ISmall-Business.net

Intelligent Business Solutions

  • Home
  • Strategy
    • Small Business Strategy
      • Combining Niches to Maximize Profit Potential
      • High Ticket Versus Volume Niche Selection
      • How to Know When to Cut a Business or Niche Loose
      • Never Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
    • Sales Strategy
      • Facebook Networking Versus Paid Advertising
      • Brainstorming a Successful Sales Funnel
      • Best Practices for Profitable List Building
      • Backend Sales Strategy Tips
      • A Better Way to Use Webinars for Profits
      • Creating a Welcome Email That Makes Money
    • Production Strategy
    • Human resource strategy
  • Management
    • Business action plan
      • 7 Things to Send JVs to Get Them Onboard
      • Don’t Make JV Promises You Can’t Keep
      • How to Host a Challenge and Maximize Profits
    • Small Business Management
      • Putting Profit Tasks First During Time Management
      • How Self Doubt Sabotages Your Financial Success
      • Repurpose Your Content to Save and Make Money
    • Business Management Topics
      • Fighting the Stigma of Failure
      • Figuring Out the Perfect Launch Date and Time
      • Bonus Creation That Catapults You to Leaderboard Domination
      • Do Customers Prefer Video or Text Courses
      • Minimize Your Risk of Refunds with These 5 Tips
      • How Often Should You Email Promo Material
      • Narrow Niche Domination
      • Perfecting the Launch Process for Increased Profits
    • Business Management Blogs
      • Nobody Expects a Perfect Expert
  • Ideas
    • Find business ideas
      • 5 Lucrative Non IM Niches
      • 6 Niches That Are Hot on Social Networks
      • Are PLR Stores a Viable Way to Make Money
      • How to Know If a Membership Site Is Right for You
    • Idea feasibility
      • How to Make Money Off a $7 Product
      • Recurring Income Options
    • 10 top business ideas
      • Could Coaching Bring in More Money Than Products
      • Individual Coaching Versus Group Coaching Profits
      • Building a Reputation as a Powerful Affiliate
      • Pinterest Profit Niches
    • Low cost business ideas
      • Making Money Off eBooks and Reports
  • Valuation
    • Business Valuation
    • Increase business valuation
      • Making Wise Investments in Tools to Further Your Business
    • Business Valuation Methods
    • Understand business valuation
  • About
    • About Me
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
    • Sitemap
    • Privacy Policy
  • Strategy
  • Supply Chain
  • Customer Focus
  • Entrepreneur
  • Biz Opportunities
You are here: Home / Blog

The Latest Instagram Features for Promoting Your Business in 2019

January 8, 2019 by Asif Nazeer Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

Photo by Daniel Korpai on Unsplash

For as long as businesses have been around, they have been looking to promote themselves. When it comes to promoting your business, moreover, you need to be aware of the latest developments in this area. If you’re not, other businesses could already be a few steps ahead of you. To that end, we discuss here the latest Instagram features for promoting your business on that platform.

 

Instagram features

 

Promoting Your Business in the 21st Century

As you no doubt already know, much of your business these days can now be done online. In fact, many businesses have been advertising online since the Internet went mainstream. What’s more, many have come up with innovative ways to get their names out before the public.

 

RELATED ARTICLE: 3 GROWTH HACKING TIPS ON INSTAGRAM

 

Of course, the Internet itself has changed greatly over time. While simple ads were once enough, the rise of social media has brought a new era of sophistication to online promotion. That’s because social media, in particular, offers a more direct link between businesses and the people who purchase their goods and services.

Moreover, social media also offers businesses more control over their promotional tactics. This means they can be more creative with the content of the ads they produce. Contrast this with the old way of producing only one set of ads, then counting on those ads to do all the work until the time came to freshen things up again.

 

Instagram as the Platform of Choice for Businesses

There are plenty of social networks out there. And each of them offers something slightly different from all the others. However, there is one social network that is grabbing all the headlines now, and that’s Instagram.

Instagram stands out from other social media. That’s because users focus on presenting photos along with short messages for other Instagram users to see. This represents a big difference from its nearest rivals, Facebook and Twitter, where the focus is mostly on text.

Additionally, Instagram has a more user-friendly layout than other social media platforms. This makes Instagram easier for users to navigate.

There are also several Instagram features that have proven to be greatly successful for the site. Instagram Stories is one such feature. In it, users can add different forms of content to create a story. Moreover, the story remains online for only 24 hours. This creates a sense of urgency among Instagram users who fear they might miss out on something.

 

The Benefits of an Instagram Business Account

Instagram also offers its users the chance to upgrade to a business account. These accounts offer businesses the chance to do more with their Instagram account by making the most of additional Instagram features.

These features include adding direct contact links for your business to your profile. This feature makes it easier for your customers and potential customers to get in touch with you.

Another benefit of an Instagram Business account is access to analytics. These analytics will give you more detailed information about the Instagram users who are interacting with your account. This information will allow you to better prepare your posts and content. That’s because you will know what you need to work on and who you need to focus on.

Instagram Business also gives you the opportunity to work with Instagram Ads. This will increase the promotional aspect of your profile even further.

 

Promoting Your Business with The Latest Instagram Features

The key to helping your business raise its profile by way of these Instagram features is to attract more attention from other Instagram users. This will increase your profile’s popularity and make it more visible.

Engagement is key in the world of Instagram. This refers to the likes and comments your posts get from other Instagram users. It also refers to the number of followers you have. This is a particularly important number. That’s because the more followers you have, the more likes and comments you can count on.

There are numerous ways to achieve the level of interaction that will boost your business. For one thing, you could pay for it. Websites such as insta4likes offer Instagram users the opportunity to purchase a set amount of Instagram features. For example, you could purchase a certain number of likes, comments, and followers. Then real Instagram users will carry out these interactions under your instructions. In this way you have more control over the interactions, and you can put them to use more effectively.

