An article I wrote for a client

 [The following is an article I wrote for a client while working as a Content/Technical Writer for Flint Analytics in 2020]

5 Simple Tricks to Using HubSpot Automation Tools

HubSpot automation technology can simplify tasks and help you deliver content to your leads and customers at the right time. If you want to automate your communication with leads and prospects using personalized, well-timed emails, HubSpot workflows automate actions and business processes for multiple contacts at once.

5 tricks to make using HubSpot automation tools simple

The HubSpot workflow tool is automation beyond email that helps you scale your growth and spend less time on repetitive tasks. But sometimes the process can be complicated.

1. Form Submission Kickback Emails

How frustrating would it be if your customer downloaded an eBook, and then forgot where they stored the link to the PDF? Kickback emails solve that problem.

These kickback emails are also referred to as thank-you emails. Whenever a prospect, lead, or customer submits a form on a landing page, a kickback email should automatically be triggered.

Make the CTA clear in these automatic emails. Keep in mind that the CTA should link to the direct offer, not to the form. In these emails, simply thank the reader for their form submission, and give them what they requested, whether it be a link to the PDF of an eBook, instructions on how to activate their free trial, or a coupon.

According to HubSpot, you should try not to overcomplicate the appearance of these emails. The reader isn't looking for additional information, but rather the offer or content they are redeeming.

2. Schedule Follow-up Emails

You can add actions to your Hubspot workflow. Actions are individual functions that execute as part of a workflow, such as sending an email, adding a delay between actions, or setting a contact property value.

When it comes to these types of actions, you can set delays, use branching logic, or set lead nurturing or administrative actions. For example, you might have a workflow that delays two days after a contact enrolls before sending them an email.

3. Create a Smart List to Build an MQL

Building HubSpot smart lists that enroll members based on their conversions is another good trick. For instance, if someone downloads your eBook, it will add them to the Inbound Awareness conversions list. Anyone who converts on an interest offer is considered an MQL.

Build smart lists to collect a master list of all MQLs across all of your core offer funnels. That way, regardless of which "track" of nurturing a contact is in, an MQL master list built on Lifecycle

stage will allow you to see how many MQL's you have converted in your marketing. This can be repeated for all lifecycle stages.

A simple workflow can be triggered whenever a contact is added to the Interest stage identifier list for the first time to have their Lifecycle stage automatically set to MQL.

Segmenting leads while building lists and workflows in HubSpot can get confusing and complex really fast. The trick is to build a funnel diagram you can make your lists and workflows match. It gives you a visual to help interpret the necessary logic inside of HubSpot.

4. Test Your Workflow

It is important to send test emails by enrolling yourself as a test contact. Testing could help you identify an issue with your delays, personalization, or possibly a type of email that you are sending.

5. Use if/then Branches in Workflows

You direct enrolled objects down one path or another based on set if/then conditions. One trick is to add a delay before your branch to ensure that your customers have time to engage with your content. This works well if your branch criteria are based on a contact or associated contact engaging with content in a previous action in the workflow (e.g., contacts opening a marketing email sent in a previous action).

It is important to note that in contact-based workflows, you can add up to 19 if/then branch levels. When you attempt to add more than 10 if/then branches, a warning message will appear, advising you to streamline your workflow by enrolling contacts into another workflow. Also, you may see degraded performance when you have more than 19 branch levels in company, deal, quote, and ticket-based workflows.

Meticulosity is a HubSpot Platinum Partner Agency

We can help you navigate HubSpot automation to meet your specific needs. As a HubSpot Partner, we have the expertise to help you grow your online business. Contact us today to learn more about our services and to schedule a free consultation.

An article I wrote for a client

  [The following is an article I wrote for a client while working as a Content/Technical Writer for Flint Analytics in 2021]

7 Classes of Forklifts In Indiana

Like most heavy machinery, forklifts are segmented into several different classes -- seven to be exact.  Knowing the differences between the seven classifications of forklifts in Indiana will help you make an informed decision when choosing a new forklift. It is also important to make sure your forklift operators are certified based on all the different classes of forklifts they will use. 

