. If you are interested in learning techniques for developing your ideas into valuable (and possibly lucrative) content, the following tips provide a good place to start.

You have created interesting content that answers specific questions but you’re still not receiving the clicks. Let’s refocus on knowing your target audience. How does your audience like to engage with content? Do they prefer to read, watch, or listen? Concentrate on choosing the right platform for your audience. Engaging content on the right platform is more likely to be noticed, read, and shared. Another way to increase visibility is to identify which websites your target audience visits. By collaborating with these websites, you can work with other businesses to connect with your audience.

If you need help converting your ideas into valuable content for journals or books, contact us!

Content writing refers to the creation of content that markets products or services. There are many different types of content writing, which include SEO writing, technical writing, scientific writing, business writing, instructional design, blogging, editorial writing, and copywriting. Content writers typically produce a high volume of work with tight deadlines. A content writer may write on a number of topics for various organizations in different fields. The content writer’s primary job is to create content that is engaging and SEO-friendly.

Content development refers to the strategy of creating user-focused content, images, and graphics. The content developer’s job is to ensure that the website attracts enough traffic. Possessing a strong knowledge of the audience may lead the content developer to become involved in marketing and advertising as well.

The three steps involved in effective content development are:

1. Research the market
2. Brainstorm ideas
3. Implementation

One thing to keep in mind is that it is vital to identify any legal threats or socio-political trends in the market. Content developers identify the right tools needed to produce effective content. Sometimes, outsourcing and joint ventures for certain tasks may be necessary. To remain effective and relevant, content may need to be reevaluated and changed as the market evolves.

Content enhancement is the improvement of existing web content through updates or addition of new content.

Adding new blogs or new content can augment the value of your existing content, enhance the website rankings, and also help in explaining your product or business more effectively. The quality of content in your website can be enhanced by increasing your keyword density, which in turn will result in better rankings. The density of keywords can be increased with regular blog postings that inform the readers about new trends, relevant business tips, and vital information on new products and services.

Content enhancement also finds applications in the education space. Instructors are able to teach their curriculum in a way that is easily understood and accessible to a large audience of students. Students become actively engaged, regardless of the variety of learning needs they may have. Content enhancement uses a number of tools to augment the learning capabilities of students.

The combination of content creation, development, and enhancement will help to add value to web content, providing a competitive advantage.

Lapiz partners with a variety of universities, corporations, training providers, and publishers in writing, developing, and enhancing content. Contact us with your requirements!

With our network of industry experts, Lapiz is ready to assist you with the following types of writing:

• Journals
• Abstracts
• Technical Writing
• Medical Grant Writing
• Brochures
• Blogs
• Infographics

The writing style is a style adopted by a writer to effectively convey the required information to the audience. Style is all about how the author explains the ideas, events, and the subject. The style to which the author adheres makes the writing unique.

The choice of vocabulary, sentence variation, sentence structure, tone, and overall voice play a critical role in defining the writing style.

Writing style can be categorized into the following four types:

• Expository writing
• Descriptive writing
• Persuasive writing
• Narrative writing

Each style has its own unique characteristics.

Expository writing is a common type of writing with the primary purpose of explaining concepts and information, along with relevant supporting details. Key traits of expository writing include:

• Clear organization
• Concepts described thoroughly
• Only objective facts included
• No author bias about the topic introduced

An expository writing style is most commonly found in textbooks, cookbooks, technical writing, instructional manuals, business writing, and news stories.

Descriptive writing is another common type of writing with the purpose of entertaining the audience. Key traits of descriptive writing include:

• Events often described metaphorically or with the use of other literary devices
• Inclusion of many adjectives and adverbs
• Evokes the use of all five senses
• Enables the reader to grasp the beauty of the language through word choice and overall style

Descriptive writing is most often employed in fiction genres, such as poetry, novels, and short stories, and can also be found in magazines and diaries.

Persuasive writing is a clear yet purposeful way of writing with the primary objective of convincing a reader of a particular viewpoint. It is meant to influence the reader on an emotional or psychological level. Key traits of persuasive writing include:

• Slightly resembles expository writing but does not depend on the facts pertaining to the subject
• Writer’s opinions and views are included
• Clearly argues a point of view or conveys a particular perspective
• Provides justification and logic as the proof of the accuracy of the argument presented

Persuasive writing is most often used in scholarly articles, argumentative essays, advertisements, white papers, letters of recommendation, cover letters, reviews, and some editorial news articles.

Narrative writing is a common writing technique employed in both fiction and non-fiction works. It is similar to descriptive writing but not always written with the primary purpose of entertainment. Key traits of narrative writing include:

• Information is not conveyed in a blunt or straightforward way, but rather employs narrative structure and style, capturing the interests of the reader and immersing them in the storytelling elements
• Narration is vivid and detailed, allowing the reader to envision the characters, settings, and scenes being described
• Style can be altered according to the story or genre. For instance, in a thriller’s narrative style, precise, simple sentences and short paragraphs that are not dense help create suspense and increase the pacing.

Narrative writing is used in novels, epics, sagas, oral histories, short stories, and anecdotes.

Lapiz has authors and editors who are well-versed in various writing styles. Contact us with your requirements!

You already know that learning is the process of acquiring knowledge. However, learning is not confined only to classrooms or the educational curriculum. It is a lifelong process in which day-to-day routines and experiences impart knowledge. Effects of learning include:

• It alters the way one anticipates and perceives knowledge.
• It brings about changes in one’s perception and perspective.
• It brings forth an understanding that differs from traditional learning and is experiential in nature.

Long-lasting learning requires the skills of understanding, correlating ideas, linking prior and newly acquired knowledge, and analysis.

Many theories have been put forth to explain the manner in which people acquire knowledge.
These theories describe how information is obtained, processed, and retained.

Factors that influence learning are:

• Emotion
• Cognition
• Previous experiences
• Environment

Learning theories prescribe the procedure for effective learning. The three major learning theories are:

1. Behaviorism
2. Cognitivism
3. Constructivism

The theory of behaviorism is a learning theory based on noticeable behaviors that can be observed. It states that learning is simply acquiring new behaviors based on conditions that surround the learner. In behaviorism, the learner depends on the trainer in order to acquire knowledge.

Operant conditioning is defined as the process in which behavior is modified either by a positive or by a negative reinforcement. The acquisition of a new behavior is a consequence of operant conditioning.

For instance, a teacher rewards a student who secures good grades with a prize of candy. This encourages the student to perform well. In this scenario, the intention of reinforcement is to enhance the behavior.

One drawback of behaviorism is that it does not impart the ability to use imagination or to employ problem-solving strategies. It prepares the learner only to perform the task given to him/her.

The theory of cognitivism is a learning theory that highlights human intelligence as the distinct quality. It states that this attribute is the reason behind humans obtaining knowledge and formulating hypotheses.

