 In today's digital age, the internet is a vast and sometimes overwhelming space filled with countless websites. While the internet offers a wealth of information and resources, it's essential to be cautious and discerning when navigating online. With the prevalence of scams, phishing attempts, and fraudulent websites, knowing how to identify legitimate websites is crucial for protecting yourself and your personal information. In this blog post, we'll explore some key strategies and tips for determining the credibility of websites and staying safe while browsing the internet.
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 Photo courtesy of The Divine Group for Nancy Dilts Wardrobe Consulting Wardrobe consultant and sustainability champion, Nancy Dilts, openly admits that as a teen and for much of her adult life, she hated her body. Along with that came shame, lack of confidence, and a desire to disappear into the woodwork. For years, she hid in hugely oversized and baggy clothing – clothes were the enemy, until they became the key to finding her voice.
Once she gave birth to her daughter she knew that it was time to put her negative body image in its place. She wanted her daughter to love her body and herself. Nancy realized for that to happen, she needed to do it herself. Cue the show “What Not To Wear” hosted by Stacy London and Clinton Kelly. Watching this show became a turning point in Nancy’s life. She realized that no matter your body type, weight, age, (insert all other physical characteristics judged by cultural norms here), you can look – and FEEL – fantastic in your clothes. Later she learned about the science behind feeling good in your clothes called enclothed cognition. It is the foundation of the work that she does. How she shows up in the world – both physically and emotionally. What she does for a living. How she interacts with others. And most importantly, how she feels about herself. As entrepreneurs and small business owners it can be easy to become complacent with your wardrobe, especially if you work from home. Maybe your body is changing and your wardrobe didn’t come along for the ride. Sometimes it can feel downright overwhelming to shop for new pieces and figure out how to put them all together in a flattering way for your body type. What looks good on the rack may not work once you bring it home. Buyer’s remorse anyone?? This is where working with a wardrobe consultant like Nancy can be a game changer. She uses an objective eye to help her clients refresh their wardrobe to flatter and suit their current life and work style. And yes she will help you rock a track suit if that is your style! How do you know if hiring a wardrobe consultant would be a good investment for you? If you find yourself staring at your clothes in the closet unable to decide what wear or pair together, feel you have “nothing to wear” even though your closet is full, are stressed every time you need to “dress up” for an event, your life or work style has changed, or perhaps your body has changed. If you have been telling yourself for years that you can do this on your own but still feel the same way when you open your closet, then it’s time to make that call. Whether we like it or not people perceive us in a certain way depending on what we wear. As a business owner you are your own brand. Does that mean you have to wear a power suit if you despise them? Absolutely not - but finding your personal “power suit” is when the magic begins to happen. Nancy shares, “Clothing is a tool for empowerment for me. And that is how I approach my work with clients: clothing can help make your life what you want it to be. The right clothing can foster confidence. It can help you feel strong. Clothing is an extremely powerful tool for expression of self and of self worth. And it can help you speak out for what you want. Now that’s power! About Nancy: Nancy Dilts brings together her passions – personal style, positive body image, and the environment – to help her clients feel fantastic in their clothes, using an economically and environmentally sustainable approach. She provides personal styling, wardrobe consults, and personal shopping for people of all genders and identities  Making social media fun involves engaging your audience, being creative, and injecting personality into your content, but it's not always that easy when you're the one doing all the content. If you're a busy business owner, chances are you're doing 100 other things on top of trying to come up with things to post. Here are some tips to make your social media presence more enjoyable and entertaining and help you enjoy doing it:
Join Amy Lauria of Spotlight Business Solutions and Morgan Maley from Breakthrough Fitness for a night of networking as we start the new year on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 6pm. Finding balance as a business owner can be tough, so let's create some lasting networking and referral partners to help make the journey more fun! This event is free to attend, but please register with the link below.   Small business owners often dream of expanding their businesses. However, the road to expansion can be filled with challenges and obstacles. Without careful planning and preparation, expanding your business can be a risky move that may lead to failure. In this article, we explore some strategies small business owners can use to plan ahead for success when expanding their businesses.
