How to Welcome Clients and Visitors to Your Business

Clients

First impressions matter. This statement is true for individuals as well as businesses. When customers or clients first interact with your business, they form an opinion of your company based on their experience.

It is this opinion that will determine whether they will want to continue doing business with you or not. This is why ensuring that your business gives off the right impression from the beginning is essential.

One of the most important ways to do this is by learning how to correctly welcome clients and visitors to your business. By giving them a warm and positive experience from the start, you’ll increase the chances of them doing business with you again.

So, how can you ensure that you’re welcoming your clients and visitors correctly? Here are a few tips:

1. Have a Secure But Intuitive Entry System for Your Clients

Your entry system is the first thing your clients and visitors will see when they arrive at your business. This could be anything from a physical security system to a digital one.

What’s important is that your entry system is secure but also easy to use. If it’s too complicated, your visitors will likely get frustrated and may not want to come back.

You want your entry system to give the impression that you’re a professional and reliable business. But, you also don’t want it to be so complicated that it drives away potential customers. Investing in intercom and telephone entry systems as a property access solution is a great way to achieve this balance. The technology is secure and will give off a professional image, but it’s also user-friendly, so your visitors won’t have trouble using it.

2. Have a Welcoming Reception Area

Your reception area is one of the most critical parts of your business. This is because it’s usually the first area visitors will see when they come in.

Ensure that your reception area is clean, organized, and welcoming. It should be spacious enough, so people don’t feel cramped and have comfortable seating.

Create a clear path to the reception area so visitors don’t have to go through a maze to get there. If possible, you should also have a separate reception area entrance.

You can further enhance your reception area by adding some personal touches. This could be anything from photos of your team to magazines and books that your visitors can read while they wait.

3. Reduce the Waiting Times

Clients

There are times when your office has so much that you can’t avoid making your visitors wait. However, you should try to minimize the waiting times as much as possible.

One way to do this is by having a separate waiting area for your visitors. This way, they won’t have to wait in the reception area where everyone can see them.

Another way to reduce waiting times is by investing in appointment scheduling software and self-service portals. This software allows you to schedule appointments with your clients and visitors so that they don’t have to wait for a long period.

4. Offer Refreshments to Your Clients

When your visitors have to wait, you do not want them to leave your office feeling thirsty or hungry. This is why you should always offer refreshments to your visitors, especially if they have to wait more than 15 minutes.

You can keep a selection of drinks in the fridge, such as water, soft drinks, and coffee. You can also have some snacks available, such as biscuits or fruit.

Also have something to keep them occupied, such as magazines or a TV. This way, they won’t get bored while they wait.

However, remember that their patience will likely run out at some point. This is why it’s essential to plan what you’re going to do if they have to wait for more than an hour.

You might want to offer them a voucher for a free drink or meal, or you could give them a discount on their next purchase.

5. Invest in Good Customer Service

Your customer service is one of the essential parts of your business, and offering good customer service will see your business grow. This is because it’s the first point of contact that your customers will have with your company. Your customer service must be of the highest quality so that you can create a good impression on your potential clients.

There are a few ways to do this, such as investing in customer service training for your team. You can also collect customer feedback to improve your customer service.

In addition, you should make sure that your customer service team is always available. This means having someone on call 24/7, so your customers can always get help when needed.

6. Keep Your Office Clean and Tidy for Your Clients

Your office is a reflection of your business. This is why it’s essential to keep it clean and tidy.

A clean and tidy office shows that you’re professional and care about your business. It also makes a good impression on your visitors and clients.

There are a few ways to keep your office clean, such as hiring a cleaning company, investing in some office plants, and having a clear-desk policy.

You should also have an office that is well-lit and has enough ventilation. This will create a more pleasant working environment for your team and make your office more inviting for visitors.

Generally, making your office more visitor-friendly can be a great way to improve your business. By following the tips above, your visitors will have a positive experience when they come to your office. This creates a good impression of your company and could lead to more business in the future.

small business coach

6 Best Digital Business Cards in 2023

In this age of digitalization, it is a breach of etiquette not to have business cards. Business cards are simple to share, portable, and inexpensive. So, there is no reason not to have them, and networking without them is a mistake. Digital business cards have grown in popularity. 

That said, business cards might feel outdated in a world where even home appliances are connected and digital. What if you can turn your traditional business card into a robust digital platform with a plethora of (awesome) features? As per the Market Research Future, the e-business card market is expected to reach $242.3 million by the end of 2027, growing at an 11.2% CAGR. Now, that sounds interesting, isn’t it?

So, digital business cards are indeed popular. And in this article, you’ll find exactly why it is in total demand in the present day. Furthermore, we will look at some of the best digital business cards in 2023, so your digital transformation experience is a hassle-free one.

So, What are Digital Business Cards and How Do They Work?

As you are aware, print has always had limitations in terms of the number of details it can contain. Traditional business cards are used to network and leave your contact information to connect later.

Well, digital business cards largely fulfill the same function. Today, most of the population is on so many digital platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) that sharing all that information at once may be daunting. This is where digital business cards come into play.

A digital business card, also known as an e-business card, is simply the digital version of your traditional business card. It is a means to share and save contact information quickly and in real time. The information embedded in the digital business card can include:

  • Your contact number.
  • Email ID.
  • Social media handles.
  • Other custom information.

The most preferred way of sharing a digital business card is through a QR Code. However, they are also shared through URLs, NFCs, and email signatures. Prospects can simply scan the QR Code or click on the URL to save information on their phone quickly. Most digital business cards require an app to share information with the recipient, but there are exceptions. 

Benefits of Digital Business Cards in The Digital Era

digital-business-cards

Undoubtedly, e-business cards are one of the most efficient tools to convey details in face-to-face interactions. You meet a prospect, and within five seconds, the individual gets every detail they need to contact you with the tap of their smartphone. That is the power of digital business cards, which is why they remain an important marketing and sales tool.

With the increasing competition amongst different markets, staying on top of the crowd is imperative. Therefore, a digital transformation is an absolute need for businesses and professionals, and mobile business cards aid in that. If you are still unsure, here are some benefits of digital business cards that can make the change:

  • Quick and Easy Sharing of Information

Certain businesses continue to use traditional business cards as they are an easy way of communicating business essentials to others, such as contact information, designation, and even company logo, that helps improve brand awareness and identity. But how much information can a piece of paper hold?

Digital business cards, on the other hand, can contain all essential data and more that you would like to share with your colleagues or potential customers. A business card with QR Code lets people scan and receive all the information about your business on their phone instantly. The best part is that digital business card info can be shared and saved without downloading any app in most cases. The receiver will not ‘lose’ your contact information due to wear and tear, as it is in the case of traditional business cards.

