A 27-year-old man has been arrested for suspected possession of cloned cards and equipment used for creating cloned cards. On Feb 7 (Tuesday), the police received a report that a cloned metal card was used to make a withdrawal at an automated teller machine (ATM). The name of the bank and other details were not disclosed. After follow-up investigations, Commercial Affairs Department officers determined the identity of the man and arrested him on Feb 16 (Thursday).
HE CLONED OVER 60 ORIGINAL PAYMENT CARDS
The police stated that the man is believed to have copied the card details from the magnetic stripes of more than sixty original payment cards. These details were later encoded into blank metal cards, which he had acquired online.
Moreover, he is also believed to have removed and transferred the Mastercard, Europay, and Visa chips to the blank metal cards. The police added that a laptop, blank metal cards, an engraving machine, a card encoder, two notebooks, a point-of-sale (POS) reader machine and some cloned metal payment cards were seized as case exhibits.
HE COULD FACE UP TO 15 YEARS JAIL TIME
An imprisonment term of up to five years, fine, or both could be sentenced to anyone found guilty of possessing machines and equipment, which are specifically designed or adapted for making any false instrument. Those found guilty of possessing a forged valuable security could face up to 15 years jail time or a fine.
POLICE INVESTIGATIONS ARE ONGOING
Details are being finalized as police investigations are ongoing. The police highlighted the importance of this matter as they take a serious view of any person who may have been involved in the production and possession of cloned payment cards. Perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
To protect yourself and your details from being copied, it is best not to share your card’s PIN to anyone. Additionally, you should avoid storing your card information on your phone. You can also set up a two-step authentication for online transactions. Stay vigilant!
When it comes to raising children, every parent is different, so it should come as no surprise that perspectives on parenting vary widely.
One topic that often sparks controversy is whether or not children are obligated to “pay back” their parents for raising them. The debate between those who believe that children owe their parents something for raising them and those who think such an obligation doesn’t exist has gone on for decades, and it’s unlikely to be resolved anytime soon.
But we will attempt to look at both sides of this heated argument so you can decide where you stand on the issue. If your opinion isn’t yet set in stone, keep reading to learn more.
Cultural and social expectations
The concept that children owe their parents something for raising them is deeply entrenched in several cultures, and it’s an expectation that can remain well into adulthood. Depending on the context, it’s usually expected in the form of financial support.
Many parents also rely on their children to care for them in old age as a way of showing gratitude for raising them. In some places, there may even be social pressure to do so, although certainly not every parent expects this from their children.
Ultimately, it’s important to recognize that every family is different and what works for one family might not work for another. Decisions about how to move forward should be made with mutual understanding and respect—not because of any pre-existing cultural or social expectations.
Financial obligations incurred by parents
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Raising a child is no small feat and oftentimes, it means taking on larger financial responsibilities that one may not have had pre-parenthood.
Thus, if your parents were able to afford to raise you and pay for your education and other expenses, chances are they had to incur some debt in the process. This debt isn’t yours—it belongs solely to your parents—so they should pay it off. You can support them by helping out financially if you want, but it’s not your responsibility to pay off these debts.
At the end of the day, children should never be held liable for their parent’s debts. Paying back your parents for raising you shouldn’t translate into taking on this responsibility. But if you do, it should come from a position of appreciation and love instead.
Future implications if children do not “owe” their parents
When it comes to the future, a lack of “payment” from adult children could lead to a need for more expansive social support programs.
Governments may have to step in to help those who are aging and may not have adequate savings available to them. This could be a huge financial undertaking and one that could lead to significant tax increases to keep such programs running.
Whatever stance you take on this debate, it is impossible to deny that it can have major implications for the future of how societies handle aging parents and how they are taken care of once they reach retirement age.
Possible alternative ways of expressing gratitude
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When it comes to paying back the love and effort your parents put into raising you, it can be difficult to quantify what that debt looks like.
While some may argue that financial compensation is the best way to show appreciation, it’s not the only option. Some alternative ways for children to express their gratitude for their parents include:
Small gifts or acts of reciprocity
If you’re looking for tangible ways of expressing gratitude, small gifts like flowers or chocolates, or acts of reciprocity such as helping with home repairs or taking them out on a special day can all be meaningful demonstrations of appreciation.
Expressing gratitude through words & writing
Sometimes, simple and heartfelt words of thankfulness can go a long way. Whether you choose to express it in person or through a letter or card, verbalizing your appreciation for your parents can be a good and often cost-free way of showing your gratitude.
Different children have different ways of expressing gratitude
Every child uniquely expresses their appreciation. Some children may prefer to help in practical ways while others might value verbal compliments more. Every child is different, so it’s best not to put too much pressure on them, but rather accept whatever form they use naturally.
At the end of the day, the love and care that goes into raising children are immeasurable, and there is no doubt that parents do an incredibly difficult job. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that children “owe” their parents anything in return. Parents love their children unconditionally and do their best to give them the resources and support they need to grow and thrive. Whether or not this comes with a debt that the child must repay is not something that can be answered definitively. What do you think?
