Author: Reginald Chan

  • Car Accident Lawyer: Duties, Responsibilities, and How to Hire One

    Car Accident Lawyer: Duties, Responsibilities, and How to Hire One

    Car accidents are the last thing you’d want to experience on the road but they are certainly an incident that you need to prepare yourself for. It’s not just about being prepared for what happens to your body after a car accident. It’s also about knowing your legal rights and obligations that matter too.

    What many people tend to forget is that car accidents are legal matters as well. As with all legal matters, these are settled in court. Those who are proven innocent and are considered as the victims in the accident will be given. On the other hand, those at fault will be punished accordingly – either with a fine, suspension of their license, or jail time.

    According to statistics, over 38,000 people die annually in the US because of car crashes. The traffic fatality rate is at 12.4 deaths per 100,000 people. If not death, people get injured. In total, there are 4.4 million people who are injured enough to require medical attention as well.

    The cost of healthcare and organizing a funeral is, of course, another matter to worry about. However, that’s nothing compared to the pain of loss or the life-changing injuries that you can get after a car accident. This is why seeking justice in court is an important thing that you should do.

    In cases like these, you’ll need a lawyer by your side. To be more specific, you need a car accident lawyer to help represent you in court. In this guide, you’ll know what a car accident lawyer is and what they do. You’ll also see what are the things to look for when finding a car accident lawyer.

    What Is A Car Accident Lawyer?

    A car accident lawyer is someone who will help you make personal injury claims in the likelihood of an accident involving cars. They specialize solely in car accidents so they know various matters regarding the topic. As with most legal cases, it’s always best to hire a lawyer that specializes in that specific case you are facing.

    Car accident lawyers are typically those who specialize in personal injury claims and not exactly those who focus on car accidents only. As this is their specialty, you can expect them to help you out with your car accident case better than other types of legal professionals.

    Duties And Responsibilities Of A Car Accident Lawyer

    A car lawyer isn’t simply someone that represents you in court. They are tasked with various duties and responsibilities that are tied to your case. They will serve as your guide through various aspects of the case. They will not just represent you, they will also help you understand various aspects of the legal system.

    Upon meeting, your car accident lawyer should help you understand your rights. It doesn’t matter if you are at fault or if you’re the victim, you will still have rights under the legal system. Lawyers will help you know what these rights are so that you will be capable of defending yourself to a certain degree.

    You may have a basic understanding of your rights as an individual but you need to keep in mind that traffic laws vary per state. There are also many provisions that circumvent your rights which is why it’s very important that you know the specifics behind the law.

    Of course, it should go without saying that a lawyer will offer you legal advice as well. They will tell you about the actions you should take regarding the accident. They will also tell you about what you can expect from the accident, regardless if you are the victim or the one being accused.

    If you already have contact with a car accident lawyer after an accident, you should immediately talk to them and ask for any advice regarding the matter. They will most likely suggest that you take legal action as soon as possible and with that, comes another one of their duties.

    A lawyer can also help with the investigation process. Once an accident happens and you are seriously injured, Joe Markey – Boston car accident lawyer https://www.bellottilaw.com/boston-car-accidents.html suggests that you should ask your legal counsel for help. They can help begin securing the evidence you need for the case to get it started officially.

    Lawyers will have access to evidence like pictures, security footage, and witness statements as part of their duty. They will try to find any potential signs of your innocence (or guilt) during this process. Of course, car accident lawyers can also get help from outside experts like investigators to help with this.

    Investigating the evidence is an important part of the process as this is where the lawyer will begin building your case. The more compelling his findings are, the more capable he is of representing you in court as well. In many cases, the car accident lawyer will ask for your help as you are a part of the accident and you’ve experienced it first-hand.

    Another duty of a car accident lawyer is to assess the damage and expenses that have been made during the accident. This includes the medical fees, the damages to your property, and other types of damages such as psychological trauma which need to be accounted for.