  • Track Leads & Engagement

Marketing professionals understand the importance of gaining new clients and eventually increasing the bottom line. However, with a traditional business card, its almost impossible to track the leads coming from handing them out, and hence the impact made by them goes in vain.

On the flip side, digital business cards with QR codes let you track leads easily. Most electronic business cards allow you to view data and usage in real-time. You can easily track if the receiver engaged with your business and can even retarget or remarket to those clients on Facebook or Google.

  • Receive More Follow-ups & Connections

Never before has time been more valuable (and scarce?) as it is today. Traditional business cards require the receiver to save the information into their phone or computer manually. Moreover, long email IDs and other URLs make the card look cluttered and unprofessional. 

A QR Code business card, for example, will present your business information such as name, designation, contact number, email ID, website or portfolio link, and other details in the most presentable manner. All the receiver has to do is simply click on the website link or email ID to be automatically redirected to the page. 

When the process of getting in touch with you is as easy as it is with digital business cards, you are bound to get more connections and follow-ups.

  • Shift From Paper to Digital

We live in an environmentally conscious world where every product we use has a positive or negative impact on both the people and the environment.

Traditional business cards are made of paper, right? Even though paper is one of the easier materials that can be recycled, it is rather easy said than done. Paper-based business cards require mass-printing with no scope to update the information without reprinting. This results in an immense amount of paper waste. E-business cards are eco-friendly alternatives modern businesses can adopt. You can update your business information whenever you want without having to redo the entire thing, saving both money and paper. 

How to Choose the Best Digital Business Card Maker?

digital-business-cards

With the advancement of technology and the increase in demand for digital solutions, the number of e-business card makers has grown substantially in the last decade. Choosing the best digital business card solution out there requires a thorough understanding of the features you want your mobile business card to have. Once that is done, creating a digital business card is easy, but with the right digital business card solution.

So here are 6 things to consider when you are on the lookout for a digital business card maker:

  • Usability

The first thing you should definitely think about is whether the solution is easy to use and intuitive. Is the UI aesthetically pleasing? Is there a severe and time-consuming learning curve involved?

Usability has a direct influence on your user experience, and it is always a great idea to first gain a sense of a platform’s usefulness before pulling out your cash. You can do this by signing up for a free trial on your preferred platform. 

  • Security

When it comes to cloud-based services, many firms, irrespective of size, prioritize security. Anything that occurs online is susceptible to security risks. Your e-business card contains necessary personal data, and when your clients engage with your digital business card, it means they trust you and your business. Hence, security should not be overlooked. Look for a digital business card solution that is GDPR and SOC-2 Type 2 compliant with data encryption and SSO authentication to ensure maximum data safety. 

  • User Interface and Design

A reliable digital business card platform may perform well in terms of usability. But how can you make your digital business card stand out? A well-designed business card can convey your brand message in the best manner. Choose a digital business card solution that offers clean and intuitive design options and lets you include all essential information, including your brand icon or logo. A good UI can guarantee a good user experience. 

  • Tracking and Analytics

The purpose of a good design is to help you look professional and authoritative, attracting the correct audience. But how do you track the results of a good UI?

All best digital business cards include extensive tracking capabilities and analytics, allowing you to collect and view data on critical parameters such as user demographics, views, etc. 

  • Ease of Sharing

Digital business cards are intended to be shared. But, does your selected platform enable you to share your card through numerous channels?

All solutions provide you with an e-business card link, and if you opt for a QR Code business card, you can simply share it on social media or through messages, emails, and other digital communication channels. 

You can even incorporate QR codes or NFCs (Near-Field Communication) with your print media for short-range sharing.

  • Bulk Creation

Businesses with large teams will need to produce digital business cards in bulk. Choose a solution that offers easy bulk creation features that lets you seamlessly automate the process. 

6 Best Digital Business Card Solutions of 2023

Many reliable digital business card makers provide free and paid solutions. But here’s our list of the 6 best solutions to create a digital business card:

  • Uniqode

Uniqode’s user-friendly interface and fortified security make it the best and easiest choice for creating a digital business card. They offer enterprise-ready digital business cards with QR Codes and support 4000+ integrations.

You can create a digital business card with an array of fields on your information page, such as contact, address, website, business logo, social media links, etc. Furthermore, you can benefit from in-depth analytics on card usage and tap into critical data on user behavior, demographics, and more.

Pros:

  • Easy to use and intuitive interface.
  • Google Analytics integration.
  • SOC-2 Type 2 and GDPR compliant.
  • Automated bulk digital business card creation.
  • Pre-made and custom template options.

Cons:

  • Only offers QR Code-based digital business cards.

Pricing:

  • Free trial period available for 14-days. After that, the price starts at $5/month for the Starter plan.

 

  • CamCard

Also a cloud-based solution, CamCard is a professional business card reader that lets you convert your existing traditional business cards into simple-to-share mobile business cards. You can easily manage your saved cards, add reminders, tags, and extra notes, and share them with clients at events, seminars, and more. CamCard’s interface is extremely easy to use, hence ideal for even inexperienced users.

Pros:

  • Ideal for all sizes of businesses.
  • Data storage management.
  • Contact management
  • Customizable fields to include information of your choice.

Cons:

  • No free trial, and it is more expensive compared to other digital business card solutions.

Pricing:

  • Pricing starts at $15/month. 

 

  • HiHello

Yet another popular digital business card that offers numerous features and an easy-to-use dashboard is HiHello.

With HiHello, you can be as creative as you want and make beautiful electronic business cards with your contact details, social media links, and more. You can share your digital business cards via QR code, email, and text. You can even mask your phone number and use a HiHello number while sharing the e-business card via text.

Pros:

  • Tons of templates to make designing effortless.
  • Easy to use interface.
  • Affordable plans.
  • Multiple channels for sharing.

Cons:

  • Only basic analytics are available with paid plans. 
  • Limited security features.
  • Bulk card creation is available only in paid plans.

Pricing:

  • Free plan available with restricted features. Professional plan starts at $6/month. 

digital-business-cards

 

  • Know.ee

Know.ee’s digital business card solution has an easy-to-use interface with zero learning curve. With custom templates and multiple design options, know.ee lets you add videos to your business cards to create the best first impression among your clients.

The solution offers limited analytics and tracking capabilities and shows the number of clicks, views, and engaged users.

Pros:

  • CRM integration. 
  • SSO login and URL masking.
  • Customizable fields.
  • Extensive design capabilities with branding tools.

Cons:

  • Bulk creation of business cards is only available with the Enterprise Plan. 
  • Limited security features.

Pricing:

  • Free plan available for individual users with limited features. Paid plans are charged on a per-user basis at $2/month.

 

  • Inigo

It is a cloud-powered digital business card solution meant for both companies and solopreneurs. Inigo’s free version permits you to create unlimited business cards with restricted features and functionalities.

