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How to Make a Franchise – A Step-by-Step Guide

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 17:31:00 +0200

Creating a franchise involves several fundamental steps that require careful planning and execution. First, you need to establish a clear business model and brand identity that can be easily replicated. Following that, drafting a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is important for outlining the necessary legal and financial information. Market research will help you identify potential franchisees, whereas ongoing support and training are critical for their success. Comprehending these components is key to building a successful franchise system.

Key Takeaways

Develop a clear franchise business plan outlining goals, strategies, and financial projections to attract potential investors and guide operations.
Research and understand the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) to evaluate startup costs, legal obligations, and the franchisor’s financial credibility.
Ensure alignment of your personal values with the franchise’s core principles while assessing market demand and brand recognition for growth potential.
Obtain necessary legal permits and comply with local regulations, including zoning laws, to facilitate a smooth franchise operation.
Seek ongoing support, training, and resources from the franchisor to stay updated on best practices and industry trends.

Understanding Franchises and Their Benefits

Franchising offers a unique opportunity for individuals looking to enter the business world, as it allows you to operate under a well-established brand with a proven business model.

When you understand franchises and their benefits, you’ll see how they provide quicker market entry and scalability. A solid franchise development plan is vital, as it outlines your strategy for success.

Support from the franchisor includes training, marketing assistance, and ongoing guidance, which improves your chances of thriving. Furthermore, consistency in product and service delivery across locations promotes customer trust.

If you’re wondering how to create a franchise business plan, focus on these aspects to guarantee you’re well-prepared to navigate this rewarding venture. Knowing how to make a franchise is fundamental for growth.

Evaluating Franchise Opportunities

When you’re evaluating franchise opportunities, it’s crucial to align your personal values and mission with the franchise’s core principles. Engaging with existing franchisees can provide insights into their experiences and the franchise’s operational realities. Assess the franchise’s growth potential by examining historical performance and scalability options.

Here’s a table to help with your evaluation:

Criteria	Importance	Actions
Personal Values	High	Align with franchise principles
Franchisee Feedback	Medium	Talk to current owners
Historical Performance	High	Review past growth trends
Financial Commitment	High	Analyze the FDD, especially Item 7
Market Demand	Medium	Research brand recognition

Understanding how to purchase a franchise restaurant and reviewing a sample business plan for franchise will further guide your decision.

Understanding Franchise Startup Costs

Starting a franchise involves a significant financial commitment, often ranging from $10,000 to $5 million, with the majority of franchises typically falling between $100,000 and $300,000.

To accurately assess the financial environment, you should consider key components of startup costs, which are outlined in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Here are three crucial cost components to plan for:

Franchise Fees: These can vary widely, from a few thousand to over $50,000.
Equipment and Inventory: Initial investments often include necessary tools and stock.
Ongoing Expenses: Don’t forget royalties, marketing fees, and employee salaries.

A thorough financial strategy, including cash flow statements and break-even analysis, is important for grasping your total commitment.

Importance of a Franchise Business Plan

A well-structured business plan acts as a roadmap for your franchise, detailing specific goals, operational strategies, and financial projections that guide daily operations. This plan is vital for attracting potential investors, as it demonstrates your franchise’s viability and growth potential through thorough market analysis. Including a breakdown of initial investment costs, revenue projections, and cash flow statements offers clarity on financial expectations. Furthermore, risk analysis and contingency planning help identify challenges and outline strategies to mitigate risks. Regularly reviewing and updating your business plan is important for adapting to market changes and leveraging growth opportunities.

Key Elements	Purpose	Benefits
Financial Projections	Outline funding needs	Attracts investors
Market Analysis	Assess competition	Identifies growth opportunities
Risk Analysis	Prepare for challenges	Improves sustainability

Steps of a Franchise Business Plan

Creating a franchise business plan involves several key steps that help lay a solid foundation for your franchise’s success. Here are three crucial components to include:

Executive Summary: Provide an overview of your business objectives, mission statement, and financial highlights to capture potential investors’ interest.
Market Analysis: Detail the industry environment, target audience demographics, and competitive analysis to demonstrate your thorough grasp of the market.
Franchise Model and Structure: Outline the legal relationship between you as the franchisor and the franchisee, clarifying roles and responsibilities to guarantee alignment.

Additionally, include a products and services section highlighting your offerings, an operations plan for daily strategies, and efficiency measures to maintain franchise standards.

These elements will be pivotal in creating a detailed plan.

Ongoing Support and Resources

Ongoing support and resources are essential for your success as a franchisee.

You’ll benefit from continuous training opportunities that keep you informed about best practices, along with marketing assistance programs designed to boost your local visibility.

Furthermore, participating in franchisee networking events allows you to connect with others in the system, encouraging collaboration and shared learning that can help all of you thrive.

Continuous Training Opportunities

How can continuous training opportunities improve your success as a franchisee? The UPS Store franchise offers various ongoing training programs that bolster your business operations and marketing strategies.

Here are three key benefits:

Access to Resources: You’ll receive online materials, workshops, and in-person sessions designed particularly for your needs.
Dedicated Support Team: A support team is always ready to provide guidance, helping you tackle operational challenges and achieve your business goals.
Networking Opportunities: You’ll connect with other franchisees to share experiences, learn best practices, and adapt to market changes effectively.

Marketing Assistance Programs

Franchisees benefit greatly from robust marketing assistance programs designed to support their promotional efforts and improve local visibility. These programs often provide extensive resources, including promotional materials, targeted advertising campaigns, and social media strategies. Ongoing support includes regular updates on marketing trends, helping you stay competitive. Many franchisors assign dedicated marketing teams to assist with local initiatives that drive customer engagement and sales growth. Training programs, such as workshops and webinars, equip you with the skills necessary for effective promotion. Furthermore, franchise-specific tools like loyalty programs and customer relationship management systems promote retention and maximize revenue.

Marketing Tool	Purpose
Promotional Materials	Improve local visibility
Targeted Advertising	Reach specific customer demographics
Social Media Strategies	Engage customers online
Loyalty Programs	Encourage customer retention

Franchisee Networking Events

As you navigate the challenges of running a franchise, participating in franchisee networking events can be a valuable resource for gaining insights and support.

These events promote community and collaboration among franchise owners, helping you share experiences and learn from one another.

Here are three key benefits of attending:

Workshops and Panels: Gain insights on industry trends, operational efficiencies, and marketing strategies from guest speakers and discussions.
Strengthened Relationships: Build connections with fellow franchisees, facilitating mentorship opportunities and potential collaborative ventures.
Ongoing Training: Improve your knowledge with sessions on new technologies, compliance updates, and customer service initiatives relevant to your franchise.

Attending these events can greatly contribute to your growth and success as a franchisee.

Legal Considerations and Location Types

When starting a franchise, comprehension of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is crucial, as it outlines the franchisor’s financial status and your legal obligations.

You additionally need to comply with specific location requirements and franchise laws that vary by state, which can greatly impact your business operations.

Choosing the right site—whether it’s a standalone store or a non-traditional location—requires careful consideration of operational needs and local regulations to guarantee a successful launch.

Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)

Grasping the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is fundamental for anyone considering entering into a franchise agreement.

This legal document provides critical information that can greatly influence your decision. Here are three key aspects to focus on:

Investment Details: The FDD outlines the initial investment required, helping you assess your financial commitment.
Franchisor Background: You’ll find information about the franchisor’s business history, which informs you about their credibility and experience.
Litigation History: Comprehending any past legal issues the franchisor may have faced is necessary for evaluating potential risks.

Location Compliance Requirements

Grasping location compliance requirements is crucial for franchisees, as these regulations can greatly affect the success of your business. You’ll need to review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) to understand zoning laws and territory parameters. Compliance with local and state regulations, including permits and health codes, is critical. Franchise locations can vary, including standalone stores, non-traditional sites, or store-in-store arrangements. Each has specific operational guidelines. Utilize tools like Esri’s Business Analyst and Placer.ai to analyze demographics and foot traffic, ensuring your location aligns with customer acquisition strategies. Furthermore, collaborate with your franchisor during the site selection process for compliance with operational standards.

Location Type	Compliance Needs
Standalone Store	Zoning laws, business permits
Non-Traditional Site	Unique regulations per location
Store-in-Store Setup	Operational guidelines, agreements

Key Franchise Regulations and Best Practices

Comprehending the key regulations and best practices in franchising is vital for anyone looking to navigate this complex business model successfully. Here are some important points to reflect on:

FTC’s 7-Day Rule: Franchisors must provide the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and contracts at least seven days before any signing or payment, promoting informed decisions.
14-Day Rule: This complements the 7-Day Rule, guaranteeing the FDD reaches potential franchisees 14 days prior to any financial commitment, allowing ample time for review.
4 P’s of Franchising: Focus on Product, Process, People, and Profit to guarantee consistent quality, standardized operations, effective team management, and a sustainable financial model.

Additionally, be aware of state-specific laws and thoroughly understand the franchise agreement to promote compliance and clarity in your operations.

Building a Strong Franchise Business Plan

Creating a strong franchise business plan is often the first step toward establishing a successful franchise, and it serves as your roadmap for growth and sustainability.

Start with an executive summary that outlines your business objectives, vision, and financial projections; this will create a compelling impression for potential investors.

Conduct a thorough market analysis to understand industry dynamics, target demographics, and your competitive environment.

Your financial projections should detail the initial investment, revenue forecasts, and cash flow statements to showcase expected performance.

Don’t forget to include a risk analysis and contingency planning section; identifying potential challenges and mitigation strategies is essential for ensuring your franchise’s resilience in changing market conditions.

This all-encompassing approach will improve your franchise’s viability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Start a Franchise Step by Step?

To start a franchise, first research potential opportunities by evaluating market demand and competition.

Next, create a detailed business plan that outlines your goals and financial projections. Obtain a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) from the franchisor, and choose a suitable location based on demographics and regulations.

After that, complete legal agreements, secure necessary permits and insurance, hire staff, and attend training sessions to guarantee a successful launch of your franchise.

What Are the 4 P’s of Franchising?

The 4 P’s of franchising are crucial for success.

First, Product guarantees you offer a consistent, high-quality core item across locations.

Second, Process involves standardized systems to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Third, People emphasizes the need for a skilled team, supported by adequate training.

Finally, Profit focuses on a financial model that secures profitability for both franchisor and franchisee.

Together, these elements help maintain brand integrity and promote sustainable growth.

What Is the 7 Day Rule for Franchise?

The 7-Day Rule for franchises requires franchisors to provide you with the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) at least seven days before you sign any contract or make a payment.

This rule guarantees you have enough time

Verizon Launches Affordable Home Internet Lite, Expanding Access Nationwide

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 17:10:07 +0200

Verizon’s Home Internet service is making waves in the small business community with its latest expansion, introducing a new affordable Home Internet Lite plan designed specifically for customers facing limited connectivity options. With a commitment to bringing reliable internet service to underserved areas, Verizon aims to empower small businesses with the tools they need to thrive in a digitally-driven economy.

As small business owners know, a strong internet connection is essential for everyday operations, from sending emails to streaming video calls. The Home Internet Lite plan offers a practical solution for entrepreneurs and employees alike, particularly for those who may have previously relied on less reliable services. With prices starting as low as $25 per month for a limited time, the financial benefits are significant.

“Priced competitively, mobile customers can lock in their VHI Lite monthly price for three years,” a Verizon spokesperson stated, highlighting the plan’s affordability combined with price stability. This means that small businesses can plan their budgets without worrying about fluctuating internet costs, a crucial factor for maintaining profitability.

What sets this plan apart is its ease of use and the reliability of Verizon’s expansive 5G network. With download speeds of up to 25 Mbps, small businesses can enjoy efficient web browsing and seamless online tasks. For companies that require consistent video conferencing or data uploads, this connection is vital for sustaining operations.

Verizon also provides support to those who may qualify for additional savings through its Verizon Forward initiative. For small businesses serving economically disadvantaged communities or helping clients who participate in federal assistance programs like SNAP, the internet cost could be as low as $20 per month, further enhancing the viability of the plan. Additionally, residents in New York can benefit from the New York Affordable Broadband Act, potentially reducing costs even more.

Yet, while the Home Internet Lite plan presents a promising opportunity, small business owners should also consider a few challenges. With speeds that may reduce after 150 GB of data in a month, businesses with heavier internet usage might need to assess whether this plan meets their needs. Although the reduced speeds post-cap are still functional, businesses heavily reliant on high-speed internet for tasks like large file transfers or intensive online marketing strategies may find themselves evaluating other options.

The installation process features a simple, out-of-the-box self-setup, complete with a free router. This user-friendly approach minimizes downtime and ensures that small businesses can be operational shortly after setting up their service. However, owners should consider whether they feel comfortable with a self-installation process or if they may require professional assistance. This is especially relevant for businesses that might lack technical staff to handle setup.

Beyond logistics, small business owners should also keep an eye on their local coverage. Reliable internet signal strength can vary widely based on location, so it’s advisable to check which Verizon Home Internet products are available in specific areas, ensuring that businesses are not left without the necessary connections.

