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7 Clear Business Benefits of Cloud Computing

7 Clear Business Benefits of Cloud Computing


7 Clear Business Benefits of Cloud Computing

Did you know that cloud computing is both affordable and attainable for any business regardless of the size? That’s why, even if you’re a small business owner, you should consider making the move to the cloud in the near future.

The cloud isn’t going anywhere, and sooner or later, you’re going to be forced to make a change anyway. With that being said, the benefits of moving to the cloud are more than enough reason to invest in cloud computing in the immediate future.

So what is the strategic importance of cloud computing in business organizations? And what can the cloud do for you, your business, and your employees? We’ve got the answers to those questions, and more, inside this article!

Now then, let’s get started!

1. Save Tons of Money on Computing

If you currently have all of your computers and servers in-house, you’re spending a lot of money to do so. From buying the servers themselves and paying for the office space you need to store them, to keeping the room at the right temperature, managing your own servers isn’t cheap.

Well, by outsourcing your servers and using the cloud, you’ll be saving a ton of money on computing. And not only is it cheaper to use the cloud, but you’ll also free up some space in your office that you can use however you see fit! 

2. Only Pay for What You Need

If you’re a small business owner, you might not think that you need or can afford the cloud. After all, it’s only larger corporations that use the cloud, right?

Wrong.

Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of using the cloud is that the service is completely scalable. That means you can only pay for what you need out the gate, no matter how small, and then expand as your business grows.

There’s no paying for anything you don’t need in an attempt to future-proof your business. You can adjust your cloud service plan as you see fit.

3. Don’t Worry About Finding the Right Cloud Service

Over the past few years, cloud computing has become more accessible, making it much easier for businesses to make the move. So if you’re worried about finding the right cloud computing solution for you, in your price range, don’t be.

If anything, you’re going to be a bit overwhelmed at all of the various options, plans, and companies that exist at the moment.

A pro tip? Stick with a company in your area. And if you’re located in Charlotte, the folks at www.charlotteitsolutions.com can more than handle all of your cloud computing needs!

4. Speed Up Your Work Flow

If you’ve ever worked on the cloud before, you know just how fast it truly is. And if your computers are more efficient and you can access everything you need quicker, you can speed up your overall workflow and get things done faster.

And if you do a lot of multitasking at work, cloud computing is an absolute must. Because even if you have a powerful PC, you won’t be able to get things done as quickly as you would on a cheaper PC using the cloud.

5. Increase Your Cyber Security

As a business owner, you’re most likely always worried about being the victim of a cyberattack. And while it’s not fun to think about, making sure you do everything you can to prevent that type of attack is something you need to do.

Well, with cloud computing, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing your business is as safe as possible from an attack. And that’s not all, either. Cloud computer has mastered the art of disaster recovery.

So if something happens, and you lose important data, you can get it back quickly thanks to routine backups that are stored on the cloud.

6. Enjoy Flexible Working Environments

Did you know that allowing your employees the freedom to work from anywhere in the world can have positive effects on their mental health? Of course, with the cloud, you and your entire team will be able to access anything and everything – as long as you have an internet connection!

That means you can encourage your employees to take half days and spend more time with their families. In return, this will make them much happier and more productive members of your team.

Also, you yourself can take a day or two each week and work from home. And if you ever need to check on something one night, you won’t have to drive all the way back to the office to do so.

7. Future-Proof Your Company

Last but not least, you can’t talk about cloud computing without mentioning that it’s going to be around for a very long time. Each day, more businesses are moving over to the cloud.

And that’s a trend that is only going to continue to rise, meaning you’re wasting time if you haven’t made the switch yourself already.

If you own a smartphone, odds are you’re already using the cloud in your personal life. So why not give your business the same treatment? 

The Strategic Importance of Cloud Computing in Business Organizations

Well, there you have it! That is an in-depth breakdown of the strategic importance of cloud computing in business organizations!

As you can see, investing in the cloud for your business is something you need to be seriously considering. This is especially true if you are in the process of growing or plan on expanding in the near future.

Remember, cloud computing is both affordable and scalable, making it easy for even the smallest of businesses to jump in. So if you’re worried that your business isn’t big enough for cloud computing yet, don’t be, now is the perfect time to start!

Looking for more ways to grow your business? Check out our blog!

Business

Booze and Business: The Dos and Don’ts of Corporate Entertainment

Booze and Business: The Dos and Don'ts of Corporate Entertainment


Booze and Business: The Dos and Don’ts of Corporate Entertainment

Did you know that one of the best ways to build client relations is by connecting with them one on one?

Do you want to know how to make the best impression when meeting with a client? Not to worry! In this guide, we’ll go over corporate entertainment ideas and what to avoid.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out.

Reserve Ahead of Time

If you’re meeting with clients in a few weeks, don’t leave choosing a venue for the last minute. Make sure you reserve a restaurant ahead of time or find out that the attraction is open.

When you reserve, let the venue or restaurant know you are meeting important clients. Speak with the manager and tell them you’re looking for exceptional service.

