ISmall-Business.net

Intelligent Business Solutions

You are here: Home / 2020 / Archives for August 2020

Archives for August 2020

How To Make Zoom Meetings Actually Enjoyable

by Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

I think it’s fair to say that we are all sick and tired of zoom meetings.

Meetings, in general, are mostly a waste of time but at least you get to interact with other humans in person.

Covid-19 has turned meetings on their head and they have become a drudgery of time.

Tips for Enjoyable Zoom Calls

Here is how to make zoom meetings actually enjoyable.

Email It Over Zoom It

We’ve all been in those zoom meetings where you sit there thinking “this all could have been sent in an email.” This is the fastest way to lose attention and turn it into drudgery. The key to success is to email ahead of an agenda and keep the meeting succinct.

As Andrew Roderick states 

“Make the focus around teamwork, and give each person a section to present a project/issue/anything they are working on for 5 minutes, and allow a 5-minute discussion afterward where everyone can help, offer support, feedback on what’s being done. Hosting your team meetings in this way allows you to ensure each team member is actively engaged and involved, while also making sure priorities from each team member are discussed.”

As an additional note make sure to set a hard out. A time that the meeting ends and you don’t go over. Respecting peoples time is a great way to keep people engaged.

Practice Your On-Camera Speaking Skills

Nothing is worse than having a boring presenter be it in person or on camera. Just like public speaking, presenting on camera is a learned skill anyone can achieve if they have the right guidance. Here are 10 tips to speaking on camera

Dress to Impress

Even though no one can see what you are wearing below the computer desk, you want to suit up.

Know what makes you look good too. As Dagmar Spichale says “Patterned tops make me look more awake and refreshed, and patterned button-downs are especially flattering because they create an elongated neckline that doubles to showcase subtle jewelry to its best advantage. My secret hack is wearing perfume and/or my favorite heels — no-one notices but I KNOW!”

Use Interactive Whiteboard Tools

As Mollie Suggests “To make things interesting in our collaboration sessions, we use Mural in Zoom for whiteboarding. It’s an interactive software where everyone could help in mapping out and bouncing off ideas about a project. We use photos, sticky notes, and doodling tools in brainstorming and getting things together.

Kevin builds on this idea “Sometimes, you just have to draw something out on a whiteboard to help everyone else understand what you mean. Using a tablet for your Zoom calls makes it much easier to sketch out diagrams and flowcharts to engage the other meeting participants.“

Start With A Common Interest

With the plethora of various TV shows, Netflix movies, and online entertainment. Its good to engage people in a common interest. As Jason VanDevere states “I discuss with my team a TV show we all agree on that’s worth watching. After a new episode, we spend the first five minutes of the meeting openly discussing the show. Did the episode ending surprise you? Were you shocked a particular character got killed off? How would you rate the episode?

This can be any television show, sports game, Netflix series, or YouTube show. With all the content out there, surely there’s has to be something out there your team can agree on. Participation is also optional. Employees that prefer not to participate may simply log in five minutes later.

I find that everyone appears to be more engaged in the meeting after coming off a discussion of a common interest.”

Use the 8% Rule

As Michael, the CEO of Teambuilding explains “Any Zoom meeting should have at least 8% of its time dedicated to non-meetings activities. This time could include icebreakers, trivia questions, dance breaks or any other light activity. This “off-time” can quickly reenergize attendees to participate in the more dense content of the meeting

Engage with Outside Interest

Willie Greer states “I always make time for stories. Zoom fatigue is real and can take a toll on a person’s mental and emotional aspect, so relaxing time is a must during meetings. Personally, I ask my employees how they are, is there anything they want to share, like their new hobbies during the lockdown, or online businesses they want to promote. It refreshes their minds after work and before leaving the meeting.”

A lot of people who are working from home are also starting side projects, and side businesses.  You never know what interesting hobbies people have or side business they create. Some of the most used Google Tools have started as side projects of employees. What is your side project? For example, I’ve created an entire side project focused on Unicorns.

Rotate The Hot Seat

Getting everyone to talk can be a bit of a challenge, but an easy way to do that is to call on participants throughout the meeting. Call on the first person and let that person choose the next person to speak. It keeps everyone alert and focused because they could be next!

Use Visual Cue Cards

We’ve all experienced an interruption during a meeting. Your speaker is presenting when someone pipes in with their 2 cents. This can be fine when you are in person because we can naturally slip in with perfect timing but due to the delay of zoom, it throws everyone off.

That’s where visual cue cards can come in and keep the rhythm of the zoom meeting flowing. I use visual cue cards made by DigiCards. 

DigiCards Visual cue Cards for Zoom Meetings

They seamlessly integrate with my digital team and keep meetings running smoothly. I especially love the timing cards to let me know there are a few minutes left in the presentation.

These are just some of the best tips when it comes to making your zoom call more enjoyable. Let me know what I missed or if there are any other suggestions to make zoom meetings actually enjoyable.

Image: Depositphotos.com

[ad_2]

Source link

All Elite Wrestling’s Brandi Rhodes Flexes Her Entrepreneurial Muscle

by Leave a Comment

[ad_1]


9 min read


Brandi Rhodes apologizes for being a bit behind schedule. “There’s just no such thing as an easy travel day,” she laments. But despite the pandemic, Rhodes has maintained a busy itinerary as Chief Branding Officer of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the nearly two-year-old, Jacksonville, Florida-based pro-wrestling company. AEW was founded by a cohort including Rhodes and her husband Cody — who performs in the ring while serving as Executive Vice President (Brandi also competes on occasion) — and President/CEO Tony Khan, who also co-owns the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars franchise.

The popularity of AEW’s primetime TNT show Dynamite has helped Rhodes and company upend World Wrestling Entertainment’s virtual monopoly over the industry. Thanks to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s decree back in April that wrestling qualified as an “essential business,” Dynamite has continued rolling tape. And since then, Rhodes has also been nurturing an initiative under the company umbrella called AEW Heels. The self-described “female-focused wrestling community” is intended to provide a safe and engaging space for women fans and talent to celebrate their love of a historically paternal pasttime. 

Throughout late spring and early summer, Rhodes introduced Heels by orchestrating events like live Zoom get-togethers with herself and other AEW roster standouts, including openly transgender former Women’s Champion Nyla Rose, while debuting merchandise like T-shirts and tote bags. But last month, Heels ramped up in earnest by partnering with digital marketing agency Wonderful Union to debut a $49-a-year, subscription-based membership platform that provides exclusive access to exclusive AEW talent Q&As, themed virtual (for now) parties and workshops and tutorisals focused on empowerment and inclusion.

A day before Dynamite‘s most recent taping (its first with a limited number of live fans in attendance since March), Rhodes connected with us by phone from Jacksonville. She offered insight into how she first pitched Heels to Khan, reconciling altruistic intent with financial imperatives and her enthusiasm for making Heels more than just an online experience once the current public health predicament passes. 

Related: WWE Superstar Mandy Rose on Building Her Body, Business and Future

The initial rollout of Heels coincided with the wrestling industry’s own #MeToo reckoning, the #SpeakingOut movement. How much did that inspire the initiative to begin with?

That was purely coincidental. This is something we had talked about and were trying to figure out what it would look like, especially in this period, for quite some time. The #SpeakingOut movement happened and continues to happen, and that’s something I definitely look at as a separate thing, even though one of the greatest things about Heels is that it’s very topical. Whatever is going on in the world or that people want to discuss is something we’re open to doing.

When you’re an executive and get an idea for an initiative, how do you first go about presenting it to uppermost management?

Sometimes it’s trial-and-error. The number-one thing with something like this is being able to understand. And sometimes when we pitch things, we think because we understand it, everbody else is going to fully understand the scope of it. And sometimes we’re just not clear with our expectations. So I outlined everything I wanted to talk about with [Heels], and I asked for some time with Tony. We talked about it for 30 minutes on our own before presenting it to anyone else, and I think he was able to get a full grasp on it right away.

At what point in the conversation do you discuss how an idea like this can also generate revenue?