 

More Ideas

Other ways of attracting attention for your profile include using hashtags that are related to your content. This method will attract people who have an interest in the area. Use several hashtags for each post in order to cast a wider net. However, make sure the hashtags you’re using are relevant to what your business offers. You can also add locations to your posts. This alerts people who are connecting to Instagram in your area about your posts. This is especially useful if your business has a physical location.



[ad_2]

Source link

Filed Under: Biz Opportunities

10 Secrets to Finding a Job You Love

January 7, 2019 by Asif Nazeer Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

Entrepreneur and social media sensation Gary Vaynerchuk and nine others tell us how they found their calling and how you can find yours.


January
7, 2019

9 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.


Research suggests that more than half of us are unhappy at work. From lawyers to brokers and CEOs, these Advisors in The Oracles are proof it’s possible to be successful and have a job you love. Here, they share how they found work that fulfills them — and how you can too.

1. Stop doing things you hate.

1. Stop doing things you hate.

Gary Vaynerchuk

Image credit:

The Oracles

I found what I was meant to do because I know who I am and ignore everyone else. Listen to yourself and stop doing stuff you hate. Don’t take a bad job because it pays more, and don’t go to college just to meet others’ expectations.

If you don’t know what you want to do, try as many experiences as possible. Don’t play it safe; do things that make you uncomfortable. To discover your passion, start by asking those around you about your skills and weaknesses, then triple down on what you’re good at. You’re not lost; you’re just early in the process. So stop judging yourself and be patient. Life is long.

When you find your dream, stick with it, even when it’s hard. Have the audacity to believe that you can do what you love for the rest of your life — because you can. —Gary Vaynerchuk, founder and CEO of VaynerMedia (700+ employees with over $100 million in annual revenue), five-time NYT best-selling author of “Crushing It!”

2. Audit yourself.

2. Audit yourself.

Allyson Byrd

Image credit:

The Oracles

Maybe you’ve felt negotiable in life, optional, or even disposable — family life, location, socioeconomic status, race, and gender all shape your self-worth. I was abandoned by a father who was in prison and raised by a mother who deeply loved me but worked three jobs. So I spent my younger years seeking validation that I mattered. 

If you’re in conflict with yourself, how can you discover meaningful work? Ask yourself: Am I authentically reflecting my gifts? Do I live my purpose or seek purpose in things outside me? How am I mastering my greatness and contribution to the world?

I found my calling by exploring these questions so often that the fear of failure faded. I began to trust myself. I learned to fail with speed and agility, understanding that failure is temporary but mandatory and is your best feedback in the personal growth process.

Remember: Meaningful work isn’t about your role or money; it’s about your self-belief. Most people resist trial and error, but getting lost is part of the process. Tune your internal navigation system to personal accountability, stay true to your passions, and live the grandest version of you. That’s the fastest path to your highest calling and a life that loves you back. —Allyson Byrd, renowned sales trainer and founder of The Church of Profit Acceleration, who generated $13+ million in sales revenue for clients in 2018; connect with Allyson on Instagram

3. Bring value.

3. Bring value.

Glennda Baker LeBlanc

Image credit:

The Oracles

Finding meaningful work doesn’t have to be your proverbial needle in a haystack. But you may not know right away when you’ve found your life’s passion. For me, the key to success is being able to bring value while feeling valued.

After 26 years in real estate, I’m much more passionate today than when I started. I get fulfillment from helping clients find their homes for life, which is usually their largest investment. They depend on me to bring expertise and advice to their life savings. I love when I get to make a mark on their lives. —Glennda Baker LeBlanc, associate broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices; top 1 percent of all agents nationwide, with more than half a billion in career sales; connect with Glennda on Facebook and Twitter

4. Tinker with ideas on the side.

4. Tinker with ideas on the side.

Kenny Rueter

Image credit:

The Oracles

Several years ago, I spent my off-hours building a sprinkler toy for fun. My boys loved it, and neighbors started flocking over. When I decided to sell tutorials on how to build them online, I discovered there wasn’t an easy, point-and-click platform to sell online training. So I started building one. I didn’t intend on the project taking away from my day job, but following my interests and uncovering a problem led me to create a company.

Unhappiness at work doesn’t necessarily mean you need to begin the job hunt. Instead, spend your off-time tinkering with your passions or ideas. This may give you clarity to fall in love with your job again or lead to an entirely new opportunity. —Kenny Rueter, CEO and co-founder of Kajabi

5. Try different things.

5. Try different things.

Raul Villacis

Image credit:

The Oracles

I’ve been working since I was 13 years old. Back then, my motivation was money. As I got older, I realized money wasn’t enough to keep me engaged in my job. It took a while to find something that I was good at and would make money. I had to patiently try different things.

Working only for money will not make you happy in the long run. If you want to find meaningful work, ask yourself what you would do even if you didn’t get paid. Then find out who needs that service. It takes time to try enough things until you find what makes you happy. But in the end, it pays off. —Raul Villacis, CEO of The Next Level Experience, an organization that empowers high-level businessmen to become better leaders; connect with Raul on Facebook and Instagram

6. Ask how you can serve others.

6. Ask how you can serve others.

Amy Sangster

Image credit:

The Oracles

When I worked at a bank, my friends with executive jobs could afford luxuries, yet they rarely smiled and often complained about not having enough time to spend with loved ones. I knew then that exchanging time for money was not for me. When my now business partner, Lewis Mocker, introduced me to day trading, I became obsessed with mastering it because of the lifestyle it would provide. Although I quickly became successful, something was missing — a feeling of contribution.

