Featured image by ALUREAN via Pixabay

In this post, we discuss how Instagram sorts through the data to come up with its “suggested for you” offerings. Knowing how the app does this can help you gain some control over this feature.

Instagram is an ever-growing social media platform, and a lot is happening there every instant.

Instagram’s engineers strive to make the user experience as seamless as possible in order to keep users hooked on the app. 

Thus, the “suggested for you” feature arrives on the scene. When a user comes to the app, they leave a footprint everywhere they go on the site. The app follows these footprints to learn about that person’s interests.

Source: Pinterest

6 Key Factors on Which “Suggested for You” Depends

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In order to come up with the “suggested for you” feature, the Instagram app takes notes of a user’s activities on the site. While some people seem to think the app might be stalking them, this is not true at all.

Instead, the algorithm has a system that works in a prescribed manner to bring out certain choices for you. These are the factors the app takes into account:

• Search history
• Mutual friends
• Use of hashtags
• Phone contacts
• Linked accounts
• Followers of followers

Now, let’s take a deeper look.

1. Search History

Source: Unsplash

Of course, your search history mainly refers to the people or accounts that you seem to know or connect with.

Instagram, just like other social media sites, takes it that way. They assume they can provide better service to their users by suggesting similar accounts or possibly relevant ones. Therefore, they take note of the accounts where the user seems to spend regularly and use that information to suggest other accounts for you.

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2. Mutual Friends

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Instagram does not go so far as to suggest every mutual friend of a user’s followers. But it does look at the number of mutual friends two accounts might share.

Additionally, it watches the engagement the two accounts have with their mutual friends.

It also notes whether the two accounts engage with the same posts, stories, or profiles of their mutual follower or not. The likes, shares, comments, and so on play a big part.

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It also looks for whether both accounts share the same interests or not.

If, say, the two accounts have thirty mutual friends and they also have five of the same friends in each of their lists which both of the accounts tend to connect with more often, Instagram will likely suggest the said five friends to each of the two accounts.

3. Use of Hashtags

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The hashtag is one of the app’s most crucial keys. In fact Instagram depends a lot on its hashtags for a variety of reasons, including the “suggested for you” feature.

Instagram seems to keep a watchful eye over how each hashtag is being used. This is because hashtags say a lot about engagement.

For example, if a user follows a hashtag Instagram will try to connect the people who have the same interest. For this reason, many businesses use hashtags to increase engagement.

Users reveal their interests to Instagram when they follow certain hashtags. Therefore, users who follow the same hashtags are likely to pop up in each other’s “suggested for you” list.

4. Phone Contacts

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Now, this one depends on whether the account has a particular person’s number or not. For instance, if a user has signed up for the app using a mobile number and not email, the phone contact suggestion comes up.

Also, if anyone in your phone contacts list has recently joined the app, they will come up in your “suggested for you” space.

The idea behind this is to connect a user to every account where that user has already shared some information in the past.

5. Linked Accounts

Linked accounts or linked social media accounts are another thing that affects the friends’ suggestion list.

As we know, Instagram is owned by Facebook, now called Meta. There are many times when folks connect to Instagram through Facebook. Facebook itself offers that feature.

When this is the case, the user ID and password for that user will be the same on both apps.

Now, coming back to the “suggested for you” piece, Instagram tries to access the data from Facebook and takes note of the accounts that also happen to have a profile at Instagram. These then are more likely to appear in the “suggested for you” list.

This works the other way around as well.

6. Followers of Followers

Source: Unsplash

This is another thing that Instagram takes notes on. If there is an account the user tends to engage most with and it has followers with somewhat the same interest as the user, it is most likely to pop up in the user’s “suggested for you” space.

This one depends on the account which the user usually engages with, but not every other person or account on the list. It is also most likely to share accounts that have a massive Instagram following.

How You Can Delete the “Suggested for You” Instagram Provides

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No matter how advanced it is, Instagram works according to its own algorithm. It cannot make changes according to each situation. This fact applies to anything on the app as well as everywhere else on social media. They only follow the footprints.

So, it sometimes happens that a user comes across suggestions of friends or content, they do not want to consume. Of course, things won’t go out of tangent. There has to be something that made the algorithm work in that way.

Nonetheless, sometimes a “suggested for you” turns out to be the opposite of the choice a user made. To deal with situations like this, the app also has options for deleting certain suggestions.

In the “suggested for you” space, click on “see all.” Then press the cross button in the corner of the suggestion you want to delete.

Thereafter, the app will not suggest similar accounts for you.