One of the most significant advantages is that you can handle all of your designs and cards from a single dashboard. The solution also offers team performance monitoring, and CRM integrations, making it a terrific tool for marketing and sales teams.

Pros:

  • Integrates with various CRMs and social media platforms.
  • Customizable templates.
  • Real-time tracking and analytics.
  • Lead tracking and management.

Cons:

  • Inigo’s digital business card solution is not very user-friendly and may seem complicated to use at first. 

Pricing:

  • Free version available. Paid plan starts at $5.49/month for the Premium plan.

 

  • Haystack

This digital business card solution focuses on “making a great first impression,” and it does by letting users create custom digital business cards. With good analytics, design, customization options, and integrations, Haystack is an ideal choice for first-time users.

In your digital business card from Haystack, you can include email and call buttons, links to the website and social media platforms, and other information you want to share. 

Pros:

  • Integration with apps such as HubSpot and Zapier.
  • Customizable fields.
  • Key analytics, including insights into user engagement.

Cons:

  • Limited tracking capabilities.
  • Price is on the expensive side – hence not suitable for small businesses.

Pricing:

  • The free plan is available for individual users with limited features. Paid plan starts at $7.95/month with an extra $3/user. 

To Sum it Up on Digital Business Cards

More and more businesses are making the shift to digital business cards now. It means that an increasing number of employees are utilizing these applications to share information with one another quickly.

Digital business cards are the easiest and smartest way to share details. Incorporating a QR code on business cards has made it more convenient and powerful for businesses. It puts forward a variety of amazing functionalities, transforming your paper business card into an out-and-out robust digital platform. So why wait?

small business coach

Reasons why E-Commerce Owners Should Invest in Cybersecurity

e-Commerce

E-commerce has been exploding in popularity and continues to grow as a preferred shopping choice for consumers as well as small businesses. In fact, e-Commerce sales are projected to reach 7.4 trillion dollars by 2025.

However, this growing popularity comes with associated risks. E-Commerce is an appealing target for hackers for a number of reasons, including the significant amount of sensitive information that is transmitted during transactions and the potential for monetary gain from targeting individual accounts. This has led to an increase in cybersecurity awareness by up to 97% in the past year.

Hackers will continue to target e-Commerce sites until businesses take necessary precautions to protect their data and users. You need to understand how cybercriminals can attack your business so you can take actionable steps to defend against them before it’s too late.

Why e-Commerce is a target for hackers

Large enterprises and e-Commerce businesses are frequent targets for cybercriminals because they store large amounts of sensitive data. This information can include credit card information, addresses, phone numbers, usernames, passwords, banking information, and other valuable data that can be used for malicious purposes. 

E-Commerce sites are also attractive targets because they are often built on older technologies that have not been upgraded to keep up with current security standards. In fact, e-Commerce sites tend to have more vulnerabilities than websites built for other purposes.

These vulnerabilities can be exploited to make unsecured web traffic even riskier. E-Commerce businesses are also attractive targets because they generate a significant amount of revenue, which can be a motivating factor for hackers looking to make a quick profit.

Hackers may be able to steal thousands of dollars in a single day or less by targeting thousands of accounts and completing one-click purchases. An e-Commerce business could also be at risk because a hacker may be looking to settle a score with one of their customers. Unfortunately with all this happening only 10% of businesses have a high budget for cybersecurity despite the looming threat.

Steps to protect your e-Commerce business

e-Commerce

Start by implementing a robust cybersecurity strategy and reviewing your current network security setup. Make sure that your network is equipped with security alerts and automated protections against malicious activity, like firewalls and other network security tools.

As part of your cybersecurity strategy, you should also perform regular system maintenance to make sure your network is running efficiently and without any issues that could compromise network security.

Once your network is up to date and running smoothly, you can turn your attention to website security. Because website security can vary based on the type of website you run, you should put together a cybersecurity plan that covers all of your bases.

To start, you should understand the different types of attacks that are most common in e-Commerce businesses. This will help you create a cybersecurity strategy based on the specific types of attacks that could affect your business. So, without further ado, here are reasons to invest in cyber security.

  • To protect sensitive data from hackers

Put in place a data privacy policy to identify which data you collect from your customers’ devices such as mobile phones and why you need that data. You should also outline how you will store and protect that data to keep it safe from malicious hackers.

It is important to know how to protect data that is shared from your clients. With more than 90% of the internet population using mobile devices to access the internet, it means that hackers are likely to target mobile users.

To be able to protect your customers from being hacked you need to have an effective mobile app security tool in place. You can read more here about mobile app security tools and protect your mobile device users from preying hackers.

You implement data encryption to protect sensitive data in transit. This means that any data being sent between two points (like your website and a customer’s computer) is scrambled so it cannot be read or altered in transit. 

  • To have safe credit card transactions

All e-commerce financial transactions happen through the use of credit cards. As an e-Commerce owner, you need to have safe credit card transactions so that you can sell your products with confidence.

If you want to create an e-Commerce website, make sure that the information about your customers is stored securely and in a secure environment. Make sure that your customer’s credit card details are encrypted and stored in a secure manner or use a secure financial partner.

Using trusted financial platforms such as Juni ensures that your customers credit card details are secured. If you are wondering how to become a Juni credit card affiliate you can have a look at their affiliate program. 

  • To have safer stronger password security

One of the most common and effective attacks on e-Commerce sites is password-related hacks. This can include brute force attacks, where malicious software attempts to guess passwords, or malicious software designed specifically to steal passwords.

To protect your passwords, you should start by following these basic rules: 

  • Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters in your passwords (like #, $, & %) 
  • Avoid using the same password for all your log-in accounts
  • Use a password manager to store all your passwords in one place.

  • Use SSL protection

An SSL certificate protects your website from malicious hackers trying to steal sensitive data like credit card information, login details, and other private information. Using SSL certificates prevents man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise sensitive data.

This type of attack occurs when malicious software is installed on computers and acts as a middleman between your website and customers. This software is installed by hackers who want to redirect traffic to a different website and steal sensitive information in the process.

While SSL protection isn’t a foolproof solution, it will help to minimize these types of attacks. SSL certificates are widely used in e-Commerce businesses and are fairly inexpensive.

  • Utilize 2-step verification

If you’re storing sensitive data or logging a significant amount of traffic through your website, you should consider enabling two-step verification (also known as two-factor authentication or 2FA).

With 2FA, you’ll be prompted to enter a special code after you enter your login information. 2FA is a helpful tool that is especially useful if you’re managing multiple accounts. This can help to prevent malicious hackers from gaining access to all of your accounts if they are able to breach one account.

It will also help to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, where a hacker may pose as a legitimate user logging into your account from another computer.

