How Hybrid Publishing Can Help You

by Alinka Rutkowska, author of “How I Sold 80,000 Books: Book Marketing for Authors“

If you’re an entrepreneur that doesn’t yet have a credibility book, you may wonder how to go about writing one. You know it would bring the rewards you’re seeking: business growth, profitable book sales, more customers and clients, and notoriety in your field.

Consider what writing books have done recently for these authors:

• Malcolm Gladwell (“Outliers: The Story of Success” is at 285 weeks on the NYT Bestsellers list)
• Mark Manson (“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” is at 138 weeks)
• Yuval Noah Harari (“Sapiens“ is at 64 weeks on the list)

A cleverly and well-marketed book is a powerful way to become known and grow your business. As an expert, your book is your ultimate business card. Nothing increases your authority in the eyes of your customers, employees, and strangers as much as being a published author – particularly a best-selling published author. With that said, most books struggle to sell more than a few hundred copies.

The need for authors to launch a book without going through the massive lead time and struggle to land a contract with a traditional publisher has created the concept of hybrid publishing.

What Is Hybrid Publishing?

To understand hybrid publishing, you must first examine the primary options in the book publishing world: traditional publishing and self-publishing.

A traditional publisher pays an author for the rights to their work, then creates the book and markets it through conventional channels like bookstores. In exchange for the upfront compensation to the author, most of the control and royalties earned over the book’s lifetime belong to the publisher. This model is very slow-moving and does not create immediate results for the author, especially if they want to use the book as a credibility device.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, self-publishing gives you 100% control over your book. All income and benefits go directly to you. However, there’s a challenge to this model: you must be able to complete an exhaustive set of steps to correctly write and publish the book. You can search the internet for many examples of a self-publishing checklist. (I have one in my book, Outsource Your Book, which you can download for free at the end of this article).

A hybrid publishing model sits somewhere on a sliding scale between those two extremes. You, as the author, will not be paid upfront as a traditional publisher would do. Instead, you will pay for help to complete the steps for self-publishing. You will have total control over the result, any compensation, the ongoing benefits like sharing it as a credibility piece, and all other facets of being a published author.

Is There A Market For My Book?

With the advent of social media, everybody has a voice. With such clamor, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to stand out and get noticed. A well-written book, however, can and will draw customers straight to your doorstep or company website.

Perhaps you’ve wondered if the genre you’re considering is already too packed for you and your book to get noticed. (Who wants to read another book on how to sell? CEOs do–most leaders read at least one book per week.)

Although specific genres might already be full of books like yours, there’s always room for another bestseller. Think Stephen King + horror or James Patterson + history or Mary Roach + science.

Are you wondering what a book could do for your popularity?

• Authority – establish you as the expert in your arena;
• Visibility – customers, CEOS, businesspeople around the WORLD will know who you are;
• Credibility – a book is the new calling card for your company;
• Financial – the properly marketed book is a cash-generating asset (Yes! Even one book!);
• Invitation – top-ranked books provide many readers entrance into your world;
• Popularity – books open the door to speaking gigs;
• Consultancy – to be a consultant in semi-retirement a book is a perfect method to get there;
• Legacy – explain to your family and heirs just what you did when you were not at home;
• Ease – all the above happens without you having to write the book yourself!

The challenge is that many people think they can publish a book and immediately shoot to the top of the charts. However, if you don’t expertly present your product, even an accomplished author with a couple of bestsellers will experience lackluster sales.

I used to work in multinational companies, and before we took anything to market, it had to go through the 4Ps: Product, Place, Price, and Promotion. Why should a book be any different? Strategizing around the 4Ps can boost your sales and potential to piggyback on your revenue by growing your business.

What will the four Ps do for your book sales?

Product: write a book that will fit in and stand out. Check out Amazon’s best sellers in your genre to begin. Hint: write for a type that is already established and booming. Now imagine what you have to say compiled in a book and listed among the other bestsellers. How will you stand out? Do you have a new take on an old idea? Fresh content?

Place: carefully consider where and when it publishes. Think about casting a wide net to have the book available via all retailers or choosing to focus on just one. Imagine that Amazon doesn’t exist (humor me). Where would your book sell? Where do your customers hang out? Aviation Museums? Hair salons? Clothing stores? Military supply depots? Airports?

Price: must equal affordability and profit. It would be best if you priced your books so that you’re both competitive and make a profit. Choosing a price point is a long and detailed subject, but I can share a few quick tidbits. Sometimes authors want to price their first book low to increase sales of other titles. Sometimes authors don’t lower the price of their work but instead provide additional perks. Possibly a short freebie book, a free or low priced class, course, or club membership to incentivize sales.

Promotion: even before you write your book, there are steps to take to promote your soon-to-be bestseller. Reach out to your existing contacts and invite them to your launch team. Scout for Amazon reviewers who reviewed books like yours. Ask for partnerships and get those partners to encourage their audiences to join your launch team.

Want help with your book idea? Comment below, tell me about your book, and I’ll reply and let you know how to promote your publication for maximum reach — and book sales.

BONUS: GET YOUR FREE COPY OF OUTSOURCE YOUR BOOK

This guide will help you with a detailed map of the process to get your book published in the hybrid publishing world. Yours free as a valued reader of Young Upstarts.

 

Alinka Rutkowska is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. As the founder and CEO of Leaders Press, she has launched all of its books to bestseller status. Her author-entrepreneurs create authority, visibility, and popularity with her A to Z ghostwriting and publishing solutions.

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Three Incredible Outdoor Uses For Banners In Your Business

Banners, such as Vinyl banners, are known to be one of the most effective and useful marketing tools available to businesses today. Banners can market your business by smart techniques that capture a bystander’s attention.

Banners are used pretty much everywhere. On huge billboards, hanging from walls, on a school noticeboard or even online!

What Are Outdoor Banners?

Outdoor banners are made with slightly sturdy material and are typically larger in size. This helps them attract a prospective customer’s eye just long enough to leave an impression on their mind. Find a banner that suits your plan and a banner stand to go with. With these two things, you’ll have a useful marketing tool that is bound to give off a statement. 

These kinds of banners can be found anywhere you go. On the highway, near a billboard, at the mall, outside a restaurant, at a school or college, offices, shopping malls, trade shows, exhibitions, or government buildings. Even the smallest roadside shops use banners to market and promote their services or products. This is because banners are the fastest way to get your message across to those who might not know or might be interested in knowing. 

Businesses, no matter what their financial stability, can easily use banners. To use banners in your marketing plan, opt for banners that suit their budget and business type.

The Three Most Effective Uses For Outdoor Banners.