    This is an important matter as well as here is where your lawyer will determine how much compensation you are rightfully entitled to. Compensation is the amount paid to cover your losses in the case of an accident or personal injury and it’s a very important aspect of the legal process as well.

    Last but not least is the most important duty of any lawyer – to represent you in court. If you are what’s considered the victim in the accident, the lawyer will represent you in court so that you get your due compensation. This means fighting for what he believes you are legally entitled to.

    On the other hand, if you are at fault – the goal of the lawyer is to look for a fair settlement amount and punishment. He can try to reduce the compensation asked by the other party. Of course, if all evidence points to the fact that you had no direct control over the accident, then he’ll be tasked with proving your innocence too.

    As you can see, a car accident lawyer provides guidance from beginning to end of the accident. Their help is something that you shouldn’t be without in such critical matters. It’s not only essential that you get a car accident lawyer, you should also get one that is more than capable of representing you in court.

    In truth, it’s fairly easy to find a car accident lawyer. Just go to your local bar directory and you’ll be able to find a large selection of lawyers for hire. Another good way to begin finding the right lawyer is to ask your friends and family for any referrals.

    If someone you know has been through a car accident legal battle recently, then there’s a good chance that they have hired a lawyer to help them out. Ask them if the person they hired for the job is good. Direct referrals are always great as you can get a firsthand account of how good the lawyer is.

    However, before you hire a car accident lawyer, make sure you check out a few important things first.

    Experience And Expertise In Car Accidents

    This should be the first thing that you should look for. The lawyer should specialize in car accidents first and foremost. You can go online and search for car accident lawyers near you and you’ll get a large selection of professionals waiting to be hired. While other lawyers are okay, it’s still best to find someone who already has handled car accidents or at least personal injury cases before.

    As explained before, there are various things to consider when it comes to car accidents. It’s very important that your car accident lawyer is knowledgeable in traffic laws, as well as in investigating evidence that is related to the car accident. 

    References

    Asking for references is a common practice in the field of law. Don’t be afraid to ask your lawyer about a contact list of clients and attorneys they’ve already worked with during the last couple of years. A lawyer who has nothing to hide will happily show you this list of references.

    It’s very important that you know the types of questions to ask these reference people once you contact them. Of course, you shouldn’t ask them anything too privy about the previous case that the lawyer was involved in. Instead, ask them about how he is to work with them.

    Does he have a good work ethic? Is he easy to contact? Does he have his way with people, making him more convincing in court? These are just some of the important things that you need to ask those people. It will help you get a clear understanding of how good the lawyer is.

    Investigative Skills

    A huge part of the case will be devoted to securing evidence, studying it, and then making a compelling case about these. It’s not possible for lawyers to achieve his if he doesn’t have good investigative skills.

    A good car accident lawyer needs to be aggressive and persistent when it comes to finding evidence for the case. This will help give you a better shot at getting what you deserve after the car accident.  A lawyer with amazing investigative skills can make or break the case.

    Accessibility

    When referring to accessibility, we are referring to primary things – how easy it is to talk to the lawyer and their availability as well. Ideally, you’d want a lawyer who you can talk to on various mediums. Email, calls, texts, instant messaging – there should always be a definite line of communication between you two.

    This is important because you’d want your lawyer to be able to talk to you just in case an update or an emergency pops up related to the case. If there are a ton of mediums to contact him at, then you’ll be able to relay the new information without any worries.

    In terms of availability, you need to understand that lawyers can take multiple cases at a time. That’s not exactly bad but what can be wrong is if the lawyer isn’t able to make a lot of time for you. The lawyer should be at the very least able to assist you and guide you whenever you need it as emergencies can happen when you least expect it.

    Good Communication Skills

    Becoming a lawyer is not just about being wise and critical, your lawyer needs to be good with words too. He should both be a good listener and talker at the same time. A good listener is important because your lawyer needs to spot any discrepancies and possible flaws in the defense of the other party.

    On the other hand, good talking skills are important as it takes this to confidently present a case to the judge and jury. These communicative skills are very crucial for any good lawyer. The good thing is that you can spot these easily upon talking to your lawyer for the first time.

