Archives for 2022

As of early 2022, Pinterest had around 450 million monthly active users worldwide. The influence and appeal of this social media platform has been growing at record pace for some time, playing right into the hands of those who know how to get the most out of it. But can you get more followers on Pinterest when you’re up against such huge competition from other publishers?

Contrary to popular belief, pinning images on a random basis isn’t enough. Growing your Pinterest audience is about far more than churning out a steady stream of generic content.

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The key to getting more Pinterest users on board lies in providing them with something they cannot get elsewhere. Or perhaps, try taking something they are interested in and doing it better.

This is easier said than done, but it’s essential for anyone looking to get more followers on Pinterest and make things happen.

How to Get More Pinterest Followers

The fundamentals for running a successful Pinterest campaign are fairly straightforward. You simply need to focus on the following 10 activities to steer things in the right direction:

Be Active and Engage on Pinterest

Being active on Pinterest is essential, which means taking every opportunity to interact and engage with your audience. Pin manually on a regular basis. Also repin other people’s content, follow them, and leave comments. Generally become an active part of the community. Avoid the temptation to sit on the sidelines and take a passive approach.

Use the Pinterest Search Bar

The Pinterest search bar is the only tool you’ll need to finding trending keywords within your niche. Be mindful of the fact that Pinterest’s users conduct more than 2 billion searches each month via the platform’s search engine. Find out what people are searching for and embed these search terms strategically into your content.

Use Promoted Pins

If you are using Pinterest for business, the occasional promoted pin can go a long way. This is basically the platform’s paid advertising system, which works in a similar way to Facebook Ads.

You can refine the target audience for your ads with pinpoint precision, ensuring they only reach qualified leads. Promoted pins can also be surprisingly affordable, so are worth checking out.

Use Relevant Hashtags

Aside from the search bar, hashtags are the second most popular tool for tracking down content on this platform. Hashtags play a role in making your content visible to specific users, by way of topic, niche, or area of interest. Avoid the temptation to use overly popular or generic hashtags, as they’re unlikely to bring you much qualified traffic.

Follow Your Competitors’ followers

Keeping a close eye on your competitors is a good idea for obvious reasons. While doing so, it’s also worth taking the time to follow your competitors’ followers. After which, you can work on building connections with them and adding them to your own audience of followers. There’s really no better way of finding people with a proven interest in whatever it is you do.

Start Your Own Group Board

Pinterest boards work in a similar way to Facebook Groups and have similar features. You create your own group pin board, invite others to pin content and generally build a community of like-minded individuals with shared interests. Best of all, you can state in your group guidelines that in order to join, they must follow the board and follow you.

Create Great Infographics

Infographics can be so much more engaging than most comparable posts on this platform. There’s something uniquely compelling and shareable about a well-presented infographic.

They’re also great for creating the kind of evergreen content than never loses its relevance or value. Even when infographics take a while to put together, the returns always justify the investment.

Optimize Your Profile

Business accounts must be optimized from top to bottom in order to boost their visibility and appeal. This means embedding strategic keywords into your Pinterest account page and profile, while ensuring you convey the best possible first impression.

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Post Consistently

Sporadic publishing never works on platforms like Pinterest. If your goal is to get more followers on board, consistency is key. Plan your publishing schedule in advance and keep them coming back for more with a steady stream of content. At all times ensure everything you publish is of genuine value and has relevance to your target audience.

Buy Pinterest Followers

Last up, the quickest and easiest option is to buy Pinterest followers from a reputable provider. Media Mister has been supporting Pinterest publishers for more than a decade. They offer an extensive range of promotional products at competitive prices.

Authentic Pinterest followers are one of Media Mister’s specialties. These are great for getting your campaign off the ground.

Kick Your Pinterest Campaign into High Gear

Buying Pinterest followers can be great for kicking a Pinterest campaign into high gear. The more followers you have, the more credible and appealing you appear to other Pinterest users.

But it is ultimately the quality of your output that will determine the success of your Pinterest strategy. Up against 450 million other users from around the world, your content needs to be first-rate to make things happen on Pinterest.

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About the Author

Johny Walker is a social media expert and web traffic consultant with more than 10 years of experience. In 2012 he launched Media Mister, a social media marketing company which helps businesses to get social presence at an affordable price.

Follow Johny Walker on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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If you’re trying to get a new small business up and running, you may have little time and attention to focus on the food in your kitchen and whether or not you’re wasting any of it.

But if you find yourself overspending on food or food goes bad in your fridge, here are a few ways to reduce the waste and save money:

1. Rethink.
2. Plan ahead.
3. Keep in mind the “use by” or “freeze by” dates.
4. Can or preserve foods you won’t be eating immediately.

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Rethink Your Food for Less Waste

Getting a new perspective on your food and buying habits can help you save money. Start with two simple questions:

1. Open your refrigerator, examine what foods you eat.
2. Think about where you buy your food.

Rethink Your Meals

Take a moment to think about what a meal is to you. A meal is that perfect plate with a balance of protein, starches, vegetables, and fruits. However, a meal can be so much more in today’s world.

A burrito bowl has all the foods you need, but they aren’t nicely divided on a plate. On the other hand, soup can have everything (or almost everything) mixed.

Do you cook ahead? Do you eat all the leftovers? If you don’t eat leftovers, rethink what you do with those leftovers. Why not freeze them and avoid wasting food?

Rethink Your Diet for Less Food Waste

Now, a “diet” here is not referring to a special weight loss program. Instead, diet refers to the foods you typically eat. Are you eating the most expensive brand or version? Can you get it for cheaper and at the same quality?