Establish an Expansion Plan Before you begin the process of expanding your business, it's essential to establish a clear expansion plan. Your expansion plan should outline your goals, objectives, and timelines for achieving them. It should also include a detailed analysis of the resources you will need to achieve your goals. Your expansion plan should also consider potential risks and challenges associated with growing your business. This way, you'll be better prepared for any unexpected setbacks or roadblocks that may arise during the expansion process. Analyze Your Market and CompetitionExpanding your business requires a deep understanding of your market and competition. Conducting market research can help you identify opportunities for growth in your industry while also giving you insight into what your competitors are doing. You can start by analyzing data on consumer trends, such as purchasing behavior and preferences. You can also conduct surveys among existing customers to gather feedback on what they like about your products or services and what they would like to see improved. In addition, it's crucial to analyze your competitors' strengths and weaknesses. This information can help you develop effective strategies for differentiating yourself from other businesses in the market. Upgrade Your Marketing Strategy Expanding your business means reaching new customers and markets. To do this effectively, you need an upgraded marketing strategy that aligns with your growth goals. One effective approach is to focus on digital marketing channels such as social media advertising, email marketing campaigns, content marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, and influencer marketing. Digital marketing services from Spotlight Business Solutions can take your business to the next level. Astoria Advertising points out that you might also consider investing in traditional advertising methods such as television commercials or radio ads if they are effective in reaching out to consumers within your target demographic. Find New Revenue StreamsAs part of expanding your business successfully, it's essential to consider new revenue streams that complement or diversify existing ones. For example, if you own a retail store, selling clothing items exclusively online or adding complementary products like accessories could boost sales numbers significantly. Alternatively, you could consider introducing subscription-based models for services to create a more consistent and predictable revenue stream. Another option is branching out into new markets or launching new product lines altogether – something many companies have done successfully over time by taking calculated risks based on extensive research beforehand. Stay Focused on Goals and Measure Progress It's important not just to set goals but also to measure progress regularly towards those objectives throughout each stage of growth so that adjustments can be made promptly. This allows room for flexibility without compromising overall success rates down the line. It also helps you stay motivated and focused on the end goal. Klipfolio notes that having key performance indicators (KPIs) helps keep track of progress toward specific targets. These KPIs can be used to measure progress in areas such as sales, customer satisfaction, and marketing campaigns. Monitoring performance and staying in sync are key for long-term success. An organized system that tracks progress from beginning to end ensures effective results, making it a must-have component of any successful venture. Convert Your Business to an LLC If you're a small business owner, you may be wondering if it's time to convert your business to an LLC. A limited liability company (LLC) is a popular business structure that offers personal liability protection for the owners while also providing flexibility in management and tax benefits. Converting your business to an LLC can be a smart move for many reasons. Firstly, forming an LLC protects your personal assets from any debts or legal issues that may arise within the business. This means that if your business goes through financial difficulties or gets sued, your personal assets such as your home or car won't be at risk. Additionally, LLCs offer more flexibility than other structures like corporations or partnerships because they have fewer formalities when it comes to management and decision-making. Overall, converting your business to an LLC can provide peace of mind and allow you to focus on growing your business without worrying about potential legal liabilities. Talk to a business attorney for more information. Use a Gift Card API to Reward Referring Customers Word of mouth is one of the most powerful marketing tools for any business. If you're looking to increase your customer base and revenue, then focusing on customer referrals is key. There are several ways to garner referrals from satisfied customers, such as asking for them directly and creating a referral program that encourages them to refer friends and family. Another idea is incentivizing your customers with discounts or rewards. A gift card API automates the process of sending gift cards to your customers. Consider this option if you want to send referring customers gift cards with customized branding and messaging. Optimize Your Business Website In today's digital age, having a business website is essential for any company looking to succeed. However, it's not just enough to have a website – you need to optimize it to create more personalized experiences for your customers. By doing so, you can increase engagement and build stronger relationships with your audience. There are many solutions for web personalization that you can implement on your website to achieve this goal. One effective solution is using customer data to tailor the user experience. By collecting data such as browsing history and purchasing behavior, you can create customized content and product recommendations for each visitor. This not only makes them feel valued but also increases the likelihood of a purchase or conversion. Additionally, implementing chatbots or live chat features allows customers to receive personalized assistance in real-time. Another solution for web personalization is creating targeted email campaigns based on customer behavior. By segmenting your email list and sending relevant content based on their interests or past purchases, you can increase open and click-through rates. Additionally, offering exclusive promotions or discounts based on customers’ browsing history or abandoned cart items can incentivize them to return and complete their purchase. Overall, optimizing your business website with solutions for web personalization is crucial in today's competitive market. By tailoring the user experience and communication channels to each customer, you can improve engagement, build loyalty, and ultimately drive sales. Expanding your business is not an easy task, but with careful planning and preparation, it can be done successfully. Establishing a clear expansion plan, analyzing the market and competition, upgrading your marketing strategy, trying new revenue streams, staying focused on goals, incentivizing referring customers with gift cards, and measuring progress are all important steps to keep in mind when expanding. Additionally, converting your business to an LLC and optimizing your website are two effective strategies that small businesses should consider. With these tips in hand, you’re sure to have success as you embark on this exciting journey of growth! Thank you to this month's guest blogger Patrick Young with ABLE USA. To find out more please visit ABLE USA.  Photo Courtesy of The Divine Group There is always room to grow, and in the business world, that means looking for ways to expand and optimize. While it can be intimidating, there are some key steps to take when growing your business. Spotlight Business Solutions has compiled a list of tips and tricks that will help make the transition easier.
