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Category: Marketing

Blogs about general marketing ideas

9 Inexpensive Advertising Ideas to Promote Your Local Business

Posted on by Beny Mouen

Source: DepositPhotos.com - Lic#123342062 ID#27446420

Are your marketing efforts not bringing enough customers to your local business? Then it’s time to reinvent your approach and try new ways of advertising. Here is a comprehensive list of 9 small business advertising ideas to promote your local business.

Small Business Advertising Ideas: 9 Proven Methods

Sometimes executing just one or two marketing strategies isn’t enough, depending on the type of company you run and the response you want from potential customers. So, what are some other small business advertising ideas you can try? Here is a look at some of the most successful advertising options available.

1. Create a Google Listing

Most customers are looking for services and products online and they find potential companies through Google. This is why it is important to list your business on Google. This usually includes the name of your business, your website, address, contact info, photos of your products and services, and more. Then, you can have users and customers leave online reviews about your local business so that new customers can see how people are using your services.

2. Design a Website with SEO Practices

Your business website is the most important tool you have to reach customers and educate them about what you have to offer. Create a user- and mobile-friendly website and write relevant and original blogs related to your industry and services. This will help web visitors learn about your services but will also help with search engine optimization. SEO best practices can help your website appear higher on search results, increasing the chances of interested customers viewing it. The more people look at your website, the more followers you will generate. And this will lead to more customers converting.

3. Be Active on Social Media

Besides the internet, social media is yet another growing marketing tool. Most individuals are on some type of social media, whether it be Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, etc. And so, this is a good place to target potential customers. Be active on social media, share blogs, customer reviews, the latest news, and so on. You may even respond to customer queries and questions in a timely manner and use these platforms to offer customer support.

4. Offer Promotions and Specials

To keep your small business relevant, it is important to attract customer attention. And one of the best ways to do so is by offering promotions, discounts, and specials. These can occur throughout the year or on special occasions. But running promotions encourages customers who were on the fence to complete a purchase. For example, you can create a QR code that links to a page offering discounts or exclusive promotions for customers who scan it. Place it on flyers, posters, business cards, or even receipts. And this way, you can increase your customer base.

5. Consider a Toll Free Number

Most business owners don’t realize that one of the top small business advertising ideas is your business phone number. For example, a toll free number is free to call and encourages interested customers to reach out to your small business for queries or customer support. On the other hand, locals calling a local phone number incur local charges instead of long-distance charges. So choosing your business phone number can make a big difference in the way potential and current customers interact with your business.

6. Run a Customer Loyalty Program

Almost all businesses have some kind of reward or loyalty program or membership to reward valuable customers. Through such a program, the more customers purchase from you, the more they benefit. It works as a win-win for both you and your most valuable clients. You may even run special promotions for members only. This will show customers you care about their business and increase customer loyalty, which leads to recommendations made to family and friends.

7. Display Reviews, Affiliates, Testimonials

Online reviews, testimonials, and word of mouth recommendations: these are all important and enticing ways to advertise your local business. Display these on your website, online and local directories, social media platforms, etc. You may even conduct case studies of high-profile clients and display them along with affiliates on your website.

8. Invest in Email Marketing

Email marketing is another common advertising tactic for small businesses to get customers. Build an email list with potential clients and customers including those that:

    • Interact with your website
    • Fill out a sign-up form online
    • Interact with you at exhibitions
    • Reach out via social media
    • Call your business to inquire about products, and so on.

Then, send them newsletters, promotions, and educational posts to help them understand the value of your small business and the benefits of working with you or purchasing your products. In addition, regularly monitoring and updating your DMARC policy can further enhance your email marketing efforts, safeguarding your communication and fostering trust with your audience.

9. Try Traditional Methods: Billboards, Newspaper, Magazines, & Radio

Finally, try traditional methods of advertising. Think billboards with a catchy phrase and contact information, product reviews in newspapers and magazines, jingles on the radio. These advertising strategies have been used for years and continue to prove successful.

Promote Your Small Business Today!

Advertising doesn’t make change happen overnight. You need to lay the groundwork and watch the results. Then, make adjustments as needed such as targeting certain areas more with a virtual number or advertising more on certain platforms. Try the above advertising ideas to see which ones work best for your business!

Marketing Business Cards: Balancing Information and Design

Posted on by Meryl D'Sa-Wilson

Source: Depositphotos.com Lic#169626148 ID#103471204

It’s a beautiful and proud moment when your baby business idea turns into a legitimate company. You filed the paperwork, decided on a name, registered it, set up the website, and now set out to print business cards. But what do you need to know about marketing business cards and how to create the perfect card that reflects you and your business?

Marketing Business Cards: Pay Attention to Design and Content

Contrary to common belief, business cards are still considered important when getting the word out and building contacts. It’s a traditional means of passing down information about your business physically and tangibly. Business cards assist in creating and building your company’s professional image. They make your business seem legitimate and credible. Also, remember, not everyone has a smartphone or easy access to the internet. Here is where sharing information through a business card comes handy.

However, people can go overboard sometimes when marketing business cards. A crowded and shabby card can push customers away instead of enticing them towards your business. So what can you do to design the perfect business card?

Stick to the Basics: Keep Only Necessary Information

Keep your business card simple. Include the name, your name, phone number, email address, and 1-2 important social media links. It may seem like a good idea to mention all your social media accounts and multiple points of contact information in small font sizes, just to have it all there. However, believe us, it is not. Don’t make it harder for potential customers to read and decode content in small fonts. Even the description of the business shouldn’t be longer than a few words. If you have a tagline or slogan, that’s the way to go.

Make it Clear and Legible

You may be tempted to experiment with various fancy fonts to make your card stand out. But overdoing it can backfire. Pick a font, size, and color that is legible and not too loud. And one that is in line with your logo’s font would be a good option, too.

Market Your Contact Information

Most importantly, you want to ensure that they know exactly how to contact you. And so, include your email address and virtual or business phone number on your business cards with your email address. Since this is the way customers are going to interact with you, make the number and email address simple and not too complicated or confusing.

Place Your Logo Strategically

Your logo represents your business and potential clients will associate the logo with your company. So, it is important to place your logo on the card. It shouldn’t be too jarring. Instead, it should create the right impression. You can situate it on the top corners or the center of your card. Either way, make sure it is visible.

Utilize White Space

People often underestimate the power of white space. White space, from a design perspective, draws more attention to spaces including the text and logo. And you want potential clients to focus on these elements. So, avoid making your card too crowded. Allow white space for recipients who’d like to jot information down or make quick notes.

Design Differently for Each Profession

Now, if you’re a freelancer with different skills or have various side or part-time jobs, then you need to create different cards. Don’t advertise all your skills, jobs, qualifications on one small card. Instead, design for different audiences and highlight your skillset accordingly.

Include a Call to Action

Another thing that you may want to consider is encouraging the recipients to do something after receiving your card. You can do this by incorporating a QR code that they can scan to learn more about your company or enter some kind of promotion. Research and use the best QR code generator available in the market to create such codes. Or, you could include a coupon or discount on it as well. Basically, give them incentives to participate in your business.

Add a Link to Reviews

A simple but often overlooked tip when designing your business card is to include a link or QR code that directs prospects to your online customer reviews. This is an excellent way to build social proof and manage your reputation. When prospects see that others have had a positive experience with your business, they’re more likely to trust and reach out to your business. You can use a short, memorable URL that takes users directly to your Google reviews, Yelp page, or another third-party review platform. Even better, if you regularly hand out business cards to satisfied customers (especially after service calls or consultations), you can use this as a subtle yet effective way to request a review.

Don’t Forget The Back!

A lot of people intentionally or unintentionally leave the backside of the business card blank. However, this is a missed opportunity. When marketing business cards, be as creative as you can to support your company. And the back of your business card is one space where you can showcase your talent or quirkiness. For instance, if you are a photographer, you can choose to display one of your best photographs. A content or creative writer, on the other, can display their talent with words. The back should reflect what you do, who you are, and showcase your skills, if applicable.

Check out the following creative routes you can take:

  • Blow up your logo and include a tag line
  • Photographs
  • Creative content
  • Graphics for graphic designers
  • QR codes that recipients can “scan for news and special offers”
  • Social media links
  • Maps or directions to your business
  • Using a professional picture of you
  • Promotions, discounts, coupons to draw attention
  • Loyalty card like a stamp card where they “Buy 9, and get the 10th free”
  • Add a magnet at the back so you can find a spot on their fridge!

Don’t Cheap Out on Marketing for Your Business

Marketing is essential for any business because it is the main way to let target audiences know that your business exists. Furthermore, your product or service is what they need. Putting effort into marketing business cards is a good way to get started. Use the cards to not only spread the word but make contacts and create networks with others in your industry or related fields. Have your name physically attached to your business and watch it grow!

15 Useful Advertising Techniques for Any Business

Posted on by Meryl D'Sa-Wilson

Source: DepositPhotos.com - Lic#231857266ID#27446420

Business owners need to do everything in their power to pull customers towards their products and brand. And the best way to do so is advertising and marketing what your company stands for. Effective advertising techniques can change the way potential customers interact with your brand and increase its presence in the market.

