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The Dark Side of ChatGPT: Employees & Businesses Need to Prepare Now
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Ben Angel
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A First Generation Apple iPhone Is Set to Sell for $50,000
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Apple enthusiasts have the chance to own an original 2007 first-generation iPhone – if they are willing to pay the price.
One of the first iPhones to ever be created hit the auction floor today with the bidding starting at $2,500.
RELATED: ‘What a Shame’: A Generation Mourns as Apple Announces It Will Discontinue Beloved Device
The original 2007 factory iPhone, which is sealed and unopened in its original packaging, is expected to go for an impressive $50,000 or more, according to LCG Auctions where the item is listed for sale.
At the time it was first produced, the iPhone featured 4 or 8 GB of storage, with a 3.5-inch screen and a 2-megapixel camera. The original phone didn’t first include an app store and was only available exclusively with AT&T on a 2G network, per CNN. It was named 2007’s Invention of the Year by Time Magazine.
The particular iPhone up for grabs is being consigned by its owner, Karen Green, who was gifted the Apple product when it was first released. In a 2019 appearance on “The Doctor & The Diva,” the proud owner said she was gifted the phone but never opened the package as she was happy with her current device. She said she held onto it hoping it would come in handy one day. On the air, her 8 GB phone was appraised at $5,000 by Ph.D. Antiques Appraiser Dr. Lori.
The value of first-edition packaged iPhones has increased over the years as collectors view them as blue-chip assets. Notably, the last original iPhone of such nature to go up for sale sold for $39,339.60 in October 2022.
Bidders have until February 19 to claim the coveted collectible.
RELATED: How Much Do Engineers, Software Developers, and Analysts Make at Apple? See Salary List
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Sam Silverman
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What Millennials Want In Their Products, As Told By A Millennial.
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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
I’m a millennial. And we’re now an influential and rapidly expanding demographic, so understanding our views on product life cycles is essential for any business. Indeed, products that previous generations may have favored may be viewed differently by us, affecting the decisions of manufacturers, retailers and other stakeholders in the industry.
Millennials’ preference for short-term products can be attributed to our aversion to the effort, cost and time needed to maintain and repair long-term items. Convenience and immediacy of use are also desirable qualities in a product, as we want something we can access quickly without investing in its upkeep.
Our generation is used to having access to the newest gadgets without making large purchases. Therefore, when it comes to product life cycles, millennials tend to favor short-term options that don’t require too much commitment or financial burden. Short-term items are typically seen as disposable or single-use items that don’t need regular maintenance or repairs over time. This makes them ideal choices for people who want something readily available but don’t have the resources or capacity for a long-term investment.
Related: How to Create a Hybrid Work Environment That Works for All Generations
Planned obsolescence
Businesses should consider the impact of planned obsolescence when creating products if they wish to maximize appeal among millennials. Planned obsolescence is the intentional design of products with limited lifespans for customers to frequently replace them with newer models so companies can stay competitive and profitable.
This strategy has been widely employed by many tech companies recently, as it helps keep their brand current and allows them to target an increasingly fickle tech-savvy audience who always wants the latest version of whatever product they’re using at any given time.
In contrast to short-term items, longer-term or high-quality products often require more maintenance and support from service providers or technicians to last for years with minimal maintenance cost. This can be costly and time-consuming in the long run, so millennials prefer brands that offer longevity without requiring too much upkeep.
Related: Bad Business Tactics that Business Owners Should Avoid
Eco-friendly options
Many of these brands now offer eco-friendly designs and reusable components that minimize waste yet still provide better performance over a more extended period. This is attractive to millennials as it gives a more sustainable option that won’t soon become outdated due to changing technology trends or market demands.
These features often come with extended warranties and repair services, which give customers peace of mind when investing in long-term products. Many of these brands partner with certified service centers with knowledgeable technicians who can provide regular maintenance and repair services for the product at an affordable cost. This ensures that users can keep their products running well even after the warranty period has expired, reassuring them of having access to a reliable product for many years.
Companies should also consider offering different payment plans or leases on their products to suit different budgets. This would give millennials more options for purchasing quality items without worrying about committing to large upfront costs.
Related: 5 Tips for Creatively Going Green With Your Business
Availability
On top of this, the availability of parts, repair services and even warranties must be considered when looking at a product life cycle. If a particular item requires repair, but parts needed for it aren’t readily available, customers may view investing in it as a poor decision, as repairs could become costly if parts can’t be sourced easily.
Additionally, if warranties offered by brands only cover certain aspects, customers may opt-out from buying their offerings due to the lack of assurance regarding performance over its life cycle time frame. In such cases, brands must provide comprehensive support options such as replacement warranties and access to trained technicians who can assist with repairs should an issue arise.
Connectivity
Modern businesses need to consider connectivity in their product offerings to maximize appeal among millennials. Items like smartphones require regular updates, making them feel outmoded quickly if they aren’t updated. This means having access to compatible networks is central to guaranteeing that users can benefit from the latest features offered by these products throughout their lifespan.
Businesses should ensure that their products are compatible with a wide range of services and applications for customers to get the most out of them over their lifetime. Many companies now provide cloud services and integrations that allow for more convenient usage and better performance when it comes to keeping devices updated and taking advantage of new features and capabilities.