Components that are involved in cognitivism include:

• Memory
• Problem-solving ability
• Interpreting skills
• Learning
• Intelligence

Learning within the framework of cognitivism is considered an alteration in knowledge, which is stored in the memory and not confined only to behavioral changes. Cognitivism develops in response to behavioral modifications.

This theory stresses that the role of the trainer is to identify the previous knowledge obtained by the learner. This enables the trainer to guide the learner accordingly. A pre-assessment can be used to define the most appropriate learning procedure for each learner.

Practices in which cognitivism finds applications include:

• Discussion
• Classification of information
• Mnemonics
• Connecting concepts

One drawback to the cognitive approach is that it disregards other factors that are known to influence behavior and implements a narrow focus.

The theory of constructivism is a learning theory built on the idea that humans construct knowledge out of preexisting information, previous experiences, and perceptions.

According to constructivism, learning is the process of modifying the mental framework to house new experiences.

It is vital for learners to possess a foundation of knowledge in order to understand and generate ideas. Constructivism prepares the learners to develop problem-solving skills on their own.

Practices in which constructivism finds applications include:

• Research projects
• Teamwork
• Problem-based learning
• Discovery learning

One drawback to the constructivist approach is because the learner builds knowledge independently, it is not possible to anticipate the consequences of constructivism, and thus, it does not suit outcomes that need to be consistent.

Lapiz excels in creating products centered around different learning theories. Contact us to learn more!

Public Knowledge Project (PKP) is a collaboration among various universities to develop open source software to improve the standard of scholarly publishing and to provide access to academic articles in a more efficient way.

PKP found implementation as early as 1998 by John Willinsky at the University of British Columbia. The main intention at the time was to retrieve information from sources that existed beyond the conventional environment and to boost access to academic research.

Soon, PKP expanded its reach to related areas, such as publishing, and found ways to make it more cost-efficient by reducing dependence on paid sources.

Over the years, PKP has achieved various milestones, such as collaborating with Stanford University and establishing partnerships for development with several other institutions. Additionally, the PKP Preservation Network was launched to maintain Open Journal Systems (OJS) digitally, and a PKP Index for maintaining articles, books, and conference proceedings online.

PKP maintains different types of software to manage journals, workflows in editing, scholarly conferences, and research. Some examples include:

1. Open Journal System
2. Open Monograph Press
3. Open Conference Systems
4. Open Harvester System

Open Journal System (OJS) is a journal management system to manage the launch of recently published journals. Journals that have been previously published and are committed to move to the open access sources can also utilize OJS.

This system allows editors to submit and manage content online, configure requirements, and also evaluate the process. Since OJS aids in various steps of journal submission like online publication and indexing of research, the quality of content improves significantly.

Open Monograph Press (OMP) is free software that aids in healthy editorial workflow management. It can also publish edited volumes, scholarly editions, and monographs in multiple formats.

OMP can handle edited volumes of various authors and generate article libraries for submissions. It can also engage authors, editors, reviewers, and indexers in the production process.

Open Conference Systems (OCS) is an open source publishing tool that can be used to create scholarly conference websites. It can also accept academic papers online, along with abstract submissions. Participants can register online, and after the conference, online discussions can be initiated using this tool.

Open Harvester System (OHS) is an indexing software used to categorize freely available metadata that could assist in expansion of research and also aid in collection of research information.

This software also permits creation of a searchable index from websites that are Open Archives Initiative (OAI) compliant.

The various services offered by PKP include:

PKP Index database uses PKP’s free software applications like OJS, OMP, and OCS. There are more than 600,000 records from approximately 2,600 publications in this database.

PKP Preservation Network maintains the OJS journals that have put up a minimum of one article digitally. It also permits the journals to be included by activating a plug-in.

Open typesetting stack is a service that converts Word and PDF documents into eye-catching HTML and ePub views. This service greatly reduces the effort in typesetting and helps in the creation of user-friendly formats.

Crossref, a collaborative service between PKP and Crossref, aims to provide better services to publishers.

Article Level Metrics is a relatively new service that is still in progress and currently offers a limited beta mode version to select users within the OJS community.

PKP Publishing Services has been in business for the last 10 years and offers services such as journal hosting, conference hosting, sponsored development, and PKP consulting.

Lapiz has been working with journal publishers for more than a decade and has experience in developing journal workflow management using PKP. Contact us for PKP consulting!

Developmental editing is an editing technique widely used by publishers in order to enhance the content and structure of a document. It can lead to a significant change and improvement of the content.

Developmental editing takes a lot of time and effort and can be quite expensive too, but it can be a worthwhile investment.

There are no set rules for developmental editing and the approach depends on the intuition and experience of the editor, along with the specific needs of the content.

One of the most important factors if you are an author is to ensure the personality and communication style of the editor you choose best matches you and your content’s needs. Since developmental editing is very subjective work, the suitability of the editor may vary from author to author.

One of the primary objectives of developmental editing is to eliminate inconsistencies in the tone and language of the content.

Developmental editing should not be confused with acquisition editing. Acquisition editors are involved in both editing and publishing tasks, while developmental editors are solely concerned with the editing process and spend more time with the authors/writers.

Sometimes, authors appoint freelance developmental editors or sometimes they themselves complete the task of developmental editing.

Successful authors are much closer to their developmental editors than to their copyeditors or proofreaders. One of the most important points to remember is that authors and developmental editors must work together as partners.

A developmental editor walks a tightrope when entering an author’s space and suggesting significant changes to the narrative, language, or descriptions present throughout the content.

An author invests a lot of time and effort while writing his/her content and naturally may find it difficult to significantly alter his/her work.

Developmental editing can be a smooth and beneficial process if both the author and editor are aligned in purpose and vision.

Developmental editors may propose changes in the language and writing style of the author. A good editor generates creative ideas that can make content interesting; for instance, incorporating specific events or characters that will enhance the story.

The feedback and suggestions given by a developmental editor are specific and focused. For example, a developmental editor wouldn’t simply say “the book is too wordy”; instead, he/she would specifically point out the place(s) where there is room to cut content or use a more economical expression to convey the same point.

As a best practice, a developmental editor makes changes to the author’s work using the Track Changes feature of Microsoft Word. The author can either accept or reject the changes, thus retaining control over his/her work.

Though developmental editors are not directly involved in marketing, they have a good sense of the current market trends. Being well-versed readers themselves, developmental editors can assist by incorporating the latest trends into the content.

A good editor also understands the needs and responses of specific demographics.

Lapiz excels in content refinement and developmental editing. Contact us for professional assistance.

If you are a first-time author, the whole process of editing can be overwhelming. Understanding the different types of edits can be just the beginning of a long process as you strive to make the most of your content.

There are many steps in editing, such as structural editing, developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading. Of these, the two editing techniques that are most often confused with one another are copyediting and proofreading. This is because some of the tasks in these editing steps overlap with one another. It is important to understand the difference.

Copyediting is primarily focused on a comprehensive edit of content and style, making corrections pertaining to grammar, spelling, punctuation, and tone, as well as checking for overall flow.