If you reach this point, ask yourself how you can serve others. Without a doubt, I know I’m here on Earth to be a motivator and guide for those who, like me, refuse to settle for less than they deserve. Pay attention to what truly inspires you. What gives you a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose? What makes you feel alive? Build a life around serving others in areas that you truly value. —Amy Sangster, co-founder of Infinite Prosperity; learn to invest, trade, and build wealth with Infinite Prosperity’s free lessons

7. Do what excites you.

7. Do what excites you.

Oleksandr Kosovan

Image credit:

The Oracles

I played with metal construction sets as a kid. I’d imagine some new machine, then try to build it. When I got the result I wanted after many iterations, I was incredibly excited. Imagination and delivery became my motivation. As an adult, I applied this approach to programming and products by creating complex algorithms to solve tasks. After days of hard work, I was extremely happy when it worked. I realized this engineering approach drives me.

What drives you? Look for this kind of excitement in your everyday life. Apply a results-driven approach to solve complex tasks in your life, and notice what brings you joy when it works. —Oleksandr Kosovan, founder and CEO of Setapp and MacPaw, whose flagship app CleanMyMac has exceeded 5 million users; co-founder and partner at SMRK VC Fund

8. Enact changes that make you and others happy.

8. Enact changes that make you and others happy.

Jason Hall

Image credit:

The Oracles

You need happiness to be productive and content. Step back and really look into your situation if you’re unhappy with work. Identify what is making you unhappy and what you need to do to solve it. Most importantly, be willing to take risks and make significant changes.

In my work, I focus on transparency and creating partnerships. Our clients rely on us for solutions, and work becomes meaningful when you help others better themselves. We’re happy when our clients are happy, and we don’t stop until we hear it in their voices. —Jason Hall, author, founder and CEO of Five Channels; generating $30+ million in sales revenue for clients in 2018

9. Pay attention to your thoughts.

9. Pay attention to your thoughts.

Guy Sheetrit

Image credit:

The Oracles

I found my calling by necessity. I was a small-business owner, and traditional advertising and marketing methods weren’t working anymore. I learned website development and SEO to grow my business and really enjoyed the work, so I started doing it full time.

Pay attention to your thoughts and actions. The subconscious mind is good at reliving important events and thoughts, but they’re easy to miss if you don’t pay attention. These thoughts will help guide you to your true calling. —Guy Sheetrit, CEO of Over The Top SEO, who provides customized SEO marketing solutions for e-commerce, local, and Fortune 500 companies

10. Allow your calling to find you.

10. Allow your calling to find you.

Nafisé Nina Hodjat

Image credit:

The Oracles

I was practicing civil litigation when some friends got into trouble with the law. They insisted I handle their cases, even though criminal law was outside of my wheelhouse. It turns out that criminal defense is my passion, which I would’ve never known had I not fallen into it.

That said, there are unreasonable expectations to “live your passion,” which can lead to disappointment. Instead, look at your life as an amazing gift and a beautiful adventure. When you love your life, stay in gratitude, and do your best, great things show up on your path. Have faith in yourself and allow your calling to find you. —Nafisé Nina Hodjat, founder and managing attorney of The SLS Firm

Want to share your insights in a future article? Join The Oracles, a mastermind group of the world’s leading entrepreneurs who share their success strategies to help others grow their business and build a better life. Apply here.

For more articles like this follow The Oracles on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn



[ad_2]

Source link

Filed Under: Entrepreneur

New Features from Facebook and Square Benefit Small Business

January 4, 2019 by Asif Nazeer Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

There are a lot of negatives in the news about the big social media companies.

While those headlines tend to focus on the leadership at those companies, the sites themselves continue to be a boon for small business owners. They’re one centralized location to reach a large group of potential customers and followers.

This week, we learned about two recent developments on social media that can definitely help small business.

The first comes from Facebook and its expansion of the Stories feature that’s become more and more popular. Now, according to our reporting, you can share Facebook Stories in Facebook Groups. Is your business using either of these feature on Facebook, Groups and/or Stories?

And then, we heard from Square. They’ve just added a new feature to Square Appointments that allows you to reach customers and schedule appointments on Instagram and Google. It seems like a nifty automation and inter-connectivity tool that would benefit service businesses, especially.

It was a light week overall, being the last of 2018 and first of 2019. But check out the rest of the week in small business headlines in our news roundup below.

Management

10 Ways to Update Your Small Business for 2019

You don’t need to wait for a new year to update your business’s processes. But when the calendar changes, it serves as a good reminder to evaluate some of the tech and platforms you use so you can modernize your business and become even more effective.

Marketing Tips

Year End Report Looks at Email Marketing on the Biggest Shopping Days of 2018

The one marketing channel which has been delivering consistently for years is email. And with a record-breaking $7.9 billion in sales for Cyber Monday 2018, SendGrid wanted to know just how marketers were using email. SendGrid analyzed the data from the record 2.9 billion emails sent on Cyber Monday alone.

Research

94% of Consumers Say Your Website Must Be Easy to Navigate

The issue of Internet addiction is grabbing headlines, which is presenting businesses with a new set of challenges as people spend less time online. And when they do spend time online, 94% of consumers say they want an easy to navigate website. This is according to a new survey by Clutch which looked to identify the top website features people value most.

Small Business Loans

Lenders Look at Personal and Business Credit Scores, Both

According to US Bank’s Jessie Hagen, 82% of business failures are due to poor cash flow management skills. Failure to understand and manage cash flow effectively can lead to poor personal and business credit scores. Small business lenders look at both your personal and business credit histories which means personal credit affects small business borrowing.

Small Business Operations

Customer Experience Lessons Retailers Can Learn From the World’s Best Companies

How can your retail store deliver a best-in-class customer experience? Learn from the best, that’s how. Global customer agency C Space recently released its report on the best customer experiences of 2018, and retailers dominated the top companies on the list. Nine of the top 25 companies were retailers: Trader Joe’s, L.L.

Social Media

Top 2018 YouTube Trends for Small Business

Since its launch back in 2005, YouTube has become the premier online destination for video content. For small businesses, YouTube provides a number of unique opportunities, from video marketing for a specific product or service to earning an income through the YouTube Partner Program.