Make Your Business Visible: Effective and Creative Advertising Techniques To Try

Marketing your product and business includes creating a company profile and informing potential customers that you exist. It involves showcasing your talents or services and how they are useful and resourceful. From creating a logo to investing in social media marketing, there is a range of advertising techniques you can experiment with to see which grabs the most attention.

1. Create a Business Profile and Brand it

Just having a name and website or storefront is not going to work. You need to create a brand, a story, a connection. Think: logo, tag line, backstory, images, merchandise, etc. Hire a graphic designer to help you out with designing a logo that represents what your company stands for. Additionally, write up a story that emphasizes how and why you started this business. Customers who can relate to your story or idea or struggle are already one step closer. Use compelling images to get the message across. Then, capitalize on all of these elements and advertise everywhere.

2. Develop Your Website

In this digital age, having a website for your company is a must. Yes, word-of-mouth advertising works, but there’s no harm in doing more. Most customers will first Google a service or product they need before deciding on where to get it. A simple website that only highlights the service or product won’t be enough. Showcase your brand, include old and current portfolio, maintain a blog with educational and informational articles that show your expertise. Let people know that you are legit and understand your industry. And so, if you have a website and are actively posting on it, there’s a good chance that these customers will come across it and open it. And based on your experience, skillset, and expertise may choose your services over others.

3. Get Social (with Social Media)

Similar to the need for websites, social media is a must for enticing digital shoppers. Post, tag, comment, interact with your target client base. Here too, you can demonstrate your experience, improve customer service, and draw attention with promotions or discounts. Active social media posting reaches customers much faster than any other means. You can also invest in social media marketing so that your ads and posts can be displayed as sponsored ads on target clients’ feeds.

4. Design for the Smartphone

This, too, is to satisfy your tech-savvy clients. Mobile-friendly websites or apps are easy and fun to use. If your website or app is lagging and not user-friendly, it could cause frustration and customers may head elsewhere for their needs. Make sure your website is responsive and not slow. Make information easy to locate. Buttons should be large enough to work on the phone without issues. And so on.

5. Include Humor: Be Funny

A little humor never hurt anyone. Don’t be afraid to lighten the tone by including various humorous elements such as funny graphics, GIFs, memes, puns, etc. Something that sticks out and is funny stays with people. And if you stay on their minds long enough, they’ll consider investing in your company. In other cases, a funny caption can attract attention for customers who weren’t even looking for your product. As a result, you can increase brand visibility this way too.

6. Swag Hurrah!

Everybody loves free stuff; that’s no surprise. So, swag is a great way to get the word out and to promote different products you offer. You can do this in a couple of different ways: offer free samples, free swag, merchandise, or swag at a discounted rate. The point is to get customers excited and curious about your service. So giving them a sneak peek along with goodies will definitely pique their interest.

7. Creative Business Cards

One of the most popular advertising techniques is designing and marketing digital business cards. It’s hard to imagine that a tiny business card can do so much. But, if designed well, you can increase your email and call list quickly. When creating your card, ensure you include your logo and tagline, use a legible font, and provide contact information (business number and email). Leave enough white space so that attention is drawn towards the brand. Additionally, the back of the card is also an opportunity to advertise your product or service. For example, if you are a photographer, include one of your best photos. Let’s them see what you are capable of.

8. Consider Advertising with an Annoying Jingle

We all hate those annoying commercials with jingles that stay ringing in our ears forever, and ever, and ever! But those are the brands you remember. You can have a jingle with words or taglines highlighting your product. Or, you can capitalize on holiday music or popular music that customers enjoy and relate to. For example, a lot of ads have separate commercials for the Christmas season with Christmas visuals and music. Some even change the words to popular Christmas songs. These are some ways you can customize your ad with music.

9. Visuals in Commercials

Depending on the size of your business and budget, you may also want to consider making a commercial. You can use this to provide information about your service or create an emotional appeal by sharing your company story and vision. Or, you could use humor and misdirection to surprise viewers. For example, you could have a commercial showing polar bears sweating to talk about climate change. Or, have a commercial filled with tens of cats running around to promote the need for a lint remover.

10. Emotional Appeal

Emotional appeal is also one of the most important advertising techniques. This is because most customers will look for a good reason to purchase your product. So, you need to give them as many reasons as you can. For example, a commercial about quitting smoking that shows lung cancer or the debilitating effects of emphysema is much stronger than a commercial that simply says “Don’t Smoke.” Similarly, an ad that establishes and discusses a problem and then offers a solution makes for an effective marketing technique.

11. Bribe Them (with Promotions and Discounts)

Give customers that extra push or nudge towards purchasing your service by offering promotions and discounts. First-time customers appreciate a “first-time user” discount so that they can test the service out. You could also have a loyalty program where customers who recommend your service to others get extra points or credit. Similarly, you could implement a membership program for returning customers to get more discounts on bigger purchases.

12. Highlight Facts, Statistics, and Customer Reviews

Prove that your service, system, or product works. Include statistics, facts, product reviews, customer reviews, and testimonials. Use evidence as well as customer opinions to drive your sales. Respond to bad reviews to show that you are open to feedback and criticism that will improve the service.

13. Consider Color Psychology

Effective visual advertising techniques boost the way viewers and recipients perceive and interact with your business. An important factor in visual advertising is color. Pay attention to the colors you use for your logo, text, photographs, and the background. The colors should blend together and not appear jarring or loud. Think about the color palette when designing your flyers, business cards, etc. Something as simple as choosing a bold or dark color on a call-to-action button like “Submit” or “Click here” can influence click-through-rates.

14. Balance the Composition

Similar to color, notice how you organize and compose your copy or advertisement. You can arrange items to draw attention to specific areas or elements Or you can just arrange them in the most eye-pleasing way keeping Gestalt principles like simplicity and synchrony in mind. These principles focus on perception and how we perceive and absorb information.

15. Track Eye Movement and Create Visual Paths

A visual path is a design technique used on the journey of the content, pulling attention to specific elements. In other words, it is how a person moves along the content on your page. For example, left to right, top to bottom, and so on. You can estimate the visual path to highlight elements that you want them to focus on more.

16. Appeal to the Search Engines

Optimize your website content by adopting search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to rank higher in search results. This way, when people search for services related to yours or include certain keywords that relate to your business, they will be able to find your website quickly. You can also look into Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising. These are sponsored ads that appear on top of search results. And you only pay for them when a viewer clicks on the ad. These are some advertising techniques that have proven to be successful for many marketing campaigns.

Increase Familiarity and Comfort Through Effective Advertising

Advertising techniques that are transparent and don’t try to trick customers are highly appreciated. Customers don’t want to be bullied or manipulated, but they do want to be informed and surprised. Keep your marketing efforts simple, educational, and supportive. And soon, you’ll drive your sales higher!

61 Local Businesses Directories for Backlinks and Marketing

Posted on by Meryl D'Sa-Wilson

Source: Depositphotos.com Lic#167812372 ID#70423961

Every business owner wants their business to attract new customers on a regular basis. And one of the ways to ensure that your target audience is aware of what you have to offer is to list local businesses in online directories. Doing so brings more backlinks to your own website, generating more website views. Learn how to use online directories for marketing purposes and to increase brand awareness.

How Can Local Directories Help Your Business: What to Keep in Mind

Having your company’s description and information on business listings is an important step in getting the word out. This is a good way for potential customers to come across your brand when looking for similar products or services. And so, this is a good marketing strategy to consider implementing. To ensure your listed business does well, you should:

Build a Company Profile: Have a clear and detailed description of what your organization offers, the company’s mission, and its core values.

Maintain Consistency in NAP: When adding local businesses in different directories, make sure that the basic information — that is Name, Address, Phone Number (NAP) — is the same across the board. Don’t provide contradictory information.

Utilize Visual Media: Include photos and videos of your product, service, office, or employees to showcase your talent and expertise.

Create Relevant Backlinks: Backlinks are inbound links that link back to your website. This way, visitors can get to your website quickly. Additionally, if you put a tracking link at the end of your URL, you can track how many customers are reaching you through the directories.

Pick Directories With a Good Domain Authority (DA): A DA is a ranking score for search engines and tells you how a website will rank on a search engine result page. The higher the DA, the higher the website will rank, which is good for marketing purposes.