Improve Your Marketing As your business grows, you want to ensure you stay relevant in an ever-changing market. Revisit your current marketing tactics and research what other successful businesses are doing. Are they using influencers or creating content? Consider how you can diversify and attract more customers while staying true to your brand’s identity. Contact Spotlight Business Solutions to learn more about how we call help take your business’s digital marketing to the next level. Implement Data Analytics Using data analytics is essential when expanding any business. It allows you to understand who your customer base is, what products or services they most respond to, and it offers more insights into their behavior which help inform future decision-making processes. By utilizing data analytics, companies can make better decisions about their growth strategies and stay ahead of the competition. Raise Your Coding Knowledge Having a basic understanding of coding can be immensely beneficial when it comes to business growth. Being able to optimize the website design and create automated processes saves time and money while coding languages have become increasingly more accessible with tutorials and user-friendly software. A great resource for further information is https://codeprofs.com/. Increase Product and Service Variety When it comes to expanding any business model, sometimes diversifying products or services is a great way to capitalize on new opportunities available in the market today. Consider if expanding your offerings makes sense for current customers who already love your brand or if targeting new markets is the best option for continued growth over time. Diversifying products/service offerings could also mean increasing prices on existing services as well if needed; however, this should be done carefully so that existing customers don’t feel like they’ve been taken advantage of too much. Set Up BPM for Effective Workflows Business process management (BPM) helps streamline processes within a company by reducing redundancies while increasing efficiency overall due to reduced manual labor associated with administrative tasks such as invoicing, payroll processing, etc. BPM also helps automate certain aspects of running a business — such as customer service — further improving operations efficiency and helping teams focus on more important tasks at hand without worrying about manual data entry or repetitive tasks associated with daily operations. Extend Globally Expanding internationally allows businesses access to lucrative markets previously unavailable due to geographical constraints or differences in regulations between countries. Research potential markets carefully before entering — including assessing potential legal issues or cultural differences — so that you know what you’re getting yourself into beforehand. Additionally, consider whether language translation services might be needed depending on your business model. This will ultimately save time and money down the line plus help mitigate risk associated with any international expansion endeavors. Exploring The Benefits Of Changing To An LLC The type of business structure chosen determines many aspects of its operations including tax responsibilities and liability protection. Make sure you have chosen wisely based on current goals and future plans for growth, or consider changing structures if needed. Doing so could provide added protection against potential liabilities incurred due to any future expansion plans undertaken by companies today. Growing a business requires planning and diligence but provides meaningful rewards along the way. Take these steps now before making any big decisions regarding expanding operations so that you have all the tools needed for success going forward. With confidence and preparedness, you’ll know exactly where your efforts should be focused. Thank you to this month's guest blogger Patrick Young with ABLE USA. To find out more please visit ABLE USA. Why You Should Start Your Business in Minneapolis by Guest Blogger Patrick Young of ABLE USA3/1/2023  Minneapolis courtesy of Canva Minneapolis, Minnesota, is an incredibly exciting place to move and start a business. Just outside of the bustling downtown, it's easy to find yourself exploring amid lush green parks, sipping local craft beers and noshing on experimental cuisine - all while enjoying one of America's most vibrant and eclectic cities. Not only that, but Minneapolis also has some of the most affordable real estate in the country for startups looking for their space.
