Posts

Showing posts from July, 2022

5 Essential Skills for Professionals

Image
To be successful, you need dedication, determination, and hard work. You also need some up-to-date skills. Below are the Top 5 skills for professionals. 5 Essential Skills for Professionals 1. Soft skills According to LinkedIn data analysis, in 2019, companies looked most for these soft skills: creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability, and time management . Soft skills, such as communication and management skills, are the traits that make you good at almost any job. Hard skills, in the meantime, are more teachable and measurable. In a Linkedin report, 57% of senior leaders today value soft over hard skills. 2. Creativity So many things have changed—think cell phones instead of pay phones, internet instead of card catalogs. It takes a creative person to think outside the box. Sure, some things are great, but how much better could life be if we tried a new way? Businesses are always looking for fresh thinkers to do things in a new way. 3. Communication Co

10 Tips to Increase Productivity as a Busy Entrepreneur

Image
Productivity is a critical factor in being successful. Although it would be nice to have our goals reached by relaxing at home all day, there is a rewarding feeling of achievement knowing that effort was put in for a great outcome. This is easier said than done; being productive daily takes self-control and discipline. There are so many factors that go into running a business. Incorporating organization into your day and staying productive can assist and guide you as a busy entrepreneur. Here are a few ways you can do that! 10 Tips To Boost Productivity 1. Prioritize. Looking over a long to-do list can be stressful. Instead of becoming overwhelmed, try organizing your to-do list into priorities. Determine which task is the most crucial to complete and stick with that one. Taking it one step at a time changes your perspective and helps you take a realistic approach to overcoming that stubborn list! 2. Communicate. Communication is essential in all areas of life- especial

7 Advertising Basics for Small Business Owners

Image
With many advertising options, billboards, websites, direct mail, etc., it can prove challenging to advertise effectively. Still, there are guides to lead you down the right promotional path for small businesses. Let’s take a look. 7 Advertising Basics for Small Business Owners 1. Budget When you think about advertising, of course, you need a budget. And most small businesses don’t have large ones. This is probably best used in ways that maximize your return, rather than throwing it all in on one large ad on TV. Leave that for the big businesses that have large budgets. 2. Website A professionally-designed site can cost thousands of dollars, so try online templates. These work well to foster name recognition and promote your products and/or services. In addition, you can add pictures, logos, and illustrations that look professional for a fraction of the cost. 3. SEO Marketing Promote your website. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a practice that aligns your b

9 Productivity Tips for Business Owners

Image
Are you busy unnecessarily? Are there ways to become more productive and skip some small steps? Let’s take a look. 9 Productivity Tips for Business Owners 1. Outsource. Some things seem important, but when you look at them more closely, you realize that maybe someone else could do that for you. For example, think about having another company or person write your thank-you notes and do other small tasks. You’ll save time in the long run. 2. Create a Schedule. Making lists is a great way to ensure you don’t overlook the essential things that need to get done. But putting that list into an actual schedule will help you get more organized and make sure those tasks get accomplished. Schedule specific times to do certain projects, rather than just listing them on paper. 3. One Task at a Time. Take it one thing at a time, rather than jumping from task to task. You will accomplish more and won’t feel as frazzled. Stick to the schedule of tasks rather than what pops up in

7 Best Tips for Social Media Calendars

Image
Using both printed pieces and online outreaches is needed to be successful in business. An effective and efficient social media calendar will make all the difference when adding social media to your marketing lineup. Here’s how to do it well.  7 Best Tips for Social Media Calendars 1. Set short-term goals. Determine what you are trying to accomplish with your social media efforts. Be specific, start small, and make it practical. 2. Use a goal-setting worksheet. Mark down your goals to know why you are doing what you are doing. Set social media goals that lead to real business results. Better target your ideal customer. Gather intel on the competition so you can stay ahead. See what’s already working and what’s not. Create or improve your social media profiles. Develop a thoughtful content strategy and set a publishing schedule you can stick to. Track your progress and adjust your plan as needed. 3. Plan your campaign goals. According to the Social Media Exam

7 Fun Promotional Products to Celebrate Your Business

Image
When attending events, people coming to your booth enjoy picking up promotional products that remind them of your business and are useful in their homes. A study by the Advertising Specialty Institute revealed an 85% recall rate on promotional items. In addition, most households have an average of 30 promotional items, including pens, mugs, and travel accessories, which help increase the recall rate for businesses.  Handing out promotional items has many benefits for businesses, including:  Increasing website traffic Boosting brand awareness Helping increase free customer reviews and referrals Finding new social media followers Below are seven fun promotional products to celebrate your business and hand out to customers and potential customers. 7 Fun Promotional Products to Celebrate Your Business 1. Coffee Cups and Mugs Branded coffee cups and mugs are a favorite among those who collect promotional products and swag. Clients and customers will be reminded of your b

Breaking Down the Buyer's Journey

Image
The buyer’s journey lays out the process the buyer takes when buying a product or service. Understanding this journey allows you to be better prepared to meet your customer’s needs each step of the way.  Stage 1: Awareness  In this stage, the customer is made aware of a problem they would like to alleviate. They research this problem so they can better identify it.  Actions you can take in stage 1. You can provide the prospective client with information to educate, entertain, or inspire them. For example, your company could provide information through brochures, blogs, website content, press releases, videos, and social media. Not only will you inform your client base, but you will also grow your clients. According to HubSpot, blogging increases your website traffic by about 55%.  Stage 2: Consideration Now, the prospect has identified the problem and begins to research ways to alleviate it. The prospect will start to compile a list of products and brands.  Actions you

4 Print Marketing Materials to Increase Your Sales

Image
Print marketing is a valuable tool to increase your sales. It stands out, generating a greater return on investment. 80% of consumers act on direct mail advertisements, and 92% of 18- to 23-year-olds say it’s easier to read print over digital material. Print marketing itself has a wide variety of options. Below are five effective choices and why they work. Promotional materials increase sales. Promotional materials are one of the most popular and effective print marketing tools.  Popular promotional products include stickers, fridge magnets, key chains, t-shirts, and bags. They usually include your company’s name and/or logo. In the U.S, promotional materials is a $17.8 billion industry. Given their efficacy, it’s no wonder the business is so large.  When deciding which promotional materials to use, bear in mind the best promotional items are the ones customers will keep. 77% of customers said the promotional product’s usefulness was their number one reason to keep it. Cus