With so much technology available, it can be tempting for kids to turn to screens for entertainment. However, there are many fun alternatives that can reduce your child's screen time. Here are six ideas for creative indoor activities that the whole family can enjoy. 1. Build Forts One of the most classic indoor activities, building forts, is a great way to keep kids entertained. All you need are some blankets and chairs to create a space that's all their own. Once the fort is built, they can use it to play, read, or even nap. 2. Have a Dance Party Get everyone up and moving with a dance party. Not only is it a great way to burn off energy, but it's also a lot of fun for kids. To get started, clear some space in an open room…

Every small business should at least consider video marketing. Videos are an incredibly popular form of consuming content. If you don’t create videos, you are missing out on a large segment of your potential audience. You can share your videos on your website, YouTube, and social media channels. But one of the challenges with video marketing is coming up with new ideas. After all, you want to continue creating content to attract more customers. The following video ideas will help you avoid running out of ideas for this part of your digital marketing—at least for the time being. 1. Tell Your Brand Story One of the most compelling types of videos to make is one about your brand story. This humanizes your small business, showing …

An increased loss in vision often sneaks up on someone. Like many others, you probably unconsciously compensate in ways like squinting or moving closer to something to read it. But as the effort to see becomes more noticeable or inconvenient, you may start wondering if you need glasses. Only an exam by an eye doctor can give you a definite answer. The exam usually starts with measuring how clearly you can see, and additional testing includes checking your peripheral vision and the overall health of your eyes. There are a few common indicators that often mean you should visit an eye doctor. Your Eyes Feel Strained Squinting or straining to see can overwork the muscles in your eyes. This muscle tension can be a source of frequen…

With new advances in technology, many industries are changing—including real estate. Even with all of these brand-new technologies, however, there are still reasons you should work with a real estate agent if you’re trying to find a home. It might seem like it’s easy to do your own home search. There are many real estate listing websites where you can browse properties like a catalog. Also, because of the broker fees, many individuals consider going it alone when trying to find a home. You should work with an agent because of the following reasons. Access to the MLS The MLS stands for multiple listing service. Only licensed real estate agents are allowed to view this database and interact with it. The MLS makes it much e…

It is important to stay vigilant of the condition and age of your roof to ensure that it is safe and secure. Many factors, such as weather damage and general wear and tear, can affect a roof's lifespan. To determine when it is time to replace your roof, consider the following factors. 1. Age The age of a roof can be one indicator that it is time to replace it. Most roofs have a lifespan of between 20 and 25 years, depending on the material and the quality of construction. If your roof is older than that, it may be time to consider a replacement. Moreover, if you are unsure of the age of your roof, a roofing professional can assess it and provide a more accurate estimate. 2. Shingles It is essential to check the condition of…

Winter driving can be hazardous when the weather conditions include ice, snow, or freezing rain. To prepare for winter driving conditions, it’s important to take a few safety precautions with your vehicle. 1. Inspect Your Tires A good place to start your preparations is by checking the condition of your tires. This includes checking your tread and your air pressure. Tire traction is extremely important in snowy and icy conditions, so you may want to get them rotated or replaced if needed. Additionally, maintaining the correct tire pressure can improve your handling in slippery situations. 2. Test Your Battery Another key thing to check before the weather gets too bad is your battery. Cold weather tends to put additional stra…

You may think that you need a high-quality camera to take photos for your business. The good news is that you don’t need to invest in a camera. As long as you have at least a mid-range smartphone, you can likely take very good pictures with it. If you have a high-end smartphone, there is no question about it. Your phone is more than capable of taking high-quality images that will catch your customers’ attention. But saying you can use your smartphone to take photos for digital marketing is one thing. Doing so well can be intimidating. The following tips will help you overcome that intimidation and take great photos. 1. Clean the Lens Before you do anything else, take a second to clean your smartphone’s lens. Given how mu…

Dental flossing is an essential part of a regular dental hygiene routine, but many people tend to skip it on a regular basis. However, flossing remains one of the best ways to remove food and plaque from between your teeth and promote good oral health. Let’s discuss the importance of flossing regularly in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums. 1. Prevent Gum Disease If you’ve ever avoided flossing by using the excuse that your gums hurt or bleed each time, it’s actually a sign that you need to floss more. The buildup of plaque and bacteria on your teeth can cause inflammation and irritation, which can cause your gums to bleed and lead to gum disease. Gum disease can damage your gum tissue and underlying bone, which may r…

Painting over dark walls with a lighter color is a common home improvement project that many people choose to do in their homes. It can seem daunting, but painting over dark walls doesn’t have to be hard. Let’s go over a few tips that will make this project a little easier. Gather the Best Tools When painting over a dark wall, you’ll want to make sure you have the best tools for the job. The right painting supplies can make a huge difference when tackling a project like this. For example, using a high-quality roller can result in thicker coverage and smoother application—saving you time and energy you might otherwise lose when using a low-quality roller. Prep Your Surface Prepping the wall(s) you’re about to prime…

If you are an avid reader, you likely enjoy spending as much quiet time as possible wrapped up in a good book. Reading doesn't have to be only a solitary pleasure, though. Starting a book club can be a great way to combine your love of reading with insightful social interaction. Here are some of the benefits of launching your own book club and tips for organizing one. 1. Book Clubs Help You Engage Deeper in Reading Those who read a lot often breeze through their reading material and quickly move on to the next book. If you start or join a book club, you get the opportunity to slow down and actually discuss the book with other people who are reading it. This also gives you the chance to get new perspectives that you hadn't conside…