A copyeditor performs the following tasks:

• Makes sure that the text flows in a logical order
• Ensures that the sentences are simple and easy to understand
• Checks for sentence structure
• Checks for grammar, syntax, spelling, and punctuation mistakes
• Scrutinizes sentences for inconsistencies and errors in language
• Ensures that proper explanations and analyses are given for infographics, graphs, and tables
• Instructs the typesetter regarding the placement of graphs and tables

A copyeditor does not check for plagiarism, copyright issues, and provocative statements in the text. The responsibility of any wrongdoing lies entirely with the author and publisher.

When an author reads his/her own manuscript or document over and over, the familiarity with the content makes it easy to overlook typos, content errors, or any inconsistencies that exist. These inconsistencies could confuse the reader and need to be fixed.

A fresh pair of eyes with expertise in grammar can not only spot the glaring errors in the document but can also give shape to an article and help refine its content.

Proofreading is primarily focused on identifying typographic errors in content that has been typeset.

A proofreader makes formatting and spelling corrections before the document goes for mass printing. The proofreader checks for page breaks and the overall aesthetic look of the document. A proofreader will also ensure that letters, words, paragraphs, and pages have not been accidentally omitted.

The proofreading step is often skipped by authors who self-publish or who are on a budget. However, proofreading is almost always part of the production process of publishers involved with large-scale production.

Sometimes, authors and publishers combine both of these editing steps (copyediting and proofreading), citing constraints in budget and time. However, publishers who are meticulous about their work submit their content to both copyeditors and proofreaders, using separate entities for each task.

Lapiz has been offering proofreading and copyediting services to authors and publishers for more than a decade. Our editing services range from simple editing to complete rewriting of content.

Contact us for all of your editing requirements!

The research work of scholars is usually published in theses, books, or journal articles.
Scholarly journals contain mostly interdisciplinary content and the work can be published from various disciplines or sub-disciplines. Each discipline publishes entirely different articles.

Journals are known by these additional traits:

• A compilation of academic articles that are routinely published
• Serve as a means of communication, since research conclusions and any hypotheses derived by a researcher are submitted to the journals for review by other researchers around the globe
• Issued periodically and are helpful in perceiving the current trends in a particular subject

Articles written by authors can be classified into many types:

Original research contains all data pertaining to the research carried out by the author. Also known as an article, research, research article, or original article, this type is quite common. The format for research articles varies greatly depending on the discipline.

Methods or methodologies contain new experimental techniques, trials, or methods. This kind of article usually showcases the new version of present methodologies.

Case Studies include reports of unique discoveries or development. They help other researchers to understand the latest phenomena that may be occurring. They are usually used in the medical field; any emerging or unidentified pathological case is reported in a case study.

Review articles are written by pioneers in various disciplines following an invitation from the journal’s editor. They are hugely cited and read by scholars or researchers. Extensive research on a particular topic, along with its perspective and direction, is included in the review article.

Reports or letters contain brief data on original research. It is believed by the editors that the reports instigate certain interest in the research. These reports have critical time limits and follow article length limits as well.

When scholars review journal articles by checking their research and performing quality adherence before publication, the journal is called a peer-reviewed journal.

Peer-reviewed publications mean that scholars have scrutinized the journal or article for substance and standard. They are also sometimes referred to as “refereed” journals, as the scholars who review the journals judge the overall standard or quality of the article.

Citing peer-reviewed journals will typically aid in enhancing the quality of research on any given subject.

Identifying the correct journal where you can publish your article or research paper is important. First, determine the article type. Then, check your references used in researching your article. This may provide guidance on potential places to publish the journal article.

Opting for open access publishing is a great idea if you want the article to be available to everyone and cited more frequently.

Other tips on publishing your journal article include:

• Develop a catchy and appropriate title for the article in order to capture the reader’s attention.
• Summarize the full research for the abstract in about 200 words.
• The abstract, along with the title, should provide full information about the article to the readers.
• The language and style of the article should be consistent, and redundant words should be avoided.
• The journal articles are usually peer reviewed after they are submitted. If you receive any sort of criticism from your peer editors, you should correct the articles accordingly prior to submitting them.

Lapiz offers assistance to authors and publishers in writing journal content, proofreading, copyediting, enhancing the article, typesetting, and assisting with a journal publishing workflow.

Contact us to learn more!

A journal is a compilation of articles that are published routinely throughout the year. They are made available to the audience in print format, online, or both.

Journals are categorized into three main types:

1. Scholarly journals
2. Trade publications
3. Popular magazines

Scholarly journals are written by those in the academic fields for educational purposes and are intended to communicate the research findings in a particular area of interest.
These journals are usually peer reviewed and meant for a narrow range of audiences, such as experts and scholars in a specific field.

The language and word choices employed in a scholarly journal are sophisticated with jargon specific to the field. Other attributes of scholarly journals include:

• Technical style of writing is a requisite.
• The articles involved in these journals are long and follow a specific pattern, containing an abstract, review of literature, the methodology used in the experimentation, and other key components.
• Citing references is mandatory and must follow an accepted style.
• These types of journals maintain a professional appearance and utilize graphical representations and/or charts.
• Scholarly journals are usually published quarterly.

When seeking scholarly journal publications, an academic press or any professional organization will be the source to publish these journals. Some examples are the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and Journal of Theoretical Biology.

Trade publications or professional magazines aim to communicate the latest trends, advancements, and current events in trade or other specialized professions.

These journals serve as a tool for advertising products and inform the reader about job openings, targeting professions of a specific group or trade. Other attributes of trade publications include:

• Peer reviewing process is usually not necessary.
  • Specific directories are available for checking whether the trade publication is peer reviewed or not.
• Covers of trade publications are designed to create an eye-catching display of colors and textures.
• These journals are usually written by business specialists or journalists, and the articles are moderate in length.
• The articles are not structured in a specific format, and technical writing involving more industry jargon is exhibited.
• The sources are not always cited in journals of this type.
• In general, trade journals are issued monthly, but weekly trade journals are also available.

These journals are usually published by trade associations or by a particular industry. Some examples are the American Bar Association (ABA) Journal and Publishers Weekly.

News, cover stories, opinions, sports, fashion, and other topics of general interest constitute the contents of popular magazines.

They are written with the goal of entertaining the audience; therefore, they are rich with eye-catching photos and illustrations. Other attributes of popular magazines include:

• They are well suited for advertising purposes.
• The articles included in these journals are short, following informal, conversational, or journalistic style of writing, and are drafted in such a way that they are easily understood by the general public.
• Journalists, freelance writers, and scholars contribute articles to popular magazines.
• Articles are not peer reviewed.
• The articles rarely cite sources.

Some examples of popular magazines are Time, National Geographic, and Scientific American.

Lapiz has authors and editors who are experienced with the various types of journals as well as knowledge of the guidelines required for publishing articles in different journals. Contact us with your requirements!

The structure of a journal article is variable and completely relies on the type of journal or the subject area involved. Regardless, all journal articles possess some standard components.