How  To Increase Your Local Businesses Visibility: 61 Business Directories to Get Listed in

Here’s a list of local businesses alongside their domain authority so that you can select the right ones for your company:

Google My Business (100)
Facebook (100)
Apple Maps (100)
LinkedIn Company (98)
Bizjournal
Glassdoor
Crunchbase
Yelp (94)
Merchant Circle
WhitePages
Bing (94)
Better Business Bureau (93)
MapQuest (92)
Foursquare (92)
Yahoo! Local (91)
HubSpot (91)
Yellow Pages (91)
Angie’s List (91)
Manta (87)
Merchant Circle (86)
Super Pages (84)
Yellow Book (83)
Thumbtack (82)
Chamber of Commerce (79)
Bing Places (79)
Local.com (77)
Hot Frog (76)
Communitywalk.com (75)
Blogarama (74)
Brownbook.net (73)
Tupalo.com (72)
La Cartes (68)
ezlocal.com (67)
ebusinesspages.com (67)
2findlocal.com (67)
Cylex USA (66)
Spoke (66)
City Squares (66)
World Web Directories (65)
BOTW (65)
Fyple.com (63)
ibegin.com (63)
Finduslocal.com (60)
Call Up Contact (60)
Company.com (60)
Hub.biz (59)
My Huckleberry (59)
City Insider (58)
where2go.com (58)
n49.com (58)
My Sheriff (57)
opendi.us (56)
Smartguy.com (55)
Wherezit.com (55)
Bizhwy.com (55)
DiscoverOurTown.com (54)
macraesbluebook.com (52)
USdirectory.com (50)
Tripadvisor
Bizadee (48)
Wand.com (47)

Should You List Your Business Online?

There are countless benefits to including your organization in online directories to generate local citations (online mention of your business’ NAP).

1) Increase visibility and discoverability: Since most customers are going to be looking for services/products like yours on the internet, having your business listed online can help them find you easily. This is also a good way to make target audiences aware that your brand exists.

2) Develop your reputation and credibility: When prospects see your organization is different and trustworthy in directories, they begin to feel more confident about it. They see your business as professional and established and not a new, shell company.

Online Directories Helping Local Businesses Grow Brand Awareness

As owners, it is important to keep your local businesses present everywhere so that customers find your service easily and quickly. Consider using online listings to boost your digital presence and attract new customers to your service. Don’t forget to use your business phone number for call metrics.

5 Practical Marketing Tips for an Accountants Office

Posted on by Meryl D'Sa-Wilson

Source: Depositphotos.com Lic#167459246 ID#223455848

With a rise in globalization and growing economies, tax environments are becoming more and more complicated. And because of this, accounting services are in higher demand. This is why your accountants office should be doing everything it can to promote your services and garner customer attention.

Marketing for an Accountants Office: 5 Things You Need to Do

Marketing is absolutely essential for any firm or organization. Marketing allows businesses to present their services to the public. It is a way of showcasing what you have to offer and why target customers should come to your business over competitors. Let’s look at 5 marketing tips that are a must for any accountants office looking to stand out among the crowd.

Make a Plan: Establish Goals

It is important for everyone to be on the same page when it comes to determining how to market your company and services. Promoting, if done right, is the best way to create and maintain a business’ professional image. And so, make a plan and, together with your team, set goals and milestones to achieve. This way, every member of your team is working towards the same objectives.

Research the Market: Identify Targets

With any business or service, conducting market research is significant. You need to know what other similar services exist and how they are succeeding or failing. Learn from their achievements and failures and model your office accordingly. This way, you can also identify what services are lacking and choose to offer those, making you appear as the only office offering something different. Additionally, research target customers to determine how to market to them. If you don’t know who needs your services, you will not know how to get their attention. Marketing strategies will differ for various target groups. And so, it helps to be specific when identifying your accountants office’s ideal customer.

Draw a Budget: A Reasonable One

If not careful, marketing expenses can sneak up on you. Set aside specific budgets by the month or each quarter and keep tracking it. Often times, people overdo their marketing budgets. So, create one that is practical and won’t make a large dent in the office’s overall expenses. This way, you can measure and consider increasing or decreasing the amount based on return on investment (ROI).

Market Everywhere: Content, Social Media, and Email Marketing

It is alright to start by experimenting with any one form of marketing such as content marketing, social media marketing, or email marketing. However, over time, tapping into every form of marketing will be more effective. Content marketing focuses on developing the business’ website by improving information and content published on it. It’s necessary to establish expertise, explain difficult concepts, and demonstrate processes. Potential customers need to know that your accountants office knows its stuff and can actually help them. And content marketing can help you achieve this image.

Additionally, social media is also an effective way to get on target customers’ radar. Use paid social media ads to your advantage and keep your social media accounts up to date and informative. Also, use social media to provide promotions and other incentives to get clients. Email marketing can be used for the same: promotions, offers, membership discounts, newsletters, and more. These are some good methods of staying on customers’ phones and inboxes.

Let Them Reach You: Provide Different Communication Channels

Business numbers: they are a necessity. Get a business phone number and advertise it everywhere: website, emails, business cards, billboards, social media, and more. A virtual number from a reliable service provider can ensure you are always accessible by routing your calls over the internet. This way, wherever you are and whatever device you are using, clients can reach you. And customers will appreciate that.

You can also get local numbers in different states and countries and expand your business there. Local numbers make it easier for international clients to contact you as they don’t have to pay long-distance charges. The same goes for toll free numbers: they charge the receiver instead of the caller. All of this makes calling your accountants office attractive as customers don’t have to pay extra.

Customize your business number by getting a vanity number from United World Telecom. Personalize it by adding memorable patterns or letters. For example, 1800-432-4322 or 1-866-ACCTNTS. This makes your number easier to recognize and remember.

Measure, Track, Improve, Repeat

Finally, measure your success by tracking metrics and watching incoming profits. Identify areas that are successful and ones that can use tweaks or improvements. The most important aspect of effective marketing is to maintain strategies and stay up to date. Invest in a marketing team that looks over strategies and ensures they are continuously running. And before you know it, you will have customers seeking your services.

Learning Leadership Skills in the Workplace

Posted on by Tom Senkus

Source: Depositphotos.com Lic#161292418 ID#162120584

Are you interested in learning leadership? Considering leadership is a highly desirable skill, it’s a priority for those who want greater job opportunities, better work environments, and more. Granted, there are natural leaders who seem to know what to do and when, but the how is universal and can be learned by anyone.

That being said, there’s no better place to learn leadership skills than in the workplace. With the pressure to lead a team to success, learning leadership on the job can yield tangible results. In this article, we will cover the various aspects of learning leadership in the workplace, including:

  • Trial by Fire
  • Improvise | Adapt | Overcome
  • Practice Makes Perfect
  • Understanding Your Team’s Needs

Trial By Fire

Being able to perform under pressure, or a “trial by fire,” is one of the key ways of learning leadership. And no matter what workplace you manage, a certain amount of pressure is inevitable. The trick to managing it is to endure the discomfort to attain the goal. For instance, consider your team’s ability to reliably hit deadlines. Are you capable of dealing with conflict and complaints from your employees?

If you’re able to handle small problems, you gain the confidence to handle larger ones where the stakes are higher. After all, if you have problems correcting a worker on their performance, how can you resolve a company-wide issue that could dissolve the business overnight? Similarly, it’s evident why the phrase “putting out fires” is so prevalent in the workplace. Therefore, when leadership fails, it’s no wonder problems seem to constantly erupt without warning, causing damage spontaneously.

A Technological Example

Even still, would you be able to anticipate these problems beforehand because you’ve been “burned” before? For example, if you’re able to divert inbound calls made to your business during crunch time, you avoid overstressing your available staff. By using one of United World Telecom’s add-ons, such as “time of day routing,” you help your team focus while calls are routed elsewhere.

Learning Leadership Skills in the Workplace
Source: Depositphotos.com Lic#161293078 ID#233887730

Improvise | Adapt | Overcome

One motto that the U.S. Marines live by is “Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.” Essentially, this means that leadership skills are never set in stone. The tasks of business leaders include:

  • Creating novel solutions to unforeseen circumstances
  • Modifying those methods as things progress and new issues occur
  • And ultimately bringing resolution to the issue

Therefore, having the ability to expect the unexpected requires the flexibility to devise solutions on the spot.

Using the Right Communication Tools for Precise Leadership

As an example, you may realize that your team is needed for an emergency meeting with a high-priority client. By using “whitelisting,” one of United World Telecom’s features for inbound calls, you can filter only VIPs through as needed. As the situation deescalates, you can modify which team members are needed for direct communication. This enables you to allocate non-critical staff to other needed areas. Once the meeting commences, your team can resume its work for maximum productivity without interruption.

Additionally, you can utilize tools that provide long-term solutions. For instance, you may notice that your team is constantly bombarded with common questions that could be addressed with stock answers. To alleviate the redundancy that can wear out your team, you may want to implement some automation. A directory system (known as a PBX, or Private Branch Exchange) can make this possible for inbound calls. By setting up a PBX, callers can answer their own questions and direct themselves to the appropriate staff as needed. This frees up valuable resources and keeps your employees focused.

Practice Makes Perfect

The only way to learn and retain leadership skills is by exercising them. Consequently, taking on new responsibilities expands your skill set and enables you to familiarize yourself with the unknown. Once you have common problems and scenarios under control, it becomes easier to anticipate the best solutions while learning leadership.

Considering that United World Telecom offers subscribers a wide variety of functions and add-ons, experiment with different usages. For instance, you may want to try out the “simultaneous ringing” feature during non-peak times to see its effect on your staff.