Verizon’s efforts to extend internet accessibility are commendable, particularly for small businesses in poorer connectivity zones. The introduction of the Home Internet Lite plan offers a unique opportunity for savvy entrepreneurs looking for cost-effective internet solutions. Small business owners should evaluate their internet usage needs, consider eligibility for discounts, and assess local service availability to determine whether this new offering aligns well with their operational requirements.

By catering to the diverse needs of small businesses, Verizon signals its ongoing commitment to ensuring that every entrepreneur has the digital tools necessary for success. As the demand for reliable internet continues to grow, so too does the importance of selecting the right plan that balances cost, speed, and ease of use.

For more information about the Home Internet Lite plan and to see what options are available in your area, visit Verizon’s official site.

This article, "Verizon Launches Affordable Home Internet Lite, Expanding Access Nationwide" was first published on Small Business Trends

How Do You Get a Business License?

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 15:31:00 +0200

Obtaining a business license is an important step for anyone looking to start a venture. First, you need to understand the specific requirements based on your business type and location, as these can differ widely. It is vital to reach out to your local government office for accurate licensing needs and explore any state or federal regulations that may apply. Knowing these details will guide you through the application process effectively. What follows may surprise you, especially regarding maintaining compliance.

Key Takeaways

Research local, state, and federal requirements based on your business type and location to determine necessary licenses.
Apply for a Texas sales and use tax permit if your business sells tangible personal property.
Complete applications for specific local or state licenses as required by your industry.
Contact local government offices for specific licensing requirements and fee structures in your area.
Maintain accurate records of all licenses and monitor renewal dates to ensure compliance.

Understanding Business Licenses in Texas

When starting a business in Texas, it’s important to understand that even though no general business license is required, specific licenses may be necessary based on your business type and location.

For instance, if you plan to sell or lease tangible personal property, obtaining a Texas sales and use tax permit is crucial. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships must file an Assumed Name Certificate if they operate under a name that differs from the owner’s legal name.

Furthermore, depending on your business structure, you might need to register with the Texas Secretary of State or your local county clerk.

Keep in mind that local licensing requirements vary, so always consult local government resources for regulations specific to your business, unlike the more standardized approach of a business license in Florida.

Types of Business Licenses Required

When starting a business, you need to understand the different types of licenses required at local, state, and federal levels.

Depending on your industry and location, you may need a local business license, a state license for specific professions, or a federal license for regulated activities.

It’s essential to research these requirements thoroughly to guarantee compliance and avoid potential legal issues.

Local Business Licenses

What types of local business licenses might you need for your operation? Most Texas cities and counties don’t require a general business license, but specific local licenses may be necessary based on your business type.

If you’re in food service, for instance, you’ll likely need permits from local health departments. Home-based businesses often require a home occupation permit.

To find out what you need, check your local government’s website or consult the city or county clerk. Some businesses, like those selling alcohol, must obtain special permits to comply with local regulations.

If you operate in multiple locations, keep in mind that separate licenses might be required for each jurisdiction. For guidance on how to obtain a business license in Florida, follow similar steps.

State Business Licenses

Even though local business licenses often depend on specific city or county regulations, state business licenses are similarly important for compliance in Texas. Unlike some states, Texas doesn’t require a general business license. Instead, you need specific licenses for regulated professions like medical and legal fields. If you’re in real estate, you must as well comply. Furthermore, if you’re selling tangible goods, you’ll need a Texas sales and use tax permit. Certain industries, like pest control, require specialized state licenses, which may involve exams and fees. Always verify with local authorities to confirm you have all necessary licenses.

License Type	Description	Example
Occupational License	Required for specific professions	State of Florida occupational license
Sales and Use Tax Permit	Needed for selling tangible goods	Texas seller’s permit
Industry-Specific License	For regulated industries	Pest control license
Local Business License	Varies by city or county	Check with local authorities

Federal Business Licenses

Understanding federal business licenses is essential if your activities fall under specific regulated categories, as these licenses are crucial for compliance with national laws. Certain industries, such as agriculture, aviation, firearms, and the sale of alcoholic beverages, require federal business licenses.

If you’re involved in nuclear energy or maritime transportation, you’ll likewise need to obtain specific licenses from relevant agencies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees licenses for agricultural businesses, whereas the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau handles alcohol-related licenses.

Each federally regulated activity has unique requirements, including applications, fees, and compliance with regulations. For an extensive list of federally licensed activities and their requirements, consult the U.S. Small Business Administration‘s resources.

Steps to Apply for a Business License

Securing a business license is a crucial step in establishing your venture legally and responsibly.

First, contact your local government office to determine specific licensing requirements for your business type and location.

Next, research state requirements, particularly focusing on Florida business licenses and permits, to understand any industry-specific licenses you may need.

If your business will sell or lease tangible personal property or taxable services, apply for a sales and use tax permit.

Complete any necessary applications for local or federal licenses based on your business activities.

Finally, keep accurate records of all licenses and permits obtained, and stay informed about renewal requirements, as these can vary by license type and jurisdiction.

Contacting Local Government for Licensing Requirements

To understand your local licensing requirements, it’s essential to contact your city or county clerk’s office, as these regulations can differ markedly between jurisdictions.

Each area may have unique forms and fees associated with business licenses, so direct inquiries will provide the most accurate information.

If your business operates in multiple locations, check with each jurisdiction to confirm you meet all local requirements, as you may need separate licenses for different areas.

Local Government Resources

Maneuvering the local government resources for licensing requirements is vital for any business owner.

To determine what you need, contact your city or county clerk’s office. Regulations can vary greatly, especially in states like Texas. If you’re operating under a different business name, you’ll need to file an Assumed Name Certificate and pay specific fees, which differ by county.

Local government websites often provide detailed information on necessary permits, including health permits for food service businesses. If your business operates in multiple locations, remember you may need separate licenses for each jurisdiction.

For home-based businesses, inquire about home occupation permits to guarantee compliance with zoning regulations. Don’t forget to check local resources when seeking a business permit in Florida.

Licensing Requirement Variations

Comprehending the variations in licensing requirements is crucial for any business owner, especially since local regulations can differ dramatically even within the same state.

To understand what you need for your business license application, contact your local government or city clerk. In Texas, for instance, some areas require permits, whereas others do not.

Each local government often has unique forms and fees, which you can find on their official websites. If you’re operating in multiple jurisdictions, be aware that you may need separate licenses for each location.

Moreover, home-based businesses might need to secure a home occupation permit to comply with zoning laws, so check your local regulations thoroughly to guarantee compliance.

Researching State Business License Requirements

When you’re looking to start a business in Texas, comprehending the state’s licensing requirements is crucial, as these can vary greatly based on your business structure and the type of services you offer.

Unlike the state of FL business license requirements, Texas doesn’t have a general state business license.

Nevertheless, you may need to register with the Secretary of State or your local county clerk, depending on if you’re forming an LLC, corporation, or operating as a sole proprietorship.

Certain professions, like medical professionals and contractors, require specific state licenses from the relevant regulatory agencies.

To navigate these requirements, consult the Texas Business Licenses and Permits guide and the local government’s regulations for accurate information.

Applying for a Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit

If you’re planning to sell or lease tangible personal property or taxable services in Texas, applying for a Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit is a necessary step in your business setup.

You can complete the application online through the Texas Comptroller’s eSystems portal, which streamlines the process. Be prepared to provide specific information, including your social security number and the appropriate NAICS code that describes your business activities.

Fortunately, there’s no fee to obtain this permit, making it a cost-effective requirement.

Once you receive the permit, keep in mind that you must regularly file sales tax returns and remit collected taxes to the Texas Comptroller to maintain compliance. This is an essential part of how to apply for a business license in Texas.

Federal Business License Considerations

When you’re considering starting a business, it’s essential to understand that certain activities require a federal business license.

These regulated activities, like agriculture or aviation, fall under specific governing agencies, so you’ll need to reach out to the appropriate federal authority for guidance on the licensing process.

The U.S. Small Business Administration can provide a helpful list of these activities, ensuring you know if a federal license applies to your business.

Regulated Activities Overview

Comprehending the federal business license requirements is essential for any entrepreneur engaged in regulated activities, as these licenses are mandated by specific federal agencies. Various sectors, including agriculture, aviation, and firearms, necessitate federal business licenses for compliance. Moreover, businesses selling alcoholic beverages must secure permits from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates licensing for agricultural enterprises, ensuring adherence to federal standards. Below is a table summarizing some key regulated industries:

Industry	Licensing Agency
Agriculture	U.S. Department of Agriculture
Aviation	Federal Aviation Administration
Firearms	Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
Nuclear Energy	Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Maritime Transportation	U.S. Coast Guard

Understanding these requirements helps you operate legally and avoid penalties.

Agency Contact Information

Maneuvering through the federal business licensing terrain requires you to connect with the appropriate agencies that govern your specific industry.

For instance, if your business relates to agriculture, you’ll need to reach out to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Aviation-related businesses fall under the Federal Aviation Administration. Other sectors, such as firearms, nuclear energy, and maritime transportation, each have designated federal agencies overseeing licensing.

To determine if you need a federal license, check the U.S. Small Business Administration’s list of federally licensed activities. By ensuring compliance with federal regulations, you can avoid penalties and maintain legal operations, especially if you’re additionally navigating a business license VA.

The right contacts can streamline this process considerably.

Costs Associated With Business Licenses

Comprehending the costs associated with business licenses is crucial for anyone looking to start or operate a business. In Texas, business license costs can vary widely based on the type of license and your locality, with fees ranging from $15 to several hundred dollars.

Meanwhile, a Texas sales and use tax permit is typically free, you’ll need to pay any applicable taxes on sales made.

For alcohol-related licenses from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), fees can range from $30 to $10,000, depending on the permit type.

Furthermore, local business license fees depend on your specific city or county regulations, and some municipalities may impose extra fees for permits related to activities like food services.

Maintaining and Renewing Your Business License

Maintaining your business license is vital for staying compliant and ensuring your operations run smoothly. In Virginia, a business licence VA typically requires renewal every one to three years, depending on your specific license type and local regulations.

To keep your license active, stay on top of ongoing requirements, such as filing annual reports and paying fees without delay. It’s important to maintain accurate records of all licenses and their renewal dates to avoid penalties for late renewals.

Some licenses might need supplementary documentation during the renewal process, so check with the relevant authority beforehand. Furthermore, regularly monitor local and state agencies for changes in licensing requirements or fees that could impact your business license renewal.

Consequences of Not Obtaining a Business License

Operating your business without the necessary licenses can lead to serious consequences that jeopardize both your operations and your financial stability.

In Texas, failing to obtain a required business license can result in business cessation orders, forcing you to halt operations until you comply. You may likewise face significant fines, which vary by locality and the severity of your violation. Certain occupations might incur criminal charges, exposing you to legal repercussions.

Furthermore, licensing compliance protects you from potential lawsuits and liabilities that can arise from operating without appropriate permits.

Finally, neglecting to maintain required licenses can lead to increased scrutiny from regulatory agencies, complicating your future business operations and expansion efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

here. Understanding and leveraging these advancements can provide significant advantages to small businesses in today’s competitive landscape.

This article, "Lyft Unveils New Features to Empower Drivers and Boost Earnings" was first published on Small Business Trends

Key Regulations for Employment Background Checks in California

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 21:31:00 +0200

In relation to employment background checks in California, comprehending the key regulations is vital. The California Fair Chance Act and the Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act set important guidelines for employers. For example, the Fair Chance Act prohibits inquiries about criminal records during the application process for businesses with five or more employees. Furthermore, applicants must provide written consent for background checks. As you navigate these regulations, you’ll find that compliance is fundamental for fair hiring practices.

Key Takeaways

California background checks are limited to criminal records from the past seven years for most positions, with exceptions for high-salary roles.
The California Fair Chance Act prohibits inquiries about criminal history on job applications for employers with five or more employees.
Employers must conduct an individual assessment of criminal history before making adverse hiring decisions and provide written notice to applicants.
Compliance with the Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act requires written disclosure and consent for background checks, and disclosure of adverse actions taken.
Employers must adhere to the California Consumer Privacy Act, ensuring transparency about personal data collection and applicants’ rights to access and correct their information.

Overview of Background Check Regulations in California

When considering employment background checks in California, it’s crucial to understand the state’s specific regulations that guide these processes.

California background check laws stipulate that most criminal background checks can only go back seven years, except for certain high-salary positions. Employers must guarantee they comply with both the Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act and the California Consumer Privacy Act to avoid legal penalties.

When you conduct a California criminal records check, it typically includes various elements such as employment history, education verification, and sometimes even credit reports.

Recent court rulings have affected the timelines for obtaining criminal records, which can impact hiring decisions. As a result, staying informed about these laws is fundamental for fair and compliant hiring practices.

The California Fair Chance Act Explained

The California Fair Chance Act (FCA) plays an essential role in shaping fair hiring practices by preventing employers from asking about criminal records on job applications.

Under this law, you’ll find that employers must conduct a thorough individual assessment of an applicant’s criminal history before making any employment decisions, carefully weighing factors like the nature of the offense and its relevance to the job.

