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That said, business cards might feel outdated in a world where even home appliances are connected and digital.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

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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:

Beaconstac’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?

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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.

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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

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.

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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.

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Hiring a Tenant Representation Broker

Perhaps it’s always been your dream to start a business, and now you’re finally ready, or you wish to expand because profits have increased. Running a business is no easy feat- there are various aspects to consider and financial dealings to conduct. For instance, consider renting a commercial property to carry out your business affairs and manage your team. Finding an office, retail, or warehouse space while being unfamiliar with the area or market conditions can be expensive and time-consuming. If you’re trying to get the best deal available, you should hire a professional who will keep your best interests in mind. Keep reading as we explain why you should hire a tenant representation broker.

1. Properties Are Listed in Different Places

Navigating your way through listing sites won’t necessarily mean that you’ll get a clear picture of available properties. You might encounter the following problems:

2. Incomplete Information

Leasing firms’ websites for property search are usually up to date regarding all the details on commercial buildings. However, they’re not without their disadvantages. It takes a lot of effort and time to jump from site to site and compare all the building spaces for sale. It will distract you from investing in other essential business aspects and hinder your long-term plans. 

3. Out of Date Information

There’s no doubt that going through listing forums and websites is a great way to gauge where the real estate sector stands and estimate how parameters like area, demand, and size can affect prices. Unfortunately, if you’ve been accessing free listing sites, you should keep in mind that many brokerage firms rarely ensure that their listings are up to date. 

With a tenant rep broker by your side, you’ll get a hold of numerous resources that can help you solve the problems mentioned above and secure a list of quality real estate options. 

4. Industry Connections and Complete Listings

There’s a good chance your representation broker has a well-established network, enabling them to quickly get updated on which buildings or areas have offers available. They’re known to maintain professional links with both landlords and leasing brokers, gaining access to comprehensive listing databases.

5. Off-Market Opportunities

Because of their solid connections, these professionals may also have access to information regarding options that have not yet been placed on the market. These include companies looking to sublease some or all of their property. 

Your tenant rep will go the extra mile to find you listings best suited to your preferences and needs, doing all the grunt work and negotiating with sellers to get you the best possible price.  

6. More Landlords Will Be Cooperative

tenant-representation-broker

The commercial real estate market has been experiencing major shifts in demand and supply, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s no longer a walk in the park to find an office space alone; landlords rarely return calls. You can call numerous numbers you’ve written down from ‘For Lease’ signs, but it’s rare to hear back. Landlords are typically busy individuals who don’t bother answering every call they receive. 

It’s also possible that a landlord has hired their own landlord broker who prefers working with other brokers rather than clients themselves. A tenant rep has greater authority with landlords because their company and its reputation back them. Additionally, the leasing broker may already be working on projects with your tenant rep or has in the past, meaning there are greater chances of them accepting your broker’s call and considering your interest in their place. 

7. They’re Expert Negotiators 

Landlords can be vicious when negotiating the terms of your offer, quoting whatever terms or rates they deem fit. Meanwhile, you’re most likely clueless about the standard market conditions unless you’ve conducted thorough research beforehand. There are many things to negotiate, such as compliance fees, exclusivity use, renewal options, and much more. Working out a fair deal can be challenging if you don’t have prior real estate experience. 

You probably aren’t your tenant rep’s first client and certainly won’t be last. They’ve dedicated their careers to understanding commercial real estate and have carried out numerous negotiations in the past. A tenant rep will add value to your experience by helping your business attain the most appropriate lease terms without worrying about whether the proceedings are being conducted properly. 

This is why hiring a tenant rep broker is recommended because they can save you considerable hassle and money. They’re well-versed with which economic and non-economic factors are running the market and can walk you through the entire negotiation process. The best part is that you don’t need to pay them an out-of-pocket fee, meaning you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain from letting them negotiate your deal terms. 

