Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Content coordinator is human too

Let’s start it from a story. There was a king who wanted to create history by constructing a “Milk Pond”. Means, he wanted a pond where milk is available instead of water. Royal order was passed to all the people of the state to bring a glass of milk in the evening before the date of opening of the pond and to pour it there. Everyone thought other guys are bringing milk and my one glass of water does not make any difference. And, the result----there was no milk pond…

I realized the morale of the story when I was entrusted with handling a team of freelancers in the last company. There were times when we had to deliver the client in next one hour and all communication with the assigned writer happened to cease. Mobiles switched off and not available online. That situation prompted me to write a blog that will make life of both freelancers and freelance writing coordinators somehow easier. We as writers know it is our bread and butter. So can not we streamline the whole process for a better end?

Say A Flat No

As with every human being, freelance writers have personal life too. One of the writers with whom I was dealing told me one day---“I like flexible time schedule, that’s why I am freelancing and not in a regular job”. No doubt…she was right… but is not it our moral and professional responsibility that our flexibility does not hamper any organization’s growth? Only you know your personal conditions better. Hence, please say a flat NO if you feel that you can not complete the assignment within time. The work can be assigned to others.

Double checking costs few minutes

For writers, there write up is like own kid. If I am not sounding so traditional, it is really hard to find mistakes in own write up. But this creates whole lot of mess for the coordinator. To avoid it, please spare some minutes for revising the write up before sending it to the coordinator.

Divide your time and task

If available, take work from different niches. Believe me; it helps a lot in faster writing and adding variety to your write up. I have heard many people complaining writing on the same keywords again and again makes the whole process less interesting and invites unwarranted copyscape issues. If this is the case, you can devote 20 minutes daily to search and read different write ups on the same topic. After 10 days you will find, you have enough fresh ideas for at least next three months.

Read assignment mails properly

Before starting the work, writers should read the mail properly and immediately contact the coordinator. This helps a lot to avoid any sort of rewriting and reduces the chances of a fumbling client.

These are my personal observations…. Pardon me if you do not agree
Wishing you all the creativity and Skills
Parambrahma Tripathy

First published in http://blog.orangy.in/2009/11/content-coordinator-is-human-too.html

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Writing Sample-3 Short Term Car insurance

Short term car insurance policy aims at providing protection to people who are searching for an immediate and short-term coverage. This policy is generally required by people visiting UK and looking for insurance coverage of 1-28 days. This policy covers risks like accident, theft damage and other third party liabilities.

This policy indemnifies the Insured against liability at law for damages and claimants costs and expenses. This can cover risks related to death or bodily injury to any person and damage to property arising out of an accident. This policy further indemnifies the owner against third party injuries, losses and liabilities.

The premium amount varies from insurance company to company. However, the common factors that decide the amount of premium are potential risk, profile of the applicant (age, gender, place of living) and value of the car. Risk potential and premium value are directly proportional. It means higher the risk higher is the premium and vice versa. Minimum age requirement to buy this policy is 21 years.

Short term car insurance has several advantages. This insurance is a flat rate policy for a fixed period. Hence, by availing this policy you do not risk your “No claim” bonus. Processing of this policy is faster. You can get an instant cover with help of this policy. You can add another person to your existing short term car insurance policy too. Some insurance companies provide coverage to the insured with at other European Union countries during the period.

However, short term car insurance policies do not indemnify the insured in certain instances. Any loss or damage exceeding the insured amount is not borne by the company. If the loss is caused by a driver who has not attained complete driving license of the UK, the policy will not cover any loss. Depreciation costs are also excluded from coverage. Losses like punctures, damage to tyres, brake applications are also not covered.

Most of the leading insurance companies of UK are now providing short term car insurance policy. You can apply and purchase this policy online too. Online purchase helps you to avoid lengthy paper work and ensures faster processing.

Car Insurance 1 is a one-stop store to get the best short term car insurance policies in the UK. Along with giving you quotes of all leading insurance companies, Car Insurance 1 provides you real consumer reviews. This helps you to have a true picture of various insurance companies, their short term car insurance policies, advantages and disadvantages. You can compare short term car insurance quotes of different companies here and go for the insurer who matches to your need and budget.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Writing Sample 2-Unbound Growth Potentials for Indian Banking System

Banking sector has remained the backbone of Indian economy since independence. After the reformative measures of 1991, this industry has been undergoing major changes. Advent of hi-tech communication and information technology has facilitated growth in Internet banking, ATM Network, Electronic transfer of funds and quick dissemination of information between different branches. Marketing of banking services has undergone a sea change in the last decade. Marketing of banking services means organizing right activities and programmes to render right services to the right people at the right place, at the right time at the right price and with right communication and promotion facility.
There are some other factors which have catalysed the transformation. The entry of foreign banks and private sector banks has intensified the growth potentials in the Indian banking industry. Structural reforms have improved the health of Indian banking sector. The reforms include the enactment of the securitization Act to step up fast loan recoveries, establishment of professional asset reconstruction companies, initiatives on improving the pattern of recoveries from non-performing Assets (NPAs) and change on the basis of income recognition. These reforms have raised transparency and efficiency in the banking system.