Outdoor banners come in a huge variety and offer even more varied uses and application methods. Depending on the type that you opt for, banners are capable of serving multiple purposes. Simple X-frame stands come in many sizes and are inexpensive, lightweight, and compact. Retractable banner stands allow you to change the banner design easily and are portable, though not exactly cheap. Pop-up stands are a treat for businesses seeking to grow their footprints at trade shows because their eye-catchy demeanor makes sure to grab nearly every customer’s attraction. Here are some of the ways you can utilize your outdoor banners to profit your business:

1. Get Out Word About Promotions.

Banners help you advertise in the most convenient way. Using the right words and color combination, banners can leave an amazing impression on those who look at it. A very important point to keep in mind is what you advertise on your banner. If you invest hefty sums of money but portray your services vaguely, there might be a little turnout of this investment. Use the right words. Be short but make sure you get your message across. 

When advertising a promotion don’t fill your banner with just words. Use different colors and different font sizes to make it look captivating. Also, think of a catchy slogan for your promotion. A really common way to advertise promotions on banners is by using the phrase ‘BOGO,’ by one get one, to save space. So, a lot of business use phrases like ‘BOGO free!’ on their banners. 

2. Cheapest Form Of Advertising.

Banners, even middle-sized ones, can be bought at affordable prices and are highly effective in terms of marketing. There is little investment involved and more of your own creativity required for successful marketing through a simple outdoor banner. The most that businesses invest in banners is usually less than $50, which gives great value for money. Given that one banner is printed at such a cheap cost and is then visible to thousands of passers-by is an astounding thing. Banners are also highly durable, even at cheap prices. So, banners are essentially a very cost-efficient form of advertising that businesses should take advantage of. 

3. Connecting With Customers and Track Success.

Banners are one of the most effective ways for retailers to find customers. But you must use them smartly. Your customers or target audience depends on the area, field, or locality that you are advertising in. Take some time to understand their interest and dealings and then put up a banner accordingly. It can be just one banner, outside your shop, or it can be a series of ‘flags,’ most likely hanging from poles on a flyover or a highway. Showcasing information about your offers and services to potential customers can easily do wonders for your marketing strategy and improve sales in no time. 

You should also use banners to track how successful your marketing strategies are. Businesses can do this easily by keeping track of the responses each banner gets. For example, how many customers see the banner at your door and then decide to enter your shop? 

What Is The Ideal Type For An Outdoor Use Banner?

Usually, outdoor banners are expected to withstand environmental conditions without deteriorating in terms of the quality of their vibrancy or attraction. They should be able to withstand the sun that might cause them to lose the effect in their colors, the wind, rainstorm, sandstorm, and whatnot. From an investor’s perspective, a banner should be long-lasting and not too heavy on the budget. Versatility is another factor that most businesses definitely consider. Businesses like the investment that can be used in multiple conditions and places while providing the same service and effects.

Using a banner for your business can be a great idea. They can do a whole lot costing you so little. If you’re deciding on getting an outdoor banner for your business anytime soon, be sure that you know the kind of banner to get and how to use it the right way. 

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Waiakea Water Joins List Of Sustainable Companies

Life in the office can be pretty frustrating if you’re a person that cares about sustainability and the environment. There are energy-inefficient overhead lights that are left on around the clock. Break rooms have plastic utensils and entirely too much paper is used.

Increasingly, though, more and more companies are getting rid of these office norms and becoming environmentally friendly. They want to hire employees who care about the environment and are committed to sustainability.

Here are some organizations committed to being green:

World Wildlife Fund.

This organization is based in Washington, DC. It was established in 1961 by biologists concerned with the survival of wildlife species and their habitats. Their office space is green. Its headquarters are in a LEED Platinum-certified building. The World Wildlife Fund has the latest energy-efficient technology throughout its office space. They hire people passionate about helping animals and habitats around the world.

Harmless Harvest.

This San Francisco-based company operates sustainably. It is a food and beverage firm that has proven that sustainable practices can out-compete the conventional model of growing and distributing food. Everything it sources is 100 percent raw and organic. They have turned agroforestry into a social business in which both people and plants benefit.

Harmless Harvest is a startup with plans to grow much bigger. They hire people who are passionate about helping the planet and being a part of a progressive company. It values employees who are willing to learn as they go and want to make a positive difference in both the office and the world.

Waiakea Water.

This company operates on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is a company that has been dedicated to being environmentally and socially responsible since it was established. Waiakea Water was founded in 2012 by Ryan Emmons. He partners with Pump Aid to donate clean, fresh water to people in Malawi.

Waiakea Water produced the first fully degradable and recyclable plastic bottle. The bottles break down 97% faster than conventional plastic bottles thanks to nano-degradation. They are also completely made out of post-recycled bottles. In quality and function, these bottles operate the same as conventional plastic bottles.

Crowdflower.

This is a crowdsourcing company based in San Francisco. Customers give it large data projects that Crowdflower break into small tasks. People from around the world contribute to completing these tasks. What would take one of their customers weeks to complete, can instead be done in just hours.

Its workplace is green. They have hundreds of plants in their office that help clean the air and make it oxygen-neutral. This means that all of the carbon dioxide exhaled by employees is converted back into oxygen by the plants.

Method.

This is another company based in San Francisco. It makes household laundry, personal care, and cleaners that are derived from natural sources and are biodegradable. Everything at this company is done with an eye to sustainability. Its product’s packaging is as green as possible. Its building is LEED-certified. They create sustainable products that people love because they work.

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5 Blunders To Avoid With Your Real Estate Website

by Charles Mburugu

Whether you are a property manager, real estate agent or property owner, a website is very crucial tool for marketing your property or business. When designed properly, a real estate website can be useful for lead generation and building client relationships.

However, here are 5 blunders to avoid with your site:

1. Poor usability.

When it comes to web design, usability is very important. If your visitors find it difficult to navigate your site, they are likely to leave and go elsewhere. Here are some of the reasons why visitors leave:

• Inability to find what they are looking for quickly and easily
• Interruptions from annoying pop-ups and boring presentations
• Confusing calls-to-action
• Unclear navigation tabs

To avoid this, it would be advisable to work with a professional UI/UX designer. Before launching the website, be sure to test it yourself. You could also allow a few people to check it out and share their feedback.

2. A slow loading site.

Internet users are a very impatient bunch. A recent page load study by Google revealed that a 1-3 second load time increased the bounce rate possibility by 32%. Loading delays also reduce page views, decrease customer satisfaction and reduce the conversion rate.

