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  • How effective are customer video testimonials?

    How effective are customer video testimonials?

    In today’s day and age, customer testimonials are extremely valuable for a business’s growth. Customers searching for products or services online look for social proof through testimonials.

    With the ubiquitousness of video content nowadays, video testimonials create a lasting impact on a potential customer.

    A recent study shows that 47% of individuals believe testimonial videos are effective as it helps them visualize the product or service. Let’s have a look at how effective customer video testimonials are.

    1) Builds credibility and trust

    One of the primary reasons you can count on customer testimonial videos is their ability to build credibility and trust in what you are selling. It is human nature for your customers to believe in the experience of previous customers and what they have to say about the brand.

    With the help of video testimonials, your potential customers get to see and hear about the experience your company provided to other customers.

    Compared to written testimonials which are nothing but dry text stating the review given by other customers, a video testimonial helps potential customers observe the verbal and nonverbal cues of other people who have used your product or service.

    Customer video testimonials help build your company’s brand in a way that is both credible and trustworthy. 

    2) Enhances brand image

    One of the biggest problems today with different companies selling similar products and services is how potential customers decide which brand to opt for. The brand image of your business is the building block for your company’s success.

    Competition is increasing every day, making it difficult for companies to create a unique impression. Therefore, video testimonials come into play in a significant way to help your company’s brand stand out.

    Video testimonials enhance your company’s brand experience by depicting an authentic image of your product and services. This shows prospective customers that there are benefits in opting for your products or services. It even reassures them that they are making the right choice.

    3) Attracts a large audience

    As human beings, individuals rely on emotional connections, and nowadays, even corporations try to form an emotional connection with their customers. Keeping this in mind, video testimonials can help attract a large audience.

    A good video testimonial brings with it a story that leaves a strong message delivered by a company’s customers. Testimonials improve customer experience with your company’s brand. Videos also engage the audience for a longer duration than plain vanilla text and are a powerful way to convey your company’s story.

    4) Effectively portrays the experience

    Video testimonials improve the brand’s exposure by grabbing customers’ attention from far and wide. They leave a long-lasting impression on customers and reach a broad and diverse audience.

    Today, online platforms play a significant role in the survival of your business. Suppose you’re looking at targeting a new group of customers who are not familiar with your product and services. In that case, a video testimonial will be more effective compared to a plain text customer review.

    5) Humanizes your brand

    Online businesses face a problem today: the lack of opportunity to form human-to-human connections with their customers. Think about a typical in-store experience.

    Your potential customers interact face-to-face with salespeople in a physical store, which positively affects their buying decisions. In comparison, online businesses only offer some pictures or screens that depict the products or services you’re selling.

    There is little to no personal interaction between humans. How can you get around this? Simple – use video testimonials that help humanize your brand, effectively putting a face to the product or services that you offer in a way that advocates the effectiveness of your brand.

    In Summary

    Videos are a popular medium for engaging viewers and telling stories about products or services. Customer video testimonials tend to positively impact the decision to purchase a product or service from your business.

  • How To Start Making Money From Cryptocurrency In 2022

    How To Start Making Money From Cryptocurrency In 2022

    Cryptocurrency is a very exciting way of making money, mainly because of its unpredictability. There are lots of different cryptocurrencies for you to invest in, from those in the mainstream like Bitcoin to more obscure cryptos like TrumpCoin.

    Making money from cryptocurrency isn’t as straightforward as people might have you believe, however. There’s a lot of preparation required to get started, from learning to read financial charts to studying individual currencies. You need to prepare, otherwise, you won’t succeed.

    This article will explain how you can start making money from cryptocurrency this year:  

    Research Cryptocurrencies

    Before you can begin making money from cryptocurrency, you need to extensively research cryptocurrencies. There are lots of different cryptocurrencies available for you to buy, as already mentioned. Ideally, you should find a currency that offers high rewards, but low risk. This isn’t easy but is possible. At first, you should avoid altcoins and pump ‘n’ dumps. As you become a more experienced trader, you will be able to turn pump ‘n’ dump schemes into lucrative moneymaking solutions. At first, however, you need to avoid them like the plague.

    Funding Crypto

    If you are on a budget and can’t afford a sizable crypto investment, you could consider using a crypto lending service, like CoinLoan. According to this CoinLoan review, you can take out loans against collateral in cryptocurrencies, stable coins, and fiat currencies. Crypto loans are usually approved immediately, provided that collateral is offered. If no collateral is offered, then a crypto lender may ask to perform a credit check. A loan is a great way to get started trading, although you should spend your money wisely. You will be responsible for repaying your loan. If you lose your money, you will still have to repay it.  