Consider going to a venue or bar that your company has worked with in the past. This way, you’ll know you’re working with people you trust.

Stay off Your Phone

Set your phone aside when entertaining your client. Give them your full attention. If they see that you’re on your phone, they might think you’re not interested in what they have to say. If you get a call, let them know you will be right back.

Help Your Guest Feel Comfortable

Everyone can get nervous before a meeting, even if it’s in a relaxed setting. Clients might want to know what to expect if this is your first entertainment get together.

Aim to put them at ease right away. This will set the tone for the rest of the meeting. Later on, the client might end up referring you to a close friend or relative.

Let Your Client Order First

When meeting with a client at a local bar or restaurant, let them take the lead. They know that you’re meeting for business, but they might want to keep it casual. If they order food, go with the flow and do the same.

If they end up ordering drinks, don’t feel pressured to do the same.
If you decide to have a glass of wine or a beer, make sure you set a limit. Otherwise, you could end up saying something that gets taken the wrong way.

Listen to Your Client

It’s easy to get too focused on what you’d like to share at the meeting. Make sure you don’t stop listening to your client. Allow them to take the lead in the conversation.

When they see that you care about what they’re saying, you build your relationship. You will gain not only more business but a potential friend in your network.

Don’t Talk Business Right Away

Give yourself time to chat with the client. See if your guest brings it up the business topic first.

Before the meeting, know what your goals are and only mention them later on.

If you have material to present, prepare what you’ll say beforehand. This way, you’ll feel more confident and help set your client at ease.

Research Your Clients

You can find out what interests your clients by checking out their LinkedIn profile. There you can learn about their volunteering activities or other interests.

Are they on the board of a local art gallery, or do they run a golf fundraiser? Organize a game at a local course or bring them to a gallery night.

Dress up for the Meeting

If you’re meeting with clients for dinner, get dressed up. It’s way better to arrive overdressed instead of under-dressed. You are the face behind your brand and company.

If your meeting is at a golf course, then dress in the right attire and go with business casual.

Don’t Use Offensive Language

In any business meeting, make sure you don’t swear or use rude expressions. Try to speak to clients in a respectful manner as you would to your family. This will help keep the meeting professional.

Don’t Lie to Your Client

If you are there to try and land a business deal, make sure all the information you have on hand is credible.

Making false claims to win a sale could harm the reputation of your company and burn bridges. Word will get around that you aren’t trustworthy. If you don’t know the answer to one of their questions, let them know you will find out right away.

Offer to Pay for the Service

When you go to a meeting, you’re spending time with a future client. Set them at ease by taking care of the bill.

They will know from that gesture alone that they can expect quality customer service. This is a sign that you are a dependable person.

Don’t Get Offended

You will need to accept the fact that some new people you meet won’t move forward with you. Not every meeting will result in a deal or new sale. Don’t let yourself get discouraged or upset. This could harm your chances of meeting new clients.

If someone sees that you are gracious and polite, they may pass your name on to their friend or relative.

Hold Onto the Receipts

Make sure you hold onto everything from your parking stub to the receipt from dinner. Keep a spot in your wallet reserved for business receipts. You’ll have everything you need for your accountant.

If you’re looking for transportation in a new city, consider hiring someone. Learn more about the differences between a driver and a private chauffeur.

Now You Know More About Corporate Entertainment

We hope this guide on meeting with clients was helpful. When you have a corporate entertainment meeting, set your client at ease.

Don’t forget to save our site. This way, you won’t miss any of our helpful resources.

Business

What Can a Lead Generation Business Do for You?

What Can a Lead Generation Business Do for You?


What Can a Lead Generation Business Do for You?

Want to reach your customers and turn them into viable leads? By teaming up with a lead generation business, you can do just that! Without a well-developed marketing plan, however, you could miss out on possible leads.

90% of searchers haven’t made up their mind when they search online. With inbound strategies like search engine optimization (SEO), you can attract these searchers to your website. Then, you can turn these people into leads and possible sales!

Ready to grow your business and boost your brand with a lead generation company?

Here are eight ways a lead generation business can help!

1. Ramp Up Research

90% of the most successful content marketers prioritize their audience’s informational needs over promotional messaging.

The first step to a successful lead generation strategy is to know your customers. After all, they’re the ones you’re targeting. The better you know your customers, the more likely you can create content that will draw their attention. 

An experienced lead generation company can complete this research for you.

One of the first steps is to separate your customers into buyer personas. This can help you differentiate customers based on demographics, behaviors, and interests. Then, you can create content that better attracts different types of customers.

Keyword research is also key. Before creating content, you need to know what your customers are searching for online. Determining the keywords your customers are using to search can help you curate content for those searches.

You can use tools such as Semrush, Google Trends, and Google Keyword Planner to make a list of these keywords. 

Once you have that list, you can start creating content that appeals to your readers’ search intent. Knowing what your customers are searching for and why will help you become the resource they need!

2. Optimize Your Website for Conversions

In order to help you generate leads, you’ll need to update your website. Even if you attract people to your site, you won’t gather leads if visitors can’t complete specific actions.

