Why Consumer Brands Need To Keep An Eye On Their eCommerce Channel

by Shailendra Nagarajan, Senior Product Marketing Manager at DataWeave

The online retail marketplace is a hugely competitive ecosystem. It is saturated with competing eCommerce retailers, brands and sellers, all fighting for consumer interest and investment.

For brands, such an environment poses unique challenges. How can they ensure that their products and overall brand identity are being perceived well on all eCommerce sites? How can they determine whether their products are being sold at the right price across all channels? How can they make certain there are no counterfeit products being sold in their names?

When brands list their products on eCommerce sites, they hand over an element of control, and it then becomes difficult for them to track inefficiencies in this channel. With this lack of autonomy, they run the risk of their brand being presented poorly or inaccurately, which could tarnish its potential to succeed. The solution? Engaging in effective practices that leverage modern technologies to monitor and control the eCommerce Channel through brand analytics.

How can brand analytics help?

Brands today require key insights into their online eCommerce presence, as well as their competitors’ online presence. With these insights, brands can understand the marketplace better, improve their strategy and increase their sales.

This is done by aggregating data on an enormous scale and leveraging highly advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to analyze the data and generate actionable insights on their competitors and their eCommerce channel. Importantly, it can also detect any inefficiencies in the way products are represented online.

With a few providers, the insights can be accessed through a web portal. The data clearly indicates to the brand how they are performing, how their competitors are performing (by looking at a number of factors), and most crucially how the brand can best optimise their products to drive more sales.

Protect your brand.

Nowadays, brands rely on eCommerce sites more than ever to sell their products. For example, if your products are listed on Amazon you will gain greater exposure and your sales numbers are likely to skyrocket. However, the problem is that the more reliance you place on a third-party site, the more power you hand over, and this can end up adversely affecting your brand identity.

It’s important, therefore, to protect your brand image as much as possible. Through modern AI-based technologies, you can gain insights on minimum advertised price (MAP) violations (meaning that if an eCommerce site is advertising your product at a price that is below the agreed amount, you can know about it and fix it), uncover whether your products are being sold by unauthorized merchants, and even know whether counterfeit products of your brand are circulating the marketplace.

These technologies present the information you need to know through dashboards and will send you alerts when something is off the mark. Knowing this information is crucial; you can ensure that your products are being advertised accurately and effectively, and if they aren’t, you can take the appropriate measures immediately.

Increase your brand’s online visibility.

As a brand, your main goal is to sell your products. In the online marketplace, this means that your brand must be more discoverable and visible to the consumer than other brands. But how do you do this when there is so much competition all trying to do the same thing?

To begin with, you can leverage technologies to analyse the level of banner ad promotion your brand is given on eCommerce sites, as well as analyse the keywords and the ranking factor for your products.

Once you have identified how your brand is perceived on eCommerce sites – visibility, promotions, pricing, consumer feedback, etc. – you have actionable insights which you can then use to inform future strategy.

Improve your eCommerce sales strategy.

Something you should be sure of is which product types perform best on which eCommerce channels, and how this is impacted through trends, social media shares, publicity, promotion, pricing and competitors.

Pricing is one of the key drivers of online sales – to encourage sales, you must be the lowest price. It’s near impossible to keep on top of what your competitors are doing – what their best-selling and trending products are, what new products they’re bringing out, and what assortment of products they have available on each eCommerce site – as well as what price their products are listed at (especially as they can change hourly).

By investing in appropriate tools, you can gather all this information in one place that is easy to access and act on. For example, if you can see that a certain product has gained real traction, you can promote it more. Or, if you can see that a product type is selling fast, you can adjust your pricing so that it is cheaper than your competitors’.

The result: you boost your sales.

If you’re a brand that is utilising eCommerce sites, don’t sit back and assume things are taken care of. You must stay active and diligent if you want your brand to survive in the online marketplace.

With effective brand analytics, you can gain back control of your brand and of your products. By leveraging the information that AI-powered technologies offer you, you can improve your eCommerce sales strategy, enhance your consumer experience, beat your competitors and boost your sales. 

 

Shailendra Nagarajan is Senior Product Marketing Manager at DataWeave, a SaaS company that provides competitive intelligence to retailers and consumer brands by aggregating and analyzing data from the public web. He has more than 4 years of experience in marketing technology products to global businesses and has worked with B2B technology companies across diverse business verticals.

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5 Tips To Seriously Improve SEO

Looking to drive or pull in more customers to your website? Then SEO is the best and cost-effective way to reach your potential targets. SEO is all about following the right strategy to increase sales and generate leads. There is no secret recipe here to top your website in the search engine rankings. But by following the right method, you can achieve great results and drastically improve the organic ranking of your website.

Here in this article, you will find a few tips that will help you in boosting your website’s traffic to a whole new level.

High-Quality Content.

As you start writing an article always remember to provide actionable guidance. Your content can be long enough, but it should provide the users with the right information. Before you start writing, do research and check out for similar articles which rank high in the search engine.  Make sure your content is SEO optimized and, Scott Keever SEO agency offers the best SEO services you could ever find.  Keep writing your articles better than before and, your content is sure to appear on the 1st page of the search engine.

Right Keywords.

Perform keyword research before you start writing an article. One of the best keyword tools you can find is the Google keywords tool. You will get a list of keywords that are performing extremely well based on users search on Google.  You can also type your keyword in Google search and check for the popular suggestions. It’s good to focus on keywords that have a high search volume. Optimizing the right way can drive more traffic for your keywords with less search volume.

Loading Speed.

Loading speed of the website is an important ranking factor in Google. No one likes slow loading pages, and it’s the same with Google. The loading speed of a website should not be more than 2 seconds. If it takes time, the visitors will automatically lose their patience and navigate to other websites. Images are the important elements which have to be optimized as they take so much o loading time. Never use images of higher resolutions unless you need one. If your loading speed is slow, Google will find it more complicated to crawl your webpage.

Promotion Through Guest Blogging.

Guest blogging offers many benefits, but they are often unrecognized. They help to build high-quality backlinks, increase reputation, gain more exposure to your website and so on. You can use social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook to automate your guest blogging research process. Never waste your time in posting quality articles on low sites or for the sake of getting a link. Provide something note-worthy and, valuable and you will get something in return.

These are the few best tips to improve your SEO practices and increase organic traffic. Everything takes time. Don’t expect results in an overnight. Keep trying new things every day as well as have an eye on your competitors. You will reap a lot of benefits if done the right way.

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Questions You Should Ask A Branding Company Before Engaging Their Services

Sleek design and cutting-edge innovation means nothing if a company’s creative department does not know how to sell their brand. It’s about positioning the product and differentiating it from the competitor’s product. This is why it is crucial to find a branding agency which knows how to put your brand out there in the market.