One thing we’re seeing, and this has been growing across the board, is that more women are watching AEW. So learning information like that only helps when you want to form a community for women. The other thing is, from a marketing standpoint, this is not something we looked at and said, “Hey, we’re gonna make a ton of money off of this.” It’s not unlike a lot of small business. This is not something we expect to be profitable for a long time, if ever. The only reason we ask for money for membership is because there’s a cost to run it. There’s this big website that’s multifaceted and allows these women to communicate all the time and to do live in-persons and parties and meetings via Zoom. We update with different news and photo galleries and posts. They’re getting access to a lot of people who are putting in a lot of work. We can’t start a website out of the clear blue sky. If we did, the product would not be good, and they would not enjoy it and stick around.

How do you decide to partner with an agency like Wonderful Union when you’re building this out? Is it more a matter of values alignment or expediency?

We’re lucky to have a lot of great partners, and one of them is Activist, who work with a lot of artists and musicians, and they’ve test-driven platforms like Wonderful Union before and are able to say, “The value is there, and the company is attentive,” and that’s really what we need to know. We have that luxury, and a lot of people don’t. A lot of times it’s just taking a shot in the dark when someone says they could do something for you. It ended up being a great fit with Wonderful Union. 

Image Credit: AEW

You did host a free event or two early on. How important is it to give people that opportunity to sample a product before enticing them to sign up?

One of our free Zoom sessions was with a donation element towards the Black Lives Matter movement, so we did want to get something out of it for a good cause. Some people did choose to just check it out because it was free, and I think they really were impacted by that. At the first launch of the membership, I wasn’t sure how many members we would get off the bat, and we got exactly what we needed. So it just goes to show the marketing efforts and elements are there.

How do you feel confident that you’re identifying a void for something like this in the first place, and then that you’re the one to fill it?

Having been in the industry for so long, I’ve seen a lot of voids. And I’ve been on the receiving end of a lot of voids being a person of color, being a woman. So you recognize those hardships and have to stay grounded in them, because there aren’t that many of us in positions like mine. It’s a delicate balance, because you don’t want to be the person who’s always harping about issues that can be seen as personal to you. But at the same time, you do feel like you represent people like you. It’s something I pick my battles with, but it’s not an actual battle half the time. It’s just, when is this appropriate and how do we most effectively do this?

It can be tricky, knowing when to take a position on something. Given what’s going on as we speak in Kenosha following the shooting of Jacob Blake, do you have a gut feeling about when it’s that moment for you?

One thing that’s always important is don’t feel like you always have to respond to something or publicly say something. Sometimes you’re more effective donating or doing something that’s able to help the cause more than just saying something. It’s become so commonplace to say something, but that doesn’t guarantee there’s any feeling behind it, that it wasn’t written for you. People have come to rely too much on social media as an action, when really it’s just words. I’m also more of a quiet-action person. If I choose to donate something, I usually do it anonymously. I’m not going to immediately align myself with someone because of something they said on social media. 

Related: How a Mid-Size Wrestling Company Made Major Adjustments in the Empty-Arena Era

And have you thought about the presentation of Heels once we’re all allowed to come out from behind our virtual selves?

That was actually what I was thinking about before all of this happened. Then it became, “OK, how do we do this in this current situation?” Because the plan has always been for Heels to be a community thing, and community to me means people get together. Because AEW is known for having pay-per-views where most of the audience travels to them, this is something I saw as an opportunity to get together quarterly and do these large-scale events and meet people. And that didn’t happen because of the state of the world, so that’s something we’re looking forward to. Things have gone so positive given the current affairs, I can only imagine how great it’s going to be when these women who are bonding at a distance do get together. A dream situation would be at [AEW PPV] Double or Nothing in Las Vegas, those girls being able to get together, have dinner, sit together at the show and have an event that’s members-only where we have these parties in person with the same information and bonding. But in the meantime, we’re having an awesome time doing things the way we are.

Whether from your point of view or the company’s, how does success get defined for an initiative like this?

Everything is a little bit different, but with Heels in particular, there’s been consistent growth every week, and growth beyond us having to market heavily, which goes to show there’s great word of mouth. It’s really a satisfied-customer thing. Heels ends up selling itself, which is great, and I think it will continue to do that as we put time and energy in, and it’s gonna continue to grow.

[ad_2]

Source link

The Road to Integrityis Paved With Good Intentions

by Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

Content

Freshness

Usefulness

A treatise for leaders who are looking for ways to infuse their values and integrity into their organization.

Intentional Integrity

If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

When the Penn State “Sandusky” scandal hit the news, I sat down and cried.

During my junior and senior years, I worked for the football office. Paterno was insane about integrity.  If a player didn’t have a 3.0 on Friday night, he didn’t play on Saturday. If a player got in trouble, the team had to clean the stadium after the game. I can go on, but I won’t because Penn State leadership’s lapse in integrity decimated a century’s worth of hard-earned reputation.

“Most companies think they have integrity, until they get exposed by data, skewered by the press, boycotted by customers, dropped by investors, and protested by their own employees. They’ll punish and apologize for transgressions but throw up their hands about how to prevent them — even though they van cost a company everything.” — Robert Chestnut

You Can’t Outsource Integrity

Intentional Integrity: How Smart Companies Can Lead an Ethical Revolution by Robert Chestnut is a brand new book, released in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.  And this is a perfect time because corporations and their communications strategies have been disrupted like never before.

According to Chestnut, corporate ethics have been tested sorely, as he notes in an updated chapter on leading with integrity during a crisis.

“Suddenly business leaders had to answer questions on the fly. How to handle layoffs, adapt to customer expectations and shifting government requirements, and to transition entire workforces online?”

This crisis pointed out how important it is to have a culture of integrity.  For example, if one of your values is employee safety, then it’s a lot easier to make decisions about whether to prioritize profitability or employee health benefits.

 

Rob Chestnut’s Relationship With Integrity

The author started his career as an attorney with the U.S. Justice Department.  He was an Assistant US Attorney in Northern Virginia.  As a federal prosecutor he ran the Major Crimes Unit where he prosecuted a wide range of crimes including CIA employee Aldrich Ames who was prosecuted for espionage.

In 1999, Chestnut shifted his career and joined the private sector.  First with eBay where he got involved in fraud detection and prevention.  Then he joined LiveOps, Chegg and most recently, AIrbnb where he grew the legal team from 30 to over 150 and started the “Integrity Belongs Here” program to drive ethics throughout the culture of the company.

It’s Never Too Late for Integrity

In Intentional Integrity, Chestnut strives to show leaders that integrity isn’t a roadblock to getting things done, but a “potential superpower.” The book shows you how you can set the tone and set an example with your words and actions.

When leaders embrace that integrity and responsibility are important elements of your job.

Your employees are a reflection of who you are and what you do.  And when you practice intentional integrity, there’s a ripple that goes throughout your company and into the community.  Being integrity consistently over time, will ultimately build trust and give your organization a long-term advantage.

The 6Cs Process is a Roadmap Toward Intentional Integrity

To infuse integrity into your organization, Chestnut proposes the 6Cs process and this is what the entire book is devoted to.  Each chapter is one step of the 6Cs process.

  1. Chief: If the CEO of the company doesn’t embrace integrity, you can stop there.
  2. Customized Code of Ethics: Assuming your CEO has a level of integrity, your next step is to publish a code of conduct.
  3. Communicating the Code: This means regular and varied types of communication of the code throughout the organization.
  4. Clear Reporting System: Make it easy for employees to report ethical lapses.
  5. Consequences: The integrity code must be enforced.
  6. Constant: The last “C” is about being constant, consistent, pervasive, ubiquitous — yes, everywhere and all the time throughout your organization.

Is There Hope for Integrity?

On the first day of “Business Law” in graduate school, the professor walked in. Plopped his briefcase on the desk and then sat on the desk, with his legs dangling over the edge and asked: “Do you know why we have lawyers?”

The entire class sat in silence.

He waited for a few seconds and then said “We have lawyers because people are no damned good.”

