News, Articles & Updates

Thrive And Survive: PR Tactics For Small Businesses In A Challenging Economic Climate

Thrive And Survive: PR Tactics For Small Businesses In A Challenging Economic Climate

Within our global economy, small businesses play a significant role in driving innovation and embodying the entrepreneurial mindset. They are often at the forefront of introducing new products, ideas and services to the market.

…small businesses are no strangers to adversity and face a variety of challenges within the fast-paced and ever-evolving market. (Read on…)

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What’s the Best Time of Day To Walk?

What’s the Best Time of Day To Walk?

There are certain activities that we do at particular times each day. We eat breakfast in the morning, lunch at midday, and dinner in the evening. We might make our bed after we get up. We brush our teeth in the morning and then again at night (right?).

There are some activities, however, that are best to do period—meaning it doesn’t actually matter when you do them. One of those things? Taking a walk.

Whether you’re strutting on a #HotGirlWalk or taking a leisurely stroll, the benefits of walking are numerous. (Read on…)

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How To Financially Prepare For A Layoff

How To Financially Prepare For A Layoff

Over the past 18 months, our firm has seen not just an increase in clients who have been laid off but more meetings than ever with those concerned about the increasingly unstable job market and whether they may lose their job next.

Being financially prepared for unexpected setbacks, such as a layoff, is important. While losing a job can be distressing, having a solid financial plan can help alleviate stress and uncertainty. Here are some key strategies to ensure you are financially prepared if you face a layoff. (Read on…)

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How to Generate Qualified Leads for a Small Business: 3 Easy Tips

How to Generate Qualified Leads for a Small Business: 3 Easy Tips

According to a 2021 HubSpot State of Marketing survey, 50% of small business owners say generating qualified leads is their primary digital marketing goal. But generating leads is a top challenge for 41% of content marketers. So, For the growth of a small business, understanding how to generate qualified leads should be a top priority.

While large businesses can speed up the process using special software for generating leads, small businesses with limited budgets can only rely on… (Read on…)

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SEO: “How to Yoast Your Post”

SEO: "How to Yoast Your Post"

Do you want your articles to be as well optimized as possible? Do you aim for that number 1 position in the search results? And do you madly chase traffic and clicks? It’s not easy to achieve all these things entirely on your own, but luckily, Yoast is here to help. In this post, we’ll talk you to the process of optimizing your post in the best possible way. We’ll explain the five steps on how to Yoast your post. (Read on…)

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Small Businesses Can Make More Money in 2023 by Using This Secret Weapon

Small Businesses Can Make More Money in 2023 by Using This Secret Weapon

As a small business owner, you’re always searching for ways to attract new customers to increase your revenue and grow the company. Chances are that you’ve spent a significant amount of money on various marketing strategies to promote your business. It can be challenging to decide which type of marketing channel you should invest in, since there are many ways to reach new potential customers.

The good news is that there’s a secret weapon that you can use: inbound marketing…. (Read on…)

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33 Fitness Tips For Busy People

33 Fitness Tips For Busy People

Staying on top of your fitness can be tricky. We all know it’s great for body and mind, releasing endorphins and boosting our confidence and self-esteem. But, it can also take up precious time. When it comes to work, family and season 2 of The Bear, who has time for that 7 am circuit class? Or that Sunday morning spin session?

To help you not only make those classes but include fitness hacks in your everyday life, we’ve put together the ultimate list of fitness tips. (Read on…)

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Financial Planning for Small Business Owners

Financial Planning for Small Business Owners

There are many different kinds of small business owners in all stages of their business. Some have just started putting their ideas into action in a startup, while others are in the growth stage or even planning an exit strategy.

No matter which stage your business is in and whether you’re a dreamer or more of a pragmatist, there is one thing you can’t afford not to do. You need a holistic financial plan that takes into account where your business is now and what the plan is for the future. (Read on…)

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6 Things You Should Never Do on a Plane, According to a Former Flight Attendant

6 Things You Should Never Do on a Plane, According to a Former Flight Attendant

It’s no secret that being a flight attendant is no easy task. From long hours and days away from home to potential delays and unruly passengers, it takes a special type of person to survive and thrive on the job. Cabin crew training is intense and can take months to complete, and covers everything from food hygiene and incident reporting to fire fighting, terrorism awareness, and even how to deliver a baby. But many cabin crew claim that the trickiest and most challenging part of their days involves customer service: dealing with passenger requests, worries, nerves, and… (Read on…)

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7 Japanese Concepts That Can Improve Your Life

7 Japanese Concepts That Can Improve Your Life

Besides instilling in me a desire to crane-kick everyone, The Karate Kid …implanted a nascent interest in Japanese culture. When I was five, I remember cobbling together a small Shinto shrine out of construction paper, popsicle sticks, and Elmer’s glue so I could have a setup similar to Mr. Miyagi’s dojo in my bedroom. It’s funny to think about a five-year-old church-going kid living in the middle of Oklahoma creating a Shinto shrine for himself.