It all comes down to what makes the agency worth hiring? For a minute, forget the price and the process they follow because these two aspects differ from agency to agency. Following are four questions related to the nitty-gritty details of the brand that you should ask a branding agency before hiring their services:

Q1. What Does the Term “Branding” Represent In Your Eyes?

Ans. A branding agency that keeps their focus on the design and logo of the brand and product is not the best fit for you.

The answer to this question must be along the following lines:

“To us, a brand isn’t just a logo or marketing material. We see your brand as an idea, which you want to take to a level where it easily pops into the people’s mind. Our aim is to create top-of-mind recall, so that your brand becomes the first thing they think about when a product is mentioned. The story we will create, will revolve around your brand’s image rather than just its name.”

Q2. How Will You Differentiate Our Brand From the Competitors?

Ans. A good branding agency such as BrandMatters Branding Company will go straight to the brand’s differentiating value that you are planning to promise to your target audience.

The answer to this question must be along the following lines:

“Whether you are planning on launching a service or a product, the leading differentiators will not be the brand itself. It will be the emotion that is represented through the brand. For example, what value does this product hold in the consumer’s eyes? Instead of focusing on its functionality and features, we will capitalize on the connection to create strong top-of-mind.”

Q3. What ROI Numbers Can I Expect?

Ans. The answer you should be looking here for must be about how the branding will use a/b test creative to increase ROI.

The answer to this question must be along the following lines:

“Depending on your goals, whether you are looking for brand awareness, sales or both, we will work accordingly. We will use our connections and different platforms to measure your progress and pace. This way, if we find out that certain tweaks can be made to the campaign to increase the ROI, the change will be made accordingly to the strategy.”

Q4. How Will You Manage Client Collaboration and Communication?

Ans. Around 10% of your budget goes into project management and the rest is used for the strategy and implementation. A good agency will communicate with you on a daily basis to not just tell you about the progress but to also inform you how they plan to launch your brand.

The answer to this question must be along the following lines:

“We have a process where we go over our client’s objective and goals, and only then we set timelines, plan the strategy, execute work, measure the pace, gather feedback, find the impact of our result and focus on on-going optimization.”

It is important to focus on two things when hiring an agency: how the agency operates and how they will handle your brand. Once you have got all the details that satisfy you, only then make the choice of working with them.

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How To Throw A Killer Office Party

Office parties don’t always get a good rep. They’re often boring and forgettable – something people try to survive, rather than genuinely look forward to.

But believe it or not, it is possible to throw a killer office party that people remember for years.

4 Things Every Office Party Has. 

When you think about office parties, your mind may immediately gravitate towards one of the unforgettable parties held in the popular TV show The Office. Perhaps you recall the Classy Christmas party when Jim leaves only to find that Dwight has set up a snowman army in the parking lot and is hiding inside one of them. Or maybe you enjoy season two’s Christmas party where Michael Scott exceeds the Secret Santa gift limit and buys Ryan an iPod, only to become disappointed when he gets one of Phyllis’ knitted oven mitts.

If you aren’t into The Office, maybe you remember a party or two that you attended in a previous job. Whatever the case may be, almost everyone has an idea of what a fun office party should look like. And if you’re in a position of hosting or planning a party, you certainly feel the weight of good execution.

Whether you have a tiny or generous budget, here are some of the key ingredients to an unforgettable office party:

1. A Clever Theme.

Every good office party has a theme. While the holiday may dictate the overarching theme, there’s plenty of room for making each theme unique. Take Christmas parties, for example:

• A classy Christmas party is always a nice idea. You’ll have some people who will dress up in cocktail attire, as well as others who put a humorous spin on the idea and wear hilarious Christmas suits.
• A holiday traditions party is a good way to get to know each other better. Ask everyone to contribute one holiday memory to the party. This could be a favorite dish, a holiday festivity, a favorite soundtrack, or a classic movie.

If it’s a general office party with no holiday theme, you have even more flexibility. For example, you could try:

• A fair-themed office party with cotton candy, popcorn, ring toss, and other games is perfect for late summer or early fall. This also makes for a great opportunity to have employees bring their families.
• A murder mystery party is always fun and can be a fantastic way to get people involved in something as a group.

You’ll obviously be limited in what you can do, but having a specific theme always makes an office party more memorable.

2. Good Food and Drink.

Every party needs some good food and drink. If you don’t have time to make food, bring in a local caterer or grab some pre-made items from a nearby supermarket with a good bakery and deli. As for drinks, be sure to have a nice mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages so that everyone is able to enjoy themselves. (If there is alcohol, you’ll want someone to play the role of bartender. This will help prevent employees from becoming too inebriated.) 

3. The Right Timing.

Timing is always important for an office party. Most people won’t want to attend on the weekend (since it’s their time away from work), but you also don’t want to host one in the middle of a workday when people should be maximizing productivity.

In most cases, the best time to have a party is during the last hour of the workday. This permits people to get their work done and then enjoy the event. 

4. A Social Activity. 

Every unforgettable party needs some sort of event or activity to bring everyone together. This could be a game – such as Secret Santa – a team-building challenge, or a competition. Just make sure it has elements of luck and skill. Otherwise, you’ll inadvertently ostracize certain people. 

Start Planning Today.

The key to a successful office party isn’t a big budget or lots of flashy decorations. Instead, it’s thoughtfulness and careful planning. By accounting for elements like theme, food and drink, timing, and activities, you can ensure people have a good time and remember the event for years to come.

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The Importance Of Content Writing In SEO

The verdict is in: digital marketing is a must-have for any business in today’s economy. Many customers find out about businesses through digital means, and a digital marketing campaign delivered in tandem with SEO strategy builds credibility, visibility, and a positive reputation. Some business owners have thought that SEO simply entails elegant web design and attractive social visuals. \While these components are important, visual design means little if not solidly integrated with quality content writing.

What is Content Writing?

Content writing is an important element of any digital marketing strategy. Content writing encompasses the written text on your website, blog, social media platforms, and other digital marketing channels. What words do you use to tell your story? How do you describe the goods or services you offer? Do these descriptions match the search engine terms potential customers use when investigating products in your industry?

In other words, content writing is a strategy that helps customers find you. When an internet user searches for something, the search engine “crawls” through internet pages related to that topic, using algorithms in an attempt to find the best answer to the user’s query. Content writing makes your business’s internet presence more crawlable, searchable, and desirable for search engines and users alike.

Why Visual Design is Not Enough.

Search engines do not regard the visual parts of your website in the same way as they do written content. Keywords, meta descriptions, and other written content are the raw material that connects your business with potential customers.

What Professional Content Writers Bring to the Table.

One of the most challenging parts of content writing is continually thinking of new ideas. With blogs and social media especially, hiring a professional content writer with years of experience can free you up from content brainstorming to focus on other areas of your business. A professional content writer is a font of knowledge and an experienced brainstormer who may be able to think of a long list of new content ideas in a short time. Professional content writers can quickly generate fresh, innovative, error-free content that the rest of your SEO team posts on an ongoing basis.

