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TikTok Statistics and What You Should Know https://ift.tt/380LzCM TikTok is one of the latest platforms that is taking the social media world by storm. The platform is much like that of Vine which ultimately went out of business. The short clips that many people generate can be used for marketing, comedy, building a personal brand, or even artistic expression. The social media platform has over a half a billion users around the world. This is the active users as the app has been downloaded around 1.5 billion times to date with the number only to skyrocket. The app is in fact the most downloaded in the app store which cannot be understated. The growth of the use of the app in the US has gone up every year since 2017 when there were around 2 million active users. TikTok has spread across the world with Australia having their user number at about 1.6 million. The entertainment that the app provides has 7 percent of people over the age of 6 in Australia with the app on their mobile device. India has the largest TikTok community and the number is only growing at a faster rate as the social media platform gains even more notoriety. The average time of use for many users is around 50 minutes which dwarfs most other social media platforms. Certain people have uninstalled apps like Facebook or only check it once weekly instead of daily like in the past. The large amount of time spent daily on the app make this a great target for advertisers looking to expand their reach. 90 percent of users are on the app multiple times per day as it is becoming a favorite of many. TikTok is the latest social media platform that oozes potential for businesses and individuals alike. Take the time to research more about TikTok to see what all of the buzz is about! The post TikTok Statistics and What You Should Know appeared first on Social Media Explorer. Social Media via Social Media Explorer https://ift.tt/2onGYog February 26, 2020 at 10:51AM
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Best Business Insurance for 2020 https://ift.tt/2vm4GKn Hopefully, you’ll never have to use your business insurance. But just like car insurance or health insurance, protecting your business from unexpected situations is crucial. However, 44% of small business owners don’t have insurance. This statistic is shocking. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, your company could potentially go bankrupt if something goes wrong, and you’re forced to pay out of pocket. Any business with employees needs to carry workers’ compensation insurance and unemployment insurance, at a minimum. But depending on your business type and industry, you’ll also want to consider getting general liability insurance, commercial property insurance, and professional liability insurance. But finding the best business insurance goes beyond getting the right policy. Getting insured through the right company makes a huge difference. From filing a claim to getting assistance with your agent or adjuster, service definitely varies from company to company. Some business insurance companies specialize in specific industries, such as retail, restaurants, or tech. Other companies concentrate on certain types of coverage, like commercial auto or workers’ compensation. Top 10 Best Business Insurance Companies For 2020The best business insurance policies offer a wide range of basic coverage. Ideally, you’d like to get a policy covering all of your needs under one roof. After reviewing and researching dozens of business insurance companies, we narrowed down the top ten for you to consider.
Our list is based on factors like coverage offered, premium pricing, and customer service. Use this guide to find the best business insurance company for you. The Best Business Insurance ReviewsThe HartfordThe Hartford is the best overall business insurance company on the market today. Covering businesses of all different shapes and sizes, The Hartford has everything you could possibly need. For over 200 years, this company has been providing insurance solutions to businesses across the country. They’ve also made the list of the World’s Most Ethical Companies 11 different times. The Hartford offers a wide range of business insurance policies, including:
From a bodily injury on one of your properties to stolen inventory, fires, or floods, The Hartford has you covered. It’s easy for you to bundle different types of insurance with add-ons to a single policy. You can apply online to get a quote in minutes. The Hartford is known for providing exceptional service to its business customers during the claims process. You can’t go wrong by getting a quote from an industry leader in business insurance. TravelersTravelers is another giant in the world of business insurance. The company covers a wide range of industries, including construction, finance, manufacturing, retail, technology, and more. With more than 30,000 employees and roughly 13,500 independent agents and brokers, Travelers insures businesses across the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the UK. This insurance company has been around for more than 160 years. In addition to industry-specific policies, Travelers provides lots of different coverage types. Some of the most popular Travelers business insurance solutions cover:
With that said, the workers’ compensation insurance policies from Travelers really stand out the most. More than 500,000 businesses trust Travelers for workers’ comp insurance. Whether you’re a small local business or national organization with employees across multiple states, Travelers is a top choice to consider for workers’ compensation and general liability. State FarmState Farm is typically associated with home insurance and car insurance. They are best known for providing excellent customer service at affordable rates to their customers. This service and reliability definitely applies to their business insurance plans as well. State Farm has policies designed specifically for small business owners:
With State Farm, it’s easy for you to adjust your coverage as your company grows. Your agent will work with you to understand the needs of your scaling small business. This will ensure that your coverage limits are appropriate for the business size. From the startup stage all the way until a company sale or change of ownership, State Farm has everything a small business owner needs to protect themself from the unexpected. ChubbChubb is second to none when it comes to taking care of their insureds. This insurance company has a reputation for providing “white glove” service and paying out claims quickly, without any hassle. Chubb has business insurance coverages that aren’t offered by other companies on the market today. In addition to general liability and workers’ compensation, Chubb has business insurance packages in the following categories:
As you can see, the list includes some rare and unique coverage options that we haven’t really seen from other providers in this guide. Between Chubb’s excellent customer service and wide range of coverage options, you can expect to pay a little bit more on your business insurance premiums. Chubb is best for businesses in need of international coverage. So if you’re traveling for work or making transactions outside of the US, consider Chubb for your insurance needs. ProgressiveLike most insurance companies, Progressive has several different business insurance policies and coverage types. They provide general liability insurance, professional liability, cyber insurance, workers’ compensation, and business owner’s policy. With that said, Progressive’s specialty is commercial auto insurance.