Here are some tips for increasing the loading time of your pages:

• Don’t use flash
• Use minimal external style sheets
• Minimize redirects
• Reduce the file size of your videos and images
• Use a minimal number of plugins on your site

3. Poor photography.

Good photos are very important marketing tools for selling a home or getting tenants. Your photo gallery will give prospects the first impression about your property. If your photos are of low quality, visitors to your website are likely to get the same impression about your home. To make your home stand out among the competition, you need to do the following:

• Use a professional photographer
• Make sure all the photos are clear and high resolution
• Showcase your property from all angles
• Use the right amount to avoid slowing down your site

4. Poor content.

Having quality photos is not enough. You need to have great content that will engage your audience and convince them to take action. Having relevant and helpful content will position you as an authority and build trust with your prospects. If the content is optimized, it will help attract organic traffic to your website.

However, don’t always use content to bombard your audience with information about your company or properties. Your aim for creating content should be to educate your visitors so that they can make better decisions in real estate.

Not analyzing your performance.

Analyzing the performance of your website regularly will help you see what is working and what isn’t. For instance, you will be able to discover which articles on your website are performing better than others. The good news is that there are numerous web analytic tools out there that you can use to measure the performance of your site. For example, you can use a tool such as Fintenza to check metrics such as new visitors, page views, traffic quality, sessions, session duration and bounce rate.

 

Charles Mburugu is a HubSpot-certified content writer/marketer for B2B, B2C and SaaS companies. He has worked with brands such as GetResponse, Neil Patel, Shopify, 99 Designs, Oberlo, Salesforce and Condor. Check out his portfolio and connect on LinkedIn.

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Financial Planning For A Recession

by LJ Suzuki of CFOshare

As we learned in 2008, recessions can come on swiftly and cause major crises for all businesses, big and small. In today’s economy, it is essential to practice intentional recession planning as a small business.

By mapping out your plan in advance of a recession, you may find that when a recession hits, you not only survive, but thrive.

Make a Plan: Preparing for a Recession.

Simply having a plan in place sets you head and shoulders above the competition. When the reality of an economic downturn hits, the act of decision-making can become paralyzing, and second-guessing can slow down important steps.

When creating a plan, work through a variety of scenarios, from the best to the worst. You should already be familiar with your key business drivers through a forecast sensitivity analysis – use this information to plan what to do in the instance of a negative shock, so that your decision making can continue to be swift and precise. It is easier to make these decisions before you are in this situation than when you are in the thick of it.

Anticipate Cash Flows.

Cash is king in a recession, and you need to know that your cash flows will not be interrupted. Keeping cash flowing out of the business is easy, of course, but make sure that you have plans in place to continue supplying the cash flow you need to maintain operations.

Prepare Financing Options.

Before a recession appears, discuss your recession plan with shareholders. Let them know that their help may be needed during this downturn. This will ensure they are prepared and willing to help the business ride out the storm.

Also prepare your debt vehicles. By ensuring you have plenty of access to lines of credit or equipment financing, you can ensure you don’t end up with a cash shortage that stops your business short.

Review Accounts Payable and Receivable.

Another important way to manage cash flows during a recession is by thoroughly reviewing your accounts payable and receivable and getting things back on track. If you find you have customers who are majorly delinquent, this may be the time to end those relationships if they cannot be rectified. Tighten up accounts receivable turnaround times to the extent that you can. It is easiest to tighten up AR in advance of a recession, when customers have excess cash.

Diversify your Customers.

Adding to your customer base is always important, of course, but it is particularly important before a recession, given losses you may experience once the recession hits. Many small businesses have one client who, if lost, would cause the company to crumble. It is important to do what you can to make sure that is not the case for you. And if you do have a couple of key clients, really focus your efforts on them to make sure they stay happy and on board with your product or service.

Expand Internationally.

This is not possible for all small businesses, but if you can, it is good to establish a presence in other countries. This speaks to diversification, as your clients and sales in the United States may take an inevitable downturn due to the economy, but the state of other countries’ economies can serve to balance this out if you are not solely dependent upon U.S. clients. The plausibility of this will depend on what type of business you do, of course, but if international sales are possible for you, this is a good way to dampen the recession’s impact on your total sales figures.

Indicators of Recession.

There are a variety of indicators of a looming recession, and while nothing is 100% certain, some are stronger indicators than others. These indicators range from wide in scope, looking at the entire economy of the United States, to very small, examining patterns in your own business or industry before previous recessions.

Major Economic Indicators.

One of the most reliable indicators of an economic recession is known as the yield curve. This is a curve based on the yields on all Treasury maturities. Generally, bond with longer maturities offer higher yields than those with shorter maturities. This is because of the increased risk of owning bonds with longer maturities, and makes logical sense.

When this upward-sloping curve inverts, it is a good indicator of an upcoming recession. In fact, in the last 50 years, the yield curve has inverted before every recession, and has only offered one false indication. Global trade wars and raw material shortages can also be a larger-scale indicator of an upcoming recession.

Smaller-Scale Indicators.

Another thing you can look at, is any pattern your business experienced before previous recessions, particularly in 2008. Oftentimes, small businesses will notice sluggish growth and fewer inquiries or requests for proposals. Look for patterns in your business and take note of them if and when they occur, particularly if they occur in conjunction with more broad economic indicators.

What to Do when a Recession Hits.

You need to act quickly to maintain your customer base and make strategic decisions, and having previously agreed upon a set of steps to take when a recession hits will majorly expedite this process.

Labor and Layoffs.

One of the hardest things in a recession is having to let go of members of your staff. However, it is a reality that you will have to face. Analyze various positions at your company and lay off those employees that are not providing adequate benefit to merit their salary.

Be aggressive with your first round – your goal should be to avoid a second round of layoffs. Lay off nonessential personnel and then do everything you can to keep your business afloat in other ways. This first round of layoffs is often unavoidable.

Inventory.

One relatively pain-free step you can take early on is to review your vendors and make sure you’re not missing cost-cutting opportunities. You may have had the same vendors for a long time and not thought to negotiate lower prices or look around and see whether lower costs for similar products are being offered elsewhere. This can be hard if you have a loyalty to your vendors, but remember that if you don’t survive the recession, you won’t be anyone’s customer, so try not to let this get too personal. If you are considering switching vendors, always discuss the reason with your current vendor, and perhaps they can match the price or service of the new vendor.

During a recession, you will also need to liquidate inventory and renegotiate the terms with vendors if you are receiving more than you can sell. The cost of keeping goods on hand is often high enough that letting go of inventory for less than you would like may be the best option. One solution is to create a vendor stocking agreement so they hold your inventory at their own cost.

Accounts Payable.

On the flip side of this coin, you will want to see whether you can push out accounts payable. Smaller vendors have less negotiating power and can be more easily pushed out to Net 60 or Net 90. During a recession, larger vendors may be willing to extend terms in exchange for more volume (at their competitor’s expense,) which will leave you with more cash in hand. It is easiest to push out AP during a recession, when vendors are desperate to keep your business.

