How to Scale a Business

When you “scale” a business, you commit to growing it. However, scaling requires more than simply increasing your customer base or sales. Instead, you need to proactively plan to handle the increased workload in a cost-efficient manner. Scaling requires a lot of planning, so don’t rush into the process.

EditSteps

EditGrowing Your Sales

1. Analyze your current sales. Look at what you’re selling each month and each year, on average. To scale the business, you’ll need to imagine your numbers doubling or tripling overnight.^[1] Work with your bookkeeper or accountant to get the most accurate information.
   
   • Hire an accountant if you don’t already have one. You can ask another business owner to recommend their accountant, or you can contact your state’s accounting society.
2. Focus on what you do best. To really grow, you need to stand out from the competition. Your current business might be doing all kinds of different things. Identify which one you do best.^[2] Your ability to effectively compete for clients will depend on identifying your strengths.
   
   • For example, you might run a day spa where you give massages, pedicures, and skin treatments. You might excel in one area, which can be the focus of your growth.
3. Create a sales growth forecast. Based on your current sales, estimate where you think you can be within the next year. Break down your forecast by customers, orders, and revenue. Also include a monthly forecast.^[3]
   
   • Sales forecasting is an art, not a science, and involves educated guessing.^[4] However, you can use your competitors as benchmarks. How large have they grown in a year? Did they double their sales? Triple? Or does your industry grow much more slowly?
4. Generate more leads. To grow, you need to find new customers. Study how your competitors find leads. Are they advertising on television or online? Consider the following methods of drawing eyeballs to your business:^[5]
   
   • Create a newsletter and have a sign-up box on your website. Put out a newsletter once a month or at least every quarter.
   • Start conversations with key people in your industry using social media. Twitter is a great way to connect. As they get to know you, they can sing your praises.
   • Reach out to the media. Don’t make a PR pitch, but tell your story in an authentic manner. The journalist might write up a story about you, which will increase your visibility.
5. Improve your online conversion optimization. More people will visit your website than will buy from you. To grow your business, you need to convert more visitors to paying customers. Consider the following strategies:
   
   • Increase the content on your website. Provide information that is useful, such as how-to articles. For example, if you run a dental office, you can write articles about at-home care. This is a great way to showcase your expertise and give customers some idea about your communication style.
   • Get product reviews. Ask your current customers to leave a review on websites such as Yelp, and then feature positive reviews on your website.^[6]
   • Write and give away a free eBook that showcases your expertise.
6. Encourage customers to spend more. Give away free samples of your products or services, or offer coupon discounts to encourage them to return. Also find ways to “upsell” added products or services.^[7]
   
   • For example, if you are a dentist, you can ask customers if they want to buy an electric toothbrush, teeth whitening, or veneers.
   • If you are a florist, you can ask customers if they want a larger bouquet for just a few dollars more.
7. Ensure invoices are collected. With fewer customers, you might have had sufficient time to track down customers who were late with their bills. However, if you grow rapidly, you’ll have much less time and many more unpaid invoices. Investigate how you’ll improve bill collection.
   
8. Work with a mentor. You might not know how to increase your sales. Find a mentor who is experienced in your industry. Meet with them to discuss your goals and ask their advice about how you can increase your revenue.
   
   • Find a mentor using Micro Mentor or Score Mentoring. These websites connect small business owners with mentors.
   • You can also find potential mentors by joining professional or industry associations. Remember to ask them upfront if they are willing to be your mentor.^[8] The relationship will be more satisfying if you are clear at the outset about what you need.

EditIncreasing Your Capacity

1. Draft a detailed expense forecast.^[9] Based on your sales forecast, estimate how much you will spend to keep your business running. For example, you might need to double the number of sales associates in order to handle the anticipated increase in sales. Look at your current expenses as a guide.
   
   • Try to be as detailed as possible. Network with people in your industry so that they can help you think of things you might have overlooked.
   • For example, you might handle payroll yourself for your two employees. However, if you need to triple the number of employees, you must schedule tripling the amount of time you dedicate to payroll. This is an expense you might not have thought about.
2. Upgrade your technology. If you increase your sales by 200%, do you have the resources to deliver on those sales? Probably not. Scaling a business requires that you take a hard look at your current technology and see where you need to upgrade.
   