Moreover, if a criminal history influences a hiring decision, employers are obligated to provide a pre-adverse action notice and allow applicants time to respond, ensuring transparency and fairness in the hiring process.

Key Provisions Overview

California’s Fair Chance Act (FCA) plays a crucial role in shaping employment practices regarding criminal history.

Under the FCA, employers with five or more employees can’t ask about criminal convictions on job applications.

Before making any adverse decisions based on a criminal history check in California, employers must conduct an individualized assessment. This evaluation must consider the nature of the offense, its relevance to the job, and the time elapsed since the conviction.

If a hiring decision is influenced by an applicant’s criminal history, employers must provide written notice, allowing five business days for a response.

Non-compliance can lead to significant legal repercussions, including damages for back pay and emotional distress, similar to violations of the Fair Employment and Housing Act.

Individual Assessment Process

To guarantee compliance with the Fair Chance Act, employers must implement a structured individualized evaluation process for applicants with criminal records.

This means you can’t reject candidates solely based on their criminal history. Instead, you need to evaluate factors like the nature of the offense and its relevance to the job.

If a criminal background check in California influences your decision to not hire, you must provide written notice to the applicant and allow at least five business days for them to respond.

Evaluating the type of harm caused by the conviction and considering any disabilities or trauma involved is vital.

Updating hiring practices and application forms is necessary to reflect these regulations effectively, ensuring compliance with the applicant status DOJ.

Employer Compliance Obligations

Grasping employer compliance obligations under the California Fair Chance Act (FCA) is crucial for businesses aiming to navigate hiring practices responsibly.

The FCA prohibits you from asking about an applicant’s criminal conviction history on job applications if you have five or more employees. Instead, you must conduct a thorough criminal check in California, evaluating the individual circumstances of any past convictions.

If you decide to take adverse action based on California criminal history, you must provide a pre-adverse action notice, allowing at least five business days for the applicant to respond.

Confirm your application forms and HR training align with these regulations to avoid legal repercussions, as non-compliance can lead to significant damages, including back pay and emotional distress claims.

Key Components of the Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act

The Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act (ICRAA) establishes crucial guidelines for how third-party agencies collect and report consumer information, ensuring that applicants are treated fairly throughout the background check process.

Under ICRAA, employers must provide written disclosure to applicants when requesting a background check and obtain their written consent prior to conducting the check.

You have the right to access your background check reports and dispute any inaccuracies, promoting fairness in hiring.

If an employer takes adverse action based on your report, they must inform you and provide the name of the reporting agency.

This act emphasizes transparency and aligns with broader consumer protection laws, underscoring the importance of privacy and accuracy in handling personal data.

Understanding the 7-Year Rule for Background Checks

When you’re applying for jobs in California, it’s important to understand the seven-year rule for background checks, which limits employers from considering most criminal convictions older than this timeframe.

This rule, established under California Civil Code § 1785.13, helps guarantee that outdated records don’t hinder your employment opportunities.

Nevertheless, keep in mind that there are exceptions for certain roles, like those in law enforcement or high-salaried positions, where employers can look beyond this seven-year limit.

Duration of Criminal Records

Comprehending the duration of criminal records is crucial for both employers and job seekers maneuvering the employment background check process.

In California, most criminal records can be reported for up to seven years from the date of conviction, as outlined in California Civil Code 1785.13. This rule typically covers both felony and misdemeanor convictions, but exceptions exist for high-salary roles and positions in law enforcement, finance, and healthcare.

Significantly, employers can’t ask about arrests that didn’t lead to convictions during this period, protecting applicants from unfair bias.

Furthermore, California’s ban-the-box law further reinforces this limit by allowing inquiries about criminal history only after a conditional job offer, ensuring a fairer hiring process.

Exceptions to 7-Year Rule

Although the standard limit for most criminal background checks in California is seven years, several exceptions exist that can greatly impact hiring practices.

For instance, if you’re applying for a position with a salary over $125,000, in law enforcement, government, finance, healthcare, or childcare, older convictions may be taken into account.

Moreover, serious violent offenses and sex crimes aren’t subject to the 7-year rule; employers can consider these regardless of when they occurred.

Nevertheless, the California Fair Chance Act still applies, meaning employers can only inquire about criminal history after a conditional job offer.

In addition, the state’s ban-the-box law prohibits questions about arrests that didn’t lead to convictions, reinforcing the importance of following the 7-year guideline.

Prohibited Inquiries Under California Labor Code § 432.7

California Labor Code § 432.7 sets clear boundaries for employers regarding inquiries into an applicant’s criminal history, ensuring a fair hiring process. Employers can’t ask about arrests that didn’t lead to convictions, which protects applicants from discrimination based on unproven allegations. They may inquire about pending charges if they’re relevant to the job. Furthermore, employers must disregard certain convictions, like those sealed or expunged, promoting equitable hiring practices. Violating this code can lead to legal issues, including discrimination claims under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

Inquiry Type	Allowed/Prohibited
Arrests without a conviction	Prohibited
Pending criminal charges	Allowed (if relevant)
Sealed or expunged convictions	Prohibited
Convictions over seven years	Prohibited
Relevant job-related inquiries	Allowed

Compliance With the California Consumer Privacy Act

When you’re conducting employment background checks in California, compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is crucial.

This law requires you to clearly inform applicants about the personal information you collect, how you use it, and if you share it with third parties.

Data Collection Requirements

Employers must be aware of their obligations under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) regarding data collection during employment background checks.

You need to disclose your data collection practices to applicants, detailing what personal information you collect and why. Provide a clear notice at or before data collection, informing applicants of their rights under the CCPA.

This includes their right to request access to their personal information and to demand corrections or deletions of inaccurate data.

Furthermore, you must implement measures to protect this personal information from unauthorized access and establish data retention policies.

Keep in mind that non-compliance can lead to significant penalties, underscoring the importance of following these regulations diligently.

Consumer Rights Protection

Comprehending your rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is crucial, especially regarding employment background checks.

The CCPA empowers you to know what personal information employers collect and how they use it, including details from background checks. You have the right to access, correct, and delete your information held by employers and third-party agencies.

Employers must disclose their data practices, outlining the types of personal information collected and its intended use. Moreover, the CCPA mandates that businesses implement reasonable security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access.

Non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions by the California Attorney General, highlighting the importance of adherence to these regulations in the background check process.

Costs Associated With Background Checks in California

Grasping the costs associated with background checks in California is crucial for businesses looking to streamline their hiring processes. The expenses can vary greatly depending on the type of check, with criminal checks starting around $42 and motor vehicle record checks ranging from $2 to $20. Utilizing a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CRA) can often be more economical than handling checks internally. Additional costs may arise from compliance with state and federal laws, which can further inflate hiring budgets. Here’s a quick overview of some typical costs:

Type of Check	Cost Range	Additional Considerations
Criminal Check	$42+	Compliance costs
Motor Vehicle Record	$2 – $20	MVR may impact insurance rates
CRA Services	Varies	Typically more cost-effective
Legal Costs	Varies	Non-compliance can be costly
Turnaround Time	3-5 business days	Potential delays increase costs

The Impact of Local Fair Hiring Laws

Comprehending local fair hiring laws is important for businesses operating in California, especially as they relate to employment background checks. Laws like “Ban the Box” prevent you from asking about criminal history on job applications, promoting fairer hiring practices.

Many jurisdictions, including Los Angeles County, require you to conduct individualized assessments of applicants with criminal records before making any adverse decisions. These laws apply to employers with at least five employees, broadening compliance obligations.

The California Fair Chance Act mandates you to provide written notice and allow applicants to respond before taking any negative action based on criminal history.

Moreover, these laws guarantee that existing employees seeking new roles within your organization receive fair consideration, regardless of their past convictions.

Best Practices for Employers Conducting Background Checks

When conducting background checks, it’s crucial for employers to adopt best practices that guarantee compliance with relevant laws during promoting fair hiring processes. Start by performing individualized assessments of criminal history, considering the nature of offenses and their relevance to job roles. Use pre-adverse action letters to notify applicants of potential decisions, allowing them five business days to respond. Update application forms and HR training to include inquiries about criminal history only after extending a conditional job offer. Ascertain compliance with the seven-year limit for most checks and stay informed about evolving laws like Clean Slate Laws.

Best Practice	Description	Compliance Requirement
Individualized Assessment	Evaluate criminal history relevance	California Fair Chance Act
Pre-Adverse Action Letters	Inform applicants of potential decisions	Five business days for response
Conditional Offer Requirement	Inquire about criminal history post-offer	Update application forms
Seven-Year Limit	Adhere to disclosure limits for background checks	Exceptions for specific roles
Stay Informed	Keep up with changing laws and regulations	Avoid legal repercussions

Consequences of Non-Compliance With Background Check Regulations

What Key Content Marketing Metrics Should You Track?

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 20:31:00 +0200

In terms of content marketing, tracking key metrics is essential for comprehending your efforts’ effectiveness. You need to focus on organic search traffic, conversion rates, engagement levels, and social shares. These metrics not solely provide insights into visibility and audience interaction but furthermore highlight areas for improvement. By examining these elements, you can refine your strategies and improve your overall performance. But what specific metrics should you prioritize, and how can they guide your decisions?

Key Takeaways

Track organic search traffic to measure content attraction through unpaid search results and optimize SEO efforts.
Monitor conversion rates to evaluate the percentage of users completing desired actions, reflecting content effectiveness.
Analyze social shares and engagement rates to assess content resonance and audience interaction levels.
Evaluate average time on page and bounce rate to gain insights into user engagement and content relevance.
Use Google Analytics 4 to visualize traffic sources and understand audience behavior for strategic improvements.

Understanding Content Marketing Metrics

Comprehending content marketing metrics is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of your strategies and audience engagement.

These metrics are quantitative and qualitative data points that help you measure content marketing success. Key metrics to track include organic search traffic, conversion rates, social shares, and average time on page.

Organic search traffic reveals how well your content attracts the target audience through unpaid search results, whereas conversion rates indicate how effectively your content drives desired actions.

Engagement metrics, like social shares and time on page, highlight how audiences interact with your content.

Regularly analyzing these content marketing metrics allows you to optimize your strategies, justifies your marketing expenditures, and guarantees alignment with your overall business goals, finally enhancing content performance.

Key Metrics for Measuring Visibility

Visibility is a critical aspect of content marketing, as it determines how well your content reaches and engages your target audience.

To measure visibility effectively, focus on key content performance metrics. Organic search traffic reveals how many visitors arrive from unpaid search results, indicating the success of your SEO strategy.

Impressions show how often your content is displayed, highlighting its exposure. Backlinks improve your site’s credibility, impacting visibility in search rankings.

Furthermore, tracking keyword rankings illustrates your keyword optimization success. Social shares on platforms reflect audience engagement, contributing to greater visibility.

Metrics for Identifying Audience Engagement

To truly understand how your audience engages with your content, you should focus on analyzing key metrics like social shares, click-through rates, and engagement rates.

Social shares provide insight into how well your content resonates with readers, whereas click-through rates reveal the effectiveness of your calls to action.

Furthermore, tracking engagement rates can help you assess the overall interaction level and interest your content generates, guiding future content strategies.

Social shares serve as a significant metric for gauging audience engagement, reflecting how well content resonates with users.

High social share counts indicate that your content is appealing, increasing its visibility and reach across platforms. By tracking these shares, you can gain insights into which themes or formats engage your audience most effectively, informing your future content performance marketing strategies.

Analyzing what types of content generate the most shares reveals audience preferences, enabling you to tailor your messaging accordingly.

Moreover, social media analytics tools allow you to monitor shares alongside likes and comments, offering an extensive view of content performance.

Regularly tracking these metrics helps you identify trends, ensuring your strategies remain relevant and effective.

Click-Through Rate Tracking

Click-Through Rate (CTR) is a crucial metric for comprehending how effectively your content engages the audience and drives traffic.

It measures the percentage of users who click on a link after viewing it, highlighting the effectiveness of your content and calls to action. A high CTR indicates that your messaging resonates well with your target audience.

You can track CTR through various analytics tools, evaluating performance across channels like email campaigns and social media posts. Regularly analyzing CTR helps you identify trends and optimize future content strategies.

Engagement Rate Metrics

Engagement rate metrics are vital for comprehending how well your content connects with the audience and encourages interaction.

Key metrics include social shares, comments, and likes, which reveal how content resonates with users. Time on page indicates quality; longer durations suggest higher interest.

Bounce rate measures the percentage of visitors leaving after viewing only one page, where lower rates reflect better engagement. Pages per session shows how many pages users visit, helping you assess content’s ability to encourage exploration.

Finally, scroll depth reveals how far down a page visitors scroll, highlighting which content captures attention.

Conversion Metrics Essential for Success

To measure the effectiveness of your content marketing efforts, tracking conversion metrics is crucial.

You’ll want to focus on user actions, such as form submissions and newsletter sign-ups, to gauge how well your content engages your audience and drives them toward desired outcomes.

Furthermore, analyzing traffic sources and evaluating engagement rates will provide valuable insights into which channels are most effective in converting visitors into customers.

