How to Maintain Security in the Age of Remote Work

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Remote work is quickly becoming the new normal for modern companies. In a world where many offices were forced to shut down during the 2020 pandemic, team leaders discovered something. Remote and hybrid working seems to be effective at improving productivity. Countless studies show that remote workers are more invested in their work than their counterparts, often working up to 1.4 days more per month. Remote staff members also demand fewer overheads and don’t require massive real estate investments.

Unfortunately, there’s a downside to the remote working trend. 86% of business executives agree that remote workers could increase a company’s chances of a security breach. So, how do you ensure that your remote workers are secure in this new landscape?

Step 1: Create a Cybersecurity Policy

The first step in defending company data is ensuring all your employees are following the right guidelines for data protection. Employees are often the main cause of security issues. They often take shortcuts when it comes to setting passwords and protecting data. Employees may assume they’re logging into a system from a secure environment when they’re actually opening the door to criminals.

A strong cybersecurity policy will outline everything your team members need to do to stay secure. This includes making sure they’re using strong passwords for their accounts and that they never log in to services from a public connection. Your cybersecurity policy could also determine which applications and tools are safe for your remote employees to use when dealing with business data. Be sure to define specifics so it’s very clear what is expected of your team members. For example, describe what your company defines as a strong password (number of characters, including symbols and/or numbers, etc.)

Step 2: Secure Network Connections

Access to an unsecured Wi-Fi network is one of the most common ways for companies to stumble into a security breach. Many remote workers use their standard Wi-Fi connections and home routers to connect to the office. These services aren’t always as protected as they should be. The easiest option for companies in search of better network protection may be to implement VPNs.

A VPN, also known as a Virtual Private Network, allows users to send and receive data via a private network while connected to a public or less secure network. In other words, your team members can connect to their home Wi-Fi connection and then connect to your company’s VPN. Anything sent via the VPN will be sent/received with the same level of security it would have while connected to the Wi-Fi in the office.

Asking your employees to use VPNs ensures that they have a direct and secure way to connect to the business network and access important information. Make sure that any VPN you choose covers every level of encryption that’s important for your team. If you don’t have an in-house IT department or you don’t know where to start with VPNs, consider hiring a freelance web developer or security expert to help you set it up.

Step 3: Consider Password Managers

Password safety is another critical part of running a secure business in the age of remote work. The number of software solutions and accounts used each day by your team members is constantly going up. With that, the number of passwords your team members must remember is also increasing. The result is that more employees use repetitive and simple passwords to access tools. 53% of people admit to reusing the same password for multiple accounts. Password managers allow team members to access a range of tools with just one set of credentials. That means they only have a single code to remember.

Step 4: Explore Two-Factor Authentication

A password manager can help to make your accounts more secure, but passwords still only offer a single layer of protection. Two-factor authentication could be an excellent addition for companies who want to strengthen the security of remote teams. That’s because even if someone was to figure out your employee’s password, it wouldn’t be enough to get them into an account.

Two-factor authentication, also known as multi-factor authentication, requires an additional input of a limited-time code or something similar to unlock access to an account or service. You probably have used something like this to log into your bank or social media accounts. The most common format today is a code sent to your phone or email. But two-factor authentication is increasingly becoming more advanced. It’s possible to build strategies that use a password and biometric data to secure services. Your employees could protect their data with a fingerprint or retina scan.

Step 5: Remember the Basics

Technology like biometric security is opening the door to a new level of protection for today’s businesses. These advanced offerings could be an exciting step forward for a lot of companies. It’s worth remembering though that the fundamentals are still important. Using encryption software with your video conferencing and messaging software is a must-have in the remote world.

It’s also worth ensuring that your employees have up-to-date systems for security on any devices they use. Consider systems such as antivirus software, anti-malware, and phishing protection. Firewalls are even available to cover everything from tablets and computers to smartphones and other mobile devices. Mobile device management tools can also help your team leaders to ensure that apps and security services remain up to date on your team’s devices. These services allow you to implement patches remotely, remove dangerous data from an employee’s hard drive, and even blacklist certain apps.