More than one million commercial vehicles in the United States are insured by Progressive. Basically, any vehicle used for business purposes can get insurance protection from Progressive. As the country’s most popular business auto insurance company, the rates are actually pretty affordable. Progressive’s average commercial customer pays $165 per month for business auto. You’ll even get 15% off if you pay your premiums in advance. In addition to the coverage provided by Progressive, the company will be there when you need them. Adding a driver, vehicle, or changing a policy is quick and easy. Progressive has 24/7 commercial auto service. Progressive’s claim experts will help get your vehicles back on the road as soon as possible to limit business interruptions in the event of an accident. If your company has vans, trucks, drivers, or any vehicles on the road for business purposes, Progressive will be a top choice for business auto insurance. Liberty MutualLiberty Mutual is another well-known name in the insurance industry. The company provides small business insurance coverage as well as mid-to-large size business protection. Liberty Mutual even insures Fortune 500 corporations. With more than 50,000 employees and 800+ offices throughout the world, Liberty mutual is a top provider of preferred property and casualty business insurance. Some of the top coverage options include:
Liberty Mutual works with a wide range of industries as well. But overall, it’s one of the best insurance providers for companies in manufacturing and agriculture. From product recalls to errors and omissions coverages, Liberty Mutual can customize your policy to protect your employees, customers, and business from unforeseen circumstances. AmTrust FinancialAmTrust Financial isn’t as well-known as some of the other insurance companies on our list. It’s definitely not a household name State Farm or Liberty Mutual. The company isn’t nearly as old as The Hartford or Travelers either. In fact, AmTrust Financial was born less than 25 years ago, in 1998. With that said, the company has grown quickly. They currently have 7,000+ employees serving over 70 countries. AmTrust Financial isn’t trying to compete with the biggest insurance providers on the planet. Instead, they are focusing on niche solutions in the following industries:
Overall, the best coverage offered is for restaurant business insurance. AmTrust understands the unique risks associated with owning a restaurant. They’ll help you get a policy to protect your workers as well as your customers. Some of the popular restaurant enhancement coverages include:
AmTrust Financial covers family-style and fine dining restaurants meeting certain eligibility requirements. They also work with delis, cafes, and pizzerias. With that said, not every restaurant will qualify for coverage. For example, new restaurants with a large bar area operating in a 25-year-old building would need to look elsewhere. Founder ShieldFounder Shield is another new and lesser-known company. They have only been providing insurance coverages for less than ten years. But similar to AmTrust, Founder Shield is carving out a niche in the world of business insurance. Founder Shield specializes in providing coverage to tech startups. Popular coverage categories include:
You’ll also find that Founder Shield offers more traditional business insurance coverage for general liability, workers’ compensation, and umbrella insurance. Founder Shield is a more modern way to get insurance. The purchasing process is 100% digital. This means there is less paperwork, and it’s easy to manage everything online. If your company is a high-growth startup in the technology industry, consider getting a quote from Founder Shield. Farmers InsuranceFarmers is an industry leader for home, auto, and life insurance. But it’s also a top choice to consider for business owners. The company has been around for nearly 100 years. So you know that you’ll be getting quality service from a well-established name. They have a network of 48,000 agents and 21,000 employees across all 50 states. Farmers Insurance provides business coverage in the following categories:
While Farmers covers a wide range of industries, I’d recommend it to business owners in retail. You’ll be able to get an affordable policy to protect you from things like theft, injuries, and loss of income. This is an ideal solution for boutique shop owners, dry cleaners, florists, and salons. AllstateAllstate is best known for offering car insurance to individuals. While business insurance isn’t necessarily Allstate’s specialty or primary focus, there are certain industries and business types that should consider this carrier. The company provides a high level of customer service with friendly agents and fully customizable plans. Allstate has coverage solutions across nearly every industry, including professional firms, healthcare, service businesses, retail goods, and food service. Top insurance coverages from Allstate include:
Since all of the policies are customized, you can add specific types of coverage to your plan when you get a quote. Needs will vary based on business and industry. Some unique standouts from Allstate include their real estate coverage and business insurance for rental services. Allstate has been providing insurance since 1931. So you know that you’re getting coverage from a trusted and well-established name in the insurance world. How to Find the Best Business Insurance Company For YouWith so many companies providing business insurance, you’ll need to learn how narrow your options down. There are certain factors that must be taken into consideration when you’re evaluating an insurance provider. This is the methodology that we use and recommend. You can use these same factors when searching for the best business insurance. Coverage TypesDetermine what type of coverage you need and find a company that can meet those policy requirements. Most insurance companies will offer the same basic types of coverage.