Startup

10 Amazing Tech Acquisitions in 2018 – and What Entrepreneurs can Learn from Them

In the tech world, companies change hands constantly — it’s hard to keep up! I’m proud to say that my first company, WordStream, was on the list of tech acquisitions in 2018. After growing it into a full-fledged unicorn, I sold WordStream to Gannett for $150 million (here’s the exact story of how I built and sold that business).

Technology Trends

New Catchpoint SaaS Performance Tool Addresses Small Business Tech Challenges

Catchpoint recently announced new SaaS Monitoring products specifically geared to Office 365 and Salesforce. The new products are designed to smooth over the issues for small business SaaS application users during outages and slowdowns. Small Business Trends got in touch with Vandan Desai, Senior Product Manager at Catchpoint, to learn more.

Image: Shutterstock

This article, “New Features from Facebook and Square Benefit Small Business” was first published on Small Business Trends



[ad_2]

Source link

Filed Under: Strategy

What to Expect From CES 2019, the World’s Biggest Tech Trade Show

January 4, 2019 by Asif Nazeer Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

From smart homes to the biggest of big-screen TVs, here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming to this year’s show.


January
4, 2019

7 min read


This story originally appeared on Engadget

We’re not quite done dusting off the glitter from our New Year’s Day celebrations, but it’s time to turn our attention once again to that other big event in January: the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Yes, the annual flurry of tech and gadgets returns to Las Vegas next week, and we’ll be right there in the middle of it all to check out what’s new. From smart homes to the biggest of big-screen TVs, here’s a brief sneak peek at what we expect from this year’s show.

Walking through the valley of the shadow of OLEDs.

Image credit: Richard Lawler/Engadget

Bigger, better screens

Maybe more than anything else, CES is a wonderland for people who obsess over screens. (It doesn’t hurt that intense industry rivalries lead to ever-flashier spectacles.) From big to small, we’re going to get a sense of what the displays of the future will look like. For the most part, though, expect to see screen technologies pioneered in the past to make their way into more mainstream products.

Consider 8K: Does anyone need an 8K television? Almost certainly not, especially when you consider the near-total lack of valuable 8K media out there. Still, that won’t stop the LGs, Sonys and Samsungs of the world from showing off huge, insanely pixel-dense screens at CES, along with some more-measured 8K models people might actually be able to buy. That’s right: 2019 is shaping up to be the year when you’ll actually be able to walk into a store and buy an ultra-high-res TV. Of course, whether you’d truly benefit from one in 2019 is another question entirely.

Samsung is also expected to release a consumer-ready MicroLED television based on the absolutely bonkers Wall display we saw last year, and we can’t imagine not seeing it at CES. For those not in the loop, MicroLED screens like Samsung’s pack all the same benefits (like punchy colors and pure blacks) as traditional OLED panels but have better longevity. The early model we got up close with last year wasn’t exactly perfect (a telltale checkerboard pattern was visible on the screen when we got right next to it), but this year we’ll find out if Samsung was right to dodge a more traditional design.

Oh, and let’s not forget that displays are getting more flexible too. Samsung wowed with its foldable-phone concept earlier this year, but a Chinese company called Royole plans to show off its own at CES. If you’re the type to buy into rumors, LG might even have a folding-phone announcement in store for the show, though we wouldn’t be surprised if the company saved it for another time. Regardless of what actually appears in Vegas, though, it’s clear this once-crazy idea isn’t so outlandish anymore. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if CES 2020 was full of bendy phones and laptops.

Image credit: Ingraham/Engadget

Virtual assistants everywhere

Amazon has a pretty big presence at this year’s CES, with multiple booths spread out across several convention halls. Seeing as Google made a big splash last year with its enormous exhibition space as well as creating its own line of Echo Show rivals, it’s no surprise that Amazon definitely wants to up its game. We expect to see Alexa integration not only in the usual connected displays and speakers but also in televisions, appliances and more. Amazon will even have its very own car-related exhibit to show off Alexa Auto, an accessory that’ll add the personal assistant to any compatible car. Expect Alexa to infiltrate every aspect of your lives.

Of course, Amazon isn’t the only company gunning to make its AI ubiquitous. Google made a splash with its massive outdoor booth last year — it had a slide, for heaven’s sake — and exhibitor maps confirm the search giant is planning something just as big for CES 2019. If we had to guess, we’d say Google will be pushing Assistant hard once more. There’s probably going to be a significant number of Assistant-powered devices on hand (last year we saw stuff from JBL and Lenovo), and we wouldn’t be surprised if the Assistant itself picks up a few new tricks come January. We don’t know exactly what Google plans to announce, but let’s be real: The company wouldn’t have made its booth even bigger this year if there weren’t something new to look forward to.

Image credit: IKEA

Smarter homes

Connected fridges and ovens have always been a big part of CES, and we don’t expect that to change this year. Some of that connectivity will probably bleed over into other aspects of the home, too, like the bathroom (smart toilets, anyone?). Plus, because not everyone is willing to cough up the big bucks for a new refrigerator, we might see smaller appliances like countertop ovens and crockpots get the connected treatment as well.

We’ll likely see increased integration of Google’s Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa in these appliances too. Be it smart doorbells or smart locks, the two assistants are sure to make their way into even more products than ever. With Amazon and Google already going head to head in the smart speaker and smart display categories, we definitely expect their rivalry to heat up at CES.

Image credit: Roberto Baldwin/Engadget

Intelligent, entertaining cars

When it comes to automobiles, the focus at CES is on tech-related topics like autonomous driving and the latest EV innovations. This year, US Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao is slated to be a keynote speaker at CES, and her talk will be on “the future of drones and self-driving technology.” Car companies like Ford and Bosch/Daimler are expected to show off their research in the mobility space, such as new driver AI systems and the latest LIDAR sensors. Aside from self-driving cars, we’ll also see autonomous tech on other kinds of vehicles like trucks and tractors.