The 7 Forklift Classes

Forklift classes are based on usage, fuel type, location, terrain, and other features.

Class 1:  Electric Rider Forklifts

Electric rider forklifts are used in various places in Indiana such as loading docks and storage spaces. Since they are electric, these trucks do not have an impact on the environment. 

Powered by industrial batteries, these forklifts can use either cushion or pneumatic tires. They also control travel and hoist functions with transistor motor controllers. 

Class 2:  Electric Narrow Aisle Forklifts

These trucks are designed to navigate around narrow aisles and tight corners. As the name suggests, narrow aisle forklifts are used in warehouses or other places that have racks with close corners. 

Class 3:  Electric Hand And Hand-Rider Forklifts

These battery-powered lifts can be pushed, pulled, or otherwise moved by hand. The truck operator uses the controls located on the steering tiller to operate the forklift.  Motorized pallet jacks or burden movers are examples of a hand-rider forklift.

Class 4: Cushion Tires Internal Combustion Engine Forklifts

Diesel and propane forklifts are also classified by the types of tires they use. These trucks are primarily used indoors on smooth floors where they have an easier time navigating around racks or equipment. They ride lower to the ground than their pneumatic-tire counterparts, making them useful for low-clearance situations.

Class 5:  Pneumatic Tires Internal Combustion Engine Forklifts 

Pneumatic-tire trucks are larger and can be used indoors or outdoors in any condition.  Many forklifts with pneumatic tires work on rugged terrain or in large-capacity applications. 

Class 6:  Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tractors

Tow tractors allow efficient transport through your worksite.  They carry loads behind them through tight corners, up steep inclines, or over uneven surfaces.  Gas, propane, or diesel engines are generally used outdoors while electric-powered forklifts are usually reserved for indoor use.

Class 7:  Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks

Rough terrain forklifts are fitted with large pneumatic tires for outdoor use in uneven conditions like construction sites or gravel roads. They are most commonly used to lift and transport building materials around the job site.

Find the Forklift Model You Need at Tynan

From nimble narrow aisle forklifts to sturdy rough terrain trucks, our experts at Tynan can help you find the forklift class and model you need. Our service technicians can also quickly repair any class forklift to get your Indiana business up and running quickly.  Call us today!

An article I wrote for a client

 [The following is an article I wrote for a client while working as a Content/Technical Writer for Flint Analytics in 2021]

How Does Mental Health Affect Child Development?

As a child’s body develops, their brain is developing too. Just as the food your child eats lays the groundwork for their physical health, childhood experiences lay the foundation for mental health. During childhood, they learn how to relate to others and how to regulate their emotions. Any disruption in this developmental process can have consequences that may last a lifetime.

The construction of the human brain and mind begins at birth. Experiences are like bricks that form a structure in the mind. One by one these bricks form a sound foundation of mental health. Mental problems occur when an experience destabilizes that foundation. Many mental problems begin during childhood. 

How Emotional Experiences and Stressors Affect Child Development

Mental disorders can be categorized based on how a child responds to stress and trauma. A child’s first experiences happen with their family. Thus, any stress or trauma that occurs in the family can threaten a child’s mental health.

“Stress-inducing experiences early in life can lay an unstable foundation for mental health that endures well into the adult years. Toxic stress can damage brain architecture and increase the likelihood that significant mental health problems will emerge either quickly or years later.” (Harvard)

Toxic stress affects not only brain development and mental health but also other organ systems, school readiness, and academic achievement. 

The following toxic stressors threaten the psychological well-being of children: 

• The separation or divorce of parents.
• Persistent poverty or homelessness.
• The death of a close loved one or child friend.
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Chronic neglect
• Parent incarceration
• Domestic violence
• Parental mental disorders and/or substance abuse
• School bullying
• Experiencing racial, gender, sexuality, or religious discrimination.