Understanding Your Team’s Needs

In conclusion, learning leadership in the workplace is more about learning the nuances of human nature. Above all, addressing your team’s needs will help make their work easier and more conducive to a productive work environment. Whether by observing or directly asking your team, pay attention to how their performance is affected throughout the workday.

SaaS Startup Solutions for Every Niche

Posted on by Tom Senkus

Source: Depositphotos.com Lic#158415286 ID#109613038

Are you looking for SaaS startup solutions for your business? It seems that Software as a Service is becoming the go-to for budding entrepreneurs across all industries and niches. Every day, new companies emerge, boasting a lean, agile business model built on delivering scalable services for every purpose. However, there are many commonalities across SaaS startups giving new companies a competitive edge right out the gate. Similarly, one of these common elements is virtual phone numbers offered by service providers like United World Telecom.

Solutions for a Multitude of Businesses

It’s important to remember that SaaS is a very broad term that encompasses nearly every conceivable niche. Therefore, in this article, we will take a look at how United World Telecom can enhance your startup’s efforts with:

  • Virtual Offices/Locations
  • Social Media-Based Sales Conversions
  • Providing Customer Support

Virtual Offices/Locations for a SaaS Startup Business

One of the advantages of SaaS businesses is that they are predominantly operated over the Internet to deliver their services, as well as offer customer support. This is where virtual phone numbers bridge the digital divide, offering a humanizing element that doesn’t necessarily need face-to-face communication. Instead of using traditional methods of expansion via branch offices, “virtual offices” and “virtual locations” manage this for SaaS startups. Customers can reach your company by way of virtual phone numbers, which reroute calls instantly anywhere around the world. Consequently, with this functionality, you can customize your virtual office/location to fit your startup’s unique niche and business model.

Saas startup
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Using the Right Software

Similarly, online collaboration tools like Teamwork, Slack, and Trello have made it easier to execute tasks in remote locations for you SaaS business as needed. For instance, you can hire a subcontractor to provide in-house services to implement your software. So, at the same time, they can act as an agent of your startup. This is perfect for companies that regularly outsource this type of labor or those with agents scattered across the globe. Keeping in touch by phone ensures that everyone can manage and perform the details of each project with constant communication.

Social Media-Based Sales Conversions

Social media is a part of every business type imaginable. And Saas-based startups are using social media more and more to demonstrate how their software can revolutionize their customer’s lives. By including media on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, you appeal to a wide base of interested customers that can jumpstart your SaaS startup in no time.

Of course, you need to convert these potential leads into actual customers. Virtual phone numbers fulfill this role perfectly, particularly with United World Telecom’s add-on known as “CallMe Click.” As the name implies, when a user clicks on a link for phone number or contact info, a call is instantly initiated to your virtual phone number. This instant connection helps move things along quickly, taking advantage of the moment customers demonstrate interest. After all, in the distraction-heavy world of social media, creating an instantaneous connection to your SaaS company is ideal.

Providing Customer Support for your SaaS Startup

While running a startup often requires juggling many day-to-day tasks, its very easy to lose track of keeping the human element in your SaaS startup. This is why it’s important to have virtual phone numbers for each target market you’re looking to connect with. Building long-term relationships with customers is essential to the longevity of your company. No wants a business treating them as just another number.

For example, by using nationwide toll free numbers, your SaaS startup can circumvent problems with intra-regional and international calls. These problems typically manifest as:

  • Long-distance fees,
  • Service blockages,
  • Or simply the preferences of your customer base to deal with a startup that they perceive as a domestic entity.

Virtual Numbers for Your SaaS Business

Luckily, United World Telecom offers countless phone numbers to add to your arsenal. With an inventory of over 140+ countries and countless cities/regions, you can accommodate your customers’ needs impeccably. This, in turn, leads to more sales conversions for your SaaS startup – no matter which industry you specialize in.

Virtual Phone Numbers for Billboards

Posted on by Tom Senkus

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Whether your company is large or small, virtual phone numbers on your billboard ads may be exactly what your business needs. When operating a business, marketing typically plays a big role. Knowing which types of marketing strategies to employ and mapping out the process of when to launch the campaign, how long it should be, and the details of the campaign are other integral parts of the process. Billboard advertising has been around since the mid-1800s, but with advances in technology, it’s more effective than ever. 

Should I Invest in Billboard Advertising?

Billboard advertising is a tried-and-true tool for marketing. They are so commonplace that we may often overlook their usability. However, when planning an advertising strategy, this is an option to consider. 

Benefits of Billboard Advertising for Your Business

Billboard advertising is not only still in-use out of habit. They remain in use due to the results they produce. The fundamental concept behind billboard advertising is still sound, and new technologies have introduced additional ways to use billboards. Some of the benefits of billboard advertising for your business include:

  • Billboard advertising allows for geographically targeted marketing.
  • Simple, clear information on a billboard has a big impact.
  • Repetition drills in messages when people drive or walk by billboards regularly.
  • Strategically placed billboard signs allow you to capture the attention of your audience more directly. These ads are unavoidable and in-your-face, unlike ads on TV, computers, or smartphones.
  • Digital billboards have opened new possibilities for using these innovative marketing tools.

Is Billboard Advertising Only for Large Organizations?

Whether your business is small, local and newly-established, or large and long-established, billboard advertising can be very effective. Using the right messaging and the right location, billboards can work really well for businesses of all sizes. Including those that are just starting out. 

What About Virtual Phone Numbers for Billboards?

Using virtual phone numbers for billboards brings another layer of usability and effectiveness to the table. With virtual phone numbers for billboards, you can use different virtual numbers for each marketing campaign. The purpose of this is to track the effectiveness of each specific campaign. 

Billboards with virtual phone numbers
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What is a Virtual Phone Number?

Rather than through the use of a traditional hard-wired landline, a virtual phone number works through the use of the Internet. Calls made to virtual phone numbers can be automatically forwarded to a main office line or any other landline or mobile line of your choosing. While this allows for all calls to be answered in one central location, the calls that come through virtual phone numbers can be tracked and recorded for both marketing and training purposes. This allows for you to measure how many calls came through from the billboard ad with a specific virtual phone number. Virtual phone numbers are extremely cost-efficient and, like billboards, they represent a very effective marketing tool. 

What Makes Billboard Advertising Different Than Other Types of Advertising?

Billboards hold a very unique place within the advertising world due to their physical presence. They are not fleeting like a TV commercial, a radio ad, or an Internet ad. Billboards typically stand on the side of the road with a very large and visible message. 

In Closing

There is no single magic solution that will fill all of your organization’s growing and changing marketing needs. With that said, when used correctly, utilizing billboard advertising and virtual phone numbers together can do things that all other methods cannot. If you have a clear message with a call to action that you want to convey to your target audience, then billboards with virtual phone numbers may be exactly what your organization needs. Tracking your campaigns to review results and make modifications is one of the best reasons to have virtual numbers. Contact United World Telecom today to learn more!  

Why Business Leaders Need to Focus on Sustainability Efforts

Posted on by Magaly Fuentes

Source: Stockphoto.com O#100023244232 ID#100200144052

It is one thing to acknowledge an issue and it is an entirely different thing to actually decide to do something about it and act on those plans. The conversation regarding building more sustainable and global businesses has gained a lot of momentum over the last decade. There is encouraging news regarding significant initiatives from various corners of the world. The bottom line is this: sustainability efforts should be on the agenda of every single business leader. Consumers increasingly expect business leaders to play their role in not only delivering economic growth, but also working to improve the lives of customers and employees while protecting the environment.

The Need for Sustainability Cannot Be Ignored Any Longer

Expressing intentions is no longer sufficient. Sustainability is becoming more important for companies across all sectors. It is a business approach to create long-term value by considering how a given organization operates in social, ecological, and economic environments. Developing and implementing these strategies are meant to foster a company’s longevity. This is why business leaders need to focus on sustainability efforts.

Additional Reasons Why Business Leaders Need to Focus on Sustainability Include:

  • Government Regulations: Federal, state and local governments are enacting additional regulations to protect the environment. Adopting sustainability efforts will help to ensure that your company will be able to meet the changing regulations in a timely manner
  • Public Relations: A growing number of consumers care about environmental issues. This sector of the population is investing in companies who are enacting sustainability policies.
  • Attracting Employees: Employees want to attach themselves to brands that care about the environment and social responsibility as a whole.
  • Increased Sales: Sustainability commitments are resulting in improved sales.
  • Attracting Investors: Like consumers, investors want to invest in a company that is socially responsible.
  • Feeding Creativity and Innovation: Challenging employees to come up with better ways to do things is inspiring.
  • Enhanced Productivity: Targeting one area with sustainability efforts may lead to improvement in other areas as well.
  • Reducing Risk: Reducing the risk of fines and lawsuits by being in compliance keeps costs down.
  • Brand Trust and Loyalty: Branding your company as one that is committed to sustainability efforts is a great way to gain consumer confidence, trust, and loyalty.
why should leaders focus on sustainability
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Sustainability is the Future

Companies are moving toward more sustainable practices by reducing waste, creating a greener supply chain, looking at water efficiency, optimizing material usage, increasing productivity, addressing labor conditions, setting targets on water replenishment, taking steps with regard to energy efficiency, and more.