The Basic Components of Good Content Writing.

Some of your written web content may feel like a no-brainer: the “About” page of your website, the description of your services, etc. There are, however, best practices for gearing every piece of your web presence toward the kinds of users you want. Additionally, excellent digital marketing requires much more than a simple website. A consistently-updated and relevant blog, comprehensive social media presence keyed into what customers want, and guest blog posts are just a few elements that a good content writer can help you integrate.

Additional components of high-caliber content writing include the following:

• Search engine friendliness
• Organic keyword integration
• An authentic voice
• Relevancy to your customer base
• Emotional appeals (when appropriate)
• Content that includes information customers can use
• A lack of unnecessary repetition
• Diverse and consistent new content

Maximizing Opportunities: Hiring a Professional Content Writer.

Taking advantage of quality SEO content writing services is an essential part of your digital marketing strategy. Just as you would hire a professional graphic designer to create a logo or a professional photographer to take a headshot, it is in your interest to hire a professional content writer who can get the job done efficiently, correctly, and using best practices for SEO in your industry. Make sure you hire a business that can roll out content writing for you as a larger part of an SEO strategy for your entrepreneurial enterprise.

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Are Your Business’ Marketing Efforts Without Lift-Off? Here’s Why.

by Denise Kohnke, founder of the marketing firm House United LLC and author of “All Of The Other Marketing Books Are Crap“

The marketing and advertising worlds have experienced a host of changes in recent years as social media, mobile apps and other technological advances play an ever-growing role in how brands communicate their messages.

But  if you aren’t getting the marketing basics right, all that wizardry won’t much matter. And that’s true whether you’re the CEO of a startup who’s trying do-it-in-house marketing; a seasoned but stretched-too-thin CMO; or the head of an advertising agency.

The bad news is that it’s not all that difficult to get marketing and advertising wrong. The – sort of – good news is that you aren’t alone if you launched a can’t-miss advertising campaign, only to see it crash and burn like an experimental rocket in the early days of NASA.

For every published case study of successful marketing or advertising, there are hundreds of failed campaigns, muffed trials and fumbled ideas. There are four possible reasons why marketing efforts never get off the ground. Those are: The CEO doesn’t understand, support, or participate in the marketing function; the marketing department is inadequately trained; the marketing effort is underfunded; the organization has an inappropriate definition of failure based on unrealistic expectations.

Work on fixing those four and a business has a good chance of hitting the stratosphere.

That might not happen overnight, but to get headed in the right direction here are a few words of wisdom to share with marketers, CEOs and anyone else handed the duty of marketing a business or product:

1. Learn to understand how others think.

In marketing, it’s important to learn to see things from diverse points of view, particularly points of view that are very different from your own. Understanding the motivations and worldview of your prospect audiences is key. Find out how they learn. Then, be ready to persuade them to come to the conclusions that you want them to have.

2. Share your brain.

Let others in on the reasons behind what you do or what you’ve learned from your experiences. Reveal your innermost secrets to others. The more that people are willing to share their knowledge and experiences, the better the odds of a successful marketing or advertising campaign. Agencies, for example, should tell their clients how the client can do a better job of working with them. And my message to everyone would be, don’t be jerky people and hold hostility or information inside.

3. Look to hone your skills.

If you’re an employee, add value to the people who sign your check, even if that means putting yourself in charge of your own professional development. If you’re a CEO, learn to cultivate your talent and understand when to get input from outside of your organization. No one wants to work for a frugal loser. Strive to win. If you’re an agency, understand that your responsibility is to serve. Begin by asking the right questions, even if your client doesn’t want to answer them.

4. Know that you’re a powerful force.

Through marketing you have the ability to do the single most important thing in the world: persuade others to do or think something. You can have an effect on culture, revenue, opinions and conduct. Your actions can save lives, literally and metaphorically.

People who know how to communicate strategically have the ability to change the world. Our skill set is rare, but when unleashed, it can change bad to good.

 

Denise Kohnke, author of “All Of The Other Marketing Books Are Crap“, is founder and CEO of the marketing firm House United LLC. Her book is packed with astute advice delivered with edgy, sharp-witted humor. Kohnke has directed brand development for more than 100 organizations in her 25-plus years in advertising and marketing. She was the strategist behind the 2012 Effie award-winning campaign “No One Deserves To Die” for Lung Cancer Alliance.

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Web Design That Get Sales: Tips And Tricks To Get More Clients

Any freelancer needs to increase their clients’ database. The only way to do that is to make sure clients get to admire your amazing web design in the first place. So, while web designers might be creative, funny and smart with their web design, they might lack the practical business side needed to get clients.

Want to polish your marketing skills and make sure you get more people to hire your services as a freelancer? Read along.

Make a Plan.

There is not a single profitable business without a strong business model. As such, you need to find a sea with plenty of fish in it. These fish must be hungry enough and like your food best of all. If you can position yourself as unique in the world of web designers, you can attract more clients. In fact, using WordPress is a definite plus, considering that it’s the biggest CMS.

Remember that your clients know little with respect to web design, so they rely on you to get results. You just need to know how to connect with them.

Make Connections.

This is the most difficult part of all, but it makes prospecting really easy if you have the following things:

A Relevant Website.

Your website can be built however you like, but the important thing is knowing how to optimise your web design for search engines so that you can see real results.

As such, you need to be relevant to your potential customers. You can do that with a good positioning strategy and content that focuses on solving people’s needs.

Though, once you have created your website, remember that your web design will need to be redesigned from time to time. According to the web design Brisbane company Magicdust, you need to change and upgrade your web design about every two years because what is trending now will not be trending forever.

Social Media Accounts.

You can’t have a strong online presence without social media. Just make sure you’re using the same channels as your audience. Remember that your objective is to engage with your customers on social media and improve your relationships, not just to sell your services.

A Personal Blog.

There is no better way to build your reputation other than showcasing your expertise and knowledge. Your blog helps you to gain credibility and possibly make you more famous, but so will writing guest posts for other reputable names in the business.

LinkedIn.

LinkedIn helps you to connect and network with people in your business. You can join groups so that you can interact and share resources, but you need a profile that’s SEO-optimized as well.

Foster Relationships.

It’s important to build relationships after you’ve found the right people to talk to. That means you have to become an expert at showing clients that you understand their needs and that you have the skills that help you solve their needs. Also, after you have started a new relationship, remember to keep regular contact by showing an interest in their personal likes and dislikes.

Set the Right Price.

The right price is always the one that doesn’t outweigh the value you’re bringing to clients. Prospects are more than happy to pay the price if your work is valuable. So how can you do that? It is simple – ask for their opinion and keep in touch with them throughout the project. Fostering and keeping relationships are essential in the world of freelancing!