As autonomous vehicles take off, car companies have been grappling with how the future of infotainment might look like when you no longer need to keep your eyes on the road. At CES, Audi will be showing off an all-new in-car entertainment system that includes a movie theater experience, theoretically so you can catch a flick on your dashboard while sitting in traffic. Of course, we’re likely years away from this being a reality, but that doesn’t stop us from wanting to see it in person.

Image credit: Getty Images via engadget

The year of 5G

CES hasn’t historically been a smartphone-heavy show; most big phone makers save their stuff for Mobile World Congress a few months later. That said, 2019 is going to be the first year people will actually be able to use next-generation 5G data networks, and we expect to hear a lot about what they’ll make possible. The usual suspects like Verizon and AT&T will be at the show, and their respective CEOs are slated to appear in keynote sessions that will dig into how 5G will impact entertainment, enterprises, cars, cities and more.

If this sounds familiar, well, fair enough: Mobile leaders have foretold of a new industrial revolution built atop 5G connections for years now, and it has gotten pretty hard to differentiate hype from honesty. With carriers around the world preparing to light up their first 5G networks, though, this will be one of our last chances to consider the industry’s lofty ambitions before reality starts to set in.

[ad_2]

Source link

Filed Under: Entrepreneur

Bobbi Brown Started a Beauty Empire With Just One (Revolutionary) Lipstick

January 4, 2019 by Asif Nazeer Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

Brown introduced the idea that even with makeup, women should look natural. And, naturally, customers loved it.


January
4, 2019

6 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.


Editor’s note: Entrepreneur‘s Builders series interviews female leaders in different industries, offering insight into what successful women do to push through feeling stuck, frustrated and noncreative as they build incredible brands and businesses.

There’s no disputing that Bobbi Brown is a titan of beauty: Though best known for her eponymously named Bobbi Brown Cosmetics beauty line, which revolutionized the beauty industry by glamourizing natural tones in makeup, Brown didn’t stop there. In fact, she has created several entrepreneurial ventures, her latest being EVOLUTION_18, a lifestyle-inspired wellness brand.

Image credit: Courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Besides being a world-renowned makeup artist who built an empire on ten simple lipsticks she created, she’s a best-selling author, sought-after speaker and serial entrepreneur. She has written nine beauty and wellness books, and has launched her new line since leaving Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in October 2016.

Related: Beauty Entrepreneur Bobbi Brown Explains the ‘Secret Sauce’ to Building a Brand Loved By Everyone

We hope you’ll be as inspired as we were by her ability to embrace her fear and launch new offerings ranging from the wellness sector to the hospitality one. Here’s our Q&A:

What have you built? What inspired you to build it?

I built Bobbi Brown Cosmetics with a lipstick and the simple idea that makeup should look natural, and be easy to apply. I was inspired to create my own line, because of the lack of products that were available that didn’t need mixing or blending.

Were you born a builder or did you have to learn to be one?

I was born a builder. I had a store in my basement as a kid with two friends. We made things with the hopes to sell them, but quickly learned that there were no customers or foot traffic.

Who was the first woman you looked up to? Why did you want to be like her?

The first woman I ever looked up to was my Aunt Alice. She worked with her husband to run his business while raising three kids. They had car dealerships in Chicago, and she was in the office on the floor every day, while still managing to take care of her family. She’s one of the most down to earth, amazing people I’ve ever met. Also, [actress] Ali MacGraw changed my life when I saw her in the movie Love Story because she was the first woman I ever related to that was naturally beautiful and confidant.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve taken?

I am not afraid of risk, and I’ve taken many, from launching a company with one lipstick, to creating different types of products that I didn’t know were going to be popular. (At the time, 40 different shades of foundation was unheard of). Then, there was my biggest risk of all: leaving the brand I founded and starting new companies: EVOLUTION_18, The George Hotel, justBOBBI.com, 18 Label Studios and some others [as yet] unnamed.

When have you broken down, personally or professionally? How did you break through?

I have broken down in front of my husband, family and girlfriends. It is very cathartic because you get it out and then you just quickly realize, “I got this, I can do this.”

What makes you doubt yourself? How do you manage it?

Being an entrepreneur is really fascinating because some days I think I am unstoppable, and some days I think, “What am I doing?” I manage it by exercising, and sometimes drinking vodka!

How do you know when to leave someone or something?

It is not ever easy to make a change. Occasionally, it works to strategize and make a plan, but other times you have to jump in, and do it. Sometimes you don’t realize you were not happy until you look back.

When was your bravest moment? How do you practice being brave?

My bravest moment was dancing on stage with Flo Rida. He asked me on stage and without thinking I just went for it. Actually, leaving my brand took a lot of courage, and jumping into new projects right away was exciting, but also pretty scary.

Knowing what you know now, was it worth it?

There is nothing that I would change in my life, except I probably wouldn’t have given up running or lifting weights when I was really young. I’m a little inconsistent with my exercise.

What can you see yourself building next?

I am in the process of building a lifestyle company that includes a hotel, digital magazine and wellness products — all things to help people be better versions of themselves.

Biography

At a time when stark contours and shiny red lips were in fashion, Bobbi Brown designed cosmetics to highlight a woman’s natural look, and introduced Bobbi Brown Essentials, in 1991. This line of color cosmetics revolutionized the industry. The original brown-based lipstick shades offered a simple, edited way for all women to embrace and highlight their lips. Other groundbreaking products soon followed. Brown’s philosophy is straightforward: “Women want to look and feel like themselves, only prettier and more confident,” she says.

In 1995, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics was acquired by The Estée Lauder Companies. Brown stayed on to serve as chief creative officer, building a billion-dollar brand.