Sustainability and Business

When examining why business leaders need to focus on sustainability, it is imperative to understand these efforts are good for the environment, for consumers, and for business. Any business leader that does not grasp this is taking the risk of being left behind the competition. There are other risks, such as promising and not delivering or addressing one issue without being solid on compliance with regard to sustainability in other areas. For business leaders to address sustainability appropriately, these risks should be assessed and plans should be in place to address these issues.

Related: Green Cloud Communications for Business

Improving Sustainability is a Work in Progress

Just like there is no “one solution” for every business model, there is no “one solution” across the board for implementing sustainability efforts in every business. The best course to take is in analyzing the ambitions and individual stakes of each company. A few steps management teams can take in improving sustainability efforts include:

  1.  Aligning the company strategy with sustainability efforts.
  2. Address compliance first (pollution and energy efficiency, human rights, labor responsibilities, regulations in waste management, etc.) before addressing competitive advantage.
  3. Develop proactive sustainability strategies rather than reactive ones. When looking at why business leaders need to focus on sustainability efforts, you should recognize the impact of sustainability and develop proactive strategies rather than waiting until there is a crisis (i.e. public anger for unfair labor practices) to implement such efforts.
  4. Transparency is key. An open environment in an organization leads to improved performance. This has been proven time and time again. The way to accomplish transparency is through open and clear communication with all stakeholders.

Putting Sustainability Plans into Action

In speeding up sustainability efforts, business leaders should focus on issues that are specific to your business. This includes building a clear business case for focusing on sustainability, reinventing your business model, and developing a compelling value-creating story for investors. This is especially helpful when presenting your case for focusing on sustainability. This is a major challenge, but it is also one that matters beyond individual organizations.

Looking at why business leaders need to focus on sustainability efforts is a critical first step, however, action is the next step that must be taken.

The Links Between the Economy and the Environment

Posted on by Magaly Fuentes

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In November 2018, the current U.S. administration published a significant report detailing the advance of climate change. The news was bad and it also came with a price tag. The report detailed the damage that is being observed and the financial losses that are projected. In summary, the outcome is a result of what humans have constructed and are still constructing, which is not best suited for the world the way it is. As time goes on, the cost to live in this world could increase by hundreds of billions of dollars per year. The links between the economy and the environment are clearly shown.

The Evidence of Climate Change We’re Seeing Right Now

In recent years, thousands of Americans have died as a result of extreme weather events tied to climate change. This has included hurricanes, which have been fueled by very warm seas to other extremes, such as drought. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island said, “This report shows how climate change will affect every single one of our communities. The president says outrageous things like climate change is a hoax engineered by the Chinese and raking forests will prevent catastrophic wildfires, but serious consequences like collapsing coastal housing prices and trillions of dollars in stranded fossil fuel assets await us if we don’t act.”

Climate Change May Prove to be Financially Crippling

The United States National Climate assessments since 2000 have focused on showing the links between the economy and the environment and how much Americans stand to lose to climate change. The costs that are discussed include household expenses, the availability and price of food, energy, and other goods that people use on a daily basis in modern society.

These effects extend beyond the US. The report states, “The impacts of climate change, variability, and extreme events outside the United States are affecting and are virtually certain to increasingly affect U.S. trade and economy, including import and export prices and businesses with overseas operations and supply chains.” The report also states, “Now it’s seen much more as a societal or economic issue than a narrow environmental one.” And that is what it takes for many to gather the full scope of an issue… a clear, eye-opening breakdown of how something will affect them, the economy, and society as a whole.

economy vs environment
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Dire Situations Ahead if Action Isn’t Taken

A section of the report analyzes the estimates of economic loss across the U.S. economy by sector. This section points to the fact that policy, as well as technological and behavioral changes that result in significantly lowering emissions, can cut the potential financial damage across many of these sectors by approximately 50 percent.

Even in a best-case situation, Americans will still have to pay tens of billions of dollars more per year to deal with the acceleration of climate change.

The climate change report goes on to show how climate change is putting different regions in the country in difficult financial situations:

In Pennsylvania, aging bridges may not fare well against more extreme storms, and water and wastewater systems need almost $30 billion in investment. In general, about 90 percent of the northeast is built on infrastructure poorly suited to adjust to rising seas. “Projected future costs are estimated to continue along a steep upward trend relative to what is being experienced today,” the report states. More than 60 percent of big southeastern cities see heat-wave trends above the national average, and three of them, Birmingham, Ala., New Orleans and Raleigh, N.C., are exceeding the rest of the country across all major heat-wave measures. Anchored by California’s clean-tech economy, the Southwest is seeing much of the nation’s new energy investment. Legacy power technologies, such as water-cooled power plants, will continue to work for decades, however, and will be less effective as temperatures make cooling sources too hot. Hot water could reduce efficiency of these power plants by 15 percent by 2050. In the Midwest, a major producer of corn and soybeans, increased temperatures, rainfall and humidity have eroded soil and allowed harmful pests and pathogens to thrive, according to the report. Rising growing-season temperatures in the region are projected to be the largest single factor contributing to declines of U.S. agriculture production.

Related: Learn How to Go Green with Cloud Communications

If the Environment Collapses, so Will the Economy

There are growing threats to supply chains, global trade, and the price of goods. Other international issues include humanitarian aid, national security, and what the report refers to as “transboundary resources,” which include water, fish, and minerals co-managed by neighboring countries. The link between the economy and the environment is clear and must be addressed immediately.

Though adaptation efforts are currently being put into effect at various levels across the nation, they are often minimal in comparison with the challenges we face. Acknowledging the connection between the economy and the environment and addressing the full range of climate change will require substantial change in business practices and procedures across all organizations and sectors. It also requires substantial change on the part of individuals, laws, and capital investment. The goal is not to adapt to a new normal that will essentially remain the same, but to prepare lives and infrastructure with a forward-looking mindset that takes into account the “now” and the “what’s to come.”

Designing Business Cards? Use a Virtual Phone Number

Posted on by Ilsa Morales

Source: Stockphoto.com O#23559 - ID#100059450683

As the world goes more and more virtual, one thing is still consistent: business cards. If you do not have a business card that you can bring with you to networking events, you are missing out on a lot of opportunities and new contacts. So if everyone has a business card, how are yours supposed to stand out among the masses? Whether you are designing business cards for the first time or looking to revamp your old business cards, check out these eight tips to creating a better business card.

Tips for Designing Business Cards

Adhere to basic design standards

The standards for designing business cards as follows:

    • 300dpi has the best image reproduction
    • Typography should be minimal but not so small that it is illegible
    • Use CMYK to design your cards
    • Make sure that your copy is 5mm or more away from the edge
    • When it comes to choosing a font, be sure to find one that is easy to read and stand out. Stay away from script type, unless you’re a calligraphy business showing off your original work. (However, even then it should be very legible.)

Start with the most important information

Different standard business card sizes vary depending on the country that you are in. This is probably because wallet sizes differ from place to place. Either way, a business card will be easy to hold onto and store. You will be working with a small canvas for creativity, but you must make sure that you include your most relevant contact information. After all of the crucial information is stated on the card then you can begin to get creative with your design around the type.

Avoid simple mistakes

Before printing your business card, be sure that you provide a bleed that is stated on your printer. Also, level borders around the card should be avoided in case the card isn’t cut perfectly. Misaligned borders are glaringly obvious to anyone you will be giving your card out to. It is like having a stain on your t-shirt on a first date; it’s all the other person will notice.

Designing Business Cards Designer on Laptop
Source: Stockphoto.com O#23559 – ID#100053809749

Use a virtual phone number

Highlight your virtual phone number on your business card. Business cards provide an easy way to exchange contact information with prospective clients and collaborators. Business cards are a great way to get people to call your business.

Think outside of the box

Most business cards are printed on the same type of material. This is usually because it is the most affordable option, but if you’re willing to spend a little more, you can take a bold design stance with your business cards using more creative options. Formats like wood, plastics, metals, and slate are all options for printing your cards. The business card still needs to be compact and portable, but as long as you keep that in mind when choosing an alternative material, you can’t go wrong with a card that stands out from other business cards.

Opt for a special finish

There are places to cut costs, but when choosing business cards, you shouldn’t be cutting costs on the finish. You can choose from metallic inks, foil blocking, and more specialized finishes. These finishes make your business cards look more expensive and visually appealing. Because of this, people will be more likely to remember your business card.

Create a business card with multiple uses

You can get creative here. When your business card doubles as something like a seed bag you can plant, a treat for a dog, or a phone holder, then your business card is less likely to end up in the recycling bin.