    Find a Platform

    If you want to become a crypto trader, then you need to find a platform to work with. There are many different platforms. Not all are worth using. Some platforms are to be avoided. If you have a platform that you are interested in using, then you can check out its reviews on Google or Trust Pilot. It might also be worth networking with other crypto traders in online crypto communities and asking them for their recommendations. If they advise against using a platform, then it’s usually best to take their advice. Crypto traders tend to be very forthcoming when it comes to giving advice on platforms, though still conduct your own research to ensure there is no bias influencing their recommendation.

    Create A Wallet

    A crypto wallet is a must-have. You mustn’t get into the habit of storing your cryptocurrencies in the wallets provided by crypto platforms, because they are easily accessed by hackers. A crypto wallet is a secure online wallet, where you store your crypto. Most experts would advise against using online wallets, instead recommending offline wallets. You should never share your wallet’s password with anybody else, and you must keep it written down on a piece of paper somewhere where it can’t be accessed by other people.

    Read Financial Charts

    If you want to become a master trader, you need to learn to read financial charts. If you can’t read charts, then you won’t be able to predict changes in the market, nor will you be able to determine when a good time is to pull out [or buy into] a trade. There are lots of online courses that explain how to read financial charts. You can also read books, watch videos, and read online guides if you don’t want to sign up for a course.

    Practice Demo Trading

    Once you have registered on a platform, you should have access to demo trading. Demo trading is when you trade with virtual money. Most platforms offer demo trading. If the one that you are using doesn’t offer it, then you should be able to find it on another platform, even if you don’t use that platform. There are also online services that offer demo trading simulations. These simulations are a very effective way of familiarizing yourself with crypto markets, which can be very unpredictable. Demo trading is usually free, wherever you do it.

    Attend A Masterclass

    A masterclass is a class that is taught by a master trader. There are lots of these classes online, some better than others. If you are going to attend one of these classes, then make sure that you do your research so that you can find the class that will be most useful to you. You can do this by reading reviews, financial magazines, and asking other crypto traders that you know for their advice. Some masterclasses are free, so it is worth considering them if you aren’t fully sold on spending money on a masterclass yet. If the content and information that you receive seem worthwhile to you, then you can go ahead and sign up for a paid class.

    Deposit Your Money

    Once you are sure that you are ready to trade, you can go ahead and make a deposit. When you are first looking for a platform, it’s important to consider deposit processing times. You need to find a platform that offers instant deposit processing. There’s nothing as annoying as having to wait for your deposit to process is. You can find out how long a platform’s deposit processing takes by reaching out and asking the platform, reading the useful info pages on their website, or by speaking to other crypto traders that use the platform. Make sure to also research withdrawal times.

    Make Small Trades

    When you have deposited money, you can go ahead and start trading. When you first start trading, make sure that you pace yourself. You shouldn’t rush into it. Make sure you know exactly what crypto you want to invest in, and what you’re doing. If you make silly trading decisions, you may turn yourself away from wanting to trade in the future. Small trades are best to start with, so you don’t lose too much money.

    Making money from trading isn’t difficult, as long as you do your research and practice. Make sure to stagger yourself when you first start, so that you don’t blow all of your investment at once. This is especially true if you are using money from a loan to invest.

  • How Event Technology Helps You Save Time and Money When Managing Events

    How Event Technology Helps You Save Time and Money When Managing Events

    Events are a significant part of the marketing strategy for many businesses. It can be challenging to plan and execute successful events.

    It can be a delicate balance to ensure an enjoyable and smooth event for the attendees while still sticking to your budget. You still have to achieve all this within set deadlines.

    Luckily, event technology can make your events more engaging and efficient than ever before. Event technology leads to positive returns on your investment.

    Here are a few ways that event technology can save you time and money when planning and managing an event:

    Increased Efficiency in Event Management

    Event management technology can save you time leading to positive ROI for your event. Event planning software reduces the time to plan and execute the event and allows you to focus on more administrative tasks.

    The technology increases efficiency in managing the event by cutting down on overspending and wastage. By using the technology, you can avoid losses such as over-ordering supplies for the event.

    Efficient event management allows organizers to focus on other aspects of streamlining the event. Event efficiency saves on time and money.