When he said “people are no damned good” he didn’t mean that people were “bad” or “evil”.  What he meant was that people didn’t behave with integrity; they would say one thing and do something else.  They would promise to do something and not do it.  People would say they valued something and then act like they actually value something completely different.

Integrity vs Ethics

In Intentional Integrity, the author combines ethics and integrity into one package. I’m not sure that is entirely fair and accurate.

We understand integrity to mean “honesty”.  But the true foundational meaning of integrity means to be whole and undivided.  In other words, at its core, integrity means that your actions match your values.

I posit that CEOs (especially of large enterprises) have integrity (meaning that their behavior is consistent with their values).  But not all leaders have ethics, which are moral principles that guide behavior.

And this book is written for those CEOs who are committed to having their ethics reflected in their values and those values be clearly communicated throughout their organization — thereby creating INTEGRITY (being whole and undivided).

What’s Odd About This Book

I would say Intentional Integrity is the motherhood and apple pie of leadership books.

But, to be honest, it’s preaching to the choir.  The people who will most enjoy this book are the people who are already running their business with a high level of ethics and integrity,  And these people will get a roadmap toward shifting your values and ethics out of your head and throughout your organization.

In some ways, it’s like Chestnut is writing to those people who may have strayed from the ethical straight and narrow. Maybe it’s people who have started their business with high-minded values, but who have been challenged by the complexities and impossible choices between people and profits.

Ultimately, the message underneath Intentional Integrity is that ethics and integrity count. And that one simple lapse in judgment can decimate the business you’ve worked so hard to build.

Image: amazon.com

[ad_2]

Source link

Zoho One Showcased at Upcoming Webinar

by Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

Zoho One

As part of the final Educational Webinar series, Zoho is going to showcase Zoho One and show you how you can use it to optimize your digital presence.

Zoho One for Every Business Need is going to be held on September 23, 2020, from 1- 2 p.m. EDST.

The previous webinars tackled Setting Up Your Website, Establishing Your Brand Story and Elements of Website Design, and Converting Visitors to Leads: Web Forms, CTAs (Call to Actions)

Together these free webinars are intended to provide a basic understanding of getting online. Whether you are trying to create your first eCommerce site or blog, you will know how to get started.

With Zoho One, you can take this knowledge and use the more than 40 applications in the suite to run your online business. This includes applications to grow sales, market your business, do your accounting, communicate with teammates and customers, and much more.

Click the red button and register now to attend Zoho One for Every Business Need.

Register Now

Featured Events, Contests and Awards

Educational Webinar: Establishing Your Brand StoryEducational Webinar: Establishing Your Brand Story
September 2, 2020, Online

Learn how to find, incorporate, and use your brand’s voice throughout your website to increase website traffic, improve customer engagement, and drive brand loyalty.

Educational Webinar: Elements of Website DesignEducational Webinar: Elements of Website Design
September 9, 2020, Online

Join us to learn about fonts, color schemes, and gain a basic understanding of visual hierarchy.

Educational Webinar: Converting Visitors to LeadsEducational Webinar: Converting Visitors to Leads
September 16, 2020, Online

Learn best practices for optimizing webforms and CTAs in order to maximize the number of visitor conversions on their site.

Getting Started with Zoho OneGetting Started with Zoho One
September 23, 2020, Online

In this presentation, we will walk through an overview of Zoho One using real case studies from Zoho customers to demonstrate different ways Zoho One can support your business.

Small Business Expo 2020 - PHILADELPHIASmall Business Expo 2020 – PHILADELPHIA
October 28, 2020, Philadelphia, PA

Small Business Expo is a FREE one-day event to attend for small businesses to network, attend great business-growth workshops, build new business relationships, exchange ideas, shop from new vendors and learn from leading industry experts. If you are serious about starting or growing your business, Small Business Expo is a “must attend” event. Small Business Expo is the #1 Business to Business Networking Event for business owners, entrepreneurs, start-ups, decision-makers or anyone who works for a small business or is interested in starting a Small Business.

LinkUpConferenceShowLinkUpConferenceShow
November 12, 2020, Online

LinkUpConferenceShow (LUCS) is a digital networking conference that merges the incredibly dynamic worlds of tech and comedy to provide informative and personalized networking opportunities designed to help executives, entrepreneurs, business leaders and tech professionals grow and scale their businesses. LUCS is the tech conference that combines Silicon Valley insights with New York’s nonstop energy to bring the technology community a totally new virtual experience designed to inspire, engage and entertain.

More Events

  • Advancing Integrated Project Delivery 2020
    September 14, 2020, Online
  • Small Business Expo 2020 – PHOENIX
    October 1, 2020, Phoenix, AZ
  • World-Famous HR Technology Event, Oct. 2020
    October 13, 2020, Las Vegas, NV
  • Creative Operations San Francisco 2020
    October 14, 2020, San Francisco, CA
  • Miami’s Largest MBA Event! QS MBA Tour
    October 20, 2020, Online
  • Small Business Expo 2020 – CHICAGO
    October 20, 2020, Chicago, IL
  • Atlanta’s Largest MBA Event! QS MBA Tour
    October 22, 2020, Atlanta, GA
  • Houston’s Largest MBA Event! QS MBA Tour
    October 24, 2020, Houston, TX
  • Austin’s Largest MBA Event! QS MBA Tour
    October 26, 2020, Austin, TX
  • Claims Innovation USA Virtual Event
    October 26, 2020, Online
  • AI DevWorld 2020
    October 27, 2020, Online
  • Salt Lake City’s Largest MBA Event! QS MBA Tour
    October 31, 2020, Austin, TX
  • Denver’s Largest MBA Event! QS MBA Tour
    November 2, 2020, Denver, CO
  • San Jose’s Largest MBA Event! QS MBA Tour
    November 5, 2020, San Jose, CA
  • San Diego’s Largest MBA Event! QS MBA Tour
    November 7, 2020, San Diego, CA
  • 17th International Conference on Machine Learning and Data Mining MLDM’2021
    July 17, 2021, New York, NY

More Contests

This weekly listing of small business events, contests and awards is provided as a community service by Small Business Trends.

You can see a full list of events, contest and award listings or post your own events by visiting the Small Business Events Calendar.

Image: Zoho

[ad_2]

Source link

55 Real Estate Social Media Post Ideas – Real Estate

by Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

Here are 55 Real Estate Social Media Posts that will drive more engagement, increase brand awareness, and help you to sell more houses! 

Many underestimate the power of social media, but when it comes to selling real estate exposure is key! Before we dive deep into these social media ideas, be sure you know who your target market it. 

Target market research is not only important to your success, but it will also help you to avoid many mistakes ahead of time. 

If you want to know how you can create your own social media graphics, Canva is the best affordable option. As a cloud-based app, you can access it from anywhere when you have Wifi and creative ideas are endless! 

Social Media Post Ideas for Real Estate Agents

Just Listed 

This real estate post should a given and on the top of your social media list! When listing your homes, be sure to include enough information to have them intrigued. Use photos that showcase the inside and outside, along with good lighting, and some neighborhood features. Also, at least list the price range to keep your warm list as accurate as possible. 

Homeowner Tips 

Share homeowner tips that are helpful during the buying, selling, and moving process. This list can create tons of social media ideas where realtors will always know what to post. 

For example, showcase home upgrades that bring in more money, how to get approved for loans, why being pre-approved is a good idea, etc. 

Featured Home of the Week 

You can share listings as they come, but be sure to feature a home of the week. Ideally, this will be a high-end property with lots to be desired. Show multiple photos of even a home tour. 

Showcase a Team Member 

If you work with a company such as Remax or Keller Williams where you have a full team, be sure to feature them. This not only gives your business more brand awareness, but social media audiences love to see content outside of what you are trying to sell. Plus, it lets them get to know who you have working for you. 

Ideas to include for team members: 

Start date, experience, hobbies, a fun fact that most don’t know, family details, favorite food, etc. 

Pose with the new homeowners

Don’t let this photo op pass you by. Pose with them outside of their newly purchased home. Other ideas to include are signage for just sold, champagne toast, or even balloons. All of the suggestions will jazz up your social media, not only for your audience, but you can outshine your competitors. 