Measuring user actions is vital for comprehending how effectively your content marketing strategies drive desired outcomes, particularly conversions.

By focusing on key metrics, you can gain valuable insights into your audience’s behavior and optimize your efforts accordingly. Here are three important metrics to track:

Conversion Rate – This metric indicates the percentage of users who complete a desired action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.
Lead Generation Metrics – Monitor actions like form submissions or email sign-ups to capture potential customers and build an engaged audience.
Newsletter Sign-Ups – Tracking these subscriptions helps assess audience interest and willingness to receive ongoing communication from your brand.

Understanding these metrics allows you to refine your content strategy effectively.

Analyzing Traffic Sources

How can comprehension of traffic sources improve your content marketing strategy? By analyzing traffic sources, you can identify which channels—like organic search, direct visits, referrals, and paid search—drive the most traffic to your website.

This insight allows you to allocate resources effectively, focusing on the channels that yield the highest engagement. You can track this data in Google Analytics 4 under the “Reports” and “Acquisition” sections.

Categorizing traffic sources helps you evaluate specific campaigns and content types, refining your marketing approach based on audience preferences.

Regular monitoring enables you to adapt swiftly to changes in user behavior, ensuring your content remains relevant and impactful, finally enhancing your overall content marketing performance.

Evaluating Engagement Rates

Evaluating engagement rates is vital for grasping how well your content resonates with your audience and drives desired actions.

Monitoring these rates helps you refine your marketing strategies and optimize your sales funnel. Here are three key metrics to focus on:

Conversion Rate: This measures the percentage of users who complete a desired action, like making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.
Average Time on Page: A longer duration suggests your content is engaging and relevant, increasing the likelihood of conversions.
Bounce Rate: High bounce rates indicate that visitors leave without further engagement, signaling potential content mismatches or user experience issues that need addressing.

Tracking these metrics provides valuable insights into content performance.

Analyzing Performance Metrics

What metrics should you focus on when analyzing the performance of your content marketing efforts?

Start with organic traffic, as it shows how effective your SEO strategies are in attracting visitors.

Next, track keyword rankings to assess your optimization success and identify improvement opportunities.

Backlinks are likewise essential; they improve your website’s credibility and can greatly boost visibility.

Furthermore, monitor your click-through rate (CTR) to measure how effectively your content drives user engagement through compelling calls to action.

Finally, keep an eye on the bounce rate; a high percentage may indicate issues with content relevance or user experience, highlighting areas needing adjustment.

Analyzing these metrics provides valuable insights to refine your content strategy effectively.

Importance of Engagement Metrics

Engagement metrics play a crucial role in comprehending how well your content resonates with your audience.

They provide insights into content quality and relevance, helping you gauge user interest.

Here are three key engagement metrics to monitor:

Time on Page: A high average time indicates your content is engaging and valuable to readers.
Bounce Rate: A low bounce rate suggests visitors explore multiple pages, reflecting their interest in your content.
Pages per Session: Higher numbers indicate that users are delving deeper into your website, potentially leading to increased conversions.

Comprehending social media metrics is essential for gauging the effectiveness of your content across various platforms.

Engagement rates, which include likes, comments, and shares, offer insights into how well your content resonates with your audience. Tracking social shares can reveal your content’s reach, as higher shares often correlate with increased visibility and traffic to your site.

Click-through rates (CTR) on social media posts measure the percentage of users who engage with your links, evaluating your calls to action and overall content appeal. Furthermore, impressions—total displays of your content—help you understand exposure levels.

Finally, monitoring brand mentions and sentiment analysis provides valuable feedback on public perception and engagement, aiding in refining your content strategy.

Evaluating Traffic Sources

Comprehending traffic sources is crucial for any content marketing strategy, as these channels reveal how users arrive at your website. By evaluating these sources, you can identify which avenues drive the most traffic and optimize your marketing efforts accordingly.

Here are three key points to reflect on:

Diverse Channels: Traffic sources include organic search, direct visits, referrals, and paid search, each contributing differently to overall traffic.
Data Insights: Google Analytics 4 (GA4) allows you to visualize traffic source breakdowns, helping you assess the effectiveness of your campaigns.
Behavior Trends: Monitoring traffic over time reveals audience behavior shifts, enabling you to adjust your content strategy and resource allocation for maximum impact.

Understanding these elements will improve your ability to attract and engage your target audience effectively.

Measuring Brand Awareness

Measuring brand awareness is essential for comprehending how well your brand resonates with your target audience, as it reflects the recognition and visibility of your business in the marketplace.

You can track brand awareness through various metrics, including website traffic, social media engagement, and search engine visibility. Observing brand mentions across social platforms as well provides valuable insights into public perception and the frequency of discussions about your brand.

Moreover, impressions on your content shared through digital marketing campaigns highlight how often users see your brand. Using surveys and polls can directly assess recognition levels and consumer sentiment, whereas monitoring organic search traffic changes over time reflects the effectiveness of your brand awareness efforts.

Utilizing Metrics for Strategic Improvements

Comprehending how to leverage metrics effectively can considerably improve your content marketing strategy. By focusing on key performance indicators, you can make informed decisions that boost your efforts.

Here are three crucial areas to monitor:

Organic Search Traffic: Track this to assess your SEO effectiveness and identify high-performing content, guiding your optimization strategies.
Conversion Rates: Regularly analyze this metric to evaluate how well your content drives desired actions, allowing for adjustments to increase lead generation.
Social Shares and Engagement: Monitor these metrics to understand audience preferences, helping you refine your content topics and formats for better interaction.

Utilizing these insights won’t just amplify your content’s visibility but will likewise improve audience engagement and overall marketing success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Metric Is Most Important to Measure in Content Marketing?

The most important metric to measure in content marketing is the conversion rate. It shows the percentage of users completing desired actions, indicating how well your content generates leads or sales.

Alongside this, tracking organic traffic is crucial, as it reveals the effectiveness of your SEO strategies.

Engagement metrics, like time on page and social shares, in addition provide insights into audience interaction, helping you refine your content to better meet their needs.

Which Matrix Is Most Important to Measure in Content Marketing?

When measuring content marketing success, you should prioritize metrics that align with your goals. The conversion rate is essential, as it reflects how well your content drives desired actions.

In addition, track organic search traffic to see how effectively your SEO efforts attract visitors. Bounce rate is likewise important, as it indicates content relevance.

What Is KPIS for Content Marketing?

KPIs for content marketing are crucial metrics that help you measure the effectiveness of your strategies in achieving business goals.

You’ll want to track engagement metrics like time on page and bounce rate, performance metrics such as organic traffic and keyword rankings, and conversion metrics including conversion rates.

What Is the Most Important Metric to Track in Marketing?

The most important metric to track in marketing is the conversion rate. This percentage shows how many users complete a desired action, like making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.

Conclusion

In conclusion, tracking key content marketing metrics is essential for grasping your performance. By focusing on organic search traffic, conversion rates, audience engagement, and social shares, you can gain valuable insights into your content’s effectiveness. Analyzing these metrics allows you to refine your strategies, improve brand awareness, and finally drive better results. Regularly evaluating traf

7 Cheap Arts and Crafts Supplies to Try

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 18:31:00 +0200

If you’re exploring cost-effective options for your next arts and crafts project, consider these seven supplies. Colorful paper and cardstock can serve as a lively base for various designs. Non-toxic acrylic paints allow for safe and expressive artwork. Furthermore, versatile craft sticks can be used for models or puppets, whereas fun foam sheets are ideal for creating masks. Each item offers unique possibilities, but there’s more to discover about how these supplies can elevate your creativity.

Key Takeaways

Colorful paper and cardstock are versatile and available in bulk, starting as low as $0.59 per sheet for various crafting needs.
Fun foam sheets, priced between $0.59 to $1.67, are perfect for children’s crafts and easy to manipulate for creative projects.
Versatile craft sticks are budget-friendly, with 500-piece packs available for $0.98, ideal for DIY crafts and educational activities.
Non-toxic acrylic paints provide a wide range of colors for various surfaces and are safe for all ages, ensuring enjoyable painting experiences.
Assorted beads and charms are perfect for customization in DIY projects, with bulk options available for budget-friendly group crafting activities.

Colorful Paper and Cardstock

Colorful paper and cardstock are essential materials for a wide range of crafting activities. These supplies come in various colors and textures, making them perfect for projects like scrapbooking or card making.

You can find bulk packs of colorful cardstock at affordable prices, often starting as low as $0.59 per sheet, which makes them great inexpensive arts and crafts materials. Specialty papers, including glitter and patterned varieties, add unique visual elements to your work, with prices usually ranging from $1.19 to $2.39.

Cardstock’s durability and versatility allow for effective cutting and folding, making it ideal for creating 3D crafts. Many craft stores likewise offer discounts on seasonal cardstock, providing excellent cheap craft ideas for your next project.

Non-Toxic Acrylic Paints

In relation to enhancing your arts and crafts projects, non-toxic acrylic paints stand out as a safe and versatile option for both kids and adults. These paints dry quickly, allowing you to complete projects faster and layer without smudging. They’re water-based, which means you can easily clean up with soap and water before they dry, making them user-friendly for all skill levels. With a wide range of lively colors available, you’ll have plenty of options to express your creativity. You can use non-toxic acrylic paints on various surfaces, including canvas, wood, paper, and fabric, making them ideal for inexpensive craft ideas.

Feature	Description
Safety	Non-toxic for children and adults
Drying Time	Quick-drying for faster projects
Clean-Up	Easily cleaned with soap and water
Color Range	Available in a wide variety of lively colors
Surface Versatility	Works on canvas, wood, paper, and fabric

Versatile Craft Sticks

Craft sticks, often referred to as popsicle sticks, are an essential component in arts and crafts due to their versatility and affordability. Available in bulk packs, like a 500-piece assortment for just $0.98, they’re a fantastic option for cheap crafts for kids and inexpensive crafts for adults.

You can create models, puppets, and educational projects that improve creativity and fine motor skills.

Use craft sticks for engaging DIY projects.
Incorporate them into classroom activities for hands-on learning.
Explore various sizes and colors for diverse crafting possibilities.

With low-cost kits starting at approximately $0.48, craft sticks make excellent dollar tree DIY ideas for teachers and crafters looking to stock up on supplies for group projects.

Fun Foam Sheets

Fun foam sheets serve as a versatile crafting material, perfect for a wide range of creative projects. Available in various colors and thicknesses, they’re ideal for making masks, decorations, and educational crafts.

You can easily cut, shape, and glue fun foam, making it suitable for both kids and adults. Its non-toxic and lightweight nature guarantees it’s safe for children’s crafts at home or in schools.

Priced between $0.59 and $1.67, you’ll find fun foam sheets to be an affordable option for bulk purchases, aligning well with your search for cheap arts and crafts.

Pair them with markers, stickers, and glue for affordable and fun DIY projects for kids, revealing endless creative possibilities.

Vibrant Washi Tapes

Washi tapes offer a lively and versatile option for enhancing your arts and crafts projects, following the creativity sparked by fun foam sheets.

These tapes come in a wide range of colors and patterns, making them perfect for adding a pop of creativity to your work. Priced between $1.19 and $2.79, they’re a fantastic choice for cheap art crafts and can inspire many dollar tree craft ideas to sell.

Their removable adhesive allows for easy adjustments, making them ideal for:

Scrapbooking and journaling
Gift wrapping and decorating
Combining with other craft supplies like markers and stickers

Whether you’re creating cheap easy crafts or personalized gifts, washi tapes can uplift your projects without breaking the bank.

Assorted Beads and Charms

When you’re crafting, the variety of designs available in assorted beads and charms can truly improve your projects.

You’ll find lively silicone beads perfect for making keychains or jewelry, and bulk options like the 4100 Pc. Multicolor Bead Assortment are ideal for larger group activities.

Adding unique charms to your creations not just personalizes them but also allows for endless customization, making these supplies crucial for any DIY enthusiast.

Variety of Designs Available

A diverse selection of assorted beads and charms is essential for any crafting enthusiast looking to create unique and personalized projects.

These premium, non-toxic silicone beads come in lively colors, perfect for making everything from keychains to pacifier clips. The variety of shapes and patterns available allows for endless creativity, whether you’re working on inexpensive children’s crafts or exploring low-cost craft ideas.

Create trendy jewelry that stands out.
Design themed accessories for special occasions.
Customize DIY gifts that make meaningful presents.

With options to mix and match, these beads and charms from dollar tree DIY supplies can enhance your crafting game.

Affordable Bulk Options

Exploring affordable bulk options for assorted beads and charms opens up a world of possibilities for your crafting projects.

For instance, the 4100 Pc. Friendship Bracelet Multicolor Bead Assortment at $32.99 is ideal for creating cheap children’s crafts, whereas the 500 Pc. Self-Adhesive Jewel Assortment, priced at just $0.98, provides a budget-friendly way to embellish your designs.

If you’re looking for themed projects, consider the Pineapple, Strawberry & Watermelon Foam Craft Kits, featuring 36 pieces for $29.99.