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[Sponsored] Why Angel Broking Demat Account Is Your Best Investment Option In 2018

DEMAT Account came into existence in India in the year of 1997, before which stocks and shares were issued as well as traded in physical paper form. Along with the age of computers and technology, shares and securities are held electronically in a dematerialized form (DEMAT Account), instead of the investor taking physical possession of certificates. The Demat account permits you to purchase, sell and then transact conveniently without the required of any paperwork.

Benefits of Demat account.

• Environment-friendly – Less paperwork since the securities are held in electronic form
• Convenient and secure way to keep track of shares
• Quick settlement
• Time-saving
• No storage risk
• Unlike paper certificates, dematerialized stocks as well as shares cannot be stolen, damaged, or forged
• All in one – Trade in Equity, gold ETFs, and commodity futures

Demat account for creating wealth.

• In order to sidestep the complication, which arises from the taking physical possession of certificates, shareholders uses demat accounts.
• Angel Broking Demat Account permits the investors to hold the shares in an electric form, which will be accomplished through a procedure of the de-materialization.
• The functions are absolutely similar like the savings
• The securities are credited or debited as per the transaction and you can also check the value of your holdings.
• One can deposit various types of investments, including government securities, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds.

Importance of Demat Account.

Angel Broking Demat Account offers the chance to invest in the variety of assets ranging. And that’s not all. Having a demat account is also important for the following reasons:

1. Safe Repository of Shares.

The storage of stocks is often difficult. The Demat accounts assist you to maintain the systematic and safe record of all transaction while removing the chance of loss or misplacement. Besides, they keep you secured from the threats like incomplete paperwork, bad deliveries, and fake securities. The plentiful layers of protection as well as regulations attached to the Demat account indisputably beat paper records.

2. Indispensable for Trading.

You cannot trade in the stock market if you do not have Demat account. So, Angel Broking Demat Account offers the excellent facilities. The demat account is vital for the purpose of selling and buying shares of companies, which are publicly listed. At present, this is actually mandatory to settle trades made on any stock exchange in demat form.

3. Holds Multiple Securities at Once.

This can get quite confusing for the traders to properly arrange various financial products like mutual funds and bonds. This demat account solves the problem by preserving multiple securities in one place and that makes quite easier for you to keep track of everything important.

4. Quick and Convenient.

When it comes to share market trading, the significance of the demat account cannot be emphasised enough. If you want to experience trading at its simplest as well as most seamless, then having the demat account must be on your list of priorities.

Features you get with Angel Broking Demat Account.

Angel Broking is not some big talks and nothing to show, rather, the company proves its efficiency with the features and services it pairs with the Demat Account.

Easy Transfer of Shares.

The investors can transfer all of their holdings via DIS which is the Delivery Instruction Slip or via RIS (Receipt Instruction Slip) offered to the investor for purchase or sale of shares without no difficult.

Accelerated Securities Dematerialization/Rematerialization.

Each and every investor along with the Demat account can simply dispatch the instructions to the DP or Depository Participant for some of the conversion of the physical certificates as electronic forms. It is also quite true for the alternative conversion from the electronic to physical one.

Loan Facilitation.

An ample amount of lenders offer the important loan amounts right against the safeties and securities, which are held within the borrower’s Demat Account. It serves as collateral for loans.

Freezing Option.

Demat Account holders can simply freeze their account on the temporary basis to evade any unexpected credit or debit. This is easy for the users to access the same from multiple modes.

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5 Profitable Small Business Ideas For 2019

Today, starting your own business has never been easier. Whether you’ve been working shifts or working in a 9-5 office job for years, if you’re getting tired of commuting to and from your workplace every day and doing a job laid out for you by somebody else, running your own business from the comfort of your own home or office can be a very alluring idea. With more companies and consumers buying products and services online than ever before, starting your own company and being successful with it is becoming a reality for more and more people.

Here are some great, profitable small business ideas to consider starting in 2019.

#1. Digital Marketing.

Making an impact with a strong online presence has never been more essential than it is for companies today. Without the ability to make a great impact online, it can be even more difficult for today’s businesses to make an offline impact on their potential customers and draw the numbers in. Thanks to several great advancements in today’s modern technology, customers are coming away from the high street and turning to the internet, apps, and social media to find the brands and businesses that they like and connect with. Connecting with potential customers online requires a strong digital marketing campaign, but the good news for aspiring business owners is that many entrepreneurs will outsource this task due to the sheer amount of work needed to succeed. Whether you have a background in online marketing or are willing to put the time in to learn, this could be the perfect idea for your business.  Consider a loan for your business if you do not have the funds needed to start up this business idea.

#2. E-Commerce.

With more and more people turning to the internet when it comes to buying the products that they need, there’s never been a better time to start your own e-commerce business. When it comes to running an online shop, there is certainly a huge amount of options that you might want to consider. Whether you’re selling fashion and beauty items, providing office equipment to other business owners or selling hand-made gifts and trinkets, there’s certainly a market for almost anything that you might want to sell online. Get started today with a reputable e-commerce platform; this is the perfect business idea to start from home and gradually expand. Thanks to drop-shipping, you can now have the products that you sell sent straight from the manufacturer to your customers, allowing you to skip buying and holding stock.

#3. Content Creation.

Today, there’s a huge amount of content out there, but this doesn’t stop businesses from needing even more. In fact, contributing fresh content is very much essential to good SEO practice, which is why any business wanting to succeed will always be uploading new blog posts, infographics, videos, and more content to help their customers get all the information that they need. Written content is absolutely necessary online; bloggers need posts, e-commerce websites need product description, and even standard brochure sites will certainly need some kind of ‘about us’ page, and other information to provide to their customers. If you’re good with words, why not think about starting a content creation agency in 2019?

#4. Filmmaking and Video Creation.

If you have a talent for creating short films or animated movies, this could be a great hobby to turn into a profitable business idea. Whether you want to get involved with producing feature films and television shows or prefer to market your skills to the marketing industry, video has gotten bigger and bigger in recent times. Although it’s been used for decades in the form of television advertisements, video marketing has become increasingly more important in the business world in recent years, thanks to YouTube and social media videos being some of the most consumed content. Attention-grabbing videos are more in demand than ever before, so this could be a hugely profitable business idea for anybody with the right skills.

#5. Personalized and Handmade Products.

Anybody who is artistic and creative can make a great living from creating and selling their own products, either online or on the high street. Today, there are several amazing platforms that you can use to sell your hand-crafted goods that many people are willing to buy, with unique, one-of-a-kind gifts growing rapidly in popularity. For example, you’ll find many Etsy sellers who make money with handmade items such as refurbished furniture, hand-crafted clothing and jewelry, art prints, customized gaming accessories, greeting cards and much more. Photo gifts are also a wonderful, personalized idea that never loses popularity. If you enjoy creating items that are personal to the buyer, you could have great luck pursuing this as a business idea.

Are you planning to start a business in 2019? Let us know in the comments.