   • Look for ways to automate.^[10] You can automate many parts of a business, such as billing, marketing, and payroll. Automation can save you time and money.
   • Also investigate the newest technology involved in sales management, shipping, and accounting. You might be able to do things faster and more effectively with newer technology. Ask larger businesses what they use.
3. Integrate your systems. Your business probably has multiple systems in place that don’t work together. For this reason, they increase communication costs and slow down your business. Pursue system integration so that you can handle your growth.^[11]
   
   • A typical business has many systems: payroll, accounting, purchasing, order fulfillment, and customer service, among others. With an integrated system, employees in order fulfillment can see when an order is cancelled, and accounting can easily spot the cancellation.^[12]
4. Hire more customer service representatives. If your sales double or triple, you can’t expect the same number of employees to handle the work load. Study industry benchmarks to find out how many customers one representative can handle, and then hire accordingly.^[13]
   
5. Increase staff in other areas. Consider your manufacturing, inventory, and delivery staff. Do you need more? Study the benchmarks for what is typical in your industry.^[14]
   
   • Don’t forget back office functions, either. If you grow so large, would it make sense to hire an internal bookkeeper instead of outsourcing that function?
6. Consider outsourcing. Depending on your current size, you might need to outsource jobs as you grow. For example, you might outsource Human Resource functions to a professional employer organization (PEO). Or you might want to hire an inventory and fulfillment center to handle your inventory and delivery.^[15]
   
   • Outsourcing is complicated. Often, small businesses outsource most jobs. However, as you grow, it might be more cost-effective to bring in jobs internally. Nevertheless, as you continue to get even larger, it might make sense to outsource again.
   • There’s no “one size fits all approach.” Always crunch numbers to see what is most cost-effective.
7. Move your business. You might outgrow your current facility. In this situation, you should plan on renting new commercial space. Work with a real estate agent or search for commercial space on websites like Loopnet.com. Budget how much it will cost to move into a larger space.
   
   • Most commercial space is rented by square foot or by a percentage of your gross sales.
   • Always remember to nail down what is included in the rent. For example, some commercial landlords require tenants to pay for taxes, insurance, and utilities.^[16]

EditFinding Funding

1. Update your business plan. After forecasting sales and estimating increased expenses, determine how much extra money you need to fund your expansion. Include this information in your business plan, which lenders will want to see.^[17]
   
   • Make sure to update your business plan to reflect your new sales and marketing strategies.
   • Also discuss in detail what investments you’ll need.
2. Fund out of your own pocket. You might not want to borrow money to grow your business. In that situation, consider funding the expansion yourself. There’s a few ways you can save enough money to fund your growth:^[18]
   
   • Dip into your savings. You might be able to take a loan from your retirement accounts to fund an expansion.
   • Do jobs yourself. At least initially, you might be able to do jobs that you plan to hire other people for.
   • Be thrifty. Find the cheapest way to do something so that you save money.
3. Obtain a bank loan. Visit nearby banks and ask for a business loan to fund improvements. They will look at your business’ credit history as well as your personal credit history. Generally, your credit score must be above 600. You might need to put up business assets as collateral for your loan.^[19]
   
   • Banks will probably also require that you personally guarantee the loan. This means you’re on the hook if your business can’t pay the loan back.
   • Often, you’ll also need to put up some collateral, such as your house. If you default, the bank can seize your home.
4. Look into an SBA loan. In the U.S., the Small Business Administration (SBA) guarantees loans for small businesses. You still get the loan from a bank, but the SBA promises to cover a portion of the loan should you default. For this reason, your interest rate will typically be lower.
   