You may want to rethink your diet because you may be spending more money on food than necessary. But if you prefer organic, local food, keep buying it. Just consider why you are buying it. Are you buying it to support local farmers? Are you buying it because it is healthier?

On the other hand, although it is more expensive, are you spending more on groceries because the store you shop at is more convenient? Or is there another convenient option that might have cheaper food?

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Rethink Buying in Bulk to Avoid Wasting Food

Buying in bulk makes sense if you cook in bulk and eat in bulk. If you have a large family you cook for, buying in bulk makes sense. But if not, is buying in bulk helping?

Buying in bulk can save you money, but only if you eat or use all the food. If it goes bad because there is so much, you just wasted the food and the money.

Buying bulk non-perishables that you like to eat is a great idea. On the other hand, buying bulk perishable foods is not a great idea unless you plan to freeze or can them. In that case, you are simply wasting food and money.

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Plan Ahead to Avoid Wasting Food

Making a plan is the next most important step to avoiding food waste and saving money. If you make a plan, you are less likely to overspend or buy something you do not need.

Price Compare Online

Before you ever leave the house, make sure to check prices online. Compare prices online and see how you can save money and time by visiting the fewest stores.

Plan Your Meals

Before you go shopping, plan your meals for the next week to avoid wasting food. It is okay to buy a few extra items that you might eat but are not on the plan. However, try to stick to the plan as much as possible. There are apps available to help you plan meals. Paprika helps people plan meals and make grocery lists.

When shopping, buy only what you need. The only time you should consider purchasing extra is if it is on sale, non-perishable (or freezable), and something you know you will eat.

Plan Your Shopping Trip

Once you have your list and have compared prices, look at a map. Then, plan your trip so it takes the least amount of time. You can do this by making sure you do not have to backtrack at any point.

Keep in Mind the Use By or Freeze By Date

Many items have a “use by” or “freeze by” date. You should pay attention to these dates to avoid food waste. If you are not going to use it or if you are not sure it will get used, freeze it. Of course, you can always take it out and thaw it later.

Not only does stored food have a “use” or “freeze by” date, but the food you cook at home will also. Typically three to five days or one week depending on the food. If you are not sure, you will eat the leftovers in that time frame. Freeze them when possible.

Can or Preserve Foods You Won’t Be Eating Immediately

Besides freezing food, you can also preserve it or pickle it. Canning food will make it last for a few extra months. This works especially well when you have a garden.

Pickling something can make a portion of food last for up to a year. Preserving something through drying can add months to the shelf life.

Final Thoughts

To save money, you need to rethink your food and shopping habits, plan your meals and shopping trips, and decide what you will do with leftovers.

If you reduce food waste, you will save money. You might even save hundreds of dollars a year. It is well worth the extra hour or so that it takes to plan and think about your choices.

Featured image by Photospirit from Pixabay 

Last year offered up some big changes in the world of cryptocurrencies, including the popularity of NFTs and the tightening of regulations. So what is in store for the crypto market in 2022? Here we take a look.

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The year 2021 was full of several major cryptocurrency breakthroughs. For instance, new cryptocurrency apps like non-fungible tokens (NFTs) made headway. In fact, the trade of these non-tangible assets created new records at key auction houses.

In addition to this, bitcoin made steps toward general approval. For example, major corporations like Microsoft and Expedia adopted this digital currency as one of their means of exchange. Also, in September 2021, El Salvador became the world’s first country to approve bitcoin as legal tender.

Generally, 2021 saw several examples of how the crypto market expanded. With this activity uptick, what can you expect from cryptocurrencies in 2022? What can you expect from online crypto brokers, such as the regulated European broker?

Expect cryptocurrencies to record gain steam this year in three primary areas. These include more countries accepting bitcoin as their means of payment, increased activity around non-fungible tokens, and a rise in regulatory scrutiny.

The Crypto Market Will Fall Under Closer Scrutiny

Regulators tightened their grip on the crypto market in 2021. In particular, United States authorities got tough on specific aspects of the cryptocurrencies and China completely outlawed all cryptocurrency activities. Analysts predict cryptocurrency regulations to be a primary issue in 2022.

Expect some explanation about cryptocurrencies’ “gray zone.”

For instance, Ripple disagrees with the United States watchdog about XRP, a digital currency closely linked with this blockchain company. This is because the SEC considers XRP to be an unregistered security. The agency also argues that Ripple and its two executives unlawfully sold tokens worth $1.3 billion. But Ripple argues that XRP is not a security in any way.

Experts also believe that regulators will focus on stable coins in the crypto market in 2022. Stable coins refer to tokens whose value goes hand-in-hand with the cost of current assets, such as the United States dollar. For instance, the world’s largest stable coin, Tether, is especially controversial. This is because some are concerned that its reserves might not be great enough to account for its currency peg to the US dollar.

Moreover, regulators have started exploring the DeFi field. The central bank umbrella group recently called for DeFi regulation. It says it is concerned about services displaying themselves to clients as “decentralized” when they are not.

Watch for a Rise in NFT Activity

The year 2021 saw the introduction of NFT sales. NFTs can provide ownership proof, for example, of digital art. This is done similarly to how physical canvas offers ownership proof of a specific painting.

Although non-fungible tokens started to formalize digital art ownership, they have developed to feature other digital properties as well, including digital real estate. Meanwhile, NFT sales are creating new records in the crypto market. For example, a recent sale at Sotheby’s raised $17.1 million. This record led to the auction house’s launch of Metaverse, a marketplace meant only for NFTs to enhance sales of digital works.

As new NFT apps emerge, expect this space to continue growing in 2022.

More Countries Will Begin Accepting Bitcoin as Legal Tender

In September 2022, El Salvador appeared in global headlines after becoming the first nation in the world to accept bitcoin as legal tender. Several cryptocurrency bulls now expect more nations to take the leap and approve bitcoin as legal tender this year.