Buying Anniversary 

Anytime you post to Facebook, it reminds you that you have “Memories” that you can share. These make great posts for #throwbackthursdays (#TBT) or just something sentimental to add to your page. Be sure to tag those homeowners, because this will get you more exposure with their audience as well as building rapport for lasting relationships. 

Client Closing 

Signing the paperwork is so exciting for both parties, so why not show that off! Take photos during the closing at the table! Another idea is taking photos with the owners holding their keys. Be sure to tag the local attorney office, along with others who helped along the way.

a house with a for sale sign in the front with sold written over it.

Just Sold 

Be sure to get several photos of you and/or your team holding signage for just sold. Use your brand colors and caption how exciting the moment is for everyone. 

Virtual Home Tours 

People love being able to tour the home from their couch. Use Zillow’s 3D tool to create your virtual home tour. Be sure to share on all of your platforms that allow video! 

Client Testimonial 

It’s okay to give yourself a pat on the back! Create a graphic and spruce it up to really showcase your client’s testimonials. You can pull these from Google, Facebook, or even handwritten cards or notes that clients may send you. You can also have your clients to record a video testimonial which all of your social fans will fall in love with. 

More Real Estate Posts You May Like:

Holidays 

Don’t skip the opportunity for some fun. While the national holidays are a given, you can always celebrate National Taco Day, Wife Appreciation Day, and World Smile Day. This may sound silly, but these posts really get users engaging, especially when it has to do with pets and kids. Visit National Day Calendar to view a HUGE list of holidays. 

Contest/Giveaway

We all know people LOVE free! Knowing who your target market is and catering to them will help this campaign be successful. Be sure you follow Facebook’s guidelines. Ideas for Giveaways could include gift cards, seasonal baskets, an experience gift, spa packages, etc. 

Birthdays 

No birthday should go uncelebrated! Share with your followers whose birthday it is and how everyone is celebrating as a team. 

Office Anniversaries 

Highlight anniversaries and include the realtor’s milestones and successes since starting with your company 

Most Expensive Listings 

Even if they can’t afford it, homebuyers love to dream and get the inside scoop on the champagne lifestyle. Posting expensive houses is mainly for engagement purposes but it’s also really fun.

infographic with data

Housing Market Information 

While this info may seem boring to some, it really shows off your expertise and gives the proof that you really know stuff, which is what your potential clients are looking for. Create a captivating graphic to grab their attention and actually read the caption. 

New Team Member 

Show off your new hires by posting their headshots and just a little bio about them. You can always tell how they will be an asset to your team. 

Community Events 

This is a no brainer. Anytime you have a booth set up at a local event or are sponsoring something in your city, share it! It’s a proven statistic that audiences love community involvement. 

Awards and Certifications 

Don’t post all of these gems at once. Depending on the size of your team and how long you have been a real estate agent or broker you could have a ton of accomplishments under your belt. Show the award or certification and what it takes in order to be eligible to receive it. 

Open Houses

Always keep your followers updated on open houses ahead of time and post several hours the day of. You can even go live on Facebook while the open house is actually in progress.  

Supporting Local Business 

Whether this is the contractors or property management company you use or the people you call when it comes to your own home, highlight those companies. Most of them will always return the favor.

Blog Post 

Share a blog post that is really helpful to readers. Even if they aren’t in the market for a new home now, the more free valuable content you share, the more they will remember you in the future. 

Fact 

This is just for fun! Share a fact about real estate or even local facts. People will chime in and engage, which in turn gets your brand in front of more people. 

Quote Inspirational quotes are perfect for #mondaymotivation! Anything inspiring is always nice to see. PRO TIP: Share from another account that is larger than yours, it will perform better most of the time. 

Question 

Ask your audience questions in the form of which would you choose? Or do you prefer this or that? These options are endless when it comes to real estate. 

Funny 

I mean who doesn’t love a good joke? Use the hashtag #FridayFunny and it will fit right into your content calendar. Hunt for tasteless real estate humor or just share something hilarious that has happened to you during your realtor career. 

Company News 

If you work for a larger company such as Remax, Coldwell Banker, or Keller Williams, send positive vibes! Share what’s happening outside of your local branch.

Memes 

Everyone loves memes! If you can’t find something that fits just right you can always make your own with a meme generator that looks exactly like the ones you see on Google. 

Personal 

Invite your followers into your personal life. Share your hobbies, family vacations, part of your home, etc. Your audience isn’t following a company in their minds, they are following your personality. 

Polls 

Polls are a great tool to increase engagement. They take less than 2 seconds to participate in and so many want to see what others say. To relate it back to real estate, you could say Do you prefer a two-story home or one? True or False, location is really important to me when purchasing a home. You get the idea! 

Quizzes

Let’s test their knowledge. Set up a quiz about the housing market, your local area, or any other fun topic that you think would resonate with your audience. 

Neighborhood Features 

Most realtors forget this portion when it comes to social media. Instead of posting a listing, take photos around the area and highlight specific neighborhoods and what they are known for. This is especially great for people moving to the area that aren’t familiar. 

First Time Homebuyer Tips 

Purchasing your first home is a milestone and super overwhelming for most! Be sure you cater to this market too! Give them solid, informative information along with the do’s and don’ts.

Decoration Inspiration 

Your profile is going to grow when you give decoration inspiration a whirl! These are great when it comes to seasonal decorating too! Many people cannot visualize concepts, so when you share all your modern chic farmhouse photos, they are going to fall in love. 

GIFs 

GIFs are moving images that will definitely stop the scroll. Incorporate these into your personal content along with curated ones. You know like the Friends GIFs or even The Office. 

Boomerangs 

You can take Boomerangs on Facebook and Instagram and publish instantly or save for later. These are great ideas when you are staging, cheering after closing, and when showing a home. Just something that gets a little more attention than a static photo.

Facebook Lives

Did you know that Facebook automatically notifies your followers when you go live? These tend to do really well! 

Before and After Staging Photos 

Come on, who doesn’t love a transformation? This also can be used to showcase your staging services if you offer them. 

Seasonal Home Maintenance Tips 

Again, free valuable content. That’s what builds trust and lasting relationships. Give out all of the free tips you can. Plus, homebuyers love a home that has been kept up. 

Design Tips for Remodeling

A large percentage of homeowners report that the only reason they remodel is that they are thinking about selling in the future. This is the perfect time to educate them on the design that will get the most for their money.

graphic showing an idea for real estate social media posts by using a graph

Graphs or Charts of Your Success Rate 

Visuals always attract more attention. Put together a pie chart or line graph that shows off your success. You can easily do this in Canva.

Calendar of Events 

Each month post a calendar of events that includes community functions, scheduled open houses, and other festivals that may be happening locally.

Behind the Scenes 

Average individuals have no clue what goes on behind the scenes in real estate. Show them! This also gives them the sense that they are an insider and you are sharing with them first! 

Milestones 

Don’t miss the opportunity to show off that you just sold your 100th home, or your company has been in business for 40 years. By doing this, you are giving yourself more creditability.

Charitable Causes 

Millennials report that they are more likely to choose someone’s product or service when they know that they give back to a greater purpose. Also, ask your audience what their favorite charity is.

Price Reductions 

When a listing gets stale, and you decide to reduce the price, be sure to update and repost that listing! 

Host a Q and A session

Offering your time for free is a BIG deal. Lots of potential clients have questions no matter what industry it is. Plan ahead of time for this session and post often to make sure everyone can save the date. Facebook also allows Pop Up groups, which would be perfect for this sort of thing.

Moving Checklist 

Not only is this super helpful, but you can also gain leads by getting people on your email list. Don’t give this one away without getting the email address first, simply show a preview to entice readers. 

Team Outings

Team culture is huge, and not just for your team. Communities love seeing how much companies value their employees. By hosting a team retreat or family outing makes for a good vibe and a great social media opportunity.

Trending Now 

Share what trends are on the rise when it comes to what home buyers are looking for. This can include color schemes, styles of homes, square footage, and the type of property.

