Business Tips

We all know that Facebook marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to advertise our business. But are you getting the most out of Facebook in regards to your marketing? Are you using Facebook Live in your social selling strategy ? We suggest that you use this to it's fullest but not in a haphazard way but do it professionally by first getting the word out you will be doing a live feed, script and practice your presentation and make sure all tools are set up in advance. Once you live engage with your viewers, ask for feedback and afterwards review all your metrics you can use for improving the next Facebook live. Here are some ideas and tips to excel your social media presence and get the most out of marketing. Facebook Live is a free streaming tool you can use to boost your business. But before you dive in there are some key factors to take into consideration to avoid risking losing your credibility. Facebook Live (and video marketing in general) is an excellent way to get...

Every year the social media landscape shifts as new trends emerge that shape and mold it in different ways. For savvy businesses these trends represent an opportunity to get ahead of the pack and make their mark while engaging a wider audience in the process.  There are already several very noticeable trends that are shaping social media marketing this year. Out of them the 3 that seem to be playing the biggest role are: Live Video  Although live-streaming is nothing new, it is only over the last few years that it has started to be introduced on social media with platforms such as Periscope leading the charge. Now that Facebook has joined in with Facebook Live, and Twitter and Instagram also have their own live video features – the game is truly afoot. Already live video has been shown to increase engagement levels and attract more viewers who stay and watch for longer. In short it is a trend that is likely to define social media marketing for some time.  Social Messag...

Email marketing has been around for two decades now and it's changed the game. As a descendant of direct marketing in the snail mail world, email marketing has become the method of choice for those looking to boost sales of their product or service. It is a super-fast and easy way to reach out to people quickly and effectively. And there are some great free or affordable email marketing platforms out there to use like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and iContact. Email marketing might not be new, but it has been proven to be effective time and time again. Stick the following 5 tips in your digital tool belt to make this workhorse perform better than ever.  1. Incentivize  Successful inbound marketers already know that the secret to the click lies in the subject line. You’ve read the long vs short argument, but here’s something that might be even more important. Offer a brazen incentive to encourage the click. Something as simple as offering free shipping might increase the open...

How do you get the word out about your new website or digital business? Once you've identified the niche of your digital media business, you'll need to get the ball rolling. In addition to being able to create high quality and unique content that adds value for your audience (a tall order on its own), you need to build an initial content distribution system. You can create the best articles, videos, ebooks, presentations, etc but if nobody views them they are essentially worthless. Most larger businesses will get a new media property going by paying for traditional advertising, spending lavishly on digital advertising , paying Influencers with enormous existing followings, or leveraging plentiful existing assets they already own. If you're frugal like me and don't plan on spending much or any money you'll obviously need a different game plan.  In the beginning a frugal entrepreneur really needs to use every free resource you have available. People don't know abo...

Business can be brutal and a mass of money is the lifeblood of your company. Starting your own company or running a startup on a tight budget can be one of the most challenging things you'll ever do in your life. Staying in the black and setting yourself up for long term success requires sound strategy and die-hard dedication. Here are seven smart suggestions to help maximize your money. 1) Opportunity Cost & Profitability Timetable Some business plans or models might be successful, but are they worth the struggle. Entrepreneurs can work 80 hours a week for decades and still only enjoy moderate success. Or you could lose everything, including your personal assets and credit if you don't set up your company correctly. Think hard about what your other options are and what you're missing out on by engaging in your new business endeavor. Are there other alternatives? Licensing, if possible, can be the smartest solution. Or have a reasonable exit strategy. Work smarter, no...

Driven individuals are taking the startup route much more frequently now than ever before. No longer are we seeing the same trend of people working for companies for decades at a time. Competition is fierce as 90% of startups fail within the first year. There is a growing need to be as economical as you can in order to survive.  What sets that last 10% apart from the rest? How can your business be successful without having to take such extreme measures? Here are 5 crucial characteristics of savvy startups : 1. Be Economical  Sometimes there is very little funding for startups but that does not mean that they are destined to fail. It's important to look for free tools and resources that can help your business grow. In a new series I've begun discussing how you can start a digital media startup for only $10. In a very recent article I also went over a helpful list of  5 fantastic free image editing programs .  Another amazing new tool to add to that list of great imag...

One of the many ways you can leverage your digital media expertise and monetize it is by offering consulting services. Your expertise in a specific niche industry and experience with digital media make you a valuable asset to many businesses. Whether you consult for one company or several at once, your nearly free startup can end up earning you over $100 an hour or a 6 figure annual income.  Analyze the market to determine what services are needed, under-served, and fit your skill set. What can you do better, cheaper, or more creatively than your competition? Chances are that if you've had success with your media startup, you've proven strong skills with social media, content creation, copy writing, video production, thinking outside the box, and being resourceful with a limited or nonexistent budget. These are all incredibly valuable skills that many companies and other entrepreneurs need. Create a separate website, or a separate section of your existing website (and potent...