My appreciation for Japanese culture has deepened since then and continues today. One of the things I love about the Japanese is…. (Read on…)

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My Addicting Step-by-Step Process To Get Tons Of Glowing Testimonials From Your Freelance Clients

My Addicting Step-by-Step Process To Get Tons Of Glowing Testimonials From Your Freelance Clients

We all know that testimonials are an important part of marketing. Humans are social animals and social proof is a powerful signal that can turn a prospect from a skeptic to an enthusiastic buyer.

The problem is that actually getting good testimonials is a pain, which is why a lot of freelancers don’t bother, or have really boring, vague testimonials to share.

Well, no more!

In this article, I’m going to give you my exact process to get great testimonials from your clients. (Read on…)

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Where to Get Free Money to Start a Small Business in 2023

Where to Get Free Money to Start a Small Business in 2023

Small business owners don’t always have access to enough resources to meet their goals. Luckily, there are many business grants and other funding programs available to help. Here’s a guide to several ways to fund projects for your small business.

How Do You Get Free Money to Start a Business?
Free money to start a business usually comes in the form of grants. These can come in many forms, from federal small business grants to those offered by local nonprofits. The process usually includes an application where you outline your need and how you’d use the funds. (Read on…)

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6 Ways Small Business Owners Can Get Their Employees to Use AI

6 Ways Small Business Owners Can Get Their Employees to Use AI

One of the most pivotal innovations that artificial intelligence offers small businesses is the ability to change the rules of engagement — a more level playing field. And its adoption in this size category has been stunning: According to Unbounce’s recent Break Free: The State of AI Marketing for Small Business report, approximately 30% of small and medium-sized businesses are leveraging some form of artificial intelligence.

One overriding challenge, however, is that implementing (Read on…)

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Best Business Books of All Time

Best Business Books of All Time

Reading great business books is one of the most cost-effective methods to become a whip-smart business person. As business book editors, we read a lot of books — and this curated book list is to bring you the best choices.

Indeed, reading top-notch business books is a smart investment of time and money. As business book editors, we’ve navigated the sea of literature to distill the most potent wisdom and strategies for you. This list will guide you towards making the right choices in the business landscape. (Read on…)

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WordPress Contributors Demand Transparency and Objective Guidelines for Listings on Recommended Hosting Page

WordPress Contributors Demand Transparency and Objective Guidelines for Listings on Recommended Hosting Page

WordPress’ Recommended Hosting page is a hotly contested piece of online real estate, and has recently come into focus again following the removal of SiteGround from the listings. When the change was highlighted during a recent Meta team meeting, Audrey Capital-sponsored contributor Samuel “Otto” Wood said, “Matt asked me to remove SiteGround because… (Read on….)

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OpenAI, Google, others pledge to watermark AI content for safety, White House says

OpenAI, Google, others pledge to watermark AI content for safety, White House says

AI companies including OpenAI, Alphabet (GOOGL.O) and Meta Platforms (META.O) have made voluntary commitments to the White House to implement measures such as watermarking AI-generated content to help make the technology safer, President Joe Biden announced on Friday.

“These commitments are a promising step but we have a lot more work to do together,” Biden said. (Read on…)

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Google Is Testing An AI Tool That Can Write News Articles

Google Is Testing An AI Tool That Can Write News Articles

Google is testing a tool that uses AI to write news stories and has started pitching it to publications, according to a new report from The New York Times. The tech giant has pitched the AI tool to The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal’s owner, News Corp.

The tool, internally codenamed “Genesis,” can take in information and then generate news copy. Google reportedly believes that the tool can serve as a personal assistant for journalists by automating…(Read on…)

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Former Google Recruiter’s No. 1 Resume Red Flag: ‘There’s Zero Chance You’re Going To Move Forward’

Former Google Recruiter’s No. 1 Resume Red Flag: ‘There’s Zero Chance You’re Going To Move Forward’

Writing a powerful resume can seem like an art form in and of itself. And when doing so, there are various don’ts to keep in mind: Don’t misspell words. Don’t go over two pages. Don’t write a list of vague skills without providing proof you’ve actually accrued them.

For Nolan Church, who’s worked in talent acquisition at companies like Google and who’s currently the CEO of talent marketplace Continuum, there’s one major red flag. “The No. 1 thing I don’t want to see on a resume is probably text bricks,” he says, which is to say “endless streams of text that have a lot of words but not a lot of content.” (Read on…)

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Small Businesses to Congress: Prioritize Passing the Main Street Tax Certainty Act this Congress

Small Businesses to Congress: Prioritize Passing the Main Street Tax Certainty Act this Congress

“Passing the Main Street Tax Certainty Act would stop an enormous tax increase currently scheduled to strike small businesses at the end of 2025,” said Brad Close, NFIB President. “The 20% Small Business Deduction is set to expire in 2025, and without it, small businesses will have to limit their plans to grow, invest, and hire. By making the deduction permanent, small business owners will have the tax certainty they need to make business decisions about their future. We are encouraged that this important legislation has been introduced in both the House and the Senate and urge Congress to consider it.” (Read on…)

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Experts Say This Is the Key to Marketing a Mom and Pop Business

Experts Say This Is the Key to Marketing a Mom and Pop Business

Marketing opportunities are endless, but marketing budgets are finite. Is it better for a mom-and-pop business to put money into online and social media marketing, or to invest in real-life sponsorships and events?