Recycle old Business Card designs

If you have a stack of old business cards that you don’t want to use anymore (most people do!), you don’t have to throw them out. You can recycle them. And this applies not just to old business cards either, you can reuse old birthday cards or destination postcards. If you want an easy way to recycle, merely print out some stickers to stick over the old cards. Or if you’re artistic, then you can take your old cards and illustrate something by hand over the top.

Whether you decide to go to someone to have your cards created professionally or if you choose to create your own, remember to double and triple-check your work before printing. The worst outcome could be that you end up with thousands of useless cards that display the wrong phone number on them, or some other mishap! A keen eye for detail is a must; business cards are one of the key points of marketing and business communication, so the little things matter a whole lot.

Toll Free Numbers for Marketing Campaigns

Posted on by Ilsa Morales

Source: Stockphoto.com O#23559 – ID#100213038060

Before starting a new marketing campaign, you may be wondering if a toll free number will be useful. If you are considering getting a toll free number for your business as part of a marketing strategy, there are a few things to keep in mind before committing to a number. Toll free numbers are a very affordable way to boost any marketing campaign and they come with many benefits. Here are a few things to consider before deciding on your number.

toll free numbers for marketing
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1. Choose your words wisely

Toll free 800 numbers are a useful business tool used by many businesses; in fact, the popularity of these numbers has created a need for 800 numbers to expand to numbers such as 855, 866, 877, and so on. However, you shouldn’t just purchase any available number. The number you choose needs to be easy to remember in order for it to be the most useful number for your business. Vanity numbers are popular for this reason as well. When choosing a vanity number, make sure that it pertains to your business. You can use a company tagline or a short word that states what your store sells.

2. Go all the way

Choosing all numbers or all letters is better than selecting a mix. Toll free numbers that combine words and numbers confuse customers and aren’t easy to remember. For example, 1-800-329-HOPS is not a good idea for a marketing number. You’re essentially asking your customers to remember a random group of numbers before a word. The only numbers before the word or phrase should be the 1-800.

3. Set goals

As with any marketing strategy, you’ll want to set goals that align with your overall vision for your company. Popular goals found in many marketing strategies include growing phone sales, generating leads, creating customer loyalty, and setting your business apart from the competition. Once you have your goals in front of you, then you can take time to develop the entire strategy effectively.

4. Put your number on everything

Once you have chosen the right toll free number for your brand, then you can market it everywhere. Place your number on your website, brochures, social media accounts, billboards, business cards, radio and TV ads, magazine or newspaper ads, and on merchandise like pens and notebooks.

5. Regularly track your results

Like any good marketing strategy, you need a way to track the influx of purchases from each outlet. That way, you can decide later on what works and what isn’t working for your company. Toll free numbers are the same. Some things are easy to measure, such as seeing a boost in phone calls for your toll free number. But in order to see just how many sales are taking place from this bump in calls and finding out where your new customers found the toll free number means you need to find a way to track the source of the phone calls. United World Telecom comes with a feature for all of their virtual phone numbers that allows you to monitor phone calls in your settings. The same day that you set up your toll free number, you can also set up your online account. You can manage all of your features from this account 24/7.

A custom toll free phone number is an excellent choice for most companies as it is an inexpensive way to double your marketing efforts across all of your current campaigns. As long as you choose the right number to represent your brand, you should be on your way to success. This number not only communicates the benefits that your company provides, but it also reinforces your brand across several channels and helps to differentiate your company from its competition. If you are thinking about getting a toll free number for your business, consider contacting United World Telecom at 1-877-898-8646 to get started on choosing the best toll free number for your company.

Marketing Campaigns To Boost Customer Service

Posted on by Magaly Fuentes

Source: Stockphoto.com O#23559 – ID#100220944526

Startup funding matters, but it isn’t the deciding factor of your success in the market. Originality is key for today’s marketing campaigns, and the way you advertise your products is the best way to boost your public appeal.

Your company is defined by more than your mission statement and messaging style. The perspective of your customers also determines how your business is perceived by consumers.
When you work to improve your marketing campaigns, customers will work for you by sharing your advertisements and mentioning their positive experiences when doing business with your company.

Read on for tips using your marketing campaigns to boost customer service.

Strategies for Marketing Campaigns

Customers aren’t expecting brands to follow traditional guidelines when conveying their message. Instead of focusing on the facts and lacking personality, customers want to get a feel for who you are and what your business truly stands for before purchasing your products.

This desire for genuine content is why vlogs have skyrocketed in popularity on YouTube and on social media platforms. Likewise, behind the scenes footage is intriguing and unscripted. This is the content viewers enjoy sharing, and it can immediately change their perspective.

Honesty connects audiences to a brand before they reach out to your team. Marketing campaigns naturally boost customer service when people feel that they have something in common with your vision or your team members. Once common ground is established, potential customers will be more supportive and willing to invest in your company.

Use Social Media To Your Advantage

People began to rely on social media to stay in touch with friends and family when the concept was introduced. As more businesses began to market through social media, customers followed suit, building stronger relationships with brands they trust. Likewise, social media became a tool for researching businesses, purchasing products, and reading customer reviews. It also serves as a powerful platform for promoting products through affiliate marketing tools, which can significantly boost sales.

Today, social media is the most popular outlet for brands and consumers to share their thoughts and important updates. Properly utilizing social media allows businesses to attract new customers and build a favorable reputation in your industry.

Social media is a tool for marketing campaigns to boost customer service as it solidifies your presence as a modern brand. Furthermore, social media adds a level of transparency customers appreciate. They can read the comments to see how you conduct your business and how past customers felt about their experiences.

When you decide to invest the time into social media marketing campaigns to boost customer service, take things a step further by interacting with customers. Thank users who mention your products, offer deals and promotions via messaging, and join conversations about topics related to your industry.

Request Customer Feedback

What better way to understand your customers than asking for their feedback directly? Marketing campaigns to boost customer service are effective when encouraging customer feedback because customers want to share their opinion – especially if they enjoy doing business with your company.

Business owners enhance the customer service experience because when you market your business by asking for feedback, it shows you value the input of people who purchase your services. Furthermore, you can implement the ideas customers give you to prove that your company puts the customer first. This has the ability to strengthen relationships with consumers and other industry professionals.

Consider Running a Referral Program

When you launch a referral program, you transform your most loyal customers and vendors into brand ambassadors. They spread the word about your products and services and enjoy rewards in exchange. Most businesses use such programs to build a community and network that promotes their service. Integrating affiliate tracking software can help you gather insights into the performance of referral programs and enhance the effectiveness of your marketing strategies.

Distribute Email Newsletters

Email marketing is an outlet for sharing your professionalism, latest deals, and unique voice. Use email newsletters to keep customers informed and engaged.

Businesses don’t have to send out letters by mail when using marketing campaigns to boost customer service. Email marketing usually has a high return on investment because almost everyone, even in diverse age ranges, checks their email daily. Personalize emails by linking them back to your products and sharing insider tips and updates.

Offer Free Trials

Everyone loves freebies and giveaways. Free trials can be used as a strategy to introduce new products to the market and analyze customer preferences. What logos and branding styles appeal to target customers? How are customers responding to your product? Are the instructions and advantages easy to comprehend?

Answering these questions will help you set prices and customize marketing campaigns to boost customer service.

It’s important to show that your company is relevant and customer-oriented. Public reaction to a new product or service provides the insight you need to create future marketing strategies and determine the best approach to customer service. You have to know that there is a diverse range of customers out there that you can reach. While we were once limited to television and print publications, we now have the internet to help our brand be successful from any location in the world.

Customers are constantly being advertised to so they want something that is original and that fits their lifestyle and vision. It’s not uncommon for new businesses to fail because they didn’t have an impactful and innovative marketing strategy that puts the customer first. Don’t make assumptions. Take the appropriate actions to find out customer needs and react accordingly.

Reasons a Business Phone Number Makes Sense for Freelancers, Solopreneurs, and Startups

Posted on by Ilsa Morales

When you are just starting in a new business endeavor, there are a few things that can wait and a few that can’t. You might think that having a business phone number is on the list of “something that can wait.” Since you already have a mobile phone number, you can use that for work, right? Yes and no. Sure that could work, but it makes you look unprofessional, it becomes harder to separate work and life, and it’s more likely that you’ll miss important phone calls. If you intend to watch your business grow, then reasoning that you can get a business phone number later when your budget is larger can cause many problems. First, it is hard to switch over from one to the other because when your business is progressing, the worst thing to do would be to change your phone number. Secondly, because you would be missing out on many features, it may not be a good option. If you are a freelancer, a solopreneur, or a startup, there are many reasons why a business phone number makes sense for you; here’s a look:

reasons a business phone number
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1. Professional Appearance

If you are a freelancer or beginning a startup, you’re most likely working from your home or a coffee shop and not a highly-equipped office. This could turn some people off. They may not think that you are capable of running a business properly without having a permanent office location. With a virtual business phone number, you can give the appearance of running a larger company. The variety of features available to you, such as personalized voicemail, call forwarding, customized greeting menus, and call transfer services make it highly appealing and easy to accent your appearance.