Remote Work Doesn’t Mean Jeopardizing Security

Remote work doesn’t have to jeopardize data security. Once remote workers are fully educated in the demands of secure working, and you have the right tools in place, you can enjoy all the benefits of flexible working without the security threats.

How to Build Your Freelance Business as a Work-from-Home Parent

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What if you had a job that allowed you to take an active role in your children’s lives? Building a freelance business enables you to leverage your skills in your career and be present for the moments of your child’s lives you want to: teaching them during the day, picking them up from school, or taking them to soccer practice.

The rise of remote work has transformed the traditional work-from-home landscape. With the increasing adoption of flexible work arrangements, more parents are exploring freelance opportunities to balance their career ambitions with family life. Upwork’s Freelance Forward Report in 2023 indicates a substatial growth in the freelance workforce and its contribution to the US economy. In addition, Pew Research Center studies have shown an increase in remote work adoption across various professions.

Freelancing offers numerous benefits for stay-at-home parents. As a self-employed freelancer, you would be in charge of your hours, work flexibility, and rates. With all of the options available online, you might not know where to start building your work-from-home parent freelance business. 

Here are steps you can take to build your freelance business as a stay-at-home parent:

  1. Write down a list of your skills and interests. Consider your former work and volunteer experiences and how they can be leveraged online. For example:
    • If you’ve worked in project management, maybe you could market yourself as an online business manager.
    • If you have administrative experience, maybe you could be a virtual assistant.
    • Are you great at writing? Maybe you could write articles, grants, or eBooks for clients online.
    • For more ideas, check out our blog article on how to make side gigs work.
  2. Build onto your current skills. Start by paying attention to what is in demand now and what you are most interested in. Then, find free and paid courses to enhance your skills and increase your value as a freelancer.
  3. Invest time or money into learning sales and marketing. One part of being a freelancer is being able to market yourself to clients. Read books, take courses, or work with a coach so you can enhance the way you market yourself.
  4. Use your skills to work your way up. If you can, start with smaller projects to build your portfolio. Consider it on-the-job training! Reach out to friends, family, or former colleagues to see if your services can help them at a discounted rate. After the project is complete, ask them for a detailed testimonial!
  5. Create an online presence. Whether you use a social media platform, a website, or both, you should have a place online where future clients can learn more about you. Let your online platform paint a picture of what it would be like to work with you.
  6. Find a community of other freelancing stay-at-home parents. Get support, ask for advice, or make networking connections with other parents who will understand your unique challenges.
  7. Include taxes and benefits in your rates. As an employee of a company, the company offers you benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and sometimes 401k matching. They also pay for a portion of your taxes. As you estimate your freelance rates, consider taxes and benefits.
  8. Decide how you will spend your time. Freelancing as a stay-at-home mother gives you the flexibility of time. When will you work on your business? Will it be while your children are at school or napping? Decide in advance times you will definitely spend on your business.
  9. Grow your portfolio of reviews or testimonials. Showcasing reviews or testimonials of your work will help build your trust and credibility with people who want to work with you. Ask former colleagues, bosses, and clients to write a descriptive review of your strengths, skills, and why they enjoyed working with you.

The transition into freelancing may sound daunting at first. But you can make the transition simple by taking everything one step at a time.

Building a business as a stay-at-home mother can give you the flexibility and freedom to be present in your children’s lives. Before you know it, your babies will become adults and parents themselves. Making the time to be a significant part of their lives is priceless.
 
Image from Pexels.

Conquer Instagram Marketing: A Beginner’s Guide

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Instagram marketing has transformed from a photo-sharing app to a powerful social media platform. Boasting over 1 billion monthly users, 60% of whom are daily active, Instagram offers a goldmine for audience growth and brand awareness. In fact, a whopping 83% of users discover new products and services through Instagram.