The front page of a journal contains the volume number and the year of publication. The issue number is mentioned in the cover page, as journals are periodically published reading materials.

The title presents itself as a representation of the entire content of the article. Therefore, the title is drafted in such a way that it exhibits the principal subject of the research study.

Following the title, information such as the author name and his/her affiliations is mentioned. Usually the first page of the article bears this information, though sometimes they are mentioned at the end of the article. The volume, issue, and the date of publication of the article is stated at the top of the first page.

The fundamental motive of the abstract is to provide the essence of the entire research work in a standard format summary. An abstract facilitates easy scrutiny of the contents of the article. Following a very specific pattern of writing, it is advised that an improperly formatted abstract will fail to reach the audience in an effective manner.

The introduction acts as the framework for the entire journal article. An introduction contains the background of the research, which lets the reader know why the research has been conducted and the prospects of the research. An introduction to an article also provides justification for the proposed hypothesis.

The Methods section of the journal article consists of the research protocol. The purpose of this section is to allow other researchers to replicate the work. The Methods section also allows the reader to evaluate the experimental procedure and to ascertain whether the author has implemented the correct procedure.

The data or the information derived as the outcome of the experimental protocol is displayed in the Results section. Full-length research articles exhibit only the observed data, as the intent is to let the data speak for itself.

The interpretation of the data is detailed in the Discussion section. The data supporting the hypothesis and other contradictions revolving around it are also discussed. In the end, the author provides information about the future scope of the research.

The purpose of this section is to acknowledge and thank people or organizations that helped to carry out the research work.

The References section is one of the most important components of the journal article. This section provides complete details of the articles cited in the text. The References section follows a particular format and includes the author name, title of the paper, the journal name, issue number, and the page number. The year in which the paper is published is also mentioned in each reference.

Lapiz has been working with authors and journal publishers involved in writing journal articles, abstracts, and journal digests for more than a decade. Contact us to learn more about our service offerings!

Every author would like to see his/her article published in a renowned journal; however, this is not an easy task, especially for those inexperienced in the process.

Journal publishing is a time-intensive and meticulous task, and journal publishers around the world set high standards when deciding whether to publish an author’s research article. As a first-time author, both the publisher’s strict guidelines regarding quality, as well as the complicated journal publishing process, can feel daunting.

At Lapiz, we are here to guide and assist you through each step of the publishing process, making it as smooth and seamless as possible.

The types of research articles are varied, and can include:

• Review papers, which provide a summary of current advances in a particular field or topic
• Full research articles
• Letters
• Brief communications describing important developments and research in a particular field

If you are uncertain about which type of article you would like to publish, it may be helpful to request assistance from your colleagues.

It is vital that you first identify the appropriate journal that would be the best fit for your article. Choosing the right journal also makes it easier to target the correct audience.

It is often best to decide on the specific journal you want to target even before you begin writing.

Consider the following points:

• Choose a journal that matches the level, topic, and scope of your article.
• Check that the journal’s editorial board has reputable members in the field.
• Ensure that the journal is well-known in its particular field.
• Ensure that your institution doesn’t have rules against publishing in certain journals.
• Be sure that your submission satisfies all of the guidelines specified by the journal.
• Review the acceptance rate of articles in the journal of your choice.

Note that formatting, style, and referencing guidelines will likely vary from journal to journal.

There are a number of journal-finding tools available that leverage technology to locate the most appropriate journals for your article. These tools include the Edanz Journal Selector (Beta), the Elsevier Journal Finder, the JSTOR Labs Text Analyzer (Beta), the Springer Journal Selector (Beta), the Directory of Nursing Journals, the PubMed PubReMiner, and the Journal/Author Name Estimator (JANE).

There are also a number of management systems available to help you organize your research papers, act as repositories that can store data, and help to make your research more accessible. A few examples of these software tools include Mendeley, Zotero, and Papers.

You will need to be sure that you submit your article to only ONE journal at a time. Almost all journals will ask you to submit a declaration stating that your article is not under review anywhere else.

Journal publishing houses have stringent guidelines that must be followed, as well as certain submission criteria that must be fulfilled. It is important that you don’t violate any of the journal submission guidelines required by the journal publisher.

Once you submit your article, the time-consuming process of the peer review begins. After the completion of the peer review, the journal will send you a formal letter in regard to its decision about whether or not to publish your article.

If your article has been accepted, Congratulations! If, however, the publisher declines to publish your article, you may feel disappointed. Just remember that rejection is a normal part of the process in the competitive world of journal publishing.

If your article is rejected, be sure that you capture any comments for improvement that are suggested by the reviewer. Incorporating these comments into your revision will help to enhance the quality of your article as you prepare to submit it to a different journal publisher. Remember, you will need to update the style and formatting of your article in order to meet the criteria of the new journal.

You can edit and format your article on your own or you may request assistance from the professional academic editors at Lapiz. For more information on getting help publishing your journal articles, contact us.

Developing good journal content can be relatively easy and straightforward if you follow the proper steps. All you need to do is write a clear, structured, factually correct, and brief report on your chosen topic or research study. One note to remember is that the most valuable content is original content.

An essential step in developing good journal content is to do a lot of reading on the subject. Reading previously published literature could form the basis for writing a solid journal article. This is especially true in the case of research articles, where skipping this step can often result in repetitive work.

For some people, reading journal-related literature can feel tedious and time consuming. Reading a select number of articles in your field of study by scanning through abstracts in order to further narrow down the scope can result in considerable time savings.

One component you cannot ignore in any type of writing is the structure of your article. Your journal article needs to make a precise point and address a specific question. In the case of academic articles, ensure that your research paper has a solid framework and demonstrates a clear understanding of the core subject, makes a significant contribution to the field of study, and uses an appropriate methodology to draw conclusions.

Using an appropriate number of keywords also contributes to the development of successful journal content. When there are enough keywords in your content, it improves the chance of your article appearing in online search results. These keywords should be specific to your content and reveal your field or sub-field of study. You can include approximately six to eight keywords in the text following the abstract. In the case of academic articles, keywords lead a researcher to relevant articles that he or she may not read regularly.

Avoiding plagiarism is another vital component of developing good journal content. Sometimes, plagiarism happens when you skip the step of reading previously published literature. But often, you are so pressed for time that you may be tempted to take the easy route. Although it may be simple to find content that is relevant, remember it is even easier to be scrutinized for plagiarism, leading to a damaged reputation and loss of credibility with your peers and readers.

Please note the following important points about plagiarism:

• Publishers are well equipped with tools to detect plagiarism, and the consequences of plagiarism can affect your credibility forever.
• Usually, a well-written journal article goes through multiple drafts before it is submitted for final publication.
  • Write a quick outline of your first draft.
  • In the second draft, concentrate on the flow and logic of your writing by moving around paragraphs within the article.
  • In the next draft, make every effort to enhance the readability of the article, which could involve editing as well.
  • The final draft should be detailed with focus on the core subject and proofreading.