   • Generally, you’ll need to have been in business for two years to qualify for an SBA loan.^[20]
   • Your personal credit score will also need to be above 680.
5. Bring on a partner. A partner can provide much needed cash as well as skills. Take an honest look at what skills you lack and find someone with experience in that area. For example, you might not have general management experience, so you can partner with someone who has an MBA.^[21]
   
   • You can find a partner by talking to your network and talking to the local Chamber of Commerce.
   • Always thoroughly vet a partner before selling them half of your business. For example, you should pull a credit history to make sure they are financially responsible.
   • Also meet to talk about their goals for the business. You might find out that you have vastly different visions for where your company is headed. It’s better to find this out now.
6. Ask friends for a loan. Explain to friends or family how you want to expand your business and how you will pay them back. Your friends or family might hesitate. However, agree to pay interest on the loan and write up a promissory note.^[22] This will give your family confidence that you intend to pay them back.
   

EditTips

• Scaling your business will require longer hours at work, so don’t try to grow unless you can increase your time commitment.^[23]
• You also run the risk of alienating existing customers as you grow. For example, you might cut loose underperforming parts of your business, which means you’ll lose those customers who used only those services.
• A financial advisor can be helpful throughout the scaling process. Obtain referrals by contacting your local Chamber of Commerce or asking other business professionals.^[24]

EditSources and Citations

Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

source How to of the Day http://ift.tt/2v9Q1zF

How to Make Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins

Cream cheese goes with almost everything, especially blueberries. This recipe will make a delicious batch of blueberry muffins topped with cream cheese satiate cravings for both, and is much lighter and fluffier than a piece of cheesecake. Read on to make them for yourself!

Recipe serves 18 muffins.

EditIngredients

For the muffins:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted unsalted butter cooled at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 egg whites
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups blueberries

For the cream cheese topping:

• 8 oz (1 package) cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

For the streusel topping:

• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cold butter

EditSteps

EditMaking the Muffins

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
   
2. Combine the cooled butter, sugar, and vanilla in a medium-sized bowl and stir well.
   
3. Add the egg and egg whites, and beat them in well.
   
4. Pour in the milk and stir well.
   
5. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
   
6. Fold the dry ingredients into the medium bowl gently. It will take around twelve folds to properly mix the batter.
   
   • After the ninth fold, add the blueberries and continue to fold.
7. Pour the batter into muffin cups, taking care to fill only 3/4 of the cup.
   

EditMaking the Cream Cheese Topping

1. Combine the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla and mix until smooth (cream the mixture).
   
2. Portion 1 tbsp of cream cheese topping mixture on top of each muffin cup full of batter.
   
   • Cut in/swirl the cream cheese mixture gently using a butter knife. The cream cheese should not be swirled all the way through the muffin, but just through the top of the muffin.

EditMaking the Streusel Topping

1. Combine the brown sugar and flour in another medium-sized bowl.
   
   • Cut butter into the mixture using a pastry knife.
2. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the tops of the muffin batter and cream cheese mix.
   
3. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
   
4. Enjoy your delicious muffins!
   

EditThings You'll Need

• Oven
• Muffin cups
• Muffin tray
• 2 medium-sized bowls
• 2 smaller-sized bowls
• Pastry knife
• Butter knife
• Whisk
• Electric or hand blender
• Rubber spatula

EditRelated wikiHows

• Make Blueberry Muffins
• Make Mini Blueberry Muffins

EditSources and Citations

• Permission granted to adapt from Sam, SugarSpunRun: http://ift.tt/2uNUHJ8

source How to of the Day http://ift.tt/2wbpoHG

How to Make a Pom Pom

Pom poms come in a few different varieties. There are the pom poms that are used to accent knit and crochet projects, pom poms that cheerleaders use, and tissue paper pom poms that are used for decoration. You can make one or all three of these types of pom poms with the right materials.

EditSteps

EditMaking Yarn Pompoms

1. Cut out two cardboard circles. Cut out two cardboard circles and then cut out a wedge and a small hole in the middle of each circle so that your disks look like they have keyholes. Remember, the bigger the circles, the bigger your pom pom will be (and vice versa).^[1]
   
   • You can cut out a circle freehand or you can use a bowl or glass as a guide to trace the area you want to cut and then cut out the circle.
2. Place a piece of yarn between the two cardboard circles. Place a piece of yarn so that it is going around the keyhole and then place the other cardboard disk over the yarn. Arrange the circles together so that the keyholes are lined up.^[2]
   