Related: The 3 Stakeholders That Make for Meaningful Connectivity
Overall it’s clear that product life cycles are an important consideration when looking at purchase decisions made by millennials — from length and features to availability and connectivity — as all these factors influence what kind of value each item has in the eyes of buyers. With this knowledge, companies now understand what appeals most to their younger target demographic and can optimize their offering to maximize conversions while appealing to Millennial consumers’ sensibilities. Now get out there and sell me something.
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Christopher Massimine
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5 Cybersecurity Predictions Home Users Need to Know for 2023
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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
This time last year, I reviewed the cybersecurity landscape around the world and predicted a year ahead involving advanced threats against home users, the continual growth of ransomware and gaming as a growing attack vector. Looking back over 2022, we indeed saw those predictions play out.
For 2023, we can expect the continued trends of attacks against consumers and remote employees, like phishing and social engineering attacks, including email and SMS scams, which are commonly used to exploit individuals. Trojan viruses, sophisticated malware and new attack vectors will be highly prevalent in 2023, including novel threats such as the Metaverse Attack vector dubbed “Big Brother” discovered by RAV Researchers.
With all this in mind, what else can we expect for 2023?
1. Phishing and social engineering
Unfortunately, humans are still the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain. Home users remain the easiest targets as AV providers are focused on securing enterprise dollars for their services. Phishing and social engineering scams will become more sophisticated as they continue into 2023, and cyber criminals employ more complex technologies such as deep fakes.
Continued use of email phishing is to be expected, with Office Documents that hide macro code still being used as vectors to lure users to run the malicious code in emails. Other means of deploying scams, such as SMS and social media platforms — be it affiliate links, clickbait or credentials pages that attempt to steal your password information — are all likely to continue.
Raising awareness for online users is our best leverage to stop these phishing attempts from being successful. Taking note of simple telltale signs such as misspelling of words, the incorrect use of URLs and completely irrelevant messaging can make all the difference.
Related: The Emerging Cybersecurity Trends In 2023
2. RaaS and CaaS
Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) and overall Cybercrime-as-a-Service (CaaS) are on the rise. Data breaches are to be expected, as data is still seen as profitable barter on the Dark Web. These services are becoming more commonplace as cyber warfare persists. As the motivations behind cybercrime move from profit-related to geopolitical, the nature of the Dark Web is changing. Worryingly, cyber-criminal groups can now use the malware they trade on these platforms to go after more sensitive computing systems connected to critical infrastructure and government services of other nation-states.
3. Online user demographics
Cyber victims are becoming increasingly younger. We will see the continued targeting of unsecured consumers such as tweens and teens, who are highly connected, starting to use crypto and buying into the metaverse and other digital assets. Likewise, criminals themselves are getting younger. Cybercrime activity by teens and young adults now covers everything from large-scale attacks on enterprises and governments to low-level crimes that target families, friends and strangers. Hacktivism will also be fueled by cyber use — the younger generation can use their cyber skills to show their discontent in ways the past generation didn’t have access to or the ability to do.
Related: A Business Leader’s Beginner Guide to Cybersecurity
4. Bypassing 2FA
Cracking and bypassing two-factor authentication (2FA) is on the rise and will be exploited more and more in the coming year. It’s likely that in the future, we may move on to three or even four-factor authentication. As the technology to crack multi-factor authentication continues to mount up, more and more companies may opt to use biometric authentication.
5. Next-generation threats
As next-generation technologies, such as virtual reality, make it into the mainstream, we will see the continued deployment of next-generation threats. Whether or not the allure of the metaverse and augmented realities makes it into 2023 remains to be seen — but as ever, new vectors offer new opportunities and broader attack surfaces.
Related: 4 Major Cybersecurity Risks of Working From Home
What can we do?
Despite ongoing cybersecurity concerns, there’s sometimes a distinct lack of action. For example, 12 months after the Log4J hack, the CISA and FBI agencies are concerned that many companies have still not applied updates, despite their security alerts warning that if organizations haven’t yet patched or mitigated Log4j vulnerabilities, they should assume their network is compromised and act accordingly.
Organizations and individuals alike need to shift their cybersecurity strategies to a more holistic approach. Log4J is a great example of why cybersecurity companies shouldn’t rest on their laurels. Experts have warned that threat actors are perfectly capable of playing the long game; even if a disaster hasn’t struck yet. Unless you are fully prepared, it still can.
As with all aspects of technology, cybersecurity is fast-paced and ever-evolving. Security companies need to constantly mitigate threats, deploying the best cybersecurity available for their users. One thing is certain in 2023: More hacks are coming our way. Cybercriminals will be spending the year ahead fine-tuning their methods. The question is whether the defense can keep up.
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Andrew Newman
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Save $93 on This Mini AI Robotics Arm and Software
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Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.
With the AI robotics market poised to generate more than $28 billion by 2028, now is the time to dive in. Everyone has to start somewhere, and for future AI robotics engineers, the Mirobot 6-Axis Mini Robot Arm Professional Kit may be where.
Designed for AI robotics learners, the Mirobot arm is a teaching tool that functions like an industrial robot pendant. Connectable via Bluetooth, the Mirobot arm has six-axis freedom and 0.2mm repeated positioning accuracy. Smooth, omnidirectional movement allows you to maneuver through three-dimensional setups with ease.
Use the WLKATA Studio software to get familiar with inputting instructions with G-code, Teach & Play, Blockly, and Python. And with various end tools included, you can easily swap from drawing with the pen holder to picking objects up delicately via the claw attachment. So not only can you work from the programming end, but you’ll also have an opportunity to learn some muscle memory manipulating the arm.