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6 Steps To Creating Communities That Enable People To Achieve The Unimaginable

by David Cordani, president and CEO, Cigna, and Dick Traum, founder and president, Achilles International

Recently, Cigna, a global health service company, conducted a survey of more than 20,000 adults exploring the impact of loneliness in the United States. The results were startling, but none more so than the finding that the youngest people Cigna surveyed – the Gen Z and Millennial generations – reported feeling lonelier than any other age group. Additionally, the survey also found an inherent link between loneliness and the workplace – those who have better relationships with their coworkers are also less likely to be lonely.

These findings struck a chord with us because we recently coauthored a book called “The Courage to Go Forward: The Power of Micro Communities” about how passionate, tight-knit groups of people can empower others to confront their fears, set new goals and forge paths they may not have pursued alone. These groups are called micro communities and we believe they can also be an important conduit to reducing loneliness among both those in need of help and those lending their support.

For young entrepreneurs creating a new corporate culture from the ground up (as well as for already-established organizations), providing employees with opportunities to form micro communities outside of the workplace may help combat loneliness inside the office. We’ve done this ourselves through several private-non-profit partnerships, including our longstanding relationship between our two organizations, Cigna, which has more than 45,000 employees around the world, and Achilles International, a nonprofit enabling people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream running events and form deep bonds with others in the process.

“The Courage to Go Forward” tells the stories of micro communities formed by Cigna, Achilles and elsewhere to help a wide range of people, most of whom have overcome devastating physical and mental trauma. For example, we tell the story of Cedric King, who experienced major internal injuries, permanent loss to part of his right arm and hand, and the amputation of both legs in Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device explosion tore through his body in 2012. In 2014, he competed in a half-Ironman competition in Augusta, Georgia, and has completed two Walt Disney World Marathons and the Boston Marathon, usingprosthetic blades. Today, he’s also a motivational speaker, sharing his story with companies and organizations around the country around the power of finding close-knit communities that helped him personally achieve what he never thought would be possible.

Their stories illustrate the power of micro communities. But we wanted to do more than merely inspire. So, we devised a step-by-step process that clearly shows people – including young entrepreneurs – how to create and follow through with micro communities of their own to help cultivate the strongest workplaces and employee talent.

To start:

1. Define the Vision. 

The process for setting clear objectives and taking the steps to achieve them begins with establishing the vision: a true north point of direction that guides everyone on the journey.

2. Create a Strategy. 

Having a clear strategy defines how we are going to achieve our vision. Built into the strategy is a plan of action — the hard work and sense of purpose to get there.

3. Attract the Right Resources. 

We rely on our people, research and development teams, and other resources to help us build an infrastructure to get programs off the ground and sustain them over the long term.

4. Execute to Achieve the Plan. 

Once we define our aspirations and create a strategy, the ultimate difference between success and failure is our ability to execute and achieve the plan.

5. Overcome Obstacles. 

No matter how foolproof our recipe may be, we should always anticipate obstacles, setbacks, and a few stumbles along the way. Be prepared to adjust accordingly.

6. Expand and Grow. 

Just as recipes evolve when they are passed down through generations or modified with healthier ingredients, our basic recipe allows us to make improvements and expand the vision with new opportunities across more micro communities.

Whether micro communities form at the workplace or among friends and family, they bring people together to set and achieve goals they never thought possible. As Cigna’s survey on loneliness also demonstrated, people who have more frequent meaningful human interactions are also less likely to be lonely.

So, whether you’re just starting your own enterprise or working for one, opportunities to form micro communities are one benefit that can pay long-term dividends to the whole team.

 

David Cordani is president and CEO of Cigna, a global health service company. He is an accomplished triathlete and running guide for disabled veterans.

Dick Traum is president and founder of Achilles International, a nonprofit enabling people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream running events. He was the first runner to complete a marathon with a prosthetic leg, when he crossed the finish line at the 1976 New York City Marathon.

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Red Robin Franchise Business Plan: Is It Your Next Startup Business?

A few decades ago, a former barbershop quartet member decided to open a tavern, which was eventually renamed Red Robin and converted into a casual dining restaurant chain whose main attraction became its hamburgers. With several franchises to their name, Red Robin has turned into a huge player in the burger industry.

As an enterprising individual looking to open your next startup business, you may be thinking of a Red Robin franchise business plan for the following reasons:

1. The hamburger is often considered to be an American institution.

Not a lot of food items tend to turn into staples of the consuming American public. But when they do, they become certified classics. One of those all-time classic American foods is the hamburger. Unlike most other foods, you can pick up a burger with one hand, eat it, and feel instantly satisfied. The enduring popularity of a hamburger has lasted, even as various other food trends have come and gone.

Since Red Robin’s main attraction is its hamburgers, you’ll definitely have an easier time getting a Red Robin franchise off the ground.

2. Red Robin’s development and franchise fees cost only $35,000.

Compared to their fellow competitors, you only need to pay $35,000 to have your own Red Robin franchise. Saving up this amount for a short time is relatively easy if you’re frugal enough. But if you need the money right away, you can borrow it and your lender of choice would most likely grant your loan application fast as the amount isn’t too big at all – and they certainly know the value of a good hamburger.

3. Red Robin commits to making gourmet burgers.

The catch of the hamburger as an all-time American classic is that fast food chains typically serve burgers of questionable quality. These might do just fine when you’re only looking for a quick burger fix, but people who love eating burgers would inevitably want something more than soggy buns and undercooked patties.

As Red Robin isn’t a fast food joint, their customers are pleased to get burgers that are cooked to perfection and served fresh. One can even choose to have their Red Robin gourmet burger added with choice toppings that are more than just the requisite lettuce, tomato, and cheese.

4. Red Robin’s other attraction is unlimited steak fries.

Hamburgers may be Red Robin’s main attraction, but they don’t just settle with that alone. To further convince people to try dining in at any of their various locations across the United States, Red Robin also offers eat-all-you-can steak fries, which are thicker than the usual French ones that every fast food joint serves. So while waiting for their gourmet burger, one can feast on steak fries and order as much as they want – at least while supplies last.

5. In case your Red Robin franchise doesn’t generate profit as planned, you can let them buy it out and get your entire investment back.

Unfortunately, you can’t control consumer taste – no matter how hard you may try. If you’ve opened a Red Robin franchise in your area but the people there rather settle for fast food burgers instead, you’ll have no choice but to gracefully exit, shut the whole thing down, and let Red Robin buy it out. Thankfully, Red Robin fully compensates former franchisees by giving the development and franchise fees that they initially paid back to them.

Hamburger joints are very much a dime a dozen nowadays, but none of them make burgers as delicious and filling as Red Robin. If you’re obsessed with hamburgers and would love to go from merely consuming one to owning a burger joint of your own, coming up with a Red Robin franchise business plan sounds like a good decision. But before fully committing to investing in a franchise of any kind, you’ll want to know the pros and cons franchiseknowhow.com lay out for budding entrepreneurs like you and decide from there whether to continue with it or just set your sights elsewhere.