Manage Expenditures.

When planning for a recession, running a tight ship has to be a major part of the equation. This, of course, means cutting costs where you can, and resetting purchasing controls with your staff. Make sure the expectations and business needs are clearly communicated to your employees so they can help you succeed.

Take Advantage of Economic Conditions.

Small businesses can take advantage of a recession to gain market share and prepare for the next growth cycle. If you are in a secure cash position and have weathered the initial downturn, it’s time to make bold moves and seize opportunities.

Hire Employees.

Good talent is much more available and less expensive during a recession. Fire up your HR team and go after high-end employees such as directors and managers.

Lease Terms.

Renegotiate your lease terms during a recession. This is one area where you can benefit from the economic downturn, as your landlord may have some properties sitting vacant and is more likely to be willing to renegotiate the terms of your lease than during better economic times.

Gain and Retain Customers.

One mistake many companies make when facing a recession is pulling back on their efforts to gain customers. This is the time to get ahead of your competition in terms of gaining market share. Work to attract competitors’ clients. Ramp up your marketing efforts. If it doesn’t detract from your core competencies, consider expanding your offerings in ways that might draw clients away from your customers and towards you.

Buy a Business.

If you are in a financial place to do so, this is also a great time to consider acquiring other businesses in your sector. Financially distressed businesses often sell for less than their book value, so it’s a great way to gain market share and strengthen your position in the face of a recession.

While no one hopes for a recession, the best way to handle one is by planning. Knowing that you have mapped out the best and worst case scenarios, and everything in between, can give you the peace of mind to move forward during tough economic times.

By planning in advance and keeping your shareholders and executive decision-making team in the loop, you will be able to act quickly when necessary, taking steps that will allow you to beat out slower businesses and survive the economic downturn.

 

LJ Suzuki is a fractional CFO with CFOshare, an outsourced finance and accounting department for small businesses. He leads a team of professionals who help small businesses grow with financial analytics, business strategy, and accounting. He has a passion for translating data into actionable strategic solutions and communicating vision to C-level internal and external stakeholders.

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Tips For Helping To Make Your Startup A Success

If you do not want to be one of the 50% of new startups that fail every year in the US, you need to understand why things go wrong and try to avoid the mistakes. The two main reasons for this large amount of failed businesses seem to be a lack of funding and not enough business knowledge.

Not every new business owner realizes just how many different jobs are involved, but here are a few tips to help you.

Know Your Product Well.

You should know all you can about the products you are selling. It does not look good if someone asks a question and you are vague or do not know the answer. You want to build a client base of loyal customers and that will only happen if they trust you. Having knowledge of your product will help to gain that trust.

Learn Other Tasks.

When you run a business, there is far more to it than selling. You need to understand how to keep proper records, how to put your books in order, how to market the business, and several other things. With some of the most successful startups, the owners have taken the time to earn an Accounting Certificate online so that they fully understand how to work out if they are profitable or not. The same applies to learning about marketing and how to give great customer service.

Research Your Rivals.

It is worth spending time to research your competitors to see how their prices compare to yours and what errors you think they are making. Sometimes it is obvious from other people’s websites how you can improve on theirs and their policies, such as refunds and returns.

Provide a Good Customer Experience.

You should make sure that your website is not slow to load. Consumers have become used to everything online happening quickly and if your site is slow, they will soon move elsewhere. It should also be simple to navigate from page to page and for them to find all they need to know about your business and your products. They will remember a good customer experience and are more likely to return in the future.

Always Respond.

When you get a query or comment, whether it is on your site or a social media page, always respond as soon as you can and make your reaction positive, even if they are complaining. It is very hard for a customer to stay unpleasant if, when you reply to them, you are helpful and try to solve their problem.

Be Prepared to Work Hard.

Do not fall into the trap of thinking that running your own business is easy. It takes determination and a lot of hard work, especially in the early days. Be prepared to work long hours to start with, and when you are making enough money, then you may be able to bring in other people to help or outsource some of the tasks.

Go about things in the right way, and if your products are good and priced right, there is no reason for you not to succeed.

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Gift-Giving Etiquette In Business

If you a business owner who likes gifting your corporate clients for the holidays or as a way of thanking them, getting the best gift is usually a challenging task. Coming up with the perfect gift idea without breaking business gifting protocol is not always easy.

Most companies have strict rules about the type of gifts they can accept. If you are ever in doubt, it is always best to consult with the company’s management before buying the gift.

Here’s how to pick a corporate gift like a pro:

Consider the interests of the client.

The first thing you should do is find out about any specific interests the client may have. These can include favorite sport or hobbies. Maybe they have a favorite beverage which can make a perfect part of a gift hamper. The idea is to get them a practical gift without making it too personal. By making the gift stand out, you make your business brand stand out too.

The cost.

Getting a gift that is too expensive can alienate the client or make them feel embarrassed. This is especially if they are a young company that does not bring much to your business as yet. On the other hand, getting a gift that is too cheap can make your brand seem mean. The best way to avoid these scenarios is by getting a gift that the client cannot peg a price to. This can be achieved by making the gift beneficial to their business.

Be subtle about your logo.

A corporate gift is not complete if you cannot use it as a form of advertisement for your brand. However, you should not make the advertisement the central focus. Ensure that the gift meets the minimum quality standards and ensure the logo is understated. The last thing you want is for the gift to turn into a blatant form of advertisement.

Make it appropriate.

Crossing the line between professionalism and personal can be very easy when it comes to corporate gifts. You should not give gifts that are even the least bit intimate. This will send the wrong message to the client and can brew a misunderstanding between the client and your business. Always keep the gift professional. You can find a wide range of corporate gift ideas at Pearson Gifting.

Donating to a charity of their choice.

If you are not sure about what to get as a physical gift, you can choose to donate to a charity your client supports. This is one of the best ways to show your gratitude and still keep the relationship between your client and your business on the professional level. The best part is, you do something positive for the community in the process.

Presentation is everything.

Even with the best corporate gifts in the market, the presentation can make or ruin how well your gift is received. Ideal ways of presenting gifts include wrapping them in theme colors, packing in gift bags, or creating a gift hamper. If you choose to give gift certificates or notice of a charitable donation, ensure they arrive in a special envelope along with a handwritten note.

Gifting your clients is one of the best ways to create a good rapport between your business and them. A client is more likely to become a lifelong client to a business or company that appreciates them.

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Cryptocurrency: A Market Update

With various Blockchain events happening all over the world, keeping on top of all things crypto may be overwhelming. Therefore, following up on the cryptocurrency, news websites will enable you to have the latest information happening in the world of crypto. A good website should be one that gives accurate and unbiased information. Many Blockchain events happening implies for the information to be as precise as possible. Also, there should be a team on the ground to provide and update you with the real-time data.