 

8. More Time for Your Business 

With a tenant representation broker taking care of the real estate dealings, you can spend more time on your business goals. Whether it’s customer relations or managing supply chains, you should focus on handling these affairs as an entrepreneur. Even large corporations collaborate with tenant rep brokers because of their real estate market expertise. Finding a suitable location for yourself can take hours every day, and the search can hold you back for several months. Let a tenant rep take this burden off your shoulders. 

Consider a tenant rep to be your personal assistant, working to secure the ideal office space for your company without interfering with business operations. From financial analysis and final lease summary to needs assessments, they will look after everything and allow you to be as hands-on or off as convenient. Time is money, especially in the competitive corporate sector. 

Endnote on a Tenant Representation Broker

Real estate is a complex industry, even more so when dealing with the commercial side. You’ll need to know many legal details, market catches, and industry-specific terms. Unless you’ve been conducting matters in this industry for several years, you’ll find yourself at one crossroad or the other. If your business is a priority, it’s in your best interest to hire a tenant representation broker to help you settle on a space with the best lease terms and meets your requirements. Don’t hesitate to contact tenant representation services and let them take the reins on your commercial property search. There are many options to choose from, so make sure to do your research.

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How To Create A Logo For Maximum Branding: Beginner’s Guide

Should a logo be simple? Or should it be complicated? Is it better if you use words? Or will symbols do a better job? Will a colorful logo be more effective than a monochromatic one?

If you’re starting a new business, expect this slew of questions as you go along your branding quest. It might seem daunting to answer such questions, but the sooner you grapple with them, the better the turnout of your designs will be.

We are here to guide you through the basic process of logo design. Take note, a basic understanding of a logo doesn’t mean your logo will come off just that — basic. We’ll help you achieve an impactful logo design with just the basic information.

We need to understand that logo design is not rocket science. And with this article, it won’t take long before you grasp the logo importance and what works and what doesn’t.

The Purpose of Logos

Imagine a world without logos. Imagine all brands have the same typefaces, with no distinct color, just a typical word you see in print. Good luck looking for things that you want.

Logos help a normal person navigate through a saturated industry. If there’s hundred shoe brands, how are we going to choose? Sure, you look at the design of shoes, the price, and the location of the stores. But that’s a whole bunch of information to process.

Logos give us a glimpse of what the brand is all about, what color their products have, what kind of customers they cater to, and how much the products would be. All that in a simple image.

Whether it comes in the form of a word image or a 3D logo, this wonderful branding asset enables brands to rise up from the crowd and be recognized.

How To Create A Logo That Stands Out

As in any form of design, there are so many rules to logos. But it really boils down to what industry you’re playing in, what customers you want to attract, and what the business is all about.

It’s not one size fits all. Because if you take the aesthetics of fashion houses, for instance, and use it in the kiddie pool product manufacturing business, then we’ll see an obvious disconnect from the customers’ age group. Luxury houses cater to a middle-aged group, while kiddie-related businesses are for youngsters. Obviously, the brand designs follow the market.

What works for one won’t work for all — that’s a key rule in design. However, there are golden rules that you must follow should you want success in your brand as much as possible. Using design tips from the best-performing logo, here are four characteristics of an effective logo.

Logo

  • Simple

Gone are the days of elaborate and intricate logos. We’ve seen that in antique brands, monarchies, and government agencies. The real deal now is simple, often with only one or two design elements.

For example, Starbucks used to have a detailed picture of a mermaid in their logo design. Now, it’s a flat image of a long-haired girl with a crown. Same with Apple. The logo was once a picture of a tree and below is Isaac Newton. Now, it’s just an apple with a bite.

  • Symmetry

Symmetry is the perfect equality of an image, either left to right or top to bottom. Apple’s logo is a perfect example of a symmetrical logo. If you divide the image horizontally, you’ll still see an equal image both at the top and at the bottom.

Symmetry means that the size, shape, layout, and color mimic each other from both sides.