In addition, premium, non-toxic silicone beads in lively colors are great for trendy keychains and jewelry.

These bulk options likewise make dollar tree crafts to sell more profitable, ensuring you can engage in inexpensive art projects without breaking the bank.

Perfect for Custom Projects

Assorted beads and charms are perfect for custom projects, allowing you to tailor your creations to reflect your unique style and vision.

These lively, non-toxic silicone beads come in various shapes, making them ideal for trendy DIY dollar tree crafts like keychains, pacifier clips, and jewelry.

Here are some reasons to investigate these supplies:

Create personalized gifts for friends and family
Improve your crafting skills with diverse designs
Stock up on bulk options for budget-friendly projects

With options like the 4100 Pc. Friendship Bracelet Multicolor Bead Assortment for just $32.99, you can plunge into easy, inexpensive crafts for adults.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, these beads guarantee professional-looking results in all your custom creations.

Stencils and Templates

Stencils and templates are incredibly versatile tools that can enhance your crafting projects, whether you’re scrapbooking, card making, or working on fabric painting.

With options available at budget-friendly prices, starting as low as $0.48 for sets featuring multiple designs, you can easily find the right fit for your needs.

Versatile Craft Applications

Craft projects benefit greatly from the use of stencils and templates, as they allow for the creation of consistent and precise designs.

Whether you’re painting, drawing, or scrapbooking, these tools improve your creativity and artistic expression. Stencils and templates come in various shapes and themes, making them perfect for cheap craft activities. You can even find affordable options for stencils starting as low as $0.48, which makes them accessible for everyone.

Improve fine motor skills during crafting
Create seasonal decorations for your home
Engage children with fun educational projects

Budget-Friendly Options

When exploring budget-friendly options for stencils and templates, you’ll discover a vast array of designs that cater to various crafting needs without straining your wallet. Prices for budget-friendly stencils and templates can start as low as $0.48, making them ideal for cheap easy crafts for adults or educational projects.

Many are designed for preschool craft kits, promoting fine motor skills and creativity among young learners. Seasonal kits, like the Summer Beach Vehicle Foam Craft Kit, offer themed options at discounted rates, perfect for group activities.

Furthermore, bulk packs can reduce costs further, with some available for $0.98. The durable materials guarantee these stencils and templates can be reused, providing excellent value for your crafting endeavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Get Free Art Supplies?

To get free art supplies, start by checking local schools and community centers, which often host supply drives.

Explore online platforms like Freecycle and Facebook Marketplace for individuals giving away excess materials.

Visit your local library; they may offer workshops with free supplies.

Furthermore, craft stores sometimes have promotional events with free samples.

Finally, joining local artist groups can connect you with others willing to share or trade their unused supplies.

What Supplies Are Needed for Arts and Crafts?

For arts and crafts, you’ll need basic supplies like colored paper, markers, and crayons.

Scissors, glue sticks, and tape are crucial for assembling your projects. Specialty items, such as glitter and stickers, can add flair to your creations.

Consider educational craft kits for structured activities, which often include everything you need.

Seasonal items, like themed craft kits, can improve your projects as you keep them engaging and fun.

Does Dollar Tree Have Arts and Crafts?

Yes, Dollar Tree does have a variety of arts and crafts supplies.

You can find items like glitter, paint, craft sticks, and foam sheets, all priced at just $1.25 each. The store regularly updates its inventory with seasonal craft kits and themed supplies, catering to different crafting needs.

Crucial tools, such as scissors, glue, and markers, are likewise available, ensuring you have everything necessary for your DIY projects without overspending.

What Should I Make Arts and Crafts Easy?

If you’re looking for easy arts and crafts projects, consider making personalized keychains using lively silicone beads.

You can furthermore design custom tumblers or mugs with DTF transfers for unique gifts.

Another straightforward option is creating puppets or dioramas using colorful craft sticks and foam shapes.

In addition, you might enjoy experimenting with chunky glitter fabric sheets for decorative pieces.

Seasonal crafts, like themed magnet kits, are likewise simple and fun to assemble.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these seven affordable arts and crafts supplies can improve your creative projects without straining your budget. Colorful paper and cardstock serve as versatile bases, whereas non-toxic acrylic paints and craft sticks allow for imaginative expression. Incorporating fun foam sheets, washi tapes, assorted beads, and stencils can further raise your creations. By utilizing these materials, you can explore various artistic techniques, develop fine motor skills, and enjoy a fulfilling crafting experience. Start experimenting and release your creativity today.

Image via Google Gemini

This article, "7 Cheap Arts and Crafts Supplies to Try" was first published on Small Business Trends

Los Angeles Launches Free Public Wi-Fi Along Crenshaw Corridor

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 17:10:16 +0200

In an exciting development for small businesses and residents in Los Angeles, a new community Wi-Fi initiative has launched, aimed at closing the digital divide and promoting economic opportunities along the Crenshaw Corridor. The Crenshaw Community Connectivity Pilot, a collaboration between the City of Los Angeles, Cisco, and a network of local nonprofits, promises free internet access in key public areas, enhancing connectivity for both local businesses and visitors.

At a time when digital access is vital for success, this initiative addresses gaps in internet availability that have long hampered economic and educational growth. By providing free Wi-Fi along significant routes, parks, and gathering spaces, the pilot is expected to unlock new opportunities for residents, businesses, and tourists.

“Every Angeleno deserves access to reliable, high-speed internet – no matter their ZIP code,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, emphasizing the initiative’s broad impact. This partnership exemplifies how governmental bodies and private enterprises can work cohesively with communities to tackle pressing social issues.

Cisco’s commitment to enhancing connectivity plays a central role in this initiative. The tech giant employs its innovative networking technology, such as outdoor access points and Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul, to ensure a secure and dependable connection. This infrastructure not only addresses immediate connectivity needs but also sets the stage for further smart city initiatives, including improved traffic management, pedestrian safety, and emergency response systems.

For small business owners, the benefits of this new Wi-Fi network are clear. By increasing public internet access, local shops and service providers can attract more visitors, thereby stimulating economic activity in the area. Jason Foster, President & CEO of Destination Crenshaw, remarked, “As Los Angeles prepares to host multiple major events, piloting the city’s first free community Wi-Fi network will fuel economic opportunity for our artists and small business owners.” Notably, the initiative coincides with the city’s hosting of major events such as the FIFA World Cup and the LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games, providing a timely boost to local economies.

Another aspect worth mentioning is how this initiative can aid in workforce development. With increasingly remote job opportunities, reliable internet access enables job-seekers to participate in online applications and interviews, undergo training, and access educational resources at no cost. This facet of the initiative positions local residents to take advantage of economic opportunities they may have previously found inaccessible due to connectivity issues.

However, while the initiative presents numerous advantages, small business owners should also consider potential challenges. For example, they might face increased competition from businesses that may also benefit from the influx of customers drawn by the enhanced connectivity. Understanding the competitive landscape will be crucial for capitalizing on the opportunities this new Wi-Fi network provides.

Additionally, while free public Wi-Fi offers many benefits, it is important for small business owners to remain aware of security issues associated with public networks. Using VPNs and other security measures will be essential to protect sensitive business information while operating on these networks.

The success of the Crenshaw Community Connectivity Pilot could ignite similar projects across other cities, demonstrating a scalable model for enhancing digital access. As the industry, public sector, and nonprofits join forces for meaningful change, the potential for improved economic and social landscapes becomes increasingly tangible.

As Cisco’s commitment to powering an inclusive future unfolds further with new technology innovations, Los Angeles sets an inspiring example of what can be accomplished when multiple sectors come together. To explore more about this initiative and its implications for small businesses and communities, you can visit the original news release here.

This article, "Los Angeles Launches Free Public Wi-Fi Along Crenshaw Corridor" was first published on Small Business Trends

7 Essential Online Sales Training Courses to Enhance Skills

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 16:31:00 +0200

In today’s competitive market, improving your sales skills is vital for success. Several online training courses cater to this need, offering valuable techniques and strategies. From negotiation skills to consultative selling, these programs provide you with the tools to enhance performance and gain recognized certifications. Comprehending which courses to pursue can greatly influence your career. Let’s explore these seven vital online sales training courses and how they can boost your selling capabilities.

Key Takeaways

Negotiation Experts offers high-rated training with practical simulations for advanced selling skills, available online and onsite, with LinkedIn certification.
Action Selling provides an intensive two-day virtual course focusing on proactive communication and personalized skill assessments, culminating in a recognized certification.
Sandler Training emphasizes a consultative approach throughout the sales process, enhancing skills through role-play and real-world scenarios, with certification for professional recognition.
Richardson Sales Performance focuses on understanding customer needs through active listening and customized approaches, improving deal closure rates.
Dale Carnegie teaches relationship-building techniques to foster trust and adapt to changing consumer behaviors, enhancing long-term client relationships.

Negotiation Experts – Sales Negotiation Training

When you’re looking to improve your negotiation skills, the Negotiation Experts – Sales Negotiation Training course stands out with its impressive rating of 4.7, reflecting high participant satisfaction.

This course emphasizes advanced selling skills training, enabling you to leverage customer needs effectively. You’ll engage in a unique advanced simulation game that improves your negotiation tactics in a practical environment.

The training is available in both online and onsite formats, providing flexibility to fit your schedule. Key lessons focus on strategies to close larger deals faster.

Upon completion, you’ll receive a certification recognized on LinkedIn, boosting your professional visibility. This course is an excellent option for anyone seeking to enhance their negotiation skills and overall sales performance.

Action Selling – The Action Selling Process

The Action Selling Process course, rated 4.3 and located in Plymouth, Minnesota, is intended to improve the skills of sales professionals at all levels.

This intensive virtual course spans two consecutive days, offering a focused environment for learning. Participants benefit from free skill assessments, which identify strengths and areas for improvement, allowing for a customized experience.

The course emphasizes proactive communication and aims to help you avoid classic sales mistakes, enhancing your overall sales performance.

Upon completion, you’ll receive the Action Selling Sales Certification, a valuable credential in the competitive field of sales. As part of the growing trend in online sales courses, this certification can greatly bolster your professional qualifications and marketability.

Sandler Training – Sales Certification

Sandler Training‘s Sales Certification program, rated 4.6, provides a robust framework for sales professionals seeking to improve their skills through a consultative selling approach.

This online sales training certification covers the entire sales process, from initial conversations to closing deals, ensuring thorough skill development. You’ll gain tools for managing buyer interactions effectively as you focus on building lasting relationships with buyers.

The program incorporates real-world scenarios and role-play, enhancing practical experience in sales techniques. As the Sandler sales training cost varies, the investment is justified by the skills and credibility you’ll earn upon certification completion.

This certification not only boosts your professional recognition but furthermore equips you with vital strategies to excel in today’s competitive sales environment.

Richardson Sales Performance – Consultative Selling

Richardson Sales Performance‘s Consultative Selling course equips you with vital techniques to understand and meet customer needs effectively.

You’ll learn the critical importance of listening and asking insightful questions, which nurtures trust and builds stronger relationships with clients.

Key Selling Techniques

Effective selling techniques are essential for building strong customer relationships and driving sales success. In the Richardson Sales Performance‘s Consultative Selling course, you’ll learn to identify and understand customer needs through effective questioning and active listening.

These key selling techniques emphasize customizing your sales approach based on individual client profiles, which improves your ability to close deals. The course incorporates real-world scenarios and role-playing exercises, ensuring you can apply what you’ve learned in practical situations.

Importance of Listening

Listening plays an essential role in consultative selling, as it allows you to fully grasp customer needs and tailor your solutions accordingly. By honing your listening skills, you can greatly improve your sales performance.

Effective listening leads to:

Improved identification of customer pain points, enabling you to develop relevant solutions.
Stronger relationships with clients, nurturing trust and increasing the likelihood of repeat business.
Reduced misunderstandings and objections, eventually resulting in higher closure rates.

Engaging in online sales courses with certificates can sharpen these skills, as free sales training opportunities often include valuable listening techniques.

Prioritizing active listening helps you connect with customers on a deeper level, ensuring your sales efforts are both effective and meaningful.

Building Trust Relationships

How can you establish trust relationships in sales? The Richardson Sales Performance’s Consultative Selling course emphasizes comprehending customer needs and tailoring solutions accordingly.

By asking insightful questions and actively listening, you can build rapport and trust with clients. This enterprise sales training program integrates real-world scenarios, allowing participants to practice these relationship-building techniques effectively.

The approach is grounded in psychological principles that highlight the importance of empathy and connection in sales interactions. Furthermore, you can explore free sales training courses that focus on similar skills.

By cultivating long-term relationships, you not only improve customer loyalty but also encourage repeat business, finally leading to increased sales success.

Prioritize trust, and watch your sales performance improve.

Dale Carnegie – Winning With Relationship Selling

In Dale Carnegie’s “Winning With Relationship Selling” course, you’ll learn to build trust through effective relationships, which is crucial in today’s sales environment.

The program adapts modern selling techniques that focus on comprehending client needs and nurturing strong connections.