A Final Word About “Suggested for You”

Instagram is a wide space that is getting bigger and deeper with each passing day. In simple terms, the app’s algorithm works in a way intended to keep users hooked to it.

Updates are working in this regard while also ensuring that Instagram keeps an eye on the content a user likes to consume. Various methods lead to this outcome.

Now, as we have mentioned above, the “suggested for you” feature also has a story to tell. While it can at times be misled about its suggestions, it often connects users to accounts that they might like to see more of in their feed. In this way, the app’s algorithm is working to make Instagram a more comfortable space for its users.

About the Author

Shela Baxi is a software engineer turned content writer who has written blogs in various genres. During her free time, she likes to do research on YouTube and various blog sites. Additionally, she follows experts from tech to food to travel and more.

Featured image by Janos Levente

Multi-level marketing (MLM) is the new gold. In fact, it has become a common go-to option for many success-oriented companies. In this article, we discuss the concept of multi-level marketing and talk about how to make the best use of an MLM platform. We also describe the use of MLM software to build a successful multi-level marketing business.

What Is Multi-Level Marketing?

Multi-level marketing (MLM) developed as early as the 1930s because of the economic crisis during those years in the US. The economy was devastated and business managers were looking for new models to rebuild the system.

A key finding was the fact that recommendations have a major effect on a customer’s purchasing decisions. If a friend or acquaintance suggests a particular product to you, you’ll be more likely to choose it over competitor products.

This laid the foundation for multi-level marketing (MLM), also known as network marketing. A company that is working from an MLM platform generates sales partners. Then it gives those sales partners the products both to test and to sell to friends and acquaintances.

Multi-level marketing (MLM) is a special form of direct sales. It is also known as network marketing (NM) or structured sales. Traditional direct sales are about selling products to end customers. When a company is operating from an MLM platform, the sale of the end product is supplemented by recruiting and motivating new members to earn money from their sales.

The MLM scheme is extendable downward and is structured as a pyramid. The ownership percentages trickle down from the top and increase with the number of sales that the seller makes.

The Principles of Managing an MLM Platform Is the Same in All Industries

Depending on the industry, a member invests in a starter package with the most important products or product training. They sell the product with direct advice, preferably at the customer’s home.

They also make it appealing for the customer to sell the products because then the customer would get their product more inexpensively. The seller could also earn money from any other incentive accrual from the MLM platform.

If the customer agrees, the seller has gained a partner. The seller benefits not only from their sales but also from the partner’s registration.

This all sounds quite simple at first. Nonetheless, operating a business from an MLM platform has its pitfalls and complexities. These challenges can be simplified by good multi-level marketing software.

Here’s How to Set up a Reputable MLM Platform

If your business is considering running a business from an MLM platform, there are salient factors you must put in place. The possibility of achieving outstanding success shouldn’t cloud your thinking and sway you from reality.

So give yourself time to think about it. Conduct adequate research and make consultations to check whether you can actually operate your business this way. Below are a few things that lead toward success for any business that operates from an MLM platform:

• You sell products to the end consumer through a continuously growing network of employees
• Products are of high quality
• Prices are reasonable
• You have invested in product development
• You have set initial investments within reasonable limits
• Demonstration products are reasonably priced
• Training courses are free or inexpensive
• You provide a buyback guarantee for the starter set and unsold goods in case of a member who steps out
• Information brochures about products and business concepts are either free or inexpensive
• The company sells all goods directly to the member and there is no intermediate employee level
• You provide performance-related remuneration for all sales as well as for the sales of the new employees you recruit
• The company provides realistic information about earning potential and the cost and time involved
• You ensure that your business is registered

If you can’t meet several of the criteria above, curb your enthusiasm and distance yourself from the notion of operating your business from an MLM platform.

On the other hand, if your answers are mostly positive, you can get started with your network marketing business.

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Ask Yourself Some Questions Before Setting up an MLM Platform

When the company audit above is complete, dive into the concept and take an entrepreneurial look at it:

• Is there a sufficiently large sales market for my product?
• Is the price attractive for customers?
• What marketing plan will be simple and understandable?
• Aside from sales, are there other avenues to give members earnings?
• What investments do I have to make and how high is the entrepreneurial risk for me?

If you have not yet seen any stumbling blocks so far, now is the time to take a decisive look at your business. Because to be truly successful in managing MLM, there is a need for commitment.

Besides mapping out appropriate incentive systems (car, cruise, pension, insurance, and so on), most companies that operate from an MLM platform also offer motivational events. You can consider building yours, but be honest and don’t put out what you can’t keep up with.