Users can choose their preferred control, such as using the included remote controller, mobile app, or executing commands from a PC. Once comfortable with the operation, use accessories and expansions to set up elaborate AI scenes. The Mirobot arm can allow you to program, troubleshoot, and explore in a tabletop environment.
If you get stuck, turn to the Education Resources of tutorials, source code, DIY guidance, and models, all included for free on WLKATA and the GitHub community. These instructional resources are an excellent place for learners to start and may even inspire younger users to pursue one of the most popular college majors in engineering.
Breaking into AI robotics is possible. Start learning when you grab the WLKATA Mirobot 6-Axis Mini Robot Arm Professional Kit for 5% off, making it $1,757 (reg. $1,850).
Prices subject to change.
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Save $169 on This 3D Printer and Learn Why ‘Kidulting’ is the New Rage
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Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.
As an entrepreneur, developing healthy ways to cope with stress is essential. It’s an unavoidable aspect of running a business, but fortunately, in 2023 there’s a fun way to fight it. More adults than ever are purchasing toys, but they’re not for the kids in their lives; they’re for themselves, creating a consumer group called kidults.
If blowing off steam by playing around sounds like something you’d like to adopt in 2023, the Toybox 3D Printer Deluxe Bundle is an excellent way to unwind and tap into your creative side. And right now, during the Kidults campaign, a sale celebrating the inner child and embracing cool toys during adulthood, you can snag it for $299, 36% off the usual price.
Featured on Shark Tank, the Toybox 3D Printer Deluxe Bundle lets adults and kids tap into their imaginations and make the toys of their dreams. Easy-to-use one-touch functions control it, so you can focus on creativity and brainstorm toys to print. Not feeling inspired? There’s also an included toy catalog featuring tons of ideas, including items based on DC Comics, Cartoon Network, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbara, Friends, and more, so the possibilities are endless.
Once you’ve settled on the toy you’d like to create, use the companion app to upload or select your design and then sit back while it’s brought to life. Unlike many other 3D printers on the market, this one doesn’t require a knife to remove the prints, so it’s safe for all ages. And it comes with eight different colors of non-toxic, biodegradable printer food — enough to create 100 to 300 toys.
During the Kidults campaign, you can get the Toybox 3D Printer Deluxe Bundle for $299.99, no coupon code needed, now through January 30.
Prices subject to change.
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This $400 4K Camera Drone Bundle Is Now 67% Off
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Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.
Did you always dream of becoming a pilot? Then, get creative and have some fun with a sleek, professional-level camera drone. The Alpha Z PRO 4K Camera Drone provides just that for 67% off. Plus, it comes bundled with the Flying Fox 4K Wide-Angle Dual-Camera Drone.
With this buy-one-get-one deal, you’ll add a small fleet of drones to your camera tech. These can join the almost 900,000 drones registered with the FAA as of 2022. Both drones offer dual cameras, with 4K wide-angle front and 720p bottom cameras. Capture real-time photo and video footage with a compatible Wi-Fi app.
Control better than ever with a four-channel mode that permits ascending, descending, forward, backward, left, right, and rolling 360 flight patterns. Use the altitude hold mode to get stable footage while hovering. The six-axis gyroscopes allow for smoother flight and better control.
Opt for the Alpha Z PRO 4K, which boasts up to nine minutes of flight powered by its 3.7V, 500mAh battery for short flights to snap quick pics or footage. For longer flights of up to 12 minutes, the Flying Fox packs a bigger 2000mAh battery. The Flying Fox can also be controlled by hand gestures for the most intuitive function.
If you run into trouble, both drones can find their way back to you with a single button. Set the Flying Fox to follow so that it tracks the path of the controller as you move.
Typically valued at $398.00, you can start soaring to new heights for just $129.99 with the Alpha Z PRO 4K + Flying Fox bundle, no coupon needed. This savings of 67% makes investing in a fun toy that can double as a popular business tool much more affordable.
Prices subject to change.
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This Refurbished 2017 MacBook Air Is 61% Off Now
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Technology can be an entrepreneur’s best asset, especially when working remotely. You need to be able to connect with people all over the world and leverage the apps and software your business requires. So when you’re in the market for a new machine, don’t just spring for the most expensive option at the Apple Store. Consider buying refurbished.
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Refurbished electronics have been previously owned but returned to the factory and fixed up to work like new. But because they may have some cosmetic issues, you can save a few hundred bucks — and help the environment. For example, this refurbished 2017 Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ is available for more than $600 off.
The MacBook Air is slim and lightweight but packs a powerful punch. Its 13.3″ Pro Retina display supports millions of colors, providing an outstanding experience whether you’re working or watching. It runs on an Intel Core i5 1.8GHz processor with 8GB of RAM, giving you more power than previous models and allowing you to effectively multitask, no matter what you’re doing. It even offers 128GB of onboard memory, so you’ll have plenty of space for apps, photos, and videos.
The MacBook Air is especially liked for its long battery life — up to 12 hours of web browsing on a single charge. With Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity, you can connect to the internet at the coffee shop, pair your headphones, and get into a groove. Plus, it has a 45W MagSafe 2 power adapter with cable management. One reviewer on the Walmart site wrote, “Purchased this MacBook preowned for my son, and it was a win.”
Upgrade your remote work device situation. For a limited time, you can get a refurbished 2017 Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ for just $379.99 (reg. $999).
Prices subject to change.
