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How to Choose The Right Reputation Management Agency https://ift.tt/3czbGVk Is reputation management important? Research from Uberall shows if you increase your online review star ratings by 0.1, you can boost your online conversions by 25 percent. A review reply rate of 30 percent also raises conversion rates by 80 percent. With reputation management, businesses can increase their revenue consistently over time. Most businesses need help, though. Reputation management has changed; the industry has grown into a large and sophisticated service. It’s too much for the average company to handle. Poor habits like bad review blackmail and hate trolling and the large volume of reviews make it difficult for businesses to keep up. With the right reputation management agency, you can build a strong reputation and a stable review portfolio. Know Your Goals and Desired OutcomesReview management requires a consistent amount of work. Many people think that it’s simply about requesting lots of online reviews from customers. There’s more to it than that. If you’re going to make reputation management work for your business, you’ll need to understand your goals and objectives clearly. These goals don’t have to be complicated. They’re tied to the benefits that reputation management provides. Those benefits are focused on a specific set of outcomes. You can use these as your example goals and objectives; here’s an example to show you what I mean.
If you’re aware of the results you can achieve with reputation management, you can use those results to create a specific list of goals for your agency.
Here’s what you’ll need to help your agency set goals and objectives.
Getting this information upfront provides your agency with the data they need to set your campaign up. 4 Characteristics that Make a Great Reputation Management AgencyIs it easy to find an agency? Here’s a breakdown of the characteristics that make a great reputation management agency. When you’re vetting an agency, you’ll want to look for agencies that display the attributes listed below. It isn’t a guarantee of success, but it does help ensure that you can get consistent results. 1. Their service is both proactive and reactiveIn the 90s, reputation management was mostly focused on removing negative content online. Things have changed since then; today, reputation management campaigns are both proactive and reactive. Requesting online reviews from customers, building strong review profiles, and responding to customers is a proactive way to improve your reputation. Burying toxic, inaccurate, or misleading content is a reactive strategy that’s still necessary but doesn’t provide a complete picture of online reputation management campaigns. You’ll want an agency that both proactive and reactive. They’re able to bury the content that needs to be buried, but they’re also able to help build your reputation consistently over time. This sounds obvious, but it isn’t a common occurrence. Some reputation management agencies are still mostly reactive. They focus their attention on burying content; they’re more proactive in the sense that they help to build content, inappropriate content. If your agency isn’t proactive, you’ll be stuck reacting to negative content and events as it appears instead of getting out in front of it. 2. Campaigns are focused on customersOld-school reputation management campaigns are focused on critics, enemies, or opponents. New school agencies focus on building positive relationships with customers. Happy customers are usually willing to write four and five-star reviews. The right reputation management agency will focus on:
The right agency will boost your company’s reputation, protect you from unfair attacks, and help you scale your review management campaigns. They’ll focus their attention on taking care of your customers and inviting them to leave genuine feedback. 3. Reputation management is ongoingReputation decays over time. Consumers think reviews older than 3 months aren’t relevant or as important as fresh reviews. This means reputation management needs to be ongoing to be successful. Your agency should provide you with that ongoing service; they should provide you with the people, processes, and tools needed to manage your reputation appropriately. They should have a team in place to manage outreach with customers, publications, and press. Reputation management needs to be consistent if it’s going to be successful. 4. They have experience with local searchLocal searches are growing 50 percent faster than mobile search. This is important because online reviews are part of the local ranking factors determining your performance in Google local search and Google Maps. Your reputation management agency should have experience in running and managing local search campaigns. The easier it is to integrate local search, the better your reputation management campaigns will perform. Your agency should be able to manage your local search campaigns from beginning to end. They should also be able to integrate your reputation management and local search campaigns. This isn’t all that complicated but it’s still something to look for when vetting a reputation management agency. How to Find the Right Reputation Management Agency For YouThe easiest and most efficient way to find a good reputation management firm is to search for them in Google. You’re looking for a reputation management firm that has positive reviews, press, and mentions online. Firms with good reviews show that they practice what they preach. This isn’t always an automatic win. Agencies typically don’t spend a whole lot of time on their website and marketing. They’re usually focused on the work they’re doing for their clients. So it’s not an automatic deal breaker if clients don’t have positive reviews, press, or mentions online. You can also use review platforms to find the right reputation management agency. Here are a few review platforms you can use to vet your agencies: Each of these review platforms can provide you with a list of agencies that have good reviews. How to Work With a Reputation Management AgencyHere’s a list of the specific steps you’ll need to take to be successful with your agency.
These tactics are important because they show you how to work with your reputation management agency. The Top 5 Reputation Management AgenciesYou can use review aggregators like Clutch.co, HubSpot Agency Directory, Sortlist, or TopSEOs to find the agency that’s right for you. We’ve created a helpful shortlist of some of the best reputation management agencies in the industry. 1. NP Digital – Best for Local SEO and Reputation ManagementNP Digital is my agency. If you’re familiar with my work, you know that I have a strong background with search engine optimization and marketing. I built an agency called Pronet Advertising more than 17 years ago, while I was still in high school. I’ve been involved in search engine optimization and marketing for almost two decades! That’s given me a lot of time to learn about how reputation management works and how it connects with search. I’ve taken all of the lessons I’ve learned from Pronet, to Quicksprout, to NeilPatel.com (now) and I’ve used that to build my agency. 2. ReputationX – Best for Reputation RecoveryWhile ReputationX offers both proactive and reactive services, they’re definitely more on the reactionary side of things. They offer services like SERP removal, search result suppression, DMCA removals, reputation protection, international reputation management. They do offer review management, but it’s not their primary focus. 3. Thrive – Best for Small Business Review ManagementThrive is a full service agency that offers reputation management and reputation repair services. Their services are proactive and reactive, and they’re experienced with both the service and software side of reputation management. As a full service agency, they’re focused on a large number of other services; if you’re looking for a full service agency Thrive may be a fit. 4. Reputation Rhino – Best for IndividualsReputation Rhino specializes in online reputation management; they serve small- and midsize businesses and individuals. Since then they’ve expanded to create a range of brand management and internet marketing services that they use with their main service — reputation management. 5. Reputation Defense Network – Best for Reputation Management SpecialistThe Reputation Defense Network specializes in reactive reputation management. They focus their attention on deleting negative content, protecting client brand reputation, and identifying anonymous hackers, defamers, and attackers. ConclusionIncrease star ratings by 0.1 percent and you boost conversions dramatically. Reply to customer reviews consistently, and you grow revenue by an additional 80 percent. Review management requires a lot of work. Many people think it’s simply about requesting lots of online reviews from customers or responding to negative feedback. There’s more to it than that; with the right reputation management agency, you can build a strong reputation and a stable review portfolio. The post How to Choose The Right Reputation Management Agency appeared first on Neil Patel. SEO via Neil Patel https://neilpatel.com September 27, 2020 at 11:00AM
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How to Choose The Right Reputation Management Agency https://ift.tt/3czbGVk Is reputation management important? Research from Uberall shows if you increase your online review star ratings by 0.1, you can boost your online conversions by 25 percent. A review reply rate of 30 percent also raises conversion rates by 80 percent. With reputation management, businesses can increase their revenue consistently over time. Most businesses need help, though. Reputation management has changed; the industry has grown into a large and sophisticated service. It’s too much for the average company to handle. Poor habits like bad review blackmail and hate trolling and the large volume of reviews make it difficult for businesses to keep up. With the right reputation management agency, you can build a strong reputation and a stable review portfolio. Know Your Goals and Desired OutcomesReview management requires a consistent amount of work. Many people think that it’s simply about requesting lots of online reviews from customers. There’s more to it than that. If you’re going to make reputation management work for your business, you’ll need to understand your goals and objectives clearly. These goals don’t have to be complicated. They’re tied to the benefits that reputation management provides. Those benefits are focused on a specific set of outcomes. You can use these as your example goals and objectives; here’s an example to show you what I mean.
If you’re aware of the results you can achieve with reputation management, you can use those results to create a specific list of goals for your agency.
Here’s what you’ll need to help your agency set goals and objectives.