According to analysts, at least five nations will accept bitcoin as legal tender by the end of 2022. All these will be developing nations.

Moreover, some experts believe that bitcoin will reach the $100,000 mark in 2023. However, other analysts expect this digital currency to record a six-digit price this year.

There are unquestionably factors that can support this higher bitcoin price. These include an increase in the demand for bitcoin ETF along with greater bitcoin acceptance by businesses. According to an article in Forbes, a team of 50 crypto analysts expect bitcoin’s price to hit the $500,000 mark by 2030. They also believe it will be at the $250,000 mark by 2025.

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The Crypto Market Will Remain Volatile and Exciting

Generally, cryptocurrency is an explosive and exciting market area. Basically, no one can predict its future with any confidence. If you compare it with the stock exchange market—which no one can forecast with any comfortable degree of certainty even though it relies more on earnings trends and predictable cash flows—you’ll realize that the crypto market still remains the Wild West. However, the fact remains that crypto keeps gaining in popularity and size, and this trend is likely to pick up this year.

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Forex trading is a great method to use for improving your finances. You can make extra money through wise investments and save up for the future. But if you want to succeed at forex trading, you need an excellent forex broker. Therefore, you need to choose from among the forex brokers that are considered the best this year.

You also need to fully prepare yourself for the challenges that forex trading can present. For instance, you will definitely want to research the top strategies that the most successful forex traders use to make the highest profits. You will also want to do research into the various currency pairs that you can trade. This way, you can figure out which ones to trade to get the best results. And you’ll also want to compare your options when it comes to trading brokers, platforms, and tools. You can then select those that will help you the most.

So which forex brokers are the top options today? We have compiled a list of brokers below to help make the process of selecting the appropriate platform a little easier.

What to Look for in Forex Trading Brokers and Platforms

Before we get into our list of recommendations in the world of forex trading brokers and platforms, let’s cover a few of the main things that you should look for when comparing your options.

As you search for and compare brokers and platforms, consider reading reviews written by customers who have already given them a try. Doing so can help you get a lot more insight into whether or not they are as good as they claim to be.

Of course you want to select a trading broker that has a good reputation and a history of helping traders succeed. Plus, you also want to go with one that has affordable fees, an easy-to-use platform, and a range of tools that can help you make the smartest moves. Automatic trading and the ability to trade on a mobile device are also perks that you’ll likely want to be able to take advantage of.

HotForex: Forex Broker with a Rating of 5 Stars

According to our research, this is the best forex broker 2022. You can use HotForex for both forex trading and CFD trading.

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This broker also gives you access to the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Additionally, you will find a variety of tools that can help you make smarter decisions when it comes to your trades. That’s always helpful in a market that can change rather quickly!

If you’re a beginner, this platform can be helpful. This is because you can even take advantage of a demo. This means you can get some practice in forex trading before you dive in and start trading with real money.

And you can trade on your desktop or mobile device. So if you want to trade forex when you are on the go or when you aren’t near a computer, this platform is a great choice.

Ally Invest: Broker with a Rating of 4 Stars

Another broker that’s worth considering is Ally Invest. You can use this broker to trade forex, stocks, ETFs, options, and more.

This can also be a really helpful tool if you are already an Ally customer, but you do not need to be an Ally customer to get started.

If you want to use it strictly to enter the forex market, you can use this brand’s app, which is Ally Forex. The app can come in handy and support you as you work on figuring out which trades to make. Plus, you can even take advantage of a practice account. With it, you can see if you like the platform and trading tools that are provided.

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IG: Forex Broker with a Rating of 4.5 Stars

IG is yet another forex trading platform that is worth checking out. This is true whether you are new to this type of trading or you have some experience.

With IG, you can gain access to MetaTrader 4, which is a really popular trading software. Also with IG, you can trade on your computer or on the go with the help of a handy app.

Charting packages are also a great way to keep an eye on the market. They can help you make the most strategic and timely trades. If you’re not quite ready to start, though, use the IG demo account. This will help you to get the hang of things and see if this is truly the right platform for you. Plus, if you are a beginner, you can take a look at IG’s courses and webinars. With them, you can learn some important skills.

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Take Care to Choose the Right Forex Products

Whether you are a total beginner or an experienced forex trader, it is super important to find the right products. Choosing well will help you succeed. When searching for a forex broker or a trading platform, there are several features you can look for. If you know what you want out of a platform, selecting one that you’ll love using will be easier. Hopefully, you can use the list above to start generating ideas about the direction you would like to take.

Featured image by Alterio Felines from Pixabay 

Launching a business entails more than just securing your capital investment. There are many things to consider. The primary step is to decide whether to start your original business idea or venture into a franchise business. If you’re on the fence between these two business models, continue reading this article, as it’s intended to help you understand more about franchising.

There’s more than meets the eye when getting involved in a franchise. Therefore, it’s paramount that you give it a thorough assessment, especially in weighing the pros and cons. You’ll be working alongside a franchisor, and you’ll be in the franchisee’s role, so get to know more about whether this role is right for you.

Maybe you have wondered, “How much do franchise owners make?” But before you make a decision, it’s imperative that you know the good and bad points of franchising.

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The Pros of Franchising

1. Franchising Offers Lower Business Risks

A franchise is a safer investment than a new business. This is because of the backing and support of a larger corporation.

Initially, you won’t have to feel anxious about shelling out large amounts of money, not knowing whether it’s going to burn or earn your money back. There are forecasts, studies, and data that support how your investment will be earned back in time with a franchise business. This means a lower business risk on your end.