Healthy family functioning, relationships, and interactions can reduce the risk of developing mental disorders. If reducing these stressors proves too difficult to overcome, this could be an indication that the family may require professional help.

Early Detection of Childhood Mental Disorders 

Children can suffer the same mental disorders as adults. Early detection is key because children can fully recover from mental health issues with appropriate intervention.

According to a Harvard study, these disorders can be difficult to detect because children process and react to stress and emotional experiences differently than adults. It is also difficult to distinguish between normal childhood behavior and symptoms of mental disturbance.

Parents and teachers are the first lines of defense. Therefore, they must be aware of the signs of mental health conditions.

10 Warning Signs of Common Child Mental Health Conditions

Children may react to stressors, such as those previously described, in a maladaptive manner characterized by the following warning signs:

1. Mood changes

Look for feelings of sadness, withdrawal, or severe mood swings that are causing relationship problems at home or school. Mood disorders such as Depression and Bipolar Disorder can cause a child to experience persistent feelings of sadness or extreme mood swings.

2. Intense feelings

Feelings of overwhelming fear for no reason may include a racing heartbeat or fast breathing.

If worries or fears are intense enough to interfere with daily life, this may indicate Anxiety Disorders such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Social Phobia, or Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

However, worrying and anxiety are normal experiences of childhood as children change from one developmental stage to the next.

3. Behavior changes

These include drastic changes in behavior or personality, as well as dangerous or out-of-control behavior. Fighting frequently, using weapons, and expressing a desire to hurt others are warning signs of Conduct Disorder.

4. Difficulty concentrating

Signs of trouble focusing or sitting still associated with poor performance in school may be a sign of Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This condition typically includes difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, or impulsive behavior.

5. Unexplained drastic weight loss

A sudden loss of appetite, frequent vomiting, preoccupation with food and weight, or use of laxatives might indicate an eating disorder such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Binge-Eating Disorder. These are serious, life-threatening conditions.

6. Physical symptoms

Unlike adults, children with a mental health condition might complain about headaches and stomachaches rather than specifically expressing sadness or anxiety.

7. Self-harm

A child who deliberately harms themselves by cutting or burning may be suffering from a mental health condition. In severe cases, children with this type of mental health condition may express suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide.

8. Substance use

Like adults, kids may use drugs or alcohol to cope with their feelings. This could easily turn into addiction in the absence of intervention.

9. Out of touch with reality

If it seems that your child is losing touch with reality, it may be a case of psychosis. Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that most often appears in the late teens and early 20s.

10. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

If you notice your baby’s ability to communicate and interact with others is unusual, it may be a sign of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a serious developmental disorder that appears in early childhood (usually before age 3). The symptoms can vary.

Again, it is important to note that children may display some of these behaviors as part of normal development. The key is to observe the behavior over time. If the behavior persists or worsens beyond two months and interferes with normal daily functioning, then it may be cause for concern.

What If Your Child Displays Signs of Mental Illness? 

Children sometimes behave differently in varying situations and with different people. Before judging the behavior you have observed, ask your child's teacher, close friends, loved ones, or other caregivers if they have noticed any changes in your child's behavior.

Approximately, 1 in 10 children and young people are affected by mental illness. Alarmingly, 70% of children and young people with a mental health issue have not had professional intervention.

Consult your pediatrician if you suspect your child may be suffering from a mental illness. Share this information with your child's doctor. If your doctor is concerned, they can refer you to a specialist.

What to do to ensure the mental health of your child

Caring for a child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health. Children need caregivers and guardians to ensure their well-being so they can develop into healthy, well-rounded adults who can cope with life’s stresses.

• Provide a balanced diet.
• Exercise with them regularly and let them play outdoors in the sun. Sunlight is essential to child development.
• Help your child adjust to changes in family circumstances, such as divorce or changing schools.
• Make your child feel loved and secure by regularly interacting with them in healthy ways and by providing a structured routine.

If you believe your child is experiencing a mental health issue, reach out to us. At Simple Intervention, our goal is to provide coordinated, supportive, responsive, and effective mental health services.