Ready to get your brand in front of this highly engaged audience? Instagram marketing is easier than you think! Here’s a roadmap to get you started:

Building Your Instagram Business Presence:

  • Business or Creator Account: Unlock a treasure trove of benefits by switching to a Business or Creator account. These accounts grant access to valuable insights, analytics, advertising capabilities, and special profile features like contact information. See more about the benefits of an Instagram Business account straight from the source (Instagram’s website)!
  • Profile Optimization: Craft a profile that makes you discoverable in searches and informs users about your business. Here’s what to optimize:
    • Profile Picture: Use a clear and recognizable image representing your brand.
    • Username & Name: Make them easy to search for.
    • Category: Select the category that best describes your business.
    • Bio: Write an engaging and informative bio (up to 150 characters) that captures your brand essence.
    • Contact Information: Include your website and contact details.
  • Hashtag Mastery: Hashtags are key to categorizing your content and reaching a wider audience. While you can use up to 30 hashtags per post, focus on choosing relevant ones to ensure users can find your business.

Exploring Instagram Post Formats:

Instagram offers a variety of content formats to engage your audience:

  • Grid Posts: These photo and video squares appear on your profile. Captions can be up to 2,200 characters, but keep in mind that only the first two lines are visible before a “Read More” prompt. Hook viewers with those first lines!
  • Stories: Post photos or videos that disappear after 24 hours (unless added to Highlights). Stories are perfect for behind-the-scenes glimpses, casual updates, and frequent interactions.
  • IGTV: For longer-form content, utilize IGTV, allowing vertical video uploads. These videos can also be shared on your grid and stories.
  • Reels: Capitalize on short-form video engagement with Reels, 15-30 second vertical video clips that can be shared on stories. Reels are a fantastic way to grab your audience’s attention.

Content is King (and Queen):

Now that you’ve mastered the post formats, it’s time to create a compelling content calendar:

  • Behind-the-Scenes Content: Offer followers a glimpse into your company culture and daily operations.
  • Motivational Content: Share inspirational quotes that resonate with your brand and audience. Consider adding your branding to quote graphics for a unique touch.
  • Tutorial Content: Craft tutorials and how-to guides to solve specific customer problems. Tutorials are a fantastic way to target potential customers who are actively seeking solutions.
  • Video Content: Leverage the power of video across formats – Stories, grid posts, Reels, and IGTV. (Learn more about why video is so important to your marketing!)
  • User-Generated Content (UGC): Showcase content created by your followers (with permission!). UGC fosters follower relationships, boosts engagement, and effortlessly fills your content calendar.
  • Case Studies & Testimonials: Real-life stories showcasing the value of your products or services through customer testimonials build trust and demonstrate your understanding of customer needs.
  • Storytelling Content: Connect with your audience on a deeper level by weaving your brand’s story. Remember, every story should have a lesson or takeaway for your viewers.

By strategically incorporating these content types, you’ll achieve multiple goals: expand your reach, connect with customers, and effectively communicate your brand story.

The Human Touch of Instagram Marketing:

Ultimately, Instagram marketing allows you to showcase your company’s personality through visuals. With a strategic approach, you can leverage the power of Instagram marketing to expand your reach, connect with your target audience, and build a thriving brand.

Price vs. Power: How to Choose an Email Service

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Aside from time and location freedom, the biggest benefit to starting an online business is the lack of start-up capital required. You don’t have to buy the inventory to stock a store. You don’t have to spend a lot on equipment. And you don’t have to shell out cash for employees and insurance and all those other costs associated with offline businesses. But that low-cost mentality can cause you to lose sight of the bigger picture, too.

While it is possible to start a business without spending any money at all, it’s truly not a good idea. That free hosting account will no doubt have downtime issues (not to mention the ads they’ll serve up to your visitors). Free word processors will have compatibility issues with other, more common solutions. Free WordPress Themes and plugins can have support issues.

So while bootstrapping is a good thing, making business decisions based solely on cost is not. And nowhere is that more true than when it comes to choosing an Email Service.

Deliverability Issues

Here’s the biggest problem we see with low-cost providers, including those you install and manage yourself: deliverability. Email services such as Yahoo, Gmail, and others vigorously defend their users’ accounts against spam, and will often mark your legitimate email as spam, simply based on the IP address it originates from.

Large email service providers have the resources to fight these false spam reports and keep their deliverability rates high. That’s part of what their users pay for. But when you choose a free or low-cost provider (or manage your own server), this might not happen. Over time, you will probably see your deliverability rates plummet.