    Increased Attendee Engagement

    The use of event technology can positively impact your ROI by leading to a better experience for attendees to your event improving engagement with the attendees. If the attendees are more engaged, they are more likely to attend a future event. It will also lead to better sales for your products and services.

     It can be challenging to create an unforgettable, engaging experience for attendees to your event. However, you can utilize mobile event apps to create personalized, engaging experiences for your attendees.

    The apps allow the attendees to become more involved through interactive polls and feedback surveys. Event organizers can also send notifications through the apps.

    Reduced Labor Costs

    Time is money when it comes to organizing significant events. When your organizing team is occupied with tiring manual tasks, you could have high labor costs. Using event management technology can save you time and, in turn, save you money and lead to better finances.

    Increased Sponsorship Opportunities

    The use of event technology in your events can lead to more sponsorship opportunities for your company or business. It can make your event unique and attract more sponsors.

    For example, you could use live podcasts to invite sponsors or any other interested parties to participate and contribute to the podcast. It is a unique way to invite investors and sponsors.

    Your event will benefit from the promotion, and your business will reap the benefits long after the event.

    Better Analytics with Data

    Event technology provides a great way of measuring the event’s overall success. It is easier to gauge the general attendee satisfaction by collecting helpful analytics and data from the event. The data can be beneficial in further improving the event, which can lead to better attendee engagement.

    The data and analytics can be invaluable in making better-informed decisions based on the gathered data. Event technology can help you know the areas you need to work on and improve, which can be challenging without the data.

    Using attendee registration software can provide helpful marketing information such as:

    • Live event reporting
    • Email addresses
    • Attendee numbers

    The information gathered can be used for future marketing purposes and improve future attendee satisfaction and engagement. You can also enhance and optimize the attendee experience based on accurate and factual data.

    Event management technology offers a great way to make your events stand out. Your events will also be more successful as you can increase the efficiency in managing the events. It also ensures an engaging experience for the attendees resulting in improved ROI for your events.

  • Exciting Investment Opportunities in 2022: A Guide For Budding Investors

    Exciting Investment Opportunities in 2022: A Guide For Budding Investors

    The emergence of digital technologies impacting every facet of life and how we operate as humans in 2022 has brought many exciting new investment opportunities. Gone are the days of traditional city banks in iconic historic buildings with protected vaults full of cash. Financial transactions are mainly carried out digitally these days. The digital space has paved the way for innovative modern approaches to investments to make life easier for individuals and organizations wanting to invest their money today successfully. Carry on reading to learn more about exciting investment opportunities in 2022.

    High-Yield Online Savings Accounts

    There are some clear advantages of online banking, including convenience, the freedom to access your account remotely online from where you are, and being able to transfer money digitally at any time without needing to provide cash.  An example of a major advantage of online banking is that high-yield online savings accounts enable people to receive higher interest rates since they have lower overheads than bricks and mortar traditional banks.

    Cryptocurrency

    Cryptocurrency is a digital asset whose price is determined by supply and demand, and what a buyer is willing to pay. Crypto comprises a collection of binary data stored electronically on a digital database called a Blockchain. A blockchain stores data into blocks or ‘chunks’. Cryptocurrency is a decentralized currency and not regulated by a centralized financial institution like a traditional bank.

    Examples of existing Cryptocurrencies that are popular with investors in 2022, include the following:

    • Bitcoin

    The most popular Cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, which is mined and therefore is finite. It’s useful to ask how does Bitcoin mining work, as this will give you a much better idea of what it all means. It’s a complex topic, but essentially Bitcoin mining is the process of solving complicated math problems and creating Bitcoin as a result. To pay someone else via bitcoin, you simply need to transfer Bitcoin from your digital wallet to theirs on an app or a website using the recipient’s unique bitcoin address. What’s more, some companies and even countries worldwide have begun to adopt Bitcoin as a widely accepted form of payment.

    • Ethereum

    Ethereum (Ether) is the second-largest Cryptocurrency on the market after Bitcoin, and it runs on a decentralised, open-source blockchain mechanism. Ethereum was created in July 2015 when it became the first programmable blockchain, and since then, its value has soared upwards. To learn more about what is the Ethereum blockchain and how this exciting modern investment opportunity works, check out this blog article on the subject.

    NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)

    NFTs stands for non-fungible tokens. NFTs often consist of digital drawings, art, and even music. NFTs serve as certificates of ownership for digital assets. Unlike a fungible financial asset such as a fifty-pound note, NFTs are sort of one-of-a-kind trading cards, and they cannot be replaced or replicated.