   
   • This piece of yarn will serve to secure your pom pom later on. Make sure the piece is long enough so that the ends hang out on either side of the keyhole.^[3]
3. Wind the circles with yarn. Insert the yarn through the wedge and into the center of the circle. Then, begin wrapping the yarn around and around the circle. Wrap the yarn around the circle about 100 times or until the yarn is as thick as you want it to be.^[4]
   
   
   • The thicker your yarn is, the denser your pom pom will be.
4. Cut the yarn. Put the scissors in between the two circles of cardboard and cut open the wound thread or yarn around the outer edge. Go slowly and cut evenly.^[5]
   
   
   • As you cut the yarn, hold onto the ends of the extra piece of yarn that you placed between the cardboard circles. This yarn is what will secure the pom pom.
5. Tie the extra piece of thread. Tie and knot the ends of the extra piece of yarn. Because of where you placed the yarn before you started, it should be in the perfect position to hold your pom pom together.^[6]
   
   
6. Remove the cardboard disks. After you secure the pom pom with the extra piece of thread, you can set the cardboard disks aside. Keep in mind that you can reuse these disks to make more pom poms, so do not discard them.^[7]
   
   
7. Trim the pom pom. Trim around the outside of the pom pom to even out the threads. Keep trimming until you are happy with the look of your pom pom. Trimming will make the pom pom will make it fluffy, dense, and round.^[8]
   
   
   • Make sure that you do not trim the ends of the yarn that you used to secure the pom pom unless you do not need them.
8. Use your finished pom pom. You can now use your finish pom pom by attaching it to a knitting or crochet project. Use the yarn tails to attach it to a hat, scarf, sweater, or whatever you want.
   

EditMaking Cheering Pompoms

1. Layer 10 trash bags on top of each other.^[9] Trash bags are usually only available in white and black, but you may be able to find other colors, too. If you are using different colors, then layer the trash bags so that the colors are alternating if you like or keep the colors together.
   
   
2. Cut off the tops and the bottoms of the trash bags. Cut off the top 1" or so of the trash bag where the drawstring is. Discard this material.^[10][11]
   
   
3. Fold the trash bags. Fold the trash bags so that the tops and bottoms are lined up. Try to get all of the layers as even as possible.^[12]
   
   
4. Cut the bags along the folded line. Cut the bags along the fold you just made so that you have a pile of 20 trash bag squares. Cut carefully and try not to leave any jagged edges.^[13]
   
   
5. Cut slits in the bag. Start cutting from the edge into the center from the side you just cut. Cut slits in the bags every 1/2 - 1", depending on your preference. Repeat the same cuts on the opposite side. Make the cuts from both ends and stop evenly, leaving roughly 2" uncut at the center.^[14]
   
   
6. Gather the bags. Gather the bags at the center, like holding a bunch of dry pasta, so that your fingers are around the uncut center and the strips you made are hanging. Secure the center by wrapping a bit of tape (electrical tape works best) around the uncut portion of the bags.^[15]
   
   
7. Fluff the pom pom. Next, take the individual strips and begin to separate each piece of plastic. This will give the pom pom its volume. Crinkle the strips of plastic once they're pulled apart to make it even fuller.^[16]
   
   
   • Your pom pom is ready to use! Make another so you have a matching pair.

EditMaking Tissue Paper Pompoms

1. Lay out eight sheets of tissue paper. Place the tissue paper on a flat surface and make sure that all of the edges are even.
   
   
   • You can use less tissue paper for smaller pom poms, or more for larger, fuller pom poms.^[17]
2. Fold length-wise in an accordion-fold pattern. Begin folding at one end of the tissue paper pile and fold the pieces in an accordion-fold pattern. This is when you fold the piece over in one direction first and then in the opposite direction after that. Keep folding in this alternating way until you reach the end of the stack.^[18]
   
   
   • If you want to make a small pom pom, then cut the strip in half after you do the accordion folds. This will give you two shorter strips that you can use to make pom poms.^[19]
3. Cut both the ends of the folded paper stacks. You can cut the ends so that they are pointed or make them rounded. The look of your pom pom will be different depending on which style you choose.
   