A conversion-optimized site will persuade visitors to take those specific actions. For example, you might want visitors to complete a form. In other cases, you might want them to head straight to completing a purchase. 

Lead generation companies know the best strategies to help you gather these leads.

For example, you can improve the user experience (UX) on your website. Improving UX will encourage people to stay on your website and explore your content. Then, they’ll complete an easy-to-use form to become a lead!

3. Improve Customer Engagement

You’ll also want to improve your direct customer engagement.

Many companies are using indirect engagement strategies, such as FAQ pages. However, this doesn’t create a two-way mode of communication between you and website visitors. 

Direct communication, on the other hand, allows you to carry a conversation with site visitors. These methods can include forms, help centers, and live chat systems. With these methods, you’ll need to keep customer service representatives available to help your customers.

Improving customer engagement will show your customers you’re eager to help solve their problems. 

4. Use Inbound & Outbound Marketing Strategies

It’s important to combine your inbound and outbound marketing strategies to create a cohesive customer experience. Otherwise, people might feel disconnected when they interact with your business online versus seeing a billboard.

There are many inbound and outbound marketing methods you can choose from.

Inbound marketing helps potential customers find your business. These techniques are non-intrusive. Instead, you provide helpful information so leads can learn more about your business.

SEO is one of the most cost-effective inbound marketing strategies. To use SEO, you need thorough keyword research and an optimized website. Then, you can attract people to your site using high-quality content, such as blog posts, to help you build trust with your leads.

After reading your content, website visitors can contact you for more information or additional help.

Other inbound marketing methods include your website and social media platforms. 

Outbound marketing, on the other hand, involves a more targeted approach. You can use flyers, billboards, and other print materials to engage customers and draw them to your business. 

Teaming up with a lead generation business can help you determine the best strategies to reach your target audience. 

Like Santa, you can also enjoy these benefits of working with a lead generator like HubSpot to build your business.

5. Keep You Up-to-Date with Trends

Marketing trends change all the time. For example, more companies are optimizing their SEO content for voice searches. As more people purchase voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google, you’ll need to optimize for voice search, too. 

Blockchain, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality trends are changing inbound marketing strategies as well.

Working with lead generation companies can help you keep track of these trends.

Otherwise, you’ll fall behind the curve—and behind your competitors.

6. Create & Optimize Unique Content

Remember, content is key. In order to attract high-quality leads, you need to provide them with high-quality content. Your content can become a great source for attracting new people to your website.

Make sure your content appeals to your target audience.

You’ll also want to make sure your content is unique. Otherwise, what reason do people have to choose you instead of your competitors?

Mix it up! In addition to blog posts, you can also create videos, infographics, quizzes, and other forms of content to appeal to your readers.

7. Automate Your Marketing

Make your life a little easier by using automated marketing tools. These tools can unique your different lead generation tools—such as forms, emails, and more—so they all work together. As a result, you can save yourself time and optimize your overall marketing strategy.

8. Analyze & Optimize 

Finally, a lead generation company can take a look at your data. Then, they’ll determine what’s working and what’s not to improve your campaigns.

Otherwise, you could end up wasting time and money.

Connect with Customers: 8 Ways a Lead Generation Business Can Help

Ready to boost your brand? A lead generation business can help! Don’t miss out on viable leads.

Keep expanding your reach. Discover more inbound marketing tips in the Digital Marketing section of the blog.

Business

9 Ways to Expand My Construction Business Online

9 Ways to Expand My Construction Business Online


9 Ways to Expand My Construction Business Online

The number of worldwide internet users reached almost 3.9 billion in 2018.

With so many people online, asking yourself, “How can I expand my construction business online?” is a good place to start.

Marketing online helps you reach new potential customers you miss with traditional advertising methods. 

Online marketing is fast and cost-effective. You can customize your message to better reach your target audience. 

Keep reading for nine tips to expand your construction business online.

1. Develop a Professional Website

Consumers go online when they need products or services, and they look for websites to check out potential businesses. 

Having a quality website that’s easy to navigate shows that you’re a professional construction company and that you take your business seriously.

It also helps people decide if they want to use your services or look for someone else.

Hiring a web designer to create your website is a smart investment. Creating a professional website is time-consuming, especially if you don’t know anything about web design. A pro can get your website running quickly, so you can continue focusing on your business.

2. Use SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is important in helping potential clients find your website. Using good SEO helps you land closer to the top of search results. That increases your chances of getting traffic to your website.

Without strong SEO, potential customers have a more difficult time finding your website.

Keyword planner tools help you find keywords you can integrate naturally into your website content. Since you typically work with people in your area, include local keywords, such as Dallas construction companies or Fort Worth contractors.

A good layout with subheadings and short paragraphs also helps your SEO and readability. 

3. Write Educational Content

Writing blog posts or creating videos about construction topics is a good way to draw more traffic to your website. People searching for those topics may find your content online.