In the case of academic articles, you should pay close attention to accurate referencing and the numbering of tables or figures, and also adhere to all of the technical requirements as described in the template provided by the journal publisher.

Lapiz assists authors in developing a research draft. Do you need assistance in developing your journal content? If so, contact us.

You know that a journal is a collection of articles that are published at regular intervals. Usually, articles in journals are written by people with expertise in a particular field.

There are different types of journals/platforms for publishing your work. Depending on your expertise and your background, you will determine which platform is best suited for your content.

Academic/Scholarly Journals: Research articles that are for some type of academic community. They are usually available in libraries and subscription-based databases.

Newspapers: Periodic publication that prints news related to current affairs, politics, business, leisure, and sports on a daily or weekly basis. Easily accessible to the public and available from newsagents.

Trade Journals: Give information on industry trends, new techniques, or products. Provide practical information targeting a particular business. Generally available to people with certain trade or professional memberships.

Current Affairs/Opinion Magazines: Detailed articles that may take a political or philosophical stance. Available at university libraries and public libraries, and sometimes from newsagents.

Popular Magazines: Mostly focus on a particular subject, but can cover a wide range of subjects as well. Easily accessible to the public, and available in supermarkets and from newsagents.

The first and most important step when writing a successful journal article is to collect all of the material you need for publishing the work. The research for writing a journal article starts well in advance of the actual article writing. Research for writing a journal article varies for different types of journals.

Here are a few broad guidelines on what and where to search during the writing process.

• Scan through journals in your field of specialization and narrow your focus to a few that satisfy your needs.
• Read the abstracts of the articles in the journals and analyze the rationale for research.
• Examine if there is any new input and determine whether or not you can build a similar case or foundation from the work you did.
• Carefully go through the entire text of the articles and determine whether there is any specific writing genre that can be identified.
• Search for different types of journal articles and various types of structures that have been used. This will help you to decide on the basic structure that can be used for your journal article and choose the sources that can be used for citations.

There is a general lack of awareness in regard to the web-based options available for performing research. These options could change the way research is conducted, as there are exclusive social networking sites available for research as well as tools to support it:

• Certain sites like Connected Researchers provide a comprehensive list of digital tools that give access to a wide range of the latest research articles.
• Several tools on the Web can help you find articles on a particular topic. There are a number of websites like ERIC, Academia.edu, and Ingenta that contain a number of publications from various fields. A simple keyword search on some of these sites can help you find articles of interest.
• Universities and libraries are also good sources of information; for example, the Murdoch University Library has tools like Findit that allow you to explore the library’s entire collection. It also has a feature where articles are categorized based on various topics, and searches can be performed on the databases.
• Consider utilizing free bibliography and citation creators like BibMe.
• Save the journal articles you read in reference management systems such as Endnote, Mendeley, or Zotero. These tools can help you keep track of all papers related to your research.
• Finally, you can also use reference management systems to handle your citations and create reference lists.

Lapiz assists authors in developing research drafts. Do you need assistance in developing your journal content? If so, contact us.

The process of writing a journal article begins when a researcher completes a project and intends to publish it in a journal. The structure and logical flow are very crucial aspects of a successful journal article.

When writing a journal article, it is important to keep in mind its structure and essential components.

This important aspect of a journal article should not be ignored.

Your title should be attention-grabbing and specific to the article.

An ideal title should be short and should contain relevant keywords so that the article will appear in database searches.

The author of a journal article is someone who is able to explain his/her work and answer all questions related to the research. However, the rules regarding authorship may differ based on the field of study.

The abstract, like the title, is an important component of a research article, which persuades the researcher to read further.

The abstract must contain a summary of the background information of the study, the methodology used, the results, and the final interpretation.

The length of the abstract typically varies from 150 to 300 words.

The objective of writing an introduction is to explain the background of the research.

An introduction generally describes the objective of the study, gaps in the area of study, problems presented, and the status of the problem after the completion of the study.

Introductions are generally written in past tense with respect to the author’s work, while the remainder of the content is written in present tense.

Introductions are typically no longer than 500 words.

This section allows the reader to assess the techniques used by the researchers. If presented effectively, the methods and materials section should enable the reader to repeat the study.

The approach to this section should be a detailed, descriptive account of the study, giving the reader a step-by-step record of how data was collected, why it was collected, which methods were used, and why these specific techniques were employed.

Often the shortest section of an article, the results section contains data from the study. Interpretations of the results section are reserved for the discussion section. However, in small research articles, the results and discussion sections are combined.

This section provides a reasonable interpretation of the results and their impact on the field of study. The discussion section consists of a synopsis of the conclusions, information that links findings with the results of other studies, exceptions in findings in comparison with existing literature, and implications of the study.

Discussions are typically lengthy, consisting of up to 1500 words.

It is only natural that organizations and people whose work has been referenced or mentioned in your article should be thanked. The acknowledgments section is the place to provide those names and organizations.

The references section includes articles directly referenced in the content. Generally, this section concludes the research paper.

The structure detailed previously is the preferred order or flow of a journal article, however, during the writing process, the same order need not necessarily be followed. Authors often write the sections they find easier to complete first and then work on the more complicated or time-consuming sections later on.

Lapiz assists authors in preparing journal articles; focusing on everything from content research, writing articles or journals, language editing, and simple edits to substantial rewriting. Contact us to learn more about our service offerings!

When you submit an article to any journal, it is integral to follow a set of rules to meet the requirements of the journal. Following the journal’s requirements will expedite the process of submission.

Following the requirements will also ease the process of editing, since editors will not have to complete multiple rounds of editing and formatting.

As an author, when you format your manuscript, you may wish to include the materials that the journal demands in order to avoid rewriting or adding content later.

The time it takes to publish your article is greatly reduced when your manuscript is formatted properly according to the specifications of the desired journal.

When the information on the title page, structure of the abstract, and references do not match the journal-formatting criteria, the manuscript is usually returned to the author.

The revised materials will then need to be reviewed, and this might add weeks to the overall process between manuscript submission and ultimate publication.

Remember to identify your target journal before writing your manuscript. Once you identify the desired journal, you can find the formatting requirements on the journal’s website. Performing preliminary research will ensure that you don’t waste your time and do not have to reformat the manuscript after it is written. Publishing houses will each follow their own set of rules and regulations for formatting. Formatting requirements may vary from one journal to another.

If a journal does not mention any particular requirements for the format, it is best to maintain consistency in language and style throughout your article. Generally accepted standards include size 12 font, Times New Roman, a one-inch margin, and double-spaced formatting. At the start of each paragraph, always provide a half-inch indentation.

As a reminder, adhere to the following structure and components:

The Title of your journal should be concise and should convey the main topic. It should also accentuate the key area of your research.

Your study’s background data, along with proper citations, should be given in the Introduction.

In the Materials and Methods section, you should inform the readers about the research you have carried out, describing the methods used in your study. Remember to use the past tense, use appropriate subheadings, and provide all facts and statistical data.