    Credentials

    A lawyer can say a lot of things about who he is, where he comes from, and how he got to that point easily. It would be much better if your lawyer shows you proof of what he’s all about. Lawyers don’t have to reveal their diplomas to you. Of course, it would be good if they give you a good rundown of their educational and professional backgrounds.

    Getting in a car accident is the last thing you’d want obviously. However, there are many factors that are involved in a car accident. It isn’t just about how good and how careful you are as a driver. Being prepared with a car accident in your contacts is always going to be a good way to save yourself from major legal problems.

  • 11 Important Things That You Need To Know Before Investing In Cryptocurrency

    11 Important Things That You Need To Know Before Investing In Cryptocurrency

    It’s important to always stay updated when it comes to money-making and currency. Cryptocurrency is the new gold rush. As a product of blockchain technology, this type of digital currency has quickly grown in popularity and power in recent years. Though it has made many new millionaires, it has also caused many people to lose their investments. The latter can happen when you don’t properly prepare yourself. Just like any other asset, investing in cryptocurrency requires a certain mindset, strategy, and fortitude. If you’re thinking of buying crypto, rely on these 11 important things to help you make sound investments.

    1. Budget Accordingly

    The first rule of any investment, whether it’s stock, real estate, forex, etc, is to only invest what you can afford to lose. Every investment is a risk, and crypto is a lot riskier than others due to its volatility. If it was a surety, then everyone would be doing it and making millions. Sadly, it’s not.

    You’re more likely to lose your first few trades as a beginner, so budget with that in mind. Sure, there’s beginner’s luck, but you don’t want to rely on luck; rely on trading smartly. The last thing you want to do is bet your life’s savings and lose everything.

    2. Do Thorough Research

    Want to know the next way to not lose money? Research. It’s unwise to invest in something you know nothing about. Familiarize yourself with everything crypto. Read many articles and books about digital currency before you even invest your first dollar. This Bitcoin guide for beginners is a good resource to start with. Knowledge is power.

    There are so-called gurus out there who promise to do everything for you. Run away from them. Anyone who promises unrealistic gains or one-stop solutions never delivers and doesn’t really care if you gain or lose after they’ve sold you their snake oil. Again, run! Run home and do your own research.

    3. Know When To Miss Out

    Let’s talk a little bit more about safety for a minute. There’s a lot of hype now surrounding new coins that promise great gains. Most of these are promoted by celebrities who we trust, but it hasn’t turned out well.

    These celebrity endorsements are often bought to make the new coin look good. You should invest based on the research you have done and not on your emotions. Instead of going with the upcoming trend, thoroughly analyze what this new coin has to offer. The last thing you want to do is hop on a hype train only to end up regretting it.

    Every coin has pumpers, people who shamelessly promote possibly failing coins, spot them, and avoid them. 

    4. Know Your Crypto Exchange

    Whether you are buying Bitcoin, Ether, or altcoins, you’re going to need an exchange for transactions. If you want to buy, sell and swap cryptocurrency, then you need to choose a crypto exchange that works for you. Each exchange has different terms, rates, and benefits. Since it is going to be where your coins are stored, this decision is quite important. If the location of the exchange is a big factor for you, then choose one that is based in your region. Other factors to consider are if that particular exchange supports the cryptocurrency you’re interested in and what payment methods can be used.

    5. Anticipate Volatility

    Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile. Besides some stable coins, it’s commonplace to see their values fluctuate wildly. This requires you to have a high-risk tolerance and a strong mindset. You must first come to terms that whatever you have invested can crash at any moment. Then you need to master patience.

    Though there are many day-traders in the market, most of its value is seen over the long term. If you’ve done proper research about your coin, you’ll know when to hold or when to sell. Don’t freak out when you see a major dip, sometimes they can have huge rallies. Prepare yourself for the ups and downs and you’ll rarely be caught off-guard.