But some companies specialize in certain coverages. For example, Progressive is the best for commercial auto insurance. Other companies offer unique coverage for things like cyber liability, intellectual property insurance, or international services. So if your company needs rare or specialized coverage, make sure you discuss those needs with an agent. The last thing you want is to be underinsured. Company ReputationI tend to lean towards companies that have been in business for a long time. The Hartford and Travelers have been around for 200+ and 160+ years, respectively. Lots of other insurance providers on our list have been around for roughly 100 years as well. These companies have seen it all. They understand everything there is to know about the insurance industry, and your claim won’t surprise them. Plus, a well-established company has stood the test of time. You know that natural disasters won’t bankrupt them, so your policy is safe. There are some newer insurance companies, like AmTrust and Founder Shield, that provide unique solutions for niche industries. Getting a policy through one of those providers definitely has some risk. But it can still be a viable option if you’re looking for rare or specialized coverages. Claims ProcessHaving business insurance is like having a good lawyer. You hope you never have to use it. But when something comes up, you want to make sure that everything goes smoothly. The best business insurance companies have an easy claims process. Depending on your preferences, you can file a claim online or over the phone in minutes. An adjuster will be highly responsive and settle the claim as fast as possible. If one of your company vehicles is involved in an accident or a piece of equipment breaks during a flood, you don’t want operations to be stalled because of the insurance company dragging their feet. CostsPrice is obviously a top consideration when evaluating business insurance. Weigh the cost of your monthly and annual premiums against the amount of coverage you’re getting in a policy. Always shop around for business insurance. Get quotes from a handful of providers to get a better sense of the market. You can potentially use one quote as leverage to lower another one. These companies want your business, so there could be some room for negotiation. Just know that some insurance providers, like Chubb, will usually have higher prices for their policies. Customer ServiceCustomer service goes a long way in the insurance industry. Aside from renewing or updating your policy, it’s generally not good news if you need to contact your insurance provider. During these difficult and stressful times, it’s important that you receive excellent customer service. You want someone to answer the phone as opposed to going through ten minutes of speaking to a robot, followed by another 45 minutes on hold. The best business insurance companies understand your needs at every level. From the sales agent to the adjuster and claims department, great service will make your life much easier. ConclusionIf you’re shopping for a business insurance quote, look no further than these ten companies:
No matter what type of business you have or what industry you’re in, you can find what you’re looking for on this list. From startups to small businesses and national chains, these insurance providers can handle all of your coverage needs. Social Media via Quick Sprout https://ift.tt/UU7LJr February 26, 2020 at 10:05AM
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Why social networks want even more gaming https://ift.tt/3abkkqN Even if you don’t play games, you have spent years of your life in one or more virtual worlds. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WeChat are lightweight versions of virtual worlds. They don’t offer terrain for avatars to explore, but they are neighborhoods within cyberspace where we store assets, develop relationships and, in some instances, might even choose to hide behind an alias. The faces we present on these platforms are different from the ones we show our friends in person. While we usually use real names and photos, our presence on Twitter and Instagram is an avatar of sorts. What we do (and do not) post, how we say what we say, how we portray ourselves through selectively chosen (and often edited) photos — it’s an online persona. The aim — conscious and subconscious — is to build social capital within the particular cultural environment of these virtual spaces. (This is part two of a seven-part series about virtual worlds.) The social capital gained or lost within a virtual space can connect directly to social capital in the physical world. The worlds are separate but intertwined; what percent of news stories these days revolve around what someone posted on Twitter or Instagram? Social media apps have virtual economies the same way as games like Fortnite do, they’re just smaller and involve fewer users thus far. There is constant trading of goods and services that exist only within the virtual world of a social app. For example, individuals and companies spend real money on trading Twitter handles, buying Instagram followers, purchasing special image filters and on Twitch memberships that put a badge next to their name to signify their status as a financial supporter of a specific streamer. On this point, CCP Games CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson told me, “there’s not much reality in reality anymore,” given how much of our daily lives in “the real world” are about creating, consuming and interacting online, noting that many social media influencers earn more money in these virtual worlds than factory workers can make building physical items. Social Media via Twitter – TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com February 26, 2020 at 09:49AM
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8 Tools to Help You Make Stunning Instagram Collages https://ift.tt/2vgxEuY If you’ve been following the latest social trends, chances are you’ve made an Instagram collage. No, we’re not talking paper, scissors, and glue. Think Instagram Top Nine. Or the “LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter” meme. But brands have used the crafty artform for more than memes. Instagram collages can combine multiple photos to show off different product angles and features—or even before and after shots. Add frames and borders for a scrapbook-styled event recap. Or roundup multiple pieces for gift guides and seasonal mood boards. All this and more can be done without papercuts and superglue snafus. An assortment of free Instagram collage apps make trimming and styling easy and mess-free. So, feeling scrappy? Read on for the tips, tricks, and tools you need to make collages a part of your Instagram business strategy. Download your free pack of 20 customizable Instagram Stories templates now. Save time and look professional while promoting your brand in style. How to make a collage on InstagramFollow these steps to learn how to make a collage on Instagram posts and Stories. FeedHere’s how to make a collage on an Instagram post:
Tip: Instagram Layout only offers basic editing features. If your photos require work, make sure to edit them first and save them to your camera roll. StoriesHere’s how to make a collage on Instagram Stories. The lingo may be slightly different depending on the device you use.