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Which Software Platform Is Best to Use for Multi-Level Marketing?

A frequently asked question about multi-level marketing is: Does a software platform for MLM exist and is it really necessary?

We have tried as much as possible to answer this question. We have also outlined a list of what MLM software should do.

Why Is an MLM Software Platform Necessary?

If you join an existing MLM company as an independent team partner, you can usually use existing software as a “co-user.” In this case, you don’t need your own software.

But if you’re building your own multi-level marketing business, things are different. With the right software, you can monitor sales partners, sales, and commissions. Either way, check out this expert opinion on MLM software.

What Should MLM Software Be Able to Do?

Anyone who works in multi-level marketing needs, above all, an overview of the sales partners and their sales because this is where the commission payments come from. Depending on the size and scope of the product range, a merchandise management system may also be an advantage. Additional functions, such as order entry, customer management, partner management for affiliate programs, and shop systems are now part of many.

What Can an MLM Software Platform Offer?

An MLM software platform can:

• Manage sales partners
• Generate commission statement
• Manage inventory purchasing
• Provide a member area
• Maintain an affiliate program
• Provide customer management (CRM)
• Maintain your shop system
• Be your call center connection
• Be your competition manager
• Manage subscriptions
• Coordinate lead management
• Provide a scheduling tool

When it comes to pricing an MLM software platform, you can either buy it outright or rent it on a monthly basis. You can obtain a quote on request.

Lean on These Suggestions to Build a Successful MLM Platform

It is certainly not impossible to build a successful MLM platform. While the risks of building a secure existence with this business model remain great, the possibilities of success are good, too.

You now understand the basics. Therefore, if you are convinced you’re ready, then you can take the plunge. But first research and choose the best MLM software platform to help you build your networking marketing business.

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Featured image by Gerd Altmann via Pixabay

Are you looking for a way to stay one step ahead of the competition? If so, you need to find a way to make your business more efficient.

The reality is that time is your most important resource. Therefore, you need to make sure you use it wisely.

Of course, there’s a lot you have to do on a daily basis, so you may not have time to think about business efficiency constantly. Therefore, you need to take a look at a few important steps below if you want to streamline your daily operations. That way, you can stay ahead of your competitors and endear yourself to your customers.

1. Streamline Your Business Communications

One of the fastest ways you can make your business more efficient is to automate the communication process.

Do you notice that there are a lot of common questions that your customers have? If so, you may want to automate your responses to these questions. That way, your customers are not waiting around for a long time, wondering why you are not getting back to them. Additionally, you only need to rely on your employees to handle the most complicated issues.

If you want to streamline this process, you need to take advantage of emails and text messages. This will give your customers more options. So you may want to find an online SMS messaging service available in your industry or niche.

2. Get Rid of Redundant Steps in Your Processes

Another way you can make your business more efficient is to identify redundant steps.

Your company has probably grown since you first opened your doors. As you added more operations, you may have duplicated other areas of your business. Therefore, you might be wasting time doing the same thing twice.

Of course, this is not a good use of your time, so you need to take a close look at your daily operations to see if there are any redundancies. Then, see if you can consolidate those steps to make the process easier.

If you need help taking a look at redundant areas of your business, you may want to find someone who specializes in getting rid of business waste.

3. Invest in Automation to Make Your Business More Efficient

The next way you can make your business more efficient is to automate a lot of the processes that you currently do by hand.

You probably have a proven strategy that has gotten this far. Even though you might be reluctant to make changes, it is important for you to invest in automation technology.

If you still have people who are doing the same things over and over again, it is time for you to find software and hardware that can do this for you. It is less expensive, faster, and more accurate.

This is arguably the most direct way to make your company more efficient. Try to find automation tools that you can put to work for your company.

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4. Make Your Business More Efficient by Treating Your Employees Well and Incentivizing Productivity

Even though it might seem obvious, you need to treat your employees well if you want them to work hard for your business.

There is a saying that it is hard to find good help these days. Therefore, if you find employees who do a good job for your business, you need to do everything you can to keep them around.

Even though this probably means paying a competitive salary, you need to think outside the box if you want to stay ahead of your competition.

For example, you might want to consider giving your employees an extra day or two off. Or, you might want to consider giving them better health benefits.

Of course, the most direct way to get your employees to work harder is to pay them bonuses. You might even want to have a competition to see who can do the best job for the company. Then, the winner might get a financial reward. Treat your employees well if you want them to help make your business more efficient.