Want to learn more? Here are a few reasons from Spotlight Business Solutions why Minneapolis is the perfect spot for your business to find success. Minneapolis Housing and Cost of Living are Affordable Minneapolis isn’t the cheapest place to live, but it has a balance of financial benefits that make it decently affordable all around. The cost of living varies depending on the neighborhood you want to live in, which makes housing estimates challenging. There is also a large selection of rental units in Minneapolis – over 900 in fact – so it’s important to do your research on neighborhoods before embarking on your house hunt. However, according to Sperling’s Best Places, utilities and health costs are lower than the national average here. And groceries are right on point, which helps to balance out the affordability of Minneapolis life. Additionally, the town offers a number of free or low-cost recreation options, such as hiking trails, lakes, and parks. Lastly, Minneapolis is a safe community with a crime rate that’s dropping. Support and Resources for Small Businesses Once you’ve found a great place to settle, you can focus on getting to know the business community. In Minneapolis, there are resources available to small business owners that can help you get started. These resources are essential for entrepreneurs who want to thrive and maintain success. For starters, the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce can provide you with information about local businesses and connect you with other local business leaders. The Chamber also hosts regular networking events, which is a great way to meet other business owners and get advice. The State of Minnesota also offers a variety of grants and loans to help small business owners get on their feet. It’s also a great idea to work with a local business for your marketing and promotion needs because they are intimately familiar with the city’s population. Reach out to Spotlight Business Solutions today for your digital marketing and branding needs! Enjoy the Weirdness of Minneapolis Minneapolis, Minnesota, is bursting with interesting and unique activities! With its riverside trails, iconic parks, and craft breweries from every corner of the city, you're sure to find plenty of things to do in Minneapolis. From visiting the Bde Maka Ska loop for a hike with stunning views or going shopping for locally made items at the Saturday Market, you can experience the city’s vibrant culture in all its forms. For a taste of something different, rent a bike and explore some of the more off-the-beaten-path attractions like Minnehaha Falls or the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The choices are many for taking in the beauty that Minneapolis has to offer. No matter what activity you choose, there's never a dull moment on a visit to this vibrant half of the Twin Cities! Find Highly Educated Local Talent Minneapolis not only has a great cultural atmosphere, but many of the locals are well educated, too. Recent US Census Bureau data showed that nearly 38% of residents 25 and older had at least a bachelor's degree. Perhaps this number is connected to the variety of colleges and universities in the state. Regardless of the reason, you’ll have a large number of skilled professionals to choose from when you’re ready to do your hiring. Whether you’re looking for interns or experienced employees who can help you build your dream business, you’ll have no trouble finding them. You may even want to connect with a local college to set up an internship program. Here are a few colleges consider:
Start Your Minnesota-Based Business the Right Way Once you’ve settled into Minneapolis and have a business plan written out, it’s time to think about the details of starting your business, which include registering, obtaining an Employer Identification Number and sales tax license, and applying for local licenses, which will vary depending on the type of business you’re starting. You’ll also want to consider the type of business structure you’ll require, such as a limited liability company. Although there are several options, setting up an LLC in Minnesota will help protect your assets and provide tax advantages at the same time. Become an Minnesotaian Starting a business in Minneapolis is a great move for those looking for a responsible cost of living, a diverse culture, beautiful landscaping, and a supportive community. By doing some research ahead of time, you can make the move with your family and set up shop in a way that makes everyone happy. Thank you to this month's guest blogger Patrick Young with ABLE USA. To find out more please visit ABLE USA.  Photo courtesy of The Divine Group Leaders have a difficult job because they not only have to manage the company as a whole, but they also have to keep their emotions in check. So, if you are a business leader and are wondering what negative patterns to avoid as a leader, Spotlight Business Solutions L.L.C. outlines some helpful pointers on what to do (and what not to do) to be even more effective in your position.
Paying attention to the broader pictureAs a business owner, you will need to pay attention to the finer details and the bigger picture if you are to get around to everything as far as meeting your legal requirements goes. Failure to do so could result in severe ramifications for your business, which you could avoid by enlisting the necessary help to ensure everything is on track from a legal perspective. For example, Achieva notes that you could use a formation service when it comes to registering your business. Moreover, an online service can help you expedite the registration process, especially where time is of the essence and you need to get things done quickly. Furthermore, you may choose to enlist the help of administrative consultants to help you iron out any administrative issues. A lack of self-development As a leader, you should continually hone your skills for your professional growth and your business's benefit. Moreover, leaders should be making the time to invest in themselves due to the speed at which companies are evolving; hence, why enrolling in a bachelor’s of business program could be the perfect solution to this dilemma. With an available bachelor's degree in business, you get to not only learn about business-related subjects such as management, strategy, and leadership, but you also get a chance to work on those soft skills that help to develop your self-awareness through self-assessments. Getting to grip with your business financesYou'll also need to stay on top of your business’s finances. For example, you’ll need an invoicing system that works smoothly without hiccups, so you don't have to worry about being paid on time. With a free invoice template, you can create a customized invoice that aligns with your brand by inserting your logo, brand colors, and other important information, such as your payment terms, to prevent any ambiguity on this matter. Communicate your goals clearlyCommunicating your goals clearly and regularly with everyone in the organization will ensure that everyone remains on the same page as far as reaching your company objectives goes. Furthermore, staff tend to feel more valued and appreciated when they are recognized and included in an organization's mission. Not delegating enoughNot everyone can be everything to everyone. The same applies to leaders who can't possibly be directly involved in every decision-making process, especially the smaller ones that occur on a day-to-day basis. AXDRAFT points out that this is where delegation comes into play to help spread the responsibility, in a sense. Where tasks can be handed over to those you've entrusted in a managerial position, this must be done to help mitigate those risks associated with poor decision-making or decision-making on the fly, which doesn't always pan out well due to a lack of planning. Indeed, leaders are put in that position because they know what they're doing. However, it's important to remember that all leaders have weaknesses. And it is in acknowledging these 'blind spots’ that good leaders become excellent leaders. Thank you to this month's guest blogger Patrick Young with ABLE USA. To find out more please visit ABLE USA. For small businesses looking for the best medium to promote their products in 2023, video marketing will certainly rank at the top of the list. In addition to helping you garner greater reach than text/image-based promotions, video marketing is cost-efficient as well. In this article by Spotlight Biz Solutions, we’ll explore the best strategies small businesses should implement to be successful in their video promotional activities and outperform competitors.