Trivia 

Another fun idea just to get people talking! Some popular trivia ideas are decades, Disney, local trivia, TV shows, Movies, Music, and holiday themes.

Client Closing Gifts 

If you aren’t offering your clients gifts, you should. I mean who doesn’t love a nice surprise! Take a picture with the homeowners receiving it or have them video themselves when they open it later.

Renter Tips 

Renters typically turn to buyers at some point, so don’t leave them out when it comes to tips and tricks! 

Insurance Advice

Pretty sure everyone dreads the thought of insurance in any setting. While this is boring and dreaded, it’s very important. Share local agencies that you work with, special offers that you know of, or just your personal experience. 

Home Technology

This is another big topic that literally everyone is looking into. Shed some light on the latest technology that can be installed in your home.

These real estate social media posts are a sure-fire way to jumpstart your presence online! Another key takeaway is to make sure you are posting consistency to social media. By being consistent, Facebook will show you posts to more people. Also, if people are asking questions, don’t forget to respond back!

[ad_2]

Source link

Best Programmable Keyboard Options for 2020

by Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

Most business owners perform many of the same functions on their computers over and over, day after day. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a quicker and easier way to complete these repetitive tasks? Instead of browsing through your device to find specific programs or open commonly used documents, you may benefit from using a programmable keyboard.

These products include buttons that can be customized to perform specific functions like opening programs or cutting and pasting text. There are also options made for specific functions like content creation, photo editing, and gaming.

Some of them are fully customizable. So all of the buttons can be set for the various functions you perform frequently. And others include just a small section of buttons that you can customize. So you can use the rest like a standard keyboard.

If you’re looking for a way to save time and cut repetition out of your busy day, then a programmable keyboard is just the thing. Here are the best in 2020.

Best Keyboard with Programmable Keys Best Fully Programmable Keyboard
Redragon K511 PRO RGB Gaming Keyboard Wired LED Backlit Programmable Macro Keyboard X-keys Programmable Keypads and Keyboards
Redragon K511 PRO RGB Gaming Keyboard Wired LED Backlit Programmable Macro Keyboard X-keys Programmable Keypads and Keyboards
Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon

Programmable Keyboards to Consider

Choosing the best programmable keypad for your business starts with understanding the options. There are some products that are completely customizable. And there are others that just include small sections of keys that you can turn into macros and shortcuts. If you are going to a pay premium price, consider the customer service the company offers. Especially if the keyboard has a hard learning curve.

Below, we’ve broken down these products so you can find the best fit for your needs. Each one includes a rundown of the essential features, details, and price. If you’re interested in purchasing a programmable keyboard for your business, here are some top options to consider.

Best Keyboards with Programmable Keys

The keyboards on this list have a certain number of function keys that can be configured to run multiple functions and macros. Then the rest of the keyboard simply works as normal. Many are marketed for gaming use. But there are plenty of functions you can set that may work for business use as well. These products tend to work best for those who want to stick with just one main keyboard but want to reap the benefits of programmable buttons.

Redragon K511 PRO RGB Gaming Keyboard Wired LED Backlit Programmable Macro Keyboard

This gaming keyboard from Redragon includes 104 keys. And 5 of them are programmable macro keys. It has quiet keystrokes that make for a quiet working environment. It also includes backlighting in various colors and levels for extra style and visibility. It’s compatible with many top PC brands and operating systems. And it is currently priced at $29.99, so it’s a fairly affordable option.

Dell Alienware Pro Gaming Mechanical Keyboard AW768

From Dell, this silver keyboard includes 15 programmable keys that can be attached to different macros. So it includes more options than many other semi-programmable keyboards on the market. It can be customized with different leg angles and optional palm rest for maximum comfort. It also includes ambient lights in various colors behind the keys. The price of this one falls at $95.97.

Das Keyboard 4Q Smart RGB Mechanical Keyboard

This mechanical keyboard from Das Keyboard works using a smart RGB Cherry MX version of Das Keyboard. So it does require some knowledge about programming and the platform for users to enjoy maximum functionality. All of its buttons can actually be customized. So there are really endless options for those who want to create a lot of shortcuts. But it includes a standard keyboard layout so it can still work for those who want a mainly traditional setup. Prices start at $149.25.

The Cherry MX series line of switches was introduced in 1985. They are known by the colors, which denote the handling characteristics. This includes how much force is required, whether it is clicky or tactile. Cherry MX Red, which was introduced in 2008, for example, has a low actuation force. So the color you choose will dictate how they function.

Trust GXT 285 Adjustable LED RGP Backlit Wired Gaming Keyboard

This keyboard with customizable keys comes from Trust Gaming. It includes 5 custom macro buttons and 3 different profiles so you can actually save up to three different macros for each key. Then you simply switch modes or profiles when you’re performing different tasks. This is mainly useful for gaming. But it could be useful for those who have different categories of macros used in different instances. For example, you might use one profile when working on spreadsheets and another one for video editing with media keys. The black keyboard is backlit and connects to a device using a USB cord. It also includes software for easily programming macros. This programmable keyboard runs for $39.97.

Best Fully Programmable Keyboards

On the other hand, some keyboards come with buttons that are completely customizable with macros and shortcuts. Many of these are smaller than traditional keyboards since most people don’t need to create too many customizations. These can be used on top of a traditional keyboard or for specific functions like design and photo editing. However, there are options at pretty much every level of complexity and price point. So here are some of the top options available for business users today.

Koolertron Single-Handed Programmable Mechanical Keyboard with OEM Gateron Red Switch

This keyboard from Koolertron includes 48 keys, all of which are programmable. It also pairs with configuration software to help users create up to eight complex macros with its mechanical keyboard. They remain programmed even if you disconnect the keyboard and attach it to a different computer. So it may be especially useful for those who switch between different devices frequently. This one costs $81.99.

Elgato Stream Deck

This Elgato product comes with 15 customizable LCD keys and and adjustable stand. It’s made for use by content creators. So many of the functions are specifically tailored to these types of tasks. It’s also designed to be easy to use even for those with no programming knowledge. In fact, you can use an app to easily set functions for each key by dragging and dropping functions to each button in the software interface. It’s compatible with Windows 10 and MacOS 10.13 or later and currently costs $149.95.

Penclic N3 Office Numeric Keypad

Those who want a simple extra keyboard may opt for this Penclic option. All of its 22 numbered keys are customizable with different functions. It also has an ergonomic design to maintain comfort while you work on those repetitive tasks. Speaking of ergonomic, make sure to get a wrist rest to avoid any injuries.

Penclic also has a plug and play setup for easy use. Just connect it to your device with a USB and start setting different functions for each key you want to use. And at just $29.99, it is affordable.

ELSRA USB Wired Programming Numeric Keypad ControlPad Black PK-2068

This ELSRA keypad includes 23 keys that can be programmed on multiple levels. There are two separate modes. So you can set different macros that work when the keyboard is in each mode. So you can keep the number of buttons down but still enjoy tons of functionality with different macros. It easily connects via USB so you can get it up and running pretty quickly. However, it only works with Windows devices. So those who have Mac or Linux computers may be better off with another option. The current cost is $38.90.

X-keys Programmable Keypads and Keyboards

This X-keys keyboard includes 60 macro keys for those who want to include tons of customization options. The company says it is perfect for use with programs like CAD and PhotoShop. It includes software for easy programming on Windows devices. However, those who use Mac or Linux devices will need to program it using Windows device; those settings will then save and be usable on those devices afterward. This product runs for $199.95.

What is a programmable keyboard?

A programmable keyboard is a product that allows you to assign custom actions to various keys. This allows you to create shortcuts to the functions you use most often so you can save time. Some keyboards have just certain sections that can be programmed, while others are fully programmable.

What are keyboard macros?

A keyboard macro is a series of actions that are designed to perform a specific task. For example, you might assign a key and/or mouse action to open your email program. Or you could press a short series of keys to insert a certain graphic into your company’s spreadsheets. This allows you to save time on the repetitive tasks you perform most often.