Limited Features

Deliverability aside, many low-priced email service providers can afford to charge lower rates because they limit the features. For example, you might only be able to collect 500 addresses, or you may only be able to send a few emails each month. Even worse, you may not be able to segment your list or automate your emails.

Before you make the choice to use a low-priced or free email provider, be sure you fully understand the limitations of the account. While some concessions might be okay for you and/or your business model, others might put a serious crimp in your business-building efforts.

It’s a Long-Term Choice

Finally, keep in mind that changing providers later (when you’re “ready”) can be a huge undertaking. You’ll have multiple landing pages and opt-in forms to edit, connections with your shopping cart, webinar host, social media accounts, and countless other integrations to deal with. And you’ll have a list of names to import to your new provider, many of which will either opt-out or be undeliverable at your new host. Rather than go through all that trouble, the better option is to choose the right provider from the start.

Speaking of integrations, if you need help integrating your email service with your website, social media accounts, or anything else, we can help!

Final Thoughts

One option that can work with your budget and your long-term needs would be to choose an Email Service that can grow with your business (we like MailChimp, but there are a lot of options out there!) Many have plans that start at a lower cost with limited features but provide you with the option to upgrade your account as necessary. This can solve the problem of needing an Email Service at the start (when budget might be an issue) while providing you with options in the future when features will be the main concern.

Want to keep learning? Check out our blog post on where to start when looking for an Email Service!

Aurora Is the Perfect Place to Start Your New Business

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Guest post by Leslie Campos of Well Parents

If starting a business is next on your list, you need to ensure it happens in the right place. The location of your company is as crucial as your business idea. Some cities, like Aurora, Colorado, offer advantages that can facilitate your long-term success.

Why Choose Aurora

Aurora is a vibrant city with something to offer everyone. From active nightlife to world-class amenities, Aurora is truly a great place to live and work. Not only is it close to large urban centers like Denver, but its local atmosphere also boasts many cultural and recreational opportunities. Consider why this thriving city is ideal for living and working.

Affordable Living

Aurora’s attractive cost of living can significantly benefit your new endeavor. The city offers a wide variety of housing options that can fit any budget, from starter homes to luxury apartments with access to amenities such as fitness centers and swimming pools. Aurora also boasts low property taxes compared to other cities in Colorado.

Educated Residents

Having skilled workers drives a company’s growth. Aurora has diverse higher education opportunities nearby, creating a robust workforce for your new business. Area schools include:

  • Community College of Aurora
  • Platt College
  • University of Denver
  • University of Colorado Denver

Quality of Life

Aurora’s various cultural, entertainment, and educational opportunities contribute to the general satisfaction of the population. Employees who are happy outside of work are more likely to stay motivated and productive.

This city offers many parks, historic sites, and other attractions, such as:

  • Cherry Creek State Park
  • Aurora History Museum
  • Aurora Fox Arts Center
  • Stanley Beer Hall
  • Plains Conservation Center

Community Support

The supportive community of Aurora can immensely impact your entrepreneurship. By connecting with other business owners in the area, you will find the resources, assistance, and mentorship to help your business thrive. Some local resources include:

  • Aurora Chamber of Commerce
  • Aurora South Metro Small Business Development Center
  • Aurora City Business Licenses

Family-Friendly Location

Aurora is an excellent place for families. This city features top-rated schools, parks, and outdoor adventures. Residents enjoy clean, suburban neighborhoods with plenty of activities the whole family will love, such as parks and family-friendly restaurants.

Home-Finding Tips

When searching for a home, initially, you may want to move into a rental home or apartment. Doing so allows you to reside in the area while determining the neighborhoods and amenities that best serve your family’s needs. Start looking for a place to live by perusing online listings in your price range (there are currently around 300 apartments available for rent in Aurora). Filter your searches by pinpointing your desired number of bedrooms and bathrooms.

Business Startup Checklist

Here is a quick-start guide to launching your new company in Aurora:

Consider setting up a limited liability company for your operation. This legal structure offers many benefits, including personal asset protection with limited liability, tax advantages, and flexibility. Additionally, applying requires minimal paperwork. Check the specific regulations in Colorado before proceeding.

Starting your life as an entrepreneur presents many potential benefits and possible concerns. Finding a home that you love in a location where your business can thrive is crucial. When you choose an area like Aurora that meets your personal and professional needs, you improve your chances of success.