    Attention risk takers: Check put this fastest withdrawal online casino Australia 2022.

    6. Join A Community

    They say if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. That certainly applies to cryptocurrency investment. While we’re not saying you should pool funds to buy crypto, being part of a community will be one of the best decisions you could ever make.

    Most investors communicate online via Reddit and other platforms, but some still meet in person if they can. A community will help you stay up-to-date with the cryptocurrency market. You can also get advice about trades, terms, and market moves. Join the discussion; you’ll learn many new things and forge valuable friendships.

    7. Verify Everything

    So we have to talk about safety again. Scammers like to take advantage of any situation they can. They either piggyback off celebrity promotions, impersonate trusted authorities, or set up fake altcoins that suck you dry. If something sounds too good to be true, it likely is.

    It’s important to know how to spot these scammers so that they don’t get you. Examine their claims, research their origins, and dissect their offerings. The moment something smells fishy, move on. This crucial step can save you from huge losses. Whatever claim, promise or opportunity comes your way, scrutinize and verify everything.

    8. Diversify Your Portfolio

    If you really want to make profitable investments, do what the experts do: diversify. Bitcoin is the juggernaut of the cryptocurrency family; the heavyweight with the highest growth to date. But the other members shouldn’t be ignored. 

    Even though Bitcoin is doing great right now, it has taken huge dips. You need to prepare for that. Invest in other cryptocurrencies so that if one falls, you have others to rely on and all your money doesn’t go down the drain. Most investors follow the 6:3:1 rule. That’s 60% Bitcoin, 30% Ether, and 10% altcoin. There are other ratios you can use, and you can choose which coins you want to apply them to.

    9. The Keys Secure The House

    Would you trust a stranger with your house key? Hopefully, your answer is no, otherwise, we need to talk. With cryptocurrency, holding the keys for your coins is very important. Since crypto is a bearer asset, anyone who possesses them is considered to be the rightful owner. This means that if your crypto is lost or stolen, you’d be completely out.

    Seasoned investors will safeguard their keys by using either a hardware device or paper. Yet, there’s still room for error here. Firstly, do you really trust yourself with keeping that device or piece of paper safe? It’s not like losing a pen; it’s losing a possibly huge investment. If you lose your keys and your key phrase (a backup password to regain access to your wallet) then you’re doomed.

    Admittedly, this one is a bit tricky. You can either choose to have a third-party custodian hold your keys or keep them yourself.

    10. The Government’s Due

    No matter what you earn or how you earn it, the government will be coming for its due. Unfortunately, taxes are unavoidable (if you want to stay out of jail). Despite the crypto industry’s efforts, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires you to report capital gains and pay taxes on them. This is because they consider cryptocurrency to be property and not currency, for federal tax purposes.

    The government treats crypto much like how they treat stocks. You need to track the value of your coin when purchased and then when it’s either traded, spent, or exchanged. Different rates apply for short-term and long-term gains. Read up on the stipulations for paying taxes so that the government doesn’t scoop you up and put you in a box.

    11.  You Don’t Even Have To Go All In

    If you’re a newbie, this is important. In fact, this would be the preferred way to get your feet wet. You don’t have to go all-in when buying crypto. You don’t need to buy a whole coin or spend large sums of money. Crypto can be bought in fractions.

    For example, Bitcoin is divisible to the eighth decimal. So you can start with $10, $20, or $50 worth of it. This is great if you want to test the market of a particular coin and see how it trends. This also ties in perfectly with our first tip, budgeting accordingly. Use these small amounts to experiment with trading and develop your instincts. This will prepare you for larger investments and develop you into a competent trader. If you can successfully trade $10, you can successfully trade $10,000.

    Cryptocurrency has created some amazing new opportunities. As you take advantage of them, you must be aware of the risks involved. To reduce potential losses, you need to invest what you can afford to lose. On top of that, research the market thoroughly as it will help you avoid scams and failing hype trains. There are many exchanges you can choose from and many currencies you can buy fractions of to get started. Armed with these tips, you’ll confidently make your first cryptocurrency investment.