  • Monitor user behavior

If you run an online e-Commerce business, you may want to consider monitoring your users’ behaviors to see how they interact with your site. This will help you detect abnormal or suspicious activity, which could indicate a breach or attack.

You use software designed to track user behavior to monitor the following: 

  • IP addresses – Look for any IP address that logs into your site more than once, as this may indicate a hacker has breached your site
  • Login times – Look for login times that fall outside normal business hours
  • Browser types – Look for browser types other than the ones your site is intended for

e-Commerce

  • User awareness and education

Resist the urge to skimp on cybersecurity measures in favor of cutting corners elsewhere. It’s important to remember that cybersecurity is a continuous effort and you need to find ways to stay one step ahead of malicious hackers.

This is difficult to do on your own, which is why it’s critical to hire an experienced cybersecurity company to help protect your e-Commerce business. In addition to partnering with a cybersecurity firm, you should also consider implementing an education and training strategy to help protect your users.

This includes hosting seminars or workshops to help educate staff members on cybersecurity best practices like avoiding phishing scams and staying up to date on current cybersecurity threats.

  • Breached accounts

If your e-Commerce business is breached, you can expect the situation to get worse before it gets better. It’s important to take action as soon as you discover a breach, but you also need to be prepared for the fallout.

Mitigate the damage as soon as you discover a breach. This includes removing malicious software from your network and changing login credentials for all sensitive accounts, such as your e-Commerce account.

During a breach, you should also be ready for the worst. Make sure to have a plan in place for what to do if any sensitive data is compromised. This includes notifying customers and taking steps to minimize damage by contacting banks and credit card companies.

  • Hackers are getting smarter

As technology evolves, so do hackers. Hackers are getting smarter, and they’re using more advanced techniques to compromise systems. The good news is that when you hire an experienced cybersecurity firm, your business will be protected.

Cybersecurity experts help identify potential e-Commerce threats and recommend security measures to minimize the risk, such as encrypting your e-Commerce account and encrypting all sensitive data.

In the digital world, data is the most valuable resource. You need to protect your data from hackers, thieves and other cybercriminals.

  • Data is now the world’s biggest resource. 

You need to protect your data from hackers, thieves and other cybercriminals. The best way to protect your business is to use a cloud-based service such as Microsoft Azure or AWS to manage all of your digital assets, including data on the web, email and social media channels.

With a cybersecurity system in place such as an Azure subscription you can deploy a variety of services to manage all of these assets, such as Microsoft Office 365 or Amazon Web Services. You can also deploy a variety of servers with Windows Server which can be used for both hosting and running services on Azure.

Final Thoughts on e-Commerce

Cybersecurity threats to e-Commerce are on the rise, and it’s important to take steps to protect your business. You start by implementing a robust cybersecurity strategy and following best practices to protect your website, data, and users.

Even though e-Commerce has its drawbacks, it is a growing trend and offers many benefits to both customers and business owners. With the right cybersecurity strategies, you protect your customers and your business from malicious hackers and keep the e-Commerce trend going for years to come.

Author bio: Cosmas Mwirigi

Cosmas alias Cosii-Riggz is a technology enthusiast and SAAS writer who helps clients understand products by explaining services for businesses.

He has been featured in websites such as PV Magazine and Bitcoin Kenya. During his free time, he likes traveling to new places and exploring what’s new on the internet.

small business coach

Freight Agent: 6 Tips To Become One

freight agent

Starting a business as a freight agent is perhaps one of the best ways to make big money. It refers to the practice of acting on behalf of other people or businesses in organizing for their freight to be transported from Point A to Point B. In simple terms, a freight agent represents common carriers who run and manage freight businesses. 

With that, it’s believed that the number of people seeking services increases daily due to continued consumer demand growth. Becoming a freight agent enables you to connect with many clients, thus generating huge sales. However, you must implement the right strategies to become one.  

That said, here are some tips you need to implement if you want to become an independent freight agent. Carry on reading below to find out more.

  • Enroll In Freight Agent Training Classes 

Unlike other careers, becoming a freight agent doesn’t require you to attend any formal training lessons. You can become one even without any basic education. But it’d be a good idea to attend training sessions to enable you to acquire the right skills to manage your firm. As a result, your company will likely stand out in the competition.  

There are thousands of schools providing training for freight agents. Yet not every training institution out there can be suitable for you. Research to ensure you select the best school. You can consider various factors to choose suitable freight agent training institutions. These include possession of proper licensing and certifications, experience level, reputation, and quality of services. 

You must also ensure that the selected training institution has qualified and experienced trainers. That’s important since your qualifications and the quality of skills you gain to manage your business will majorly depend on the specific teachers training you.  

  • Obtain Work Experience

As noted in the previous section, acquiring education is necessary to become a freight agent. Yet that alone might not be good enough to enable you to run a successful business. Therefore, you should go the extra mile and obtain work experience before you start working on your own.  

Obtaining working experience lets you put into practice what you learned in class. It also allows you to familiarize yourself with the fright agent work environment. Besides, it’s another way of undertaking further training. You can obtain work experience by finding a freight company that offers internship opportunities.  

  • Register Your Freight Agent Company With The State

freight agent company

Obtaining relevant training and experience enables you to become a good freight agent. But you must register your services with the state before greenlighting operations.   

You’d want to register your company for various reasons. To begin with, it’s a legal requirement to register with the proper authorities before you start working with clients. The responsible government body won’t allow you to offer freight agent services without proper registration and licensing of your company. Infractions can lead to fines. 

Another reason for registering your firm or services is to help connect with more customers. That’s true since most clients will first consider determining whether your company is registered before signing a working partnership with you. And if they find that you aren’t registered, they’ll likely turn to your competitors. 

Hence, to avoid penalties from the government, connect with many customers and make great sales, ensure you register your freight agent firm with the state.  

  • Organize Your Budget

Running a successful freight agent firm requires you to have enough capital. For instance, you need money to employ staff or contractors, buy sets of working tools, and lease office space for your base of operations. For that reason, you need to organize your budget. 

There are several benefits of organizing your budget. For example, it enables you to manage your money more efficiently. Besides, it helps you to improve decision-making and allocate resources to the right projects. You also need to understand that it’s only by organizing your budget that you can be able to monitor your performance and meet your business objectives. All these ensure you run a successful freight agent company.  

  • Develop A Business Plan

Another effective strategy to become a successful freight agent is establishing a business plan. This is a written document containing all aspects of your freight agent services, and it guides you in your daily operations.  

A good freight agent business plan will have five major sections. The first one is the executive summary. This is one of the most critical parts of a business plan. It summarizes all the goals and objectives of your company and explains how you intend to handle the biggest logistic challenges.  

