The internet will cause you to believe that there are magic solutions to all of your marketing woes. Although some of these notions are true, many of them are a marketing scheme in themselves which are encouraging you to part with your hard-earned cash. Your business costs can soon start to add up if you start paying for every marketing service under the sun. Now, there is a time and a place for paid marketing strategies, but you should know how to do these things yourself before you outsource them. Why? Well, how do you know your strategies are going to work if you haven’t tried them out for free in the initial stages first? Consider the following five reasons why you shouldn’t pay for marketing and you will soon have the urge to DIY many of your upcoming projects.
1) DIY Branding Is All You Need
When your business is well-established, you can pay a branding expert to create beautiful logos and branding for your company. When you’re just starting out you can create your own using free online platforms. If designing really isn’t your thing, you can use Etsy or Fiverr to purchase unique branding at a very affordable price.
2) You Can Design Your Own Brochures
Creating brochures for your business doesn’t need to be stressful or time-consuming, especially when there are an array of free platforms out there which guide you through the process step by step. It’s very important to have professional-looking brochures as this will catch the attention of your target customer. However, you don’t need to pay a professional to do this; you can simply use templates and take inspiration from platforms such as Pinterest.
3) Learning Copywriting is Quick and Simple
Good copy is the key to landing clients you love, but you don’t need to hire a copywriter to do all of the hard work for you. Your website copy, social media captions, and blog posts should be authentic to your brand voice. Writing in a relatable and authentic tone will help you to attract the right customers to your business.
4) Organic Social Media Marketing Can Reach the Masses
Posting on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms is a free and organic way of reaching your target audience. Creating viral content allows more and more people on the internet to discover your brand, so start working on your social media creation skills.
5) Blogging and SEO Works
If your online business doesn’t have a blog, it’s time to brush up on your writing skills and get creative. Implementing simple SEO techniques in each of your blog posts will grow your rankings on search engines which will allow you to be found by the right type of clients.
With all of these ideas in mind, it’s time to get your hands dirty and start working on your own marketing strategies. As soon as your business starts generating enough revenue, you can then start to outsource these tasks to professionals. Until then, all of these tasks can easily be done in-house.
Many homeowners are looking for ways to transform their homes into more eco-friendly and sustainable places. More and more people each day are realizing the importance of saving the environment and how their environmental impact can make a massive difference to mother earth. There are plenty of ways to begin becoming more eco-conscious, this includes taking small steps to incorporate things into your lifestyle. While the idea of creating a more eco-friendly home may sound overwhelming it doesn’t have to be and can even make it far easier to create subtle lifestyle changes that can help out the environment. These are some fantastic ways to make your home eco-friendly!
Gardening is one of the best ways to offset your carbon footprint. You can make your vegetables by growing them in the garden, but it’s also a bee-friendly space within your home. You can add wildflowers, this not only boosts your curb appeal but also makes bees very happy. You can add some fruits, a veggie section, or anything that helps the insects and helps your wallet. Many people who look into creating a more sustainable home first begin with setting up a garden. It’s also a great way to start up a new hobby.
Switch to a low flow
Low flow toilets save so much water. If you’re looking into remodeling or renovating your bathroom, then the low flow is the way to go. While low flow is mostly known for the type of toilets, it can also include showerheads and faucets for sinks and tubs. This is a great way to save money in the long run and low-flow appliances don’t need to be very expensive either. You can save up to 15,000 gallons per year on water if your home is a family of four. It’s pretty incredible, isn’t it? Also, it’s important to understand that low flow doesn’t mean low pressure or even low performance.
Utilize the sun
If you’re currently in the process of building your house, then you’ll want to orientate this house to maximize sunshine. However, even if you’re not building a home. You can still maximize sunshine within your home. This can include looking into a solar company that can set up solar panels. This can even include installing solar water heating methods, or just leaving the curtains open so sunshine can seep through into the house.
Look into getting a rain collector
So, depending on the state you’re living in, this may not be a helpful tip. Some states make it illegal to collect rainwater, and the same can be said for some cities or counties throughout the country. But, if it is legal where you’re located, then look into getting a rain collector. A rain collector can be very beneficial, especially if you have plants in your garden or even just grass. This not only saves you water, but the rainwater will be at the right PH level for your outdoor plants.
Look into Energy Star appliances
While you’re better off using your old appliances until they break, it may be best to begin looking for a backup for whenever your washer or other appliance decides to break down. Energy Star appliances are certified by the U.S. Department of Energy and use anywhere from 10 up to 50% less energy than a regular appliance uses. Pretty amazing, isn’t it? This means that you’re going to save money on your electric bill every month.