Are you spending time crafting marketing emails that just aren’t getting the results you want? If so, it may be time to add a few new elements to your writing strategy.
When it comes to crafting great marketing emails that convert, there’s more at play than just killer copy. There are certain design elements, psychology tactics, and even the timing of your send that can make or break your email’s success.
In this article, we will show you how to write winning marketing emails that guarantee increased returns on investment (ROI). We will share our best tips for constructing marketing emails that engage readers and entice them to click on your call-to-actions (CTAs).
Writing an effective subject line for marketing emails
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Let’s be honest, you’re not the only one sending emails to your customers. That means your subject line has to be good enough to stand out in their inbox.
When it comes to writing effective subject lines for marketing emails, there are a few tried and true tactics that can help. First and foremost—keep it succinct.
You want readers to be able to get a sense of the content from just glancing at the subject line. Additionally, try incorporating personalization into your subject line—addressing the reader by name is proven to make them read further and stick around longer, increasing ROI. So, if you have the subscriber’s first name, make sure you use it!
Also, make sure you include context in your subject line to pique curiosity and motivate readers to engage with your email. Ask yourself: will readers know what my email is about just by reading the subject line? If not, you will need to provide some more information within the line itself.
Crafting your email body for maximum engagement
Once you have someone’s attention, the next step is to whet their appetite by giving a taste of what they can expect in the body of your email.
Keep it punchy and focused on addressing their needs; your reader should be able to quickly identify the benefits they can gain from reading further.
When crafting the body of your email, keep it brief yet detailed enough to provide the necessary information. Short and sweet wins non-converting subscribers. While there’s no exact word count that ensures success, aim for no longer than 150 words. This keeps your emails succinct and avoids overwhelming readers with too much information.
Use language that resonates with your ideal customer persona, focus on providing value, and pay attention to results by linking out or tracking clicks. Above all, make an effort to avoid typos and grammatical mistakes—these small things can make or break an email campaign.
Tips for creating more effective CTA buttons
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So, how do you make sure your CTAs stand out? Here are a few tips to get you started:
Start CTAs with a verb
Verbs help to guide your audience down the right path and make sure they know exactly what they should be doing! For example, you can use “Watch now” or “Learn more today”.
Use multiple CTAs
It’s not enough to just have one CTA button in place. You should aim for multiple CTAs, as this will give your readers more options and opportunities to act. Try one at the start of the email, then again at the end for good measure.
Keep CTA copy short and succinct
No one likes wading through paragraphs of copy when trying to navigate their way around an email. Keep it as concise as possible and make sure it’s actionable and informative enough so that it leaves no doubt as to what will happen when they click on it.
Use vibrant colors for CTA buttons
CTA buttons should stand out from the rest of your content. Choose bright colors that contrast against white backgrounds and draw attention. A customer’s eyes should effortlessly flow from the text of your email to the CTA button without skipping a beat!
Optimize the unsubscribe process
There are bound to be a few people on your contact list who decide your emails aren’t for them—and that’s okay. Make sure they have an easy way to unsubscribe by including an ‘unsubscribe’ button in a prominent spot at the bottom of all your emails. This will help keep maintain satisfaction from the user’s end. You never know when they might subscribe again.
Writing great marketing emails that generate leads is a skill set that takes practice. It’s important to understand the nuances of email design and its psychology to be successful in email marketing. While there’s no single formula for success, having a good understanding of your audience’s needs and crafting emails that deliver value and motivate them to take desired actions are key. By taking the time to create emails specifically tailored to your target audience and refining your email copywriting skills, you will be one step closer to achieving the ROI you seek for your campaigns.
Have you ever tried something new, only to beat yourself up for any little imperfection that was out of your control?
Perfectionism has a way of creeping up on us without us even realizing it. It starts slowly, but before you know it, you’re beating yourself up for every little mistake in what should be a fun and rewarding experience.
But it doesn’t have to stay that way. You can learn to let go of perfectionism and start embracing your imperfections instead.
Setting realistic expectations and goals
The truth is, perfectionism involves setting standards that are so high they either cannot be met or are only met with great difficulty—which can lead to us feeling stuck, inadequate, and unfulfilled.
Rather than trying to be perfect at something all the time, allow yourself to make missteps along the way and learn from them. Keep in mind that your journey is unique and there’s no need to rush when it comes to self-improvement.
Focus on creating realistic expectations and goals that factor in your strengths and limitations. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to keep pushing yourself forward, even if it’s just 1%.
Accepting and celebrating your imperfections
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You can’t always be perfect and productive, no matter how hard you try. In fact, over-exerting yourself to meet an ideal goal can often be counterproductive.
Recognize that while mistakes should be learned from, our imperfections do not need to be a source of frustration. Embracing our imperfections rather than trying to change them makes us less reactive and creates more space for self-acceptance.
Self-acceptance can lead to inner peace—it doesn’t mean you have to settle for the status quo, but simply acknowledge the unique combination of traits that make you who you are. With self-compassion, it is possible to see your own mistakes in a different light and accept yourself for all of your shortcomings.