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Let This Refurbished Apple iPad Air Help You Multitask, Now for $99.99
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Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.
Whether you excel at multitasking or it doesn’t exactly come naturally, being able to juggle multiple things at once is a way of life as an entrepreneur. If you fall in the latter camp, there are some gadgets that can help you stay on top of everything you need to tackle the daily hustle.
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You can conquer even the craziest to-do list with the help of an Apple iPad Air. This must-have Apple gadget is a convenient way to handle busy schedules. Though a brand-new model would set you back a few hundred dollars, a refurbished option prevents e-waste and is also easier on your wallet. Right now, for a limited time, you can get one in space gray for just $99.99 — 33% off the usual refurbished price.
This refurbished Apple iPad Air brings you all the perks of this convenient tablet at a fraction of the price. This particular model comes equipped with a high-performance 9.7-inch Retina display, just small enough to be easily portable (it’s only 7.5mm thin and weighs just a pound!) and large enough to allow you to work and play.
It includes an ultrafast A7 chip to run multiple apps faster and more efficiently, so you can answer a work email, check your calendar, and then take a little Netflix break. In addition, it comes with 16GB of storage capacity so that you can save your favorite files right on the device. And this particular model (that hails from 2013) comes with an impressive ten-hour battery life, so you won’t spend your day tethered to an electrical outlet either.
Get this sleek refurbished 16GB Apple iPad Air in space gray, plus the charger, for just $99.99, for a limited time.
Prices subject to change.
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Carry a Flashlight Everywhere with This Utility Device
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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Many entrepreneurs are jack-of-all-trades types, which is why it makes sense you’d want the same sort of utility in your day-to-day. So whether you’re gearing up for summer adventures or just like to be prepared in an emergency, the Eight-in-One MaxLight Mini Super Bright Utility Flashlight makes a great addition to your everyday carry.
This clever little device fits in your backpack, pocket, or keychain and offers eight cool functions. Primarily a flashlight, the MaxLight illuminates 30x brighter than your phone with powerful LEDs that can reach up to 800 lumens without taking up a lot of bulk. In addition, you can switch between four light modes — super bright, medium, low, and strobe — depending on your needs and attach it to any metal surface thanks to the magnetic design. That makes it especially handy in the garage or at the campsite.
In addition to the flashlight, the MaxLight also includes a bottle opener, a carabiner, a foldable kickstand, and a mounting hole to make it useful for hiking, camping, fishing, and any other trip. It’s waterproof and dustproof, making it suitable for all of your outdoor adventures. It has a 3.5-hour battery life and is USB rechargeable, so you can quickly get back up to full power. The LED indicator will let you know when it’s fully charged.
This lightweight tool has 5/5 stars online. One verified buyer boasts, “Very bright and made of quality materials.”
Be prepared for absolutely anything, and give yourself some support for all of your spring and summer adventures. For a limited time, you can get a two-pack of Eight-in-One MaxLight Mini Super Bright Utility Flashlights for 45% off $54 — just $29.99.
Prices are subject to change.
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3 Digital Marketing Strategies That Will Save You 20 Hours Every Week
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Are you struggling to keep up with the demands of digital marketing? You’re not alone. Small businesses and entrepreneurs are often so busy that they don’t have time to focus on their marketing efforts.
Don’t worry, though! There are ways to automate your digital marketing so that it doesn’t take up all your time.
As a digital entrepreneur and marketing coach, over the past ten years growing online businesses, I’ve learned precisely how to save 20 hours a week with automatic digital marketing processes, which I’m here to teach you. By implementing the three following automation strategies, you can free up valuable time to focus on other aspects of your business. Let’s get started!
Related: How to Build on Your Digital Marketing Momentum in 2023
1. Social media marketing automation
Automating your social media marketing is one of the fastest and easiest ways to save time in digital marketing. There are many tools available that allow you to schedule posts, monitor engagement, and more.
At the beginning of each month, create a calendar by planning 30 days worth of social media content ideas. For example, each day of the week, you should vary your content by type (i.e., educational, entertaining, inspiring, tips and tricks, behind-the-scenes, etc.). This will help keep your social media audiences engaged and interested in your posts while making it easier for you and your team to create the content.
Similar to how manufacturing facilities streamline production processes by batching work, the same technique should be applied to your marketing efforts. Instead of creating marketing content from scratch and posting to social networks daily, batch your workload by producing content in one sitting and then schedule your posts for the rest of the week. This will make it easier for you and save you a lot of time so that you can move on to other areas of your business.
When filming videos or shooting photos for social media, aim to capture a variety of content that can be reused and repurposed for various posts. This will cut down on the content creation time, as you’re utilizing one shoot for multiple pieces of content.
You can also share UGC (user-generated content) featuring your company’s products or services (either by hired content creators or real customers), which shows social proof while giving you easy-to-post original content that doesn’t require extra work or effort on your part.
In addition to these social media marketing tips to save time and energy, you can also reshare posts from several months ago. For example, if you had a popular post on Instagram from at least 3-months ago that got a lot of engagement, repost that with a slightly different caption now. This drastically cuts down on your content creation time, helping to attract a wider audience of potential new followers interested in your business.
Related: Top 12 Questions About Facebook Ads That Every Entrepreneur Needs To Know
2. Automating email marketing
Automating your email marketing is a great way to save time and increase efficiency while staying in touch with your customers and prospects. You can use an email automation platform like Flodesk, Mailchimp or Constant Contact to create automated campaigns that send personalized emails to your subscribers based on their preferences and interests.