Franchises have proven themselves effective in different markets across the country. Their business models have already been tested through many years of their operations. Thus it also follows that a franchise business loan is more accessible to obtain due to its history of proven success.

Many financial institutions will easily trust to lend you money when they know the brand that you’re franchising. So consider franchising when your fear of risk stops you from starting a business.

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2. Franchising Gives Established Brand Recognition

A franchisee’s brand recognition is one of the most significant benefits of opening a franchise. As you may know, establishing a brand from scratch takes a lot of hard work. It also requires a hefty amount of money along with outstanding efforts from you and your entire marketing team.

But when brand recognition is already stabilized, you can forego this excruciating process. You expedite your business operations and jump right into selling and making money.

Upon opening a franchise with such a name and branding, people instantly know who you are, what you do, and how they can expect to interact with you. To grow your brand recognition, you won’t need to partake in trial-and-error strategies for marketing and promotions.

3. You Get Steady Support and a Given System

One of the advantages of franchising that many business owners love is the given system and support. All the procedures, systems, and whereabouts are structured, uniform, standardized, and listed down. As a new franchise owner, you simply need to go over the manual and follow through with your operations. The franchisor will take care of everything for you. This includes your site inspection, product supplies, employee training, and R&D for new products.

Specifically designed business blueprints are provided to franchisees. Your business operations become smoother, more organized, and error-free through this. The franchisor would see that your business decisions are all at par with their company’s outlook to ensure business success.

4. You Can Count on Forecasted Profits with Franchising

The profits of franchises are generally higher than those of independent businesses, especially in the initial stages. Creating your own business will require you to spend money initially, and there could be possibilities of being in the red after some time.

With a franchise, however, you can avoid this. Instead, there are solid strategies to ensure that you will reach forecasted profits. Also, customers flock to franchises because they recognize their brands. Hence, profits and revenues will start coming in eventually.

5. You’ll Have a Solid Customer Base

Any new business faces the challenge of identifying ideal customers and discovering whom to target. This could be a make-or-break situation for your business.

Thankfully, franchises have established a customer base because of their solid brand recognition. The brand already comes with repeat and loyal customers, so your franchise business can serve the same target audience and get their loyalty and approval as well. Due to the franchisor’s many marketing collaterals and efforts, your business can take advantage of their positive outcomes.

Moreover, franchise ownership gives you access to a potential employee pool. And depending on your location, there will be existing customers around the business area waiting for your franchise to start operating.

The Cons of Franchising

1. Franchising Requires Higher Investment

It might be more expensive to start a franchise than to start a small business independently. A franchise isn’t the best option if you can’t afford the franchise fee and all the costs that come with it. If you can’t afford to take a loan, it’s best not to get involved in a franchise. Assess your financial standing and capacity before you choose to go for a franchise business.

Big and established franchising companies may require hefty start-up investments, so check with them beforehand. However, depending on your budget, you might find a different company with which you can afford to franchise. However, be sure to compute all the fees and costs included as you consider royalty fees and operating costs.

2. There Could Be Possibilities of Conflict

The network of support you receive when you own a franchise is one of the advantages for sure. However, this comes with a downside, too.

There could be possibilities of conflict with the way they provide support. If the parties have an imbalance of power in their business relationship, they are at risk of not getting along. Arguments and misunderstandings may occur, especially if there is a lack of clear communication with both parties.

Despite the fact that a franchise agreement lays out both the franchisor’s and franchisee’s expectations, the franchisee has limited powers to enforce its terms without a costly legal battle. There could be many variables for conflicts that may range from different perspectives and business outlooks or lack of support.

In the end, the franchise agreement is always pro-franchisor. Therefore, before agreeing to a franchise agreement, it’s best to thoroughly research the company’s mission, vision, operations, and other details. This can give you an idea of whether it’s something that you can work with for a long time.

3. You’ll Have Less Control

While franchisees benefit from the brand recognition of their franchisor, this would also affect them when there are scandals and bad publicity for the brand. This has happened to some franchise companies that dealt with corporate scandals, customer terrible reviews, and health issues. As a franchisee, you must understand that these possibilities can generally jeopardize your business.

4. You Will Have a Legally Binding Agreement

As a franchisee, you’ll be required to sign a franchise disclosure agreement, which lays out everything you can and cannot do. This contract is legally binding, so you will have to walk on eggshells constantly.

Be mindful of all the terms and conditions included in a contract and review them again with your lawyer. If, in any case, you want to discontinue a franchise, but your decision doesn’t go according to the legal agreement, this could cost you a fortune. So review all the details before committing to it.

5. Franchising Requires Continuous Royalty Payments from You

Finally, you need to pay royalty payments according to the agreed percentage of your monthly sales. While some franchise companies don’t necessarily have this, most businesses expect these fees. Consult about this carefully before agreeing to a franchise agreement.

Conclusion

For some people, becoming a franchisee is a good move. For others, it’s not.

What’s important is to research everything about franchising beforehand. As suggested above, you can weigh the pros and cons to determine whether franchising is a suitable choice.

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Without the right solution, small service-based businesses often struggle to manage the entire customer lifecycle holistically. It’s a time-exhaustive and tricky process. So, in this review of vcita, we’re taking a close look at the following customer life cycle steps and exploring how vcita can help with each:

• Lead capturing
• Nurturing
• Sales
• Service fulfillment
• Billing
• Retention

There’s lots to cover, so let’s get straight down to business.

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vcita and Lead Capturing

What inspires passive website visitors to become potential leads? With vcita, you can set up targeted offers for your audience, optimized for the content they’re viewing on your site. Depending on the type of page they’re on, you can offer a free consulting. Alternatively, you can offer to attend a group presentation, automatically feeding your CRM with lead details when participants register.