But, unwilling to rest on her laurels, Bobbi has returned to her roots as an entrepreneur. Her latest endeavor is EVOLUTION_18, a line of lifestyle-inspired wellness products that launched in spring 2018. JustBobbi.com, is a lifestyle platform where Brown shares many of her life inspirations. In addition, with her husband, Steven Plofker, Brown recently opened The George, a 32-room boutique hotel, in Montclair, N.J.

Her gift for translating trends into real-life applications has made her a sought-after expert on television and a subject for profiles in magazines and newspapers. She is also the beauty and lifestyle editor of Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, and author of nine books, several of them New York Times bestsellers. She continues to work editorially, writing columns for the websites Charlotte’s Book and PureWow and the TV program Naturally, Danny Seo.

Related: Health and Beauty Mogul Bobbi Brown Shares The Biggest Time Sucker — and What You Can Do About It

A graduate of Emerson College, Brown has received the Glamour Woman of the Year Award, The Fashion Group International Night of Stars Beauty Award and the Jackie Robinson Foundation’s ROBIE Humanitarian Award, to name a few. She was appointed by President Obama to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiation, and has been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. She also holds honorary doctorates from Montclair State University, the Fashion Institute of Technology, Monmouth University and Emerson College.

[ad_2]

Source link

Filed Under: Entrepreneur

Apply These 3 Simple Techniques to Identify Your Customer’s Needs

January 4, 2019 by Asif Nazeer Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

3 ways of Identifying Customer Needs

Running a business can be very fulfilling. On one end, you’re making money doing something you love. On the other, you get to positively impact other people’s lives with your products and services.

Sure, it feels good to make money with your business. But it feels even better to know you’re making a difference to others by providing them with convenience and value.

Identifying Customer Needs

Good business owners are desperate to find a way to serve others, as they should be. When you focus on serving first, the money will come. So how do you find out what your target audience wants so you can better market to them and serve value? Here are 3 ways to achieve this.

1. Survey Them

One of the easiest ways to find out what your audience wants is to survey them. It’s best to start by surveying the people on your email list. Ask them why they joined your list and how your business can help them overcome an obstacle or meet a goal.

When building your email list, it’s important to be as specific as possible when it comes to setting expectations. You want people to know what they’re getting when they join your list and how you can help. It makes no sense to have a huge list of subscribers filled with people who aren’t your target audience and aren’t interested in your help.

By being specific, setting expectations from the start, and surveying your audience as soon as they sign up, you’ll learn more about their current situation and how you can help them. You can create free surveys using Typeform or SurveyMonkey and even offer a giveaway item as an incentive.

Analyze the survey results once people start taking it and pay attention to common answers, themes, or questions so you can use those topics to create content, products, services, etc.

2. Do a Discovery Call

If you’re looking for more in-depth feedback and ideas from your target audience, you should consider doing one-on-one discovery calls with a few people. This short call will only take a few minutes but it will allow you to ask several questions and get valuable feedback from people in your target audience. Think of it as your own mini focus group.

Think of it as your own focus group I did this last year and set up calls with around 15 email subscribers. I asked them about their biggest obstacles were along with how my business could help.

Their response allowed me to come up with more tools and resources to use in my business.

3. Use Social Media

It’s likely that your target audience is using social media in some capacity. It’s easy to find out more about them and what their interests are by using these platforms.

You can use your Facebook page to get insights on followers and your audience by using several of their analytics features. If you sign up for a Twitter ads account, you can use the follower’s dashboard to connect to your target audience.

Don’t forget about social media groups and public conversations. You can join Facebook groups that your target audience are in and ask them questions or simply take notes on their own questions.

I actually host a free Facebook group for my followers and it’s a great way to find out what my target audience wants.

Summary

Don’t try to reinvent the wheel when it comes to determining what your target audience wants so you can market better to them. Simply start by narrowing down who your ideal customer/client is and asking them.

Being straightforward will eliminate a lot of guesswork and trial and error. Plus, it will help you improve your reach when it comes to serving others and building a business you can be proud of.

Republished by permission. Original here

Image: Due.com

This article, “Apply These 3 Simple Techniques to Identify Your Customer’s Needs” was first published on Small Business Trends



[ad_2]

Source link

Filed Under: Strategy

What Should Business Owners Keep in Mind?

January 4, 2019 by Asif Nazeer Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

Photo by Isabella Mendes from Pexels

As vaping has become a popular alternative to smoking, more and more people have taken up the habit. This means that some employees may wish to vape during their work hours. However, as a business owner, you must consider a few issues that can result from workplace vaping.

Vaping is a relatively new form of nicotine intake. As such, it can be difficult to understand which aspects to consider. It may even be difficult to understand what vaping actually is. Moreover, you might not even know about the companies that provide this nicotine alternative, though Pure E-Liquids is one example.

However, in the UK, Public Health England—also known as PHE—has created a simple framework for advising organizations about workplace vaping. We offer here the principles from PHE. Whether your business is in the UK or elsewhere, they may help you with developing vaping policies for your workplace.

 

RELATED ARTICLE: HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS FOR A BUSY WORKPLACE IN 2019

 

5 Principles for Business Owners to Follow

PHE has suggested that there are five principles that business owners should consider when trying to understand workplace vaping:

  1. Business owners must make a very clear distinction between vaping and smoking. For example, they must make clear that the policies on their current employees who smoke and those who vape are different. That’s because of the health differences between the two practices.
  2. PHE has also advised that business owners make sure that their policies on vaping are informed by the possibility of risk that vaping might pose to bystanders. However, as vaping is relatively new, these vaping-near-bystanders policies may be different, depending on the employer as well as what the business does.

workplace vaping 2

Photo by Hashim Rogers from Pexels
  1. Much like with the point above, PHE also suggests that business owners have a responsibility not only to identify, but also to manage the risks of vaping around children and young people. However, again, this is dependent on what your business entails as well as who you employ.
  2. Vaping is mostly considered a healthier way of taking in nicotine. Therefore, it supports your employees in quitting smoking and staying smoke-free. This is also one of PHE’s principles of vaping in the workplace. This comes as a direct result of the UK government’s Five Year Tobacco Control plan for England.
  3. PHE also suggests that business owners must support compliance with the new smoke-free law and policies. These were created for the safety and well-being of the public. This principle, too, has resulted from the government’s Five Year Tobacco Control plan. This intends to implement policies aimed at promoting employers to try to encourage their employees to give up smoking, not only in the workplace but also altogether.