For example, creating an email sequence workflow that automatically is scheduled to send to people who opt-in to your email list is the absolute best way to streamline your email marketing process. It’s also important to segment your audience lists so that you optimize your email workflows — this way, you know where each person is in the customer journey experience.
For example, if someone opts into your email list by signing up for a lead magnet (such as a free ebook), then you’ll want to add them to a cold lead list (since they’re just learning about your business). That way, you start to warm them up through emails before selling them on your products or services.
By comparison, if you set up an audience list of past customers, you can remarket to them by offering reward-based promotions (such as exclusive Thank You coupon codes) to encourage them to purchase again.
As you can see, setting up audience lists makes it easier to create different types of automated emails that drive brand awareness, boost sales conversions and incentivize repeat purchases.
Related: Why Email Marketing Is Better for Your Business Than Social Media
3. Implementing content curation tools
Content curation is another excellent way for entrepreneurs and small business owners to save time on digital marketing. Using a content curation tool, such as Buzzsumo or Curata, you can quickly find and share relevant content in your industry without spending hours researching articles and sources. Content curation tools allow you to easily search for the best content related to your target audience, save it for later use, and share it on social media.
In addition to sharing industry-focused content, you can also share inspirational quotes that relate to your target audience’s mindset. For example, suppose you’re selling beauty products geared toward women. In that case, you might consider quickly creating a beauty image (even a stock photo will suffice) with a caption by an empowering female icon (such as Coco Chanel or Marilyn Monroe). Women are inspired by motivational messages from these figures and will often engage with this type of content on social media (by liking, commenting, and sharing it). This is an easy, effective way to create content that gets results quickly.
These are just a few simple ways that automation will help you save time in digital marketing. Implementing these strategies will allow you to focus more energy on other important business areas while growing brand awareness for your company and acquiring new sales leads.
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Christina-Lauren Pollack
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Be the Same You, Just More Prepared with This Generator, Now 28% Off
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Want to go into 2023 the same you, just a little more prepared? It’s impossible to know when a power outage will strike, but you can take action to keep your devices powered up and stay productive if you own a generator.
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Make sure your smartphone is charged through an earthquake, or your laptop stays powered up in a thunderstorm with the EcoFlow DELTA Power Station. This handy device is currently on a massive price drop during the Same You, New Green Mindset event, from $1,399 down to $999, with no coupon code required. That’s a 28% savings available now through January 9.
The EcoFlow DELTA Power Station is an excellent representation of the new standard of battery-powered generators. It works with a wide range of devices, helping you keep them powered up for hours when you lose power or simply are away from an electrical outlet. It can also charge a large amount simultaneously — up to 13 devices at once!
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, the EcoFlow sets itself apart from other generators thanks to its patented X-Stream Technology, which lets it recharge at 10 times the speed of most portable power stations on the market. And its large inverter load means it can even power up most home appliances and heavy-duty DIY tools under 1,800W with a 1,260Wh capacity.
This Kickstarter-funded generator can be recharged by solar panels in about four hours or can be fully recharged through a 12/24V carport in under ten hours.
Be the same you, just with your pivotal electronics charged up anytime, anywhere with the EcoFlow DELTA Power Station. It’s on sale now for $999, no coupon code required, now through January 9 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.
Prices subject to change.
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5 Ways to Make Money With a Mobile App for Your Business
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Mobile apps continue to grow in popularity, which offers little surprise when considering the ubiquitous nature of the smartphone. This scenario leads many companies to consider crafting their own app, likely targeting both Apple iOS and Android platforms. Sometimes their goal for the app involves generating publicity for their business or even driving engagement from their customer base.
However, in many cases, businesses craft a mobile app simply as a source of revenue. In this situation, it becomes critical to fully understand the potential revenue models available to any app. This understanding then informs the process of evaluating which model makes the most sense for the business.
So let’s take a high-level overview of the different revenue models available to entrepreneurs building a mobile app and how to evaluate these models to help you decide on which one provides the best opportunity. Remember, this analysis needs to happen before you design any interface wireframes or write one line of code. In the end, a successful app launch likely depends on making this initial effort.
Related: How Can App Makers Improve Revenue and Keep Users Engaged?
In-app advertising
Embedded ads within a mobile app offer one obvious approach to generating revenue. However, this revenue stream really only applies to free apps, as displaying ads in a paid app likely hampers the growth of the app’s user base. In fact, a common practice in mobile games or other apps involves using an in-app purchase to remove ads.
Notably, the market for in-app advertising continues to generate significant growth across the planet. According to Absolute Market Insights, the in-app ad market reached $66.78 billion in 2018 and is forecast to hit $472.64 billion by 2027. This growth shows a compound annual growth rate of 24.4% over that 10-year period. Again, any app needs a large user base to generate significant ad revenue, so consider making your app free to attract users.
The “freemium” app approach
Somewhat related to in-app advertising, a freemium app also serves to attract a large user base to a compelling app experience. Additional content or features then become unlocked after buying an in-app purchase. In fact, we just highlighted the fact that users take advantage of this approach to turn off in-app advertising.
This revenue stream strategy is common in gaming apps as well as music production and instrument apps, with the latter niche more common on the iOS platform. A user might own a free beat-making app, and get access to new synthesizers or drum machines after buying an IAP. Some music app developers also use this revenue model to provide new sounds and synth patches to their user community.