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Get the Most out of Your Business by Making It More Efficient

In the end, these are just a few of the many ways you can create a more efficient business. The business world is more competitive today than it ever was in the past.

Therefore, you need to work smarter if you want to stay ahead of the competition. The best way to do so is to get the most out of your time.

If you are having a difficult time finding ways to make your company more efficient, you might want to reach out to someone who specializes in this area. Then you can respond to the changing business environment before your competitors do. This means you can put your business in the best position possible to be successful.

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Choosing the best ewallet in 2022 is both easy and difficult. On the one hand, there are enough offers on the internet to give you more than enough options. On the other hand, there are far fewer services that deserve attention in terms of their different characteristics.

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You could find your wallet by choosing blindly, but you might waste a lot of time and money this way. Moreover, such a method will probably not affect your business in the best way.

Another way is to bring your questions and concerns to discussions in specialized forums. But often the level of qualification of the majority of “experts” is extremely unsatisfactory. You can also search for digital wallet companies and ask them to develop an app to serve your needs and preferences.

The Main Benefits of the eWallet

Here are the main benefits that a good ewallet should have:

• Simple payment for goods and services whether offline or over the internet
• Simplified payment procedure
• The ability to work with your account from anywhere in the world where there is an internet connection
• Extremely high speed.
• The ability to create an ewallet in just a few seconds. (In contrast, opening an account with a traditional bank often takes several days, or even weeks in some jurisdictions.)
• Possibility to open a multi-currency wallet
• Low transaction fees.

Take into account your industry. Also, if you are looking for the best all-around ewallet, approach the choice in a complex way. This is especially true for:

• Cryptocurrency-related business owners. In this case, an electronic wallet is not just the best option, but often the only one.
• Freelancers.
• Internet business owners.
• Online buyers of goods and services.
• Specialists who are associated with advertising services on the internet, including through blogs and public announcements on social networks.
• Regular online casino visitors.

The Main Functions of the eWallet

For a consumer, of course, it is easy to decide on the capabilities and functions of an ewallet. The situation becomes much more complicated if we analyze the needs of the business segment. In this case, the priorities will shift, and the arguments “for” may well turn into arguments “against.” Next, we will discuss a set of basic functions.

Standard Features of the eWallet

• Fast and secure digital payment processing using debit and credit cards issued by any national bank of a particular country can be used.
• Works with consumer accounts and transactions in real-time. The range of applications for most ewallets is extremely wide and has practically no technical limitations. You can replenish by way of a mobile phone account and use the ewallet to pay utility bills, fines, tickets, even electronic loans.
• Easy registration and login. Electronic wallets free the user from the hassle and restrictions inherent in traditional banking services. All that is needed for full-fledged work is an appropriate terminal, such as a smartphone or laptop, and a special application.
• The maximum level of comfort and usability. All functions are collected under one application and can be activated with just a few touches. Moreover, there are no requirements for the user’s physical location.
• Chatbots simplify the creation and maintenance of a permanent communication channel between the user (client) and the seller (supplier of services, goods, services). Note that the ability to contact a human operator is mandatory, as is the 24/7/365 work scheme.
• Additional options for regular customers. There can be many options for the implementation of “goodies” such as loyalty programs, discounts, increased cashback, additional features, and so on.

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Conclusion

Before choosing an ewallet for your business it’s important to analyze your needs as well as understand what you expect from the ewallet. Then you can select the features you need.

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The addition of cultural sensitivity to your overall marketing plan can help sell your product effectively in new regions. It can leverage your brand against international competition while also building brand loyalty among local customers.

In most businesses, interactions with personnel from many cultural origins occur regularly. Individuals from all around the world are employed by some companies that have multiple locations across the country as well. For brands to communicate effectively with their partners, donors, and customers, cultural awareness is a vital and effective tool.

The following are some ideas for incorporating cultural awareness into your marketing practice:

1. Train Teammates and Employees to Be Sensitive

Effective interpersonal communication with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is becoming critical in today’s multicultural, multigenerational workplace. To engage today’s modern workforce, diversity and inclusion training should be interactive and relevant to everyone’s cultures and experiences. Diverse training should also be tailored for mobile access. Then remote or offshore personnel can access it at any time, from any location, and on any device.

Training lays the groundwork for comprehending and appreciating various perspectives and backgrounds. It also cultivates empathy—the capacity to recognize and relate to thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It contributes to the prevention of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and other forms of misconduct by ensuring that employees understand the behavioral expectations outlined in the organization’s code of conduct, regulations, and policies.