Building Trust Through Relationships

Building trust through relationships is a fundamental aspect of effective sales, and Dale Carnegie’s course, “Winning With Relationship Selling,” teaches you how to cultivate these connections.

By focusing on interpersonal skills, this course helps you improve customer loyalty and satisfaction. Here are key takeaways:

Active listening: Learn to truly understand customer needs by asking the right questions.
Tailored solutions: Use insights from conversations to provide customized offerings that resonate.
Long-lasting relationships: Focus on relationship-building over transactional selling to drive repeat business.

These principles align with modern consumer behavior, making this course a valuable addition to your skills, whether you’re exploring enterprise sales courses or looking for free sales training courses for beginners.

Modern Selling Techniques Adaptation

The adaptation of modern selling techniques is essential for success in today’s dynamic environment, where customer interactions often occur without direct engagement from sales professionals.

Dale Carnegie’s “Winning With Relationship Selling” emphasizes building strong customer relationships, important for improving sales performance.

Participants in this selling training online course learn to understand customer needs through active listening and effective questioning.

This training adapts to the evolving terrain of consumer behavior, ensuring you can connect with customers who prefer engaging with brands independently.

By focusing on relationship-building strategies, you cultivate a lucrative sales pipeline, in the end driving growth and customer loyalty.

Consider exploring free online sales courses to further improve your skills and stay competitive in the market.

The Brooks Group – IMPACT Selling

The Brooks Group offers a consultative sales training program that focuses on comprehending customer needs and nurturing long-term relationships.

This program improves your selling skills through practical techniques and real-world applications, ensuring you can implement your learnings immediately.

Key features include:

Customized training for various industries, addressing specific organizational challenges.
Availability in both virtual and in-person formats, accommodating different learning preferences.
Participants often report increased confidence and improved sales performance after applying their new skills.

IMPACT Selling stands out as one of the best online sales and marketing courses available, and you can even find free sales courses to supplement your learning experience.

RAIN Group – RAIN Selling: Foundations Of Consultative Selling

Consultative selling is an important approach in today’s competitive sales environment, and RAIN Group’s course, “RAIN Selling: Foundations of Consultative Selling,” equips participants with fundamental skills to improve client relationships and drive measurable results.

This modular training allows for customization, addressing specific organizational needs and unique selling propositions. You’ll learn effective strategies for strategic account management and sales negotiation, vital for maneuvering through complex sales environments.

The course integrates insights from extensive sales research, ensuring you apply evidence-based practices to improve your sales performance. Recognized for its expertise, RAIN Group provides a pathway to some of the best sales certifications available.

As you explore sales and marketing courses online free, consider how RAIN Group can boost your consultative selling skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the 7 Essential Selling Skills Every Sales Person Should Know?

The seven vital selling skills every salesperson should know include effective communication, active listening, and emotional intelligence.

You need to master negotiation techniques, understand the sales process, and ask insightful questions to uncover customer needs.

Moreover, developing relationship-building skills is important for nurturing trust and loyalty.

Finally, adaptability allows you to tailor your approach based on diverse client interactions, ensuring you meet their unique needs throughout the sales cycle.

What Kind of Training Does a Salesperson Need?

A salesperson needs thorough training in fundamental skills, including negotiation techniques, effective communication, and customer relationship management.

They should as well learn prospecting methods to identify potential clients and understand how to handle objections.

Ongoing training is vital to adapt to market changes.

Incorporating real-world scenarios and role-playing exercises can improve retention of these skills, in addition to certifications from recognized programs that can boost credibility and motivate salespeople to achieve higher targets.

What Is the Best Certification for Sales?

The best certification for sales often depends on your experience and focus area.

For entry-level sales reps, certifications like Salesforce Sales Representative Certification are beneficial, as they emphasize customer-centric strategies.

For those seeking advanced skills, Sandler Training offers extensive programs aimed at lasting behavioral change.

Dale Carnegie’s course focuses on relationship-building techniques.

In the end, consider your career goals and the specific skills you’d like to develop when choosing a certification.

Where Can I Learn Sales Skills?

You can learn sales skills through various online platforms like Udemy, which offers courses customized to different skill levels.

Look for courses focusing on practical techniques, such as cold calling or creating compelling presentations. Many programs provide a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, ensuring you can try them without concern.

Moreover, consider certifications that validate your skills and improve your professional profile, making you more competitive in the job market.

Conclusion

In summary, enhancing your sales skills through online training courses is crucial for maneuvering today’s competitive environment. Programs like Negotiation Experts and Sandler Training offer advanced techniques, whereas Action Selling and Richardson Sales Performance focus on proactive communication and customer comprehension. Courses from Dale Carnegie and the RAIN Group emphasize relationship-building and foundational skills. By investing in these training opportunities, you’ll not just improve your sales performance but also gain recognized certifications that can boost your career.

Image via Google Gemini

This article, "7 Essential Online Sales Training Courses to Enhance Skills" was first published on Small Business Trends

PayPal and Mastercard Unite to Enhance Global AI-Driven Transactions

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 15:10:09 +0200

In a significant development for small business owners, Mastercard and PayPal have expanded their partnership to streamline agent-driven transactions. The integration of Mastercard Agent Pay with PayPal’s wallet will allow consumers and businesses globally to engage in secure, AI-powered commerce. This collaboration promises to enhance the shopping experience while also presenting actionable benefits and considerations for small businesses looking to stay competitive.

The integration means that tens of millions of merchants can smoothly facilitate transactions through PayPal’s platform, tapping into the extensive user base of Mastercard. “Our work with PayPal is driving a catalyst for agentic innovation at global scale,” said Sherri Haymond, co-president, Global Partnerships at Mastercard. This innovation is expected to empower small businesses by making it easier for them to adapt to evolving consumer expectations and connect with new customer segments.

Consumers will directly benefit from this development. For instance, if a customer uses an AI agent to shop, the integration enables a seamless checkout experience via PayPal. Once the consumer selects products—like a pair of running shoes—the AI agent facilitates the purchase securely while reducing the likelihood of cart abandonment. The ease of integration allows merchants to offer PayPal without complex technical requirements, which could enhance conversion rates.

The future of shopping is moving toward AI-driven decisions, and consumers are increasingly looking for convenience and security in their transactions. By simplifying payments, the Mastercard-PayPal partnership enables small businesses to leverage the trust associated with both brands, making them more competitive in the digital landscape. Michelle Gill, executive vice president at PayPal, emphasized that this integration is about empowering merchants with trust and flexibility at the center.

However, while the benefits are significant, small business owners should also consider some challenges. As AI agents become more integrated into shopping processes, merchants will need to ensure that they keep up with technology advancements and potential security concerns. Understanding how to effectively utilize AI agents in an agentic commerce scenario requires ongoing education and adaptation.

With the rapid pace of technological advancement, small businesses must remain agile. Investing in AI technologies may seem daunting initially, but the potential payoff could be substantial. Embracing this shift can not only enhance customer relations but streamline operations and ultimately lead to growth.

As this partnership continues to evolve, small business owners will need to monitor customer feedback and analyze transaction data to effectively harness this new capability. Real-world applications include better targeting of promotional efforts based on consumer behavior and preferences as identified by AI agents.

Overall, the collaboration between Mastercard and PayPal heralds a transformative era for small businesses. This partnership promises not only to simplify payment processes but also to amplify customer engagement. As marketplace dynamics shift toward AI-driven interactions, staying informed and adaptable will be crucial for small business owners.

Small businesses looking to remain competitive should consider how they can incorporate these new technologies and features into their operations. Embracing change is essential, and with the support of giants like Mastercard and PayPal, the path seems ripe with opportunity.

For additional information about this initiative and how it applies to your business, visit the original post here.

This article, "PayPal and Mastercard Unite to Enhance Global AI-Driven Transactions" was first published on Small Business Trends

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My 6-Step Content Marketing Formula That Drives 3,549 Visitors

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 15:53:57 +0200

Writing a blog post is easy.

If you don’t write often, you may feel otherwise, but just follow this and you’ll be good to go when it comes to writing. Or, you can just watch the video below.

But still, you write a blog post and then what do you do?

Well, I’ll tell you this… most people forget the “marketing” in content marketing. Most people write content but don’t do a great job of promoting it.

Here’s the thing: I figured out the perfect formula to promoting content.

Best of all, it’s not complex. Heck, it doesn’t even take 30 minutes. It’s so easy that I broke it down into 6 steps.

And just to give you an idea before we dive into the formula, it’s so effective here is the traffic to my latest blog post.

35,492 visits in a week isn’t too shabby. The post didn’t do exceptionally well and it didn’t tank. It was just an average post.

Now you probably won’t see the same results as me as I’ve been doing this for a long time, but your results will be much better than what you are currently getting. Hence, I used the number of 3,549 in the title as you should be able to drive 1/10th of what I am generating.

So, let’s dive right into the formula.

Step #1: Optimize your headline

8 out of 10 people will read your headline, but only 2 out of 10 people will click through on your headline to read the rest of your article.

No matter how well written your content is, promoting it won’t be effective if no one likes your headline.

Now I know what you are thinking… I’ve already published my article, is it too late to change my headline?

Nope, you can always change your headline, just try not to change the URL of the article once it is already published. And if you decide to change the URL, use a 301 redirect.

There’s a really simple way to come up with headlines that work. Heck, it doesn’t even take more than a minute or two.

Just head over to Ubersuggest and type in the main keyword or phrase your article is about.

You’ll see a report that looks something like this:

Now I want you to click on “Content Ideas” in the left-hand navigation.

You should now see a report that looks like this:

This report shows you all of the blog posts around the web that contain your keyword or phrase within their title. And it breaks it down by social shares, backlinks, and search traffic.

You can use this to see what is working in your space.

Ideally, you want to look for headlines that have thousands of social shares (or hundreds if you aren’t in a popular industry), at least 10 backlinks, and more than 100 estimated visits. Just like the example below.

Making your headlines similar to ones that meet those 3 criteria will increase your odds of getting more traffic.

Step #2: Add 3 internal links

The easiest way to get your new content more love is to build links.

Yes, links are hard to build, but internal links are not… plus they are still effective.

I rank for competitive terms like “digital marketing”…

A lot of it has to do with internal links. I link to my main digital marketing page within my sidebar and within my content.

Every time you publish a new blog post, I want you to go into your older content that is relevant to your newly published blog post and add a link to it. Do this to 3 of your older blog posts.

This helps with indexing and it also helps your new content rank higher on Google.

Step 3: Share your content on the social web carefully

The problem with social media marketing is that people think they can just share their content on sites like Facebook or LinkedIn and it will automatically do well.

Sadly, it won’t because billions of URLs have been shared already.

In other words, we just tend to ignore most of the links people share.

But there is a simple way to stand out and get thousands of visitors from the social web, just like I get.

So, what’s my secret?

Well, I will give you a hint. Just look at one of my most recent posts on LinkedIn:

And here is one from Facebook:

Do you notice a pattern?

I’m evoking curiosity. In other words, I am piquing your interest and if you want to know the “solution” you have to click through to my site.

With the LinkedIn post, I tell you that marketing is going to change next year. I also make a point to say how it is going to change in a way that nobody is talking about.

I do this because we all can assume marketing will change. But by saying it is in a way nobody is talking about, it evokes curiosity. And if you want to know how it will change you have no choice but to click through over to my site to read the rest.

With my Facebook post, I also evoke curiosity. I talk about a Google algorithm update, but I hint that I have an answer to leveraging Google’s latest algorithm update. And if you want to know what it is, you have to click through over to my site.

Whenever you post on the social web, evoke curiosity if you want people to head over to your site.

The easiest way to do this is that every time you share one of your articles on the social web, add a few sentences above the link that helps pique peoples’ interest.

Step #4: Message everyone you link out to

It’s common to link out to other sites within your blog posts.

Heck, sometimes I even link out to my competition.

If you don’t ever link out to other sites, you are making a big mistake. It helps with authority and trust.

If you are using stats and data within your article, you want to cite your sources. This brings credibility to you and it helps brand yourself as an expert which can help with Google’s medic update.

Now, when you link out to a site, go and search their email address. You can typically find their email address on their website.

Or if you can’t find their email address, look for a contact page on their site, you’ll typically see a form that you can fill out.

Whether you find an email address or contact form, I want you to message each and every single site you link out to with a message that goes like this:

Hi [insert their first name],
I just wanted to say, I love your content. Especially your article on [insert the name of the article you linked out to].
I linked to it from my latest blog post [insert URL of your blog post]. It would make my day if you checked it out and even shared it on your favorite social network if you enjoyed it.
Cheers,
[insert your name]

When I send out these emails, I am getting 50 to 60% of the people to respond and share my content. But of course, my blog is popular, so for me, it isn’t too hard. But it hasn’t always been that way, and I’ve been leveraging this tactic for ages.

On the flip side, I also use this tactic on a few of my blogs that are in other niches and don’t use my name (no one knows I own them) and I am seeing success rates around 20%.

Just make sure you don’t use this tactic to ask for a link back. Your success rate will be slim.

Step #5: Send an email blast

These last two tactics produce a large portion of my results, and you shouldn’t take them for granted, no matter how basic they may seem.