Related: How to Create an App for Your Business With Zero Coding Experience
Offering subscriptions to generate revenue
Additionally, other developers are using subscriptions to provide a repeatable revenue source for their mobile apps typically offered on a freemium basis. Not surprisingly, magazines and comic books sometimes leverage this revenue stream strategy. However, note that Apple and Google Play take a cut of any revenue generated using subscriptions; this also applies to any in-app purchase.
The subscription model can also be very valuable for B2B apps. Creating a mobile app that integrates with a SaaS solution is a great way to expand the platform to a larger audience and deliver more value — which justifies monthly subscription fees.
Monetize your mobile app data
Depending on the nature of your mobile app, its data potential potentially serves as a valuable revenue stream. Of course, this valuation ultimately depends on the size of the app’s user base and the nature of the data. When leveraging data monetization as a revenue strategy, you need clearly note this in the app’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
This is one of the best examples of why you need to determine your revenue model before developing your product. GasBuddy is an example of an app that generated a strong user base with a very sticky venture and zero plans for how to monetize their mobile app. They ended up secretly (i.e. illegally) selling user data and getting into trouble when users started noticing the extra drain on resources and battery from GasBuddy collecting location information.
While monetizing data isn’t the most popular monetization strategy, it can work if it is done legally and you are completely transparent about it from the beginning.
Related: Building an App? Follow These 4 Steps to See Things Through
The traditional paid app revenue model
Of course, actually charging for an app provides an easy way to generate revenue. Paid apps need to provide users with a top-shelf experience and compelling functionality. As such, these apps tend to be mobile games, music creation apps (including synthesizers) and productivity apps, like video editing or graphic design software. Leveraging the freemium model with certain features unlocked through an IAP also works, but paid apps also provide IAPs. Once again, this approach depends on the overall quality of the app and the functionality it provides.
Make sure you fully understand the rules of the Apple Store and Play Store and how they will affect your revenue model. Last month, Apple updated their App Store rules to take 30% of sales on “boosts” for social media posts. This is the first time Apple has directly taxed advertising in iOS apps and is just one example of a recent change that could significantly impact your revenue.
What revenue model makes sense for your mobile app?
As noted earlier, before one line of code gets written, you need to determine which revenue model works best for your company’s mobile app. This analysis includes figuring out the potential size of the user community and the amount of revenue you’ll need to break even. Those factors directly influence the potential of using in-app advertising and data monetization as revenue streams.
If your app requires millions of users to become profitable, you need to set realistic goals for reaching those milestones. Personally, we’ve found more success with subscription-based app revenue models that require a lower number of users to reach profitability. But, charging high subscription fees doesn’t work for every app.
In the end, entrepreneurs need to take this analytical approach to ensure their mobile app truly makes an impact. Anything less simply won’t generate enough interest — or revenue.
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Andrew Amann
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What Is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Here Are Its Benefits, Uses and More
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Companies, commentators and even sci-fi movies can’t stop talking about artificial intelligence (AI).
Indeed, AI in the real world is far from the artificial intelligence villains you might recall from your favorite sci-fi flick.
This article will break down what artificial intelligence is, how it works and how it’s used in the real world. It will also explore AI technology’s benefits and potential downsides now and in the near future.
Artificial intelligence explained
Artificial intelligence is the computer simulation of human intelligence. It’s programming one or more machines to act in a way that mimics or replicates human behavior. AI breakthroughs are tied to computer science and programming languages, and applications of AI are scalable to simplify workflows across various industries.
Depending on the AI program or software used, it can more or less act similarly to someone doing the same task when viewed from the outside as an observer.
In general, AI is about creating software that is “smart” enough to do complex tasks without excessive human intervention or direction.
Indeed, AI researchers want to program computers to rationalize and think semi-independently. In this way, AI computers and software will likely be able to solve problems faster and better than humans can.
Artificial intelligence is closely connected to machine learning models, a technology that allows machines and computer programs to learn from and adapt the data without human assistance.
For example, a software program could be created (in theory) to run several tests, take the results from those tests, and come to conclusions or better processes without a human having to interfere or direct it.
Artificial intelligence is not about building anything you may have seen in science-fiction stories, like killer robots, war machines and similar constructions. Rather, it’s usually about maximizing efficiency, productivity and profit. Most AI research and AI development focus on use cases in the financial, business, supply chain, cybersecurity and healthcare industries.
Related: 3 Ways Machine Learning Can Help Entrepreneurs
What does AI really mean?
For most people, AI means that computers are becoming more intelligent and capable without human direction.
It’s all based on the idea that human intelligence can be defined and then mimicked so that software can reliably emulate it, even to the point where humans can’t tell whether they are talking to a machine or a real person.
In some cases, this is already true. Many people get fooled by ordinary customer service chatbot messaging or similar intelligent systems, which have enough preprogrammed sentences and responses that they can feel relatively lifelike.
However, AI researchers and machine learning software programmers are focused more on making types of artificial intelligence that can do more profound, more complex work and emulate human intelligence more comprehensively.
In a certain sense, humanity has reached the pinnacle of simple machine technology and inventions. With machines that can do precise tasks and carry out complex commands (if programmed correctly), the next phase in machine development is creativity, initiative and complex “thought.”
This doesn’t mean that AI will replace humans in all aspects, nor will artificial intelligence spell the end of the human race. It does, however, mean that many new technological advancements could be in the future.