    Deciding to Invest in Stocks in Big Tech Companies

    Big Tech Companies have made huge financial gains through the internet and digital technologies explosion in recent years. Examples of the largest tech companies with the highest profit margins in the U.S include pioneering giants in the technology sector such as eBay, Amazon.com, Apple, Intel, Facebook, and Microsoft. Therefore, another bright investment idea in the modern day is to make the most of high-flying tech companies by investing in stocks in businesses in the NASDAQ-100 stock market index. Try and do your research and assess the current trends in the stock market. Which companies in the Nasdaq-100 index are making the largest profits in 2022 and leading the way?

    So, with online banking, Cryptocurrency, NFTs, stocks, and so on, there are plenty of new exciting investment opportunities out there in 2022 that you can make the most of and explore. Get creative with thinking about ways to make profits in your investments in 2022. 

  • How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of a Test Automation

    How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of a Test Automation

    To stay competitive, organizations must accomplish the trifecta of quality, cost, and speed. Software developers are attempting to do just that with test automation, Agile, DevOps, and continuous testing, but automated tests are huge enablers when it comes to agility. 

    While test automation saves time, costs, and efforts by improving efficiency, many organizations struggle with measuring its overall effectiveness.

    Test automation can be expensive, but if you develop the right set of metrics for measuring its output, you can accurately assess its value.

    Evaluation 1: Why is Test Automation Suitable?

    Test automation is suitable in cases where companies want to improve their return on investment.

    Through automation, manual testers have more free time to fix complicated issues, which increases their speed and efficiency. Plus, test automation cuts down on human error.

    Evaluation 2: When is Test Automation Suitable?

    Depending on the size or complexity of your project, test automation isn’t always suitable. However, test automation software should be implemented if your application functions smoothly, and its functionality must be tested regularly with a high level of accuracy.

    Evaluation 3: What Affects the Effectiveness of Test Automation?

    Although putting your testing protocol against specific metrics is essential, there are a few things that can affect the effectiveness of tests that organizations can account for:

    • Frequency of Tests Run
    • Tester’s Experience
    • Data-Driven Testing
    • Tools Cost
    • Cost of Tests Suite Preparation
    • Analysis and Maintenance

    Remember that automation is a long-term investment, so you may not see results initially. Through high-quality tools, frequent tests, and experienced testers, you’ll improve the effectiveness of your test automation strategy much quicker than with sub-par methods.

    Metric 1: Does Test Automation Save You Time?

    The increased popularity of Agile and DevOps has created a need to execute regression tests daily or twice daily.

    To keep up with this need, teams have begun to invest in test automation to reduce testing time, leading to more frequent updates and released projects.

    Time saved is money saved, so calculating a system’s effectiveness will translate into whether your testing protocols are efficient.

    Time saved is the difference between manual executions and automation executions plus fragility because updating scripts (fragility) can take up a lot of time. 

    Time Saved = Manual Execution – (Automation Execution + Fragility)

    You can’t truly eliminate manual tests, but you can improve the output of your automation execution to decrease time spent on manual implementation.

    To improve fragility, you also need to improve test automation to reduce time wasted on fixing and updating test scripts. 

    Metric 2: Does Test Automation Save You Effort?

    Calculating effort saved includes understanding how much effort it would take to execute the same tests without automation. To calculate efforts saved, use Equivalent Manual Test Effort:

    If an automated test (Test A) would take 6 hours to run manually, its EMTE is 6 hours. If another automated test (Test B) would take 8 hours to run manually, its EMTE is also 8 hours. If Test A is run seven times a day, and Test B is run four times a day, then:

    6*7 hrs + 8*4 hrs = 42 + 32 = 74 hours EMTE

    You can also convert EMTE into costs saved by multiplying the tester’s average hourly rate. Assuming that the tester’s hourly rate is $40, you save 74*40 = $2,960 within a test sprint. 

    Metric 3: Does Test Automation Reduce Risks?

    Test case effectiveness determines the efficiency of test cases executed by the automated test suite. It’s a metric that determines the quality and value of each test case you add.

    Test Case Effectiveness = (Number of Defects/Number of Automated Cases Run) x 100

    Automated tests often don’t have a high bug detection percentage, but if the same tests are repeated multiple times, the software won’t find new bugs. Test case effectiveness can avoid pesticide paradox when measured for a period, so update your testing suite frequently.