Can I use a second keyboard for macros?

Yes, some people prefer to keep one classic keyboard and one programmable one. Having a full keyboard available to program can really open up the options for you to create tons of macros and be super-efficient. Each keyboard needs to be a different model if you go this route. You may also need to install programs like Lua Macros or AutoHotkey. The videos below explain a bit about the process for those who want to learn how.

Image: Depositphotos.com

[ad_2]

Source link

Business Line of Credit: How It Works

by Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

Small business owners rely on business lines of credit for short-term money needs. A business line of credit is similar to a credit card in the sense that you are approved for a maximum credit limit. You can borrow and withdraw funds as you need them, up to the limit.

You are charged interest only on the amount you withdraw. As you repay the amounts you borrowed, you free up the line to again withdraw those amounts.

A business line of credit is a popular type of funding. According to the 2020 Small Business Credit Survey (Federal Reserve Banks), 40% of small businesses applying for financing seek out business lines of credit.

What is a Business Line of Credit?

A business line of credit is a type of small business financing that you can draw on periodically, up to an approved credit limit.

Its number one advantage is flexibility. You borrow only the funds you need when you need them — you are not forced to take out the full amount in a lump sum. And you pay interest on the money you draw out, only, not on the full amount. So it is cost-effective.

A business line of credit is a valuable strategy for managing cash flow. That’s because sometimes expenses hit when your business checking account is low. For example, you may need money to make payroll because sales were unexpectedly down or you had a business emergency. In that case, you can tap into the line of credit.

Or perhaps you want to buy inventory and take advantage of a bulk discount. But sales are slow right now. A temporary cash flow dip doesn’t cause you to miss out on a savings opportunity.

How Does a Line of Credit Work?

A small business line of credit works like a credit card in some ways — yet it is different.

When you establish a line of credit, it means your business gets approved up to certain credit limits. The lender determines the amount based on your ability to repay, the business revenue, your credit score and other factors.

Think of it as a contingency fund. The money is there if and when you need it.

A line of credit is revolving credit. With a revolving line, as you repay the amounts you borrow, the funds then become available to borrow again.

The following business line of credit example further illustrates how a line of credit works.

  • In January, the lender approves a business line in the amount of $50,000 for your business.
  • In April, you experience a temporary cash shortfall. So you borrow $10,000 on the credit line.
  • You are charged interest on the $10,000 you borrowed, only.
  • You must pay interest and principal on repayment terms established by the lender, until the amounts you borrowed are repaid.
  • Once any funds are repaid, those amounts become available to borrow for other financing needs.
  • If you need more money later, you can go back and borrow more up to the maximum limit available.

What Can You Use a Line of Credit For?

You can use business lines of credit for any legitimate business needs or expenses.

Many FDIC banks today require business borrowers to certify that they are not involved in illegal or high risk activities, such as online gambling or payday lending. Aside from such activities, there are typically no restrictions on how small business owners use lines of credit. Companies use business lines of credit for:

  • operating expenses,
  • equipment funding,
  • inventory financing,
  • software installations,
  • buying new computers or mobile devices,
  • paying unexpected bills or invoices,
  • paying employees,
  • growth opportunities,
  • emergencies, or
  • any other small business expense.

Seasonal businesses often rely on a credit line for working capital needs. Seasonal businesses may need to prepare for the high season, such as by buying inventory or raw materials. Or they may simply need money for cash flow to meet short term needs.

Some banks let you link your business line of credit to a business checking account as overdraft protection to avoid costly fees.

How to Access Funds

There are three main methods to access money from business lines of credit:

  • Checks: The lender typically issues checks to the borrower upon the account opening. Then the borrower writes checks for specific amounts.
  • Debit Cards: Depending on the lender, borrowers may also be issued a special debit card (such as a MasterCard) to access money.
  • Balance Transfers: If a business line of credit is through the same bank as the owner’s checking account, transferring cash into a checking account is especially easy. In those situations, the owner often can transfer funds online, by mobile app or even by phone into a business bank account.

Each time you write a check, withdraw or transfer a sum, you are borrowing money from the line.

How do You Qualify for a Business Line of Credit?

Most lenders have three minimum qualifications you must meet:

Time in business: You must have been operating and in business for a minimum amount of time. Most lenders require a minimum of one or two years of time in business.

Annual revenue: Your business must have a minimum amount of annual revenue. Once again, this varies by lender. Some require as little as $25,000 in yearly sales — although that would be unusual. Most lenders want to see at least $100,000 in annual revenue. For some credit line products you may need $250,000 or more. For the most favorable terms or a long-term line of credit, you might need a much larger revenue number, such as $1 million.

Credit history: You must have an established credit history including a good personal credit rating. Credit scores of around 600 usually are a requirement. Here again the credit score requirement varies by lender. A poor credit score may not prevent you from getting a credit line — but you may end up with less advantageous terms, such as a higher interest rate or lower credit limit.

About 79% of small business owners who apply for business lines of credit are approved for at least some amount. That’s according to the Federal Reserve Bank’s 2020 Small Business Credit Survey, as this chart shows.

business line of credit approval rate

Documentation for a Business Line of Credit

The lender underwrites business credit lines just like any other loan product. The lender also performs a check of your personal credit score and business credit score.

Every lender’s requirements differ, but lenders typically ask for the following type of documentation for a business line of credit:

  • Personal and business tax returns (last 2 years)
  • Bank statements
  • Balance sheet
  • Profit and loss statement (P&L)
  • Accounts receivable aging report
  • Personal financial statement showing the owner’s net worth
  • Business documents (such as LLC or incorporation articles)
  • Tax ID number / social security number
  • Information about other owners (if any)

You can generate the balance sheet, P&L statement and accounts receivable report easily using most accounting software. The lender usually supplies a standard form for the financial statement.

Some lenders ask for a business plan but most small business owners don’t have one. So the lender usually settles for a brief description of the business. The loan officer will also ask questions during the application process.

How Much Will a Line of Credit Cost?

A variety of factors affect your costs. Each lender varies. The lender will disclose costs up front, but be prepared for the following:

Fees: Sometimes there is an origination fee charged when you first are approved. Also, most lenders charge a modest annual fee or maintenance fee, such as $100 a year.

Interest Rate: Interest rates on a business line of credit typically range between 5% up to around 15%. However, rates can go higher. The lender will quote a specific rate upon loan approval.

  • Often the interest rate is quoted as “prime +” which means that it is based on the current prime rate, plus an additional percentage. Currently prime is 3.25%. So if a lender charges prime + 1.75%, your rate would be 5% at present.
  • Those with an excellent credit history generally get better rates. Read: How to Build Business Credit.

The lender will assess how big of a risk you are. The more risk the lender perceives, the higher your costs. Risk factors include:

  • The amount you request. Higher amounts mean more risk for the lender.
  • The nature of your business or industry. Some industries are riskier than others.
  • Your length of time in business. Brand new businesses are riskier to the lender than those with a longer track record.
  • Collateral. The more assets you have for collateral, the less risk for the lender

Secured vs Unsecured Credit Line

A business line of credit can be either unsecured or secured. It depends on what the lender offers. Secured means that the lender requires collateral to ensure repayment. Unsecured means that no collateral is required. Here is a comparison of secured vs unsecured:

Unsecured Line of Credit

Unsecured business lines of credit have higher interest rates and usually have smaller maximum limits. For instance, banks like Wells Fargo and Bank of America currently offer versions of an unsecured line of credit for small businesses. The maximum in each case is $100,000. The interest rate charged usually is higher than a secured line.

An unsecured business line is good for startups or young businesses. Unsecured lines are also good for service businesses that do not have a lot of assets to serve as collateral.

Secured Line of Credit

A secured line of credit is usually for larger amounts. For many lenders, secured lines of credit are standard.

Most are secured by a blanket lien on accounts receivables, usually through a UCC filing in your state. The lender may also take other collateral such as equipment, banks accounts or inventory to secure a larger line of credit.

Secured business lines of credit may charge a lower interest rate with better payment terms than unsecured.