  • Recognizable

People love seeing things they recognize. If they can’t tell what that image is, they’ll probably get disinterested. That’s why choosing a symbol-based logo is a tricky choice. It’s difficult to pull off. Apple’s apple fruit, Nike’s checkmark, and McDonald’s letter M logo marks are the best examples of recognizable logos. 

  • Timeless

Make sure that your logo design lasts. Although rebranding is possible, it’s often difficult to execute successfully. Not to mention, it’s expensive. So consider a logo that will stand the test of time.

If you have to map the future journey of your business, do it so that you can anticipate the possible changes in your brand.

Design Elements To Focus On

  • Color

Color comes first among others because it transcends the logo itself. The color palette will transfer to your products, stores, packaging, stakeholders, events, promos, flyers, and many others. That’s why it is important to choose a logo that not only stands out but also is relevant to your customers and industry.

Since there are no original colors, consider an original combination. Black and gold are usually there so why not try black and orange or black and fuschia. That’s just an example but feel free to combine colors and see what works.

Take note, colors evoke emotions and other non-verbal communication. So always place your customers in the picture.

  • Style

Style varies depending on your chosen types of logo. If you’re going for a wordmark, the style could be either a serif or a sans serif, a decorative or a script, bold or light. If it’s a symbol, it’s either edgy or curvy, composed of lines or with shapes.

Style will likely depend on the whim of the brand which is highly subjective. Budget, research, environment, market, and product points are factors too.

Where To Create Logos

  • Professional Logo Designer

If you have the budget and the time, a professional designer is indeed a judicious choice. Most companies are willing to shell out this kind of luxury.

Why not? You easily hand out the brief, and the designer does the hard work. Easy. Not to mention, if the designer is trained enough, he or she will have done the necessary research and come up with industry-standard and aesthetically pleasing results.

  • DIY Logo Creator

Not anyone has the budget of a big company. This is the reality for most brands. So a DIY logo tool is a no-brainer choice. Fortunately, these logo creators nowadays are keeping up with the technology. Armed with AI systems, they could generate free logos and inexpensive templates based on the keywords you provide.

These templates can be customized using drag-and-drop tools and a few simple buttons. However, you cannot change the totality of the design. That is, you cannot start from scratch. You can only go so far. But at least it’s easy and cheap. Within minutes, a logo design is ready.

Wrapping Up on Creating a Logo

It’s important to understand that for a logo to become really successful, the brand has to be one first. The products and services have to be top-tier for a logo to even be considered wonderful by the community. Saying that a logo is enough to skyrocket your brand is a misinterpretation of the role of logos in branding.

The truth is that they have to work hand in hand. The logo is just the wings. And the business is the gear that uplifts it from the crowd. Without the effectiveness of each other, it might be challenging to replicate the success of world-famous brands.

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7 Proven Ways to Support Small Businesses

Introduction to Supporting Small Businesses

Small Business Saturday is held every November on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, an annual holiday in the United States meant for shopping for small businesses and supporting them. In 2021, around 60 percent of the consumers in The US decided to shop from small businesses on this holiday.

With the pandemic that took place and ruined the economy, it is vital that the economy recovers. Small businesses or local businesses are the ones that suffered the most from this unfortunate disaster. Small Business Saturday is meant to help these businesses, and everyone can contribute.

However, even with the best intentions, many people usually have a hard time finding ways to support these businesses on this holiday, so without further ado, read about how you can help these businesses.

The 7 Best Ways that can help you Support Small Businesses on a Small Business Saturday

1. Post positively

Think about promoting other small businesses on social media through your own company. Share your excellent remarks about them on your website or social media to support them, whether you buy their products and adore them, think their storefront is impressive, or just appreciate having them as neighbors.

It is a free, simple, and easy way to help businesses that require your support to grow. Your positive words are also greatly appreciated by them and help them a great deal. Remember that your kind words can do wonders for local businesses.