  • Is Your Marketing Campaign Working Against You?

    Is Your Marketing Campaign Working Against You?

    People start a business to make a profit and, hopefully, live off it full-time. Unless you’re already making it big in your industry, you may still be struggling to boost your sales and revenue. You can only achieve this level of stability if consumers are actually buying your products and services.

    Having an effective marketing strategy is crucial to succeeding in business. In today’s modern world, you have to focus on reaching your target audience digitally, since 87% of shoppers start their buying journey through online product searches. (1)

    Moreover, you also have to remember that most consumers use their smartphones for everything, from browsing the web to completing purchases. About 63% admitted that they’re more likely to purchase from brands that have personalized mobile sites and apps. As such, you should invest in mobile marketing software to keep track of customer engagement and other key factors. (2)

    Key marketing metrics

    digital marketing key terms and icons banner

    It’s not enough, though, to just be visible to consumers. You have to ensure that they’re actually interacting with your brand and developing their interest in your products. You must determine whether your company is attracting and retaining customers successfully.

    Although there are so many platforms and tools to run your marketing campaign, there are metrics you can monitor to determine whether your strategies are effective or if they’re working against you. Here’s are some things to watch out for:

    It’s not helping you achieve your goals

    Digital Marketing Planning

    One of the most common online marketing mistakes that can hamper the success of your campaigns is not setting a clear goal. If you don’t have a specific objective for each strategy you’re implementing, your efforts will surely be wasted. On the other hand, if you’re certain that you did everything correctly at the start and you still haven’t reached your goals in a given period, then your marketing campaign might be working against you.

    With marketing, your aim shouldn’t always be to generate sales. It all depends on what you want to achieve for your company at the time that you run your campaign.

    It’s too expensive

    Digital Marketing Costs

    If your marketing campaign is costing you more, you’d better rethink your strategies and figure out where it went wrong. When talking about returns, it doesn’t even have to be monetary, such as having lots of sales. For example, gaining leads and driving traffic to your website doesn’t generate ROI immediately, but with proper nurturing, they’re likely to contribute to your company’s revenue in the future.

    Nonetheless, you still have to monitor these factors to ensure that you’re not going way over your marketing budget and invalidate your campaign:

    • Cost per win – This pertains to the expense that you accumulate for each sale or successful buyer. If a USD$1,000 campaign got 10 sales, the cost per win would be USD$100. This metric helps you compare different campaigns to each other to see which one is more cost-effective.
    • Cost per lead On the other hand, this one focuses on the leads or potential customers, not just on the purchases. With the same budget of USD$1,000, if the 10 sales generated 20 leads, then the cost per lead would be USD$50. Depending on your company and goals, this could already be a good deal.

    It doesn’t generate a high conversion rate

    Digital Marketing Conversion Rate

    Sales and leads are good, but another factor to consider is the conversion rate. Its effectiveness depends, again, on your goals for a particular campaign, since it measures how many people perform the desired action.

    If you want your landing page to boost your newsletter subscriptions, then your conversion rate for that webpage would be based on how many people signed up for the newsletter. The same goes for your social media marketing strategies. If these campaigns don’t reap the type of return you want, it’s time to scrap them and come up with a new plan.

    It doesn’t boost sales

    Ultimately, the end goal of any business is to generate income. Knowing which campaigns are effective and which ones are working against you is crucial to keeping your enterprise afloat. After all, if you’re spending so much to reach your target audience without actually capturing their interest and converting them into paying customers, you’re just throwing away your hard-earned money.

    Takeaway

    It’s important to stay on top of your marketing campaigns. Monitor them regularly and check whether they’re still effective tools for reaching your goals. If so, you can continue to run them or give them a few tweaks to improve your ROI. On the other hand, it may be time to find other strategies if you’re not getting the return you want.