Image by Pexels

Learning to Blog for Business Owners

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You may think that learning to blog isn’t important to your business. You’re a coach or you sell things you make, why should you blog? The internet has an insatiable appetite for information. Billions of searches are conducted every single day looking for everything from how to bake an apple pie to why zebras have stripes. For anyone who conducts business online, these searches represent a steady flow of potential customers who are looking for what you have to offer.

You can use a blog to present yourself as an expert in your field or as the authority in finding the best deals on clothes – whatever your niche is, a blog can help get more eyes on your website. A blog is an easy, cost-effective method of being found by the exact people who most need, want, and are willing to pay for your services. But only if you have a good strategy in place first.

Know Your Keywords

These are the search terms your ideal client is using to find answers to their questions. When you know what your keywords are, you can easily create blog posts that will:

  • Attract the right visitors to your site
  • Position you as the expert in your niche
  • Make it easy for your ideal client to find—and get to know—you and your services

Write for People

Keywords are great for SEO and making search engines like your blogs. And while it’s important to know and use keywords in your blog posts, it’s even more important that you write your content with people in mind. Your blog should be engaging, informational, and even entertaining, but above all else, it must be readable. When learning to blog and choosing what to write remember this: if you wouldn’t read it, neither will anyone else.

Be Consistent

Content marketing—and blogging, by extension—is very much a numbers game. The more content you produce, the greater your results will be. That means setting—and sticking to—a content production schedule is a must. For most websites, a weekly schedule is both attainable and sufficient to build a steady stream of traffic. If that seems daunting, start with something easier like monthly or bi-monthly. One important lesson to learn when learning to blog is that there are no one-size-fits-all answers. Make a production schedule that works for you and make it something that you KNOW you can stick to.

Keep Long-Term Goals in Mind

Blogging is not a fast business-growth strategy but it is excellent for long-term sustainability. Those posts you write this month will continue to work for you many years from now, bringing in more and more traffic and potential clients. Evergreen content, or content that will last for a long time to come, is one of the best investments you can make in your business. Learning to blog also means learning to re-blog. Once your production schedule has been up and running for a few months, set aside some time to review your past blog articles and see if there’s anything you can reuse. You can also go back to old articles and check if there are any natural places to drop in some links to more recent blog posts to increase internal links.

Use Good SEO Practices

Aside from keywords, great bloggers know there are many techniques you can use to bring in more readers, including:

  • External links to relevant sites from within your blog
  • Internal links to other, related content on your site
  • Use of graphics and headlines to break up long text passages
  • Compelling meta descriptions
  • Good HTML practices such as ALT tags

Get the Word Out

Each new blog post is an opportunity to be seen, so take the time to share your content socially, and encourage your readers to do the same. Share your post on your Facebook page, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and anywhere else your ideal client is likely to see it.

You can also join social media groups for topics related to your industry and periodically share relevant content from your blog. Just make sure this doesn’t go against the group’s policies and remember to always add value – the goal of this is to promote your website and your business, not annoy group admins.

Mix It Up

Not every post has to be a 3,000-word article. Include other types of content as well, such as:

  • Videos
  • Infographics
  • Curated content
  • Short opinion pieces
  • Audio

Have Fun with It

Above all else, the most important thing to remember when learning to blog is to have some fun. Inject your personality into your blog. Not only will you more easily attract your ideal client but you’ll enjoy blogging a lot more if you use your authentic voice. And the more you enjoy it, the more likely you will remain consistent as well.

How to Start a Podcast for Your Business

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As of 2021 41% of Americans have listened to a podcast in the past month and that figure is changing rapidly. Podcast episodes are easy for people to search, access, and listen to. Listeners can find most podcasts for free on different platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Castbox. With the podcast industry evolving, these platforms make it easier and easier for listeners to access your podcasts.

As a business, podcasts offer an easy barrier to entry, little-to-no marketing cost, and access to a wide audience. The form of podcasts, today’s modern-day radio, allows people to listen to your content as they go about their day, from doing daily chores to traveling, or even exercising.