2. Leave positive reviews 

Consider all the other little companies you enjoy, such as quaint stores and diner-style eateries. Consider leaving them a glowing review on Yelp, Facebook, or any other website where people go for recommendations if you haven’t already done so.

Every artist and business benefits from positive reviews, including writers, illustrators, and retailers like stores and restaurants. Ratings are the lifeblood of our culture of consumption, and the more favorable reviews a company or product has, the more likely it is to attract new clients.

Someone else may find your kind words just what they need to read before making a purchase. Be sincere and truthful when describing some of your favorite products in a brief review.

3. Spend on Small Business Saturday instead of Black Friday

Black Friday can be very alluring, it’s true. All those huge discounts on expensive products only appear once a year, but remember that every dollar you spend at a large chain store is a dollar you will not spend at a small business that much more directly supports the community’s economy.

Even if you are an avid Black Friday shopper, think about forgoing it this year in favor of Small Business Saturday. Even if you might not get a $20 flat-screen TV, you can relax knowing that you prioritized spending your money on important things.

Big chains earn a lot daily and are not going through a crisis. Small businesses, however, require your help, so do not feel bad about not shopping on Black Friday as these big chains already make enough; instead, help those businesses that don’t.

4. Shop local

small-businesses

It is a major issue. Small businesses are the ones that have suffered a lot as a result of the pandemic, and if you want to see them flourish and move into the new year, you must also provide them with the financial help they need.

It’s important to remember that doing this might require ordering items earlier to account for shipping and production times, but it will be well worth it when you buy special, one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones.

 Plus, you can feel even better about these gifts knowing that your money supports small businesses run by people with big dreams and considerable talent. You need to keep your favorite small businesses this holiday season if you want to see them survive.

5. Create awareness 

Small Business Saturday can be promoted in various ways, including word-of-mouth, fliers, social media posts, and direct mail. Awareness must be created and spread about Small Business Saturday and if you have a few specific favorite small businesses, tell people about them.

Posters are a great way to create and spread awareness about Small Business Saturday. Make a small business Saturday poster or a small business Saturday flyer and publish it on websites such as PosterMyWall, where you can find different templates for your poster.

Take your steps to create awareness and let your friends in the loop. Suggest they share their favorite local businesses online and recommend them to others so they may also shop from small businesses.

6. Network with other small business owners

Even if you don’t do much shopping, you may still benefit from Small Business Saturday by getting out and meeting other small business owners. You may be able to effortlessly assist another business owner you weren’t aware needed it and forge connections that will benefit your company in the future.

Let’s imagine that another business owner is planning a celebration, and you have a ton of extra disposable cups from a party. The beauty of networks and connections is that you may give them your leftovers for free or at a significant discount.

It does not require extra effort or money; it will also help you and small businesses that need assistance to grow and survive in the future. So, before November this year, network with small businesses and help them.

7. Start your shopping early and be patient

Starting your holiday shopping earlier can ease your life and aid small companies in several ways. Small businesses benefit from the extra income, which enables them to prepare your order before the busy holiday shopping periods.

Get out there, start your holiday shopping before Black Friday, and be patient as small companies prepare your order.

Don’t rush them to prepare or deliver your order. Instead, give them the time they need, and hope for a fantastic product or service, and let them work in peace. Being kind as a customer will also give them the support they require.

Important Takeaways on Supporting Small Businesses

Financial support is important, but it is not the only way you can support small businesses. It’s okay if your holiday spending budget is reduced this year. Every little assistance is beneficial, including your unpaid reviews or suggestions that attract more clients.

You need to support small companies this year in a way that seems right to you. There are numerous ways you may do this, which will look different based on each person’s skills and financial budget this season.

Remember to help by creating awareness, and positive reviews, saving up for Small Business Saturday instead of Black Friday, and trying to shop locally as much as possible. Finally, be kind, and as a customer, be generous with your tips whenever you can.

Happy Shopping!