Still new to Instagram Stories? Here’s how to use them. Instagram collage tipsMashup your social game with these Instagram collage tips. Start with a conceptAll Instagram collages should be created with purpose. Don’t collage just for the sake of it. And they should fit into your overall Instagram marketing plan. Before you set out to make one, consider why a collage is the best choice over a single-image post, carousel, or other option. Your answer will lead to your collage concept. Here are a few examples to get you started: Use a split-screen to showcase multiple optionsView this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram Show off a new collection, lineup or product optionsView this post on Instagram Encourage feedback and engagementView this post on Instagram Create a step-by-step, how-to, or before and afterView this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram Use multiple visuals to drive a narrativeView this post on Instagram Choose the right mix of imagesA good Instagram collage should never overwhelm the viewer. The choices you make should always be in the interest of communicating a message or idea as clearly as possible. There are some instances where high volume is called for—say, to convey the size or diversity of a community. The rest of the time, use images sparingly and intentionally. View this post on Instagram Stick with simple visuals that have a clear focus. Images that are too detailed or zoomed out lose impact when paired with others and reduced in size. Avoid color clashes by creating a complementary palette. If that’s not possible, try adding tints or treatments to make photos match. When all else fails, or to set a mood, go black and white. View this post on Instagram Brush up on your visual content skills with these 12 tips. Style your collageSometimes a simple mashup of images is all you need. But there are times when a little more “zhuzh” is called for. And there are several ways you can kick your collage up a notch. From vintage film borders to florals and punchy graphics, here are a few examples. Frames can lend a nostalgic vibe or photobooth effect to a series of photos. They can also bring order and clarity to a mishmash of images. View this post on Instagram Textures and shapes can add both dimension and cohesion. View this post on Instagram Patterns can add flair and intrigue to a series of images. View this post on Instagram Text boxes can cover everything from product info to positive comments. View this post on Instagram Add stickers and tagsStickers and tags make your Instagram Stories and posts engaging and shoppable. And collages are no exception. At their best, collages can even unlock new ways to use these features. If your collage features multiple influencers, partners, or fans, be sure to tag them. This can drive more engagement to your post or campaign. View this post on Instagram For collages that feature gift guides, roundups, or multiple products, shoppable tags let people learn more about the item that catches their eye. Instagram allows you to tag up to five products per post, so make the most of it. For now, only one product sticker can be added to Stories. Download your free pack of 20 customizable Instagram Stories templates now. Save time and look professional while promoting your brand in style. Download the templates now!Brands have used stickers in Instagram Story collages to great effect. French jewellery designer Louise Damas uses the poll sticker to see which pieces people like best. Netflix uses it for viewers to vote for the best dressed participants of The Circle. Mix it up with multimediaInstagram collages can bring images, video, music, and text together in a single post. Doing this well can be tricky, though. Posts with too much media can come across as jumbled or chaotic. It all comes back to having a strong concept and clear message. Dove uses a collage to break beauty stereotypes with a grid of changing portraits. Notice how only one image changes per frame, and at a speed that allows viewers to take everything in. View this post on Instagram Coachella’s “you might like” series combines a visual with a video to provide a snapshot and soundbite of artists its followers might like. The framing of the campaign is super slick and straightforward. View this post on Instagram Try advanced collaging techniquesCollages may be a good way to cram things into a single post. But there’s no reason you should limit yourself to one. Expand an Instagram collage into a multi-post carousel or Story. Or, spread it across your feed. View this post on Instagram Learn how to use individual images to make a larger one, and other Instagram hacks. Keep feed aesthetics in mindTechnically, your Instagram feed is already a collage of every post you’ve published. Adding a collage post into the mix can look busy, unless you’re strategic about it. Make sure your Instagram collage fits in with your feed aesthetic. If you often use certain Instagram filters or presets, a collage should be no exception. Use it on the collage too. Plan ahead with a content calendar, like Hootsuite Planner, so you can see how the collage will look next to other content before you hit post. Just because you’ve spent extra time on a collage doesn’t mean you should spend less time elsewhere. Keep the Instagram algorithm’s ranking signals in mind before you post. 8 Instagram collage appsUse these Instagram collage apps to speed up your workflow and add some pizzazz.
As the official Instagram collage app, Layout has you covered for your basic collage needs. Add up to nine photos and position them in different layouts. Save posts as squares, which means they’re good for the grid, but not always ideal for Instagram Story collages. For photo editing and fancier templates, check out the options below. View this post on Instagram
Unfold is one of the most popular Instagram collage apps available. In fact, the app is so popular that brands like Tommy Hilfiger have even created branded templates on the platform. A plethora of customizable options are available for both posts and Instagram Stories. And new layouts, for special events or trends, are regularly added into the mix. It’s free to use, but monthly members have access to a wider range of stickers, fonts, and features. View this post on Instagram
As a design tool, Canva can be used to create Instagram collages—and much more. The app offers free templates for posts and Stories, with tools that allow you to edit photos and styles. Styles range from graphic heavy to more photo friendly. If you’re looking for collage concepts—the Canva library is packed with ideas. Canva Pro membership offers additional features, including more logo and branding options. View this post on Instagram
From the creators of A Color Story and Filmm, A Design Kit brings creators a kit and caboodle of free Instagram collage tools. Think cute and crafty, these templates, brushes, and stickers veer toward bright and playful. This tool is good for posts and Stories, with a monthly membership available. View this post on Instagram Download: iOS
As its name suggests, this Instagram collage app specializes in the Story format. More than 570 photo and video templates are available with backdrops, filters, branding, and styling tools. Available for free or monthly subscription. Download: iOS
Mojo bills itself as a video stories editor for Instagram. New templates and fonts are added monthly to its library of more than 100 templates. Each one is 100% editable, so you can brand and tailor as you see fit. Did you accidentally shoot your video in landscape? No problem. The makers of Mojo have several fixes for the common video orientation hitch. View this post on Instagram
With access to Unsplash’s 30,000+ photo library, SCRL makes it easy to create Instagram collage layers. These stock photos can add high production value to your content without the high costs. This app especially excels in panoramic carousels. In other words, you can use its tools to unfold a collage across a series of posts. This is a popular approach for wardrobe capsules, event recaps, and narrative concepts. View this post on Instagram Download: iOS