Now the most sustainable way to get a Star Energy appliance would be through second hands such as a thrift shop, Craigslist, a second-hand section from a tech store, or Facebook Marketplace. It’s best to look into secondhand first before jumping into buying a brand new appliance.
Changing shopping habits
While this may not be a part of the house itself, what you shop for will be inside the house. Look into purchasing less material items and look into purchasing minimum to zero waste products. This can even include what food you’re purchasing. There are ways to purchase minimum to zero waste food products such as buying whole foods. This can even include going to zero waste shops to fill up your pantry items.
Look into composting
Organic trash (such as veggie peelings) is going into landfills. The average US household is producing around 600 pounds of organic garbage each year. This eventually leads to methane within the landfills which are far more powerful than C02. Methane is a contributing factor to climate issues that the world is facing. Purchasing a compost bin is going to help this issue. This can be an organic matter that your garden can use for nutrition, but there are companies that will use the compost you give and they’ll help the environment with it.
To increase profitability, the revenue of the company must increase, and the costs must be minimized. The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Your Business Operating Costs has been created to help small businesses find savings on core expenses.
Prepare A Budget, Set A Goal, And Build A Ballpark
While you may want to cut your business expenses, you shouldn’t sacrifice the quality of your customer service. Cutting back on your magazine subscriptions and opting for the cheapest suppliers will leave you with more cash at the end of the month, but it could also harm your service offering.
You should create a monthly budget based on the average income per month (taking into account seasonal fluctuations), your business model, and your customers’ expectations.
When budgeting, overestimate your spending and underestimate your income. Then your operating expenses will be covered each month.
Minimizing Spend On Utilities
When you own a business or lease a property, utilities are a necessity. It is easy to unwittingly enter into costly contracts because there are no regulations to protect against shoddy deals. In order to reduce business costs, you should start by looking at expenses on utilities.
Depending on your utility needs, you can cut down on your costs by either limiting usage or switching to cheaper suppliers.
For each utility area, there are nuances to reduce usage. There are four easy steps you can follow to compare and switch suppliers:
1. Keeping track of your monthly spend and contract term allows you to see how much you spend each month in each spend area
2. Directly contact six or more suppliers per area of spending to compare
3. Obtain a better price by negotiating with suppliers
4. Switch your suppliers by informing current and new ones, and signing a contract
Consider how you pay for services once you’re certain you’re with the best supplier. Businesses that pay their invoices early or use Direct Debit may receive discounts. Over time, discounts can add up and make the difference between cutting service and keeping it. You should never pay invoices late since the penalties can lead to heavy debt.
Broadband & Telecoms
Telecommunications and broadband are essential tools for communicating with customers. In that sense, avoiding it is a challenge. The following guidelines can help you prevent excess spending by keeping track of your business’s likely usage each billing cycle:
Each business will need a different bandwidth speed. Software startups require very high speeds to function. However, small cafes that offer free WiFi can make do with lower speeds or a download cap
VoIP systems are popular among businesses that do not handle many calls, so they can save you money from overpriced telecom packages.
Recycling & Waste Management
There are several ways to reduce waste removal costs, depending on the service your business is using:
If your business uses a “per bag” service, where your provider collects bin bags for each item created, then reducing the amount of rubbish you produce will reduce costs. Recycling your paper and plastics (i.e., cups, cutlery, and paper towels), as well as encouraging a paperless environment are all ways to do so
Is your trash bin full every week? Consult your supplier to determine whether or not bin collections can be decreased. If you’re only filling your bins half full each time they’re collected, cutting back on collection frequency could save you money.
Take Advantage Of Technology
Automation of business processes raises efficiency, saves time, and improves customer service. Technology benefits workplace productivity in a big way. Moreover, utilizing the technology we have at our fingertips can also reduce our costs without compromising our ability to deliver quality services.
There are a variety of business functions that technology can automate. Accounting, payroll, marketing, and HR can all be managed with digital software. By automating these types of tasks, businesses can limit the need to hire as many workers, resulting in cost savings. Additionally, automation reduces the chances of human error, so employees will spend less time and money correcting mistakes if automation is used.
Outsourcing Business Processes
Similarly to automating processes, you could opt to outsource processes to reduce staff costs. Marketing activities are most commonly outsourced to agencies. In this way, you can still get reliable results while saving money as opposed to hiring a full-time employee. Some of the most common include web development with services such as WEBX360.COM, financial services, business firms, including Maxim Gorin, and social media management.