After the executive summary comes another vital section: the company description. In this part, you’ll explain your business structure and the services you want to offer on the market.  On the other hand, a marketing strategy which is the third section of a business plan describes how you intend to connect with potential customers. 

The fourth section covers the management team and their qualifications. It also explains how their expertise will help your freight agent firm meet its goals and objectives.  

The last section is about revenue projection. It addresses things like sales forecasts, cash flow statements, expenses budgets, and income projections for the next few years. Ensure you develop a comprehensive business plan.  

  • Establish A Marketing Plan

You can’t ignore the power of marketing if you want to become a freight agent. That’s true since marketing helps promote the visibility of your services or company. No client will come to know about your services without marketing. That’s why you need to develop a marketing strategy.  

You can use various tools and strategies for advertising your company. You can use the old ways of using posters, business cards, and flyers, setting up pop-up shops, and conducting roadshows, or you can utilize digital channels like social media platforms. But whichever strategy or tool, ensure you can connect with most of your targeted audiences.  

Takeaway

Becoming a freight agent is one of the high-demand businesses now. Going in that direction enables you to make huge revenues and great profits. However, becoming a freight agent isn’t always easy if you don’t know what steps to follow. You can implement the tips enumerated above to get started with your freight agent services.

small business coach

4 Great Online Marketing Ideas for Your Pet Business

pet business

Are you a pet business owner who has been relying on traditional marketing techniques for some time, but want to try using digital channels to find and attract more customers? Are you looking for online marketing tactics to grow your business and get ahead of your competition in the pet industry?

Whatever reason you have for exploring new online strategies to promote your pet business, read on below. This article will help you learn about four effective marketing ideas that can help boost your online presence, connect with your target audience, and grow your customer base.

Host an Online Giveaway Contest

One of the most effective ways to promote your business and get noticed by pet parents is by holding a contest. The contest can require netizens to perform easy tasks in exchange for the chance to win gift items. For instance, you can ask your pet business’s social media followers to like, share, or comment on specific posts to qualify for the competition. By doing so, you can increase your social media presence and improve awareness of your brand.

Make sure you build interest and get your target audience excited to participate in your contest by offering irresistible prizes, like items that will appeal most to pet lovers. Stylish pet accessories and clothes, fun pet toys, and tasty pet treats are good examples of enticing giveaways. You can also hire a pet industry influencer to promote your giveaway and help you broaden your audience reach.

Leverage Photos on Social Media

Social media accounts featuring cute images of cats, dogs, and other pets often see incredibly high organic engagement rates. People actively search for pictures of pets and share them enthusiastically with family and friends. As such, why don’t you jump on the bandwagon and regularly upload cute photos of pets to your social media accounts? This is a surefire way to boost engagement among both your existing customers and new ones who will happen upon your brand’s social media posts.

pet business

Instead of only posting explanations of your product and service offerings through words, you may also want to use the power of photography to get more attention. For instance, if you run a dog grooming business, you can upload before-and-after grooming pictures of dog clients to showcase your employees’ grooming skills. Make sure the photos are cute and eye-catching enough to attract more social media users to your brand. Don’t forget to include your contact details or a link to your website in the description to help potential clients reach you more easily.

Make Your Social Media Account Relevant

Do you want to convince your target market to follow your social media accounts and learn more about your business? The best way to do so is to make your social media content more relevant. Keep in mind that social media users subscribe to or follow certain accounts because they gain some benefits from doing so. If you keep pushing your products and services with every post you make, you will probably turn people off instead of enticing them. Even your existing customers may lose interest with this constant “hard-selling” approach.

That said, you may want to limit your promotional posts and instead focus on creating content of value for your audience. If you’re running a pet training school, try posting video demonstrations showing how dog owners can teach their furry friends basic commands such as “sit” and “roll over.” You can also share training tips, answer follower questions, and provide compelling information about pet training schools and similar topics. When you focus on addressing the needs of your target market, there is a greater chance that you’ll increase your following and build a good brand reputation.

Include a Blog on Your Official Website

Including a blog section on your website is another effective way to build a solid brand reputation, connect with potential customers, and create share-worthy materials and content. Make sure to align your topics to your product or service offerings so that you can market your business indirectly.

pet business

Let’s say you’re running a pet pharmacy. You can try blogging about first aid for pets or how to manage common pet health problems at home. These topics will help you attract pet parents who are interested in caring for their beloved animals better. At the same time, you can use these blogs as opportunities to discuss medications, supplements, medical equipment, and other products available in your store, all without coming off as too “salesy.”

Make it a point to include a brief section encouraging readers to check your company website or to patronize your store at the end of every article. More importantly, promote your blogs on all your social media accounts to boost traffic and generate interest in them.

The tips discussed above are just some of the most effective online marketing strategies you can adopt to help connect with your target audience and build a solid customer base. Try to include them in your marketing plan, and see how you can adjust and make the most of these techniques to suit your business needs, goals, and situation.

Remember, these marketing ideas are meant to complement your current business strategy and not drastically change whatever you have in place. Your pet business will benefit the most when you use a good mix of traditional and online marketing strategies. Find out what works for you, and use this knowledge to build your business’s value.

small business coach

 

7 Ways To Improve Your Content Writing Post-Google Core Update

content strategy

Google has always focused on providing its users with the best and most relevant results and content. For this, Google has introduced several updates in the past, and recently, it has raised another core update. 

A Google core update, unlike earlier releases, includes major and comprehensive modifications to the company’s search algorithm and services. While most launches go unobserved, core changes are noted because of their impact on search results. 

All you have to do to soar above the competition in the SERPs is create high-quality content. Well, that’s what Google wants from you with its core update.

Isn’t it simple? There is, however, a challenge with this. Everyone feels that their content is the greatest on the market.  

Furthermore, one of the most challenging components of SEO to describe is high-quality content. People frequently focus on not-so-crucial things, such as word count, keyword density, or formatting.

Although there is no fixed formula for writing high-quality content, here are seven core, tried, and tested ingredients for writing effective and balanced content to justify Google’s update without losing the customer-centric approach.

1. Focus On Quality, Not Quantity

When Bill Gates predicted that the internet’s future would be content-driven in the 1990s, he didn’t mean just a collection of words and sentences. He was referring to high-quality, relevant information.

It’s tempting to keep churning out stuff. Your audience, on the other hand, is looking for high-quality material that’s fascinating, valuable, and instructive. High-quality content is comprehensive, practical, helpful, educational, accurate, and the best answer for the searcher’s query.

 Potential clients become paying customers because they trust you and believe your product or service will fulfill their wants and solve their issues. A profusion of low-quality material will merely take up space, and viewers will ignore it.

High-quality postings will garner more attention, interaction, and shares, all of which should be the aims of a well-planned content strategy.