Magisto is a video editor that lets you create video collages or photo slideshows. The free app includes thematic templates, access to a music library, as well as filters, effects, and stabilization fixes. Professional and Business plans offer access to a vast stock photo and video library. View this post on Instagram Looking for more Instagram apps? Here are 17 that will take your posts to the next level. Save time managing your Instagram presence using Hootsuite. From a single dashboard you can schedule and publish posts directly to Instagram, engage the audience, measure performance, and run all your other social media profiles. Try it free today. The post 8 Tools to Help You Make Stunning Instagram Collages appeared first on Hootsuite Social Media Management. Social Media via Hootsuite Social Media Management https://ift.tt/1LdunxE February 26, 2020 at 08:03AM
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Internet Of Things: Go Ahead, Take a Hit https://ift.tt/3a90HPQ Anyone interested in programming and development is likely familiar with the internet of things. This is essentially where two or more devices connected to the internet, provide data to each other, or a network. Some necessities include the internet, processor boards, Bluetooth, RFID, NFC chips among others. No longer are these technologies limited to large corporations and industries. Small businesses and even home networking experts can take advantage of this new and emerging technology. If you are considering using the IoT to upgrade your home or office, you will want to consider which processor board to use. There are two commercially available options currently, Arduino board vs Raspberry Pi. Both are heavily used in the internet of things devices and development. The scale and scope of the project will ultimately decide which board you use. Often times, they are used together. The Arduino board is good for handling simple processing tasks. They have very little memory and can get overloaded quite easily. These boards are excellent at reading things like temperature, humidity and executing basic code. On their own, Arduino boards do not typically have internet, Bluetooth or WiFi capabilities. Raspberry Pi boards, on the other hand, come standard with those connections. You can add cameras, sensors, Ethernet to both boards. Both of them have the ability to expand the memory, and require software to run. Raspberry Pi boards offer the most processing power and memory between the two. Arduino boards are open source, Raspberry Pi is not. They can both run on most operating systems and can be made compatible with any custom platform. Both of these boards use very low power and are efficient to run and use. Knowing what they do though is only part of the equation. Knowing how to use them both effectively is the key. Let’s use the example of a farmer. In the field, there are sensors on Arduino boards that record temperature, humidity and soil moisture. Arduino would send data to a Raspberry Pi controlled irrigation system. This would then water crops when dry and send an alert to the farmer. What is Your Favorite Pi?Trial and error are fine if you are doing a small, DIY at home project. The boards are both fairly cheap (under $50.00) and will afford you the time and energy to experiment. For a large scale operation, however, call in the professionals. You will get the expertise to know which boards to use, and when. A company like Digiteum, are a great example. After your project is analyzed, a plan will be created. This will typically include new hardware/software, database upgrades, increased network bandwidth among others. A network will be setup for the devices to communicate with each and perform the desired functions. In this instance, the boards may be the cheapest part of the project. However, once implemented there will be massive gains in automation, time and cost reduction, and process efficiency. These are the things that provide gains year after year after the initial investment is made. The post Internet Of Things: Go Ahead, Take a Hit appeared first on Social Media Explorer. Social Media via Social Media Explorer https://ift.tt/2onGYog February 26, 2020 at 06:48AM
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Replant Amazon Teams With Influencer Platform to Plant 12000 Trees https://ift.tt/32v9OYU It’s cool to be kind in 2020, and social media influencers want in on the action. Influencer platform ShopandShout recently collaborated with Replant Amazon, a cause brand committed to lessening the impact of climate change through reforestation projects, and an estimated 600 micro-influencers are expected to jump onboard with the cause. Replant Amazon’s pilot reforestation project in Bengaluru, India resulted in a mixed forest of Azadirachta Indica (neem), Tectona grandis (teak), Jasmine sambac (jasmin) and Punica granatum (pomegranate) spread out over 103 acres. The plantation of the forest was complete in December 2019. Now Replant Amazon has set its sight on a more ambitious project: reforestation of the Amazon and beyond after the devastating 2019 fires that wiped out approximately one billion trees. Replant Amazon hopes to complete this project by 2022—and one of its first steps was to enlist the aid of micro influencers, like the ones represented by ShopandShout. A small donation to Replant Amazon subsidizes a single tree, which the organization’s staff will plant and nurture, using the Miyawaki method. Replant Amazon also prepares the ground where the new forest will grow, and guarantees the survival of every tree it plants. A spokesperson for Replant Amazon explains, “In order to do this at the pace and scale we need, we have a team of environmentalists who have established relationships with [non profit organizations] across the world. We identify the [non profits] that work with the rigorous accountability process and the standards that we have set in order for this to scale. Tracking software that we have built helps shortlist projects based on their environmental impact, cost effectiveness and periodic growth updates. This way we can make sure that the trees planted by us have a 100% survival rate, until they become self-sufficient.” Why Micro Influencers? Micro influencers is the term applied to online movers and shakers with audiences of around 10,000 engaged followers. They’re folks whose appeal is grounded in a well-defined niche. Micro influencers may have fewer followers than outright Instagram celebs, but they tend to be much more engaged on a daily basis with the fans they do have. While engagement rates for sponsored posts on social media have fallen dramatically in the past three years, the same report from analytics firm InfluencerDB, showed that the fewer followers an influencer has, the higher that influencer’s potential for engagement. This is a game changer in social media terms. Raising Awareness Out of its community of approximately 44,000 micro influencers, ShopandShop will be singling out 600 influencers whose niches are the best fit for Replant Amazon’s climate change message. ShopandShout will empower those micro influencers to use their social impact for global good by giving out Replant Amazon trees to engaged fans. Replant Amazon will be seeding trees while ShopandShout will be seeding a viral campaign that’s designed to add value to the Replant Amazon brand. “It’s our duty as leaders in the industry to ensure we work closely with our community to create global impact and raise awareness around global warming. Our mission is to decrease our CO2 footprint,” notes Vytas Lenauskas, ShopandShout’s Vice President of Marketing. The easiest way to get involved with this initiative is to ‘plant a tree’ on the Replant Amazon website, or reach out via email to find out about volunteer opportunities. This type of social consciousness is one of the reasons why 2020 is likely to be the Year of the Micro Influencer. The post Replant Amazon Teams With Influencer Platform to Plant 12000 Trees appeared first on Social Media Explorer. Social Media via Social Media Explorer https://ift.tt/2onGYog February 26, 2020 at 06:30AM