2. No More Dropped Calls

Virtual phone numbers work on a cloud-based system, which means that no call will be lost. Not only can you set up your preferences to be forwarded to the right person during business hours, but after hours you can set up phone calls to be sent to a voicemail feature that you can personalize to your preferences. In addition to that, with call forwarding and voicemail to fax or email, you will never miss a voicemail message either.

3.Clear Calls

Cell phone signals can be tricky, but virtual phone numbers, which work from the Cloud, work on a fixed network. Plus, they are dedicated to your business and were created to handle large call volumes.

4. It’s Affordable

If the main reason you aren’t springing for a business phone number is because you don’t think your budget will allow for it, think again. Virtual phone number sites offer several different plans for all stages of business. From freelancers to corporations, you can find an affordable plan that comes with all of the professional features, but you’ll only have to pay for the minutes you use.

5. More Personal Time

When you are a freelancer, solopreneur, or a startup, it can be hard to create boundaries between your burgeoning business and your personal time. But personal time and self-care are just as important as your business. If you find yourself spending all of your extra time thinking about and working on your business, the company could suffer. It’s good to take time off and enjoy life in between work periods. Cut out time in your day to spend with friends and family. Having balance in your life is the key to success. With a virtual phone number, you can set up business hours where customers can call you and reach you directly, as well as out of business hours where they have access to your voicemail. You can get back to them as soon as you are back in the “office.” Just because you work from home doesn’t mean you won’t need a break.

6. No Robocallers

One of the best features on a business phone number is that you can choose an automated greeting where your customer can then select an option of where they would like to be directed. Robocallers will get stuck in the menu options and eventually will be timed out and hung up on. Instead of having your phone line clogged with robocalls, you can spend more time talking to your actual customers. Robocallers have become a massive issue in the past few years, and a majority of phone numbers have been compromised. At United World Telecom you can also sort phone numbers into black and white lists. The Black List blocks unwanted callers from reaching you which means once a robocaller tries to contact you, they won’t be able to call again from that number.

Email Marketing Tip: How to Write Emails that Get Opened

Posted on by Ilsa Morales

Source: Stockphoto.com O#23559 – ID#100223422072

Keeping in constant contact with your customers is an important part of developing your business. Email marketing can be a wonderful tool for reaching out to your customers and providing them with information about your business like special deals, events, expansion, and more. You’ve probably spent a good amount of time crafting a great email only to check your stats later on and find that the emails you sent out have gone unopened. It is challenging to get people to open up and read your emails when they are constantly inundated with tons of emails. So what’s the secret to getting your emails opened and read? Check out these 12 tips for writing emails that get opened.

Make it Personal

People receive emails from corporations all the time, so the best way to stand out among them is to mention the person by name instead of calling them a “valued customer” or some other impersonal title. And if you really want to make it special, sign your name at the bottom, that way they know that there is human life at the other end of that message.

Space Out Your Emails

Unless you have something to let your customers know about your business, you won’t need to send out constant emails. Only when there is an actual event or information that a customer would like to know should you be sending out emails. If they receive an email from you every day, that can get really annoying very quickly and you’ll find your “unsubscribe” number reaching new heights.

Reward Your Customers

When a customer opens an email from you, they will be receiving information about your company, but every once in a while you should reward them for opening the emails. This can be done by offering a special discount code or a free gift with purchase. If your customers don’t benefit from opening your emails, they will stop opening them all together.

Write An Appealing Subject Line

Your emails are not going to get opened without catching someone’s eye first. Read on for more tips about writing a great subject line

Add Numbers

Putting a number in your subject line stops skimmers from passing over your email because the human eye will stop to focus when digits are placed in the text.

Make A Promise

Making promises piques curiosity. For example, you can make your subject read something like, “Spin the wheel for an exclusive discount code inside. Get 10, 25, or 50 percent off!” Inside of this email should be a link that will take your customer to the website where you can spin a randomized digital wheel and receive a discount code for the amount you land on.

Keep It Simple

Don’t get overly clever with your subject lines. When something specific and simple is promised, a customer is more likely to open the email. Don’t try to confuse your customers; they want to know what they’re opening before they open it.

Use Your Humanity For Appeal

Your subject lines should get people interested through their emotions, whether that emotion is to save money, a fear of missing out, or a line that evokes curiosity.

Make Your Emails Interesting To Read

Write with enthusiasm: if you’re not excited about what is in the email, what makes you think anyone else will be? Writing quickly is an easy hack that allows your personality to show through your writing.

Cut Your Text In Half

It is 2018; people are short on time and long on information, so keep your text concise and to the point.

Switch Up Your Greetings

Using the same greeting in every email gets boring after a while. It makes the message you’re trying to convey seem boring and impersonal if the emails start to look alike.

Give Your Company a Personality

Email marketing is a great way to add a touch of humanity and flare to your company’s image. Always write your text to sound humanizing and be sure that your message sounds like the natural voice of your company. For example, a young woman’s fashion site should read as if your hearing about the latest styles from your sassy and fun best friend.

Care About The Customer

Before sending an email, ask yourself if what you’re writing is going to benefit the customer? Is it truthful? Is it interesting? If the answer to one or all three is no, then don’t send it. You want to build a relationship with your customer on trust. The best way to do that is to write personalized and beneficial text from the heart.

Social Media Networks You Need to Know About for Business

Posted on by Ilsa Morales

Source: Stockphoto.com O#23559 – ID#100052463723

Social media networks can be for work or play, and some can be great for finding new business contacts. There are many big-named business social networks like LinkedIn, but have you ever heard of Sportifico? Depending on your business, you can find a social networking tool that fits just what you’re looking for. Whether that is for networking opportunities, jobs, or learning about an entirely new industry, meeting the right people can be done using the right platform. Check out these business-focused social media networks that are tailored to specific industries to expand your company’s reach.

social media networks
Source: Stockphoto.com O#23559 – ID#100102506278

AngelList

The AngelList was created to help startups find investors, or “angels.” To get started, you or your company must apply and be accepted first, which is no easy task. (Less than 2 percent of startup companies are allowed onto the site.) Once you have been approved, however, like several other matchmaking apps, you can swipe left or right on investment opportunities or investors! You can also filter based on things such as market and location.

Spiceworks

If you’re into IT or digital marketing, then Spiceworks is the social media network for you. Spiceworks is dedicated to connecting these professionals with each other, and the site offers project management and planning apps as well as academic content. Tech companies can join in on the fun, too, and create content like tips and advice for the Spiceworks users. Anyone can join, so even if you’re not an IT professional and you’re only looking to learn more about it, you will still be accepted to the site.

Mixer

Attention creatives! This app is for you. Mixer was created with one thing in mind: to provide creative professionals with the opportunity to network with other creative professionals in entertainment, fashion, art, and music. Mixer users pay a monthly subscription fee, and in return they receive the opportunity to network, to import their work into an online portfolio, and post and apply for jobs with other creatives.

MeetUp

Meetup has a little something for everyone. Whether you are looking to connect professionally or personally, you can find a group to do so here. It is a popular and well-known platform, but it is a straightforward tool to use to find things that you are interested in and to connect with other people. There are plenty of writer meetups, professional happy hour meetups, and even meetups for people who just want to enjoy brunch. If you don’t find any meetups you are interested in joining, don’t worry, you can always start your own group.

ResearchGate

ResearchGate is a strict social networking site for researchers and scientists. There are more than 15 million users worldwide, but the vetting process for making it into the networking site is scrupulous. For example, if you do not have an institutional email address, you might not get admitted. But once you are accepted, you have the opportunity to connect with scientists worldwide and collaborate on projects as well as share research findings.

Sermo

Like ResearchGate, Mixer, and Spiceworks – Sermo is a networking site catering to one group of individuals. Doctors around the world can connect on SERMO once their medical credentials have been verified. Once verified, doctors can ask questions, converse on different topics, and they can even discuss confidential information anonymously.

Opportunity

Opportunity is a social networking site for nearly all professionals and can be used to find employment or professional contacts. Opportunity allows users with a LinkedIn account to integrate both sites, and with all of its information, Opportunity uses an algorithm to find you new opportunities.

Sportifico

Another niche networking site is Sportifico. This one is strictly for soccer athletes and coaches. Whether you want to build your own team or start a career in coaching or playing soccer, Sportifico can connect you with the people that can make your dream a reality. Once you have applied and are accepted, Sportifico offers a place to show off your resume, your skills, stats, and a way to send messages and search for connections and opportunities.

Tips Your Startup Actually Needs

Posted on by Ilsa Morales

Source: Stockphoto.com O#23559 – ID#100072458279

Congratulations! You’ve founded your very own start-up! That’s a dream that only the best entrepreneurs can turn into a reality. While there is no shortage of information out there for startups, here’s some advice that you MUST have to lead your business to success. Read on for five tips that your startup needs.