Below are some of the latest cryptocurrency news updates and prices:

Stellar (XLM) new and prices.

Stellar is in the 10^th position in the global cryptocurrency market with the rating of the total market value of $1.5 billion.

Moreover, it is the only type of altcoin that is in the red-zone regularly among the top 20. The coin withdrew from the recent high of $0.0936 to trading at $0.0762 at the time of writing. The average daily trading volume of this coin is rising compared to its long-term average figures.

Binance Coin news and prices.

Binance has its priorities in being a cryptocurrency gambling space, rather than competing for the industry of the top position. Recently, they announced their latest Binance lending products. These products include Monero (XMR), Zcash (ZEC) and Dash. To own some of these products, you will be required to subscribe to the product and wait to collect the earned interest. The concept is similar to that of bitcoins, except that Binance coin offers added interest benefits.  Binance further announced that these products would be available in the market for the next 14 days lending periods each, trading at fixed rates and subscription caps.

Recent Ripple (XRP) news and prices.

Among the latest Cryptocurrency news filing of the controversial motion to dismiss a lawsuit faced by Ripple for allegedly selling unregistered securities. On the recent court filing publications by Fortune, lawyers representing Ripple in the case against Bradley Sostack, have withdrawn claims against the company. In the ongoing legal battle, Sostack claims that Ripple’s XRP sales in 2013 involved unlawful securities offerings.

Current Bitcoin (BTC) news and prices.

Over the past two days, Bitcoin’s price has been below $10,000 support after facing another instability resulting in the dropping of the world’s top leading crypto. However, Bitcoin’s price is back up above the $10,000, and it is currently trading at $10,160.57, which is equivalent to 2.57% rise, as per data from CoinMarketCap.

Bitcoin Cash (BCH) news and prices.

Bitcoin cash resilience to protect $300 support has been beyond belief. The recent setback faced by Bitcoin was brought to a sudden end when it experienced an optimistic recovery drive that resulted in a $330 level.

Conclusion.

In summary, a lot is taking place in the crypto world; therefore having a reliable source of cryptocurrency news can enable you to make informed decisions. Whether you are an analyst or trader, such intelligence is relevant to your trading or analysis decisions. Having the trading prices of the various crypto is essential when making buying and selling decisions.

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Have You Got The Right Server For An Upcoming Seasonal Sales Spike?

With Christmas nearing and many people trying to get their festive shopping sorted, now seems like an especially good time to run an ecommerce site. After all, online shoppers don’t have to worry about long queues; it could take these people just a few clicks to snap up a large variety of products.

However, as your ecommerce site’s traffic increases, that site’s server could come under strain, putting its performance in jeopardy. Could now be the right time to upgrade or replace that server?

What server does your website currently have?

Given how many aspects of setting up an ecommerce site you need to tick off the list, it’d be understandable if you just snaffled what looked like the cheapest deal from a big-name provider when the time came for you to hire a server for that site.

For this reason, your current server might be what is technically known as a “shared server”. This type of server can have immediate appeal due to the low monthly costs of using one, but it would be ill-advised for you to continue relying on a shared server for the long term.

This is because a shared server, befitting its name, forces you to share this server and its resources with other businesses. As a result, when there’s a sharp spike in activity on your particular website, there might not be enough resources for you to prevent your website’s performance from faltering.

Naturally, considering how hectic Christmas and other seasonal celebrations like Halloween and Easter can be, you don’t want to put off shoppers by leaving them with horribly slow loading times. Besides, as Forbes warns, if another site on the server is hacked, your site could become infected, too.

Should you consider utilising a dedicated server?

Here, it’s important to clarify what exactly the term “dedicated server” means technically. With this server, you would have a physical server machine for your site’s exclusive use. Therefore, provided that the technology is optimal, this type of server would be more secure than shared hosting.

However, a dedicated server is also relatively expensive to hire – and certainly much more than your business could be willing to contemplate if money is a big issue. If your business is especially reliant on seasonal sales, much of your spending on a dedicated server could ultimately go to waste.

A convenient compromise option: a virtual private server.

Known in abbreviation as a VPS, a virtual private server is physically just one machine but partitioned to serve as several, each of which are ready for a business to occupy. Consequently, a VPS rivals shared hosting in affordability but also dedicated hosting in security and performance.

With a VPS, your website’s loading speed would be guaranteed, says TechRadar. The server is split due to virtualisation software, as in the case of the Windows cloud server Kronos Cloud offered by Heficed. Thanks to this virtualisation, the VPS software shares resources strategically among the server’s users, thereby preventing instability and inconsistencies associated with shared hosting.

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These 5 Things Are Killing Employee Productivity

While there are plenty of things you may be doing right in your business, you may be failing your employees in some areas. In hidden ways, their productivity is being killed.

Yes, you offer bonuses and a diverse workplace, but you may be sabotaging your best efforts which result in a demoralized workforce.

If you have read our article on how to max out worker productivity then you have a head start in the right direction.

Next, you have to take a look at some of the things to avoid to make sure you keep that productivity high.

1. Monitor time spent working.

Keeping track of the time that people are working can help understand how to help them work better. Using QuickBooks time tracking app is a good way to see the details of their working day and adjust to help them get more out of less time so they don’t have to work quite as much.

2. Not giving your employees a voice.

If you want your staff to feel like they are on a team and are all pulling on the same rope, then let them feel like they have a say in the operations.

Have a dedicated brainstorming meeting to address specific issues. It could be ideas on where to find ways to cut expenses. Or, maybe a way to make inroads with a tough to crack market. Let them take the lead and throw some ideas around.

Having a stake in the future of the company will keep them motivated to keep the productive pace high.

Devaluing their opinions can have the opposite effect and end up making them feel like just another cog in the wheel.

3. Too much bureaucracy.

How many forms need to be filled out for a request for time off? Is the process of a change of office dynamics too complex for most people to even bother with?

When procedures are too standardized without any sense of human reasoning needed or wanted in the system then that kills morale.

Have things streamlined, yes, but operate with the belief that your employees are intelligent people and can figure things out on their own, too.

4. Too much focus on tech.

Technology is very important. But, if people feel like they are being replaced by software then that kills productivity and morale.

IT does play a bigger role than ever with artificial intelligence and big data being so prevalent. Yet, the data doesn’t always tell a story. Your employees need to feel that they offer a lot of value over a program or some data sets. Let them feel it by trusting them and allowing for a collaboration with the technology instead of competing with it.

5. Letting a bad mood fester.

Sometimes a funk can take over an office. It is inevitable as a bad mood can spread. It is up to the managers to see a dark cloud forming and nip it in the bud. That’s when it’s time for some measures like a company party or maybe rewarding hard work with some time off.