    References

    1. “10 Mind-Blowing Stats About Consumer Behaviour”, Source: https://thekeenfolks.com/10-mind-blowing-stats-about-consumer-behaviour/
    2. “Marketing consumer research statistics – Think with Google”, Source: https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/consumer-trends/marketing-consumer-research-statistics/
  • How To Launch And Run A One-Person Business

    How To Launch And Run A One-Person Business

    Starting and running a one-person business is hard. But it can be rewarding. It’s tough to do everything yourself. But on the other hand, you have complete control of your schedule and work environment. Many people find that they’re more productive when working for themselves than when working for someone else.

    And being in charge means you don’t have to worry about what anyone else thinks. If something isn’t getting done, or it needs to get done differently, it falls on your shoulders. So, while starting and running a one-person business may not be easy at first, with these tips on how to launch and run a successful solo enterprise, you might make it happen.

    how to launch and run a one person business

    Consider Warehousing And Fulfillment Services

    To launch a successful one-person business, order storage and fulfillment are one of the most demanding tasks you will ever deal with. But there’s hope. Consider warehousing and fulfilment service providers to help you out.

    Many fulfilments service companies like Printful offer fulfilment and order management. That means you don’t have to worry about tracking inventory or shipping orders yourself.

    Learn How Warehousing And Fulfilment Service Works

    Warehousing and fulfillment services are often used interchangeably, but there’s a difference between the two. Fulfilment service specifically refers to inventory storage, pick & pack, or order fulfilment. On the other hand, warehousing can include fulfilment services, but it may also refer to storage only.

    Fulfilment Service

    Fulfilment service is the process of storing, packing, and shipping your orders from a warehouse. After a customer order with you, this service will pack your items and label them with your individual shipping information. Then they will ship the products to the customer. This can be a great time-saver because it means you don’t have to worry about tracking inventory or shipping orders yourself.

    Warehousing

    Warehousing is essentially storing your inventory in a warehouse. This is ideal for a one-person business because it means you don’t have to store products at home. And there’s no need to worry about managing your stocks. Thus, allowing you to focus on your core business.

    Utilize Technology

    Technology is a valuable resource for any business owner. Make use of technology to help manage your one-person business. These tools include online accounting programs, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, payment systems and all-in-one marketing tools.

    These tools can help you stay on top of your business, increase potential profits and lead generation, and save time by automating some of the menial tasks associated with your business.

    Develop Systems And Processes

    Develop systems and processes to run your business more efficiently. For example, you can: gather all the information you need to start your business. Learn everything you’ll need to do (like how much inventory, shipping or purchasing will cost, and what tools you’ll need to make it happen). Learn about different business models (like whether you want to sell products or service). And then make a plan.

    To make a one-person business successful, you have to work smarter and not harder. When deciding to start your own business, it’s crucial to plan how you will structure your business, both from a day-to-day operation standpoint, and from the vantage of long-term growth and development. When you develop your business plan, you need to create systems and processes that are manageable and scalable.

    Use Social Media To Promote Your Business

    To help generate interest in your one-person business, consider using social media and other online methods to promote your products or services. Social media platforms can drive targeted traffic to your business, and help you build a following around your brand.

    Start With One Product Or Service, Then Add More As You Grow

    For a one-person business to be successful, it’s essential to start small. Don’t try and jump into a huge launch with several different products and services. Instead, develop one product or service at a time, then add more based on the following:

    • Your budget
    • How much time you have to spend on your business, products and services
    • The demand for additional items

    Taking the time to focus on just one product or service at a time will help you avoid getting overwhelmed. It will allow you to grow your business at a more manageable pace.

    Final Words

    If you’re a one-person business, it can be tough to stay organized, and keep up with the day-to-day processes.

    Fortunately, there are many tools available that will help make your life easier. Automate tedious tasks by utilizing the latest technology, giving you more time to dedicate to what matters. You may also want to consider using social media platforms as part of an overall digital marketing strategy.

    Lastly, consider outsourcing demanding tasks like warehouse management and order fulfilment so you can focus on the bigger picture of growing your one-person business.