Getting this information upfront provides your agency with the data they need to set your campaign up. 4 Characteristics that Make a Great Reputation Management AgencyIs it easy to find an agency? Here’s a breakdown of the characteristics that make a great reputation management agency. When you’re vetting an agency, you’ll want to look for agencies that display the attributes listed below. It isn’t a guarantee of success, but it does help ensure that you can get consistent results. 1. Their service is both proactive and reactiveIn the 90s, reputation management was mostly focused on removing negative content online. Things have changed since then; today, reputation management campaigns are both proactive and reactive. Requesting online reviews from customers, building strong review profiles, and responding to customers is a proactive way to improve your reputation. Burying toxic, inaccurate, or misleading content is a reactive strategy that’s still necessary but doesn’t provide a complete picture of online reputation management campaigns. You’ll want an agency that both proactive and reactive. They’re able to bury the content that needs to be buried, but they’re also able to help build your reputation consistently over time. This sounds obvious, but it isn’t a common occurrence. Some reputation management agencies are still mostly reactive. They focus their attention on burying content; they’re more proactive in the sense that they help to build content, inappropriate content. If your agency isn’t proactive, you’ll be stuck reacting to negative content and events as it appears instead of getting out in front of it. 2. Campaigns are focused on customersOld-school reputation management campaigns are focused on critics, enemies, or opponents. New school agencies focus on building positive relationships with customers. Happy customers are usually willing to write four and five-star reviews. The right reputation management agency will focus on:
The right agency will boost your company’s reputation, protect you from unfair attacks, and help you scale your review management campaigns. They’ll focus their attention on taking care of your customers and inviting them to leave genuine feedback. 3. Reputation management is ongoingReputation decays over time. Consumers think reviews older than 3 months aren’t relevant or as important as fresh reviews. This means reputation management needs to be ongoing to be successful. Your agency should provide you with that ongoing service; they should provide you with the people, processes, and tools needed to manage your reputation appropriately. They should have a team in place to manage outreach with customers, publications, and press. Reputation management needs to be consistent if it’s going to be successful. 4. They have experience with local searchLocal searches are growing 50 percent faster than mobile search. This is important because online reviews are part of the local ranking factors determining your performance in Google local search and Google Maps. Your reputation management agency should have experience in running and managing local search campaigns. The easier it is to integrate local search, the better your reputation management campaigns will perform. Your agency should be able to manage your local search campaigns from beginning to end. They should also be able to integrate your reputation management and local search campaigns. This isn’t all that complicated but it’s still something to look for when vetting a reputation management agency. How to Find the Right Reputation Management Agency For YouThe easiest and most efficient way to find a good reputation management firm is to search for them in Google. You’re looking for a reputation management firm that has positive reviews, press, and mentions online. Firms with good reviews show that they practice what they preach. This isn’t always an automatic win. Agencies typically don’t spend a whole lot of time on their website and marketing. They’re usually focused on the work they’re doing for their clients. So it’s not an automatic deal breaker if clients don’t have positive reviews, press, or mentions online. You can also use review platforms to find the right reputation management agency. Here are a few review platforms you can use to vet your agencies: Each of these review platforms can provide you with a list of agencies that have good reviews. How to Work With a Reputation Management AgencyHere’s a list of the specific steps you’ll need to take to be successful with your agency.
These tactics are important because they show you how to work with your reputation management agency. The Top 5 Reputation Management AgenciesYou can use review aggregators like Clutch.co, HubSpot Agency Directory, Sortlist, or TopSEOs to find the agency that’s right for you. We’ve created a helpful shortlist of some of the best reputation management agencies in the industry. 1. NP Digital – Best for Local SEO and Reputation ManagementNP Digital is my agency. If you’re familiar with my work, you know that I have a strong background with search engine optimization and marketing. I built an agency called Pronet Advertising more than 17 years ago, while I was still in high school. I’ve been involved in search engine optimization and marketing for almost two decades! That’s given me a lot of time to learn about how reputation management works and how it connects with search. I’ve taken all of the lessons I’ve learned from Pronet, to Quicksprout, to NeilPatel.com (now) and I’ve used that to build my agency. 2. ReputationX – Best for Reputation RecoveryWhile ReputationX offers both proactive and reactive services, they’re definitely more on the reactionary side of things. They offer services like SERP removal, search result suppression, DMCA removals, reputation protection, international reputation management. They do offer review management, but it’s not their primary focus. 3. Thrive – Best for Small Business Review ManagementThrive is a full service agency that offers reputation management and reputation repair services. Their services are proactive and reactive, and they’re experienced with both the service and software side of reputation management. As a full service agency, they’re focused on a large number of other services; if you’re looking for a full service agency Thrive may be a fit. 4. Reputation Rhino – Best for IndividualsReputation Rhino specializes in online reputation management; they serve small- and midsize businesses and individuals. Since then they’ve expanded to create a range of brand management and internet marketing services that they use with their main service — reputation management. 5. Reputation Defense Network – Best for Reputation Management SpecialistThe Reputation Defense Network specializes in reactive reputation management. They focus their attention on deleting negative content, protecting client brand reputation, and identifying anonymous hackers, defamers, and attackers. ConclusionIncrease star ratings by 0.1 percent and you boost conversions dramatically. Reply to customer reviews consistently, and you grow revenue by an additional 80 percent. Review management requires a lot of work. Many people think it’s simply about requesting lots of online reviews from customers or responding to negative feedback. There’s more to it than that; with the right reputation management agency, you can build a strong reputation and a stable review portfolio. The post How to Choose The Right Reputation Management Agency appeared first on Neil Patel. SEO via Neil Patel https://neilpatel.com September 27, 2020 at 11:00AM
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15 Tips That Will Improve Your Writing Today via @ronlieback https://ift.tt/2S1YgYH Back in 2007, freelancer writers like myself were paid crap per piece of website content. Due to the youthful tastes of search engines and digital content, algorithms were much simpler to conquer. The goal was the more content, the better. More content equals better rankings. Better rankings equal stronger profit. “The more content, the better” remains a significant saying across websites today. Back then, the game plan was to pump out as much as possible, which typically resulted in zero quality. For me, that meant $5 for rewritten press releases on motorcycle websites. And $10 for 250-word summaries of anything newsworthy in the pet supply industry. (Remember those 2007 pet food recalls? The updates were weekly, though a few companies wrote about them every few hours just to produce content.) Thankfully during these times, I was freelancing for magazines that paid serious money – sometimes $1.50 a word. Before I knew anything about the Pareto Principle, I was a student of 80/20 living. I spent most of my time writing – and chasing – magazine writing. Those editors pushed me always to produce the best possible work. Advertisement Continue Reading Below This led to my position today, 13 years later, creating magazine-quality content for the digital world. Quality continues to be everything, though now the game is much more challenging. You must create engaging content that reads as if it was written for some of the world’s most popular magazines and also rank highly in search engines. I wrote plenty about writing for SEO here: SEO Writing: Top 47 Tips to Master a Combined Art. For this piece, I will provide guidelines and tips about how you can improve your writing today (sans the SEO talk). The following are 15 lessons I’ve learned throughout the years. I speak from my experience as a writer in various disciplines; from newspapers to ecommerce product copywriting to blogging to magazine articles to ghostwriting for CEOs. All of that writing also led to a position as online editor for Ultimate Motorcycling, the launch of my SEO-driven content marketing agency, and the publication of my debut book “365 to Vision: Modern Writer’s Guide (How to Produce More Quality Writing in Less Time.” Advertisement Continue Reading Below Let’s get to it. 1. Distraction-Free All The TimeThere’s a saying in the motorcycle industry – ATGATT, which means All the Gear, All the Time. You never know when a crash will occur – but you must always be prepared. Well, for writers, the saying should be DFATT – Distraction-Free, All the Time. Just like you can crash a motorcycle and mess yourself up seriously if not riding with the proper gear, you can create sloppy and unengaging content if not distraction-free every moment you’re writing. All strong writing begins before the actual act of typing or writing a word. This means killing anything that will distract you from your thoughts – thoughts that you want clear and concise versus cluttered and disorganized. The way forward? Pure silence from things that distract. The biggest culprits are:
The notifications part is easy – make sure all are off when writing. This means zilch, none, nada. Keep your phone away, whether across the room or hidden in a drawer. If I’m writing something that takes a massive amount of deep thought, I also shut the internet off on my Mac or Macbook. As for cluttered environments and thoughts – keep your desk tidy, and declutter your mind by doing something relaxing before writing. Whether it’s meditation, a walk outdoors, a stupidly fast motorcycle ride…do whatever works for you. As for people, let your co-workers or family members know (working home is the new norm, correct!) when you’ve blocked times out for writing. It seems everyone wants an espresso break or opinion on something when you’re focused on your thoughts and discovering how to say them through words. 2. Endless EnergyYes – still nothing to do with the act of writing, but the entire world before typing or penning one word is vital to creating engaging content. Advertisement Continue Reading Below If you’re unproductive, forget creating content that engages. My productivity writing habits include the following daily. This list has some of the best hacks that simply work: Stand-up DeskDon’t sit; it robs energy. Unless you have some serious health issues, stand and write all day. Your energy levels will thank you, as will your posture. Unscrew the LEDsLEDs may provide great light, but they rob energy. Multiple Supplements DailyA few of my favorites that supercharge the brain are GABA, Theacrine, and Huperzine. Zero Caffeine After 2 P.M.Yeah – odd as it sounds, but it helps with sleep, which helps with energy. Ending Every Shower Ice-ColdTry this for 30 seconds and work your way up to two minutes during every shower. This simple act multiplies the electrical impulses to your brain, helping with clarity and energy. It also helps circulation, which helps with energy levels. Mini TrampolineRebounding on a trampoline is not discussed often, but the benefits are many. Advertisement Continue Reading Below Trampolining provides the benefits of a jog without all the stress on your joints, and can be done within any office setting due to the small sizes of mini-trampolines. I jump about two minutes every hour – it provides a natural energy boost by getting the heart rate raised and improving circulation. It also stimulates your lymphatic system, which assists in detoxification. For more info, read this: 7 Brilliant Benefits of Trampolining. Circadian Optics Light TherapyLight in the morning mimics the sun to awake us. Sleep WellStay on a pattern of sleep daily. Read “Sleep Smarter” by Shawn Stevenson, and you’ll understand the serious power of consistent sleep…and quickly. Monitor Alcohol Before BedYes – I hate this one because I love winemaking it and drinking it. But alcohol messes with your sleep. SleepFoundation.org says you should stop drinking four hours before bedtime (*sigh). More energy hacks exist. But these are the top players from my experience. 3. Discover Your Peak Creative HoursDiscovering your peak creative hours begins with understanding your circadian rhythms – everyone’s is different. Advertisement Continue Reading Below The good thing is you can alter these by changing sleep patterns – and using light therapy to aid in changing your rhythms. Until my late 20s, my most creative periods were from 7 p.m. until the wee hours of the morning. This was a huge problem due to my then 9-to-5 position as head of content at an ecommerce company. I struggled with creativity during those standard hours, which resulted in sloppy copywriting. My only solution was to bring the work home and complete it during the evening. Again, this was when I wasn’t married or had a kid, so my nights were structured differently. The process also equated to much wasted time at the office during those 9-to-5 working hours, a situation that drove me nuts. Thankfully, it prompted me to head into freelancing full-time. Though I did have another short stay at a local digital marketing agency where the same thing happened. My agency’s business model today relies on only freelance writers – I can care less when they finish their writing assignments as long as they are super quality and delivered on time. Advertisement Continue Reading Below The 9-to-5 mindset is not practical for most creative positions. Find your creative hours, and work within them. This will help you produce more quality writing in less time. And don’t worry if those hours are not practical – you can always change your lifestyle to change your peak creativity time. I did this, and now feel most creative in the early mornings or mid-afternoons. It’s all about establishing a healthy routine and sticking with it. This routine also is greatly influenced by sleeping patterns, which influence your circadian rhythm. Light therapy also helps. Discover and train yourself with your own routine, and much more positive work will flow. 4. Maintain Focus“Good things happen when you narrow your focus,” says Al Ries, the author of a must-read for any business owner, “Focus: The Future of Your Company Depends on It.” Though Ries talks about businesses that maintain a focus to achieve larger profits, the advice directly translates to writers. Advertisement Continue Reading Below When your piece of content, whether a blog, service page, magazine article, book, whatever, maintains a focus, your writing won’t confuse. Confusion is the ultimate enemy within any piece of writing. Once readers become the slightest bit confused, they flee – and quickly. This is especially true for the blogging world where the reader expects the article to talk only about what’s included in the title. For example, if I went on a rant about affiliate marketing within this article intended for those seeking to improve their writing, I’d expect a horrible bounce rate. And don’t forget writing emails – they need as much focus – or more! – than any type of writing. If your subject line talks about a content strategy, don’t mention your social media strategy thoughts or Friday’s party plans in the email body. Start another thread and dedicate that email to that subject. The less confusion, the better the writing. 5. Outline FirstOutlines simplify the writing process because they organize things. Advertisement Continue Reading Below I’m not one for analogies, but you can think of an outline like a GPS map laid out with step-by-step directions. The map is there – you start at point A and get to point whatever by following the directions – what turns, roads, etc. There are typically a few different routes from quickest to least quick. And if you turn somewhere not directed, the GPS will replan your path to get you to the destination. An outline for any piece of writing works the same – you map out an article from intro to the conclusion. The thoughts (subtopics) between get you to the destination of what the reader will genuinely discover by reading your work. I’ve used outlines for every writing type, from blogs to books to service pages to emails. Most of these are handwritten in my “spew” tablets, which are those inexpensive Moleskine Cahier ones I carry everywhere with me. I used those for outlines and, sometimes, as I did for this piece, first drafts. Advertisement Continue Reading Below Handwritten slows everything down, allowing you to think between the spaces of words. This tiny change has drastic differences in my writing. My handwritten first drafts are always less cluttered than my typed drafts. Let’s use a blog as an example. Ninety-percent of the blogs I create follow the same formula:
From there, I’ll write “Intro,” then summarize what I want to say. I typically use some storytelling function within the intro. We’re humans, and love stories. Next, you provide a few sentences or words about a statement you’ll make about a struggle or some huge problem the reader is looking to solve, such as struggling with clear and concise writing. Next, offer a few sentences about the blog’s intention, such as asking readers to follow your writing tips. Advertisement Continue Reading Below From there, thoughts on what subtopics you’ll use. I typically create my headings here, and a few notes about what I’ll write under those headings. Lastly, I’ll create some concluding thoughts that wrap it up. The outline will answer what I was attempting to say if I’ll say it, and where this guidance can take the reader. As for the act of creating these outlines, the order rarely matters. Sometimes I begin with the conclusion, move to subtopics, and leave the intro for last. This is also sometimes the way I’ll write articles once they’re outlined. Writing backward offers unique perspectives because it allows you to see and think differently about what you didn’t say yet – or were about to tell. 6. Active Voice DominatesThe dog was walked by Peter. Peter walked the dog. Which sounds and visually appears cleaner? The second, of course. Use an active voice as much as possible. The subject should always receive the action. Advertisement Continue Reading Below But there’s nothing wrong with passive voice. Use it wisely to make a point and change the rhythm of your writing. 7. Choose Your Point of View WiselyFirst, second, or third? Regardless of what point of view you use, stick with it throughout your writing – especially for smaller pieces. With that said, it’s OK to use two tenses when writing longer pieces, such as a book. I like to use the first and second person in most of my work. I like talking to you as a reader directly, but also like sharing my stories from a first-person perspective. 8. Short Sentences, Short ParagraphsShort sentences don’t confuse. Read Hemingway. Then read Faulkner. Which author reads easier? Hemingway’s work is clear and concise – two elements that every author should chase religiously. His paragraphs and sentences are also shorter, which helps clear the reader’s psychological space, assisting in understanding. I love short and choppy sentences and short paragraphs. Advertisement Continue Reading Below Others hate it. Find your style, and always stick to it. Another great read on this subject is Hunter S. Thompson. Read “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” The entire book can be read within three hours due to his use of short and snappy sentences and short paragraphs. 9. Always Tell A StoryStorytelling is everything. Humans thrive on stories. Whenever you’re writing, try to insert a storytelling element. For example, my debut book is a how-to guide for modern writers, but it’s loaded with many anecdotes about my life as a writer. This helps keep people engaged, especially when the storytelling is somewhat unusual. 10. Paper Print Out for EditsWhen I finished my debut book, I printed it out after my final edit on the computer. Over 40,000 words of content need serious review. When I finished my first round of paper edits, I found 86 mistakes. I changed them and then printed out another round. I found 12 more mistakes, and my wife another six or so. Advertisement Continue Reading Below Seeing a hard copy helps us recognize mistakes quicker. Try it – it’s a game-changer. 11. Read Out LoudTo add to the above point, when I published with my book, I hired a fellow writer, Geoff Sturtevant, to create an audio version through Amazon’s ACX. By reading each passage aloud, my audio partner found an additional four mistakes, which led to me finding yet another spelling mistake. (Sorry, Joe Pulizzi – I’ll never put two Ls in your name again. All fixed now.) Perform the reading out loud portion after you complete the final edits. I promise you’ll find something – even if it’s merely the rhythm of a sentence that sounds a bit off. Sturtevant taught me to take that one step further. When editing a piece of text on a Mac, place it into a .txt file (note that you can’t do this through Google Docs or Word). Then, highlight a selection or all, and right-click the text. Advertisement Continue Reading Below Select Add to iTunes as a spoken track. Minutes later, you have a digital audiobook. Listen to it (though the voice is annoying), and you’ll quickly recognize a mistake. Genius – wish I thought of that! 12. Walk Before Final EditsI make it a habit of walking away from a piece of content for an entire day before doing my final edit and submitting it. Advertisement Continue Reading Below I use this practice for my personal and client content. This allows your mind to refresh, and you’ll read the piece with a new focus and more energy. I can’t explain the science behind it and don’t care to. It works. And I’m religious about this practice because it works so well. 13. Read & Write MoreRead more and write more, and you’ll improve your craft dramatically within a short period. Stephen King says it perfectly:
I demand at least 1,000 words daily across various subjects – personal articles like this, non-fiction and fiction books, and some client work. I have many talented writers on my team, but I continue to write for specific clients. This also keeps me fresh and closer to the clients because writing is truly the quickest way to learn. Advertisement Continue Reading Below 14. Keyword ResearchThough I said I would stray from SEO talk, I still must mention keyword research. It’s that important and should be done before anything is written. Except for the outline, though, even having some keyword knowledge beforehand can benefit greatly. Let me explain. When you perform keyword research around a topic using a tool like my go-to, SEMrush, you’ll discover some other ideas of what people are searching for around that topic. The examples may initiate another thought, helping you discover something else you’d like to say. This is especially true when you check out the “questions” related to the analyzed keyword through a tool like SEMrush. Serch Engine Journal readers know keyword research, but here’s a quick recap of what’s essential. Chasing keywords that your website can rank for is crucial. For example, SEJ can both rank number one for longer-tail terms like “why amp pages” that have a search volume of 40 and a huge term like “search engines” that has 90,500. Advertisement Continue Reading Below That’s the power of strong SEO – and endless amounts of content daily. But others can only try to rank for those longer-tail, less-volume keywords. One must also consider voice search, which is where the “related keywords” are powerful tools. If you choose to optimize a page for, say Stephen King Books, a related keyword that would help in voice search would be “does stephen king still write books.” 15. Provide Meta Descriptions When Writing Online ContentOK, one more SEO bit. We all know customized meta descriptions are SEO 101. Providing meta descriptions helps improve your writing because it forces you to focus sharply on summarizing your entire piece in 160 characters – not words. Offer a meta description with each writing piece, whether a blog, product page, service page, or about page. Not only will they help you improve your craft – short summaries that market a piece are more challenging than the actual writing sometimes – they will also increase up your client’s respect levels for your work. Advertisement Continue Reading Below Keep the descriptions between 150 and 160 characters, and get creative. A simple formula is the struggles/solution formula. Basically, mention what someone’s struggling with, and how the content they’ll read will address the problem. Here are a few other simple guidelines:
The TakeawayAll writers can improve their writing, and those improvements start today. Above all, remember that learning to write well is a process, and the more you write, the better you’ll get. Advertisement Continue Reading Below Implement the above 15 tips into your everyday writing life, 365 days a year, and you’ll develop stronger skills quickly. More Resources: Image Credits Screenshot taken by author, September 2020 SEO via Search Engine Journal https://ift.tt/1QNKwvh September 27, 2020 at 08:23AM
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Pinterest Search Trends for Fall 2020 via @MattGSouthern https://ift.tt/2Gg3nBz Pinterest released an updated report on search trends with insight into what’s expected to be popular during the fall months of 2020. Search trends are identified based on which topics are currently seeing a spike in search volume compared to this time last year. Social media marketers can use this data to help guide their efforts throughout the rest of the season. Pinterest calls this particular season “back to life,” saying autumn is like a second new year:
Advertisement Continue Reading Below With that type of forward-thinking outlook, perhaps its no surprise that searches for “positivity” are among the top trends (up 64%).
Advertisement Continue Reading Below Fall 2020 is different from previous years, Pinterest notes, as more users are looking for inspiration within the home rather than outside the home. Staying indoors and avoiding large gatherings is still what top experts recommend right now, which is reflected in Pinterest’s search trends reflect. That’s even more of a reason to browse through this data – what would have worked on Pinterest at this time last year might not be what users are looking for this year. With that said, let’s look at what’s top of mind for Pinterest users in fall 2020. Pinterest Search Trends by DemographicPinterest breaks down its search trend data into two demographics:
First, here are some highlights from Gen Z search trends. Gen Z Pinterest Search TrendsSelf-love and safe havens are the two themes defining Gen Z’s search behavior this season, Pinterest says:
Searches for the following topics are all seeing a surge of popularity:
Millennial Pinterest Search TrendsMillennials are taking to homelife in a much different way compared to Gen Z, according to Pinterest’s data. Advertisement Continue Reading Below Whereas Gen Z appears to be looking for ways to distract themselves with decor, millennials are looking for ways to keep themselves and their children occupied.
Searches for the following topics are all up amongst millennials:
Advertisement Continue Reading Below Male Pinterest Search TrendsPinterest doesn’t ordinarily highlight search trends specifically among the male demographic, but an interesting shift has taken place. The number of male Pinterest users is up nearly 50% since last year. That’s notable because Pinterest has historically been made up of mostly female users, with little or no fluctuation in the percentage of male users. So why are men suddenly flocking to Pinterest? Here’s what the report says:
Searches for the following topics are up amongst male users: Advertisement Continue Reading Below
Source: Pinterest Newsroom SEO via Search Engine Journal https://ift.tt/1QNKwvh September 26, 2020 at 09:03PM
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Google Celebrates Its 22nd Birthday This Sunday https://ift.tt/3cGk99h Tomorrow, Sunday, September 27th, is Google's 22nd birthday. To celebrate, Google will be posting this animated Google Doodle. The cute thing is that since it is #2020, the Google logo is celebrating the birthday event over Google Meet in a socially distant way. SEO via Search Engine Roundtable https://ift.tt/1sYxUD0 September 26, 2020 at 07:11PM
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Best Small Business Loans https://ift.tt/2S4bpjI Disclosure: This content is reader-supported, which means if you click on some of our links that we may earn a commission. Unless you’re independently wealthy, most small business owners need a loan at one point or another. From paying for startup costs to expansion projects, equipment, or unexpected incidents, quick access to funding will make it easier for your company to grow. Whether you’re launching a brand new venture or own an established business, there are so many different small business lending options out there to consider. Which small business loan is best for you? This guide contains everything you need to know on the subject. The Top 6 Options For Small Business LoansHow to Choose the Best Small Business Loans For YouSmall business loans come in all different shapes and sizes. So as you’re evaluating different options, there are specific considerations that must be examined. I’ll explain each one in greater detail below. LenderWhen most people think about getting a loan, they automatically assume that a bank is their only option. But in addition to small local banks and national bank chains, there are lots of other lenders that can provide your small business with capital. You can explore credit unions, crowdfunding sites, P2P lenders, loan marketplaces, nonprofit lenders, and even alternative lending solutions. The qualification requirements and loan terms will vary from lender to lender. Loan TypeMost lenders offer multiple types of loans for small business owners. Some common small business loan types include SBA loans, lines of credit, installment loans, short term loans, equipment loans, commercial real estate loans, and merchant cash advances. In some cases, you’ll need to provide the lender with more information about what you’ll be doing with the funds. For example, an equipment loan couldn’t be used to purchase inventory, and a commercial real estate loan couldn’t be used to buy a new vehicle. Lines of credit are great options to have since they can be used for lots of different purposes. We’ll talk more about these different loan types in greater detail shortly. Capital RequiredThe loan amount you’re seeking also needs to be taken into consideration. There’s a big difference between $5,000, $50,000, and $5 million. Certain lenders are better for microloans and small amounts, while others are known for lending large sums of cash. Take a look at the minimum and maximum amounts available before you apply for a loan. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t apply for more than you need (unless it’s a line of credit). Otherwise, you’ll have higher interest payments. Minimum QualificationsIn most cases, you won’t qualify for every type of loan. So pay close attention to these terms before you apply, or you’ll just be wasting your time (and potentially hurt your credit). Some lenders will only loan money to companies that have been in business for a certain number of years. There are also some cash flow requirements, annual revenue requirements, and business owner credit score requirements for certain loans. Loan TermsThe loan terms are crucial when you’re evaluating different options. How soon will you need to pay the money back? What interest rates will you be paying? Make sure you look beyond the dollar amount and take a deeper look at the terms. Businesses with bad credit won’t have access to the lowest interest rates and loan terms. So you’ll definitely want to shop around until you’re comfortable with the options presented to you. The Different Types of Small Business LoansThere are tons of different small business loans out there. But I want to quickly highlight the most popular options to give you a better understanding of how they work. SBA LoanSBA loans are backed by the Small Business Administration. This federal agency helps businesses gain access to better funding resources. These loan amounts typically range from $50,000 to $5 million with terms from 10-25 years. SBA loans usually have great rates (since the SBA reduces the lender’s risk), but they can be tough to qualify for. The process to apply and get approved for an SBA loan can be slow. Business Line of CreditLines of credit are great for those of you who need flexibility. Instead of receiving a lump sum of cash, you can borrow up to your credit amount as needed. Business lines of credit can range anywhere from $1,000 up to $500,000. It’s usually easy to qualify for a line of credit if you’ve been in business for more than a year and have $50,000+ in annual revenue. Interest rates vary based on the lender, your credit score, and other qualification terms. But you’ll only pay interest on the amount you borrow on the revolving line. Term LoanTerm loans are funded quickly. In some instances, you can receive cash within 24 hours of getting approved. It’s common for term loans to be used for working capital, equipment, operations, and more. Some of these loans are short term and must be paid back as early as 12-24 weeks. Others have repayment terms in the 1-5 year range. Term loans typically have fixed interest rates or flat fees, so your payments won’t increase throughout the lifetime of the loan. Merchant Cash AdvanceWith a merchant cash advance program, small businesses can borrow against future earrings to secure capital. These loans are repaid with a daily percentage of your credit card sales, as previously agreed upon with the lender. Most merchant cash advances can be used for a wide range of needs. Similar to a term loan, you can usually get access to funds quickly as well. It’s easy to get approved for a merchant cash advance, but the interest rates are usually high. Equipment FinancingThe name is pretty self-explanatory here—the money from equipment financing must be used to purchase equipment. But it’s worth noting that the term “equipment” is pretty broad. In addition to things like conveyor belts, forklifts, and machinery, other types of equipment like accounting software, or payment processing systems would also fall into this category. Equipment financing is usually secured by the equipment you’re purchasing. If you fail to repay the loan, the lender can seize the equipment. Business Credit CardCredit cards and loans are obviously not the same. But a business credit card can potentially be a great option to finance certain purchases. Some cards offer businesses introductory promotions like 0% APR financing within the first year of opening an account. So you can potentially buy something at 0% interest by putting it on your new credit card (assuming it’s less than your credit amount). But beyond the introductory offer, credit cards will have significantly higher interest rates than other types of loans. You can read my reviews of the best business credit cards here. Secured LoansA secured loan requires some type of collateral in order for you to qualify. This is common for high-risk businesses. If the business defaults on the loan, the lender will seize the collateral. Since secured loans don’t pose as much of a risk to lenders, the interest rates are usually low. Unsecured LoansAn unsecured loan is the exact opposite of a secured loan. Businesses can borrow money without having to put up any collateral. In order to qualify for an unsecured loan, your business usually needs to have a long track record of profitability and success without any liens or outstanding debts. If the lender thinks you’re a high risk to default on the loan, they might require you to secure the loan with collateral. Crowdfunding Loans and P2P LoansThese types of loans are sourced from a pool of investors. You can get these loans from crowdfunding websites with small amounts collected from the general public or get them from alternative lending platforms where individuals offer P2P loans as a source of income. If you can’t qualify for a traditional loan, you might consider a crowdfunding or P2P borrowing option. #1 – Fundbox Review — Best For Short-Term LoansFundbox is used by 100,000+ businesses across a wide range of industries. Technically, they offer business lines of credit. But the repayment period on the amount you borrow gets paid back over a 12 or 24-week plan, which falls into the short-term loan category. Using Fundbox is simple, and you’ll get fast access to cash whenever you need it. To apply, you just need to connect your bank account and accounting software, so Fundbox can view your financials. You’ll only pay for funds that you draw from your line of credit, so you can use Fundbox multiple times for various short-term loans. There’s no penalty for early repayments. Before you withdraw funds, Fundbox gives you a transparent calculation of the principal, interest amount, and weekly payments due. So you can plan accordingly and know exactly how much you owe each week for the duration of the loan. Fundbox is perfect for short-term situations when you need a little extra cash. It’s commonly used for late invoices payments, unplanned expenses, and to float small businesses during periods of slow sales. Apply online, and get a decision within minutes. Funds can be transferred to your account as soon as the next business day. #2 – Funding Circle Review — Most Versatile Loan OptionsFunding Circle is an industry leader in the small business lending category. It’s a popular choice for businesses that want fast and affordable loan options. With a single application, Funding Circle will provide you with multiple loan types and options to choose from. Loan types and funding solutions provided by this lender include:
You can get a decision in less than 24 hours and gain access to funds within three days of getting approved. Funding Circle has term loans from $25,000 to $500,000 and SBA loans from $20,000 to $5 million. I also like Funding Circle because the platform makes it easy for you to manage your loan online. Apply on their website by filling out an application—it takes just six minutes to complete. #3 – Accion Review — Best For StartupsAccion is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping small business owners and entrepreneurs fund their startups. In fact, Accion is the largest nonprofit lending network in the US. Accion offers term loans of up to $250,000 at an affordable rate. You can apply online or over the phone to get a tailored solution that fits your unique needs. Here are some of the business types that Accion commonly lends money to:
Accion also has a wide range of small business resources available to help you achieve success in your industry. With 25+ years of experience in the small business lending space, I strongly recommend Accion to startups and other businesses in the categories listed above. #4 – Lendio Review — Best Small Business Loan MarketplaceLendio isn’t a small business lender. But it’s one of the most popular online marketplaces for business loans. If you want to compare loan options from 75+ lenders with a single platform, look no further than Lendio. This marketplace has facilitated $10+ billion in funding to 216,000+ small businesses. There is a wide range of loan types available through Lendio’s network of lenders, including:
I also like Lendio because they provide additional resources for small business owners, like financing calculators and bookkeeping guidance. Just fill out some quick information about your business online to get loan offers from lenders in the Lendio network. #5 – OnDeck Review — The Best For Revolving CreditOnDeck has delivered $13+ billion to businesses across the globe. They offer term loans of up to $250,000 and business lines of credit up to $100,000. I like OnDeck because it’s so simple. After you complete an application online or over the phone, a dedicated loan advisor will go over your options with you. OnDeck offers funding as early as the same business day. Your line of credit from OnDeck is a great option for working capital. Only withdraw what you need, when you need it, and just pay interest for the amount borrowed. Repay your line of credit over a 12-month term agreement with automatic weekly payments and no prepayment penalties. To qualify, you must be in business for at least a year with a minimum personal FICO score of 600 and an annual revenue of $100,000+. OnDeck periodically reviews your credit profile. So you can automatically qualify for higher credit line limits without having to apply for an increase. You’ll also benefit from a consolidated weekly payment on all withdrawals, so you won’t have to worry about making multiple payments. #6 – Kiva Review — Best 0% Interest Small Business LoansIf you need a microloan and you’re not in a rush to get it, Kiva will let you borrow up to $15,000 at 0% interest—no strings attached. As a global nonprofit, Kiva has helped 2.5+ million entrepreneurs raise $1+ billion. The only downside of Kiva is that it takes quite a bit of time to actually get the loan. So it’s not ideal for businesses that need cash fast. First, you need to fill out an online application that can take up to 30 minutes to complete. Then you need to prove your creditworthiness by convincing your friends and family to loan you money, which is about a 15-day process. Finally, you can go public on Kiva and make your loan visible to 1.6+ million lenders across the world (an additional 30 days). On the positive side, you’ll have up to 36 months to repay your loan at 0% interest. It’s tough to beat that deal. But if you’re looking for large sums of cash as fast as possible, this won’t be the best choice for your business. SummaryIf your small business needs money, there are lots of different small business loan options for you to consider. Which one is the best? The answer depends on a wide range of factors, like the amount you need, the loan type, lender, and more. Regardless of your situation, you can find the best loan options for your business based on my recommendations in this guide. The post Best Small Business Loans appeared first on Neil Patel. SEO via Neil Patel https://neilpatel.com September 26, 2020 at 04:06PM
