Dear [FIRST.NAME],

Welcome to the iolo affiliate newsletter for July. In the last edition of the affiliate newsletter, we introduced you to an iolo.com article: "Have You Heard the Term "PUPs"? Here's What You Should Know About These Nuisance Apps":

In this edition of the newsletter we're going to cover the following items:

1. iolo.com Article; "Tips on Telework".

2. iolo's Massive 60% Off Work From Home Coupon!

3. High-converting Banner Set For System Mechanic Ultimate Defense.

4. Affiliate Masterclass; "What is BIMI and why should email marketers care?'"

Thanks for all that you do!

Regards,
iolo technologies Affiliate Program Team
affiliates@iolo.com

Please note: Feel free to use the copy/graphics below on your website/blog.

If you're fortunate enough to work from home during the crucial curve-flattening phase of the coronavirus, you'll undoubtedly notice some rules changes--some subtle, some not so subtle. To get the most out of your new status as a member of a distributed workforce, you may want to keep the following tips in mind.

Toward Better Online Meetings

In the new era of social distancing, here is a guide to making video calls more tolerable for you and your colleagues.

Video setup. Whichever software you are using, it's worth previewing your webcam. To see how you look on a PC, click Start, then Camera. Mac users, launch the Photo Booth app to check your picture. When framing the shot, choose a background that's simple, avoiding busy wallpaper patterns, views into other rooms, or clutter.

Lighting. Avoid sitting directly under a light source because it can throw ghoulish shadows under the eyes. Also keep direct light sources--whether from a lamp or a window--out of the shot: position the light source in front of or beside you.

The easiest way to achieve decent lighting is to put your computer on top of a stack of books so the camera is slightly higher than your head, and point it down into your eyes. Next place a lamp next to and slightly behind the computer to one side of your face. Place white paper or a white tablecloth on the table where you're sitting, keeping it out of frame. This will serve as a makeshift bounce card for the light and will make a surprising difference in the quality of the shot.

Audio. Choose a room with carpeting if possible, and close windows to muffle sound. Avoid laptop microphones if you can; headsets or tabletop external mics sound far better.

Don't forget to mute your mic before joining a call with multiple people. Unmute only when it's your turn to speak. A good headset can reduce background noise such as barking dogs and small children, but better still, the free app krisp.ai works as a “family noise” filter, claiming you won't need to mute yourself at all while listening to others speak.

Latency. Visit speedtest.net to check your internet speed. If it's below 20 megabits per second, chances are your video is going to look pixelated and have audio delays. Click here to discover ways System Mechanic's NetBooster feature can improve your internet speed.

Writing Matters More Now

In the new remote-work world, your written communications take on more importance. In particular, the tone of your emails may need some extra loving care, as they are largely supplanting face-to-face conversations in which tone is far easier to discern.

The guiding principle for a distributed workforce should be: Assume positive intent from others' written communications--i.e., try not to bristle too easily if something strikes you as coarsely stated. But also be conservative with your output--i.e., read what you've typed with an eye toward what might be read the wrong way.

In an email exchange, if you and a colleague seem to be talking past one another, occasionally things can go sideways quickly during an accelerated back-and-forth. In this case it's best to jump mediums and hop on a phone call to reset and defuse any tensions.

WFH FTW?

While it may seem at times to be a major contributor to cabin fever, there are unique advantages to working from home.

The extra importance of written communications described above is an opportunity to clarify what was decided during multi-person meetings by designating a note-taker. Many times in-person meetings can come and go without a clear understanding of next steps and designated “action items.” Telework can help sharpen and clarify decision-making and ensure all are on board.

Remote work can also alleviate in-person pressure to too quickly agree; it lets the introverts in the office mull over ideas and contribute more at their own pace.

Finally, there is the added benefit of being able to better control your workspace. As a member of a distributed team, you are a member of a pure meritocracy. Take a walk break, light a candle, do pushups at your desk--whatever helps you perform better. Your work output is paramount; no one cares anymore if you reheat fish in the microwave at lunchtime.

This article is part of a series on safeguarding and getting the most out of technology during the coronavirus.

To read more about what System Mechanic can do to keep your computers healthy, fast and safe, click here.

If you have any questions/comments on the above, please email us.

Sometimes it feels like this day will never come, but when the world fully opens back up after the Covid-19 pandemic, many parts of society, the economy, and the workplace will not be the same.
 
Currently, around 34 percent of US workers are estimated to be working from home. Many will not go back to the old ways of working. A survey of senior finance leaders by the research firm Gartner found that 74 percent of organizations plan to shift some employees to remote work permanently. Consulting company Global Workplace Analytics estimates that when the pandemic is over, 30 percent of the entire workforce will work from home at least a couple times a week. Before the pandemic, that number was in the low single digits.

So why is this figurative tectonic shift in working important to iolo and our valued affiliate partners? Simple. Technology, and most importantly software, is playing an ever-increasingly important role now that knowledge workers have familiarized themselves with its benefits! Video apps like Zoom and chat software like Slack now even carry over into their regular day-to-day life. They're not just for work!
 
iolo has seen a huge spike in sales since the Covid-19 pandemic gained traction, and people were forced to work from home. If you've got an important conference call to make, or you need your PC to be able to handle that huge PowerPoint presentation you've been working on, System Mechanic has you covered with tools like; NetBooster™, Program Accelerator™, Startup Optimizer™ and many more. (And if you switch to some PC gaming after you're done, again, System Mechanic ensures that your system delivers optimum performance). Then there's the issue of security. The Internet is a dangerous place. System Mechanic Ultimate Defense protects remote workers from the many risks out there. Who wants to explain to their manager that they have inadvertently let malware loose on their device(s) or, heaven forbid, the company's internal IT systems?
 
We strongly recommend that affiliates leverage the opportunity to spread the word about iolo's software -- how it's a perfect solution for remote workers. System Mechanic Ultimate Defense in particular. If nothing else, if their PC is working at optimum performance the faster they can get their work done and do something else that they’d (probably) much rather be doing!
 
To that end, through to October 5th, iolo is running a coupon that gives 60% off either; System Mechanic Ultimate Defense, System Mechanic Pro, or System Mechanic. The code is: workfromhome

Grab HTML code for the work from home coupon below.

If you have any questions/comments on the above, please email us.

Get 50% off iolo's System Mechanic® Ultimate Defense™; Total Performance, Protection & Privacy In One Convenient Interface.

Get 50% off System Mechanic 20 Pro, System Mechanic 20 or System Mechanic Business. Coupon code: AF50iolo

Get DriveScrubber® 3 for only $19.95 [normally $29.95]. Save $10

Get 50% off System Mechanic Business. Coupon code: SMB-50PT-PROMO