   
4. Tie the middle of the folded tissue paper. Use a piece of fishing line, a wire, or a thick piece of thread to tie a knot around the middle of the folded tissue paper. Make sure that it is long enough so that you will be able to use it for hanging the pom pom when you are done.^[20]
   
   
5. Open the layers one by one with your fingers.^[21] Take your time opening the layers one at a time to avoid tearing the tissue paper. However, keep in mind that a small tear will probably not be noticeable, so you do not need to start over if you tear the paper once or twice.^[22]
   
   
6. Hang the pom pom. When you are finished fanning out the pom pom, you can hang it up to display it. Hang it from a hook on a wall or ceiling.^[23]
   

EditVideo

EditThings You'll Need

EditYarn Pom Poms

• Cardboard cut into two rounds, to size of project requirements
• Yarn or thread (delicate embroidery projects might require small pom poms of cotton or silk thread)
• Scissors

EditCheering Pom Poms

• 10 trash bags
• Scissors
• Electrical tape
• Handle object, such as a spoon, dowel, or other stiff hand sized object (optional)

EditPaper Pom Poms

• Tissue paper
• Scissors
• Wire, fishing line, or strong thread

EditRelated wikiHows

• Thread a Needle and Tie a Knot
• Choose Knitting Yarn
• Organize Your Yarn
• Make a Yarn Dispenser from Soda Bottles
• Make a Pompom Easter Chick

EditSources and Citations

Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

source How to of the Day http://ift.tt/2tNyr0x

How to Upshift

If you drive a manual vehicle or a motorcycle, upshifting is an important aspect of driving on the road. Unlike automatic vehicles, which automatically switch gears, manual vehicles require the driver to do it themselves. Even though upshifting seems daunting at first, with enough practice you'll be able to master the technique and drive down the road with confidence.

EditSteps

EditStarting From a Full Stop in a Manual Vehicle

1. Locate the clutch pedal. The clutch pedal should be the far left pedal in your vehicle, next to the brake. You'll have to press down on this pedal as you upshift, so it's important to know where it's located before you start driving.^[1]
   
2. Examine the pattern on the top of your stick shift. Familiarizing yourself with the pattern on top of your stick shift will help you understand where the stick shift needs to go when upshifting. The stick shift should have R, 1, 2, 3, 4, and sometimes higher numbers. R stands for reverse while the rest of the figures stand for the gear that your car is in. When upshifting, you'll be moving from one gear to the next highest gear to gain speed in your vehicle.^[2]
   
   • Different cars will have a different shifting patterns. It's important to understand your car's pattern before you start driving.
3. Start the vehicle. With the clutch pushed down to the floor, put your key into the car's ignition and rotate your wrist to start it. If you have a button ignition, press the button instead.^[3] Keeping the brake pushed down while you do this will ensure that the car doesn't roll as you shift gears.^[4]
   
   
4. Move the stick shift into first gear. Move the stick shift into first gear and release the brake. As you do this the car should start to roll.^[5]
   
   
   • If you start the car on an incline you'll have to keep your foot on the brake to stop from rolling backward.
5. Lift off the clutch and slowly press on the gas pedal. Slowly lift off the clutch while simultaneously pressing down on the gas pedal. As you do this you'll start to gain momentum in first gear.
   
   
   • This is the hardest part of getting started, so don't worry if you stall out.
   • If you stall out, turn off the car and start over from the first step.

EditUpshifting in a Manual Vehicle

1. Start upshifting when your car reaches 2,500 - 3,000 RPM. RPM stands for rotations per minute and tracks how fast your tires are rotating. The tachometer, or the meter that reads your car's RPM, is usually found next to your speedometer and has numbers from 0 to 9. Once the needle on this meter is between 2,500 to 3,000, you should begin to upshift.^[6]
   
   
2. Press down on the clutch while lifting off on the gas. Use your foot to depress the clutch pedal while at the same time slowly lifting off the gas. This will free up your stick shift and allow you to slide it into the next gear. During this time your car will go into a neutral state, and you'll notice your engine revving if your foot is pressed too hard on the gas.^[7]
   
   
3. Use your hand to shift up into the next gear. Shift into the next highest gear as you're pushing the clutch down to the floor. If you're in first gear, you will move the stick shift into second gear. This should happen in one fluid motion, so don't hesitate for too long.^[8]
   
   
   • Practice shifting while your vehicle is off so that you get used to the pattern of the gears.
4. Lift off the clutch and press on the gas. Once you've moved up into the next gear, you can start to slowly lift off the clutch while giving your car more gas. If done correctly, the car should start to accelerate again and the RPM should go back down.^[9]
   
   
   • Your car won't stall when shifting higher than first gear because it's already moving.