Results should contain what you have learned in the study. Be sure all results of your study are listed out in a logical order.

In the Discussions and Conclusions section, talk about the result of your study and what can be inferred from it.

The Abstract and Keywords should explain what has been done in the study and the reasons for conducting it. The importance of the study and related results should be mentioned here.

Before submitting your manuscript, perform the following checks:

• Ensure that the title, manuscript, and abstract are within the given character limits.
• Double check that you have included all of the required sections.
• Make sure you have maintained consistency and adhered to the required language (UK or US) in your manuscript.
• Add all graphs and figures in the appropriate sections.
• Perform one last check of the guidelines of your target journal and review your manuscript to ensure that you have followed those rules.

Lapiz works closely with authors and publishers and assists them with a variety of formatting requirements. Contact us for any of your journal formatting needs.

Effective time management can improve the workflow in journal publishing. However, time never seems to be on the publisher’s side. Additionally, editors struggle with their own work schedules as they need to make time for their own manuscripts and peer reviews. Authors, too, find it difficult to balance competing priorities when it comes to manuscript review and publication.

So, what are the best practices to aid time management in journal publishing?

• Reviewing how clearly the instructions for submission have been stated
• Determine whether manuscripts are being assessed efficiently
• Evaluate whether the submission instructions are affecting the workflow

Lapiz works in a 24/7 environment to assist authors and publishers with publishing journal articles on time, every time. To learn how we can assist you, contact us!

An abstract is a brief but precise overview of a larger piece of work. In general, an abstract describes your article’s scope, objective, contents, methodology, findings, and conclusions. However, the contents of the abstract can vary across disciplines. While a scientific project gives importance to methodology, the abstract of a humanities work may emphasize the objective.

An abstract assists the reader in making a decision about whether a larger piece of work is of interest to them and gives the reader an idea about the focus of the study.

Another purpose of an abstract is that it helps large databases in indexing. An ideal abstract should contain keywords that facilitate a ranking in the search.

Usually, the author of the study writes his/her own abstract however, there are also professional service providers who can provide this service as well.

Descriptive and informative abstracts are the two most commonly used types.

1. A descriptive abstract is objective in nature and comprises the scope of research, purpose, and methods.
2. Informative abstracts include the conclusions and recommendations of the work in addition to the information found in descriptive abstracts.

It can be difficult to write an abstract of just 100 to 200 words when the source material is a lengthy thesis or research paper that you have worked on for months or even years. Keep in mind the following points:

An abstract should incorporate the most important information and also use keywords that reflect the content.

One commonly used technique to help write an abstract is through the use of reverse outlining. Reverse outlining involves writing a single sentence from each paragraph of the main text, then grouping the sentences together to form the central ideas of each section. You can further refine these central ideas to create the final abstract.

Another method is to select sentences from the larger work and then rework them to form a single-paragraph abstract. This method works well for research papers on social science topics.

If you are writing an abstract for someone else’s work, you need to understand the purpose, scope, and methodology. Be sure that you read the entire work and write the abstract without referring to it. Once you have written the paragraph, revisit the complete work and add any missing information, if needed.

The easiest way to check to see if you are writing an effective abstract is to find out if reading the abstract helps you to figure out if the subject matter is relevant to the reader or not.

The reader should be able to easily understand what your project is about and identify if it suits his/her needs.

When you write an abstract:

• Stop after every sentence and make sure you are providing a summary of the entire project.
• Maintain the same chronological order as in the larger text.
• Use simple words whenever possible. Use jargon only when addressing a specific audience with expertise in a particular field of study.
• Do not cut and paste information from the larger work into your abstract.
• Avoid the use of complex and compound sentences.
• Check with your supervisor or utilize professional help for clarity on usage of passive or active voice.
• Revise your abstract through multiple iterations.

Lapiz excels in writing abstracts and indexing in databases. Contact us for professional assistance.

Technical writing involves the documentation of any type of technical process and provides instructions and explanations to the user.

Technical reports are used in a wide range of industries—from biotech, aerospace, energy, manufacturing, engineering, IT, and finance to global supply chain.

Today, technical writing is no longer limited to the traditional definition of dense documentation and lengthy users manuals. It includes a wide range of documents, such as reports of day-to-day activities, technical articles, user-friendly instruction manuals, patents, and theses for academic purposes.

The objective of technical writing is very different from that of creative, academic, or business writing. Some of the factors to remember while writing a technical report are listed next.

Purpose: A technical document has a purpose; the basic purpose could be either to inform or to convince. Technical writing might explain something, describe why something was done, state a problem and find its solution, or report the results of a study.

Writing style: The writing should directly address the readers and the style should be adapted to suit the audience that is being targeted. The level of information communicated may vary, depending on the intended reader.

The writing style of a technical report should be objective and have a neutral tone. The writing should be straightforward and to the point.

In technical writing, the facts, results, theories, and calculations that are presented should be focused and precise. Technical writing should avoid the following:

• Do not offer opinions
• Do not deviate from the subject matter
• Avoid the use of first person pronouns (I, you, me, we, mine)
• Do not include personal names

Length of the report: The purpose of technical reports is to convey information that is useful to businesses or employees. Therefore, it is important to remain on topic and write only what is necessary. Every author should try to say what he/she wants to say, using a minimum number of words. Remember that people who read technical reports are always busy, so keeping the reports concise is key.

Relevancy: A technical document should be written in such a way that the information remains useful in the future. It should not be dated or written on subjects or circumstances that will soon be irrelevant. Write documents that will remain evergreen and that are not related to time so that they can be archived.

A relatively new term that has emerged is technical communication.

The primary objective of both technical writing and technical communication is to write a concise and structured report intended to help users achieve their respective objectives.

However, technical communication is used to refer to a number of newer disciplines and subject areas, such as document design, technical editing, instructional design, information design, training design, user experience design, and web design.

In technical writing, a complex concept is explained in simple and easily understandable words.

Lapiz offers technical writing services for a broad range of industries. Contact us to learn more about our service offerings!

Grants are funds distributed by the government, non-government organizations, foundations, or corporations to a beneficiary.

There are different types of grants, such as:

• Research grants
• Career development grants
• Education grants
• Resource/equipment grants
• Travel grants

Though grants and fellowships are often used interchangeably, one basic difference is that grants are awarded to research institutions, which in turn hand them out to the research team, while a fellowship is usually given to individual researchers or PhD students.

So, why write medical grants? Why is it important to hone your medical grant writing skills? If you refine your grant writing skills and your grant stands out from the crowd, then the chance of securing funds increases considerably.

With more and more researchers competing for limited funds, medical grant writing can be quite taxing, especially for first-time researchers. Gaining a competitive advantage through cultivating excellent grant-writing skills is imperative.

If you have a good research idea, you need to ensure the idea answers a specific research question.

Once you describe the research question, you may need to read all the literature available to ensure that your research question has not already been answered.

You will also need to get a clear understanding of what has already been published on your chosen topic. Only then will you be able to identify exactly what is needed in the area of research and modify your study based on existing research.