If they’re local, they may look into hiring you for work. Your content also shows that you know your stuff when it comes to construction. You build confidence in potential customers by establishing yourself as a construction authority.

Choose topics that your prospective clients might research. Examples include the cost of different projects, design ideas, how to do home repairs, and how to find contractors.

4. Promote on Social Media

Social media is another online avenue for attracting potential customers. Consumers spend a lot of time on various social media platforms. The average time spent daily on social media is 2 hours and 23 minutes.

Do your best to capture attention during that time by being active on social media. You don’t need to use all platforms. Find one that best works for you and your target audience.

If you’re targeting established professionals with plenty of money to spend, you don’t need to waste your time on SnapChat, where younger people normally spend more time. Facebook is likely a better platform.

If you want to show off professional-quality images of your work, Instagram may be a good option for you.

You don’t need to post non-stop, but you do need to post regularly to keep your company on the radar. If you’re inconsistent or rarely post, you’re not reminding your followers about your company.

5. Develop Your Brand

If you don’t have a solid brand yet, work on creating one. Your branding includes everything that creates your image, including visuals, the wording you use, and the experience your customers get.

When you have a solid brand image both online and in person, your company becomes more familiar to locals. They see your construction signs in the community, and they see similar branding online. You become more recognizable, which makes people want to check you out.

Having consistent branding boosts revenue by 23% on average. Color is an important part of branding, increasing recognition by 80%.

Think about the branding elements of your business, and make sure they’re consistent everywhere you present your company.

6. Use Online Directories

Submitting your information to online directories makes you visible to the consumers who search there for contractors. Look for construction-specific directories as well as general business directories.

Many trade organizations also post company directories on their websites. Check with the construction organizations you already belong to, or consider joining additional groups to get exposure through those websites.

Another option is a local business directory. Your city or other organizations in the area may have business listings on their sites. Make sure your company is listed there to get more local exposure.

7. Consider Paid Advertising

Paid online advertising can help you get your name in front of more prospective customers. You can buy ads on various social media platforms to promote those accounts and increase familiarity with those users.

You can also try pay-per-click (PPC) ads, which help you show up on search results near the top of the page. It can take time to rank high in searches organically. Paid ads help you get noticed faster.

8. Interact Online

Building rapport with potential customers happens over time through positive interactions with your company. Online marketing is an easy way to interact directly with customers in real time.

That’s especially true on social media platforms. Don’t just post and forget it. Look at the comments, shares, and likes, and interact with those people.

Answer questions you get online as fast as possible. This includes social media inquiries as well as emails and inquiries from forms on your website. Fast response times impress potential customers and may encourage them to hire your company.

9. Watch Your Online Reputation

Just like going online can help grow your business, the wrong kind of attention can hurt it. Unhappy customers can quickly ruin your name online if they post about their negative experiences.

You can limit that negative press by always providing the best service possible. People are happy to share positive experiences, so make sure you’re giving your customers those noteworthy encounters.

If something doesn’t go right with a customer, do what you can to make it right. Mistakes happen, but how you deal with them can make a difference in your reputation.

Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews for your company. Your Facebook page is a good place to do this. You can also post customer testimonials and reviews on your website.

If you notice someone leaving a bad review, look into the situation to see if it’s a valid complaint. Never argue with a reviewer online. You may be able to minimize the damage by responding to the negative review in a professional way.

Expand My Construction Business

When you’re wondering, “How can I expand my construction business?” going online is an affordable and effective way to do it. You can reach a wide range of local customers to build your name in the community. Check out the rest of our articles for more information on digital marketing to help grow your construction business.

Business

3 Different Types of Business Loans Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

3 Different Types of Business Loans Every Entrepreneur Needs to


3 Different Types of Business Loans Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

Were you aware that there are several types of business loans?

A loan can be a powerful tool for any business that wants to get ahead. A loan is when you borrow something (money, in most cases) and return it over time. Many people take out loans daily, whether it’s for school or personal use, and businesses can also take out loans.

Understanding your business loan options will help you figure out which one to go for because each type of loan typically has a purpose. For example, student loans are designed for school. The same concept applies to certain business loans.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about business loans.

SBA Loan

An SBA loan is a loan that comes from the Small Business Administration. SBA loans are great for both startup businesses and preexisting businesses looking to purchase major assets. There are several different SBA loan types, such as microloans, SBA 7(a) and CDC/504 loans. 

What makes getting an SBA loan beneficial to the business is the ability to get low-interest rates and long repayment terms. When you’re approved, you can expect to repay the loan over several years. Depending on how much you borrow, you could end up paying over a couple of decades.

Term Loan

A term loan is one of the most common small business loan types because it can be used for anything. You don’t need to provide the lender with collateral, and you can borrow up to $500k. The only downside to getting a term loan is that their repayment period is typically between 5 years.

Typical business term loans can also come with high-interest rates depending on how much you’re borrowing and who it’s from. However, they’re much easier to get than most loans because you could get approved within a few days. Providing that you have good credit, you won’t need to offer collateral.