EditStarting From a Full Stop in a Motorcycle

1. Put the bike in neutral. Put your motorcycle in neutral by squeezing the clutch lever, or the lever on the left-hand side of your handlebars. With the clutch squeezed, press down on the shift lever, or the lever at your left foot. This will put the bike in first gear. Neutral gear is one half-click up from first gear. Once the shift lever is all the way down, lightly lift up on the shift lever with your foot until you hear a click. This will put the bike in neutral.^[10]
   
   
   • Some motorcycles will have an indicator light that lets you know when it's in neutral.
2. Start the engine. Press the ignition button your bike to start it. You don't need to press down on the clutch or touch anything else as you start your bike's engine.^[11]
   
   
3. Squeeze the clutch and push the shift lever down to first gear. Compressing the clutch lever allows you to switch gears. Squeeze the lever as you push your gear shifter down, into first gear.^[12]
   
   
4. Slowly release the clutch and walk with the bike. As you release the clutch the bike will begin to roll forward. Start walking with the bike as you slowly release the clutch to get a feeling for the bike as it's moving.^[13]
   
   
   • If you stall out, turn off the bike and start over from the beginning.
5. Find your balance on the bike. Once you get moving, lift your feet on the foot rests of the bike. Position your left foot so that your toe is under the shift lever so that you can upshift while accelerating.^[14]
   
   
6. Rotate your right wrist backward on the throttle. Rotating your wrist backward on the right handlebar will give the bike throttle and propel it forward. Once you let off the clutch without the bike stalling, you can practice giving the bike throttle to accelerate in first gear.^[15]
   
   
   • Do not give the bike too much throttle or you will send your bike flying forward.

EditUpshifting on a Motorcycle

1. Squeeze the clutch lever while reducing your throttle. Squeeze the left clutch lever while slowly releasing your hand on the throttle. This will allow the bike to shift up into higher gears.^[16]
   
   
2. Push up on the shift lever to put it into the next gear. With the clutch still depressed, push up with your left toe on the shift lever. This will put the bike into the next highest gear.^[17]
   
   
3. Release the clutch while feathering the throttle. Gradually release the clutch while rotating your wrist backward on the throttle. Again, you shouldn't give the bike too much throttle, or you may lose control of it. If you did everything correctly, you will have upshifted into the next highest gear.^[18]
   
   

EditTips

• You should always practice shifting in an empty parking lot before taking your vehicle out on the road.
• Make sure to practice upshifting with someone who already knows how to do it.
• In many states it's illegal to practice driving without a driver's license if you don't have an experienced driver supervising you.

EditSources and Citations

Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

source How to of the Day http://ift.tt/2wauBzq

How to Lubricate a Lock

Locks typically last for around seven years. To maximize the lifespan of your lock, you should perform regular cleaning and lubrication. You can use compressed air to clean locks, as well as wet cleaners like WD-40. Dry lubes are great for locks because they require less follow up lubrication.^[1]

EditSteps

EditDoing Routine Maintenance

1. Blow dust out of the keyhole. Use a can of pressurized air or an air compressor to blow the dust out of the lock. Point the spray nozzle close to the keyhole and press down on the pressure button to blow air through the locking mechanism.^[2]
   
   
2. Spray the lock cylinder and opening. Use a spray cleaner, such as WD-40, to clean the lock cylinder and opening. Spray the cleaner into the keyhole.^[3]
   
   
3. Lube the lock with a dry lubricant. In order to avoid the accumulation of dust inside the lock, you want to use a dry lubricant. Spray a dry lock lubricant, such as 3-in-one lock dry lube, into the keyhole. Insert your key and move it around to spread the lube into the lock.^[4]
   
   
4. Use WD-40 as a short term solution. If you are in a pinch and just need to get your lock moving quickly, you could try WD-40. Spray WD-40 into the keyhole. Insert your key into the keyhole and open and close the lock in order to work the WD-40 into the deadbolt.^[5]
   
   
   • Keep in mind that WD-40 will attract dust particles and eventually gum up your lock. It should only be used as a short-term solution.