 

What Else Should You Keep in Mind About Workplace Vaping?

The five points detailed here are just a few of the considerations you can take into account as part of your policies on workplace vaping.

Keep in mind that the elements of your workplace vaping policies will depend on what your business is as well as who you employ. However, vaping in the workplace is likely to become more popular as time progresses. Therefore, you must carefully consider each aspect of your new policies on workplace vaping.

[ad_2]

Source link

Filed Under: Biz Opportunities

Segway Is Getting Into Autonomous Deliveries

January 3, 2019 by Asif Nazeer Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

The company will also debut a new shared scooter model at CES.


January
3, 2019

2 min read


This story originally appeared on Engadget

Most people are probably never going to own a Segway, but the company is aiming to have more people interact with its products. At CES 2019, Segway-Ninebot will debut its first ever autonomous delivery robot designed to perform the final leg like of transporting packages. It’s also showing off the Model Max, its next generation of shared scooter designed to get people around the city (or be ditched on the sidewalk).

The Model Max scooter is right in Segway-Ninebot’s wheelhouse, seeing as the company already makes electric scooters that are used by popular scooter-sharing services. With the Model Max, it’s promising a new “top of the line vehicle” for traveling in urban environments. The next-generation scooter will reportedly be more weather resistant than previous models, as well as more reliable and safe — a nice assurance after scooter sharing firm Lime recalled thousands of Segway scooters believed to be at risk of bursting into flames while charging. Segway didn’t offer much else by way of specs for the scooter other than to note it aims to provide a better and cheaper ride.

Segway-Ninebot’s Loomo Delivery bot leaves the realm of riding entirely. The autonomous vehicle is instead designed to perform package deliveries. Built like a mailbox on wheels, Loomo Delivery uses AI to bring parcels to their final destination. Segway-Ninebot envisions the little bot doing the duty of delivery in office buildings or malls. The little bot has a built-in camera to help it see and relies upon proprietary algorithms to navigate and keep from slamming into walls. It’s almost more novelty than anything at this point so don’t expect your favorite mailman to start looking for work.

Image credit: Segway-Ninebot

[ad_2]

Source link

Filed Under: Entrepreneur

Are We Outgrowing Growth?

January 3, 2019 by Asif Nazeer Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

Citizens and policymakers are asking whether economies can break out of growth-dependent frameworks. Businesses should help find the answer.

[ad_2]

Source link

Filed Under: Strategy

After Years of Sleeping in, I Started Waking up at 5 a.m., and I’m Blown Away by How It Changes my Day

January 2, 2019 by Asif Nazeer Leave a Comment

[ad_1]

In two weeks of sticking to the plan, entrepreneur Susie Moore found she was getting enough sleep, accomplishing more than ever, and building healthier habits.


January
2, 2019

6 min read


This story originally appeared on Business Insider

“The early morning has gold in its mouth.” — Benjamin Franklin

A couple of weeks ago, I got my hands on “The 5 a.m. Club” by Robin Sharma. A fan of his work — his bestseller “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” is my go-to gift for friends — I was enthused to read it, despite thinking a 5 a.m. start could never apply to me.

My typical wake-up time has been 8 to 8:30 a.m. since I started working for myself full time in 2014. As a pretty productive person, I never thought there was anything I needed to change and had only ever woken up at 5 a.m. to catch a flight (feeling crabby as heck).

Related: The Most Successful Companies Led By Entrepreneurs

Until now.

After we heard about all the benefits early risers receive — plus that fact leaders like Richard Branson, Tim Cook, and Michelle Obama rave about waking up early — my husband and I challenged ourselves to do it. We’re now on week two of waking up to a 5 a.m. alarm, and we’ve noticed some rapid shifts already.

Self-control skyrockets

For me, this is the biggest one. As a coach, I know how self-discipline affects self-respect. Sharma says, “Getting up at dawn is perfect self-control training … Increasing self-control in one area of your life elevates self-control in all areas of your life.”

After nights when I’d sleep restlessly, I’d sometimes snooze till 9 a.m. (or even later) and was behind on my day the moment my feet hit the floor. I’d switch stuff around, delay items on my to-do list for another time, and even incur ClassPass cancellation fees for my workouts.

Related: Mark Wahlberg Reveals His Grueling Daily Schedule and It Is Bonkers

Now I look at my to-dos and feel relaxed because, hey, I’m up at 5 a.m. each day — there’s tons of time! Trusting yourself to do something hard, like obeying an alarm clock that goes off when it’s pitch black and cold outside, is making my life easier. I’m proud of myself every time I fire up the Nespresso machine at 5:05 a.m.

Healthier habits develop (no 3rd glass of wine!)

This is a happy and unexpected side effect. Because my goal is a 9:30 p.m. bedtime — Sharma preaches that sleep is essential — I don’t stay out late or overindulge because I don’t want to be tired the next day. It took two or three nights to adjust to this sleep time, and I’m really liking it. I’m switching dinners with friends to brunches wherever possible. Seven and a half hours of sleep seems to be enough for me too, even though I’m used to more than that.

Capacity to create expands

Producing has never been a problem for me. But getting additional hours and focus from an early start is like adding gasoline to your day. Applying Sharma’s “60/10 method” — working for 60 minutes straight without interruption, followed by a 10-minute refuel in the form of a quick walk or just making tea and sitting on the sofa — has helped me complete projects faster.

Susie Moore, the author.

Image Credit: Courtesy of Susie Moore

I found myself adding stuff to my to-do list that doesn’t have to be completed for weeks. I sent over 50 holiday cards this year.