If you already haven’t, start collecting emails from your site. You can use free tools like Hello Bar to create popups or sliders.

Hello Bar will plug into whatever email provider you are currently using.

Once you are up and running, every time you release a new blog post, send out an email blast.

Here’s an example of one of my email blasts.

It’s so effective it generated 13,544 clicks.

I’ve found that you can drive good traffic from emails as long as you do the following:

Scrub your list – if someone doesn’t open your emails over the last 30 or 60 days, remove them from your list. It helps keep your emails in people’s inboxes.
Send text-based emails – if you look at the email I sent, I keep it simple. No images, nothing fancy, just text and a link back to my site. It’s that simple.
Evoke curiosity – just like how I explained with the social media posts, your emails won’t do well unless you evoke curiosity.

As you write more content you will get more traffic, which will cause your email list to grow. That will also cause you to get more traffic.

Marketing Trends for 2020: Here’s What Will Happen That Nobody is Talking About

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 15:42:54 +0200

The new year is right around the corner. And I know you are already prepared because you read this blog and tons of other marketing blogs, right?

But here is the thing: I also read most of the popular marketing blogs, follow all of the marketing YouTube channels, and listen to the same podcasts you do.

And I’ve noticed that very few people are talking about what’s really going to happen in 2020.

Sure, they will tell you things like voice search is going to account for over 50% of the search queries next year but all of that stuff has already been talked about.

And there are actually more interesting trends that will affect your marketing that no one is really talking about.

So, what are these trends? What’s going to happen in 2020?

Alright, here goes…

Trend #1: Companies who rely on Google Analytics will get beat by their competition

We all love Google Analytics.

Heck, I love it so much I log in at least 3 or 4 times a day. And here is the kicker: I get so much traffic that my Google Analytics only updates once a day.

I really need to break that habit but that’s for another day.

You are probably wondering, what’s wrong with Google Analytics?

There actually isn’t much wrong with it. It’s a great tool, especially considering that it’s free.

But here is the thing… marketing has been changing. New channels are being constantly introduced, such as voice search.

And transactions no longer are as simple as someone coming and buying from you and that’s it.

These days there are things like upsells, down sells, repeat purchases, and even checkout bumps. On top of that, there are so many different ways you can generate revenue for your online business, such as partnerships, affiliate marketing, and even webinars.

This has caused companies to start using analytics solutions that tie into their database better, such as Amplitude. Or better yet, you are seeing a big push into business intelligence.

A central place where you can tie in all of your data and make better-informed decisions so you can optimize for your lifetime value instead of your short-term income.

In 2020, you will see more companies adopting business intelligence solutions… from paid ones to free ones like Google Data Studio.

If you haven’t checked out Data Studio, you’ll want to start now because it is easy to pass in all of your business and marketing data into one place. For example, you can pass in more granular data from your Facebook ad campaigns into Data Studio while that would be a bit difficult to do with Google Analytics.

Trend #2: Companies will optimize for voice search, but not for revenue

According to ComScore, over 50% of the searches in 2020 will be from voice search. But that’s not really a new trend… everyone has been talking about that for years.

So, what’s the big deal?

Optimizing for voice search is a great way to get your brand out more, but how is that going to convert into sales?

I haven’t seen too many solutions so far when it comes to capitalizing on your voice search traffic, but so far there is Jetson.ai.

If you aren’t familiar with Jetson.ai, it makes it so people can buy from your site using voice search. It doesn’t matter if it is Alexa or Google Home, they work with most of the popular devices.

What’s cool about Jetson.ai is that it can learn from each customer and customize the interactions.

For example, if I keep ordering the same toothpaste from a specific store using voice search, Jetson.ai keeps track of that so you can easily keep ordering the same product over and over again with little to no friction.

Heck, it’s easier than logging into your computer or pulling out your phone to make a purchase.

Trend #3: Your lists won’t convert as well, so you’ll have to look for alternative communication channels

Email, it’s something we all use in the corporate world.

But here is something interesting when it comes to marketing emails… I’m in a group with a bit over 109 email marketers across different industries in different parts of the world.

And can you guess what we are all noticing?

Our open rates are staying roughly the same and that’s largely because we all know how to clean and optimizing for deliverability.

But our click rates are going down.

So far as a group we have seen our click rates drop by 9.4% in 2019.

That’s crazy considering as a group we have over 146 million email addresses.

Now does this mean email is dead?

Of course not!!!

Email is here to stay and will be here for a very long time.

But what companies will have to do in 2020 is to leverage more communication channels.

Chatbots will take off drastically. Not necessarily the Intercom’s or Drift’s of the world but more so the solutions like ManyChat and MobileMonkey.

ManyChat and MobileMonkey leverage Facebook Messenger and as they connect it with Instagram and WhatsApp it will get even more popular.

In addition to chatbots, you’ll see more people leveraging tools that allow push notifications like Subscribers.

It’s so powerful, here is the impact I’ve been able to generate from push notifications so far using Subscribers.

You can wait till next year to lever chatbots and push notifications, but I’d recommend you start sooner than later.

How Google’s Bert Update Will Affect Content Marketing

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 14:25:03 +0200

Google announced that it has been rolling out a new update call Bert.

I know what you are thinking… does this update really matter? Should I even spend time learning about it?

Well, Bert will affect 1 in 10 search queries.

To give you an idea of how big of an update this is, it’s the biggest update since Google released RankBrain.

In other words, there is a really good chance that this impacts your site. And if it doesn’t, as your traffic grows, it will eventually affect your site.

But before we go into how this update affects SEOs and what you need to adjust (I will go into that later in this post), let’s first get into what this update is all about.

So, what is Bert?

Bert stands for Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers.

You are probably wondering, what the heck does that mean, right?

Google, in essence, has adjusted its algorithm to better understand natural language processing.

Just think of it this way: you could put a flight number into Google and they typically show you the flight status. Or a calculator may come up when you type in a math equation. Or if you put a stock symbol in, you’ll get a stock chart.

Or even a simpler example is: you can start typing into Google and its autocomplete feature can figure out what you are searching for before you even finishing typing it in.

But Google has already had all of that figured out before Bert. So let’s look at some examples of Bert in action.

Is Bert even useful?

Here are 4 examples of Bert.

Let’s say you search for “2019 brazil traveler to usa need visa”.

Before Bert, the top result would be how US citizens can travel to Brazil without a visa. But look at the search query carefully… it’s slight, but it is a big difference.

The search wasn’t about US people going to Brazil, it was about people from Brazil traveling to the US.

The result after the Bert update is much more relevant.

Google is now taking into account prepositions like “for” or “to” that can have a lot of meanings to the search query.

Here’s another example… “do estheticians stand a lot at work”…

Google used to previously match terms. For example, their system used to think “stand” is the same as “stand-alone”.

Now they understand that the word “stand” has the context of physical demand. In other words, is the job exhausting… do you have to be on your feet a lot?

And one more, “can you get medicine for someone pharmacy” …

As you can see from the before and after picture, it’s clear that the new result is more relevant.

Same with this one on “math practice books for adults” …

Is that the only change?

It isn’t. Google also made changes to featured snippets.

For example, if you searched for “parking on a hill with no curb”, Google used to place too much emphasis on the word “curb” and not enough emphasis on the word “no”.

That’s a big difference… and you can see that in the results.

The new changes this algorithm update brings makes it much more relevant for searchers and it creates a better experience for you and me and everyone else who uses Google.

But how does it affect SEOs?

You need to change your SEO strategy

There are three types of queries people usually make when performing a search:

Informational
Navigational
Transactional

An informational query is like someone looking to lose weight. They aren’t sure how so they may search for “how to lose weight”.

And once they perform the search, they may find a solution such as different diets. From there they may search for a solution, using a navigational query such as “Atkins diet”.

Once someone figures out the exact solution, they then may perform a transactional search query, such as “the Atkins diet cookbook”.

From what we are seeing on our end is that Bert is mainly impacting top-of-the-funnel keywords, which are informational related keywords.

Now if you want to not only maintain your rankings but gobble up some of the rankings of your competition, a simple solution is to get very specific with your content.

Typically, when you create content, which is the easiest way to rank for informational related keywords, SEOs tell you to create super long content.

Yes, you may see that a lot of longer-form content ranks well on Google, but their algorithm doesn’t focus on word count, it focuses on quality.

The context of the tweet from Danny Sullivan, who is Google’s search liaison, is that he wants SEOs to focus on creating content that is fundamentally great, unique, useful, and compelling.

So when you use tools like Ubersuggest to find new topics to go after, you need to make sure your content is super-specific.

For example, if you have a business about fitness and you blog about “how to lose weight without taking pills”, your content shouldn’t focus on diet shakes or supplements or anything too similar to diet pills. Instead, it should discuss all of the alternative methods.

I know what you are thinking, shakes and supplements may not be diet pills and they aren’t the same keyword but expect Bert to get more sophisticated in the next year in which it will better understand what people are really looking for.

Additionally, you should stop focusing on keyword density.

Yes, a lot of SEOs have moved away from this, but I still get a handful of emails each day asking me about keyword density.

Keyword density will even be less important in the future as Google better understands the context of the content you are writing.

So, where’s the opportunity?

As I mentioned, it’s related to creating highly specific content around a topic.

It’s not necessarily about creating a really long page that talks about 50 different things that’s 10,000 words long. It’s more about answering a searcher’s question as quick as possible and providing as much value compared to the competition.

Just like when you search for “what is it like to be in the Olympics”, you’ll see a list of results that look something like this:

Although the first result has the title of “What it’s like to go to the Olympics”, the article doesn’t break down what it is like to go as an attendee, it breaks down what it is like to go as an athlete. Just like a searcher would expect based on the query.

Bert was clearly able to figure this out even though the title could have gone either way. And the article itself isn’t that long. The article itself only has 311 words.

If you want to do well when it comes to ranking for informational keywords, go very specific and answer the question better than your competitors. From videos and images to audio, do whatever needs to be done to create a better experience.

Now to be clear, this doesn’t mean that long-form content doesn’t work. It’s just that every SEO already focuses on long-form content. They are going after generic head terms that can be interpreted in 100 different ways and that’s why the content may be long and thorough.

In other words, focus more on long-tail terms.

You may think that is obvious but let’s look at the data.

It all starts with Ubersuggest. If you haven’t used it yet, you can type in a keyword like “marketing” and it will show you the search volume as well as give you thousands (if not millions) of keyword variations.

In the last 30 days, 4,721,534 keyword queries were performed on Ubersuggest by 694,284 marketers. Those 4,721,534 searches returned 1,674,841,398 keyword recommendations.

And sure, SEOs could be typing in head terms to find more long-tail phrases, but when we look at what keywords people are selecting within Ubersuggest and exporting, 84% of marketers are focusing on 1 or 2-word search terms.

Only 1.7% of marketers are focusing on search terms that are 5 or words longer.

Following the strategy of creating content around very specific long-tail phrases is so effective that sites like Quora are generating 60,428,999 visitors a month just from Google alone in the United States.

And a lot of their content isn’t super detailed with 10,000-word responses. They just focus on answering very specific questions that people have.

Conclusion

Even if your search traffic drops a bit from the latest update, it’s a good thing.

I know that sounds crazy, but think of it this way… if someone searched for “how to lose weight without diet pills” and they landed on your article about how diet pills are amazing, they are just going to hit the back button and go back to Google.

In other words, it is unlikely that the traffic converted into a conversion.

Sure, you may lose some traffic from this update, but the traffic was ruining your user metrics and increasing your bounce rate.

Plus, this is your opportunity to create content that is super-specific. If you lose traffic, look at the pages that dropped, the search queries that you aren’t ranking for anymore, and go and adjust your content or create new content that answers the questions people are looking for.

If you don’t know how to do this, just log into Search Console, click on “search results”, and click on the date button.

Then click on compare and select the dates where your traffic dropped and compare it to the previous periods. Then select “Queries” and sort by the biggest difference.

You’ll have to dig for the longer-term search queries as those are the easiest to fix. And if you are unsure about what to fix, just search for the terms on Google that dropped and look at the top-ranking competitors. Compare their page with yours as it will provide some insights.

So, what do you think about the latest update?

The post How Google’s Bert Update Will Affect Content Marketing appeared first on Neil Patel.

Hi, I’m Neil Patel, Co-founder of NPDigital. Ask Me Anything!

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:00:28 +0300

Today, I thought I would do something a bit different, as 66.9% of my website traffic is brand new.

For those of you who don’t know, my name is Neil Patel and I’m the co-founder of a digital marketing agency called, NPDigital, where we help companies of all sizes get more traffic and sales.

I’ve been an entrepreneur for roughly 18 years now and most of the companies I co-founded have been in the software arena, specifically the web analytics sector.

And now, I’m back at it with Ubersuggest, my latest software company.

In addition to that, I’ve angel invested in dozens of companies. Some have done well, and others haven’t.

Overall, I’ve been blessed with a few successes that have made up for my failures plus more.

