Introduction
In this issue
This week I'm covering articles that can help you get the year off to a good start. Whether you're an entrepreneur thinking about starting a business or a nonprofit trying to find a marketing strategy that gets results without draining your staff.
DIscussions on digital marketing strategies, Ways that you can generate revenue beyond what you sell as a product/service. In addition to making sure that you're making the most of your social media posts on platforms like Instagram.
I'll continue to source articles and business opportunities that may or may not be on your radar. The goal is to inspire you to find what works for you and help you on the path to better results.
Questions Business Owner Are Asking
The PPC year in review and it's effect on eCommerce & Paid Search
What changes did 2020 bring about in Paid advertising and how can I apply them in 2021 to stay ahead of the curve?
Takeaways to consider heading into a new year with some of the same lingering issues. This article discusses the changes Covid brought about in the industry and how businesses and strategies have been adjusted to address them.
Choose your business name
How important is my business name? How can I make sure it's available? How can I make sure that nobody else tries to use the one I've selected?
As a business owner, you quickly learn that it's the little things that can make the biggest difference. That starts with your business name. Picking one that is memorable and goes well with your products/services is more important than some people think.
This week we cover options for selecting your business name and provide more information on where to get started.
The Best Blogging Advice I Know Is To Write To Your Younger Self | by Tom Kuegler | Finding Tom | Dec, 2020 | Medium
The question to ask as a business owner writing content. Would this help my younger self learn what I need to in order to make the best choices? Keeping that in mind you can write content that may help someone else starting out with questions. Become the expert and the trusted resource and you will win more than just clients but loyalty.
(3) Affiliate Marketing For Beginners 2021 Step by Step Tutorial - YouTube
How can I become more of a trusted resource for my customers and generate revenue beyond selling my own products? The short answer is affiliate marketing. Helping your customers and potential leads find products and services that compliment your products/services and their needs.
Affiliate Marketing is about more than just adding a revenue stream. Become that trusted resource that will allow you to build up your network and help people find quality products. This can be useful for bloggers, bloggers, and people with a podcast as well.
Don’t just build a website. Build your Brand Identity during this Pandemic - Majority Media LLC
A question that has come up over the past 10+ months. Can I start a business in a pandemic? The answer is yes.
What this time has taught many is that they need to have additional sources of income. Solely relying on getting up and going to work for other people isn't a safe as it once was. The cutbacks and downsizing going on make not it just as much of a risk sitting still as it is to go out and doing something on your own. Maybe more...
This article covers the thought process and some of the steps to consider taking when thinking about starting a business or extending your business online with a website.
Helpful Tips
Optimize product images for your online store • Yoast
When your business is based on selling your products. The images that you share to get the potential and existing customers' attention is pivotal. These days you have people scrolling through feeds and timelines so fast that if it's not something that catches their eye and then their attention. You're running the risk of missing out on opportunities and sales.
Here are some helpful tips on selecting the right image and making sure that it is user friendly to help get you the best results. Make the most of the marketing budget by putting your best foot forward.
How to Add Additional User Profile Fields in WordPress Registration
Here is an article that may be useful to the DIY'ers that are managing their own WordPress site and want to make some user/customer friendly customizations.
Updating how people log into your website for easier use can be an effective way of extending their stay and increasing use. Adding a social media login so that they don't need to remember 'another password'. It also helps you as a business owner connect with them in more ways. Gathering the additional information you will gain more insights and ways to reach the visitor through digital marketing strategies.
6 Ways Small Businesses Can Use Instagram Reels to Promote Their Products | by Anangsha Alammyan | Better Marketing | Dec, 2020 | Medium
If you're a business owner that has an Instagram business account that isn't gaining a lot of traction. This article will be more relevant to those that are eCommerce business owners that sell products.
Provide a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating the products is a great way of making potential customers feel like they're part of the process. Helping them feel more comfortable with the purchase knowing the work that goes into it.
The Nonprofit's Guide to Email Marketing
If you are a Non-profit or partner with one then you know that they have limited resources and are typically stretched thin on ways to generate buzz. Solely reliant on donations and people knowing about the causes requires a good to great marketing strategy.
Email marketing can be a useful and automated process that allows them to get the word out without draining resources and having them spend hours on the phone. It can also serve as a great way to follow up with existing donors so that they can see where their donations went and the difference that they're making.
WordPress
WordPress wants to help more people into blogging | TechRadar
WordPress is stepping up with 2 subscription-based courses. The move is one where they're branching out into the educational and training space. Teaching beginners what they would need to know about creating a blog and a podcast.
Blogging for beginners and podcasting for beginners will be the two courses. This could also be a great resource to refer clients in the early stages that just aren't quite ready for your services if you're a business that is useful further along down the line in the process. ex: logo designers, web designers, brand designer, etc.
Upcoming Events
Webinar Registration - Zoom
Learn about access to capital resources to help you through the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future. We’ll discuss the New York Forward Loan Fund and share financial opportunities available to MWBEs to help you do business with New York State. These include the Bridge to Success Loan Program, NYS Surety Bond Assistance Program, and more.
Santa Clara Virtual Wedding Expo (Jan 2021), Online - Trade Show
Santa Clara International Wedding Festival is a platform to find your photographer, photo booth, DJ, florist, hair & makeup artists, wedding cake, caterer, venue, officiant, and more. Watch live fashion shows to see the latest bridal trends, bridesmaids, mother of the bride, flower girl dresses and menswear.
One-Day Advanced Training for Microsoft Excel (Jan 2021), Online - Workshop
One-Day Advanced Training for Microsoft Excel will teach you the most advanced features and functions Excel offers - taking your level of proficiency from mid-level to advanced. After a few hours of training, you'll be amazed at how this powerful program can work for you.
MLV (Jan 2021), LIVE! Making Learning Visible, Online - Workshop
The Making Learning Visible project was first developed collaboratively between researchers at Harvard Universitys Project Zero and educators of Reggio Emilia. Educators come to a better understanding of learning through the creation of pedagogical documentation. The intent of documentation is to make learning visible by inviting children to reflect on their own learning, as individuals and in groups. Pedagogical documentation provides an avenue for teachers to come to a deeper understanding of teaching and learning through reflection on the process.