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How to Use LinkedIn for Competitor Research https://ift.tt/2VqnGls Do you want a competitive edge in your marketplace? Are you using LinkedIn to research your competitors? In this article, you’ll learn how to use LinkedIn to gather valuable insights about your competitors and use what you learn to grow your own business. Why You Should Research Your Competitors on LinkedInThere are many benefits of using LinkedIn within your business including showcasing your experience, skills, and career achievements; sharing content for thought leadership positioning; building and nurturing a network; and accessing job opportunities. But the benefit people often overlook is the value of using LinkedIn as a research and insights tool. In today’s business world, we’re all competing for our audience’s attention across a multitude of channels and against an increasing volume of content. There are strong arguments for and against monitoring your competitors. It can be a huge distraction from your own business if you let it. However, it can also be hugely inspirational in driving your own activities forward. There is, after all, always something to learn. If you choose to monitor your competitors on LinkedIn, you need to first understand who your competitors are. You might have direct competitors that offer identical or similar products and services to your own or indirect competitors that you compete with for the resources your target audience holds. You may not feel that a person or business is your competitor but if your target customer does, you might want to pay attention to who they are and what they’re doing. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with more than 650 million users so there’s a treasure trove of information available within it. #1: Adjust LinkedIn Profile Privacy Settings Before You Research CompetitorsBefore seeking out insights about your competitors, first review your own LinkedIn presence to ensure you’re not leaving yourself open to sharing valuable information about your own business. While the content you post on LinkedIn might be well-considered, if you haven’t reviewed your privacy settings, you could be giving away more information than you realize. To access your privacy settings, click your profile photo and select Settings & Privacy. From here, consider modifying these privacy settings for your LinkedIn profile. Allow “Only You” to See Your ConnectionsBy default, your 1st-degree connections can see your list of LinkedIn connections. This lets them browse your network, which might include your clients, prospects, and business partners. While you can’t hide any mutual connections, you can amend the setting so that only you can see your connections. This setting will also stop advertisers from serving ads to your connections. Here are a few additional points to keep in mind concerning the visibility of your connections to others:
Switch Your Profile Viewing Setting to Private ModeUnder Profile Viewing Options, you can choose whether you’re visible or viewing in private mode. If you’re viewing competitors’ personal profiles on LinkedIn, you might wish to avoid leaving a footprint in their Who’s Viewed Your Profile summary, which lets them know you’re having a look. When researching competitors, switch your profile viewing setting to Private Mode. When you’re in private mode looking at the profile of a 1st-degree connection, you’ll potentially be able to look through their connections if they haven’t locked down their own Who Can See Your Connections setting. They’ve left the door wide open for you to look through their network and potentially find a list of customers and prospects! Pro Tip: Don’t forget to switch your profile viewing option back to fully visible after your competitor research session to ensure you receive the details of who’s viewing your profile (because it becomes unavailable to you when you’re in private mode). Turn Off the “Viewers of This Profile Also Viewed” OptionWhen checking out a LinkedIn profile, you may have noticed a feature called People Also Viewed down the right side of the page. You can also access the feature from the LinkedIn mobile app by scrolling to the bottom of either your profile or a member’s profile. The People Also Viewed feature is a box that shows some of the other LinkedIn member profiles that viewers of a profile have also looked at. If you leave this feature switched on in your privacy settings, any customer or prospect who visits your profile is likely to see a handy list of your competitors that they can also check out. The information shared in the People Also Viewed feature doesn’t reveal any individual’s browsing history, including your own. The feature is updated multiple times each month and shows a maximum of 10 profiles that viewers of your profile have also viewed. The member at the top of the box has had the most views by people who have also looked at your profile. When you’re not using LinkedIn to better understand your competitors, you might find this part of a profile highly useful for identifying opportunities. Be wary of leaving your business assets wide open for others to view, while hoping that not everyone reads this article and switches the feature off! #2: Follow or Connect With Competitors on LinkedInPrimarily, LinkedIn is considered a place to connect with individuals and to follow companies. While this is true, you can also follow individuals. Members connect on LinkedIn because they know and trust each other. If you’re connected to someone, you’ll both be able to see each other’s updates on your LinkedIn home page. You can also send messages to connections on LinkedIn. Decide who your competitors are, and whom you might need to monitor by connecting and/or following them on LinkedIn. Should You Connect With Your Competitors?If you’ve met them, yes, why not! The business world can be small and you might also be former colleagues, working in partnership, or able to refer business when you’re unable to help a potential customer. Plus, you now have your privacy settings under control, protecting your most valuable business assets. What Is Following on LinkedIn?Following someone on LinkedIn allows you to see their posts and articles in your home page news feed without actually being connected to them. It’s only when you’re connected that the ability to view posts and articles in the news feed is reciprocated. As a reminder, it’s also only when you’re connected that you can (potentially) see connections, as described above. Following someone can be a useful option, particularly for competitor research, because you don’t need to wait for an invitation to connect to be accepted. However, it’s important to note that a notification is sent when you do start following an individual so they may spot what you’re doing! To follow a person or company, click Follow on their profile page. If you don’t see a Follow button, click the More icon on the top portion of the person’s profile. Then select Follow from the drop-down menu. You can also follow people, companies, or topics by navigating directly to the Follow Fresh Perspectives Page, which displays recommended sources to follow. Members may follow up to 5,000 people who aren’t connections. #3: Review Relevant LinkedIn Profiles of CompetitorsThere are a number of areas within LinkedIn that you can use to gather insights about competitors. Let’s take a look at individual profiles and company pages as our primary focus. Pro Tip: Set aside time in your calendar to gather information about your competitors on LinkedIn. You could do this daily, weekly, or perhaps monthly. If you’re not sure who your competitor contacts might be on LinkedIn, use search. It’s easy to find people by job title, industry sector, and criteria such as company size. Using the search bar, enter the keywords you think someone might use to find you and take a look at the results. You might find competitors you weren’t previously aware of. Note that most likely you’ll be in private mode while performing this research. When you take a look at individual profiles, you can review career history, articles and activity previously shared, skills they’re listing, recommendations they’ve received, and more. At the end of a personal LinkedIn profile, you’ll find interests. This is where you can see the pages this person is following. If you click on See All, you’ll find information about influencers they follow, membership in LinkedIn groups, and places of education. Take a look at some profiles and consider what this tells you: #4: Analyze Competitors’ LinkedIn News Feed ContentThe content posted and shared by individuals—that appears in your LinkedIn home page news feed and Notifications tab—can offer valuable insights into the activities of an individual and their business. With competitor understanding as your intention, take a fresh scroll through your news feed and answer these questions:
Pro Tip: Because commenting publicly on LinkedIn is so visible, I recommend doing a quick check before you comment to determine if it might be better to send a private message. You don’t want to potentially give away information to anyone who might be watching you or your business. Plus you can often be more personal and go into more detail via a private message. #5: Explore Competitors’ LinkedIn PagesThe information detailed on a LinkedIn page is akin to a website’s About page so you’ll likely already know most things here. If you have a LinkedIn Premium account, you’ll have access to Insights on a page that include total employee count, employee distribution and headcount growth by function, new hires, notable alumni, and total job openings. This is based on the profile information of employees on LinkedIn. Any page with fewer than 30 employee profiles on LinkedIn won’t have Premium Insights displayed. Following a page on LinkedIn can provide some insights within your home page news feed, although it’s likely to be more corporate information such as articles and links to content on a company website. To note, when you follow a page, the business doesn’t get notified, although it will be visible on your own profile in the Interests section at the end. #6: Turn Competitor Insights From LinkedIn Into Actions for Your BusinessYou can gather a wealth of information via LinkedIn, but for that information to be valuable, it needs to be focused and purposeful. If you don’t know what to do with the information when you find it, it’s unlikely to add value. When documenting your research, I recommend a simple SWOT analysis. This 4 x 4 matrix helps organize issues important to your business under the headings of:
Remember that strengths and weaknesses should relate to your own business. Opportunities and threats are external factors. Start by reviewing the insights you’ve gathered and asking yourself, “So what?” What does this information mean for your business and your industry? Also consider how you can make the most of your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. How can you maximize any opportunities and manage your threats? Finally, decide on relevant actions for your business. Identify anything you should now stop doing, start doing, keep doing, or do more of. ConclusionAnalyzing your competitors and their activities on LinkedIn can reveal valuable insights for your own business. Learn what your competitors are up to, identify trends in your industry, and stay one step ahead of your peers. Get Expert Social Media Marketing Training!Want to keep ahead of your competitors? Need to master a social platform? Discover how to improve your social media marketing at Social Media Marketing World 2020, brought to you by your friends at Social Media Examiner. You’ll rub shoulders with the biggest names and brands in social media, soak up countless tips and new strategies, and enjoy extensive networking opportunities . Don’t miss the industry’s largest conference. Get in early for big discounts. Event starts Sunday, March 1, 2020.CLICK HERE TO LEARN MOREWhat do you think? Are you inspired to start researching your competitors on LinkedIn? What information would be valuable to your business? Share your thoughts in the comments below. More articles on marketing on LinkedIn:Social Media via Social Media Marketing | Social Media Examiner https://ift.tt/1LtH18p February 26, 2020 at 05:03AM 7 Ways to Make a Good Impression via Email and Instant Messages https://ift.tt/37Y6pCM Today’s world offers dozens of modes of communication—and most of them are at least acceptable, if not expected, to be used in a professional environment. For decades, the hallmarks of making a good impression in a work environment were in the nonverbal communication of meeting face-to-face, the verbal communication of speaking over the phone, and the occasional and formal written communication of letters and memos. But today, there’s a new medium of communication that dominates our day-to-day conversations: short-form, immediately transferrable written text. In short, that means emails, texts, and instant messages. Even though each of these mediums has unique advantages and disadvantages, they can all be categorized together, as mastering the skills necessary to use them properly can make you a much more impressive candidate: 1. Be prompt. Text-based conversations happen immediately, so it’s painfully obvious when you’re behind the ball. For example, if you’re sending out a post-meeting recap email, be sure to send it out within a few hours of the meeting being over. If you’re sending out a reminder for a meeting, send it out an hour beforehand—not too late, and not too early. If you’re sending a response to an email you’ve received, try to get to it within 24 hours. 2. Eliminate unnecessary information. In longer forms of communication, like reports, you’ll have plenty of space and time to elaborate on your points as you see fit. In emails and text messages, the more concise and short you are, the better. Write better outreach emails by revising them before sending, eliminating any instances of unnecessary information that might obstruct or distract from your main points. Only include the information that’s necessary to make your points. 3. Be clear and proofread every sentence. If a sentence of yours is incomplete, incoherent, or awkwardly written, it could force your reader to read it several times over, puzzling them rather than informing them. Rather than allow this to occur, be proactive and proofread every bit of written communication before it goes out. Ask yourself of every sentence—does this sentence express what I want it to? And does this sentence sound natural if I read it out loud? If all your sentences adhere to these qualifications, you’ll make a much better impression. 4. Organize your content logically. Because it’s in a written format, the first draft of an email can often be spotty or sporadic. Take the time to organize your writing coherently, starting with a general introduction, moving on to your main points, and eventually concluding. For longer emails, you may even want to include subheadings, bullet points, or other formatting options that make it easier on the eyes. 5. Show your personality. Adhering to these rules and striving for the shortest, most concise, most informative means of communication can unfortunately make you sound robotic or cold. To avoid this, show off your personality. Instant messages especially lend themselves to informal means of communication. Use first names, inject some humor into your content, and add personal touches that make your messages sound like “you.” 6. Use mediums appropriately. If you’ve written up a long plan for a new project, sending it via text at midnight is less appropriate than sending it via email. Similarly, a quick meeting reminder 10 minutes before the start of a meeting is probably useless in an email inbox. Choose your mediums appropriately, and be considerate of your coworkers and bosses. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of each instant written medium. 7. End with action items and takeaways. Even if you’ve spelled it out clearly in the body of your content, it helps to add a digestible list of takeaways toward the end of your email. Not only does it serve as a nice summary that the reader can come back to, it also shows that your email has a measurable purpose. Use these seven strategies to make a better impression on your bosses and coworkers when relying on short, written communication to convey your ideas. Like anything else in the professional world, the more you practice it, the better you’re going to get—so take every opportunity to hone your craft. The post 7 Ways to Make a Good Impression via Email and Instant Messages appeared first on Social Media Explorer. Social Media via Social Media Explorer https://ift.tt/2onGYog February 25, 2020 at 03:28PM Three-quarters of Americans lack confidence in tech companies ability to fight election interference2/25/2020