So today is your day to ask me any questions you have, and I will do my best to answer it. You can ask me about entrepreneurship, marketing, or anything else. I’ve dealt with class-action lawsuits, an FTC investigation (which I passed), and I’ve lost out on acquisitions from Fortune 1000 companies because of stupidity on my part.

All I ask of you is. Please keep your question as short as possible. One to two sentences max as I will get hundreds of comments (potentially even 1,000 or more).

So, what can I answer for you?

*** You may have to scroll a bit down to see the comment section***

The post Hi, I’m Neil Patel, Co-founder of NPDigital. Ask Me Anything! appeared first on Neil Patel.

The Real Secret to My Social Media Success

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 16:09:37 +0300

The other day I was recording a podcast episode with my co-host Eric Siu and he wanted to discuss something in particular.

He wanted to talk about how I got to 62,000 Instagram followers in a very short period of time and without spending any money on ads or marketing.

Eric is a great marketer as well, and when it comes to social media, he spends much more time than me on it and he even has people at his ad agency dedicated to helping him grow his personal brand online.

And of writing this post, he has 4,056 followers.

It’s not just with Instagram either, I beat him on all platforms.

Heck, he even does something that I don’t do, which is smart… he continually pays for advice. For example, he had his team jump on an hour call with Gary Vaynerchuk’s social media team so they could learn from them and grow his brand faster.

So, what’s the secret to my success?

Well, before I get into it, let me first start off by saying I love Eric to death and the point of this post isn’t to pick on him or talk crap… more so, I have a point to make and you’ll see it in a bit below.

Is it the fundamentals?

Everyone talks about strategies to grow your social following… from going live and posting frequently or talking about the type of content you should post and what you shouldn’t do.

I could even tell you that you need to respond to every comment and build up a relationship with your followers, which will help you grow your following and brand.

And although all of this is true, I dare you to try the fundamentals or the strategies that every marketing guru talks about doing. If you do, I bet this will happen…

It will be a lot of work and, if you are lucky, in the next 30 days you may get 10% more followers.

Sure, some of you will get much more growth, but you’ll find that you can’t always replicate it and it won’t be consistent.

So, what is it then?

Is it luck?

Luck is part of some people’s success, but not most. The problem with luck is it doesn’t teach you much and it isn’t easy to replicate.

The reality is, some people will just get lucky and have tons of traction.

In other words, luck isn’t the secret. But if you do want to get “luckier”, then you can always become an early adopter which helps a bit.

How early is early?

When you jump onto a social network when it’s new, it’s easier to grow and become popular.

For example, I got to over 30,000 Twitter followers extremely fast when Twitter first came out.

At that time, I wasn’t as well known… it happened because of a few reasons:

Social algorithms are favorable early on – algorithms are typically favorable and most people will see your content. There aren’t many restrictions, hence it’s easier to grow. After a social network becomes popular, algorithms tighten up.
Algorithms are easier to game early on – when you are early, you can use a lot of hacks to grow faster. For example, on Twitter, I would just follow tons of people a day and unfollow anyone who didn’t follow me back.
First movers’ advantage – social networks want more users, that’s what they need to succeed. In the early stages of any platform, they want to help you gain more of a following so you will keep using their platform.

But here is the thing: even though being an early adopter helps, it’s not the secret to my success.

Just look at Instagram, I am really late to the game. But I started growing fast just this year as that is when we really started.

If you can get in early, you should do so, assuming you have the time to invest. For example, this is the time to get in on Tiktok.

When you get in early, there is always the chance that the social network may end up flopping. But if it does take off, you’ll be ahead of your competition.

So what did I do?

Here was the secret to my growth… and it still works today. Eric Siu is even doing it with me right now.

It’s piggybacking on brands that are already popular.

When I first started, no one knew who I was. And I’m not saying everyone knows who I am today… by no means do I have a large brand like Tony Robbins.

What I did early on in my career was piggyback off of other popular brands.

For example, I hit up Pete Cashmore from Mashable, Michael Arrington from TechCrunch, Adrianna Huffington from Huffington Post, and so many other popular sites like ReadWriteWeb, Business Insider, Gawker Media, and GigaOm to name just a few.

I know some of them don’t exist anymore, but back then they were extremely popular. Anyone who was in tech, and even some who weren’t, knew about each of those sites.

So, when I got started as a marketer, I hit up all of those sites and offered all of them free marketing in exchange for promoting my brand and adding “Marketing done by Neil Patel” or “Marketing done by Pronet”, which was my ad agency back then.

Just look at the image above. TechCrunch used to link to my site on every page of their site… forget rich anchor text, it really is all about branding.

The hardest part is, I had to email and message these influencers dozens of times just to convince them to let me help them for free. And a lot of them ignored me or didn’t accept my offer.

But of a few said yes.

Pete from Mashable was one of the first to say yes. Once his traffic and rankings skyrocketed, his competition hit me up. Especially TechCrunch.

What was funny, though, is that I was constantly emailing TechCrunch and didn’t hear back. 6 months from my first email, they eventually accepted my offer.

I made a deal with Michael Arrington at the time in which once I boosted his traffic, he would add a logo that I did marketing for him, which you saw above.

In addition to that, he would tell all of his venture capital friends what I did for him and share the results (so hopefully they would share it with their portfolio companies, which would help me make money) and write a blog post about me.

He didn’t end up writing the blog post, which is fine, but he did the other two.

When he sent out emails to VCs showing a Google Analytics graph of his traffic growing at a rapid pace, I quickly got inundated with inquiries about my marketing services.

In addition to that, I was building up my brand… and my social media following. I was gaining “social clout” because I was doing good work for influencers.

One could argue that boosting traffic for someone like TechCrunch by 30% is worth millions and I should have charged for my services. Although I spent countless time doing free work, I wouldn’t trade it for any single dollar as it is what made me and helped build up my reputation.

And I didn’t stop there. Even today, I try to associate myself with other popular brands. Just like how I was lucky enough to work with Robert Herjavec, who has a popular TV show in the US along with Mark Cuban…

Here’s how many visitors I was getting for my name “Neil Patel” on a monthly basis before I started working with Robert.

And this is how many visitors I get for my name on a monthly basis a few months after I worked with Robert.

That’s a 37.84% increase in a matter of months!

By piggybacking off of popular brands, it doesn’t just help my website traffic but also helps to grow my social media following as well.

Just like as you can see below with my Instagram growth…

Now it isn’t just me who can do this, anyone can.

How can you piggyback off of other brands?

Just like how I piggybacked off of brands like TechCrunch, Eric is doing something similar to me at the moment.

We have a podcast that generates over 1 million downloads a month.

Eric’s had a podcast for years, but the one he has with me has more than 10x the listeners. This has helped him grow his brand a lot over the last year.

Let’s just look at the data. According to Eric, due to the podcast, he has signed up 6 clients, which has generated 540,000 dollars in annual revenue.

Now when he goes to tech conferences, 3 to 4 people tend to come up to him and mention how they love Marketing School and his work. In addition to that, it has been easier for Eric to set up meetings (people respond back to him more now), and he is also getting advisory shares in companies due to his growing brand. And the best part is, he is getting more paid speaking gigs for up to $10,000 a pop because of the podcast.

The data shows it was a good move by Eric for partnering up with me. He pushed me to do a podcast years ago and I told him no because I was too lazy. He didn’t give up though. Eventually, he got me to say yes and flew to my house in Las Vegas to record our first episode.

He did all of the work and it has been a great mutual relationship as doing this podcast has also helped grow my brand at the same time.

Now you are probably thinking, why isn’t his follower count growing fast enough?

Well, he needs to do what he is doing with me with a few more influencers to really put fuel to the fire. Just like how I didn’t only piggyback off of TechCrunch… at one point the Gawker Media network was linking to me on every page of their sites, which was seen by over 100 million unique people per month.

That really gets your brand out there!

Another example is Brian Dean from Backlinko as he did something similar with me back in the day. Years ago I approached him to write a detailed guide on link building with him and he also created videos that were on my old marketing blog Quick Sprout, which helped him grow his brand.

I can’t take credit for “making” Eric or Brian successful. They would have done well without me… and in the grand scheme of things, I really didn’t do much for either of them.

It’s like saying TechCrunch made the Neil Patel brand. Of course, it helped, and helped a lot… but one partnership won’t make or break you.

And if I didn’t continually blog, create videos, speak at events, or do any of the other stuff that I did, the TechCrunch partnership wouldn’t have been as effective.

Eric and Brian would have grown their brand in other ways because their work stands for itself, hence they would have been successful on their own. I just helped provide a little boost, just like how TechCrunch provided me with a boost.

And once more people get to know you, you’ll naturally do better on the social web.

For example, when Will Smith created his Instagram account, he didn’t have to buy ads or anything. Everyone just knows him already and that’s why his Instagram account blew up really quickly.

And you can do what Will Smith did on a smaller scale. Similar to what I did.

But don’t expect it overnight. Will Smith has been on television for over 20 years. It’s multiple shows, movies, and connections with other famous people that have really helped grow Will’s brand.

Of course, we won’t get on TV as Will has, but you can piggyback on other popular brands multiple times to create a similar (smaller) effect.

All you have to do is help these influencers out for free.

If you are a web designer, offer design services. If you are a marketer, offer marketing services. If you are selling a product or service, keep giving it away for free and maybe someone will talk about your company.

If you don’t have anything you can offer that has value, just look at whatever influencer you want to associate with, see where they may need help, learn that skill, and offer it for free.

It’s the easiest way to become popular on the social web.

Conclusion

That’s my secret to being popular on the social web.

It’s also how I built a decent size company… purely by leveraging other popular brands in the early days.

You can do the same, but you have to be patient. Don’t expect it to happen overnight.

For example, Eric’s brand has been growing but we have been doing a podcast together for over 2 years now.

Plus, he continually pushes on his own and doesn’t just rely on leveraging other influencers.

Remember, nothing worthwhile happens overnight.

You have to be persistent with your emails, your direct messages, your text messages, and whatever else you can do to get a hold of these influencers. Most will ignore you but it is a numbers game and, eventually, you’ll be able to associate your brand with someone popular, which will grow your brand.

And last but not least: Don’t expect an influencer to make you successful. Sure, multiple influencers are better than one, but that’s not what I meant.

If Brian Dean from Backlinko wasn’t good at link building, creating content, SEO, and educating, he wouldn’t do well… no matter who he associated himself with. The same goes for Eric.

Your skills, your abilities, your product… whatever you are trying to brand needs to stand on its own.

So, what do you think about my secret? Are you going to copy it?

The post The Real Secret to My Social Media Success appeared first on Neil Patel.

SMB Marketing Feed

How to Make a Franchise – A Step-by-Step Guide

Key Takeaways

Understanding Franchises and Their Benefits

Evaluating Franchise Opportunities

Understanding Franchise Startup Costs

Importance of a Franchise Business Plan

Steps of a Franchise Business Plan

Ongoing Support and Resources

Continuous Training Opportunities

Marketing Assistance Programs

Franchisee Networking Events

Legal Considerations and Location Types

Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)

Location Compliance Requirements

Key Franchise Regulations and Best Practices

Building a Strong Franchise Business Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Start a Franchise Step by Step?

What Are the 4 P’s of Franchising?

What Is the 7 Day Rule for Franchise?

Verizon Launches Affordable Home Internet Lite, Expanding Access Nationwide

How Do You Get a Business License?

Key Takeaways

Understanding Business Licenses in Texas

Types of Business Licenses Required

Local Business Licenses

State Business Licenses

Federal Business Licenses

Steps to Apply for a Business License

Contacting Local Government for Licensing Requirements

Local Government Resources

Licensing Requirement Variations

Researching State Business License Requirements

Applying for a Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit

Federal Business License Considerations

Regulated Activities Overview

Agency Contact Information

Costs Associated With Business Licenses

Maintaining and Renewing Your Business License

Consequences of Not Obtaining a Business License

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Regulations for Employment Background Checks in California

Key Takeaways

Overview of Background Check Regulations in California

The California Fair Chance Act Explained

Key Provisions Overview

Individual Assessment Process

Employer Compliance Obligations

Key Components of the Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act

Understanding the 7-Year Rule for Background Checks

Duration of Criminal Records

Exceptions to 7-Year Rule

Prohibited Inquiries Under California Labor Code § 432.7

Compliance With the California Consumer Privacy Act

Data Collection Requirements

Consumer Rights Protection

Costs Associated With Background Checks in California

The Impact of Local Fair Hiring Laws

Best Practices for Employers Conducting Background Checks

Consequences of Non-Compliance With Background Check Regulations

What Key Content Marketing Metrics Should You Track?

Key Takeaways

Understanding Content Marketing Metrics

Key Metrics for Measuring Visibility

Metrics for Identifying Audience Engagement

Social Shares Analysis

Click-Through Rate Tracking

Engagement Rate Metrics

Conversion Metrics Essential for Success

Measuring User Actions

Analyzing Traffic Sources

Evaluating Engagement Rates

Analyzing Performance Metrics

Importance of Engagement Metrics

Social Media Metrics to Consider

Evaluating Traffic Sources

Measuring Brand Awareness

Utilizing Metrics for Strategic Improvements

Frequently Asked Questions