The sudden swift in treasury income and smart loan recoveries has helped Indian Banks to have

record profitability. The following factors are likely to drive banking sector performance from in the coming years:

1. Credit growth likely to remain healthy at around 20-23% and deposit growth at 18% during the current five year plan.

2. The pressure on creating additional credit is now reduced. Banks can continue to cut deposit rates, the rate cut are likely to translate into better margins.

3. CASA ratios could stabilise and neutralise rate cut effects.

4. Non- interest income is likely to remain strong and third party product distribution is increasing.

5. Slowdown in retail credit, buoyant economy, rising wages and increased employment

opportunities provide a room for quality asset portfolio of banks.

The net non-performing loans to GDP have declined sharply to 1% in 2007 compared to 10.4% in 2002. A buoyant economy, higher profitability, and asset inflation will definitely strengthen balance sheet in the corporate sector and improve asset quality of the Indian financial and banking sector.

Writing Sample-1 Loan for Business: The Life Line of Growth

Expanding and taking business to the heights of success is a dream of every entrepreneur. At times, the entrepreneurs would require finance on an urgent basis to fuel this growth prospective. India is the developing one in the growth parameter and so is the Indian banking system. With the diversification of banking products specialised 'business credit', a unique lending facility for small and medium Businesses with minimal security has come into force. The available credit under these finance schemes can be extended up to Rs. 35 lakhs. No security pledging required for loans up to Rs. 15 lakhs and for higher loans amount the borrower has to provide only 25% margin in the form of a fixed deposit of the concerned bank.

These loans sometimes work like an overdraft and are available like a limit on the current account of the borrower. Interest is charged only on the actual amount utilised by the borrower. This credit comes with easy repayment options. The minimum amount due on the borrower every month is 5% of the outstanding balance. This amount can be withdrawn in the next month after deduction of interest. The documentation varies from loan plan to loan plan. In some loan plans you need to submit documents every month while some loan plans need one-time submission of the documents. The borrower can have the loan amount in his current account within days of the submission of complete documents and security margin, if applicable.

Some Indian banks offer loan for business up to a limit of Rs. 15 Lakhs in a completely unsecured manner. They require only 25% margin for above Rs. 15 Lakhs and up to Rs. 35 Lakhs. In such case the business loan facility is normally secured by the current assets of the borrower. Also a regular stock and book-debt statement needs to be given to banks on monthly basis for availing the desired cash in an uninterrupted manner. As long as the minimum amount due (5% of outstanding balance) is credited into the account on a monthly basis, the business loan offered by the Indian banks works exactly like an overdraft facility.

The loan for business can be utilised within days of approval of the application and submission of required documents by the borrower. However the interest calculation is somehow little bit confusing. In some loan plans the interest is calculated on daily balances while some charge interest on monthly basis on the actual amount utilised. The minimum amount due in case of many business loan plans is 5% of the outstanding or Rs. 1000, whichever is higher, is required to be credited to the account on a monthly basis. Repayment of the loan amount can be done with a cheque or cash deposit to the credit of the overdraft account.

With the loans for business the borrower receives an ATM card through which he can have round the clock, instant access to money by way of cash withdrawals across the country. The withdrawal amount is subject to the daily withdrawal limit per day on the ATM card. Terms and conditions for the issue / usage of the ATM card is done in accordance with the current account rules. Business loans are also open to firms and corporations to meet their operating expenses; to finance for capital expenditure / acquisition of fixed assets towards starting / expanding a business or industrial unit; and to swap existing high cost business debt from other bank / financial institution etc. Apart from providing the required bank can also issue letters of credit or can give a guarantee on behalf of the borrower to the suppliers, government departments for the procurement of goods and services on credit.

The Thakur Boy: MEET Mr. Thakur

The Thakur Boy: MEET Mr. Thakur

Sunday, September 6, 2009

How can an SEO consultant help your website?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the art of driving more traffic for your website. It is a long term process and SEO consultants ensure that your website has a healthy and sustainable growth.

Algorithms of search engines are highly confidential. No SEO consultant at any given period of time can claim that he/she has the complete idea regarding exact algorithm of any search engine. That is the reason why SEO consultants apply some trusted and tested techniques to boost rankings of your website. The techniques are

Creation of informative and keyword rich content

Content of the website needs to be informative, easy to understand and keyword rich. Search engines give more priority to websites whose content is regularly updated. SEO consultants ensure that content of your website is interactive and informative for both search engines and users.

Attractive design for your website

Design of your website creates the first impression regarding your product/service. SEO consultants are of the view that your site needs to be attractive and all major browsers compatible. It should not have broken links. The website must be easily navigable and fast-loading.

Targeting right keywords

Targeting the right keywords is one of the lifelines of search engine optimizations. SEO consultants choose keywords depending upon their competitiveness. While developing content for your website, they give priority to keyword density. Keyword density is nothing but the percentage of times a keyword or phrase appears on a web page/article compared to the total number of words on the page. For search engines, keyword density is a determining to decide whether a web page is relevant to a specified keyword or keyword phrase.

Link Building popularity

Links are the positive votes in favour of your website at web space. While assigning ranks to websites, search engine take link popularity as a crucial element. SEO consultants ensure that your website enjoys link building popularity and at the same time free from the impact of any bad neighborhood.


Search engine optimization efforts yield good results only when they are devoted within the ethical boundaries drawn by search engines. For this purpose, SEO consultants avoid black hat practices like spamming, hidden text and link harvesting.