Line of Credit

Most people are familiar with lines of credit because they use credit cards. A business line of credit is essentially a credit card for businesses that can be acquired with low credit ratings. With business credit, you can continuously borrow money providing that you pay back your debt.

For example, you can borrow $5000, pay that, then borrow $5000 again. This revolving debt allows anyone to kickstart their business. The repayment terms are much shorter than most business loans, usually maxing out at 1 year, but the terms will vary depending on your revenue and credit.

Decide Which Types of Business Loans Would Benefit You

A business can benefit from a loan in a variety of ways, but you must examine the various types of business loans and determine which one you should get. Depending on your revenue and how much you need to borrow, there will be a loan that’s better than the rest.

Anyone that’s looking to borrow several hundred thousand should go for an SBA loan whereas anyone that wants to buy small things for the business can get a line of credit. If you want to borrow money for a variety of things, you could benefit from getting a term loan.

Browse our articles to learn more about business-related topics.

Business

How to Build an Online Business: 5 Initial Steps

How to Build an Online Business: 5 Initial Steps


How to Build an Online Business: 5 Initial Steps

With hundreds of thousands of e-commerce retailers based in America, it’s obvious to see that online businesses are booming.

How do you get your piece of the pie? You have to learn how to build an online business successfully before you even get started.

There’s more to online business than getting started. You have to learn how to get customers to your website and figure out how to get them to buy from you over all of the other online businesses.

Read this article to learn what you need to know when you want to create a successful online business.

1. Figure Out What Problem You Can Solve

Don’t try to create a product for people that don’t know they have a problem. Instead of trying to find people for a product you make, make a product that solves problems people are already looking for solutions for.

Go through forums, look on social media and do keyword research to see what people are searching for.

2. Write Copy that Converts

Having compelling copy on your website is essential to online success. You have to be able to convince people to act with words on a digital screen and learning copywriting techniques that work to get people to act is a must.

If you aren’t good at copywriting, it is worth it to hire a copywriter to update your current website’s copy or to write copy for your new website.

Keep in mind that people have short attention spans when viewing online content. Don’t bore your readers, but instead, get them to act as quickly as possible.

3. Invest in Premium Web Design

If your website doesn’t look trustworthy, people aren’t going to be interested in buying from you. Investing in premium web design is a good use of your money since hundreds and even thousands of people are going to be visiting your website and deciding whether they want to do business with your company or not.

4. Position Yourself as an Authority

Your website is the perfect place to create content and position yourself as an authority in your industry. Build up your blog with helpful information so people can see that you know what you’re talking about and that you can help them.

5. Analyze Your Metrics and Improve

Whether you’re looking at one single metric or if you’re looking at multiple metrics, know what success looks like. If you don’t know what success looks like in terms of metrics, you’re likely to get off the path to success.

Now You Know How to Build an Online Business

Now that you know how to build an online business, you can get started on your success strategy. Keep in mind that while you might create an initial plan, be ready to morph with the changes online.

Do you need more help with building your online business? Continue browsing our blog and read one of our other online business-related articles for more great tips.

Business

How to Grow Your Business With Targeted Email Marketing

How to Grow Your Business With Targeted Email Marketing


How to Grow Your Business With Targeted Email Marketing

Do you regularly send out emails to your list only to hear crickets? That’s not unusual to hear. People are bombarded with email marketing messages every single day.

An office worker can get up to 120 emails a day. How can you make yours even get noticed? You can use targeted email marketing.

Read on to find out what targeted email marketing is, why you should use it, and how to jump-start your email campaigns.

What is Targeted Email Marketing?

Targeted email marketing is a way to segment your email list, which allows you to deliver personalized content to your customers.

One reason why your emails are missing the mark is that you’re probably sending out one newsletter to your entire list, assuming that everyone in your audience will be interested.

You’re treating everyone like they’re all at the same place at the same time. The reality is much different. They are at different points along their customer journey.

It’s like sending an email to your entire audience telling them about your product that they need to buy. About a third of your list already bought that particular product.

That is something that they feel that you should know and you might lose a little credibility with them by sending that email out to them.

Benefits of Targeted Emails

It may seem like a lot of effort to create segments out of your list. It is a little more work, but the reward is worthwhile. Here are some of the reasons why you want to have targeted email campaigns.

People Love Personalization

Your customers don’t want to feel like their everyone else or like a number. They want to be special and like they matter.

Personalized content can help businesses increase sales, whether you’re a B2B firm or you have a consumer package goods company.

Personalization doesn’t mean adding a person’s name in the subject heading. That can feel a little inauthentic. People would rather have discounts and offers that are just for them.  

Higher Open Rates

How many people open your emails? Of course, there are a number of factors that you have to consider when you compare email open rates.

One thing that’s not disputable is that email opens are higher when you target your marketing campaigns. Reebok is a great example of a brand that saw massive success from using a highly targeted campaign.

Higher Conversion Rates

The purpose of email marketing is to get your list to convert into customers or to encourage them to buy again.