It’s relatively simple to start a podcast and reach a brand-new market and it’s a great way to expand your business’s marketing reach!

What you need to start a podcast:

  1. Equipment & location. You will need a computer or smartphone, a microphone, and a quiet place to record your podcasts.

    • Computer or smartphone. To start a podcast you will need a device to store the recording before uploading it to the podcasting platform. You don’t need anything special. As long as it can access the internet and has the ability to have a microphone.
    • Microphone. Good-quality microphones are fairly inexpensive and can be purchased on Amazon or at your local electronics store. Do a little research in advance to find out what type of microphone will work best with your computer/smartphone and your needs. We don’t recommend using the built-in microphone on your smartphone, they usually result in lower-quality audio.
    • Decide on a location to record the podcast. It needs to be very quiet and ideally comfortable. A quiet bedroom would work, however, a sound-proofed room or a sound-proofed closet would work best. Keep in mind that every sound will be translated to the podcast, including typing on a keyboard and the sound of computer fans.

  2. Recording, editing & hosting. How you are going to record and edit your podcast, and how it will be hosted?

    • Recording and editing. There are a lot of software options available for recording and editing audio, but if you’re just starting out with a small budget, you can use a web-based service like Anchor.fm that provides free recording and editing. Be sure to compare the features and cost of any software/service to ensure it will work for your needs. When you first start a podcast it might be better to go with a service and then switch to your own editing software later.
    • Hosting. A host for your podcast is simply the place where the file is stored online so it can be broadcast to your subscribers. There are multiple hosting options available. Anchor.fm also provides hosting for your podcast and we highly recommend it! (We aren’t getting any commission for saying that – we just really like them!)

  3. Brainstorm content theme. What’s the overarching theme or concept that will guide your podcast episodes? People search for podcasts related to certain themes, topics, or ideas.

    • What theme or idea will every podcast episode relate back to? Think about something that you’re familiar with or passionate about that relates back to your business. Even topics you don’t know a lot about are fair game, as long as they tie into your business or industry.
    • For format will your episodes take? Will they be conversational interviews, solo shows, or tell a story?
    • What types of content will you produce? Do you want your podcast to be helpful and informative, inspirational, practical, or conversational?

  4. Set a publishing schedule. How often will you publish podcast episodes?

    • When you first start a podcast it’s a good idea to spread out your episodes to give yourself time to record each one.
    • You might also want to create podcast “seasons” where after you publish a certain number of episodes, your podcast takes a scheduled break.

  5. Create a podcast marketing plan. How will you market each episode after it’s published?

    • Use these ideas to promote episodes and help with content exposure, SEO, and authority-building:
      • Repurpose the clips from podcast episodes into Instagram reels, Twitter audio, or YouTube videos.
      • Highlights, takeaways, and timestamps from your podcast can be typed into “show notes” to be published on your blog or website for SEO purposes. In your show notes, you can include links or resources mentioned in the podcast.
      • Create graphic images of inspirational or informative quotations from the episode and circulate them on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. (Steady Radiance Design can help with creating your podcast graphics!)
      • Interview other companies, businesses, or influencers in your industry and ask them to promote the episode when it’s live.
      • Add keywords and search terms to your podcast titles and descriptions so that people can find them when looking up a topic.

Final Thoughts

The podcast industry is growing rapidly, and it isn’t stopping. Platforms like Castbox are evolving with the industry, and now is the perfect time to start a podcast and reach a new audience. Overall, publishing podcasts builds brand awareness with listeners. By listening to your episodes, they learn more about you and your company over time.

Planning a Live Event: Understanding Your Audience

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The first rule of creating products, a new service offering, or planning a live event is to understand your audience. This is true no matter what business or market you are in. Note that a prerequisite of understanding your audience is to first identify your audience. If you haven’t done that yet, take a look at our list of ways to identify your target market.

You must be connected with the pulse of your audience to know in advance whether or not they can afford your event, want and need what you offer, and can take advantage of the opportunity. Learning about your audience will also help you overcome many objections such as cost, subject matter, location, and time.

Know Your Audience’s Budget

If you know your audience well, you’ll know what type of disposable income they have. This allows you to plan and price your event accordingly. Look at your audience’s average income and how much they usually spend on the product/service/topic you intend to promote at your event. Once you know what they can afford, you can create a realistic budget for your event based on your audience’s ability to pay.