EditTackling a Deep Cleaning Job

1. Take apart the lock. Remove the screws holding the lock to the door. Unscrew the two screws underneath the door knob, as well as the screws holding the faceplate to the side of the door. Pull out the doorknob and the faceplate. Put all of the parts on a sheet of newspaper or cardboard so that you don’t lose track of anything.^[6]
   
   
2. Clean every part of the lock with WD-40. Use a spray cleaner or WD-40 to clean all of the parts of the lock. Wipe off any dirt or grime from the door knob, cylinder, faceplate and other parts. Get any remaining liquid cleaner or WD-40 off the lock.^[7]
   
   
   • If dirt or grime drips out of the lock, make sure you have a rag to catch any drips.
   • Make sure you properly clean the keyhole and all moving parts.
3. Apply graphite lubricant to all parts of the deadbolt. Make sure all of the parts of the lock are dry. Then, apply graphite lubricant to all parts of the lock. Squeeze some graphite into the keyhole, as well as onto the cylinder and other moving parts.^[8]
   
   
   • Graphite lubricant is less likely to require follow up lubrication.
4. Put the lock back together. Put the latch-bolt and faceplate back on the side of the door. Put the outside door knob on. Then, put the inside door knob on. Put on the faceplate. Tighten all of the screws. Turn the door knob to make sure everything is turning smoothly. ^[9]
   
   

EditOiling a Night Latch and Padlock

1. Grease the interior latch and switch. Add a few drops of oil to the interior latch of the night latch. Then, add a drop of oil to the snip switch and to the base of the knob.^[10]
   
   
   • A few drops of oil should also be applied to the sliding bolt.
2. Lube the exterior of the night latch. Use a dry lubricant to lube the exterior of the night latch, which will avoid the accumulation of dust and grime in the locking mechanism. Puff a bit of graphite powder into the keyhole on the exterior of the night latch. Insert the key and turn it a few times, which will help distribute the graphite into the locking mechanism.^[11]
   
   
3. Lube a padlock. Puff some graphite lubricant into the keyhole on the padlock. Insert a key and move it around to spread the graphite throughout the cylinder. Then, apply some oil to the shackle and shackle hole on the padlock.^[12]
   
   

EditWarnings

• WD-40 should not be used in excess or as a replacement for proper lubricant. It is great for cleaning but tends to accumulate dust if used excessively.
• If you clean your door lock, remember to keep track of all of the parts.

EditSources and Citations

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How to Halve an Egg

Sometimes a recipe calls for half an egg, or sometimes you want to alter a recipe that results in your only needing a half an egg. The trick to halving an egg properly is whisking it first, whether you’re using the whole egg or just the whites or the yolks. If you’re using just whites or yolks, separating them properly is crucial to halving an egg.

EditSteps

EditHalving a Whole Egg

1. Crack the egg into a bowl. Gently tap the egg against the edge of the bowl or on the counter. Once you get a crack in the shell, place your finger in the crack and pull the shell apart. Then dump the whole egg – the white and the yolk – into the bowl.^[1]
   
   
2. Whisk the yolk and white together. You can use a fork or whisk for this. Move the fork or whisk in a circular motion in the egg, making sure to break the yoke. The egg is fully whisked when the mixture is a yellow color.^[2]
   
   
3. Split the mixture in half. You can measure the whisked egg in a measuring cup or with a scale if you have one. Split it in half by removing half of the total amount (usually with a small cup or spoon).^[3]
   
   

EditHalving an Egg White or Yolk

1. Separate the white and yolk using the shell. Crack the egg gently, pull the shell apart, and then use the shell itself to separate the egg. Hold the shell halves a few inches apart over a bowl. Pour the yolk back and forth between the two halves until the white falls away.^[4]
   