And I find myself grocery shopping and cooking at night (typically we eat out or order in). So it’s saving me money too.

Clarity and calm ensue

Sharma says that “digital interruption is costing you your fortune,” and I’m familiar with the depleted feeling of checking social media frequently throughout the day and constantly being reachable via email and text.

Fully waking up first and applying the “20/20/20 formula” — 20 minutes of moving, 20 minutes of reflecting, and 20 minutes for personal growth — ensures you start the day device-free while setting self-directed intentions for the day ahead (not living from the inbox out).

Related: 12 Entrepreneurial Traits That Will Tempt You to Quit Your Job Immediately

I’ve been spending the 5 to 6 a.m. “victory hour” journaling, tapping (an emotional freedom technique), goal-setting (another suggestion from the book — writing down five things you’d like to achieve that day), reviewing my longer-term goals, and reading a few pages of a personal-development book.

As Sharma says, “Tranquility is the new luxury of our society.” In the tranquil early moments, you’re not rushing. You’re not reactive. You’re able to think clearly, instead of having a rushed, stressed mind first thing in the morning.

There’s just something too about dawn that makes you feel a deeper connection to yourself. No one is calling you at that time. Most of the world still sleeping. It’s clear thinking time just for you.

While I’m celebrating this challenge, I know that life as an entrepreneur without kids lends itself well to this 5 a.m. formula. I asked Sharma what he’d tell new parents, side-hustlers, and employees with nontraditional 9-to-5 schedules, and he said:

“Customize the 20/20/20 formula and 5 a.m. club to suit your lifestyle and read the chapter on the essentialness of sleep! Maybe you don’t do it nights you’re up at 3 a.m. nursing the baby — give yourself a break. Doing the 5 a.m. club only three days a week is better than not at all.”

The 13th-century poet Rumi said: “The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep.” Understanding the magic of the dawn is ancient. And like so many of the thriving early birds out there, I like being in on the secret.

Susie Moore is a life coach and author based in New York City who has been featured on the “Today” show and Forbes. Sign up for her free weekly confidence tips via her website.

[ad_2]

Source link

Filed Under: Entrepreneur

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 115
  • 116
  • 117
  • 118
  • 119
  • …
  • 172
  • Next Page »

Sign up for our newsletter and receive a free EBook on how to boost productivity






Find it

Blog By

Small Business Consultant and Accountant helping grow your small business Read More…

Follow us online

  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Recent Posts

Unlock Small Business Triumph: Your Definitive Guide to Success

Small Business Topics: A Comprehensive Guide for Success As a … [Read More...]

  • Why the F&B Sector Needs Streamlined Payment Methods – Business
  • The Rise of AI in Ecommerce Outsourcing – Ecommerce
  • The Benefits of Turnkey Tech Solutions for Forex Brokers – Business

Archives

  • December 2024 (1)
  • March 2024 (2)
  • February 2024 (3)
  • January 2024 (1)
  • December 2023 (3)
  • November 2023 (1)
  • October 2023 (3)
  • September 2023 (6)
  • August 2023 (1)
  • July 2023 (5)
  • June 2023 (16)
  • May 2023 (1)
  • April 2023 (2)
  • March 2023 (4)
  • February 2023 (2)
  • January 2023 (5)
  • December 2022 (5)
  • November 2022 (8)
  • October 2022 (7)
  • September 2022 (6)
  • August 2022 (6)
  • July 2022 (13)
  • June 2022 (11)
  • May 2022 (7)
  • April 2022 (8)
  • March 2022 (12)
  • February 2022 (8)
  • January 2022 (11)
  • December 2021 (9)
  • November 2021 (10)
  • October 2021 (11)
  • September 2021 (3)
  • August 2021 (10)
  • July 2021 (12)
  • June 2021 (5)
  • May 2021 (10)
  • April 2021 (17)
  • March 2021 (40)
  • February 2021 (39)
  • January 2021 (58)
  • December 2020 (66)
  • November 2020 (59)
  • October 2020 (34)
  • September 2020 (47)
  • August 2020 (37)
  • July 2020 (2)
  • May 2020 (1)
  • April 2020 (1)
  • March 2020 (33)
  • February 2020 (25)
  • January 2020 (20)
  • December 2019 (27)
  • November 2019 (28)
  • October 2019 (34)
  • September 2019 (38)
  • August 2019 (13)
  • July 2019 (44)
  • June 2019 (40)
  • May 2019 (58)
  • April 2019 (51)
  • March 2019 (43)
  • February 2019 (44)
  • January 2019 (43)
  • December 2018 (47)
  • November 2018 (43)
  • October 2018 (58)
  • September 2018 (44)
  • August 2018 (60)
  • July 2018 (49)
  • June 2018 (58)
  • May 2018 (54)
  • April 2018 (39)
  • March 2018 (46)
  • February 2018 (48)

Topics Covered

business consulting business growth business management business marketing business strategy business topics small business small business success small business topics

Biz Opps

[ad_1] Featured image by Blake Wisz on … [Read More...]

[ad_1] Are you looking for the best ways … [Read More...]

[ad_1] Featured image by … [Read More...]

Customer Focus

[ad_1] First published in Exchange, the magazine … [Read More...]

Entrepreneurs

[ad_1] Uptown Cheapskate is a resale … [Read More...]

[ad_1] A team of neuroscientists in the … [Read More...]

[ad_1] This article was translated … [Read More...]

Strategy

[ad_1] If you buy something through our links, we … [Read More...]

[ad_1] In helping celebrate Black History Month, … [Read More...]

[ad_1] ZOHO started its current Email Marketing … [Read More...]

Supply Chain

[ad_1] Although managing inbound shipping can be … [Read More...]

© Copyright 2015 iSmall-Business.net · All Rights Reserved · Powered by ISmall-Business.net · Admin