2. Pay Homage to Festivals, Customs, and Cuisine

Celebrations with employees, customers, and partners can exhibit cultural awareness. For example, if your firm has remote employees in another country, do not expect them to work significant holidays on your behalf. Instead of doing that, send them a heartfelt greeting or a gift basket in honor of their holidays.

Food brings people from all walks of life together. So invite colleagues to a monthly office potluck to sample food from their respective cultures. Alternatively, ask people to bring treats to share during local festivals. Employees might benefit from mealtime bonding by identifying shared interests and establishing connections. Food may be an excellent vehicle for gaining knowledge about other cultures and promoting sensitivity.

3. Research Different Viewpoints and Ideas

Are you coping with a challenging circumstance at your marketing job? Solicit assistance and maintain an open mind to fresh ideas. Individuals from various countries and origins tackle business issues differently. Your teammates’ breadth of knowledge, gleaned from a varied range of life experiences, will astound you. Becoming more sensitive to cultural differences could change your perspective on something. This may result in discovering a solution that you would have overlooked otherwise.

Creating a marketing climate that values and promotes diversity of thought can go a long way toward fostering effective business relationships. Seeking advice, ideas, and expertise from your colleagues, whether as a junior, manager, or director, will contribute to developing a more sensitive and inclusive workplace culture. This approach will bolster your company’s marketing efforts to retain varied talent. This will also position your organization as a credible alternative for worldwide job seekers, customers, and investors.

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4. Empower Different Communities

Consider how your marketing message can build a sense of empowerment in diverse clients regarding ethnic origin, language competency, age, and gender. Historically, numerous minority groups have been marginalized. Provide them with a voice. Your sensitivity in this manner will allow you to earn their trust. Increased representation enables a broader range of perspectives, resulting in a better connection with your target audience. This can only happen when multicultural consumers regard a business as helpful and inspirational.

Suppose your multicultural marketing strategy focuses on the challenges a minority group faces while also emphasizing their value to society. In that case, you will boost that group’s allegiance to your organization. Your sensitivity to their challenges will give them the impression that they have an honest and compassionate ally.

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5. Establish Communication with Ethnic Influencers

Influencers are celebrities of the digital world. These are individuals who have amassed a sizable following on social media platforms. Collaboration with ethnic micro-influencers is a highly effective strategy for multicultural marketing. Without conducting any research or analysis, you will get immediate access to the influencers’ target audience.

Most importantly, the recommendations made by these influencers are unanimously accepted within their ethnic groups. Consumers from a specific cultural background are more inclined to seek guidance from trusted leaders and community members. As a result, using the experience and authenticity of these influencers is the most effective multicultural marketing technique to introduce your business to a varied target audience. Simultaneously, this will boost your team’s sensitivity training.

6. Remove Obstructions to Intercultural Communication

Culture affects how an individual communicates with people. When people’s communication norms diverge, the possibility of miscommunication or conflict increases. Language is one of the most frequently encountered communication barriers in cross-cultural collaboration. Consider providing basic language training to employees who frequently converse with clients (or with partners who speak a foreign language) to overcome the communication gap.

Educate your employees on the numerous ways of communication used by people from other cultures, especially those whom they deal with daily. Remind employees of the company’s values and expectations on that they should interact with one another with sensitivity.

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7. Investigate the Origins of Words and Phrases

If you’re unsure about the origins of a word you’re thinking about employing in a marketing campaign, do a quick Google search or don’t use it at all. If you’re using foreign language words, for example, be sure you know what each word or phrase means in the context of the language for which you’re producing an ad.

Research if you’re launching commercials in foreign nations and aren’t familiar with their customs. Talk to someone from that area, or bring in an expert for consultation. It will help you avoid offending other cultures and ensure that your language is accurate.

8. Avoid Tokenism

The effort to integrate a token individual into work is done to convey a sense of social inclusion and diversity. When cultural elements are acknowledged insufficiently or to tick a box, the result is a meaningless activity. Worse, it contributes to the continuation of stereotypes against a specific ethnic community.

Personalize rather than generalize. Then come to an agreement on a marketing approach for a specific region rather than relying too heavily on a single person’s advice or knowledge. Consider collaborating with a cultural influencer from the target culture to avoid stereotyping or cultural appropriation.

Takeaway

Brands must be aware of cultural differences to thrive in today’s world. You can significantly impact your organization and reach out to new audiences without being disrespectful or offensive. It’s as simple as conducting research and familiarizing yourself with your target audience’s cultural values and taboo topics. Take care not to become the brand everyone talks about for the wrong reasons.

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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