As with many things in business, you can only find out through trial and error, says Rus Graham, cofounder of New England-based Rushton Gregory Communications.

“The difficulty with marketing programs is that everyone is unique,” Graham says. “There isn’t a cookie-cutter approach.” (Read on….)

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The Impact of Technology On Personal Finances

The Impact of Technology On Personal Finances

Technology has transformed how we interact, work, and even handle money. From mobile banking applications to digital budgeting tools, technology has changed the financial landscape, giving customers unparalleled power and convenience over their money. This post will examine how technology has influenced personal economics and how individuals may utilise these advancements to make better financial decisions. Technology integration has opened up new avenues for financial management, whether budgeting, sensible investment, or long-term planning. (Read on…)

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Content Marketing In 2023: The Ultimate Guide

Content Marketing In 2023: The Ultimate Guide

Content marketing is a strategy that utilizes a wide variety of channels, including social media, websites, videos, infographics, podcasts and blogs, to attract potential customers. By creating, publishing and sharing relevant content, companies are building their brand, establishing trust, increasing engagement and ultimately influencing more people to buy their products and services.

With an influx of options everywhere we turn, establishing and nurturing a strong, sustainable relationship with customers is more important than ever. Buyers need to feel not only satisfied, but also truly cared for, in order to stay loyal to a business. In addition to supporting this customer relationship, content marketing also helps make it easier for your customers to become champions of your brand and assist in boosting awareness.

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How To Leverage An Omnichannel Marketing Strategy To Reach Your Audience Wherever They Are

How To Leverage An Omnichannel Marketing Strategy To Reach Your Audience Wherever They Are

The data shows that omnichannel marketing strategies have power. When implemented successfully, they increase ad-driven store visits by 80%. With consumers relying more on their mobile devices and expecting tailored, seamless experiences from brands, failing to embrace omnichannel marketing seems like a wrong turn. Omnichannel strategies can boost sales, personalize the customer experience and increase retention rates.

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How To Use Social Media To Help Your Business. Hint: It’s More Than Posting Cute Pictures.

How To Use Social Media To Help Your Business. Hint: It's More Than Posting Cute Pictures.

One of the keys to small-business marketing is building name and brand awareness. Everyone talks about social media today, but it is more than posting pictures and snappy quotes. Social media marketing is all about gaining a voice in a very crowded communication space no matter what your business, industry or market segment. The key rule of thumb is to use your content to convert searchers, readers and fans into buyers by driving them to your website where they can take your call-to-action. (CTA)

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For Many Small-Business Owners, a Necessary Shift to Digital Payments

For Many Small-Business Owners, a Necessary Shift to Digital Payments

The number of Americans who say they are “cashless” has jumped in the last five years. Forty-one percent of Americans said they did not use cash for their purchases in a typical week in 2022, up from 29 percent in 2018, according to a Pew Research Center survey released last October.

Small-business owners increasingly are making the switch to cashless payments for several reasons, including rising consumer demand, faster checkout, lower labor costs and increased security. Those who wait risk losing revenue, experts say.

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Sales And Marketing Alignment For Improved Business Effectiveness

Sales And Marketing Alignment For Improved Business Effectiveness

Organizations are constantly looking for strategies to increase leads, customer satisfaction and revenue.

An effective way to achieve this is through sales and marketing alignment.

When your marketing team is enabling sales, it becomes easier to achieve target goals.

In this guide, we will investigate the benefits and challenges of sales and marketing alignment. We will also discuss some of the best strategies and share success stories:

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How Can Small Local Service Businesses Use AI To Improve Their Digital Marketing?

How Can Small Local Service Businesses Use AI To Improve Their Digital Marketing?

When many of us hear how AI will change the world – particularly digital marketing – our thoughts (and occasionally fears) drift towards how big organizations will use machines to do the work of legions of copywriters, designers, and other content creators.

Large corporations with equally large customer bases and competitively driven content needs are looking to sophisticated AI systems to generate content, and process and analyze data to stay ahead.

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6 Types of Insurance for Small Businesses

6 Types of Insurance for Small Businesses

Small businesses can face many risks. Learn about different types of insurance that can protect your company from unexpected circumstances.

Small businesses face a variety of risks, ranging from natural disasters to cyberattacks. Different types of insurance can help protect your business from various adverse — and often costly — circumstances. Here are a few of the insurance options available to help protect your small business.

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