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How To Ensure Your Conference Calls Aren’t A Waste Of Time

Conference calls can be a complete waste of time if the end goal isn’t achieved once the call is complete. This can be incredibly frustrating for the attendees and the host (you), as no one learns anything and everyone leaves the table unsure of why they attended the call to begin with.

Here are some pro tips on organizing your conference calls for maximum efficiency and ensuring they’re not just a waste of time.

Adhere to a Schedule.

Keeping your conference call within specific time constraints will ensure that the call isn’t overly-long and the information is presented in the most concise way possible. Ideally, your conference calls (or any meeting, for that matter) should be less than an hour long, but this isn’t always possible.

This doesn’t mean you should rush through the information to get it done, but you will want to organize your information and pay close attention to the time blocks you’ve allocated to each topic. There are plenty of tools to manage your time available on the web if you’re struggling to get things to sync within a certain timeframe.

Make sure everyone has a copy of the meeting’s agenda (which should include a schedule) so they know what to expect and when. Allocate specific time slots to your topics, and try to stick to those time restrictions as much as possible to keep the call on track. It’s also a good idea to set a hard time limit for the entire meeting to avoid burn-out.

Keep Information Organized/Plan Ahead.

If you show up to any sort of meeting with unorganized presentations, you’re going to have a tough time getting anyone’s attention; let alone staying on track to finish in under an hour. You should always plan your meetings ahead of time, preferably a few days in advance. It’s a good idea to send off copies of the meeting agenda to attendees in advance as well.

You can use online meeting agenda templates or simply create a list of topics you want to discuss on a post-it note or notebook paper. Agendas don’t have to be fancy or flashy, so focus more on practicality than aesthetics.

Keep it Professional. 

Keeping your speech and mannerisms professional during a conference call is critical; especially if you’re dealing with new clients or team members. You want to make a good first impression on behalf of both your personal reputation and that of the company you work for.

Don’t try to talk over anyone else, and always wait until everyone is done speaking before you add anything to the current conversation. Interruptions are quite rude, and talking over someone to make your point is just plain disrespectful and does not give a good impression of your professional behavior. Video conferencing software is a great option for providing an in-person alternative that will allow you to take note of body language as well as speech.

Avoid Side Conversations and Casual Talk.

It’s also a good idea to keep casual talk out of a conference call. What happened in the office is a discussion for the break room, not the conference call. Avoid slang, cursing, and other speech that could be viewed as unprofessional. Maintaining your professional image and attitude in a conference call is equally as vital as maintaining it in the office.

While it’s perfectly fine to ask everyone how their week has been, and do engage in casual greetings, the rest of the meeting should be focused on getting through the material. Let’s be honest; no one really wants to be in a meeting, and they certainly don’t want to sit on a conference call all day.

Side conversations serve only to derail the call and make it more difficult to reach your end goal. Keep your conversations as topic-focused as humanly possible, and be sure to exclude anyone from your guest list who has a reputation for derailing calls (an email will work just fine).

Get Feedback from Callers.

While this might seem like a silly tip, it actually can provide you with incredibly valuable information that you can use to improve future calls. Often, when you call a customer service representative for the electric company or a retailer, a post-call survey is offered for the very same reason.

Your callers will be able to tell you what they thought about your presentation, the quality of the call, as well as any issues they might have noticed that you’ll want to address next time around. Never underestimate the power of valuable feedback, as it is the easiest way to understand what your callers experience on the other end of the line.

Conclusion.

Improving your conference calls ensures that no one in attendance will feel like their time was wasted, and all of your goals will be reached. Remember to stay organized, track your time, and use the right platforms to avoid disconnections and interruptions. Keep your speech professional, and always share your agenda with callers ahead of time. Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be able to host the most effective calls possible.

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Why Your Fear Of Taking Vacation Is Holding Back Your Success

by Maureen Gharrity, CEO and founder of Finding Your Way Coaching

A staggering 52% of Americans leave vacation time on the table each year, which amounts to over 200 million vacation days or $66 billion in lost benefits a year.

Moreover, the cost to the economy is a surprising $67 Billion in lost spending, $160 Billion in business sales across the U.S, and $52B in extra wage income.

Corporations continue to invest more and more each year on employee wellness programs, but a recent study found these programs have little effect on long-term wellness. 

And with entrepreneurs and those who work for themselves, not taking a vacation can end up being more expensive than a vacation itself because of lost productivity from burnout.

Quality time with family and friends is one of the most important values held by business people,   whether they work for a company or for themselves. The lack of time away, actually increases stress and illness while taking a big toll on families and the relationships within them.

As an executive coach with over a decade of experience coaching high performers, I’ve seen this over and over in my work with clients – both entrepreneurs and executives in a variety of industries – and the approach is the same. The feeling that it is not okay to take time off is a significant obstacle in your productivity and performance.

Here are three of the most common excuses I hear for shunning time off, and what to do instead.

“I’m afraid I’ll fall behind”.

One of the reasons that people don’t take time off is the fear of falling behind. People think they are so busy these days, both at work and at home, that the catch-up stage after the vacation just seems not worth it. This is actually our self talk about being busy; it’s an excuse rather than a result of more work. According to an Oxford researcher, our workload has actually been the same for years. 

If you have this thought often, you won’t have the chance to ‘dig out’ from time-consuming tasks to put real systems or procedures in place and you may lack direction or motivation which often feels as though you’re not getting anywhere.

You have a responsibility to redefine your role over and over again as you and your company grow. A great way to identify those blind spots or training gaps is to stop working and see what runs smoothly and what doesn’t. 

And while you think now that the workload will be terrible upon your return, that’s probably your unhappiness with day-to-day work talking.

Shift your mindset. Instead of “I’ll be worse off after a vacation”, a mentality valuing change in environment as an opportunity to increase creativity and innovation will bring about more success.

“People will think I’m not driven”.

How an executive, an employee or even a business owner will be perceived by their boss and/or clients is another reason why vacation time is left on the table. You’re afraid of being judged as not serious, or career-minded, and that you’ll be passed over when it comes time for a promotion, a contract renewal, or a public speaking opportunity.

Time away actually reduces burnout and increases productivity. In business, that means your results will actually be better, not stagnant, and that your motivation and momentum will pick up rather than deflate.

This pressure to perform and constantly push adds stress to your body and to your life. With no way to release it, and no perceived end in sight, you’re holding the burden of potential further costs to your business in the form of illness and sick time.

One way to solve this cycle is to actually instill vacation time into your goal setting, your project management, or your client call schedule. That way there is an open communication around time away from the beginning, making any transition much smoother. 