Identifying the appropriate funding agency for your project is imperative in order to increase the success of your medical grant. The potential funders could be government agencies, corporate foundations, or donors.

The following is a checklist to help you identify your potential funder:

• Ensure that your needs match with those of the funder.
• Consider the purpose of funding.
• Check the guidelines provided by the funding agency.
• Verify the time period for submission.
• Determine the amount that would be allocated to the researcher.
• Irrespective of your grant being reviewed or not, establish a communication channel with the collaborators.
• Determine the ideal way to start a communication.

A well-written medical grant is a vital tool that will assist you in securing funds. However, writing an effective grant requires certain skills. The writing needs to be technically sound with a style that is convincing.

Your writing needs to be clear and focused in order to be accepted by funding agencies. A clear vision, perseverance, and the ability to adapt to changes are some of the qualities that could increase your chances of getting funds.

Though it may appear to be trivial, do not forget to include the cover letter when applying for a medical grant.

Other tips to keep in mind:

• Write a proposal that is reader-friendly and contains an executive summary that clearly recapitulates the proposal.
• As in other forms of writing, it is advisable to write the executive summary at the end.
• Describe the objective of your study as well as define the problem.
• Address issues related to a community and describe the benefits to the community.
• Provide details of the geographic area, people who are affected, challenges involved, and how their lives could improve as a result of your research.

In short, a medical grant can be secured if you are good at marketing your idea to a potential funder, and the best way to sell your idea is to formulate a good research question and write a methodology that can persuade your reviewer.If you need help in writing medical grant proposals, contact us.

A brochure is a useful marketing tool to promote a product or service to potential customers.

Brochures can be handed out to people on a one-to-one basis, mailed, or kept at specific locations.

There are various types of brochures, and each one can have a unique design.

Usually brochures are designed to include photos, illustrations, and other infographics, which serve to make them attractive.

Some of the factors that influence a brochure’s design include:

• Target audience
• Content
• Circulation method
• Cost

Typically, brochures are printed on thick, glossy paper and can be classified based on their format, content, and distribution methods (mailers, e-brochures, etc.).

Based on the format, brochures are classified as:

• Bifold
• Trifold
• Flyers
• Folders
• Inserts
• Double gate-fold
• Roll-fold

The initial step in writing an effective brochure is to identify your audience and also determine the purpose of writing. A brochure can address different types of audiences, including potential customers, media, or simply a general audience.

The purpose of writing a brochure could range from offering an overview of products or services, answering frequently asked questions, or explaining the pros and cons of certain procedures.

Once these initial steps are completed, you can focus on creating the content of the brochure.

Doing appropriate preliminary research will help you create a brochure that is not only convincing but also appealing.

To write an effective brochure that is also informative, you need to collect as much information as possible regarding the content.

Gather information about competitors. Communicate with management or the person who assigned you the task of writing and check online to avoid repetition.

Accustom yourself to common facts and terminologies related to your brochure in order to aid the writing process.

Create an outline of what you want to include in terms of content, illustrations, infographics, and any other features.

After you create a sketch, make a rough draft of the content you want to incorporate. This will give you a clear idea of where you stand in terms of content availability.

Once you have identified the gaps in your writing, it becomes easier to add more relevant content or modify existing content.

More often, you will find that the rough draft is too long and that the content needs to be reorganized and rewritten for conciseness.

Remember that a brochure has size constraints when it comes to content and cannot cover all the information about a topic. Be brief and precise in your approach to content.

Decide on the pictures and graphics you would like to include in your brochure. Use bright colors that are attractive in order to make a visually appealing presentation. Further, ensure that your brochure has a catchy and polished headline, which should communicate the main idea of the content.

Other important tips for writing brochures include:

• Adding customer testimonials can increase the confidence of prospective customers about your services.
• You can also add a “call for action” line at the end of your brochure.
• Provide a phone number, website address, or email id so that people can easily get in touch.
• Proofread your brochure to eliminate any repetition.

Lapiz develops eye-catching brochures that convey the content and attract the right audience. Contact us to learn how we can be of assistance to you!

Copywriting is the art of writing for a promotional purpose.

Copywriting does not function as an isolated team, but rather works alongside other specialized teams, such as sales and search engine optimization (SEO) specialists. Advertisements, brochures, billboards, catalogs, and websites that we see on a daily basis are a few examples of copywriting.

Have you ever wondered how great copywriting is achieved?

The following details will reveal the secrets behind the art of copywriting.

Providing detail is the key to great copywriting. However, including details such as statistical data and extensive research on a topic might make the reader lose interest in the material.

The best solution to this problem is to tell a story. Providing details in the form of a story grabs the attention of the reader and keeps the reader engaged.

Here are some tips for creating a great story:

• Introduce a relatable character and begin by setting the scene in the character’s ordinary life.
• Next, introduce a conflict or problem and detail the major twists and turns that lead to further complications.
• Address the conflict and explain how the character strives to solve the problem. In order to make the story more interesting, employ the use of literary devices, such as dialogue.
• Ultimately, introduce the product and suggest the product as the solution to the conflict or complication.

Good quality content must be free of grammatical errors and should represent the company’s perspective. Its material should be tailored to the company’s audience. With these elements in place, the material can do more than simply entertain an audience.

SEO and content go hand in hand. It is important to include key phrases and to keep sentences short and precise. This accommodates a low reading level and targets audiences of all different categories. Another way to reach a larger audience is employ headers and sub-headers.

This overall approach enhances readability on all electronic devices, ranging from mobile phones to desktops.

Successful copywriting depends on choosing the right tone. The tone of the piece conveys the personality of the company or the brand. It is essential to provide a proper voice to the brand, as it gives an impression of authenticity and truthfulness.

A company might have several brands; each brand must have a tone of voice that suits it.

The tone of an individual brand is more likely to be tailored to the customer’s perspective, while a corporate tone is more likely to convey the values of the company.

The following are some tips for choosing the right tone for the correct brand:

• Identify the personality of the brand. For this, assign human traits to the brand and think from its perspective. Determine the importance and aspirations of the brand.
• Convert the personality traits into a tone/voice. It is essential to consider the vocabulary, grammar, and style.
• For brands like poo-pourri, a playful style of writing can be adopted, while the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) requires a serious and professional writing style.
• Create a tone of voice that varies and is customized according to the customer.

Lapiz has been working with many corporate brands for their copywriting requirements. Contact us for your needs!

Social media has been increasingly important over the last few years and has become a huge part of our day-to-day routine. Social media is an irresistible force, compelling people to become completely engaged in its diverse and entertaining content.

Social media is so influential that a simple tweet or a photo uploaded to Instagram can command the attention of millions of people around the globe.

The trends on social media are truly contagious.

One example of a viral manifestation of a social media trend came about a few years ago when the Ice Bucket Challenge phenomenon emerged. This challenge was aimed at collecting donations for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research and involved individuals dumping buckets of freezing ice and water over their heads. Eminent personalities, celebrities, and people all around the globe participated in the challenge and uploaded their videos performing the challenge. Quickly, the challenge went viral.