1. Find Your Fans

This is true for any business that is successful. When you find your loyal customers and the people who truly trust and believe in your product(s), then you can have great success if you focus on pleasing them. Take time to thank your loyal customers and to listen to them. Find out what they expect and need out of your product. Your products and services should always be changing and getting better when you’re a start-up. All new startups should invest in a virtual phone number for their customer service line. It takes up minimal start-up cost, and you can find a plan that fits your specific needs and budget very quickly. Plus, with a virtual phone number, you can create a top-notch customer service line that will allow you and your customers to stay in touch, enabling you to nurture a prosperous, mutually-beneficial business relationship.

2. Create Your Own Product Category

When you don’t have any competition, it’s easy to be number 1. Take Snapchat, Twitter, and Instagram for example. They all began as social media sites whose biggest comparison was to that of Facebook. But what actually made them so strong and so unique was that they were nothing like Facebook. Twitter offers an outlet to find news and express your opinions on current events and pop culture topics, or even share what you had for lunch that day. As long as it was stated in 140 characters, or now 280 or less, you could write it and post it up for all to see.

3. Efficiency is Key

It is better to start out with a smaller staff, especially, if your start-up is on a budget. It might seem like you need to begin hiring people right away as your business starts to grow, but sometimes it’s better to look inward and find out what is working within your industry and what isn’t. Instead of expanding right away, think about dispersing the people you have onto projects that are pressing right away. Eventually, you will have to hire as your business grows, but in the first year or so, it is better to get a flow for what works for your company and what doesn’t before adding on additional people just to have to let them go when you can’t find the funding.

4. Offer a Better Product, and Price it That Way

A great thing about having a start-up business and working on one great product or a core-set of great products means that you can price your product above that of your competition. That might not sound like the best idea right off the bat, but think about it; bigger businesses can slash their prices more easily to compete with the smaller guys with no problem. When you dedicate your business solely to creating the best, for example, soap, you can market it and price it as a handmade and one-of-a-kind product that is good for you, the environment, pets, whatever. Use your niche to your advantage.

5. Marketing

Impress your customers with an eye-catching logo, an easy-to-navigate homepage, and a thorough and professional website. All of your marketing pieces should be the highest quality so you can make a great first impression. If you can’t afford an in-house graphic designer, try to hire a freelancer, or if you are really low on cash, you can check out Canva, where anyone can create beautiful visual design pieces from professional templates.

Once you have created your perfect website, built a winning team, put your best product forward with the right price, and raised your customer service game, you will be well on your way to having a successful startup.

The Skills You Need for Effective Leadership

Posted on by Magaly Fuentes

Source: Stockphoto.com O#23559 – ID#100012375181

Whether you are an office manager, a project leader, or the CEO, all effective leaders require a number of skills to help positively and successfully interact with staff and other team members. Here are a few of the skills you need for effective leadership:

The Power of Communication

Communication easily ranks at the top with regard to the skills you need for effective leadership. As a leader, you have to be able to clearly and concisely explain things to your employees. Topics that require communication by a leader may range from a description of goals to details involved in a specific task. Effective leaders have to master all forms of communication, including but not limited to full staff discussions, one-on-one, and communication via telephone, social media, and email. A large part of communication revolves around listening, so leaders should establish a clear and easy flow of communication with their team and staff through regular conversations and an open door policy. Other necessary skills that fall under communication include: clarity, articulation, business storytelling, expression, presentation, reading body language, and reducing ambiguity.

Another one of the skills you need for effective leadership is the ability to inspire and motivate. Effective leaders must be able to inspire their workers to go the extra mile for the company. There are many ways to accomplish this. Among them are: building employee self esteem through recognition and rewards and giving more responsibility to those who show extra initiative, thereby increasing their investment in the company. Some of the skills you need for effective leadership that are related directly to motivation are asking for input, mentoring, team building, thanking staff, and understanding employee differences and concerns.

The Importance of Effective Leadership

Leaders who attempt to take on too many tasks themselves will face challenges in getting things done. Some leaders fear that delegating tasks is a sign of weakness, when it is actually a sign of a strong leader. Therefore, another one of the skills you need for effective leadership is in identifying the skills of each of your staff members and assigning duties to each of the staff members based on their skill set. By delegating, you are able to focus on other important tasks.

Positivity can go a long way in running a business. Being able to laugh at yourself when something goes wrong helps to create a healthy and happy work environment, even during stressful and busy periods of time. Simple acts like asking staff members about holiday plans can help to boost morale in the workplace. Some of the skills you need for effective leadership that are related to infusing positivity in the workplace are developing rapport, humor, helping others, friendliness, respect, empathy, and diplomacy.

Character Traits of Leadership

Trustworthiness is yet another one of the skills you need for effective leadership. Employees should be able to feel comfortable going to their leader with questions or concerns. It is important for a leader to demonstrate integrity as employees will only trust leaders that they can respect. Being open and honest will encourage the same kind of honesty in your staff. The ability to apologize, along with having credibility, accountability, business ethics, consistent behavior towards employees, emotional intelligence, empathy, reliability, and thoughtfulness all support the building of trust with your staff.

A few more of the skills you need for effective leadership include:

  • Creativity: the ability to think outside of the box, analyze, embrace different perspectives, observe, be open minded, and innovate.
  • Give feedback: offer positive reinforcement, mentoring, coaching, and a clear layout of expectations.
  • Responsibility: A leader is responsible for failures and successes and should be willing to accept responsibility when something goes wrong and also evaluate best solutions, learn from mistakes, and reflect.
  • Commitment: this includes follow through, determination, passion, and work ethic.

Last but certainly not least, flexibility is one of the skills you need for effective leadership that is most important as mishaps and last minute changes happen often. Adaptability is critical in being an effective leader.

How To Boost Morale At Work

Posted on by Chase Rogers

Source: Stockphoto.com O#22222 – ID#100051556977

Are your employees excited to come into work? Or do they shuffle in begrudgingly five minutes late every day? Are your employees’ friends with each other and you often find them sharing a laugh at the water cooler? Or do they keep themselves? If you find that your employees display poor moods while working, low employee morale could be damaging to your business. Productivity slows down, people seek alternative employment at high rates, and cooperation between employees worsens when your employees aren’t happy to come into work. This has the potential to put your business’ success at risk. When you are in a leadership position, it is your responsibility to strengthen morale among your employees. Read on to learn some simple yet creative ways to boost employee morale at work.

Plan a Company Outing

Company outings are a great way for employees to get to know each other. You may have been to an outing or two for your company. It could have gone well or ended up a flop. Instead of having the head of HR plan the outing, ask your team what they would like to do. If people are hesitant to come up with ideas, make it an anonymous nomination. Once you have a few ideas your team can vote for what they would like to. It shows your employees you are interested in them and your rewarding activity will be more appreciated.

Show Your Employees That Their Jobs Matter

A 9-6 can get monotonous when employees are working on the same thing every day. Monotony gives time for pondering with what’s going on in places where the grass may (possibly) be greener. Show your employees that their work does have value in the real world. For example, restaurants will often read aloud 5-star Yelp reviews and congratulate their team when they’ve done a good job. Positive reinforcement can come in the most simple of ways.

coworkers walking at the office
Source: Stockphoto.com O#22222 – ID#100164168072

Have Fun In The Office

Take a day each month where your employees can just have fun together for an hour, or even the whole day! Set up a Wii tennis match, play board games, or split your employees into teams and have them solve a mystery. The winning person or team can win awesome rewards like tickets to a sporting event or concert.

Get Rid of The Bullies

Sometimes we work with jerks. As the saying goes, “one bad apple could spoil the whole bunch.” If you find that a member of your team is often intimidating, rude, negative, or belittling it might be time to let that person go. They’re probably making everyone around them as miserable as they are. This is especially important in upper management, where one foul boss can have a seriously negative impact on their employees. A good way to weed these people out is to encourage constant feedback between employees and HR.

Take Time To Inspire Your Employees

Depression and anxiety rates are at an all-time high so giving your team the tools they need to combat anxiousness and depression at work is crucial. Schedule a monthly meditation and offer to reimburse gym memberships since exercise is shown to decrease anxiety and depression. Set up a time to watch inspirational videos, or have an inspirational speaker come in to speak to your team, then have an open discussion afterward so the ideas really stick.

Give Your Employees Real Lunch Breaks

Many white-collar employees opt to eat at their desks. However, taking a walk outside or trying a new restaurant would actually boost their moods and creative thinking. Taking a short break from work is a great way to recharge your batteries and encouraging your employees to take advantage of that is great for boosting employee morale.

Celebrate Your Employees

If your team surpassed their quarterly goals, reward them! Throw a pizza party in honor of their hard work or present your hardworking employees with a much-deserved bonus. Don’t forget work anniversaries either! Show your employees you appreciate the job that they’re doing by sending a little note or giving a bonus when they’ve reached a great milestone.

When your employees are in the presence of capable leadership, are recognized for their hard work, and feel that they are a part of something bigger than themselves, they exhibit higher morale, which in turn results in a higher level of performance. Keep encouraging and rewarding great work, and you will soon be reaping the rewards of a successful business that is powered by hard-working, happy employees.