Not only can targeted emails increase open rates, but they increase your conversion rates, too. Customers are more likely to buy when they have timely and relevant offers in front of them.

Examples of Targeted Emails

You have probably seen a lot of targeted emails. Have you ever put items in a shopping cart only to have to leave the website? Did you get an email reminding you to complete your purchase?

That’s an example of targeted email marketing.

Another example is when you sign up for someone’s list and they put you into an automated email funnel. You open up a couple of the emails and based on those opens or link clicks in the emails, you get a product offer.

You can segment your list based on the offer that convinced them to subscribe, when they subscribed, or their location.

For subscribers that haven’t interacted with your emails in a while can be sent a re-engagement email. You can ask them if they still want emails from you.

It seems counterintuitive to do that because you can lose subscribers. If they’re not engaging with your content, they’re not likely to buy from you anyway. You might as well keep the good brand perception and give them an out.

How to Create a Targeted Email Campaign

How can you apply targeting to your email marketing? Here are the steps you need to take to set up a targeted email campaign.

Scrub Your List

When was the last time you sent an email to your list? If it’s been a while, you want to reach out to them to ask if they still want emails.

If you don’t have an email list yet, you’ll want to start building one right away. Make sure that you have signups on your website. You can also use a database of your old prospects and current customers.

You don’t want to assume that it’s ok to add them to your list. You want to give them the option to sign up and ask for their permission.

Create Your Segments

There are countless ways to segment your list. For example, if your company is targeting PDM professionals, you can target by location.

If you’re a clothing retailer, you may want to create targeted emails by gender. How can you get that information? You will need to collect that customer data either on your signup forms./

Create Content for Each Segmented Audience

This is the fun part. You need to create content for each audience. This may seem like extra work, but it’s worth it.

How can you create relevant content for each segment? It depends on how you segment your audience. If you segmented by gender, you can showcase products on sales that are for men and for women.

A shopping cart reminder is a simple email reminder to return to your site and finish the purchase. Think about each segment and what’s important to them. That will help you develop content that’s relevant and will get results.

Make Targeted Email Campaigns Work for You

Targeted email marketing campaigns are a great way to get more bang out of your email marketing efforts. Personalized content can go a long way to create loyal customers and increase sales.

There are many ways to segment your email list. You want to find the ways that will allow you to send the most relevant content to your list.

Do you want to know more about writing great content? Check out this site often for more articles that show you how to create a content strategy. 

Business

Starting a Publishing Business? Here Are 7 Tips for Success

Starting a Publishing Business? Here Are 7 Tips for Success


Starting a Publishing Business? Here Are 7 Tips for Success

In 2017, it was estimated that the revenue in the U.S. for the publishing industry was $26.2 billion. 

The publishing industry just keeps growing, so if you wanted to get into the industry, now is the time. 

However, starting a publishing company has never been so easy. Discover the best tips for starting a publishing company.

1. Know Why You Want to Publish

First off, you should decide why you even want to get into publishing in the first place. 

It takes a lot of work to start a publishing company, so you need to make sure you really want to commit all that time and money into it. 

You may have gotten into publishing by writing and self-publishing some of your own work. It could be a great way to offer the same opportunities to others who may want to publish and share their work. 

You should also figure out what types of books you want to publish. Do you want to publish nonfiction? Poetry? Self-help books? Young adult? Narrowing down the type of books you want to publish will help you sell books to your audience and also get submissions from authors. 

2. Set a Budget

Once you’ve really decided on starting your own publishing company, you should set a budget.

As we said, it can be really expensive to be an independent publisher. 

You will have to pay for things like designing, editing, and printing books. You will also have to pay for shipping and marketing. Another cost added to that is having to buy ISBNs for all the books you plan to publish. 

However, while you are spending money on all of this, you should also be figuring out how you can sell books so that you can earn all your money back. 

Before you can start selling all these books, you may need to put some of the money upfront. That is why it’s important to make a budget; you don’t want to overspend and be bankrupt before you can sell your first set of books. 

3. Consider Printing on Demand

Once you’ve set a budget, you should also figure out how you are going to distribute the books that you do publish. Publishers normally print several hundred copies of a book and hope that all of them sell.

However, with printing on demand, you can order the number of copies that you know will sell. That way you don’t have to store unsold copies anywhere and you save money by printing exactly how many books you need.

4. Put Quality Ahead of Quantity

When it comes to publishing books, you want to make sure that you’re publishing ones that have quality. It is better to have high-quality books rather than a lot of bad books. 

With digital publishing, poorly written content is even more available. 

When publishing books, you want to make sure that you are giving your audience the very best that is out there. This will really help your publishing company succeed because your audience will appreciate the quality. 

5. Start Marketing Your Books

Once you have printed a few copies of a book, you should make sure that you have a plan to market them. If no one knows about the books that you’re about to sell, chances are that they won’t end up buying them. 

Regardless of whether they’re books that you wrote or someone else wrote, you need to make sure that you do some marketing. If your company is small, you could do this on your own, but in the long run, you probably want to hire a marketing expert.