Strategies to combat perfectionistic thoughts
Here are a few strategies to help combat your perfectionistic thoughts:
Focus on meaning over perfection
When you feel defeated for not doing something perfectly, remind yourself that the goal isn’t always about being flawless. Instead, focus on what brings meaning or beauty to your learning process.
Become aware of your perfectionist tendencies
Start by noticing the moments when you place expectations on yourself that are too high.
Pay attention to how these times make you feel and remind yourself that it’s alright to make mistakes. A mistake isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it’s more of an experience you can draw upon to help make the next project better than ever!
Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations
Before you start a project, remind yourself of your strengths and reassure yourself that everything is alright even if things don’t go as planned. Positive self-talk helps us manage our emotions and build our confidence.
Try writing out positive statements such as “I am allowed to make mistakes” or “I will get better slowly” and practice reciting them often. Allow yourself to rest in those gentle reminders and embrace them as truth instead of focusing on the mistakes or setbacks you perceive.
Pursuing perfectionism is a difficult habit to break, but it’s a necessary one if you want to get rid of the self-sabotage that comes with it. Instead of always pushing to perfect every single thing you do, start to appreciate your imperfections and the lessons they bring. Embrace the errors and the discomfort that goes hand in hand with learning new things. Celebrate your small wins, be kind to yourself, and practice self-compassion. After all, your imperfections are what make you unique and bring color and variety to the world.
Have you been thinking about creating short-form videos for your brand, but don’t know if it’s worth your time?
If so, then you haven’t heard of the fantastic benefits of producing quality videos that are sure to bring value to your business.
This article will help you understand why creating quality, short-form videos can be the right move for your brand. We will go over why it’s important and provide helpful tips on how to create quality, shareable video content.
We will also cover how to make the most of what you’ve produced and help you get the most out of your videos. So let’s get started! Here are all the great things about creating short-form videos for your business.
Why you should consider creating short-form videos
Are you looking for a way to drive engagement and lead generation?
Short-form videos could be the answer you’re looking for. This type of content ranks #1 for both lead generation and engagement, as it offers a way to reach and engage with audiences in an organic, consumable, and easily shareable format.
Moreover, short-form videos provide higher engagement with targeted audiences, particularly the younger generations. This is due to the bite-sized nature of the content—videos that are concisely packaged yet contain messages with emotional resonance have been proven to have higher shareability and viewing rates than longer-form pieces.
Marketers have invested more in short-form videos than any other content format in 2022—a trend that’s only likely to grow in popularity this year. Ultimately, if your goal is to grab attention quickly, then shorter videos can be more effective than longer ones. By considering creating quality short-form videos for your brand, you can increase leads and create more meaningful engagements with your target audience.
Ways to brainstorm for video ideas
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Here are a few tips to get your creative juices flowing:
Shoot video tutorials or do a product demonstration.
Produce teasers of where you’re going, what you’re filming, and how you set up.
Get behind-the-scenes visuals of your team in action or of the process of you creating your product.
If you have customers or clients, consider interviewing them about their experience with your brand or product.
Think about creating short videos of customer success stories, interviews with experts in the field, and webinars.
Ask your audience what they want to see from you and engage them in the video creation process.
How to produce a quality video on a budget
If you’re interested in giving short-form videos a try, but don’t have the budget, don’t worry! You can still make quality videos without breaking the bank.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Invest in the basics
Putting money into getting the basics right is essential to creating quality videos. Investing in a decent camera, microphone, and tripod will go a long way in ensuring that your video looks and sounds great. You should also include lighting equipment and other accessories if your budget allows it.
Understand the purpose of your video
Once you have the right basics, understand why you are creating your short-form video. Ask yourself what you want viewers to take away from your video. Being clear about why you are making this video will help guide you in making sure it follows through on its purpose.
Editing software
You don’t need expensive editing software to produce a decent-looking video if your basics are already covered. There are plenty of free or inexpensive editing options available that can help you get the job done well.
Tips to promote your videos and maximize reach
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Creating quality and engaging short-form videos can be just the thing to boost your brand’s reach, but you also need to apply best practices when it comes to promoting them.
Try these top tips:
Share it across your brand’s social media channels
Make sure you post your video on all the relevant social media channels that you’re active on. Cross-promote among your different channels and make sure to tag anyone featured in the video.
Boost it
Consider boosting or advertising your video on social media, so even more people see it beyond just those who follow you. You can target a set budget that won’t break the bank, depending on how popular you want it to be.
Optimize for search engines
When creating the content of the video and its title, don’t forget to include keywords that could make your videos easier to find when people search for terms related to them. This way, people who haven’t heard about you before still might come across them.
From informational videos to interviews and customer testimonials, short-form videos allow you to communicate with your audience in a whole new way. You can also maximize the ROI of your videos with the creative use of music and animation. Short-form videos offer brands a unique way to make an impression, get your brand’s message out there, and show off your personality. With a bit of practice, you can become a pro at creating quality short-form videos that will engage and bring in sales. Keep at it!