Know The Topics They Care About

Knowing your audience will help you pick just the right topic and theme for your live, in-person event. Remember, you need to make them want to leave their home to listen to your subject matter. One easy way to start this process is to identify the pain points of your target audience then identify how your product/service helps to alleviate or eliminate those pains.

Know The People They’d Want to Meet

When planning a live event, think about the other influential people in your industry that might help to make your event more appealing to potential attendees. Who might your audience be interested in meeting in person? It’s important for you to know who these people are so that you can invite them to attend as keynote speakers or JV partners for the event.

BONUS TIP: even if you can’t get other influential people to attend your event, you can take a peek into their events to see what makes them popular and see if you can mimic it.

Know What Locations They’ll Love

Understanding who your audience is also helps you know what locations they’d love to visit. Even though in most cases people don’t see much of the area they’re in when they attend an event, the location still matters. Will it be too cold, too hot, too exotic, too costly? Only knowing your audience well can help you determine which is best. You can start with any information gathered by analyzing your competitor’s events to see what worked – or didn’t work – about the locations where they were held.

Know The Right Timing

The other concern that knowing your audience can help clarify when planning a live event is the time factor. When an event should be held – which time of year, which days of the week, or over a weekend – can all be answered by a thorough understanding of your audience. Look at your audience’s travel habits and when they’re most likely to be open to attending an event. For example, parents of school-aged children might be less inclined to attend a corporate event during Spring Break.

Final Thoughts

Knowing your audience will help you overcome any objections they may have to attending a live event. Use your knowledge to create a live event that they’d want to attend, can afford to attend, and are able to attend. To learn more about your audience, it’s important that you go where they go (online and off), survey them, and listen to what they have to say.

You can study your audience via social media, free in-person meetups, and webinars. Leave no stone unturned to learn more about your audience so that you can put on a live event that is both profitable and fun for all involved, including yourself.

Crucial Considerations When Deciding to Expand Your Business

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Guest post by Gloria Martinez of WomenLed.org

It is a very proud moment when you, as a business owner realize that you have grown to such an extent that you can now expand your business and make larger profits. However, although this is an exciting time, there are still plenty of adjustments and changes you will need to make to create a smooth transition. Here at Steady Radiance Design, we help businesses shine by creating awesome graphics and branding strategies, so we know a thing or two about how to help a company succeed. With that in mind, we have some considerations that you’ll want to make as you think about branching out.

Research the Market

Before you open a new office in another state or add a new product or service to your lineup, you will want to do your research to determine if expanding will bring you the profits that you desire. You’ll want to conduct market research to see if there are enough potential customers in the new area to justify building or renting out a new location. If you are thinking about adding a new service, you should survey people in your target demographic and determine if they will be interested in what you are selling.

This must be the first step. Before you even think about spending a large sum of money on your expansion, you need to understand what you are getting into and if it is worth the effort.

Can You Make Your New Service a Reality?

If you have researched the new location or market and you find that your new product will be a success, your next step will be to determine if you have the staff and personnel available to produce this new product. You’ll need to investigate the new area and determine if there are promising candidates that can work for your company and help bring your idea to life.

Even if you have the people, you will need to create a roadmap that all your employees can follow to produce your idea. Here is a template to generate a product roadmap. With this template, you can assign team members to specific projects and give them set titles and responsibilities that they will need to accomplish. As you go along, you can cross items off of the list, so you know where you stand. This type of roadmap is a great way to manage short and long-term goals so you can meet your deadlines and ensure that you have products available to sell.

Consider Your Cash Flow

You will also want to consider if you have the funds necessary to go all-in onto expand your business. Think about if you can use your existing profits or if you will need to reach out to investors for extra cash. Whichever way you go, you will want to take it one step at a time, so you don’t run out of money too quickly. After each period of expansion, take some time to look at how you are performing. Are you making enough now to continue to the next level, or should you wait a bit longer? Don’t rush when it comes to finances.

Are You Ready to Market Your New Product or Service?