2. Have A Plan

Creating a plan may appear to be a no-brainer. However, with Google being more rigorous on content quality, having a plan before you begin writing will make your content more focused and consistent. A well-planned and executed content strategy not only increases traffic but also identifies your business and aids in the formation of strong bonds between you and your target consumers.

Begin by creating an editorial content calendar. Determine the types of material you want to distribute and the best platforms for you, then plan each frequency. You must consider providing the most satisfactory reading experience possible. 

Consider how you can provide the best reading experience possible—choosing the best mix of text, infographics, and even videos. That’s what Google will concentrate on today and tomorrow.

3. First Human-Centric Content, Then Search-Engine 

Everything you publish should aim to answer your readers’ queries.

When you try to create valuable material for your readers, they’ll show their appreciation by commenting and sharing it. That demonstrates trust. When consumers trust you, they’re far more likely to purchase from you and remain loyal to you.

The human-centered content approach relies on three critical factors: people, business, and technology. Incorporating these elements into your content marketing will generate more leads and sales than you think.

content search marketing strategy

While including keywords into content is still crucial in gaining internet visibility for your website, you need to handle them correctly. Keyword-heavy content won’t help you. Not only will your target audience see right through your advertising pitch, but search engines will be ready to penalize you. The same words don’t strike a chord with everyone. To guarantee that your message is clear, you should tweak or unscramble the words to make your sentences more effective for considering the persona you are targeting. Finding and using alternative words will also help with SEO, enabling you to broaden your keyword phrases.

It’s essential to remember that having too many B2B business personas might be detrimental to your sales team’s ability to focus on a single pitch and clear goals. Amylase your audience by analyzing their requirement, and their expectation from your company. Then you can create a buyer persona addressing your current and prospective consumers desire. This approach will help you come up with focused content that identifies and addresses the challenges faced by your potential customers.

4. Consider Creating An ICP or Buyer Persona 

When you ask marketing or sales experts to describe their consumers, they often mention their pain areas. On the other hand, understanding someone’s pain spots don’t convey the whole picture. Creating your buyer personas and ideal consumer profile (ICP) would be best. It helps you create segmented content to make the most of your written content.

A buyer persona is a set of characteristics with a potential client’s challenges, routine, position, source of research, and more.

Ideal customer profile is the template designed after analyzing your past customers and the potential target customer where your solution resolves its business challenge.  ICP is a fictional account with all the characteristics that make it an excellent fit for the solutions you offer.

ICPs and buyer personas are distinct but related concepts. You may have an ICP with a few personas for whom your marketing team develops content, and your sales team feels at ease communicating.

For example, ABC company is a B2B data provider. A business-to-business organization with a sales process and a CRM system will be its ideal customer profile. Within these organizations, typical buyer personas include salespeople and others who enable them, such as sales managers, marketing managers, sales and marketing operations, and data or analytics teams.

5. Use Topic Clusters

A topic cluster is a collection of related web pages. All the topic clusters are created around a single pillar content concept that focuses on a broad topic and is linked to multiple associated sites.

Let us define topic clusters in a more general manner.

The majority of bloggers create individual blog entries that rank for specific keywords. If you want to rank for the term best fitness apps, you’ll probably create exclusive content using “best fitness apps” as the primary keyword.

What happens when you write many blog entries on the same topic?

It simply results in your URLs competing against one another in search engine results pages (SERPs), which is generally considered duplicate content and unsuitable for your website’s SEO.

Here’s where the solution of topic clusters comes into play: you pick the broad topics you want to rank for and then write articles based on specific keywords relevant to that topic to improve your search engine visibility.

6. Use Videos in Your Articles

Videos are the best to drive engagement and trust. Most marketers believe that video is an excellent lead-generating investment. According to 86% of video marketers, video has proved efficient in generating qualified sales leads. 

content

Anything worth blogging about is definitely worth making a video. One way of doing it is creating and adding video tutorials when introducing any feature or functionality of your product/tool in the blog. 

Another way to use video is by creating a video summarizing the essential points of your content, then expanding on those topics in the text. This method is effective because short films receive the most significant attention, and you can publish your summary on YouTube and link to the extended version.

7. Keep An Eye On Readability

Long and information-heavy content may cause people to stop reading and click away from a website you want to promote in search results. This results in a more significant bounce rate, harming your SEO.

A readability score can approximate the degree of knowledge required for someone to comprehend a piece of writing quickly.

The importance of readability has been acknowledged by many industries, from digital marketers to medical writers. Tools like Semrush give you a readability score and ideas to improve the score to reach the ideal range.  

By assuring the readability of a piece of writing – whether it’s a patient care guide, a promotional piece for a particular brand, or a policy – you enhance the likelihood that your reader will comprehend your message.

These seven core ingredients would significantly differentiate your masterpiece from the daily flood of information. Start establishing your authority in your field, engage your audience in the issues that are important to them, and optimize your website for search engine success.

Pro Tip to Conclude

Always aspire to be the best version of yourself while writing. You don’t have to go for skyscraper content, 10X content, or whatever else the newest buzzwords advise you to go after. You need to develop material that is superior to that of your nearest competition.

Put yourself in the position of a searcher. Would a searcher be satisfied with how your post answers their inquiry, solves their problem, and adds value and utility to their life if it ranked first?

Don’t chase algorithms… or waterfalls. Or something else. The key to creating high-quality content is to write for your target audience. It is a success if your content can connect with your audience and encourage them to take action!

small business coach

4 Tips for Encouraging Employee Productivity in Your Small Business

Several factors contribute to employee productivity in a small business. One of the most important is having a clear and concise business plan that everyone understands. Employees need to know the company’s goals and how their roles contribute to achieving them.

Additionally, employees must feel employers hear their voices and value their suggestions. An environment of trust and mutual respect is also essential for fostering productivity. 

Here are some more tips on encouraging employee productivity and enhancing your small business.

Monitor remote employees

While some challenges come with managing a remote team, there are also some benefits. As more and more businesses move towards remote work, it’s becoming increasingly important to know how to monitor remote employees effectively. 

The ability to attract top talent from all around the world is one of the most significant benefits of remote work. With a remote team, you don’t have to hire employees who live in your area. Remote work gives you a much larger pool of potential candidates.

Another benefit of remote work is that it can help reduce costs for your business. You can save a lot of money without office space or equipment. Additionally, remote employees are often more productive and take fewer sick days.

To monitor those remote employees, use screen monitoring software. This software allows you to track your employees’ online activities in real-time during working hours. Screen monitoring can help ensure that employees are working on their assigned tasks and not wasting time on personal activities.

Encourage self-development at work

Encouraging self-development at work can have many benefits for both employees and employers. When workers feel that their employer is interested in helping them grow and develop their skills, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work.