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What Kind of ERP Should Your Company Use?

ERP

If you run a small enterprise, you may be used to managing your business data and processes manually with the help of just a few rudimentary digital tools. As your business grows, however, you’ll soon find that spread sheeting applications, websites, email clients, and other basic software can’t provide the agility and operational efficiency that your company needs to function at its best. A more specialized solution will enable you to fulfill more customer transactions, process higher volumes of business data, and manage more complex workflows with ease. For companies looking to streamline their business operations, enterprise resource planning (ERP) software systems are usually the most viable solution. The term ERP describes a collection of digital tools and applications designed to help companies manage their business operations more effectively. Depending on a company’s needs, ERP packages can include modules to help with planning, purchasing, marketing, sales, inventory management, accounting, and other crucial functions.

The trick to making the most of your ERP system is to choose a software suite that’s well-suited to the size, needs, and objectives of your business. Certain ERP providers will cater specifically to enterprises of a particular size, whereas others will have offerings available across the board for all types of companies. For example, when looking into offerings from the popular ERP provider SAP Philippines-based companies will immediately see that certain iterations of the system are designed specifically with the needs of small- to medium-sized businesses in mind. 

Read on to learn more about the different ERP systems out there and how to choose the right type for your company: 

Types of ERP Systems

ERP systems are typically differentiated on the market according to their particular deployment model. An ERP system can either be installed locally on the company’s servers or hosted in the cloud. Increasingly, certain ERP systems can be deployed in a hybrid setup where certain components are installed on-premises while others are cloud-based. 

ERP

On-premise ERP systems are highly customizable ERP solutions that are hosted on company servers and maintained by your organization’s IT staff. This gives businesses greater control over their ERP. On-premise ERPs typically also enjoy tighter security and data privacy than other types. The tradeoff is that most on-premise ERPs will take longer to implement and cost you more upfront than other types.

Cloud-based ERPs, meanwhile, are hosted online and maintained mostly by your chosen ERP provider. While companies often express concern about the possible security risks posed by systems hosted in the cloud, cloud ERPs are fast becoming the preferred deployment model for companies the world over. This is because cloud enablement comes with a wide range of benefits, including lower upfront costs, greater flexibility and scalability, easier integration with third-party tools, and more. 

Hybrid ERP systems, as previously mentioned, combine the best of what cloud-based ERPs and on-premise ERPs have to offer. While they are often more expensive than either of the previous two types, they’re the must-have choice for businesses that prize flexibility above all else. 

Choosing the Right ERP for Your Business

In general, it’s good for companies to take a strategic approach when deciding what kind of ERP to use and which software providers to get it from. Instead of simply checking off a list of features, organizations must consider the needs of their business as a whole and how their chosen system should help them address those needs. Putting together a dedicated ERP selection team with participants from across all of your organization’s departments can help make this process more comprehensive. 

Once you’ve gotten your team together, the following helpful tips can get you started on choosing the best possible system for your business: 

Assess Your Current Business Processes

Choosing a new ERP is the perfect time to evaluate incumbent business practices, so you can figure out how to leverage what’s working well and refine or even remove processes that are inefficient or unnecessary. This analysis will, in turn, give you a clearer picture of what your company’s needs are and what you truly require from your ideal ERP system. 

Decide on the Proper “Tier”

ERP systems are usually categorized between 3 tiers. Tier 1 systems are those intended for large, global enterprises, tier 2 for small- to midsized enterprises, and tier 3 exclusively for small businesses. While the differences between these tiers are not necessarily set in stone, the factors that usually determine what companies use systems in which tier include the following: 

  • Number of employees 
  • Number of users requiring access to the ERP 
  • Complexity of the organization’s processes 
  • Total organizational revenue 
  • Budget 
  • Complexity of requirements 

Figure Out What Functionalities You Require

Your selection team should have a good idea of what features and functions your chosen system must have. Do you want a software system with unparalleled longevity that will justify the significant amount of money you invest in it? A highly customizable system? A system that provides extensive industry-specific capabilities? A scalable system that can grow as your business does? Or something else? 