Business Line of Credit vs Credit Cards

As mentioned above, a small business line of credit is similar to a credit card. But there are real differences:

  • Interest Rates – A business credit card usually has a higher rate of interest — 15% to 24%. Business lines of credit, on the other hand, may be 5 to 15%.
  • Fees – If you are unwise enough to take out cash advances on your card, the interest rate can exceed 25%. On top of that, you may have to pay a cash advance fee. A business line of credit is more cost effective for cash advances.
  • Rewards – But what about rewards programs? If a credit card has a rewards program, then the cash back may offset some of the interest. However, most cash back is only 1% or 2%, so costs are still high.
  • Introductory Offers – Some business owners get lured in with a low introductory credit card offer. But that attractive introductory rate may last only for the first 90 days or 6 months.

When to Use a Credit Card

Credit cards are a good choice for small expenses or when you need convenience. For example:

  • Convenience – credit cards are convenient for business travel and online purchases in particular.
  • For small expenses – If you need to buy a small amount of office supplies or pay for a business lunch, business credit cards are ideal.

Business lines of credit are better where a credit card would be too expensive.

Difference Between Line of Credit and a Loan

A small business line of credit is very different from a regular business loan. A business loan is close ended — a fixed term that last longer than a line. Also, with a loan you must take the entire loan amount all at once.

When to Use a Business Loan

Business loans are a better choice than a business line of credit for any situation where you need more than a few months to repay the money or it’s a large capital investment. For example:

  • If you are buying an office building, a business line of credit would be a terrible choice because the repayment term is too short. Commercial real estate mortgages, by comparison, have longer repayment schedules — 10 to 25 years.
  • If you are buying expensive equipment it might be wise not to tie up a chunk of your working capital for a large planned investment. Instead, look into financing from the manufacturer or a term loan.

By contrast, business lines of credit are good for short term needs where it is not worthwhile to take out a business loan. For example, assume you are experiencing a temporary cash flow dip. You expect it to be resolved within 60 days when some large invoices are paid. A small business line of credit is perfect in this situation.

Summing Up the Advantages

A business line of credit allows the owner to sleep at night. Lines of credit are great for contingencies. It’s comforting to know that you’ll have necessary operating funds to manage your small business finances, despite temporary shortfalls in revenue or if surprise expenses hit. As one small business owner told us about lines of credit, “The money is there if you need it.”

Image: Shutterstock

[ad_2]

Source link

LG Unveils Puricare Air Purifier Face Mask

by Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

The battery-powered mask uses two replaceable H13 HEPA filters, dual three-speed fans, and a patented Respiratory Sensor to ensure the air you breathe is virus-free.

Grow Your Business, Not Your Inbox

Stay informed and join our daily newsletter now!


2 min read


This story originally appeared on PCMag

Face masks are here to stay, and tech companies are keen to take advantage by offering us breathing protection well beyond what disposable face masks can achieve. LG just revealed its first serious attempt at providing us with “personal clean air.”

Using IFA 2020 as a launching ground, LG is introducing the PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier. It’s a face mask, but promises to provide a fresh supply of clean air to the person wearing it for hours. That’s achieved through a combination fo two H13 HEPA filters and dual fans, powered by a rechargeable battery.

Image credit: LG

LG built-in its patented Respiratory Sensor to automatically adjust the Puricare based on the “cycle and volume of the wearer’s breath.” Each fan has three speed settings, which adjust to run slower or faster depending on whether the wearer is breathing in or out so as to reduce the effort required to simply breathe normally. The battery powering the mask is only 820mAh, but LG claims it’s enough for eight hours of filtered air.

As well as covering the nose and mouth, LG says the mask will be comfortable to wear for hours. When it isn’t being worn, the mask can be placed in its case where it will recharge and be subjected to UV-LED lights in order to kill any germs before the next use. LG also linked the case to its ThinQ Android and iOS mobile app, so the user can be informed when the HEPA filters need replacing.

Related: This Canadian Startup Is Creating Breathable Masks That Seal Tight to Your Face

As The Verge reports, LG isn’t commenting yet on how effective the Puricare mask is at slowing the spread of coronavirus. The company is waiting for testing to be completed and certification granted before giving any further details. We also don’t yet know when the mask will be made available for purchase or how much it will cost, but LG has suggested it will be launched before the end of 2020.

[ad_2]

Source link

Leverage Amazon Customer Reviews to Sell More Products – Ecommerce

by Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

Featured image by Tong_stocker

One single Amazon product review can increase sales by 10%, while 200 Amazon customer reviews can increase sales by up to 44%. Suddenly, the thought of encouraging and leveraging reviews seems well worth the effort.

The biggest reason for this dramatic increase in sales is because reviews significantly influence buying decisions. They act as “proof” of product and cement brand trust for consumers who are on the fence.

In fact, 70% of consumers will consider reviews and ratings before they make a purchase decision. Moreover, at least 41% will read between four and seven reviews to gain insights on a product.

Think about it: imagine you’re in need of a new blender and you’re stuck between two that seem similar. One has a ton of positive customer reviews while the other has none. Which one is most appealing? If you’re like the majority of other consumers, you’ll almost certainly go for the one with the reviews.

But if you want to increase sales, it’s not enough to rake in the reviews, sit back, and hope for the best. Instead, you can leverage these important elements of the buying cycle to encourage even more sales.

Here’s how:

1. Respond to Amazon Customer Reviews

Reviews are an essential way to build trust with potential buyers. They provide much-needed proof and peace of mind that your products are as stated. Also, they also provide the perfect way to build connections with your customers and nurture relationships with them.

When you respond to Amazon customer reviews, customers understand that you’re listening to them and are open to a two-way dialogue. Reviews aren’t just a one-way void of feedback. Instead, they present an opportunity to converse with shoppers and find out what their experience is like with your store.

The key is to respond to reviews. At Urtasker.com we encourage our clients to respond to all reviews, positive and negative. This propels the value of positive sentiment and truncates any negative sentiment before it manifests and expands. In fact, it is often possible to turn negative reviews into positive with quick, valuable, responses.

Your response to a review triggers and automatic response from Amazon that notifies customers who have left responses and continues the conversations they have started. This establishes a human connection between brand and buyer. This is vital for turning one-time buyers into loyal customers.

A customer is more likely to come back and buy from you again if they feel like they have a relationship with you. And responding to their reviews is a low-effort, easy way to do this.

Amazon customer review

On the flipside, prospects who see you responding to reviews even if they haven’t left one themselves will have more trust for you as a brand. Therefore, they are more likely to buy from you.

2. Improve Your Products

The better your products are, the more sales you’ll make. It’s as simple as that.

If customers know you’re working hard to give them products they love, they’re going to keep coming back for more. What’s more, they will recommend you to their friends and family.

You can use Amazon customer reviews as vital feedback for improving your products. This shows that you have your customers’ best interests at heart and are dedicated to providing excellent products. Moreover, it will show them that you actually listen to them and value their opinions.

Again, this will build brand trust and ensure you’re putting your customers first. This is crucial in today’s ecommerce landscape that often prioritizes quick sales over customer relationships.

For example, if you get a lot of reviews about how long shipping takes, can you improve that? Or if you notice an influx of comments about a missing feature of one of your products, is there a way you can incorporate it?

This also proves to future buyers that you’re open to accommodating their needs. This will again foster and cement brand trust and buyer confidence.

3. Share Amazon Customer Reviews on Social Media

Don’t just let your Amazon customer reviews sit and gather dust on their relevant product pages. Share them far and wide to increase your visibility and reach new buyers in different corners of the Internet.

Linking to your products via reviews on social media is a great way to do this. These are the platforms your prospects are already hanging out on, and showing up where they already are is a great way to insert yourself into the conversation and bring their attention to your products.

Sharing reviews is a form of sharing user-generated content, which performs particularly well on social media. Consumers are tired of seeing well-polished images and messages from brands in their feeds. Instead they crave peer reviews and stories from their fellow shoppers.