In addition, vcita’s simple self-service appointment scheduling system ensures you never miss a lead again. Meetings can be booked 24/7 through your website. Plus, you’ll be notified when a lead comes through. Then you can then get in touch with these prospects to kickstart the nurturing process. (But more on that in a sec.)

You’ll also benefit from automated SMS and email meeting reminders, which should result in fewer no-shows and pesky last-minute cancellations.

Nurturing with vcita

Now it’s time to cultivate a lasting relationship with your prospects. With vcita, once a lead is captured on your site, they’re automatically injected into your CRM. From here, you can seamlessly manage contacts from the convenience of a single app.

The mobile app (available on both Android and iOS devices) allows you to take your client base with you whenever you go. So, from sending appointment invitations to accepting payments and sharing files, you never have to disconnect from your customers.

vcita also enables you to build customer profiles called “client cards.” This feature keeps your team fully abreast of who your leads and customers are and how they’ve previously interacted with your brand. On top of that, vcita also comes with in-built email marketing. Here, you can segment contacts using custom tags so you can organize and target your contacts however you wish.

This kind of segmentation permits you to send automated custom messages that better resonate and engage your leads. For instance, you could send an automated welcome message once a contact has engaged with your business for the first time. By sending contacts the content they actually want to receive, you’re far more likely to establish a deeper connection over time. Hopefully, this, in turn, will lead to them becoming fully paying clients. 

Nurturing your clients is about adding as much extra value as possible. When you know who your client is and what they want, you can provide solutions that work for them. For example, if someone comes to your event, don’t just leave them standing in the cold afterward. Instead, you could invite them to a free one-on-one consultation or invite them to your next event.

Sales

Once your prospect is engaged with your brand, how do you make the sale? First, you want to entice your audience with a good deal. Fortunately, vcita allows you to create custom coupons to attract prospects and increase sales. No one can resist a bargain.

What’s more, you don’t even need a website to start selling online. Instead, you can enable clients to view your service list and schedule appointments directly from a vcita-generated landing page or client portal.

You can also leverage vcita’s beautiful email and SMS marketing template kits. As previously mentioned, you can segment your client list. Once you’ve done that, you can send leads personalized offers straight to their inbox and address them by name to boost engagement.

Alternatively, you can use the same platforms to follow up with clients post-event or after they’ve purchased something from your website.

Even if you’re not sure what to say, vcita’s got you covered. Simply click on the “Announcements” section in your marketing settings to access a library of ready-to-send email templates covering various business messages and occasions. From witty one-liners to compelling visuals, it won’t be long before your clients are hooked.

Of course, on top of that, you also have the option of sending proforma invoices. For the uninitiated, this is just a preliminary bill of sale sent in advance of the delivery. It tells customers exactly what they’re going to get from you if they buy. Then, using vcita, you can turn this estimate into a payable invoice with a single click.

Lastly, vcita’s self-service scheduling function works wonders for securing sales—especially if you choose to use the integrated invoice and/or prepayment features.

Service Fulfillment

Often service fulfillment spans several components, making it tricky to manage. This is where vcita’s client portal comes in handy. We touched on this above, but what exactly does it do for your customers?

In short, the client portal provides everything customers need to interact with your business via an easy-to-use dashboard. This helps clients feel like they’re being taken care of, and, as such, builds trust, which, in turn, boosts loyalty.

From this same portal, clients can make appointments, register for upcoming events, and reschedule or cancel said meetings. You can also set up payments, send over files, and/or receive them. All of which goes a long way to successfully executing service fulfillment.

In addition, vcita’s built-in messaging service opens a direct line of communication between you and your client. Minimize no-shows by automating pre-appointment reminders. Depending on the services you’re offering, you can also enable clients to pick whether their appointment is in-person, over the phone, or online via vcita’s handy Zoom integration.

On your end, vcita also provides an overview of your and your employees’ calendars. This helps you assign staff tasks without overburdening them.

Billing with vcita

You can handle every stage of the billing lifecycle using vcita’s app. From providing estimates, to sending invoices and pinging over purchase receipts, the intuitive dashboard also gives you an insight into all of your pending, paid, and overdue invoices.

You can even customize invoices with your company’s name and logo and choose the bill’s currency and tax rates. Make it easy for clients to pay for services anytime, anywhere. You can enable consumers to pay directly from the estimate or invoice you send them.

The self-service booking functionality can also handle payment requests. For example, if you turn on prepayment settings, clients can pay upfront when scheduling a meeting, which goes a long way to reducing payment hold-ups.

Or, if you prefer clients to receive their services first, you can send invoices and mobile wallet-style payment experiences via SMS the minute the appointment is over. You can also set the system to automatically invoice clients for all services rendered since the last monthly invoice. Either way, you can ensure both you and the client leave the billing cycle happy.

Retention

To better retain clients, vcita enables you to track your business activity with reports. Once you invest in the premium reports module, you’ll get a better idea of what’s working well with your lead generation strategies. More importantly, you can also gain an understanding of where there’s room for improvement.

You can use vcita’s reporting functionalities alongside its built-in analytics to give you an insight into your bookings, payments, clients, marketing, and even staff performance. You can also find out where your clients are coming from, what they’ve purchased from you, and the average turnover rate from your appointments.

Additionally, you may better retain clients by offering them a package deal. vcita enables you to bundle your services so that clients can purchase sessions in advance. For instance, a client could purchase a block of five consulting sessions and then book these meetings at their leisure. Packages are great incentives for encouraging repeat business. You could even offer a discounted rate to further boost your retention rates!