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Three-quarters of Americans lack confidence in tech companies’ ability to fight election interference https://ift.tt/3cdxxRR A significant majority of Americans have lost faith in tech companies’ ability to prevent the misuse of their platforms to influence the 2020 presidential election, according to a new study from Pew Research Center, released today. The study found that nearly three-quarters of Americans (74%) don’t believe platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Google will be able to prevent election interference. What’s more, this sentiment is felt by both political parties evenly. Pew says that nearly identical shares of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (76%) and Democrats and Democrat-leaning independents (74%) have little or no confidence in technology companies’ ability to prevent their platforms’ misuse with regard to election interference. And yet, 78% of Americans believe it’s tech companies’ job to do so. Slightly more Democrats (81%) took this position, compared with Republicans (75%). While Americans had similar negative feelings about platforms’ misuse ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, their lack of confidence has gotten even worse over the past year. As of January 2020, 74% of Americans report having little confidence in the tech companies, compared with 66% back in September 2018. For Democrats, the decline in trust is even greater, with 74% today feeling “not too” confident or “not at all” confident, compared with 62% in September 2018. Republican sentiment has declined somewhat during this same time, as well, with 72% expressing a lack of confidence in 2018, compared with 76% today. Even among those who believe the tech companies are capable of handling election interference, very few (5%) of Americans feel “very” confident in their capabilities. Most of the optimists see the challenge as difficult and complex, with 20% saying they feel only “somewhat” confident. Across age groups, both the lack of confidence in tech companies and a desire for accountability increase with age. For example, 31% of those 18 to 29 feel at least somewhat confident in tech companies’ abilities, versus just 20% of those 65 and older. Similarly, 74% of youngest adults believe the companies should be responsible for platform misuse, compared with 88% of the 65-and-up crowd. Given the increased negativity felt across the board on both sides of the aisle, it would have been interesting to see Pew update its 2018 survey that looked at other areas of concern Republicans and Democrats had with tech platforms. The older study found that Republicans were more likely to feel social media platforms favored liberal views while Democrats were more heavily in favor of regulation and restricting false information. Issues around election interference aren’t just limited to the U.S., of course. But news of Russia’s meddling in U.S. politics in particular — which involved every major social media platform — has helped to shape Americans’ poor opinion of tech companies and their ability to prevent misuse. The problem continues today, as Russia is being called out again for trying to intervene in the 2020 elections, according to several reports. At present, Russia’s focus is on aiding Sen. Bernie Sanders’ campaign in order to interfere with the Democratic primary, the reports said. Meanwhile, many of the same vulnerabilities that Russia exploited during the 2016 elections remain, including the platforms’ ability to quickly spread fake news, for example. Russia is also working around blocks the tech companies have erected in an attempt to keep Russian meddling at bay. One report from The NYT said Russian hackers and trolls were now better at covering their tracks and were even paying Americans to set up Facebook pages to get around Facebook’s ban on foreigners buying political ads. Pew’s report doesn’t get into any details as to why Americans have lost so much trust in tech companies since the last election, but it’s likely more than just the fallout from election interference alone. Five years ago, tech companies were viewed largely as having a positive impact on the U.S., Pew had once reported. But Americans no longer feel as they did, and now only around half of U.S. adults believe the companies are having a positive impact. More Americans are becoming aware of how easily these massive platforms can be exploited and how serious the ramifications of those exploits have become across a number of areas, including personal privacy. It’s not surprising then that user sentiment around how well tech companies are capable of preventing election interference has declined, too, along with all the rest. Social Media via Twitter – TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com February 25, 2020 at 02:57PM Social Media Monitoring Importance and Companies Dominating the Market https://ift.tt/3c5XW3K Social media has taken the world by storm with numerous businesses boosting sales, customer experience, and driving brand engagement online. Other individuals have amassed large followings and make money via influencer marketing campaigns by brands of all sizes. The utilization of data can help improve the marketing and advertising spend on social media platforms. For this reason, social media monitoring companies are thriving in huge ways. Salesforce and Oracle are household names that pride themselves on the creation of the best tools to help business efficiency. Below are reasons this market will continue to thrive and how data collection from monitoring technology benefits business. ImportanceThe world of business and technology will have those that try to hack technology. Fake followers or fake traffic are perfect examples of these. Without the right social media monitoring tools seeing a clear ROI on a marketing campaign can be difficult. The ability to monitor engagement will also allow a company to understand what drives engagement with their followers. Creating content for current and potential customers that is not only high-quality but also spurs a conversation can build a sense of community. An example of a company that did this is Barstool Sports as they built a community and have a huge following. Data Rules EverythingThe introduction of technology that gathers data and can translate this data into an actionable plan is here. The business world no longer makes decisions on gut instincts as there are data sets that can help with nearly all decisions. Social media monitoring relies on data so it will need to continue to improve as social media develops. Social media is here to stay with campaigns by companies becoming more data-driven than ever before. Companies that create the best piece of technology to monitor social media is sure to see continued success! The post Social Media Monitoring Importance and Companies Dominating the Market appeared first on Social Media Explorer. Social Media via Social Media Explorer https://ift.tt/2onGYog February 25, 2020 at 10:43AM |
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