And, with more companies than ever implementing user-generated content, like reviews across their marketing strategy, you’ll be left behind if you don’t join them. What’s more, it’s one of the most effective ways customers discover new products.

You can simply share reviews with a link to the relevant product, create Instagram review images, or even create short videos that spotlight positive product reviews.

4. Include Reviews in Your Product Descriptions

Sometimes, shoppers won’t scroll all the way down your Amazon product page to get to the reviews. If they don’t, they end up just seeing an arbitrary star rating with none of the important details.

To avoid this, incorporate some of your best reviews into your product listings to provide a customer-focused perspective of your products. Remember to keep these up-to-date as well, so you’re showcasing the latest opinions customers have of your products.

Not only do Amazon customer reviews on product pages increase conversions, but they are also great for increasing Amazon SEO. Reviews are one of the most important factors in Amazon’s search algorithm. This means the more positive reviews you have, the higher up your products are likely to show in search results. 

5. Use Reviews in Product Ads

Running product ads on Amazon or on external platforms like Facebook and Google is an effective way to raise awareness of your product and attract shoppers that are in “buy mode.”

Supercharge these ads by incorporating customer reviews.

Whether you’re running an Amazon headline ad or an ad on Facebook, integrating positive reviews will increase the conversion rate. Studies show that doing so can increase click-through rates by four times as much. Moreover, it can drop cost-per-click by 50% compared to ads that don’t.

6. Feature Amazon Customer Reviews on Other Marketing Channels

Utilize the Amazon customer reviews you get as much as you can. This might mean sharing them via your email marketing campaigns, publishing them on your own website, or using them in other digital materials.

Sprinkling reviews throughout the sales cycle creates trust-boosting touch points that will drive shoppers toward the sale.

The great thing about Amazon customer reviews is that they can be used to enhance your marketing materials pretty much everywhere:

  • Incorporate them into your transactional emails to provide peace of mind and direct buyers to future product recommendations
  • Share them in email marketing campaigns to drive click-throughs
  • Scatter them around your own website, from the homepage to landing pages, product pages, and the checkout, to continue to build trust throughout the sales cycle

RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO WRITE PRODUCT CONTENT THAT RANKS WELL ON GOOGLE

7. Create Rich Snippets for Google

Google loves sharing search results that have reviews. It proves that customers like the product and adds an extra element of trust. Not only this, but search results that include reviews stand out against ones that don’t.

To make sure your product pages show up in search results with their reviews attached, mark your reviews up properly in HTML so that they’re easily readable by search engine crawlers. This will automatically create eye-catching rich snippets that capture the attention of shoppers on Google.

Amazon customer reviews are incredibly important today in light of how much competition is out there. Not only do reviews help you improve your search rankings both on Amazon and Google, but they also build trust and create an enjoyable customer experience.

Leverage your customer reviews by sharing them, responding to them, and incorporating them into your other marketing materials throughout the sales cycle. Do this, and you’ll increase the number of products you sell.

Schedule your free 30 minute no obligation consultation with Urtasker now.

[ad_2]

Source link

9 HBO Max Tips Every Streamer Should Know

by Leave a Comment

[ad_1]


6 min read


This story originally appeared on PCMag

After decades as a premium cable channel that offered internet access to customers via HBO GO, HBO jumped into standalone streaming in 2015 with HBO Now.

But after AT&T acquired Time Warner (which owns HBO) to create WarnerMedia, the company pooled all its content resources into a new venture called HBO Max, which launched in May. You can still use HBO Now (rebranded as simply HBO), but you might as well use HBO Max because it includes HBO plus a bunch of movies and TV shows from WarnerMedia, for the same $14.99-per-month price. Existing HBO Now and HBO GO customers get HBO Max at no extra charge.

With that settled, let’s check out a few features you should know before kicking off that next binge-watch.

Control what kids see

Control What Kids See

HBO Max features content for many different age groups. While you might trust a tablet to babysit your little ones with a few episodes of Sesame Street, you probably don’t want them accidentally tuning into Game of Thrones. As such, HBO Max allows you to create kids’ profiles and determine what they’re allowed to watch. When a kid’s profile is engaged, it requires a pin to switch back to an adult profile.

To set this up, hit the profile icon on mobile or the web, and select Switch Profiles > Add Kid. You then create a PIN that authorizes you to switch back and forth. Change your four-digit PIN at any time by going to your profile and selecting Parental Controls.

Once the PIN is set, you can add a name and birthday, and choose the ratings for movies and TV (G through NC-17 and TV-Y up to TV-MA, respectively) that your child is allowed to view. If you ever need to update the restricted content, go to Switch Profiles > Manage Profiles, then select the profile in question and choose Edit Age and Parental Controls.

Save it for later

Save It for Later

If you come across something you want to watch later, add it to your watch list. You can do this a number of ways. On the desktop, hover over any movie or series and hit the Add button. Or browse to something you want to add and choose Add to My List or Add Series to My List from its page (desktop and mobile). View everything you added by selecting your profile icon and going to My List. Content can be removed from individual pages or from the My List screen by tapping Remove.

Download for offline viewing

Download for Offline Viewing

Like other video-streaming services, HBO Max supports downloads for offline viewing. Go to the appropriate page in the app and tap Download to save it to your device. View downloads from your profile, under the Downloads tab. Unwatched downloads expire after 30 days, and you have 48 hours to finish once you start watching. Downloads will also automatically expire when the show or movie leaves HBO Max.

Expired content can be renewed when you’re connected to the internet, and the same videos can be renewed multiple times. Just tap the expired download and select Renew for 30 Days.

Video playback options

Video Playback Options

If you have a habit of going over your monthly data limit while streaming on mobile, there are a few ways HBO Max helps you take control. Tap your profile icon and select the gear icon to view settings. Tap Video Options and set the app to only stream over Wi-Fi, only download over Wi-Fi, and set up warnings for when you’re using cellular data. You can also control download quality from this page by tapping Download Quality and choosing between highest quality or fastest download.

Erase content from ‘Continue Watching’

Erase Content From 'Continue Watching'

HBO Max wasted no time introducing a feature Netflix only recently added—control over your Continue Watching section. If you start a movie or TV series, but decide it’s not for you, you don’t want it hanging out in your Continue Watching section. Zap it by opening the profile screen and selecting Continue Watching > Edit, where you can delete individual entries or choose Clear All to wipe the slate clean.

Check out the hub

Check Out the Hub

HBO Max’s top selling point is its wealth of content beyond the HBO lineup—for the same $14.99 per month as HBO Now. There’s WarnerMedia’s deep catalog of content—Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, DC, TCM, and Warner Bros.—as well as licensed media from Crunchyroll, Sesame Workshop, and Studio Ghibli. Keep it all organized in the hub. On the homepage of the mobile app and in the browser’s hamburger menu, swipe/scroll down for quick-access buttons for HBO, DC, Studio Ghibli, and more.

Watch Studio Ghibli and Crunchyroll content in Japanese

Watch Studio Ghibli and Crunchyroll Content in Japanese

HBO Max carries Japanese-language productions from Studio Ghibli and Crunchyroll, but they will play in English by default. If you’re a Japanese speaker or want to watch in Japanese with subtitles, tap Japanese on the movie or episode page. Tap English to return to English.

See what’s new and upcoming

See What's New and Upcoming

HBO Max makes it easy to keep tabs on new and departing shows and movies. Open the top-left hamburger menu and choose Just Added to see what was recently added to HBO Max. Select Last Chance to see what’s about to leave the service. Coming Soon offers trailers, sneak peeks, and other videos for upcoming shows and movies.

Sign out of devices

Sign Out of Devices

If you left your account signed in on a device that’s not yours—a friend’s phone or TV, for example, you can easily revoke access from afar. On the desktop, click your profile on the top right and select Manage Devices; on mobile, tap your profile icon > gear icon > Manage Devices. Here you’ll see all the devices currently signed into your account. Click Sign All Devices Out to wipe them all or select Sign Out to revoke access to a specific device.

[ad_2]

Source link

Biz Opps

Customer Focus

Entrepreneurs

Strategy

Supply Chain