  • How To Market Your Business On TikTok

    How To Market Your Business On TikTok

    For some, TikTok may just be another video app for teens laced with sounds, lip-syncing effects, and elaborate transitions. Perhaps it’s for that reason why not many business owners consider this social media platform as a potential way to introduce their brand to a broader and more versatile audience. If you’d take the time and effort to understand these short mobile videos app, you might be surprised how they can help your business market bigger and better.

    tiktok for business

    Understanding TikTok Platform

    Before diving into the swarm of short videos and possibly getting muted with the loud noise of the TikTok platform, it’s best to explore first and understand how it works. You can create a small business account on the app to study how each video is made and for what purpose. Try to look around at what other brands are doing and notice the traction they’re making. Get a feel of the strategies used by watching a couple of videos.

    Once you think you’ve already seen a ton of videos, you may try creating one using your phone. It doesn’t have to be a professionally taken video. The goal is to have an experience and see how easy or difficult it is. Add music or effect that you fancy and post them if you like. If you think you’re not ready for others to see it yet, you may delete it and create a new one later. The important thing is you get to know the level of skill it requires. 

    If you’re from England, you can opt to hire a marketing expert from Bristol marketing agency and others to help you get started on promoting your brand on TikTok.

    Creating Fun And Creative Content

    One key aspect you need to remember about TikTok is that the platform is all about creating fun and creative content. Users go there to watch entertaining stuff, and that’s exactly what you need to provide if you want to keep utilizing this social media tool. There isn’t even a need to make the content highly polished or near to perfection. Users would know and appreciate content that’s fueled by creativity and entertainment.

    The challenge is to make your video as lighthearted and brief as possible. The longest time allowed for creating TikTok content is up to a minute only, which means you need to come up with a marketing strategy that’d fit in this length without compromising the message you want to convey. The key is to highlight your product or brand authentically.

    Taking Advantage Of The Hashtag Feature

    Just like other social media platforms, TikTok makes use of a wonderful feature called the hashtag. Before anything else, it’s important to research what hashtags are currently trending and how you can relate them to your business. Trending hashtags are most likely the kind of content active users view consistently. They’re popular for a reason, so you should use that to your advantage.

    Be careful not to add hashtags just because they’re popular. You can’t afford to disappoint users by misleading them about your content just so you can have more views. When that happens, you can’t expect those users to come back or view your content again. The hashtags you’ll use shouldn’t just be popular but also relevant to your brand in a creative way.

    One great way to utilize this feature is to create a hashtag challenge for your followers and customers. They can curate content and use your hashtags whenever they post their videos. This is a proven and highly effective way to market your brand without directly selling it to your customers. Your followers will do the marketing for you, and what’s more, it looks more genuine and natural.

    Advertising On The Platform

    Aside from creating organic content, you can also tap into the business feature of TikTok, which is their ad platform. There are several ways to advertise on TikTok, and these are:

    • Native ad: This is a skippable type of ad that pops up in between user content. 
    • Brand takeover: The brand takeover ad appears when a user launches the app on their device. If you’re making an exclusive offer, you can place a landing page on this ad.
    • Branded lens: This is an ad feature that lets brands design filters that resonate with their audience. Users can choose to add these filters to their content.
    • Sponsored hashtag challenge: This is an excellent idea if you want to increase awareness and engagement with your brand. You can sponsor a hashtag challenge that users can join in and discover on the Discover page of the app.

    Conclusion

    TikTok is quickly becoming a powerful social media tool for online marketing that can be an effective and helpful way to market your brand. Just be sure to be authentic and creative when making your videos. Utilize features such as hashtags and ad platforms to make your marketing strategies be more visible and felt.

  • Professional Tips To Know Before Starting Your Own Business Online

    Professional Tips To Know Before Starting Your Own Business Online

    Starting an online business is not as easy as many people think it is. You don’t just need a website. Like any other business, you need an overall plan to successfully launch an online business. Research shows that almost 80% of start-ups fail within a year because of a lack of planning. Still, don’t panic! Just start planning now and use the following tips as a guide.  