This forces increased team cooperation and also de-stigmatizes time off among team members, which is critical to building a healthy work culture. Only then will you feel safe to work as a team and not be plagued by thoughts that collaboration will hurt your ability to advance or get ahead.

“I want it done right, so I’ll do it myself”.

This is a big one for entrepreneurs especially. Contrary to popular belief, the pressure is often greater for solopreneurs or people running small businesses because you’re wearing many different hats and there aren’t many other people in the picture.

This objection is really a resistance to growth because you refuse to relinquish control. Entrepreneurs feel that things will fall through the cracks or there is no one to ask for help, but by not empowering others to execute at your level, you’ll never grow or scale — and you’ll burn out along the way.

What’s more, according to studies, the positive benefits of vacation wear off within a couple weeks. It’s important that you become skilled in delegation, not only for your company to grow, but also to maximize the health and creative benefits of time off.

Not only will training someone free you up mentally to work less, it also opens up unique business opportunities to travel and meet prospects in a less stressful more casual environment, where you will be more open to conversations and considering new ideas.

People feel guilt around taking time off, or even spending the money on a vacation, because it isn’t seen as something they ‘need’. A survey from Monster.com reported that 42% of Americans carry guilt with them for taking time off.

The positive impact from taking a vacation, from stepping out of one’s day to day routine and  environment can have on your business, results, creativity, productivity, mental health and relationships is significant and proven. 

It is one of the best ways, one of the most requested ways to reduce stress, to relax more, and when you allow yourself and your colleagues to do so, this creates opportunities for creativity, innovation and expansion, not to mention a whole lot more happiness.

And wouldn’t we all benefit from that?

 

Maureen Gharrity, CEO and founder of Finding Your Way Coaching is a master coach and talented business strategist with expertise in income acceleration, business development, sales, and mindset. A master of manifestation and a gifted healer, she blends mindset and business strategy to help clients reach their true potential and highest goals. Her intuition, along with 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and business development, helps her clients achieve unprecedented breakthroughs.

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8 Things You Need To Know Before Hiring Your First Employee

Hiring your first employee is a bit of a rite of passage for start-ups. Many fledgling businesses consist of one person and their laptop, crammed into a small office space, and when you start thinking about hiring others to help out, it all becomes a lot more real. While the prospect of having someone to help with the workload is no doubt appealing, the thought of having to pay someone a salary and manage them can be quite anxiety-inducing for young entrepreneurs.

Here are some things to consider before you take that leap and post a job ad.

1. Your legal obligations.

If you’ve used freelancers in the past to work with you on projects, then you probably simply paid them an invoice at the end of the month. However, if you’re going to be employing someone, then you need to check your state’s legal requirements. There are a few steps you’ll need to take to become an employer, including getting an employer identification number (EIN), registering with your local labor department, and getting insurance.

Once you’ve chosen the person you want to hire, there’s a number of forms they’ll need to fill out to verify that they’re eligible to work in the USA and for tax purposes. You may want to invest in some All-In-One HR Software to keep track of these forms and ensure you keep the relevant information to hand. If there are any issues or disputes with employees down the line, then it helps to have kept organized documents from day one.

2. What you want them to do.

So, your business may be too much for you to handle at the moment, but what duties will you want taken off your hands? If it’s more of a general extra pair of hands around the office, then would hiring a temp be a better idea? You should clearly define what you expect from the person in the role and put together a job description. A good job description will include:

• A job title – be honest about the kind of role if you want the right applicant
• A clear list of job duties
• A list of all the great benefits, from number of paid vacation days to any perks you plan to offer, such as free breakfasts
• A brief description of your company and its goals – many candidates enjoy working for start-ups, so mention a little about your company’s history

Writing a good job description will help you get the best candidates, and it’s also a good opportunity for you to think about where you need help and the kind of skills and traits your first employee will need to have.

3. Learn about OSHA compliance.

It’s important that, as an employer, you follow labor laws and are OSHA compliant. OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a government agency that sets certain standards to keep employees of private companies safe. Whether your new employee will be working in an office environment or with tools, you need to ensure your workplace meets OSHA standards, or you could face costly penalties. You should also familiarize yourself with any local labor laws that may be applicable to your state.

4. Ensure you have enough work for them.

While you may be rushed off your feet trying to get all your work finished, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need a full-time employee to help you out. Many people who run a start-up are perfectionists who tend to put a lot of work into every single task and even go above and beyond with tasks that don’t really need to be done. While you may think you could fill two roles with your work, you may just need to reorganize and streamline your own schedule.

Instead of hiring a full-time, permanent employee, consider:

• Looking for temp workers for busy seasons – it costs more per hour to hire them, but you don’t have to worry about things like sick pay or vacation days
• Working with a team of trusted freelancers – they’ll have more specific skill sets
• Hiring someone who wants to be part-time at first, such as a college student who’s majoring in a relevant subject – once they graduate, you may decide to give them more hours
• Outsourcing repetitive, small tasks such as coding, copywriting and editing – there are many sites where you can post projects and get bids for the work; just be wary of anyone who is too cheap, as the work may reflect the cost

If you decide to hire someone full-time, then it can help to break down their duties into sections:

• Projects that vary from week to week
• Repetitive tasks that are the same every day or week
• Ongoing projects that can be used as filler when work is slow – these tasks should still be productive but are the kind of things that don’t have tight deadlines

5. Fitting your role in with theirs.

Ideally, when you hire an employee, this should free up time for you to concentrate on your start-up. However, you should decide how much you still want to be involved in certain aspects of your business. For example, if you hire someone who specializes in client relations, what level of involvement will you have with clients? You need to be able to delegate, but no doubt, you’ll still want to know what’s going on. You may want to get into a habit of having weekly one-to-one meetings, allowing your employee to do their job but also ensuring you are kept up to date.

6. How you want things done.

When you’ve decided the kind of tasks you want your employee to do and you’ve got a good idea of how they are going to fill their days, it’s important to think about how you want things done. Standardizing tasks makes it more likely that they’ll be done correctly and can increase productivity, although employees also need some space for creativity.

While your new employee might already have some experience in their role, they’ll expect some sort of training and induction when they start. If you’re planning on hiring a number of people in the coming months, you may want to take some time to put together some training materials, such as a quick PowerPoint or a few PDFs, as this will save you having to explain things over and over again.

7. Where they’ll work.

Many start-ups begin by working out of their garage or a guest bedroom. Once you bring on an employee, then it may be time to also think about expanding your physical space and thinking about your general workplace culture.

Most start-ups now offer some level of remote working, whether they just let people work from home on occasion or they use employees who work for them in completely different time zones. If your start-up is in its infancy, then you might not want to commit to renting an office at this time, so it might make sense to hire remote workers. You should also think about the kind of culture you want to have in the office. Will it be strictly 9-5? Will people be encouraged to take their breaks and vacation days? Do you work in an industry where long hours are expected? The decisions you make in the early stages can shape your business as it grows.