Best Types of Videos to Create For businesses just starting with their video marketing activities, here’s a list of the go-to formats to consider:
Keep Video Production Costs in Check While video marketing provides the benefit of higher content penetration on social media and customer engagement, it does come at a cost. As reported by Business.com, hiring a professional video marketing team can cost at least a few thousand dollars. Additionally, you’ll need to spend money on video promotions. But there’s no need to fret, as here are a few ways you can drastically reduce video production costs:
By shooting organic videos, not only will you save thousands of dollars a year, but in time become proficient in video marketing. Rather than focusing on making each video perfect, the key will be to be consistent in your uploads and reach as many customers as possible daily. Create Trackable Metrics for Campaigns The only way to truly understand whether your business is reaping the benefits of video marketing is to establish trackable metrics, such as:
Video marketing is an essential component for any small business looking to grow its brand awareness online. Now that you understand the best types of videos to create and how to keep costs in check, all that's left is consistently creating and publishing content across your socials and watching your brand grow. Thank you to this month's guest blogger Patrick Young with ABLE USA. To find out more please visit ABLE USA. Why a Good Email Newsletter Is Your Key to Connecting With Customers by Guest Blogger Patrick Young1/16/2023  Photo courtesy of Canva.com Keeping in touch with your customers in the Twin Cities area is easier when you use the right methods. Email newsletters are one of the best ways to grow your customer base and keep in touch with everyone.
Why Send Newsletters?Newsletters are effective because you can customize them for any purpose. You can inform customers about your products and services or send special birthday offers, for instance. Another reason newsletters are a good investment is the low cost. You can write them yourself and send them out cheaply using an email marketing service. Encourage People to Read Your NewsletterMany experts agree that offering a newsletter is only one part of the task. For it to be effective, people need to read it. You can offer a discount on their first purchase or a free webinar that piques their interest. But a key way to get people to read your newsletter is to write an effective one. To make sure you write a newsletter people want to read, keep these tips in mind:
Using Data Visualization to Enhance Your ContentOnce you have subscribers, your next challenge is keeping them. First, what objective do you want your newsletter to achieve? Do you want your subscribers to flock to your new online course or store, or do you want them to subscribe to your social media pages? Regardless of what goal you have for your newsletter, try to visualize the result ahead of time. Finding Professional HelpA newsletter is a powerful marketing tool, but only if it's engaging and well-written. If writing isn't your gig, consider hiring Spotlight Business Solutions to shape your ideas into compelling prose. If your newsletter includes graphics, you can find an illustrator or graphic designer online for a low price. Locating Tools to Optimize Your NewsletterLuckily for everyone, the advantages of technology mean that people can learn a new skill quickly and from the comfort of their home. There are many tools available to help you with the creation and distribution of your newsletter. You can even find tools that help with the layout and design, too. In fact, you can use an online logo maker to help you create a professional, chic logo for free. You’ll get a logo you can use anywhere, from social media to merchandise and business cards. Your brand will look amazing, and the logo can work wonders for your marketing. Your Next StepsCreating a marketing strategy can be challenging, but luckily, there are many resources available in the Twin Cities area that can help. Reach out to Spotlight Business Solutions for your free 30-minute marketing consultation. Thank you to this month's guest blogger Patrick Young with ABLE USA. To find out more please visit ABLE USA. |
AuthorAmy Lauria, the president of Spotlight Business Solutions, has been working as a digital marketing maven since 2005. Archives
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