    Research Well 

    Just like you have to research a company before an interview, you have to research your competitors before starting a company. Believe it or not, your unique idea could have been implemented before, which means you already have competition. Still, that doesn’t mean you should give up on your idea. Myspace started the idea of social media first, but it was Facebook that reaped the benefits. So starting first doesn’t mean success; it only means you have a competitor you need to properly research and study. 

    Choose a Business Model 

    What kind of business do you intend to start online? Is it a membership site or maybe an online store? If you decide on building a membership site, don’t confuse it with subscription sites as they are different models. Membership sites are more dependent on loyalty as you support a brand or a cause that you like; on the other hand, you pay a monthly subscription for any service on a subscription-based website, so it is not a long-term commitment. For example, Sephora.com is a membership-based service while Netflix is a subscription-based service.

    Understand Your Audience 

    As a business owner, you need to have a certain buyer persona in mind in order to successfully launch your business. Think about who your audience will be, their age, hobbies, work,  concerns, monthly income, abilities, etc. The more details you have in mind, the better it is to plan your marketing strategies. 

    Set Up Your Mission and Vision 

    Your mission statement is your ‘Why.’ It is what differentiates you from others in your field. Why is what you are doing important to people? Why should people support you? The answer to these questions is what connects people to your brand and sets you apart from others. To help you understand more, read about Coca-Cola’s mission statement and its implementation.  The company’s mission statement is to refresh the world and create happy moments, which is exactly the image people associate the brand with. 

    Set Up A Business Plan 

    Now that you know your competitors and your mission, it is time to set up a business plan with all the requirements of every aspect of your business. What is your product? Where will you get the funds? Will you need human resources during the first stage? You will also have to think about the legal steps you need to take to register your business in your country. Even online companies require specific procedures for registration, so consult your lawyer or ask for legal help if you need to. 

    Analyze All Risks

    There are many risks you have to keep in mind as an entrepreneur. Perform a SWOT analysis of all the opportunities, risks, threats, weaknesses, and strengths you can think of for your business. Then, think about the insurance policies your business may need to cover some of the risks. For example, if you have a machine that your production process depends on, you might have to buy a machinery all-risk insurance policy. 

    Calculate Your Human Resource Needs

    Usually, start-ups don’t need many resources, so focus on your minimal needs to keep the ship going with minimal expenses. As a business owner, you are not expected to know every aspect of the business; however, you are expected to have the skills to analyze the elements you need help with. For example, search for an accountant if you don’t trust yourself with numbers. On the other hand, if you are good at writing, you might not need a content writer at first. 

    Additionally, think about the legal aspect of your business. Do you know a good lawyer who can handle things like contracts, business registration, etc.? If not, you might have to ask around. 

    Set Up Your Website

    An online business depends heavily on the website, which means you need to think thoroughly about how your website should look and what resources you need to build it successfully. If you only have one service, then you will need a static website, which means you might not need much help in terms of technology. If so, think about using services that help you set your website easily, like Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress. Still, don’t use their basic themes. A tailored website with a specific logo and design ensures you have an identity that people can connect with. So even if you manage to save up on IT help by using a content management system, hire a web designer and an illustrator to design your logo and site structure. 

    Ask for Advice 

    As an entrepreneur, you don’t have to think that you always need to do everything by yourself. It is easy to stumble and fall if you increase the burden on yourself. Instead, relax and look for others who made it and seek their advice when needed. Ask around your industry for successful individuals who can help you and attend their webinars, workshops, and events for some insight. You can also hire a coach to help you if you feel direct advice is what you need. 

    Finally, try not to be too intimidated by the idea of starting your own business that you end up giving up before you even take your first steps. If you have read this far, there is a good chance you already have a plan in mind. Keep that plan and take notes on how to develop and improve it further. Think of becoming your own boss as a new challenge and do everything to succeed. Have the discipline needed to follow all the steps above, and you will easily map your way to success.