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7 Ways To Discuss Finances With Your Spouse

The honeymoon period is over, and it’s time to have some serious conversations about money with your spouse. But what’s the best way to go about it? The difficult reality is that finances can break relationships. In fact, studies show that finances are the second-most common reason marriages end, right after infidelity. However, the silver lining is that couples who take the time to discuss money and establish solid financial plans have a higher net worth than those who don’t.

Here are seven ways to discuss finances with your spouse.

Have a Positive Mindset.

Entering the conversation knowing it’s for the betterment of your relationship can help diffuse some of the tension that comes with talking about finances. Most couples dread money conversations because they view it as an attack on their ideals and spending habits. If you communicate that you both stand to gain, then your husband will be less likely to take a defensive stance. Keep your voice calm and try and smile as often as you can. If you can stay calm, especially during the initial stages of financial talks, this should help to relax your spouse.

Choose an Appropriate Time.

Timing can significantly affect the success of your discussion. When it comes to hard conversations, when you have them is as important as what you say. Choose a day when you are both relaxed and in high spirits. Don’t have money conversations when your spouse has had a long, stressful day. You don’t want the discussion to seem like an ambush.

When asking your partner to have that first financial conversation, perhaps start by saying something non-personal, such as “I’ve been reading this great book on the best way to save money.” And hopefully, this can get the conversation started on neutral ground.

Consider Your Spouse’s Financial Background.

Our upbringing, life experiences, and environment shape our ideologies about money. Consider your spouse’s background before you have the discussion. If he grew up in a humble family, he might be overly rigid about spending. If his parents were wealthy, then he’s more likely to spend money without tracking it. When you take time to understand what forms these habits, then you get a balanced view and better insight on how to tailor your approach.

Go Into the Discussion Prepared.

If you are initiating the conversation, then you need to prepare. Gather your personal and combined credit cards, car loans, mortgage statements, investments, business statements, and any other relevant financials. Have short-term and long-term goals that you can present to your spouse. Remember that these are suggestions; you need your partner’s input, as well. Once you’ve talked, make sure you come up with a concrete and comprehensive plan that will shape your financial future. If you own a business together, have separate plans for business and personal accounts.

Get a Game Plan Together.

Once you and your husband have broken the ice about financial discussions, it is time to become proactive and get that concrete and comprehensive plan together. This is the time to sit down and set up a spreadsheet of your financials and address each issue. Do this step well after the emotions have calmed down.

Discuss ways to achieve those goals that you have talked about. Look at all aspects of your spending and be firm on ways to cut out excessive spending. The main thing in committing to goals for your family’s financial health is for both of you to be on the same page. Make sure that you plan a financial talk once a month to ensure that you are staying on track. Set up a pre-planned time for this monthly meeting, so that way you both come in prepared, especially emotionally.

Consult With an Expert.

In some instances, couples become so emotionally invested in the discussion that they lose objectivity. Again, if you realize that you have very divergent views from your partner, then you might want to bring in an expert or financial counselor. A third party will be objective and can give you a fresh and informed perspective on your finances.

Have a Romantic Evening or Weekend After the Discussion.

Talking about finances can stir up some powerful emotions. There may initially be finger-pointing and accusations thrown around, and feelings may be hurt. It is vitally important to re-secure the bonds of love that you have together after such intense discussions. When all of the paperwork, bank statements, and spreadsheets have been put away, along with your list of goals and positive affirmations, plan an evening together where it is just the two of you. If you can, plan a simple weekend away.

Make sure that you can afford this romantic time together, budget accordingly. Keep the financial talk away during this time. Re-affirm your love and bond with each other, so that when the time comes again to go over financials, you will remember that there is more to your relationship than money, bills, and responsibilities.

These tips will come in handy when having money conversations with your spouse. Above all, remember that it will take time before you get on the same page. Stay committed to the process, and once you realize the results, it will become much easier to hold these discussions on a regular basis.

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What Is A Proof Of Value Model?

DasCoin uses a unique Proof of Value model for the distribution of its crypto token assets. What this means is that if the users want to obtain the token of the DasCoin network then they have to prove that they have submitted some value to the network. This is done by offering users to purchase licenses, which in turns provides them access to the networks in the form of “cycles.”

The “cycles” are a recognized and pre-defined token of value of the network, which the Das Ecosystem uses to get the proof of value from its users. The cycles can then be converted to the DasCoin tokens through the minting process.

The whole process is transparent and open to scrutiny. This is inline with the company’s goal of being “The Currency of Trust.” No one, not the executive nor the developers can pre-mint, mine or distribute the DasCoins to themselves.

Cycles are only received by the users in exchange for a specific value transferred to the system. Moreover, cycles must be submitted to the system, in order to participate in the direct distribution of the tokens through the minting process.

The proof of value model is different from the models used by other companies in the crypto community. It is different from the Proof of Stake and Proof of Work models, these two are the most widely used models in the crypto market but have significant limitations and problems, when the system grows large.

Faster Processing.

One of the main goals of the Das Ecosystem was to process transactions faster on the blockchain. The goal was achieved with the help of their new proof models, which allowed for faster transaction acceptance and rollback. Each node in the Das Ecosystem stores the shared state in memory, making it easier for the transactions to be validated across the network.

With the absence of Proof of Work, users can collect and verify their transactions quickly against the global state, form a block, sign with their block signing key and transmit the block to the rest of the network. This also makes it easier to rollback the transactions, in case of consensus failure, either because of being rejected or due to the expiration of transaction.

A Different Consensus Approach.

To incorporate the modified network, Das Ecosystem introduced the Proof of License consensus mechanism. The network utilizes a licensing system instead of a mining apparatus and the consensus in the whole system is reached by an algorithm which randomly defines the next license node that is going to be responsible for the generation of next block.

This system runs complementary to the minting process, ensuring that the users are provided with the required value at regular intervals. Similar to other crypto networks, Das Ecosystem also has a limited number of tokens, which are expected to be completely given out in the next 12 years. Once minted, the tokens can be transferred or traded on a variety of exchanges and can be converted into other digital and fiat currencies.

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How To Set Up A Successful Care Business

Caregiving is one of the most rewarding sectors in the job market, giving you the opportunity to help those who really need it. Whether you’ve been working in the industry as an employee or exploring a new path, setting up your own business can be daunting. Making the business a recognised success can seem equally as difficult in a saturated job market, but following these tips can help you set up a successful care business in no time.

Start off by making a solid business plan and decide what you want to offer. It may sound obvious, but there are standards and qualifications required for each type of care, meaning it’s a good idea to decide way before starting the hiring process. If you don’t check, you may end up having to pull out of jobs due to lack of knowledge from your staff, which can result in a bad reputation.

At the very least, most care businesses require you to register with the Quality Care Commission (QCC) and undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service clearance to check you are suitable to work with vulnerable people. Always check that both you and your employees have had the correct training or education before starting the business to ensure your staff can provide adequate care.