There is a range of different options when using outsourcing:
The website Fiverr may be handy for finding a cheap expert for a one-time job. Consider reading reviews and portfolios of freelancers you are considering to gain an understanding of the quality of their work
You will be able to build a relationship with someone who can truly understand your business needs if you use an agency for ongoing business needs
You might find that outsourcing manufacturing to a country with cheaper labour costs is a cost-effective solution for your business but you must also consider the working conditions in which your products will be crafted. You should weigh the ethical sourcing of the products with the savings you expect to enjoy.
Using Less Office Space
In light of the Coronavirus, we now know that many businesses can be more flexible in their office space. This resulted in:
Using a hotdesking arrangement helps reduce operational costs by allowing remote employees to work from home if you have the capability to do so.
By downsizing and reducing storage needs, going paperless could save you money
Although you may have less control over utilities and you may pay half as much for shared services, renting a shared workspace can be less expensive than leasing an independent property.
Employee Perks
The first step to cutting your costs is to cut employee perks. This will save money without reducing the quality of the products you offer (though you might not be too thrilled about making such a change). Consider surveying staff to see where they will be least affected by changes to benefits. Discuss any changes with them clearly.
There are many ways that you can cut down on the costs of running your business. Do you have any other methods that you could share in the comments below?
The desire for a vacation has arguably never been greater. Following 18 months of very restrictive lives, your next adventure is certain to feel all the more special. Nonetheless, you need to find the right type of trip. Camping is the answer.
Camping trips have been popular for families and adult-only vacations for many years. However, their appeal is at an all-time high. Here’s why.
1. Reduced health risks
First and foremost, you deserve to enjoy the vacation. Unfortunately, the threat of Covid will continue to play on your mind, even if you’ve been vaccinated. Camping reduces the threats.
By taking a camping trip, you will probably travel by car. This allows you to escape busy airports, for example. Meanwhile, the relaxed settings of a campsite or National Park will allow your family to keep its distance from large crowds.
In truth, you will still need to carry sanitizer gels. Nonetheless, the precautions needed for a camping adventure are far less extensive. This allows you to focus solely on enjoyment.
2. It encourages physical activity
We have all spent far too much time indoors looking at the same four walls. Your first vacation for two years is the perfect opportunity to break free from the mundane routines.
Trekking and camping trips will see you burn off plenty of energy. From preparing a fire to exploring the local area by foot or bicycle, the high activity levels are great for your body. Not least because you will be surrounded by fresh air too.
Staying physically active will help you build up an appetite. So, you’ll be ready to tuck into those delicious treats from classic meals to Smores over a fire.
3. It’s emotionally relaxing
These difficult times that we are living in have seen stress levels soar. The chance to take a step back from high-pressure situations is rewarding. It’s an issue that cannot go unnoticed.
Moreover, you will be away from digital screens. Instead, you will focus on your EcoGear FX equipment as well as items like fishing rods and hiking bikes. Even if you plan to use modern tech for geocaching activities, it’s vastly different to sitting in front of the TV.
Vacations are meant to help you freshen your mind. However, heading to the city or a hotel stay won’t quite provide the level that you crave. Thankfully, camping will.
Financial worries have been a common source of strain since the pandemic. In short, many families either won’t have the funds for a vacation or won’t feel comfortable spending thousands.
Camping trips allow you to feel like you’ve entered a whole new world even if you only travel 50 miles down the road. So you won’t need to work too hard to save money. Pitches are cheap to hire while. Even hiring an RV for a few days is surprisingly affordable.
Aside from giving you value for money, it removes a source of guilt. You’ll additionally have more money available for gifts and souvenirs.
5. You can teach valuable skills
If you’re a parent, taking the kids on a camping trip can be immensely rewarding too. Not least because it is a chance to teach valuable skills in a practical environment,
For example, you can teach your son or daughter how to cook over a fire. Or use a compass for navigation purposes. When supported by new skills, such as how to catch a fish, this will be one of the most productive trips you’ve ever enjoyed.
Once again, thanks to a lack of distractions, kids will engage with the tasks too. As such, they should gain far more from them.
6. There’s a sense of achievement
Camping trips will often be combined with physical challenges or activities. Once again, something as simple as catching their first fish can fill kids with pride.
However, the activities don’t end there. Whether it’s climbing a mountain or completing a water rafting course doesn’t matter. You will notice the impact that it has on your mindset. Those positive outcomes can influence future endeavors.