Here are some tips to create your own viral social media content:

• Create a great story to evoke the emotions of the audience. When the stories are heart-warming, people tend to share them with others.
• Create content that could capture other emotions of the audience, such as anger.
• Most social media users just skim through the content. Design and organize the content by adding powerful headlines and sub-headlines. Break the content into small paragraphs.
• People generally react to content that supports a cause, as they feel they are a part of a larger effort to aid a greater purpose.
• Non-profit and philanthropic organizations might find this particularly beneficial. Sharing is caring!

When a photo is uploaded to Instagram or a tweet composed on Twitter, one can see many hashtags below it.

Hashtags are words or a collection of words following the hash mark symbol: #. The word, which follows the hashtag, is recorded in the social media platform and becomes searchable by other users.

Hashtags establish connections and have been implemented in several scenarios to bring the audience who supports the cause together to engage in a larger discussion.

Many brands and companies use hashtags to market their brands and products.

Interested in starting a successful hashtag campaign? Here are some key points:

• Hashtags aid in engaging the readers with the content.
• With hashtags, it is easy to measure how interactive the posts are.
• Hook the content with some trending hashtags so that the content will be readily available to the audience.
• Do not overload the post with too many hashtags. Keep it simple.
• For long hashtags, try using uppercase for each word of the hashtag.

There are endless opportunities for the contents fed into social networks to fail abruptly and inadvertently. Thus, it is important to tread carefully when posting anything from your brand on social media platforms.

Consider the advertisement posted by Unilever’s Dove, which faced ample scrutiny back in October, 2017. The ad, part of its body wash campaign on Facebook, showed a dark-skinned woman taking off her shirt to reveal a light-skinned woman. This immediately went viral and people criticized the ad as being racist, which led the company to issue an apology. This is one example of how the contents placed on a social network platform failed.

On the other hand, sprinkling a bit of humor might help to keep your brand trending. The humorous tweets of Old Spice are still memorable. When someone tweeted on the Old Spice Twitter page, “Tell me you love me,” the sassy response the tweet received was, “Try Tinder!”

These alternate examples illustrate how much thought must be put into even a brief message conveyed across social media.

The social media team at Lapiz can help give thoughtful attention to your messaging, while building your company brand, managing posts, and redesigning your website and content to suit a variety of media. Contact us to learn how we can help!

When you surf the Internet, you probably come across countless blogs. You may have seen or heard about bloggers. So, what is a blog anyway?

“Blog” is the truncated word for weblog. A blog is a website where articles, images, and media files are organized in a reverse chronological manner. The new data is displayed at the top while the older entries are at the bottom.

Someone who manages a blog is a blogger and the blogger updates the blogs frequently. A blogger generally has a specific area of interest or message to convey.

Personal Blogs are like public diaries. The writer (blogger) writes passionately about his/her experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Personal blogs do not adhere to rules or themes. The bloggers write out of their personal interests or concerns, concentrating on a particular topic. The topic may be a hobby, a personal struggle, or anything that flashes into the blogger’s mind.

Business Blogs are created to help develop a business. These blogs are designed by companies with the intention of attracting customers.

Professional Blogs are created with the intent of generating revenue through blogging. Bloggers concentrate on a particular blog or many niche blogs. In order to earn money, they adopt strategies such as promoting products, selling ads, and creating digital products.

Niche Blogs concentrate on a specific topic, and the purpose and goals of the blog revolve around that particular topic. Such a blog provides an opportunity to transform one’s passion into a small business.

Reverse Blogs, also called guest host blogs, are special types of blogs wherein the public contributes the content. A group of people act as gatekeepers, as the content is poured in by the public, in order to prevent inappropriate content.

Media Blogs consist of videos, photos, art, and other visual content such as gameplay. Media blogs generally interest the younger generation, but they are also beneficial for professionals such as photographers.

Starting a blog may seem like a daunting task, but with proper guidance, it is actually quite simple. The following steps will guide you through creating a blog.

Determine your blog’s purpose: Recognize the need for the blog and create one. For example, if the blog is for an organization, it should have content related to products or services that the company offers.

Select the blogging platform: There are many blog-creating platforms like WordPress, Wix, and Blogger. Each has its own pros and cons, so choose the one that suits your needs the best.

Identify a host: For the blog to go online, it is necessary to identify a service to provide hosting online.

Choose a domain name: The domain name is the web address for the blog; create an account, then select a plan and payment options.

Design the blog and there it goes! Make some final refinements to the blog, including permalinks and username. With all these settings complete, the blog is ready to cruise online and attract an audience.

Lapiz assists individuals and companies in creating and maintaining their blogs. Contact us today!

Infographics convey a complete story to readers via images and text. They provide the readers with figures and facts, yet they simultaneously communicate the proposed story to the reader.

No matter how complex the information is, infographics break down all of the information and provide the message visually in an understandable and accessible way.

Using infographics employs a mixture of analysis, writing, and design, which conveys complex information to the readers in a simple, visual manner.

Infographics gained momentum in knowledge sharing only in the past decade. Compared to 2010, infographics attained an 800% increase in a search carried out in 2012. This surge illustrates the popularity and importance of infographics in today’s digital world.

Conveying key information in graphs, images, and charts makes infographics a great method of communicating data. Even complex data can be communicated efficiently using infographics.

Thirty percent of the human brain is used to process all sorts of visual data, whereas the senses of touch and hearing consume only 8% and 3%, respectively.

When you read a sentence, your brain does not process the sentence as quickly as it processes images. Since every letter in a sentence is a different symbol, the brain works extra hard to decipher each symbol for its meaning.

However, if images can provide the same context, then the images can be processed easily.

Therefore, if the data is represented in an image format, then the reader can more easily understand the data.

People can access all sorts of information online.

It has been stated that people read only 20% of most text they encounter on a daily basis and ignore the remaining 80%.

Because infographics are engaging and captivating, posting relevant images that best represent the data will have a better chance of commanding the reader’s attention. If information is presented in a visual format, such as an infographic, the reader will be more likely to retain and understand the majority of the information.

When an infographic combines a company’s logo with its brand, then the company can easily achieve brand awareness.

Be sure to attach all infographics to their respective links. The attractive and captivating nature of infographics ensures that they will have a wider reach.

Infographics are mostly shared on social networks due to their compelling visual format. Because people most frequently share information on social media, using an infographic helps to generate traffic to your website.

When infographics are shared, there is a chance of them going viral—and more people will get linked to your site. This makes search engines, such as Google, rank your page higher in the “Page Rank” algorithm. The SEO of your website will also be enhanced.

Infographics act as an effective tool in content marketing. The cost of content marketing is approximately 62% less compared to that of general marketing techniques when infographics are employed.

Finally, there is a threefold increase in lead generation possibilities when infographics are included.

Lapiz has designers who are experts at creating infographics. Contact us with your requirements!