These AI system advancements include:
- Neural networks that mimic the activity of the human brain.
- Deep learning algorithms.
- Natural language processing and speech recognition AI algorithms.
- New ways to automate systems.
- Decision-making capabilities.
- Real-time computer vision overlays or screens.
Related: 5 Ways Artificial Intelligence Is Already Influencing Your Daily Life and You Don’t Even Know It
Why is AI important?
In a practical sense, artificial intelligence is essential for various specific goals and objectives.
For example, artificial intelligence software may allow enterprises to understand the enormous quantities of data they collect on their target consumers and customers. In this way, businesses can make better decisions about their marketing campaigns, their products and much more.
Alternatively, artificial intelligence could be critical because AI-powered machines could do some tasks better than humans, especially when it comes to repetitive or detailed-oriented tasks.
For instance, a computer can read mountains of legal documents much more quickly and accurately than even the savviest legal mind, and it can come to some conclusions to provide to lawyers later on.
AI is important because:
- It represents the ability to improve or innovate in industries without much innovation.
- It may allow humans to exceed current productive capacities even further, meaning more significant profits and more efficient production for businesses and industries.
Related: What Is AI, Anyway? Know Your Stuff With This Go-To Guide
How does artificial intelligence work?
AI works, in essence, like this:
- A programmer writes a software program using complex, comprehensive and clever language.
- That software program includes the capability to “learn” from experience, usually by recording event outcomes and changing its behavior in response. This is essentially what machine learning is.
- The software program then tailors its behavior according to its experience, its predictions for future events and what it needs to do.
AI programming uses separate cognition skills to facilitate this behavior. Learning processes allow the AI program to acquire data and make rules for using that data to do actions.
Artificial intelligence programs use reasoning processes to use suitable algorithms and reach specific objectives or outcomes. Self-correction processes are leveraged to rework or fine-tune algorithms and constantly strive for more accurate or desirable results.
Naturally, this software process is highly complex and resource intensive. Therefore, artificial intelligence technology is only possible in specific contexts and for certain organizations.
Generally, real AI (as far as it has been developed) is only available to large enterprises and institutions like the government. AI technology uses specially designed hardware, such as special chips, servers and processors, to facilitate its actions.
In theory, as technology and hardware get better, and people develop new ways to write software creatively, the capabilities of artificial intelligence will continue to grow and expand.
Artificial intelligence types
Technically, artificial intelligence can be classified into several different types. The two broadest types are:
- Narrow or weak AI. Narrow AI is artificial intelligence designed to complete or accommodate very specific tasks. Some examples of limited artificial intelligence include weather app assistants, chatbots and other digital aids, as well as specialized software intended to analyze data and optimize business functions.
- General or strong AI. General artificial intelligence is closer to the imagined version of AI in sci-fi flicks. It’s not yet fully realized, but it’s intended to be more versatile and flexible than its narrow counterpart. In theory, general AI can do anything necessary, not just one or two tasks very well.
However, artificial intelligence can also be categorized differently based upon intended function and specific capabilities. These types include:
- Reactive AI uses algorithms to optimize objectives or outputs based on specified inputs from human users. Examples include chess-playing AIs.
- Limited memory AI adapts to past experiences and updates itself based on new data or observations. Examples include autonomous vehicles (or the programs that drive them).
- Theory of mind AI is supposedly fully adaptive and can learn from past experiences. It includes some of the most advanced chatbots that can pass the Turing Test (named after the inventor of the computer, Alan Turing), though they are not self-aware. The Turing Test classifies any machine capable of engaging in conversation with a human without being detected as a machine as demonstrating human intelligence.
- Self-aware AI is theoretically conscious and aware of its existence, like humans. Self-aware AI has yet to be created.
How can artificial intelligence be used?
There are practically no limits to how you can use AI solutions as they are developed and implemented in organizations.
Nowadays, AI gets used in various industries, and not just as publicity machines like IBM’s Deep Blue or Watson, which famously won a game of Jeopardy! as an artificial general intelligence.
Related: 5 Ways Artificial Intelligence Is Radically Transforming Creativity in Business
Healthcare
In the healthcare industry, artificial intelligence is used to assist with healthcare diagnostics, such as identifying diseases or ailments in patients. That’s because AI can often rival humans at locating and identifying anomalies or issues in diagnostic scans.
In the healthcare industry, AI is also helpfully utilized to track and maintain patient records, handle health insurance claims and even classify hospital patients quickly and efficiently.
Driving and machine operation
Autonomous vehicles like those from Tesla also heavily use modern artificial intelligence programs.
With self-driving cars, AI may eventually learn from other drivers, fine-tune its own safety practices and drive more safely than even the most experienced human, all while maintaining faster response times due to its computerized nature.
In addition, the manufacturing and industrial sectors often use limited machine learning or AI software to operate machines requiring incredible precision and repetition.
Related: What’s Under the ‘Hood’ of Self-Driving Cars?
Financial applications
The financial industry can use artificial intelligence to analyze stocks, market trends and other economic activity, thus allowing brokers and fund managers to make better decisions on behalf of their clients. This is similar to algorithmic trading and has been increasingly common in recent years.
AI is good at this because it can take a lot of information, analyze it quickly and come to accurate conclusions based on past data sets. AI uses expert systems to improve pricing and similar actions over time.
Gaming
You can use artificial intelligence programs to make gaming bots or nonplayer characters, also known as NPCs. AI intelligence is getting better in this arena all the time — modern bots can simulate some of the motions or behaviors of human players very realistically by simulating the human mind.