That said, if you’ve seen that you’re losing clients somewhere along your sales funnel, you can generate an automated messaging campaign to encourage client reactivation. For instance, you can send personalized messages to inactive customers to encourage them to get back in touch.

Our Final Thoughts on vcita

Whether you’re a small service-based business or a freelancer, your customer interactions lay the foundations for the kinds of client relationships you have.

Fortunately, vcita presents a solution for streamlining and navigating every stage of the customer lifecycle. These days, it’s not enough to simply launch a shiny new product. Instead, customers want value added from start to finish, and vcita provides you with all the tools you need to do precisely that.

Say goodbye to time-consuming practices like hand-crafted emails and awkward phone calls to chase up payments. Instead, say hello to a more organized approach to each customer life cycle stage, excellent customer service, and happy clients.

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When companies face difficult decisions during tumultuous times, the first cuts they make are often a series of layoffs. Layoffs are a severe pain point for displaced workers. However, organizations can help these employees by offering outplacement services as a part of their overall severance package.

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Laid-off workers often feel anxious about the loss of support. They might experience anger about losing the job so suddenly. Moreover, for some workers, depression sets in. After all, layoffs frequently come as a shock. They can be a harrowing experience for people.

But outplacement services can help displaced workers move on in their careers. These services are dedicated to finding laid-off employees new roles—often within the same industry and at comparable or higher pay. Moreover, their goal is to find workers new employment swiftly after a layoff.

What’s more, by offering outplacement services, the employer can salvage their own reputation. Such a move also helps to improve morale among staff members who remain employed. Best of all, it provides a lifeline for displaced workers.

If you have been offered outplacement services, taking advantage of the opportunity is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Here are five of the amazing services modern outplacement firms can offer you.

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Outplacement Firms Offer Tailored Support

Directly following a layoff, the most important thing a person needs is support. Support from their former employer can come in the form of outplacement and a severance package.

Once they are set up with the outplacement company, the candidate can then take advantage of the unique offerings the service provides. These services include tailored support specific and exclusive to each individual.

Tailored support can mean training and teaching applicants how to apply for jobs and giving them access to particular job boards. Additionally, it can mean using technology to make re-employment happen quickly.

They Give Expert Coaching

Career coaches at outplacement services firms aren’t just volunteers or random people off the street. They don’t lack business acumen and experience. Instead, they’re full-fledged human resources and recruiting specialists. They know exactly what they’re doing.

Modern career coaches are tuned in to the current job market. They understand how the job market works. They know how remote work is changing certain industries. Ultimately, they can supply pertinent information on how to get to the interview stage and beyond.

A career coach will sit down with candidates and practice interviewing with them. He or she will do this virtually using technology if the applicant prefers.

They’ll also give the applicant valuable guidance on how to initiate a conversation with a prospective employer. They will also teach them how to communicate electronically with a degree of effectiveness.

Coaches focus on the human element as well, helping candidates evaluate job offers so that they find a new position that meets their needs. By focusing on the individual, a career coach takes the idea of tailored support and leverages it. In short, career coaches at outplacement services firms create a comprehensive action plan that gets fast results.

The availability of career coaches at modern tech-based outplacement services means better, more personalized service for workers who have been adversely affected by a layoff or job loss.

They Offer Displaced Employees Resume Services

The resume is an established tradition of job-seeking. It’s also one of the areas that’s most difficult to rebound into after a job loss. Nearly every job search you’ve ever had to do undoubtedly required you to submit a resume. But resumes can be a tough nut to crack.

As time goes on after a job loss, the idea of the resume starts to seem more challenging than ever. These days, there are more hurdles to getting recruiters even to see a particular resume as well.

Resumes that get rejected in applicant tracking systems (ATS) include, long resumes, inefficient resumes, and resumes that don’t highlight applicable experience. Any and all of these can end up being overlooked.

But a modern outplacement services coach will offer a lifeline in this regard. They can either write a resume for a displaced worker or help them write a tailored resume that can beat the ATS. In other words, they will get a worker’s resume in front of an actual recruiter.

While the rest is up to the job-seeker, a few tips on how to write a great resume can go a long way. If you need to write a resume that rocks, use a clean formatting style. Highlight your appropriate experience, and keep it short and sweet. Finally, make sure to include your contact information.

Outplacement Services Suggest Handpicked Jobs

Sometimes, finding leads for job opportunities is the highest hurdle of all. This is where a job concierge can help. This service scours job boards and other sources of opportunities to find the best job leads for particular candidates.

Job boards let recruiters reach a larger group of potential applicants while providing a significant resource for applicants to find jobs fast. But job boards can also become congested, leading to myriad problems, including overlooking good candidates.

A job concierge circumvents these problems by sending suitable applicants directly to the jobs they feel will match their personality and needs. In many cases, candidates can land an equal or better-paying job than the one they left, leaving them satisfied and ready to transition into a new career.

Outplacement Services Rely on Powerful Technologies

In the 21st century, technology drives the broader experience of life. From the ubiquity of smartphones to the prevalence of social media, technology has a big place in our lives.

So why is it that so many companies are still living in the proverbial stone age when it comes to technology? Finding an outplacement services company that uses technology effectively to help its clients should be your top priority when offering these services to affected employees.

A tech hub that allows candidates to remotely interact with career coaches is essential. Moreover, additional resources, webinars, skill-building, and links to useful documents can culminate in a better outplacement experience for all. Technology is the linchpin of society, so be sure to consider its effects as you select an outplacement services firm to provide for your newly laid-off employees.

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Featured image by Austin Distel via Unsplash

Over the past two decades, the way the world conducts business has changed dramatically. And who is responsible for much of that change? Millennial business owners, that’s who!