Improved self-development can lead to increased productivity and creativity, as well as improved morale and job satisfaction. Employers who encourage self-development end up having a more skilled and adaptable workforce, which can be a significant asset in today’s ever-changing business landscape. 

employee

Here are some tips to encourage self-development at work:

  • Develop a clear and concise plan for each employee outlining what you expect of them and what they need to improve.
  • Encourage employees to take on new responsibilities and challenge themselves.
  • Hold regular performance reviews and development meetings with employees to discuss their progress and goal.
  • Offer training and development opportunities to employees.
  • Provide feedback to employees on their performance.

A personal development plan for work can help your employees set and achieve goals, identify areas for improvement, and track their progress over time. You can create a more engaged, productive, and successful workforce by investing in your employees’ personal development.

Establish clear goals and objectives

Setting clear goals and objectives is critical to improving employee productivity. Without a clear sense of what you expect, employees will likely become frustrated and less engaged in their work. By communicating expectations upfront and providing regular feedback, managers can help employees stay focused and motivated.

Employees are more likely to be productive when they feel that their efforts align with the company’s goals. Establishing clear goals and objectives is key to improving employee productivity and engagement.

Here are some tips to help you with establishing goals and objectives as a small business owner:

  • Create a written business plan that outlines your company’s goals and objectives.
  • Share your goals and objectives with your employees and ensure everyone is on the same page.
  • Communicate your goals and objectives to your customers and clients.
  • Evaluate your progress regularly and make necessary adjustments to ensure that you are on the right track.

Ask and provide regular feedback

It’s crucial to provide regular feedback to ensure employee productivity. This feedback can be in the form of performance reviews, one-on-one meetings, or simply informal conversations. The goal is to be clear, concise, and honest.

employee

Providing feedback will help employees understand what they’re doing well and where they can improve. Additionally, regular feedback will help to keep employees on track and motivated.

Also, asking for feedback from time to time will help your employees be more effective. Requesting feedback will help you identify any areas where they may be struggling and help address them accordingly.

Besides, employees may have suggestions for improving productivity in the workplace. You can create a more positive and productive work environment by soliciting this knowledge from your employees.

Final thoughts 

The most productive employees in small businesses are those who feel invested in the company’s success and understand their role in achieving it. When employees feel like they’re a part of something bigger than themselves, they are more likely to go above and beyond to ensure the company’s success.

By creating a working environment where employees feel valued and appreciated, small businesses can produce a culture of productivity that will help them achieve their goals. Implementing the above methods can result in a noticeably more productive workforce, so there’s no excuse not to start making changes today.

small business coach

What are the biggest challenges to travel companies’ success?

travel agencies

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept the earth, governments across the globe engaged in widespread public lockdowns in an attempt to curb the spread. This approach led to the international closure of airports and cancellation of flights, thereby leaving the travel industry to plummet into freefall. Now that the world is on the road to recovery, the reopening of public spaces and the resumption of flights has enabled travel companies to embark on an economic recovery. But while the travel industry experiences rapid growth rates like never before, several challenges are standing in the way of travel stocks unlocking their full growth potential. How can these companies overcome such issues and achieve a full financial recovery?

Returning to normal

Once the travel industry embarked on its pandemic-induced decline, travel companies sought ways to cut expenses in order to salvage any profitability that they could. For many companies, this meant the largescale retrenchment of their workforces.

travel agencies

In the year following the coronavirus outbreak, 23% of jobs across the leisure and hospitality industry were lost. This figure accounted for 39% of the United States’ total unemployment for that period. Fast forward to June 2022 and 1.4 million leisure and hospitality jobs are still unfilled.

Now as the demand for travel services surges, short-staffed travel companies are faced with the challenge of determining how to meet this demand. In April 2022, air traffic across the U.S. rose by 230.2 percent compared to the previous year. While a rampant rise, this challenge also presents a disguised opportunity. 

While the short-term costs of rehiring and retraining employees may be steep for many travel companies, this will enable them to meet higher levels of demand and, therefore, increase their productivity and earning potential. This means that the short-term expenses should be well worth the medium-to-long terms increase in revenue provided that demand remains steady.

The global fuel shortage

Just as the travel industry recovers from the drawbacks of the pandemic, global fuel shortages threaten to reverse this progress. In the first seven months of 2022, the price of jet fuel has risen by 90 percent to approximately $4 per gallon. 

Airlines are not the only companies reeling from such inflated expenses, however. Rising fuel costs have also affected cruise stocks, with the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in March 2022 leading cruise lines to consider imposing a surcharge on travelers in order to offset such losses. Although the likes of Royal Caribbean Group decided against doing so, how will airlines and cruise lines overcome this hurdle?

One potential remedy for cruise lines and airlines could be to restructure their capacity deployment, whereby they divert all of their resources and focus to only their most profitable operations. This means postponing and cancelling flights and cruises that are typically less profitable while also avoiding the operation of ghost flights and other low-capacity journeys.

By purely offering their most popular and profitable travel routes, airlines and cruise lines can save more fuel while also using their largest profit margins to offset rising fuel costs.

Although most cruise lines have refrained from charging customers surcharges following the fuel shortage outbreak, smaller cruise ship operators Celestyal Cruises and CroisiEurope have done so. Whether more cruise lines will follow remains to be seen.

Conserving the environment

Today, climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global issues in the eyes governments, companies and individuals alike. With 40% of Europeans and 38% of Americans being open to giving up flying in the name of environmental conservation, travel companies face the challenge of limiting their carbon footprint in order to earn consumers’ trust.

travel companies

Considering that the travel industry has been reported as the source of 8% of global carbon emissions, numerous companies have sprung into action in an effort to boost their conservation efforts.

United Airlines is one of the early entrants in the race to a green future, becoming the first U.S. airline to publicly commit to a carbon emissions reduction target. The company aims to become 100% carbon neutral by 2050. 

Virgin Atlantic has joined as well, entering into an agreement with Neste Oyi to receive a supply of 2.5 million litres/2,000 metric tonnes of neat Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This fuel is produced from renewable waste and residue raw materials and, in its neat form, is capable of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%.

Numerous hotel stocks have also increased their conservation efforts, with Hilton Worldwide Holdings committing to its own net zero emissions goal. To do so, the hotel company aims to reduce its energy emissions and cut both its water usage and waste in half by 2030.

Racing down the road to recovery

While faced by challenges on numerous fronts, there are clearly numerous solutions that travel companies can employ in an effort to continue their steady economic recovery in the post-pandemic world. As such, one might consider investing in travel stocks in the hope of deriving benefit from future growth. 

Important Disclosures:

Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change at any time and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security.

The Funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contain this and other important information about the investment company.

small business coach

13 Reasons Why Every Entrepreneur Should Have a Pitch Deck

pitch-deck

Every entrepreneur should consider a pitch deck as they approach the fundraising process. There are many tangible and intangible benefits to pitching your ideas, and it is not difficult to create one. If you have been putting off creating a pitch deck because you don’t know where to start, worry no more! The following article will provide some guidance on how best to structure your pitch deck and what to include in it. 

1. A pitch deck will help you organize your thoughts and ideas.

When you sit down to write a business plan, the process can seem daunting. There are so many aspects of running a business that it can be difficult to know where to start. However, when you create a pitch deck, you will have already outlined the most important aspects of your business. This will make it easier to write a business plan and to get your ideas across to potential investors. 

2. It is an effective tool for communicating with investors.

When you are raising money from investors, it is important to be able to communicate your ideas effectively. A pitch will help you do just that. Investors will be able to quickly understand what your business is all about and the potential returns they could see. 

3. It can help you get feedback from investors.

Not everyone who views your pitch will be an investor. You may also want to get feedback from people in the industry who can give you valuable insights. By sharing your pitch with others, you will get a better idea of what works and what doesn’t. This can help you improve your chances of getting funded. 

4. A pitch deck is a great way to test the waters.

When you are starting a new business, it can be difficult to know whether or not people are actually interested in what you are selling. A pitch deck can help you determine this. By sending your pitch to potential customers, you will get a better idea of the level of interest there is in your product or service. 

5. It can help you raise money faster.

If you have a well-crafted pitch, it will help you raise money faster than if you were to approach investors without one. This is because potential investors will have a better understanding of what your business is and the potential returns they could see. 

6. A pitch deck can help you build credibility.

pitch-deck

When you are trying to raise money from investors, it is important to build credibility. A well-crafted pitch deck will help you do just that. By showing that you have put in the time and effort to create a good presentation, potential investors will be more likely to take you seriously. 

7. It can help you get feedback from potential customers.

As mentioned earlier, not everyone who views your pitch will be an investor. You may also want to get feedback from people in the industry who can give you valuable insights. By sharing your pitch presentation with others, you will get a better idea of what works and what doesn’t. This can help you improve your chances of getting funded. 

8. A pitch deck is a great way to get your business in front of potential investors.

One of the best things about a presentation deck is that it can help you get your business in front of potential investors. By sending your pitch deck to people who may be interested in funding your business, you will have a better chance of getting them on board. 

9. It is a great way to get your business off the ground.

When you are starting a new business, it can be difficult to know where to start. A pitch deck can help you get started by providing a template for you to follow. This will make it easier to communicate your ideas and to raise money from investors. 

10. A pitch deck is a great way to make your business more attractive to investors.

When you are trying to raise money from investors, it is important to make your business as attractive as possible. A well-crafted pitch deck will help you do just that. By showing potential investors what your business is all about, you will increase the chances of getting funded. 

11. A pitch deck is a great way to practice your pitching skills.

When you are trying to raise money from investors, it is important to have well-practiced pitching skills. A pitch deck can help you hone your skills by giving you a chance to practice in front of potential investors. This will help you be more prepared when it comes time to actually make your pitch. 

12. A pitch deck can help you track your progress.

As you work on your pitch, you will likely make changes and additions along the way. This is normal! A pitch deck can help you track your progress by allowing you to see how far you have come. This can be a great motivator when you are feeling stuck. 

13. It can help you find a co-founder.

If you are having trouble finding a co-founder for your business, a pitch can be a great way to do it. By sharing your pitch presentation with potential co-founders, you will have a better chance of finding someone who is interested in working with you.

One great tip to make effective pitch decks is to use Venngage—a free infographic maker that offers a wide range of pitch deck designs for everyone. Here are some pitch deck examples from their website! 

Final Thoughts

A pitch deck is an essential tool for any business that is looking to raise money from investors. By communicating your ideas effectively, you will be able to get the funding you need to grow your business. In addition, a pitch deck can help you build credibility with potential investors and get feedback from people in the industry. If you are starting a new business, a this is a must-have. Check out some of the best pitch decks here.

small business coach

5 Ways to Transform Dissatisfied Customers Into Priceless Assets

customers

No matter how trained and honest your customer service reps are, there are instances where some customers may feel dissatisfied with your product or services. No matter the cause of the dissatisfaction, you have to take steps to remedy the situation to gain the loyalty of the clients who feel dissatisfied. The process of doing this may not be easy and, to some extent, embarrassing, but remember that one dissatisfied client can bring your company down.

Here are the five steps you can take to transform dissatisfied customers into priceless assets.

1. Build a Strong Reputation

When one of your customers is unhappy with your service, the first step is to find out the cause and extent of the dissatisfaction through a DSAT analysis. Once you get your facts right, invite the offended clients for a one-on-one discussion. If they can’t come physically, you can organize a phone conversation.

Tell them how sorry you are and the steps you have taken to remedy the situation. You can offer to replace the product or offer the service without charging them. When they agree to come for the product or service, let them get the best. This will instantly convert them into your loyal customers.

2. Listen to the Customers

customers

Dismissing a disgruntled client or failing to hear their side of the story can hurt your business. The customers will get more outraged and frustrated. Offering a listening ear to your clients makes them feel valued and respected. Sitting an angry client down and listening to them gives them a sense of satisfaction.

Remember that an unhappy client is always very honest. They’ll tell you everything they feel about your company and products. So don’t stop at listening. Let them know the steps you plan to take to prevent the recurrence of whatever they experienced.

3. Damage Control

Today, people have access to several communication channels. Once a customer is dissatisfied, they can instantly post the incident on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter. And within no time, hundreds, if not thousands of people, will be sharing and discussing the issue. This can hurt your company’s reputation. When faced with such a situation, make sure you take damage control measures.
Have your customer representatives respond to the sentiments expressed on social media professionally and, if possible, explain the situation and offer apologies. You can also publish an official statement about the incident and the remedial measures taken on your company’s website. Try as much as possible to protect your company from negative comments.

4. Seize the Opportunity for Improvement

You and your employees should learn from unhappy customers. Once you listen to them, try to improve on the areas they mention. If it’s about customer service, you can invite an expert to train your team. If it’s about the product, make sure the customers’ suggestions are incorporated into your future production.

Once you make the changes, let the angry customers know what you’ve done.

5. Do Everything Possible to Please Angry Customers

Whatever happens, don’t let a customer leave your premises when they are still unhappy. Try as much as you can to make the customer feel special, even if it means giving them more than they asked for. By going above and beyond what they expected, you can win them back.

Let them know how much you value and respect them before they leave your premises.

Conclusion 

Converting an unsatisfied customer into a company asset can positively impact your business. Some customers may indeed overreact, but it’s upon you to cool things down and let the customer feel like they’ve won. When you handle an angry customer well until they agree to work with you again, you will have found a loyal partner. 

Client