One way to determine what you need is to have your team gather input from the employees who will be working with the software. These people are in the best position to tell you what business functions could benefit most from the support of an ERP system, as well as what functions they would like to have going forward. 

Determine Your Implementation Requirements

Of course, deciding on an appropriate ERP solution has to do with more than the software’s functions. You’ll also have to look at your organization’s tech infrastructure and preferred methods of deployment. Consider your company’s particular requirements in terms of factors like data privacy and security, compliance, transaction processing, and flexibility. This will better enable you to choose a system that works with those requirements easily and efficiently.

The right ERP systems will bring a host of benefits to any company, whether you’re a multinational corporation or a small home-based enterprise. They help you cut costs, automate tedious manual tasks, produce more detailed and insightful reports, and much more. Once you have a solid idea about what your company requires and what systems are out there, choosing the right ERP solution should be a breeze.

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Should You Hire Employees Or Contractors For Your Startup?

startup

You’re setting up your business the way you want it, from operations to the financial aspects. But, when it comes to hiring people to work for you, there are considerations you need to take into account, such as the necessary job roles that need filling and how long you’ll need them. Also, there are situations wherein you might need to choose between hiring permanent employees or contractors for your startup.

This article will thoroughly discuss both types to help you make wiser hiring decisions. It’ll show you the pros and cons of each of these two options, and it’s up to you to weigh them out. Read on!

  • Permanent Employees 

When hiring permanent employees, it’s essential to assess if your budget can sustain the wages and benefits they’re entitled to. The primary difference between employee and contractor is that the former is under your payroll and must follow specific policies and rules to remain working with you. Employees are given binding contracts containing their job descriptions and the working hours they need to fulfill. 

Here are some of the basics of working with permanent employees:

  • Employees need to adhere to the company’s vision and mission at all times. They’ll work towards your goals and work with the whole team for a seamless and effective collaboration. Full-time employees usually get long-term incentives as well. 
  • A regular working schedule is set for full-time employees, typically eight hours a day, five to six days a week. Thus, you don’t have to guess when they need to work. Also, expect fewer errors on their end, and you can expect earlier or on-time submission of requirements.  
  • It’s your responsibility as the employer to withhold part of the salary for taxes and pay it back to the government regularly. 
  • You also need to provide health insurance to your regular employees, which is one way of making them feel that they’re well taken care of and that you value their presence in your company. 
  • Employee compensation and benefits will likely cost about 30% of the company’s expenses. That’s because they’re also entitled to perks such as several vacation leaves with pay. Salary with benefits can reach up to USD$200,000 per year for a medium-sized enterprise.  
  • As an employer, you ought to provide training to your employees, as well as direct and manage their daily responsibilities. You must also provide constructive feedback, as well as reprimand and sanction employees for breaking company rules. 
  • When it comes to the scope of work, employees tend to have multiple roles when working for a startup. These responsibilities will revolve around similar tasks. For example, IT personnel won’t only be taking care of network security; sometimes, they may also help with customer service.
  • Contractors

startup

Contractors may have similar roles to full-time employees; however, they’re not exclusive to your company only. They can work independently, decide as to when and how many hours they work, and they typically have their own pieces of equipment. Contractors can also work offsite or from home. 

With contractors, you don’t have to provide long-term salaries and benefits. Thus, you can save money, and, on the workers’ end, they can earn more working for more people.  