Gone are the days when most businesses had brick-and-mortar premises, saw clients in person, and sold stock in physical stores. Modern business is conducted mostly online and offers incredible convenience and efficiency.

Millennials seem to have embraced this new way of doing business better than baby boomers, Gen-Zers, or Gen-Xers. There are many reasons for this.

Image source: Wikipedia

For example, a turnkey e-commerce store is now one of the best business models offering lucrative financial returns and an exciting and fun way of earning a healthy living. Millennials have embraced this opportunity as no other generation has.

Let’s take a look at the advantages millennial business owners have in the 21st century:

1. Millennial Business Owners Embrace Streamlined Business Models

Gen-Xers, baby boomers, and Gen-Zers are more traditional in their approach to business. People in these age groups prefer to deal with customers in person and at physical business premises.

Millennials, however, have made a dramatic departure from this business approach. Instead, they have embraced new and innovative business models.

From making a lucrative living as an influencer on social media, to honing their skills by working remotely while traveling, to spearheading turnkey e-commerce stores, millennials have paved the way for a more efficient future.

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Instead of experiencing many disappointing years at a job they hate, millennials are more proactive. They enjoy running their own businesses successfully.

With an affordable investment, millennials are discovering the many advantages of a turnkey e-commerce store. Since a turnkey e-commerce store is ready for business and transacting the moment it passes ownership, it’s an excellent option if you want to hit the floor running with a working business.

2. Millennials Have In-Depth Knowledge of Digital Media

Millennials are the first generation to grow up with the internet and social media.

This makes them very comfortable with conducting business online. They manage digital media marketing campaigns without a second thought. They’re comfortable with growing a social media account for their businesses.

Like it or not, digital media is here to stay and millennials definitely have the upper hand in this area.

3. They Cope Well with Adversity

The 21st century has seen a tough economic recession and, more recently the COVID-19 pandemic. These disruptions have changed the way people are working throughout the world.

To their credit, millennials seem to have taken the harsh reality of COVID-19 in stride. From adapting their business practices to embracing the work-from-home culture, millennials appear tough. They’re able to cope with whatever comes their way.

This is an excellent attribute to have, especially in the business world where the ability to bounce back from adversity shows resilience and strength.

4. Millennials Expect a Meaningful Way of Life

Millennials are unlike their predecessors who thought nothing of working 60-hour weeks, hardly ever seeing their families, and spending most of their lives at the office.

While millennials are certainly not afraid of hard work, they prefer to work smarter instead of harder. This way of working has been proven to yield the same results.

A turnkey e-commerce store is a great example of this. Instead of having to build up a business from scratch, a turnkey e-commerce business is ready when you are. As long as you are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and you respond to queries from clients in a timely way, you are already halfway to achieving success.

5. They Are Focused on Excellent Customer Service

Doing business online is incredibly easy. Therefore, in any online industry, there are countless competitors. This makes it essential to stay on top of your game.

Millennials realize that they have to be the best at what they do in order to succeed. It’s for this reason that they are committed to providing excellent customer service. In short, they consider their customers as the reason for their success.

6. Millennials Create Healthy Working Environments and Solid Boundaries

With their high emotional intelligence and willingness to discuss problems (no matter how uncomfortable), millennials strongly believe that a healthy working environment is essential.

Unlike traditional work cultures where bullying, unreasonable bosses, and a culture of negativity was the norm, millennials thankfully do not accept this way of working.

Although it’s now possible to work from home and manage a business from your couch, millennials know how to draw distinct work-home boundaries:

• During their working hours, millennials are productive. They try and respond to all urgent queries as soon as possible.
• Once their working day has finished, millennials do not take their work home with them. Instead, they make time for relaxing and recharging their batteries.

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7. They Are Constantly on the Lookout for Innovation

Traditional business models require the business owner to focus on (at most) only a handful of products or services.

However, in this fast-moving world, millennials understand that while a product or service may be trendy or popular at the moment, this may not always be the case in years to come.

This is why millennials are more open to innovative products and services. Being the first company to offer a new product or service is a great accolade and opportunity for financial reward.

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Featured image from Pixabay

In recent years, there has been an increase in business growth in both Nevada and Texas. Big and small businesses are constantly popping up and flooding the market with new ideas, products, and services. These states are extremely business-friendly. In fact, Nevada alone recorded 283,333 small businesses in 2020.

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With so many businesses operating in the market, it can be difficult to stand out. One way in which you can initially grab consumers’ attention is through your name. Your business name signifies who you are and what your goals and aims are. With a good and unique business name, you can turn heads and become much more noticeable in the competitive landscape.

Image Copyright: TRUiC

Business Name Requirements in Nevada and Texas

Each state has certain requirements you must meet when coming up with a new business name. While there are similarities between naming regulations in Nevada and Texas, certain differences do apply.

Digital Naming Tools

Utilizing a business name generator to create a new name is a useful way to speed up the naming process. TRUiC, for example, has an advanced AI tool that is free to use. There are steps that you need to take, however, to ensure the tool works at its peak. One of these steps is selecting the industry that is related to your business. Not only will this generate better name ideas, but it will also help your customers find your business more easily if they just search your general industry.

Afterward, you will need to select the city or county where your business is situated. This will ensure customers will be able to easily find you when they search for your business if they search by general area.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oay14K2QMZI

Naming Rules in Nevada and Texas

From this point on, you will need to follow the specific rules set respectively by Nevada and Texas.

For both states, you need to ensure that your name includes “limited liability company.” The abbreviations LLC or L.L.C. are also acceptable. The name should also not be confused with certain government agencies, such as the FBI. To avoid this, do not include any words that sound the same or look similar to government agencies’ names. If you want to add words such as “university, doctor, lawyer,” these might require more paperwork. You might also need a licensed individual to be part of your LLC to justify the use of such words.