Now that you have a product, you will want to ensure that you have the money and the tools to properly market to your audience. You can start small as you slowly introduce your product, but over time you will want to increase your efforts. It is a good idea to bring in some professionals during this time to produce your marketing efforts. Here at Steady Radiance Design, we provide many of these services, including producing print materials like brochures and catalogs as well as digital offerings, including website development, video production, and SEO that will help new customers find you and your new products.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many considerations that you will need to make before you jump in and expand your business, but if you work strategically, you can achieve your goals. If you would like to know more about the services provided by Steady Radiance Design, then contact us at the form here.

 

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How to Identify Your Target Audience

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Each and every business owner in the world has one regardless of size or industry – a target audience. You may not know what your business’s target audience is, but you have one – you just need to identify it. The term “target audience” means the specific group of people most likely to want to buy your product or service. The basic criteria for your target audience are things like income, interests, age, gender, location, etc. You can use information about your target audience to market specifically to that group of people, therefore increasing the likelihood that your marketing and advertising will be successful.

There are numerous ways to identify your target audience, and we have compiled a list here of the most common ways to help get you on your way.

Analyze Your Current Customer Base

Look at everyone who already buys your product or service and try to identify what they have in common. Where do they live, how much do they make, what interests do they have? Using surveys and doing quick polls on social media is a great way to learn this information.

Conduct Market Research

Do a Google search for market research for your industry to identify the holes in service that your product/service can fill. Find out what common problems consumers in your industry face and identify ways that your product/service can solve them. This process of identifying your audience’s pain points can be invaluable to your business and can help you identify new ways your business can thrive.

Define Who Your Target Audience Isn’t

There may be certain consumers who are close to the demographic you’re looking for but who will not take the final step of purchasing or participating in your product/service. Use some of your market research to help determine who in your target demographic is least likely to do what you’d like them to do, then make sure your marketing and advertising do not target them. For example, your target demographic might be women, but let’s say that women between the ages of 30 and 40 typically don’t buy your product/service. Knowing that you can remove that age group from your target audience and increase the likelihood that your marketing and advertising dollars will reach those most likely to purchase.

Make a List of Your Product’s/Service’s Benefits (not features!)

This is a sort of reverse way of utilizing the pain points identified in your market research. This can help you determine why a consumer would want to purchase your product/service and from there, you can identify the type of consumer that would want to purchase your product/service. For example, if you are a coach, a feature of your coaching class might be that it’s a self-study course, but why should consumers care about that? What benefit is a self-study course to a consumer? Perhaps they need to study on an unusual timetable or maybe they prefer to work on their own rather than in a group.

Think of benefits as the “why should I care” part of a feature. Look at the features your product/service provides, determine why a consumer should care about them (the benefits), then you can find the pain points that are solved with those benefits. Check out this article to learn more about the difference between features and benefits and how you can apply that information in your business.

Use Online Customer Feedback

Once you’ve identified your product’s/service’s benefits (see #4 above) then you can go to online forums and see who is asking questions or is interested in those topics. You can start with popular forums like Quora or Reddit. This can help you to identify the age group, gender, industry, interests, etc. of your target audience and “get a hand on the pulse” of the consumers you’d like to market to. Following the coaching example used above, you could search Reddit for “how to learn [whatever you teach] while working full time”.

Research Your Competitors

If you’re in an industry that has long-term or well-known competitors, it’s a good bet that they already know their (your) audience well. Researching their marketing and response can be a great way to identify your target audience. Look at their website, social media platforms, and reviews of their products/services. Look for the type of people who typically like their posts or give positive reviews, and what types of content get the most response. You can also look at what isn’t working for them and try to identify ways that you can improve on it.

Find Your Niche

Especially if you’re just starting out or if you have a limited budget, it’s important to make your marketing dollars work as effectively as possible. To that end, it can be beneficial to really narrow down your target audience to a small niche group of consumers. Identify the group that has the highest potential to purchase your product/service and only market to them. Doing this can help you to build brand loyalty and develop your company as an expert in your industry.

Final Thoughts

Following these steps is a great start to honing in on your target audience so you can develop your brand messaging and perfect your marketing strategy. Doing this will help to build a solid foundation for your brand going forward.