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Best Small Business Loans https://ift.tt/2S4bpjI Disclosure: This content is reader-supported, which means if you click on some of our links that we may earn a commission. Unless you’re independently wealthy, most small business owners need a loan at one point or another. From paying for startup costs to expansion projects, equipment, or unexpected incidents, quick access to funding will make it easier for your company to grow. Whether you’re launching a brand new venture or own an established business, there are so many different small business lending options out there to consider. Which small business loan is best for you? This guide contains everything you need to know on the subject. The Top 6 Options For Small Business LoansHow to Choose the Best Small Business Loans For YouSmall business loans come in all different shapes and sizes. So as you’re evaluating different options, there are specific considerations that must be examined. I’ll explain each one in greater detail below. LenderWhen most people think about getting a loan, they automatically assume that a bank is their only option. But in addition to small local banks and national bank chains, there are lots of other lenders that can provide your small business with capital. You can explore credit unions, crowdfunding sites, P2P lenders, loan marketplaces, nonprofit lenders, and even alternative lending solutions. The qualification requirements and loan terms will vary from lender to lender. Loan TypeMost lenders offer multiple types of loans for small business owners. Some common small business loan types include SBA loans, lines of credit, installment loans, short term loans, equipment loans, commercial real estate loans, and merchant cash advances. In some cases, you’ll need to provide the lender with more information about what you’ll be doing with the funds. For example, an equipment loan couldn’t be used to purchase inventory, and a commercial real estate loan couldn’t be used to buy a new vehicle. Lines of credit are great options to have since they can be used for lots of different purposes. We’ll talk more about these different loan types in greater detail shortly. Capital RequiredThe loan amount you’re seeking also needs to be taken into consideration. There’s a big difference between $5,000, $50,000, and $5 million. Certain lenders are better for microloans and small amounts, while others are known for lending large sums of cash. Take a look at the minimum and maximum amounts available before you apply for a loan. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t apply for more than you need (unless it’s a line of credit). Otherwise, you’ll have higher interest payments. Minimum QualificationsIn most cases, you won’t qualify for every type of loan. So pay close attention to these terms before you apply, or you’ll just be wasting your time (and potentially hurt your credit). Some lenders will only loan money to companies that have been in business for a certain number of years. There are also some cash flow requirements, annual revenue requirements, and business owner credit score requirements for certain loans. Loan TermsThe loan terms are crucial when you’re evaluating different options. How soon will you need to pay the money back? What interest rates will you be paying? Make sure you look beyond the dollar amount and take a deeper look at the terms. Businesses with bad credit won’t have access to the lowest interest rates and loan terms. So you’ll definitely want to shop around until you’re comfortable with the options presented to you. The Different Types of Small Business LoansThere are tons of different small business loans out there. But I want to quickly highlight the most popular options to give you a better understanding of how they work. SBA LoanSBA loans are backed by the Small Business Administration. This federal agency helps businesses gain access to better funding resources. These loan amounts typically range from $50,000 to $5 million with terms from 10-25 years. SBA loans usually have great rates (since the SBA reduces the lender’s risk), but they can be tough to qualify for. The process to apply and get approved for an SBA loan can be slow. Business Line of CreditLines of credit are great for those of you who need flexibility. Instead of receiving a lump sum of cash, you can borrow up to your credit amount as needed. Business lines of credit can range anywhere from $1,000 up to $500,000. It’s usually easy to qualify for a line of credit if you’ve been in business for more than a year and have $50,000+ in annual revenue. Interest rates vary based on the lender, your credit score, and other qualification terms. But you’ll only pay interest on the amount you borrow on the revolving line. Term LoanTerm loans are funded quickly. In some instances, you can receive cash within 24 hours of getting approved. It’s common for term loans to be used for working capital, equipment, operations, and more. Some of these loans are short term and must be paid back as early as 12-24 weeks. Others have repayment terms in the 1-5 year range. Term loans typically have fixed interest rates or flat fees, so your payments won’t increase throughout the lifetime of the loan. Merchant Cash AdvanceWith a merchant cash advance program, small businesses can borrow against future earrings to secure capital. These loans are repaid with a daily percentage of your credit card sales, as previously agreed upon with the lender. Most merchant cash advances can be used for a wide range of needs. Similar to a term loan, you can usually get access to funds quickly as well. It’s easy to get approved for a merchant cash advance, but the interest rates are usually high. Equipment FinancingThe name is pretty self-explanatory here—the money from equipment financing must be used to purchase equipment. But it’s worth noting that the term “equipment” is pretty broad. In addition to things like conveyor belts, forklifts, and machinery, other types of equipment like accounting software, or payment processing systems would also fall into this category. Equipment financing is usually secured by the equipment you’re purchasing. If you fail to repay the loan, the lender can seize the equipment. Business Credit CardCredit cards and loans are obviously not the same. But a business credit card can potentially be a great option to finance certain purchases. Some cards offer businesses introductory promotions like 0% APR financing within the first year of opening an account. So you can potentially buy something at 0% interest by putting it on your new credit card (assuming it’s less than your credit amount). But beyond the introductory offer, credit cards will have significantly higher interest rates than other types of loans. You can read my reviews of the best business credit cards here. Secured LoansA secured loan requires some type of collateral in order for you to qualify. This is common for high-risk businesses. If the business defaults on the loan, the lender will seize the collateral. Since secured loans don’t pose as much of a risk to lenders, the interest rates are usually low. Unsecured LoansAn unsecured loan is the exact opposite of a secured loan. Businesses can borrow money without having to put up any collateral. In order to qualify for an unsecured loan, your business usually needs to have a long track record of profitability and success without any liens or outstanding debts. If the lender thinks you’re a high risk to default on the loan, they might require you to secure the loan with collateral. Crowdfunding Loans and P2P LoansThese types of loans are sourced from a pool of investors. You can get these loans from crowdfunding websites with small amounts collected from the general public or get them from alternative lending platforms where individuals offer P2P loans as a source of income. If you can’t qualify for a traditional loan, you might consider a crowdfunding or P2P borrowing option. #1 – Fundbox Review — Best For Short-Term LoansFundbox is used by 100,000+ businesses across a wide range of industries. Technically, they offer business lines of credit. But the repayment period on the amount you borrow gets paid back over a 12 or 24-week plan, which falls into the short-term loan category. Using Fundbox is simple, and you’ll get fast access to cash whenever you need it. To apply, you just need to connect your bank account and accounting software, so Fundbox can view your financials. You’ll only pay for funds that you draw from your line of credit, so you can use Fundbox multiple times for various short-term loans. There’s no penalty for early repayments. Before you withdraw funds, Fundbox gives you a transparent calculation of the principal, interest amount, and weekly payments due. So you can plan accordingly and know exactly how much you owe each week for the duration of the loan. Fundbox is perfect for short-term situations when you need a little extra cash. It’s commonly used for late invoices payments, unplanned expenses, and to float small businesses during periods of slow sales. Apply online, and get a decision within minutes. Funds can be transferred to your account as soon as the next business day. #2 – Funding Circle Review — Most Versatile Loan OptionsFunding Circle is an industry leader in the small business lending category. It’s a popular choice for businesses that want fast and affordable loan options. With a single application, Funding Circle will provide you with multiple loan types and options to choose from. Loan types and funding solutions provided by this lender include:
You can get a decision in less than 24 hours and gain access to funds within three days of getting approved. Funding Circle has term loans from $25,000 to $500,000 and SBA loans from $20,000 to $5 million. I also like Funding Circle because the platform makes it easy for you to manage your loan online. Apply on their website by filling out an application—it takes just six minutes to complete. #3 – Accion Review — Best For StartupsAccion is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping small business owners and entrepreneurs fund their startups. In fact, Accion is the largest nonprofit lending network in the US. Accion offers term loans of up to $250,000 at an affordable rate. You can apply online or over the phone to get a tailored solution that fits your unique needs. Here are some of the business types that Accion commonly lends money to:
Accion also has a wide range of small business resources available to help you achieve success in your industry. With 25+ years of experience in the small business lending space, I strongly recommend Accion to startups and other businesses in the categories listed above. #4 – Lendio Review — Best Small Business Loan MarketplaceLendio isn’t a small business lender. But it’s one of the most popular online marketplaces for business loans. If you want to compare loan options from 75+ lenders with a single platform, look no further than Lendio. This marketplace has facilitated $10+ billion in funding to 216,000+ small businesses. There is a wide range of loan types available through Lendio’s network of lenders, including:
I also like Lendio because they provide additional resources for small business owners, like financing calculators and bookkeeping guidance. Just fill out some quick information about your business online to get loan offers from lenders in the Lendio network. #5 – OnDeck Review — The Best For Revolving CreditOnDeck has delivered $13+ billion to businesses across the globe. They offer term loans of up to $250,000 and business lines of credit up to $100,000. I like OnDeck because it’s so simple. After you complete an application online or over the phone, a dedicated loan advisor will go over your options with you. OnDeck offers funding as early as the same business day. Your line of credit from OnDeck is a great option for working capital. Only withdraw what you need, when you need it, and just pay interest for the amount borrowed. Repay your line of credit over a 12-month term agreement with automatic weekly payments and no prepayment penalties. To qualify, you must be in business for at least a year with a minimum personal FICO score of 600 and an annual revenue of $100,000+. OnDeck periodically reviews your credit profile. So you can automatically qualify for higher credit line limits without having to apply for an increase. You’ll also benefit from a consolidated weekly payment on all withdrawals, so you won’t have to worry about making multiple payments. #6 – Kiva Review — Best 0% Interest Small Business LoansIf you need a microloan and you’re not in a rush to get it, Kiva will let you borrow up to $15,000 at 0% interest—no strings attached. As a global nonprofit, Kiva has helped 2.5+ million entrepreneurs raise $1+ billion. The only downside of Kiva is that it takes quite a bit of time to actually get the loan. So it’s not ideal for businesses that need cash fast. First, you need to fill out an online application that can take up to 30 minutes to complete. Then you need to prove your creditworthiness by convincing your friends and family to loan you money, which is about a 15-day process. Finally, you can go public on Kiva and make your loan visible to 1.6+ million lenders across the world (an additional 30 days). On the positive side, you’ll have up to 36 months to repay your loan at 0% interest. It’s tough to beat that deal. But if you’re looking for large sums of cash as fast as possible, this won’t be the best choice for your business. SummaryIf your small business needs money, there are lots of different small business loan options for you to consider. Which one is the best? The answer depends on a wide range of factors, like the amount you need, the loan type, lender, and more. Regardless of your situation, you can find the best loan options for your business based on my recommendations in this guide. The post Best Small Business Loans appeared first on Neil Patel. SEO via Neil Patel https://neilpatel.com September 26, 2020 at 04:00PM
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Google Rewrites Meta Descriptions Over 70% of the Time via @MattGSouthern https://ift.tt/2S2i5iA Google rewrites meta descriptions for pages over 70% of the time, according to a recent study examining search results for 30,000 keywords. Portent analyzed mobile and desktop search results to find Google rewrites meta descriptions at a rate of 71% on mobile, and 68% on desktop. Based on the data, it’s reasonable to deduct that Google will use a page’s own meta description around 30% of the time. Meta Description Rewrite Rate by Search PositionData from the study focuses primarily on the first page of organic search results, excluding featured snippets. Portent notes there’s a bump in the rate of meta descriptions rewrites from positions 4 to 6, which may be due to Google trying to boost relevance of those results.
Advertisement Continue Reading Below So meta descriptions are likely to be rewritten more frequently depending on where the pages rank. Meta Description Rewrite Rate by Search VolumeTrends were observed when examining the relationship between rewrite rate and search volume. Notably, the higher the search volume, the less likely Google is to rewrite the meta description. Portent speculates this is because SEOs prioritize writing meta descriptions for keywords with the most searches per month.
Advertisement Continue Reading Below Meta Description Display LengthDesktopAnother factor that can vary when it comes to meta descriptions is how many characters Google chooses to display. On desktop, it was found that displayed characters peak at 156 and drop off sharply after 165. That number could drop to around 142 characters if a date is displayed in the snippet. When Google rewrites the meta description it’s likely to display between 160 to 167 characters. With dates, the range is between 147 to 149 characters. Clearly, Google is giving itself more room to work with when writing meta descriptions than it gives to site owners. MobileOn mobile, displayable characters for snippets without a publication date peak at 118 and drop off after 121. Meta description length on mobile for snippets with a publication date fall somewhere between 95 to 105 characters. When Google rewrites the meta description on mobile it will display around 114 to 121 characters. With dates, the range is between 99 to 105 characters. TakeawaysWhat can SEOs do with all this new data about meta descriptions? Here’s what Portent recommends:
Regardless of Google using site owners’ meta descriptions only 30% of the time, it’s important not to give up on writing them. For more data and insights, see the full study here. Additional ResourcesLearn more about why Google rewrites meta descriptions in this explainer from Search Engine Journal’s Roger Montti. Advertisement Continue Reading Below Learn what site owners can do to avoid meta description rewrites in an article I wrote earlier this year. SEO via Search Engine Journal https://ift.tt/1QNKwvh September 26, 2020 at 12:21PM
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Technical SEO Consulting https://ift.tt/308jDfm Creating great content is key to an SEO strategy. But if you neglect the technical side of how your content is delivered, then you are putting up unnecessary barriers for yourself. Technical SEO encompasses the “behind the scenes” elements of an SEO strategy that speaks directly to search algorithms. But there are quite a few things to optimize for when building out a technical SEO strategy. For many business owners, it may be beneficial to hire a technical SEO consultant who can handle the nuances for you. 6 Ways a Technical SEO Consultant Can Help Grow Your BusinessRegardless of which type of service you hire for, your end goal is to grow your business. Hiring a technical SEO consultant is no different, and you should go into the relationship with an expectation of results. A technical SEO consultant will optimize both your website and content so that you are providing the best experience for users, communicating effectively with search algorithms, and ultimately ranking better for your target keywords. At a high level, the services they provide should lead to:
To achieve these business outcomes, technical SEO consultants will dive deep into your SEO strategy and uncover elements of your strategy that are currently holding you back.’ Here are some of the elements that they will optimize: 1) Page Load TimeHow fast your website loads is a key element in your SEO strategy – both from a user’s perspective and from the search algorithms. If your page is taking 4 seconds or more to load, for instance, the majority of users will click away, leading to higher bounce rates. This signifies to the search engines that your website offers a poor user experience, which will make you rank less in the SERPS (search engine results pages). A technical SEO consultant will check for things such as image size, broken code, and other elements on the page that could cause a slow page load time. 2) Design OptimizationImages and layout are important to make a website more user friendly and attractive. Imagine coming to a website that’s just a wall of text – you will probably click off. Dwell time – the amount of time a user spends on your site – is a key metric that search algorithms look for. A better, more attractive design increases the likelihood that people will stay and navigate your site. A technical SEO consultant will make sure that your site can easily be navigated and has an attractive design. They will also ensure that your images are optimized with appropriate names and alt attributes for the search engine. 3) Mobile ResponsivenessAs web traffic becomes increasingly mobile-first, having a responsive website has become a major element of how search algorithms rank websites. This means that your website will need to be responsive in the sense that regardless of which device the user is using, they will be able to see your website in an appropriate way. A technical SEO consultant won’t likely be able to make your website responsive, as this is a job for your developers and designers. However, they will be able to point out any pages that aren’t so mobile friendly. 4) Meta Tag InformationEvery website has information that sums up what the site is about to both the user and search engines. This information is contained in the meta tag of the website (usually at the top of a website’s code). It contains elements such as:
5) Link OptimizationYour technical SEO consultant will advise you on how links can make or break your SEO strategy. There are 4 main aspects of your linking strategy that you will affect your results:
6) Page StructureHow your page is structured is another factor technical SEO consultants will keep in mind – particularly for longer-form content. Factors they will evaluate include:
How to Get Started With a Technical SEO ConsultantIf you decide that you need to work with a technical SEO consultant, there are 4 phases of how your working relationship should look like. 1) PreparationIn the preparation stage, you will need to make sure that your house is in order so that the technical SEO consultant can do their job. This includes:
2) Technical SEO AuditOnce you have chosen a consultant, the first thing they should do is conduct an audit of your current SEO implementation. Here are some aspects of a technical SEO audit:
3) Optimizing Technical SEONext, your technical SEO consultant will get to work to fix the technical issues on your website. Depending on what needs to be optimized, there are a few things you may need to do also:
Measuring the ROI of Technical SEO Consulting ServicesAs a business owner or marketing leader, you need to be able to quantify the ROI of a technical SEO consultant. This can be tricky, as technical SEO consulting can be similar to services like design or development in the sense that there is value created, but it can be hard to measure. There are however some things that you should keep an eye on that are directly tied to marketing performance:
Keep in mind that technical SEO isn’t a pure marketing activity like performance advertising, so you should see it more of a catalyst than a marketing channel itself. 4 Point Checklist For Finding the Right Technical SEO ConsultantIf you decide that you need to hire a technical SEO consultant, here are the 4 things you should screen for before signing any contract. 1) Client list – Take a look at the type of clients that the SEO consultant has worked with in the past. Are there any notable brand names? What type of websites do these clients have? Is there any evidence of demonstrable results? Think also about the type of SEO strategy that their clients use and whether it’s relatable to your situation. For instance, do you need to rank for high competition keywords or just compete in your local city? 2) Additional services – A technical SEO consultant should be able to offer you additional services such as content marketing, analytics and other forms of SEO. A consultant who has experience with other forms of digital marketing will be able to help you create and execute a holistic strategy that drives results in tandem with technical SEO. 3) Strong team – Look for a consultant that has a strong team behind them or check that they themselves have an exceptional track record. Years of experience is important, but with SEO it’s important that the consultant you work with keeps track of the new changes that are happening everyday. Search engines like Google are constantly evolving, so you need to work with somebody who has their finger on the pulse. 4) Technology – A good thing to screen for is whether your technical SEO consultant has built out their own tech platform that they use with their clients. Examples of this include Ubersuggest, SEMRush and Moz. Not only will you get to benefit from their technology, but the fact that they have built their own technology provides further credibility and shows that they have real skin in the game. ConclusionTechnical SEO has a lot of variables to it, so it can be quite tricky for somebody to do it themselves. This is particularly true given the fact that search engines such as Google are constantly evolving. In many cases, you would be better off hiring a technical SEO consultant who keeps on top of the latest trends so that you can optimize your site more effectively. Keep in mind also that technical SEO should be done as part of a holistic SEO strategy. As important as it is to optimize your site, great content and positive social feedback to your site are still king. The post Technical SEO Consulting appeared first on Neil Patel. SEO via Neil Patel https://neilpatel.com September 26, 2020 at 11:01AM
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Technical SEO Consulting https://ift.tt/308jDfm Creating great content is key to an SEO strategy. But if you neglect the technical side of how your content is delivered, then you are putting up unnecessary barriers for yourself. Technical SEO encompasses the “behind the scenes” elements of an SEO strategy that speaks directly to search algorithms. But there are quite a few things to optimize for when building out a technical SEO strategy. For many business owners, it may be beneficial to hire a technical SEO consultant who can handle the nuances for you. 6 Ways a Technical SEO Consultant Can Help Grow Your BusinessRegardless of which type of service you hire for, your end goal is to grow your business. Hiring a technical SEO consultant is no different, and you should go into the relationship with an expectation of results. A technical SEO consultant will optimize both your website and content so that you are providing the best experience for users, communicating effectively with search algorithms, and ultimately ranking better for your target keywords. At a high level, the services they provide should lead to:
To achieve these business outcomes, technical SEO consultants will dive deep into your SEO strategy and uncover elements of your strategy that are currently holding you back.’ Here are some of the elements that they will optimize: 1) Page Load TimeHow fast your website loads is a key element in your SEO strategy – both from a user’s perspective and from the search algorithms. If your page is taking 4 seconds or more to load, for instance, the majority of users will click away, leading to higher bounce rates. This signifies to the search engines that your website offers a poor user experience, which will make you rank less in the SERPS (search engine results pages). A technical SEO consultant will check for things such as image size, broken code, and other elements on the page that could cause a slow page load time. 2) Design OptimizationImages and layout are important to make a website more user friendly and attractive. Imagine coming to a website that’s just a wall of text – you will probably click off. Dwell time – the amount of time a user spends on your site – is a key metric that search algorithms look for. A better, more attractive design increases the likelihood that people will stay and navigate your site. A technical SEO consultant will make sure that your site can easily be navigated and has an attractive design. They will also ensure that your images are optimized with appropriate names and alt attributes for the search engine. 3) Mobile ResponsivenessAs web traffic becomes increasingly mobile-first, having a responsive website has become a major element of how search algorithms rank websites. This means that your website will need to be responsive in the sense that regardless of which device the user is using, they will be able to see your website in an appropriate way. A technical SEO consultant won’t likely be able to make your website responsive, as this is a job for your developers and designers. However, they will be able to point out any pages that aren’t so mobile friendly. 4) Meta Tag InformationEvery website has information that sums up what the site is about to both the user and search engines. This information is contained in the meta tag of the website (usually at the top of a website’s code). It contains elements such as:
5) Link OptimizationYour technical SEO consultant will advise you on how links can make or break your SEO strategy. There are 4 main aspects of your linking strategy that you will affect your results:
6) Page StructureHow your page is structured is another factor technical SEO consultants will keep in mind – particularly for longer-form content. Factors they will evaluate include:
How to Get Started With a Technical SEO ConsultantIf you decide that you need to work with a technical SEO consultant, there are 4 phases of how your working relationship should look like. 1) PreparationIn the preparation stage, you will need to make sure that your house is in order so that the technical SEO consultant can do their job. This includes:
2) Technical SEO AuditOnce you have chosen a consultant, the first thing they should do is conduct an audit of your current SEO implementation. Here are some aspects of a technical SEO audit:
3) Optimizing Technical SEONext, your technical SEO consultant will get to work to fix the technical issues on your website. Depending on what needs to be optimized, there are a few things you may need to do also:
Measuring the ROI of Technical SEO Consulting ServicesAs a business owner or marketing leader, you need to be able to quantify the ROI of a technical SEO consultant. This can be tricky, as technical SEO consulting can be similar to services like design or development in the sense that there is value created, but it can be hard to measure. There are however some things that you should keep an eye on that are directly tied to marketing performance:
Keep in mind that technical SEO isn’t a pure marketing activity like performance advertising, so you should see it more of a catalyst than a marketing channel itself. 4 Point Checklist For Finding the Right Technical SEO ConsultantIf you decide that you need to hire a technical SEO consultant, here are the 4 things you should screen for before signing any contract. 1) Client list – Take a look at the type of clients that the SEO consultant has worked with in the past. Are there any notable brand names? What type of websites do these clients have? Is there any evidence of demonstrable results? Think also about the type of SEO strategy that their clients use and whether it’s relatable to your situation. For instance, do you need to rank for high competition keywords or just compete in your local city? 2) Additional services – A technical SEO consultant should be able to offer you additional services such as content marketing, analytics and other forms of SEO. A consultant who has experience with other forms of digital marketing will be able to help you create and execute a holistic strategy that drives results in tandem with technical SEO. 3) Strong team – Look for a consultant that has a strong team behind them or check that they themselves have an exceptional track record. Years of experience is important, but with SEO it’s important that the consultant you work with keeps track of the new changes that are happening everyday. Search engines like Google are constantly evolving, so you need to work with somebody who has their finger on the pulse. 4) Technology – A good thing to screen for is whether your technical SEO consultant has built out their own tech platform that they use with their clients. Examples of this include Ubersuggest, SEMRush and Moz. Not only will you get to benefit from their technology, but the fact that they have built their own technology provides further credibility and shows that they have real skin in the game. ConclusionTechnical SEO has a lot of variables to it, so it can be quite tricky for somebody to do it themselves. This is particularly true given the fact that search engines such as Google are constantly evolving. In many cases, you would be better off hiring a technical SEO consultant who keeps on top of the latest trends so that you can optimize your site more effectively. Keep in mind also that technical SEO should be done as part of a holistic SEO strategy. As important as it is to optimize your site, great content and positive social feedback to your site are still king. The post Technical SEO Consulting appeared first on Neil Patel. SEO via Neil Patel https://neilpatel.com September 26, 2020 at 11:00AM |
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