In Nevada, further rules apply. Your business name must not be similar to another Nevada LLC corporation, limited liability partnership (LLP), limited partnership (LP), or limited liability limited partnership (LLLP). Your new business name must be separable from any existing business name in Nevada for those reasons.

Businesses in both Nevada and Texas follow a set guide when it comes to naming rules for corporations. Similarities do apply, but each state has a unique set of rules that you must carefully examine.

Nevada Naming Rules

If a corporate name is using a person’s name or initials, there must be a corporate ending. Examples of corporate endings are “Incorporated,” “Inc.,” “Limited,” and so on. The name needs to be discernible and should not have any similarities with existing businesses in the state.

You will need to get approval from certain boards and commissions if you use specific words in your names. Below is a list of examples:

• Nevada State Board of Accounting: accountant, accountancy
• Nevada Commissioner of Financial Institutions: bank, debt collection
• State Commissioner of Insurance: adjuster, insurance
• Commissioner of Mortgage: financial
• State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design: architect
• The Administrator of the Real Estate Division of the Department of Business and Industry: community
• Ombudsman: common interest

Texas Naming Rules

In Texas, your name must contain “company,” “corporation,” “incorporated,” or “limited.” You may also use abbreviations. As in Nevada, the name must not have links to other established business names; uniqueness is key.

Furthermore, the name cannot have any implications that the corporation is tied to unlawful practices. For example, it cannot include the words “lotto” or “lottery.” Neither can the name imply that it was created for the sake of war veterans’ needs and interests.

Certain words are completely off-limits. These are listed below:

• Veteran
• Legion
• Spanish
• Disabled
• War
• World War

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Final Thoughts on Forming Your Business Name

After all you have taken all of these rules into consideration, you will be able to generate a name. Then see if it is available and form your business in Nevada or Texas. You can add to the ever-growing environment and stand out in the crowd with a new name that will set your business forward in the market.

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Owning a consulting business can be extremely rewarding. First of all, working for yourself allows you to define your own goals and take on new projects as they arise. Also, even on your worst days, you will likely find a way to be upbeat if you’re passionate about the work you do.

Moreover, given the fact that more and more people want to realize their business dreams and be their own boss, there is a growing need for business consulting agencies. Many of these will properly guide and advise newly formed or existing business entities on how to properly establish and promote their business.

As a consultant, you are well aware of how fierce the competition is in this field. This is why you need to find a new way of offering your services. This is where a well-written consulting services proposal comes in handy.

However, writing a proposal for the services you provide as a business consultant is not always easy. Therefore, one of the best ways to accomplish this is to spend some time researching in order to find a consulting proposal template. Look for a template that presents the services of your consulting business to potential clients in an easier, more visually appealing manner.

Maintain Control over Your Listings and Ratings

As a business consultant, it’s important for your reputation that you keep abreast of professional reviews. Reviews have the potential to make or break your business, so you need to manage yours wisely. You can use a negative review to improve your business if you take the customer’s feedback seriously. So if you get a negative review, work with your customer to resolve the problems that led to the poor review.

In addition to your reviews or ratings, pay attention to your listings. Use the three C’s for clear, concise listings: Maintain current information, use correct spelling, and utilize consistent formatting. Keeping your listings up-to-date, making sure they are displaying correctly, and keeping your information consistent across all listing sites will help ensure that your consulting business is as visible as possible.

Conduct Surveys to Support Your Consulting Business

In order to be successful with business consulting, you need to discover what your clients want. Additionally, as you seek feedback, remember that there are many ways to communicate with clients.

For example, early feedback is important in helping you understand what will or won’t work for a particular client. By asking your clients to fill out surveys, you can get an honest look at their experiences with your company.

Later in your working with them, a client satisfaction survey is a great way to get meaningful feedback. It’s also a good idea to ask clients if they’d like to fill out a short survey when you’ve completed your work with them. However, you should try to keep the survey short. Twenty questions is a good number, as the survey shouldn’t take longer than five minutes to complete and submit.

Image by delphinmedia via Pixabay

Make the Presentations for Your Consulting Business More Effective

Giving presentations to clients can be a significant part of consulting work. Being clear and informative will keep them coming back. It might be a good idea to change your approach if you realize potential clients aren’t interested in what you have to say.

Moreover, don’t bore your prospects with a never-ending presentation. Instead, find a happy medium between useful information and engaging visuals that will keep your audience’s attention throughout. Good consulting presentation tips will help you get your ideas across to others.

Maintain a Professional and Up-to-Date Website for Your Consulting Business

You should always ensure that your website is updated to increase its effectiveness. A company website that is both professional-looking and complete can increase your chances of generating new business. Also, take care to maintain your brand’s voice while keeping a professional appearance.

What, exactly, makes a great consultant’s website so engaging? Your website should help potential clients see you as a talented professional with unique and valuable skills. Your professional website makes it easy for clients, partners, and prospects to learn about you, your work, and your services.

Implement an Effective Content Marketing Plan

As a consultant, you must explore different marketing strategies. You can promote your brand on the internet more effectively by using graphics and videos. This strategy will help you spread your message, especially if you have the skills for creating eye-catching infographics.

Additionally, whenever you create content online, it’s a good idea to include your name, contact information, and web address. Make sure you include a link back to your site when you share content. Finally, keep your customers in the know by making sure your website is always updated.

Final Words

When starting a consulting business, consider setting up your office in a location that appeals to your clients. If you’d like to pay lower taxes, consider forming an LLC for your consulting business. By taking advantage of this system, you can free up more funds to spend on marketing. That way, you can always keep up your business promotion efforts to keep your customer base growing.