Keep your standards high by being unafraid of seeming picky when it comes to hiring. The people you employ represent the business and just a couple of bad reviews can be detrimental when it comes to any type of care business. Keeping your clients happy and comfortable should be your main company goal, as should employing compassionate people to achieve this.

As your employees will be based outside an office, keeping track of their schedules and results is key to ensuring that productivity levels are where it needs to be. Empower your employees while checking up on tasks with field service management solutions. This ensures that all required tasks are completed in a timely manner, resulting in positive recommendation and feedback from clients.

Make the most of online resources and read up about the industry regularly. Educating yourself on the current state and expectations of the care sector will help you solve problems before they crop up. Skills For Care have a multitude of tools to help make your care business a success, including a manager starter pack, information on qualifications and important guidelines on how to register the business correctly. This information is essential when looking after the needs of another, so always keep up-to-date with the latest training guides so you can have confidence in the quality of care your clients will receive.

Getting your name out there is vital when you want to take on new clients. Word of mouth can only go so far and marketing can help pick up business when this starts to falter. Avoid portraying a clinical image when advertising, instead using compassionate language and imagery that reflects the core values of the company. Social media advertising is a great way of targeting residents looking at care options for their families, as is advertising your services on local community boards. From posting leaflets through doors to asking an agency to help market the business, there are options to suit all budgets.

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Using Logistics Smartly To Fuel Brand Expansion

Getting big fast. It’s what many young startups want to achieve. To do so, they’ll need smart logistics to fulfill the sales pipeline with the goods that retailers have ordered. When the logistics get fouled up, the customer service desk lights up and cancelations fly in left and right. At that point, all hopes for building a great brand reputation and hitting the company’s optimistic growth targets for the year fall by the wayside.

Here are some ways that using logistics sensibly helps fuel business growth while avoiding problems.

Logistics Strategy to Handle Big-Box Stores.

When you’re getting into retail in a big way, your logistics strategy has to be forward thinking to help you pace ahead of the competition. Your sales team might be doing an impressive job getting meetings with the big-box stores and supermarkets like Costco, Safeway and Walmart, but if the logistics aren’t in place to deliver as the order volumes ramp up, everything will fall apart.

It’s quite possible that your company has only ever dealt with single retailers like Amazon where sending in a larger amount of stock in a single delivery handles most stock fulfillment requirements; at least for a few weeks, anyway. However, when dealing with retailers with hundreds or several thousand stores nationwide, when they make a serious commitment following an initial trial, you need to be ready to fil it. Delivery times must be fast, or they’ll cancel and chargeback their pre-payment too. Then you’re left holding the bag.

Expansion Growing Pains.

Once your company has grabbed as much of the local market share as possible, it moves state-wide and then to neighboring states, and finally, nationwide. That’s the typical, well-worn path that growing physical goods brands follow. The main factor that creates the growing pains is distance.

There’s a reason why Amazon has opened up numerous regional warehouses across the US. The closer their nearest warehouse is to both a major US Postal Service distribution depot and the national parcel couriers, the quicker their Amazon Prime deliveries will be. Speed is everything to them. And, so it is for new brands; realizing the need to cover distance for wholesale deliveries whilst still maintaining a service standard that matches the expectations of companies acquiring and stocking the product in their warehouses. It’s a lot to handle.

Use the Resource of Other Facilitators.

When your warehouse isn’t large enough to match capacity and you cannot find a suitable long-term lease for a larger warehouse, make other arrangements. Sometimes, a company needs to sub-lease half their warehouse because demand has fallen for their products and their rent is killing their bottom-line. Take advantage of that to expand your company’s storage and daily delivery capacity with faster inventory turns.

When packing goods in house and reaching a crunch point with space and capacity, look for partners that offer co-packing facilities nearby that can pick up the slack. Use the value of motivated partners in related industries that can provide complementary facilities and services to allow your business to scale faster. This applies not just locally, but also nationwide.

Finding a suitable new warehouse with all the right pre-existing zoning laws can take a year or longer even when working with specialized agents. Dealing with facilitators helps to bridge the gap in capabilities and facilities when nearing capacity to avoid a bottleneck between order volume and distribution. Find a way to make the logistics work for you, not against you.

Being Careful with New Product Creation.

When creating new products, it’s easy to get carried away after a handful of lucky product launches. There’s still a need to be careful about what products the company chooses to develop and put into full production and those it decides aren’t a good fit. Keeping a firm grasp on the details avoids a costly mistake.

Consider things like whether the product is a consumable; if it’ll be an oversized item for retailers to store and your company to pay to transport; if it’s likely to be breakable and what the failure rate will be. Shipping and careful handling of goods is a major concern as losses can mount up when a product isn’t as robust as necessary to withstand warehouse storage and transportation teething problems. A difficulty with one ill-conceived product could lead a major big-box store to cancel all orders with your company regardless of the fact the issues only relate to the latest product.

Ultimately, keeping on top of all the logistical details is crucially important if your physical goods business is to expand at a rapid pace. All companies eventually hit bumps in the road including unforeseen problems that they have to deal with. Having a good handle on both product development and logistical concerns, and how they are often surprisingly interrelated, ensures the company can weather any storms successfully. For ambitious companies, the logistics matter.

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Stop Wasting Cash Today With These Top Tips

As much as we all know we should be spending less and saving more, it’s easy to waste money without realizing it.

These days, spending cash is incredibly simple. We’re all connected to the internet constantly, which means that all you need to do to buy something is tap a button on your smartphone, or swipe something, and you’ll have an item delivered to your door in no time. This age of convenience might be great for some, but it’s a huge problem for those who struggle with money issues.

To help you overcome your spending problems and stop wasting cash once and for all, we’ve put together some top tips to guide you towards a healthier bank balance.

1. Start Buying Generic Items.

You’d be surprised how much people spend just so that they can have a certain name or logo on their products. The truth is that the brand-name products you buy from the grocery store each week generally include the same ingredients as the store brands. The only difference is that the packaging is more expensive.

Although it can be difficult to convince yourself to move away from companies that you’ve been loyal to for a number of years, when you’re trying to save cash, one of the easiest things you can do is start buying generic. After a while, you won’t even notice the difference.

2. Compare your Loans.

When you’re going to buy a big item like a television or a new computer, there’s a good chance you compare your options from multiple different stores before you commit to anything. Why is it, then, that so many of us forget to do this when it comes to getting a loan or credit card?

Comparing your options when it comes to borrowing capital can save you a serious amount of cash. After all, different loan products come with their own unique interest rates and benefits to consider. The more time you spend comparing your options, the easier it will be to choose something that’s good for your wallet, and your future.

3. Stop Overspending on Disposables.

The human race has a serious problem with over-spending on disposables these days. We all spend severe amounts of cash on things like paper towels for our kitchens, paper plates for children’s parties, and even disposable plastic water bottles that we can take with us to work.