Here are some of the facts about working with contractors:

  • Contractors are responsible for paying their taxes.
  • Hiring contractors also means that you need to use IRS forms W9 and 1099. 
  • Hiring contractors can be faster and save you costs because you don’t have to do the customary interviews and assessments to see if they’ll fit your company. You can refer to agencies instead who do the testing of applicants, and they’ll be the ones to refer qualified people to fill job positions for you.  
  • Unlike employees, the services of contractors can be terminated at any time. Your company is also not obligated to follow severance rules when ending a working relationship with a contractor.  
  • You don’t have to pay workers’ compensation insurance to contractors. And, since they work independently, they’re responsible for their retirement insurance. The liability rates and health insurance are significantly higher for self-employed people. Employers can typically get discounts for employees only.  
  • Contractors also have their own equipment and supplies. This can help your company save money as you no longer have to provide such tools for them, although you have the option to give them what they need.  
  • When you’re not sure whether a job position will be long-term, primarily due to an economic crisis that can unexpectedly happen anytime, a contractor can temporarily fill it in. Contractors offer the opportunity for you to assess their skills. In a way, you’re like trying out a person’s skills and work attitude first before fully hiring them.

Which One Is Right For Your Needs? 

When deciding what type of worker you want to hire, whether a regular employee or a contractor, there are considerations you need to take into account to make the process much easier. That said, you can ask yourself the following questions along the way:  

  • What roles does your business need?
  • Is the available job position full-time, part-time, project-based, or seasonal?
  • Do you constantly need people working on shifts, or can you allow them to take vacations off? 
  • Do you need them to work on-site at the office or place of business, or are they allowed to work anywhere as long as they have an Internet connection?

Avoid Misclassifying Your Workers

The workers must be aware of their positions in the company. As the employer, you stand to pay state and federal penalties for noncompliance. You could also face jail time for the intentional misclassification of your workers. One reason could be the avoidance of paying benefits. If a worker gets wind of this misclassification, ensure to heed their concerns to avoid involving the IRS.

To avoid such penalties, you can create a unique contract for the independent contractors you hire. Specify and make the terms and work agreement clear for them to understand. You can choose to state that they’ll be working the same hours as the company. Set the pricing following the result of the deliverables instead of by hours. You might also want to include that the contractor must have liability insurance if the tasks include certain risks.

In Conclusion 

Have you made up your mind yet?  There are no right and correct choices when deciding between contractors and employees for your startup. At the end of the day, it’ll depend on the needs and financial capacity of your business, as well as the risks you’re willing to take.

small business coach

Top 5 Powerful Forms of Content Marketing

Content marketing is one of the best ways to promote your business. However, different audiences prefer different forms of content. You can segment audiences by the content they like to consume to visual and auditory learners. Obviously, visual learners prefer blog posts, infographics, and videos while auditory learners enjoy podcasts.

Ideally, you should mix various types of content marketing but it’d be a mission impossible to cover every single form of content marketing (blogs, videos, eBooks, case studies, social media posts, podcasts, webinars, success stories – the list goes on and on).

So, today we’re talking about the 5 most powerful forms of content marketing you can use to really make an impact instead of having to juggle a dozen of different strategies.

We singled out these 5 forms based on the effort-impact ratio, which means that these can help you expand reach, grab attention, build trust, and increase sales without overinvesting your time or resources.

1. Blogging

No, blogging is not dead, and here are just a few fresh stats that can prove this claim.

  • Blogging is a part of the content strategy for 89% of marketers,
  • Blogging makes the primary content marketing strategy for roughly 53% of marketers,
  • More than 20 billion blogs are read each month,
  • Almost 45% of buyers go through a couple of pieces of blog content before making a purchase.

Does this seem powerful enough? Oh wait, there’s more…

Blogs can truly help you build brand awareness, especially elaborate and detailed ones, and get you heaps of passive links. However, contrary to the popular belief that long-form content blogs typically do much better than short-form content, the truth is that 75% of readers prefer shorter, under 1000-word articles. The best thing of all? You need just a little more than 4 hours to write a good 1,000-word blog.

2. Newsletters

Many people would say that email marketing is dead, too, and guess what? They are so wrong! Yes, email marketing is old-school but it’s still one of the most effective strategies out there.