   
2. Separate the egg using a sieve. Simply crack the shell, dump the white and yolk into the sieve, and watch the white fall away.^[5]
   
   
3. Whisk the white or yolk. Once you’ve separated the egg, whisk the part you need in a small bowl. The white is properly whisked when it becomes a little bit frothy. The yolk is properly whisked when it’s a bit bubbly.^[6]
   
   
4. Split the mixture in half. Once you’re done whisking the yolk or white, use a measuring cup to remove half of the mixture. Freeze the rest.^[7]
   
   

EditTips

• Freeze the remaining egg mixture for later use. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator 24 hours before you want to use it.

EditSources and Citations

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How to Become an Optometrist

Optometrists diagnose vision problems, prescribe corrective lenses, and prescribe eye medications. They differ from ophthalmologists, who can also perform eye surgeries, and from opticians, who design, fit, and dispense lenses. To become an optometrist, you should get a bachelor’s in science, go into an optometry degree program, and pass all your licensing exams.

EditSteps

EditFinishing Your Education

1. Obtain a bachelor's degree in pre-med or science. Before you can apply to an optometry program, you need to complete an undergraduate degree. Most optometry schools require coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, English, and mathematics. A pre-med degree or degree in a biological science will help prepare you for med school.^[1]
   
   • Talk to your adviser to determine what courses you should be taking, and check the requirements at the optometry programs you plan on applying to.
2. Get experience through shadowing. Shadowing is a great way for you to get hands-on experience in the field of optometry. This gives you a real idea of how the career works and what an optometrist does. Shadowing can help you determine if this career is right for you.^[2]
   
   • Some people will observe optometrists with patients, and others may assist around the office.
   • You can try to get a job or volunteer your time.
3. Complete a Doctor of Optometry Program. Your program will include both core classes in a classroom setting and hands-on experience through clinics. These programs take four years to complete and must be completed at an accredited optometry school. ^[3]
   
   • You will take courses in biological sciences focused on the eye.

EditGetting the Right Certifications

1. Pass the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). This test is required when applying to accredited optometry programs. Performing well on the test will increase your likelihood for acceptance. The tests will assess your knowledge of science, along with your comprehension and reasoning skills. Tests are administered year-round at Prometric Test Centers.^[4][5]
   
   • Consider enrolling in an OAT preparatory course in order to perfect your test-taking skills and improve your overall performance.
2. Take the licensing exam. Every state and country require that individuals become licensed in order to practice optometry. You must have completed your O.D. (Doctor of Optometry) program before obtaining a license. Additionally, you will have to complete an exam given by a national board of professionals.^[6]
   
   • The exam will contain a written and clinical portion as part of the licensure process.
   • Some states also require that you take an additional examination before getting your license in that particular state.
3. Continue to meet the requirements to renew your license. You will probably have to keep gaining knowledge throughout your career to meet the requirements to renew your license. In the US, all states require that optometrists have to take continuing education classes to keep their license up to date.^[7]
   
   • Find out what your state or country requires to keep your license up to date.

EditStarting Your Career

1. Decide whether to join a practice or start your own. Optometry is a growing field with good job prospects. Most optometrists do not have problems finding a job. You should decide if you want to join a practice or start your own. Many people work alongside another optometrist for a while before opening their own practice.^[8]
   
   • You may find jobs through contacts you’ve made in school, through your shadowing, or on job websites or mailing lists.
2. Complete a postgraduate residency program if you want. One way to advance your career and make yourself even more marketable is to become a specialist. Once you finish your four-year degree, you can do an additional one-year residency for a specialization. Residency programs allow optometrists to gain practice working in the field under the guidance of professionals and to advance their skills.^[9]
   
   • Residency programs should be recognized by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE).
   • Examples of residency programs include ones in low vision rehabilitation, pediatric optometry, geriatric optometry, ocular disease, and family practice.
3. Get certified by a national organization if you wish. As you go through your career, you may want to try to get certified by a national organization. There are multiple organizations that offer certifications or fellowships. To receive one of these prestigious honors, you must meet strict guidelines and demonstrate your passion to the field and patients.^[10]
   

EditSources and Citations

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