8. What happens if things don’t work out.

While it may seem complex to hire someone, it can be just as difficult to fire them. Unfortunately, it happens in business. You get someone who’s a great applicant on paper and once they get to work, they just don’t meet the standard, they’re not working hard or fast enough, or they just don’t fit into your start-up’s culture. Some states have At-Will employment laws, where employers can generally terminate an employee for any reason, apart from illegal ones such as discrimination. This also means that an employee can leave you with minimal notice. However, some states protect employees once they’ve completed a certain probationary period, so it’s important to know your local labor laws before you think about firing someone.

Hiring your first employee is exciting, as it marks the beginning of the period when your start-up becomes a fully-fledged business. That’s why it’s important to think carefully about the kind of company you want to run before you hire someone and decide how things should be done and the kind of role they’ll have. Of course, the legal stuff is important, too, as the last thing a small business needs is a big fine from the IRS or OSHA. Start off by keeping records, getting organized and ensuring that you know local employment laws before you place that first job advert.

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Integral Pieces Of Infrastructure For Your Business

Starting and running a business is no easy feat, no matter your experience in doing so before and repeating a successful formula, or starting your very first venture. Whether you’re going out alone, and you are your business, or you aim to hire employees quickly and get funding from a VC, there are some key elements to consider as part of basic infrastructure to get your business off the ground and running.

The to-do list is seemingly endless when starting and running your own business, so this is by no means exhaustive, but hopefully can give some ideas to consider if you haven’t yet!

Outsource your accounting, taxes, bookkeeping.

Having a trusted person or company doing this area of paperwork that has the expertise you don’t can make or break your business from the start. Many try to keep up with it at first, then it gets to be overwhelming quickly, not to mention all of the tax laws and the annual changes to keep abreast of. It’s near impossible for the average person to do it all correctly and in a timely manner, so it’s best to outsource this to a trusted entity. The right person will be patient and take the time to go through everything with you, as well as take time to educate you on changes and how to make the best decisions.

Get a PO Box and don’t use your home address for your business.

If you run a business from home, it’s better and safer to use a different address than your own home for your business mail. There are registered agents that can handle this for you, or you can simply utilize the post office or other businesses that offer PO boxes & similar services to receive your mail, and have a measure of safety for yourself and your family. Choosing a location that’s convenient to you is super helpful, as well as ensuring the location and business you select is conducive to the services and hours you need.

Marketing plan.

No business thrives without a steady and healthy book of business, which usually comes from some type of marketing. Depending on your type and size of the business, you may benefit from typical marketing techniques like billboards, radio commercials, bandit signs and the like. Newer varieties of marketing platforms come to us by way of social media and the reach of the Internet. Websites can track your visits and show ads to other sites and platforms you use and visit. While it used to be offensive and feel invasive, now it’s actually quite useful and practical, as it’s tailored to each person. Marketing can feel scary and daunting, but it is also an area that’s fun and where creativity can take shape and bring real results to your top and bottom line!

What type of business do you have, and what can you implement or change to make improvements? Bringing in new business, setting up systems and infrastructure can be something that takes just a bit of setup time upfront, and prove to be extremely beneficial for years to come. Having an accountant or bookkeeper to take care of the mundane yet highly important parts of the business, including paying and planning for taxes can be something that prevents a myriad of problems down the line.

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How To Protect Yourself As An Investor From The USA

You may have heard or read severally on how to protect yourself as an investor from scam robots and brokers. Does that sound familiar? Of course, it does. But have you ever heard read on how you should protect yourself from the USA? Sounds crazy, but it is not. Yes as an investor you need to protect yourself from the USA if you are planning to stay long in the market.

I know what you may be wondering, the USA is the superpower and the root of most business hop and investment. Well, you are not far from the truth however, there are measures that an investor should not take when it comes to dealing with these powerful countries.

Have you ever imagined what would happen if you had an investment with the USA and they have a trade war or restrictions with your country? Well, perhaps you have never viewed or thought it that way. It means all your investments would be lost forever without recovery.

But how really do you protect yourself from the USA as an investor? Well, just hang on and keep reading.

1. Using genuine trading robots.

When it comes to online financial markets, you have to be very careful not to cross the set boundaries with some countries else you will lose your investments. Across the globe, investors have introduced what you refer to as the Metatrader trading platform especially through the use of trading robots.

You must have used a bot in making your trading especially if you are in the world of Forex. To be honest with you, many investors have lost their money by landing into the wrong hands. There are Forex robots that will just squander your deposits and profits. Now the question is, how do you know a genuine bot from a counterfeit trading robot?

Surely the line between the two is very faded and only gurus who have been in this field for years can help you come up with the right robot. One such genuine bot is ROFX. Forexrobotexpert.com platform is one of the portals that was made by a concerned group of financial analysts and independent traders to help you escape from the wrong bots. This platform will give you genuine reviews on diverse robots.

2. By using a genuine broker.

Yes, some platforms have been formed to help you from being exploited by the wrong trading brokers. Some portals like https://forexrobotexpert.com have been there giving you the right information on the robots. However, you need to have genuine brokers.

If you are trading with the USA or your investment is in anyway closing their lines, you need to have genuine brokers too. If they verify and find that the broker you are using is a scam or has no right to trade their dollars, the broker will be disqualified. What does that mean? You lose your money.

The good news is that you don’t always have to be the one losing the money. Just protect yourself from the USA by getting a genuine broker. It is that simple.

3. Choosing your currency pairs easily.

If you have been in forex trading for some time, you must have noticed the volatility of certain currency pairs. Here is the scary part of such currencies; in one time you see it doing very well and you are confident that it will be some profit for you but suddenly the curve start changing.

One of such currencies are the major currencies like the JPY, US Dollar, Euros, AUD among others. So what’s the secret of making money trading online, try as much as you can to avoid trading with major currency pairs. You can use minor or exotic currency pairs.

4. Invest in other alternatives.

Who said you must invest in forex entirely? Well, it could be a lucrative way of earning if you have the right robots and brokers but it is not the only investment outlet you have. Surprisingly, there are other investment plans that give you better profits than forex. Besides, you get shielded from the USA.

Can you imagine investing in property or stocks which are less volatile compared to trading and exchanging money online? The beauty with stocks is that, when the USA is making inflation to escalate in most countries, you will be enjoying yourself. Why? Because equities tend to shoot up when the inflation is high.

Conclusion.

You can cease from being a victim of the volatile USA currency in your trading online by embracing the above ways. You will become a better investor than what you are now. Don’t wait any longer, start doing the above and you will be glad that you did it.

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