  • Top Sales And Operations Planning Tips That Your Business Needs

    Top Sales And Operations Planning Tips That Your Business Needs

    It is crucial that businesses have a plan in place for their sales and operations. Sales are the lifeblood of any business, and without them, there are no operations. Operations are what allow a company to bring in revenue. Planning is what helps a company to ensure that both are delivering what they should be. Without this type of planning, it can be difficult to stay on track and achieve success. This article provides helpful tips for developing an effective plan. Make sure you do not miss out on this important information!

    What Is Sales And Operations Planning (S&OP)?

    S&OP is a process that companies use to ensure that they are meeting their goals. Ideally, the company has already determined what those goals are, as well as some strategies for achieving them. The sales and operations planning process help to identify which of those strategies would be the most effective in helping the company to reach its objectives. With the right strategies in place, it will be easier for the business to reach its goals. This is because there will be clear steps that need to be taken, and every person involved knows what their role needs to be.

    S&OP involves everyone who has a part in the process, including the employees, marketing team members, and upper management. With everyone involved, it becomes possible to create an effective plan that ensures the business meets its goals. When everyone is on the same page, it will be easier for them to work together to achieve success with their company. In order for this process to be successful, engagement from all parties is a must.

    What Steps Are Involved In Planning?

    The planning process includes forecasting, demand and supply planning, and executive review.

    • Forecasting helps the company to decide how much production is needed, which can then be translated into demand. The forecasting process begins with identifying who the target audience of the business is and understanding their wants and needs. This will help to determine how products should be marketed, what sells well, what doesn’t sell as well, etc. Once this is done, it can be determined how much demand there will be for the products. The business then needs to determine how many resources are needed to meet this demand. The forecasting process should produce numbers not only on present demand, but future supply needs as well.
    • Once the above information has been determined, the company can prepare for the S&OP meeting. This is where the demand needs are met with supply, which can have an effect on the overall production process. The S&OP meeting should include someone who keeps inventory levels in check so that there are no shortages or overstocks. As a result, the company should always have just enough inventory to meet the demands of their customers.
    • The executive review is another step in the S&OP process that ensures that everything runs smoothly. This part of the process involves upper managers and businesses conducting an evaluation and asking questions about strategy execution. If there are any changes that need to be made, they can do so at this time. Also, if there is any new information that has come to light, such as a breakthrough in marketing or new production techniques, the company can make those changes as well.

    How Can You Improve Your S&OP Process?

    As with any other process, there are always better ways to make the S&OP process more effective. 

    Create A Standardized Process With The Right Technology

    When a business begins to implement S&OP, it can be difficult for them to know where they are supposed to go. If there is no clear plan in place, this process can take the company off course. Without the proper guidance, businesses may fall behind or even be unsuccessful at implementing S&OP. 

    The right technology can assist with the planning process by providing a platform that shows where the company is in terms of meeting its goals and objectives. The technology also makes it easier for businesses to see what they need to work on and which strategies will help them reach their objectives. This technology can be used to gather data, analyze results, and make plans.

    Involve Suppliers Early On The Project

    With today’s competitive business environment, it is important for businesses to stand out. One way that they can do this is by establishing strong supplier relationships. When suppliers are involved in the planning process, it allows for better communication and helps to foster positive interactions between them. With these good relations, the company will be more likely to receive quality products in a timely manner. This can help them avoid any stock-outs, which could result in the loss of customers who are looking for items to buy.

    Prepare For Change As Needed

    It is important to understand that anything can happen at any time. If changes need to be made to the S&OP process, the company should be willing and able to do so in a timely manner. Those who make plans need to realize that things can go wrong, and they should always have a plan B ready in case it does.

    S&OP Planning Should Be In The Center Of Your Business

    S&OP is not something that should be done on a whim or as an afterthought. The process needs to become part of the business, and it should be used to influence every decision that the company makes. Since a good S&OP process has a clear impact on key performance indicators and financial statements, it must be led from the top as an integral part of how the company is operated.

    S&OP is an integral part of any company’s success. When it works, companies are able to plan for the future and make decisions that will positively impact their KPIs and financial statements. To create a successful S&OP process, businesses should work with suppliers early on in the project to foster positive relationships, be prepared to change as needed if circumstances require it, have a standardized process with the right technology at hand that tracks progress towards goals and objectives, and ensure this process becomes central to all decision-making within your organization.