You don’t have to give up on being regularly hydrated to save money. Instead, invest in a re-usable water bottle that you can take to the office instead. Not only will you save cash, but you’ll look more professional too!

4. Use More Vouchers and Coupons.

Why pay full price for something, when you can simply print out a coupon and get the item for so much cheaper? Before you buy anything, make sure that you conduct a quick search online for any discount codes, vouchers, or deals you might be able to take advantage of.

Remember to be wary of any deals that ask you to buy another item to get money off something else. The only reason you should be buying additional products is if you were going to purchase them anyway. If you’re spending money to save, then you’re not really saving at all.

5. Discover Second Hand Bargains.

Sometimes, you need to buy things new. You probably don’t want used sheets for your bed, and you definitely wouldn’t buy underwear from a charity shop unless you absolutely had to. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to buy everything new.

The next time you’re making a big purchase, consider whether you could save a little extra by looking at second-hand options instead. For instance, you can save serious cash on a car by buying it second-hand. The same is true for a new lawnmower or even a second-hand games console.

6. Stop Overspending on Food.

Finally, when you’re trying to save money and stop wasting your cash, one of the worst things you can do is go to the grocery store when you’re hungry. When your stomach is rumbling, it’s easy to add more to your cart than you really need. Stop over-spending on food that you end up having to throw into the trash at the end of the week.

Instead, make sure that you start every shopping trip by sitting down and writing a list of the items you need for your pre-planned meals over the next week or so. That way, you’ll only buy the items you genuinely need. Make sure you check through your fridge and store cupboards for any ingredients you already have too.

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5 Project Management Mistakes That Slow You Down

Project managers have a lot on their plate. They’re responsible for getting complex projects down in short periods of time, and they also have to manage the employees below them. This can easily get overwhelming, leading to ineffective mistakes and problems.

Whether you’re a long-time project manager or an entrepreneur in charge of your own tasks, these are some common mistakes that might be slowing you down.

1. You Do Everything Yourself.

This is a mistake that’s most often made by new entrepreneurs and business owners. You think you’re the best person to get the job done right, but that’s not always the case. If you have people you can call upon for help, that’s always a good idea. Project managers can utilize the support of those under them to get the job done, and this breaks up the tasks to make it more manageable.

A lot of new project managers and entrepreneurs don’t have all the skills needed to get the job done quickly. This results in a lot of frustration and wasted time. One way around this is by hiring a qualified employee or consultant, or to consider outsourcing this project to a team that’s more qualified.

2. You Communicate Poorly.

Communication skills seem easy enough, but they’re difficult when put into practice. You probably have the perfect vision for your project, but that means nothing if you can’t communicate it effectively. If your employees don’t know what you want them to do, they won’t live up to your expectations.

Misunderstandings are normal, but they can be avoided. Look for ways to improve communication on both ends. For example, create a safe space for team members to come to you if they experience any confusion or problems. Communication is a two-way street.

3. You Don’t Set Goals.

Goals serve a big purpose. They’re clear indicators of success, and they help the team stay motivated along the way. If you don’t set project goals at project launch, it’s hard to know if you’re actually getting anywhere. These goals need to be specific, and they should include things like milestones and deadlines. A product management tool can help you keep track of these deadlines in real time.

4.You Lose Sight of the Scope.

We’ve all been a part of projects that quickly get out of hand. After starting something new, you learn about another trend or idea and off you go onto something else. Before you know it, the project scope has completely changed and all the requests are different. Not only is this confusing for team members, but it’ll keep you running in circles.

The best way to fight the growth of project scope is to clearly agree on all aspects during the planning stage. This way, everyone will be on the same page about expectations and the range of the project. Avoid falling for new trends and fleeting ideas that don’t contribute to the objective.

5. You Don’t Outline the Process.

If you don’t know where you’re going, you probably won’t get anywhere. What roadmap will you or your team members use to get from Project None to Project Done? Having optimism and excitement is a great start, but it doesn’t tell you where to go next. You need more than just a clear idea. You’ll need to outline the entire process if you want to see real progress.

What should you include in your outline? Here are a few ideas:

• Objective
• Goals
• Milestones
• Employee assignments
• Work schedule
• Deadline

This outline process will help you know exactly where you’re going so you can actually cross that finish line at the end of the project. It also keeps your employees motivated and organized. Even if you’re the only entrepreneur working on this project, going over these same steps will keep your head clear and focused on the goal.

It’s easy to accidentally fall for one of the project management mistakes above. When things start moving quickly, your project can get out of control. That’s why it’s so essential that you have a clear plan and outline. Beyond these steps, maintain a positive attitude and be open with your team. You’ll knock your next project out of the park.

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Simple Marketing Strategies For Start-Ups

Start-ups face several challenges in their early days, and one of the biggest by far is marketing. Not only can marketing be very expensive, it can be a minefield to navigate and finding the right place to do it when you are a cash-strapped start-up is not easy.

Marketing, despite being a pain, is essential — it is by far the key way for you to gain exposure when you are just starting out. With all the competition that exists in most industries on the market, it is good marketing that separates serious new contenders from everything else.

Marketing doesn’t have to break the bank and there are lots of ways you can do it. Here are three simple and cheap marketing strategies you can try (and you can learn more by reading Tweak Your Biz – Business, Marketing, Entrepreneur Articles).

#1: Pay Per Click (PPC).

PPC marketing such as Google AdWords is one of the most cost-effective methods of digital marketing you can use. Lots of companies use it, from new start-ups to some of the world’s best-known brands, and, when done properly with targeting, you can dramatically increase your web traffic and conversions.

With PPC, your advertisements run at the top of Google search results when somebody searches for something relevant to you, and you only pay for each time somebody clicks your ad. You can set a budget too, so your ad will stop running when you have run out of clicks instead of it going over.

#2: Referrals.

Many start-up entrepreneurs don’t consider the importance of referrals, and they are one of the best ways to gain engaged traffic. When your customers do your marketing for you, they speak in a way about your business in a way which you never could — with authenticity.

People are four times more likely to purchase something when it has been referred to them by a friend, so not only is it more authentic, it is also more likely to convert and lead to a final sale. A referrals scheme which rewards both parties is the best way to benefit from this.

#3: Social Media Marketing.

All social networks have some form of marketing infrastructure, and the best known of these are Facebook and Instagram where your company’s pages can be advertised through a model that is both cheap and highly targetable.

Wait until your profiles on social media have become somewhat established before doing this for the maximum benefit, and make sure you do your research so that you are creating highly engaging posts which are targeted to reach the people who matter to you.

As a start-up business, one of your biggest obstacles is going to be marketing. There are lots of options when push comes to shove, and it’s difficult to decide which ones are going to deliver the maximum benefit for your new business. Above represent three ways you can market your new business on the cheap, and they are relatively easy to do, too!

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