A marketing specialist will know just how to create ads and how to get them to your target audience. 

Marketing doesn’t have to cost that much though. Many readers are active on social media, so you can start by publishing your book on there.

There are all different types of advertising options that you could use to help promote your books. 

6. Network

Another tip that will help your publishing company is to make sure that you network.

Having connections and contact is never a bad thing, and you never know when you might need someone to help. 

You should have all kinds of contacts in your back pocket. This could be someone who specializes in marketing, authors, editors, and even people who work at competing publishing companies.

Seeing how other publishing companies run and operate can be a really helpful way to expand your company. For example, you could check out this printing service. 

7. Follow Your Passion

The last piece of advice is to follow your passion.

If you really love the world of publishing, just go for it. If owning and running a publishing company is a passion of yours, the rest of the logistics will work out. As long as you have a passion for it, then it may not feel so much like a chore. 

In fact, you may even be excited about it.

You could have a passion for finding good books from authors and connecting them with readers around the world. You could want an outlet to publish your own books as well. 

This enthusiasm will help you get over a lot of obstacles in the process of starting the company. 

Learn More About Starting a Publishing Company 

Starting a publishing company can have its challenges, but as we said, if you’re passionate about it, it will work out in the end.

If this is your dream, make sure that you don’t give up.

To help you with any challenges that might arise, make sure that you check out some of our other articles about publishing!

Business

How to Start a Successful Janitorial Business in 2019

How to Start a Successful Janitorial Business in 2019


How to Start a Successful Janitorial Business in 2019

Does the mere sight of dust get your blood boiling? Do you enjoy getting floors so clean that people could literally eat off of them? Have you considered getting the words “Cleanliness is next to godliness” tattooed on your body at some point?

If you answered “yes” to one or, better yet, all of these questions, you would be the perfect person to start a janitorial business. There are tons of office buildings, schools, retail stores, and other commercial establishments that would love to have you come and clean for them.

The janitorial services industry can be very competitive, though. There are more than 800,000 companies providing janitorial services at this time—and that number has continued to grow over the course of the last five years.

Here are six steps you can take to get your janitorial business off to a strong start.

Come Up With a Name and Logo for Your Business

Technically, you can create a name and logo for your janitorial business at any point during this process. You don’t have to hurry to come up with the perfect name and logo right away.

But until you have a name and logo in place, your business isn’t going to feel real to you.  So it’s a good idea to brainstorm some ideas and generate a name and logo as soon as you can.

Your name should be something that people will remember once they hear it. It should set the tone for your business and make your company stand out in the crowd.

Your logo, meanwhile, should look very professional so that you can use it to build up your company’s brand recognition. Work with a graphic designer in your area to come up with a great logo that represents your company well.

Find the Funding You’ll Need to Get Your Business Off the Ground

If you’re planning on starting small when you first launch your janitorial business, you won’t need too much funding to get things going. But you will need to find some funding to jumpstart your company.

You’re going to need to have money to pay for things like:

  • Registering your business
  • Obtaining the right business insurance policy
  • Purchasing cleaning equipment and supplies (more on this in a minute!)
  • Hiring people to work for you
  • Launching advertising campaigns in your community

You can fund your janitorial operation by digging into your own savings account. You can also work with a lender willing to provide you with the money you need in the form of a loan. You can even ask family members and friends to consider investing in your business.

Decide Which Janitorial Services You’ll Offer to Customers

Which janitorial services are you going to offer to your customers once your business is up and running? The more services you can provide, the more likely they are to call on you to take care of all their cleaning needs.

Sit down and assemble a list of services that you’re going to extend to your customers. Your company should be capable of doing things like:

  • Vacuuming carpeted floors
  • Cleaning and polishing other types of flooring
  • Washing windows
  • Cleaning and sanitizing bathrooms
  • Performing trash removal

When you’re done compiling your list, there should be dozens of services on it. Check out what your potential competitors are offering and try to go above and beyond their services to set your business apart.

Purchase the Right Cleaning Equipment and Supplies

In order to clean commercial establishments in your community, you’re going to need all kinds of cleaning equipment and supplies. From vacuum cleaners and mops to window cleaners and sponges, you’ll need to spend at least a few thousand dollars on equipment and supplies.

You might also want to take your janitorial business to the next level by investing in CleanTelligent software. It’ll help you keep tabs on the services you’re providing for your customers and allow your company to stay more organized.

Set Up a Website That Lists Your Services and Prices

Can you believe that up to 40% of small businesses are operating without a website right now? That’s insane when you consider how important a website is when it comes to marketing a business to the masses.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking your janitorial business doesn’t need a website. Set one up as soon as you can so that you can list all of your services on it and provide your customers with prices for them.

Make sure your website has a contact page, too, so that it’s easy for customers to get in touch with you about obtaining your services.

Begin Marketing Your Services to Those in Your Community

You can come up with an amazing name for your janitorial business, offer an extensive list of janitorial services, and provide people with the best prices in town. But if they don’t have any idea that your business even exists, what good will all of that do?