While you can see this benefit in some other vacations with ideas like parachute jumps, camping does more than most.
Creating magical memories should be the priority for any vacation. However, the added bonus of capturing those moments forever should not be ignored.
A Canon DSLR camera will serve you well. Capturing the horizons, as well as action shots from the activities should bring stunning results. Or you could pick up a polaroid for those family shots. The options are endless as camping provides the perfect subject matter.
Thanks to modern camera tech, you don’t have to be an expert to get great photographs either. So, even youngsters can create shots that you’ll treasure forever.
8. There’s minimal planning
Our lives lost a sense of spontaneity in these testing times. Camping trips are an ideal outlet to let your hair down and enjoy an adventure without weeks of planning.
Depending on where you go, the site will have all the items that you need. This includes food, entertainment, and equipment. Meanwhile, once you’ve purchased goods, you’ll be able to take future camping trips whenever you feel like it.
Given the stress of organizing other life matters, the chance to enjoy a simple vacation should be embraced. Even knowing that you have it as an option can deliver rewards.
9. It’s different
While many vacation types are virtually the same but in different settings, camping is distinct. In fact, even the contrasts between tent camping and RV camping are huge.
Variety is the spice of life, and we all need to try new things. Whether you love nature, sporting activities, or finding ways to entertain yourself doesn’t matter. A camping trip will offer you the chance to enjoy the time of your life.
With this in mind, everyone should try to enjoy camping at least once. Given the current situation, there is simply no time like the present.
10. It’s fun for parents
Finally, you should not feel any guilt about seeking a vacation that’s fun for you as well as the kids. For that reason, camping is king.
The lasting devastation of the novel coronavirus pandemic shows us how challenging this time was for many individuals. Most people’s world was turned upside down, businesses closed, lockdowns were enforced, and no one knew what was going on. While this was happening, consumer habits took a slight turn in the eCommerce industry, which boosted its turnover to more than 860 billion in 2020.
As this happened, it created an opportunity for plenty of intelligent, hard-working individuals. Suddenly, you can open an online store for a fraction of the price compared to brick and mortar institutions; you can increase impressions and sales using online techniques from the online business professionals utilizing long-standing tech-savvy commerce techniques to help uncomplicated the often confusing online e-commerce jargon. Helping businesses stick around as we’ll look at four tips for taking your business online in 2021.
Get a Website
Getting your website up and running should be your first concern for creating an online presence in your market. If you have funds available, you can use the services of professional web developers to design and build the perfect site for your company. If you don’t want to spend too much, you can consider using WordPress or Wix to build your website using a simple drag and drop system. This system does all the coding for you, so you don’t have to spend years studying coding languages. You should also make use of some of the thousands of plugins available to optimize your customer and pathlock security experiences.
Use Social Media
The easiest way to build up a sustainable following is by utilizing social media marketing campaigns. By boosting your posts and increasing your following daily, you can quickly build up thousands of followers in no time. Social media is also an excellent means of getting platform users to your website with special discount codes and promotions. Even promoting side ventures such as podcasts, streaming platforms, and book launching teams.
Create Content
Research has shown that businesses that utilize video content get a higher percentage response from a specified amount of impressions. This is due to how much easier it is to connect with someone using a video compared to text. Your content should most definitely relate to your audience, so when you start, ensure you did your research using technical assistance such as Youtube API and Google Trends. It will allow you to accurately identify and target a market by using your analytical research.
Digital Marketing
Your business marketing will be a crucial aspect of the online sales capability of your business. You can market your business using Google Ads, a system where you bet on keywords to obtain the first ranking on the results page. This is a short-term means of marketing and will show results almost immediately after your first placement. Search engine optimization is another excellent way of increasing your website ranking when specific keywords are searched. SEO is a long-term strategy and aims to increase website traffic by using organic search results.
These four tips will assist you in taking your business online and selling to thousands of brand new potential customers. The world is changing how they shop; make sure you change how you sell.
Friends, how are you planning to take your business online in the last quarter this year? Will you be utilizing the above-mentioned tips? Share your thoughts and advice in the comments below.
You know how expensive it is to buy new clothes and accessories every few months. It would be great if you could just make them last longer, right? Well, we have some tips for you that will help extend the longevity of your favorite pieces. Check out our tips below!
Tip 01. Don’t carry a heavy load in your purse or handbag. If you pack it too full, it will cause the seams to break and weaken faster than normal wear-and-tear would. It’s also not good for your back! And we all know that these don’t come cheap.