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, it's important to seek professional help. But when it comes to choosing a mental health provider, there are a lot of factors to consider. Here are some important questions to ask when making your decision. 1. What are the provider's qualifications and experience in treating mental health conditions? When selecting a qualified provider to help treat mental health conditions, individuals should look for someone who is qualified and accredited. A qualified provider will have received an appropriate degree in the field, such as psychology or social work. They may also have additional related qualifications or certifications to prove their expertise in a certain specialty. A…

Google’s ranking algorithms have progressed significantly in the past few years. While it was possible to obtain high rankings for your content through strategic keyword placement and link building in the past, that’s no longer the case. They’re still crucial elements for any SEO strategy but Google now takes into account a lot more before deciding how to rank content on the results page. In recent years, the internet search giant has made a considerable shift to give more weight to the intent of the search. The simple way to understand search intent is to put yourself in the users' position. Consider all of the factors behind why they are making this search. Is it because they want to purchase a product or they just want to learn…

Sitting all day can build tension in the body. Not only can it cause physical health issues, but it can also affect people’s energy and level and mood. Increase Flexibility Through Stretching 1. Thoracic Extension The thoracic spine refers to the section of the upper back that sits between the cervical area of the neck and the lumbar spine. To use the stretch, clasp both hands behind the top of your head, and slowly, pull backward. This is a gentle stretch to help alleviate upper back and neck pain. 2. Back-bend For lower back pain in the lumbar spine, back-bend stretches can help. To ease spinal tension, stand with both feet together. Press your hands behind your hips, and gaze at the ceiling. As you exhale, slowly …

Humidifiers and dehumidifiers both control the level of humidity in your home. Specifically, humidifiers increase your humidity by putting more moisture in the air, while dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air to lower your humidity. Both can be incredibly useful tools to have in your home, especially if you live someplace where the humidity outside fluctuates. Here are just a few reasons why. Improve Your Health Having dry air in your home can cause issues such as dry skin, irritated eyes, a sore throat, and even irritated lungs. This is especially the case during the winter when the air becomes particularly dry, or if you live in a dry desert climate. Having a humidifier in your home can help alleviate many of these issues.…

This year (and every year) we are thankful for YOU!   Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at WhirLocal.

It's no secret that social media is a powerful tool for businesses. To capitalize on the potential of social media, many companies are hiring social media managers. If you're on the fence about whether or not to hire a social media manager for your company, below are some advantages that may help you make up your mind. 1. Develop and Implement a Social Media Strategy If you're unsure how to use social media to achieve your business goals, a social media manager can help. A good social media manager will work with you to develop a strategy that considers your business goals and target audience. They'll also create content to engage your target audience and promote your brand. A social media manager can also help you track the r…

It’s nearly Thanksgiving, which for many people means gathering together with family or friends, giving thanks, and sharing a meal. Thanksgiving also means Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday are just around the corner. This weekend of sales is a great way to further show thanks and appreciation for the small businesses we know, like, and trust. Let’s go over a few reasons why we should all #ShopSmall this holiday season and support our local small businesses. Why Shop at Small Businesses? When you think of a small business, what comes to mind? Do you picture the mom-and-pop bakery down your street? How about the friendly folks who run pop-up shops at weekly markets? Or perhaps you think of a local boutique th…

If your home has been damaged by a fire, flood, or other disasters, it's important to hire a restoration company as soon as possible. However, before you do that, there are some things you should consider. 1. What Is Their Experience? When looking for a restoration company, one of the first things you should consider is their experience. How long have they been in business? What kind of disasters have they dealt with in the past? Do they have experience dealing with your specific type of disaster? The more experience a restoration company has, the better. 2. What Is Their Reputation? Another thing to consider is the company's reputation. You can ask around for recommendations from friends or family, or you can read online revie…

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are a group of conditions that involve your jaw muscles and joints. TMJ disorders range in symptoms and severity, including jaw pain, earaches, headaches, or popping sensations when you open or close your mouth. Let’s go over the symptoms and potential causes of TMJ disorders, in addition to deciding when to see a doctor. What are TMJ Disorders? Your jaw has two temporomandibular joints that connect it to your skull—one on either side of your head. These joints are what allow you to open and close your jaw smoothly, along with your jaw muscles. TMJ disorders can disrupt this smooth movement and cause pain in your jaw joints or muscles. Symptoms TMJ disorders can cause a variety of…

November is "Adopt a Senior Pet Month" and the perfect time to celebrate older adoptees. Senior pets often spend more time in shelters than their younger counterparts, but many potential adopters don't realize the advantages of adopting older animals. Let's go over a few benefits! Yes, Older Dogs Learn New Tricks Focus is one of the main issues when humans train dogs. From there, simple repetition is all it takes to get a few lessons across. The issue is getting a young dog or cat to stay still long enough. Senior pets, on the other hand, have a better attention span. Older dogs actually can and do learn new tricks. Their mental stability is suited for learning new behaviors. Less Energy Is Required Having a young puppy or …

You know that having a blog on your small business website is a smart idea. After all, it helps with SEO and positions you as an industry expert. However, coming up with blog topics can be incredibly challenging. While you will likely be able to generate a dozen or more topics off the top of your head, you’ll eventually hit a roadblock. Luckily, there are plenty of great resources available. These give you enough ideas for your blog posts for the foreseeable future. Do an Online Search for Topics A simple starting point is to search online. Just enter the term “[Industry] blog topics.” You will likely find numerous lists with dozens of ideas. These topics will range from industry-specific blog posts, such as news stories in …