Marketing your business is of the utmost importance. You can market your business to those in your community by:

  • Running ads in local newspapers and on local radio and TV stations
  • Setting up social media accounts and connecting with as many local businesses as you can
  • Sponsoring different events in your city or town

By marketing your business, you’ll be able to get your name and your logo out there into the world. It’ll lead to more people reaching out to you about obtaining your services.

Start a Successful Janitorial Business Today

As we mentioned earlier, there are already hundreds of thousands of janitorial companies throughout the country. But there is always room for one more.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a janitorial business for a while now, follow the steps listed here to kickstart your operation. Within just a few months, you can have your business humming along and providing great cleaning services to those in your community.

Looking to learn more about starting a small business? Browse through the rest of our blog to get more great advice on doing it.

Business

10 Local Business Advertising Tips to Increase Revenue for Your Small Business

10 Local Business Advertising Tips to Increase Revenue for Your


10 Local Business Advertising Tips to Increase Revenue for Your Small Business

There’s a big difference when you’re trying to market a local business and a national business. It’s not like you have a social media video go viral in Canada and you have a ton of customers.

Getting a social media post to go viral is great, except that you’re not reaching your target audience. That’s the people who live in your service area who have a very specific problem.

How can you use local business advertising to boost your visibility and sales? Keep reading to find out.

1. Fill Out Local Directory Listings

The first thing that local businesses need to do is to fill out your local directory listings on Google and Bing. This is the first step in reaching people who are looking for your services online will use a search engine.

If you don’t have a directory listing filled out, search engines will have no idea that you serve that area. When you do fill out the listing, make sure that it’s complete and you have high-quality pictures that make people want to know more about your business.

2. Understand Your Audience

Local business advertising comes down to reaching the right person with the right message at the right time. It sounds easy, but so many businesses get this wrong because they don’t truly understand their customers.

You might be a plumber who wants to attract anyone in a 30-mile radius who needs plumbing services. Who are these people? Are they DIY people? Are they the type that will just throw money at a problem? What is the emotional issue underneath?

This is how you understand your audience. The more you truly understand them, the better equipped you are to create marketing messages that show that you relate to them and their problems.

3. Leverage “Near Me” Searches

People will search for restaurants, products, and services on their phone. They want something, they want it now, and they want to find a solution nearby.

They’ll use the term “near me” in the searches. For example, Italian restaurants near me, auto repair near me, and bicycle store near me are all local searches.

You want to make sure that your business is positioned to capture these searches. That’s one reason why directory listings are so important. You tell search engines where you’re located and the search engines will list your business as long as it’s near the person searching.

4. Work With Local Influencers

Who are the influencers in your local community?

Those are the people that you want to know. They don’t need to be YouTube or Instagram stars. They just need to be influential in their network.

They could be board members of big organizations or they could be people who have a wide reach. You want to connect with them and build relationships with them. After a while, ask them to spread the word about your company.

5. Get Out in the Community

Being visible in your local community is a great way to build your brand and generate your business. You can become a member of your local chamber of commerce.

You can also sponsor local events like a 5K or have a booth at a trade show. Attending industry networking events is another great way to get out in the community.

Make it a habit to follow up with people you meet with handwritten notes after the event. No one does this anymore and these types of notes have become a lost art. This personal touch will make a huge impression with potential prospects.

You can use rubber stamps to save time writing your return address and signature over and over again. Check out this page for more information.

6. Be a Content Producing Machine

When Google produces search results for users, it tends to weight businesses that are near the searcher near the top of search results.

Having a blog on your website will get your business in front of prospects early on in the buying process. That give you time to show off your expertise and build trust with prospects before they’re ready to buy. When they are ready to make a purchase, your business will be front and center.

7. Get to Know the Local Press

In order to get your business name out in the community, you need a little help from the local media. It helps to establish relationships with news editors and business beat writers well before you issue your first press release.

8. Use Pay Per Click Ads

When you have your messaging down and you know your audience responds well to it, put gasoline on the fire.

You can use pay per click ads to generate more web traffic to your site and more business. This will supercharge your local business advertising efforts and take your business to the next level.

9. Get More Reviews

One of the factors that is used to determine if you’ll rank well in search engines is reviews. It’s also a big influencing factor for potential customers.

You want to make sure that you follow up with your customers and encourage them to leave positive reviews of their experience with your business.

10. Collect Leads Everywhere You Go

The more often you can get your local business in front of your customers and potential customers, the better. You’ll want to make sure that you use your website as a lead generation tool to encourage site visitors to sign up to your newsletter.

You’ll be able to connect with them with specials, events, and general information about your business.

Local Business Advertising Tips to Grow Your Business

Not all of the marketing trends and buzzwords apply to your business. As a local business, you require a different kind of visibility.

These local business advertising tips are geared to helping you reach the right people in your local service area. There are countless ways to reach them. You want to make sure that you use digital marketing and offline marketing strategies for the biggest impact.

Do you want more great marketing tips? Check out this blog regularly for articles about digital marketing and writing better content.