More than 37% of brands have started increasing budgets they are investing in email marketing and the engagement rate with newsletters has increased by 77% in the past 12 months.

Sending newsletters can help you create stronger bonds with your audiences than, let’s say, posting on Facebook where most people just casually read and scroll. Also, people are more likely to start paying for a subscription after they’ve been subscribed to a free newsletter first.

Newsletters can help you reduce churn rates and increase the chances of people actually buying your product once a free trial expires. However, stick to 3 to 5 newsletters per week since, otherwise, you’ll risk that your audiences will unsubscribe.

Finally, it takes just about one hour to write a good, engaging and informative newsletter. If you’re looking for professionally designed templates to make your newsletters stand out, consider using Omnisend’s newsletter templates gallery.

3. Social Media Content

content-marketing

Almost 2 billion people use Facebook, almost 1.5 billion people use Instagram, and almost 250 people million use Twitter on a daily basis. Do you know what that means? You have a chance to get to tens of thousands of people every day or million people every month by simply posting content on social media.

Sure thing, you should nail your positioning and do proper research on which channels your target audience uses in the first place. For instance, Gen Z spends most of their time on Instagram, Millennials prefer Facebook, etc. Then, create a strong mission statement, think about the messaging and the tone you are going to use for captions and craft posts accordingly to make your content relatable.

For instance, if you want to appeal to a professional base of users, you’ll, naturally, use LinkedIn in the first place. The business community is all about professional development, networking, discussing business ideas, business growth, generating leads, and hiring the best talent so you should definitely focus on creating business-related, educational and inspirational content to tap into the right audience.

Do this positioning and messaging thing right, and you’ll drive genuine engagement, boost brand awareness, and have tons of sales!

When it comes to writing content for social media, it’s totally up to you to decide how much of your time you want to devote to it. It can take 5 minutes a day (provided you are posting short captions) or a couple of hours per week (provided you prefer creating content in batches and long-form captions). 

4. Influencer-Generated Content

Influencer marketing has been gaining the edge over paid ads lately. Having influencers share your content, whether it be a blog, photo, or video, or post unique content about your business can help with increasing reach, boosting awareness, and getting more sales. However, it is crucial to work with influencers from your niche if you want to reach people potentially interested in your products or services.

  • 93% of marketers have used influencer marketing at least once. 
  • 65% of viewers visit websites and shops after watching influencer-generated content.
  • 46% of viewers actually end up purchasing from a brand that is being promoted by an influencer.

If you don’t have a large budget, you can partner with nano micro-influencers who charge $100 to $500 per post and still get amazing ROI.

5. Videos

Video content has been booming lately. Shorts, Stories, Reels, and TikToks – users are consuming at least 100 minutes of video content per day. In 83% of the cases, videos can help with generating more leads, while 84% of customers make purchases right after watching a video.

Once your customer base starts growing significantly, we highly recommend you start using a CRM solution so that you retain those people and turn them into recurring customers.

Ideally, do both short-form, 60-second explainer videos and demo videos to show or tell how your product or service can help your potential clients. Don’t be afraid to hop on trends related to your industry and create quick social media clips but also do some storytelling and create long-form content from time to time.

After all, videos provide up to a 1,200% increase in reach compared to single-photo posts. This is the way to go if you want to see results, and you want them fast. Indeed, making videos can take from 30 minutes to several hours but this strategy is totally worth the time. 

Summary on Content Marketing

It’s super important for you to figure out which content marketing form would make the most sense for your audience. You can achieve great results by doing SEO and traditional marketing or you can invest in paid content. Whatever your choice is, remember that content marketing is a long-term play and your initial numbers will be growing bit by bit if you are persistent enough.

Author: Nina Petrov is a content marketing specialist, passionate about graphic design, content marketing, and the new generation of green and social businesses. She starts the day scrolling her digest on new digital trends while sipping a cup of coffee with milk and sugar. Her white little bunny tends to reply to your emails when she is on vacation.

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