Tip 02. There are a few things you can do to make your wallet or purse last longer. The first is to keep it dry and clean because mold will grow if the leather gets wet, dirty, or soiled with oil or grease. You should also avoid storing it in very humid environments for extended periods since this promotes mildew. Caring for leather wallets and purses can save you a lot of money in the long term.
Help Your Shoes Go The Extra Mile
It is not uncommon for us to buy a new pair of shoes and then wear them every day without giving much attention. But how often do we take the time to clean our favorite shoes? It sounds like it would be a quick chore, but what if you found out that this could actually help extend their life span by making your shoes last up to three times longer?
Tip 01. Cleaning your leather or suede footwear regularly will prevent natural oils from getting absorbed into the fabric, which can make it crack with age. You don’t need anything fancy; all you need is a couple of spritzes and wipes with water-dampened cloths and an old toothbrush (or other soft-bristled brush) to get at those tough to reach places.
Tip 02. If you’re in a pinch, some shoe care products will work wonders when it comes to keeping your footwear looking new for a bit longer.
Tip 03. With a “prevention is better than cure” attitude, you can save lots of money by preventing damage and wear. You may consider products such as hydrophobic nano sprays to give your shoes a water-repelling layer, ensuring that water and moisture don’t ruin the party.
Think About Your Phone’s Battery Life
Tip 01: Purchase a power bank. We all know how quickly our phone’s battery drains, and as phone manufacturers continue to release newer models at faster rates, the lifespan of your old device will naturally decrease. A power bank is an inexpensive way to prolong the life of your smartphone by providing more juice.
Tip 02: Check for apps that are constantly running in the background even though you’re not using them – these can be draining your battery without you knowing it! You might want to check with Apple or Android about this because they usually have helpful tips specific to their operating system on how best to keep things running smoothly with minimal impact on your battery life.
In the end, it’s all up to you. You decide what your favorite accessories are and how much time and money they deserve from you. The best way to extend any accessory is just by taking care of them. Make sure to store your accessories according to storage best practices. Regularly clean and maintain them, and you’ll get the longevity out of your most beloved accessories.
Solar power is increasingly becoming a viable option for many householders. With the cost of installing solar tech to residential and commercial properties set to continue to fall, there is no denying that if you have been on the fence about making the switch to solar energy, now could be the time to do so. With solar experts such as Edward Harner detailing advancements in this area, you can investigate why this is a good thing.
Everyone has heard that solar power is good for the environment. However, there are many benefits to solar power both at home and for the environment too.
Increased Air Quality
Solar power, unlike fossil fuels, does not give off emissions. If you have ever been to the countryside or the mountains and enjoyed the benefits of breathing in the clean, fresh air, you will understand the difference and appreciate the level of air pollution around us, particularly in built-up areas with high levels of population.
Lower Energy Bills
If you install solar panels in your home, you will be generating your electricity. Depending on the amount of energy your panels are able to produce each year, you will notice a reduction in your energy bills. The more solar power you are able to generate, especially if you live in a warmer climate, the lower your bill. You could even generate an income by selling excess energy back to the energy companies too.
Increased Job Creation
As more methods and technologies emerge, so does the capacity for more jobs to be created in the industry. As solar power becomes more prevalent, more job roles for engineering solar technology, designing equipment and installation, etc.
Decreased Dependence on Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are a finite resource. They are non-renewable, which means exactly what you think it means. When they run out, that is it. So while it may feel that solar power is just a fad, the reality is it is more than just a supplemental energy source, and it has the propensity to support energy users now and well into the future.
Improved Health
How exactly can solar power improve your health? An increase in the use of solar power in general means cleaner air for everyone. Cleaner air means fewer pollutants to damage our health. The US Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy estimates that more than 25,000 lives can be saved due to a decrease in pollutants in the air we breathe.
Improved Grid Security
When there are multiple power plants spread out, the grid is less prone to blackouts. A system with a high solar energy penetration has hundreds of energy production centers that are widely dispersed. This increases grid security in the event of an overload, natural or man-made disaster.
Assist in the Fight Against Climate Change
The continuous release of pollutants and extra CO2 into the atmosphere harms the planet. As the carbon count rises, so will our ability to retain heat from the sun. These changing air conditions will continue to impact diverse climates, warming some and cooling others and making weather patterns all around the world more unpredictable and volatile. Solar power, by extension, reduces CO2 and therefore releases fewer pollutants leading to cleaner air.