Related: 3 Surprising Ways That Video Game Companies Leverage AI
User assistance
Naturally, artificial intelligence programs are already being used for general user assistance purposes, such as Amazon Alexa. Siri, Cortana, and other basic AI programs will likely become even more sophisticated and intelligent as time goes on.
Virtual assistants are already among the most commonly used types of AI computer systems and maybe eventually replace personal assistants.
Data analysis
You can use artificial intelligence for general data analysis across various industries. Many large organizations already leverage machine learning or AI platforms and programs to understand their data sets. Google famously uses artificial intelligence to understand its billions of users’ queries and search patterns.
The benefits of AI
Many people are excited for artificial intelligence technology to grow even further, primarily because of its potential advantages.
For example, artificial intelligence programs tend to be much better at detail-oriented jobs than humans, as there is less of a chance that these programs would miss details due to fatigue or human error. This can significantly reduce the time needed for data-heavy tasks, and artificial intelligence programs are already better at analyzing big chunks of data than humans.
In addition, AI can deliver more consistent results with fewer errors than human counterparts. Machines like AI don’t break or make mathematical errors as often as humans, plain and simple.
Some businesses are also looking into AI to replace specific jobs because AI-powered chatbots, virtual agents and customer service agents are always available 24/7, allowing them to respond to customer complaints quickly and easily, around the clock.
In a broad sense, AI will allow businesses to make more money, save more and deliver better customer results. The same is true for hospitals, governments and other large organizations that have a lot to do and rely on taking advantage of big data sets.
Related: AI Gives Outdated Industries a Makeover
The downsides of AI
That all said, AI does have some downsides that it needs to overcome.
For starters, artificial intelligence is universally expensive. This is why only some organizations, like the U.S. government, Google and other big enterprises, can fully take advantage of its technology and benefits.
In addition, AI usually requires deep technical expertise to leverage it effectively. This requires having the staff on hand to use, edit and repair AI software or technology from time to time, which only adds to its operating expenses.
Furthermore, since AI is still relatively unproven and still being developed, only a limited number of workers have the qualifications to build AI tools or monitor AI programs.
Since artificial intelligence hasn’t reached its full potential, it can’t maintain or repair itself, meaning it is liable to have issues or “break down” in specific contexts.
Given all these flaws, it’s no surprise why artificial intelligence hasn’t yet taken over many industries and sectors, despite its purported importance and power.
Summary
Artificial intelligence isn’t a computerized bogeyman out to ruin the world. AI is also not a one-size-fits-all solution for the world’s problems. Rather, artificial intelligence is a valuable software tool that businesses and individuals can leverage for their goals.
In the future, artificial intelligence may evolve in a somewhat unpredictable direction, offering even more benefits to organizations that take advantage of it.
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Make Working From Anywhere Easier With This Refurbished Apple iPad mini 4, Now Less Than $250
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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
In today’s working world, it’s tough to truly get away or disconnect. Especially considering more than a third of American workers received only 10 to 14 days off after a year of service. But what if you could simply bring along a light, portable tablet instead of your clunky company laptop and work from anywhere? That’s where an Apple iPad mini 4 comes in, offering true flexibility when you want to travel without always taking PTO.
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If you’d like to be able to work or play from anywhere, this beloved Apple gadget makes it feasible. And a refurbished model makes it much more accessible, plus it’s a win for the environment. Right now you can purchase an Apple iPad mini 4, complete with an accessories bundle, for just $234.99 for a limited time.
Get all the perks of a laptop shrunk down to a portable size that fits in the palm of your hand with an Apple iPad mini 4. This particular model comes with a pre-installed iOS 9 and 1.5GHz Apple A8 processor, so it’s ready to handle any task. And a 7.9 inch screen lets you browse, stream and shoot off an email in perfect clarity with a 2048 x 1536 resolution screen.
64GB of storage means you can keep your files, photos and more safely stored directly on the iPad. Need to hop on a video call at the last minute? A 1.2MP FaceTime HD camera offers a clear picture, and this model offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 capability for connecting purposes. And the 10-hour battery life means you won’t have to be tethered to a charger in the process.
This particular model hails from 2019 and comes with a grade “B” refurbished rating, which means it might have light scuffing on the bevel or case or light scratches or dents on the body. It also comes with an accessories bundle that includes tempered glass, a snap-on case, a lightning cable, and an AC wall adapter.
Take advantage of this amazing steal on an Apple iPad mini 4, complete with accessories, for just $234.99 for a limited time.
Prices subject to change.
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How To Fill Out a Money Order: Step-by-Step Guide
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When you can’t send a check but don’t want to rely on something as insecure as cash, a money order could be just the ticket.
It’s essential to know how to send and fill out a money order step-by-step in case you ever need to pay a bill, send money to a relative or transfer money discreetly from one place to another.
What is a money order?
A money order is very similar to a check. It allows you to send or receive payments securely, unlike cash.
However, money orders are prepaid. Instead of money leaving your account when someone catches a check, money leaves your account the minute you fill out a money order and deposit it at an appropriate institution.
When should you use a money order?
It can be wise to use a money order whenever you need to pay someone securely but can’t use a smartphone app like MoneyGram, online platform, check or cash (or you don’t want to use any of those methods).
Related: This is How We Can Transfer Money Online Without Hassle
This form of payment is accepted practically anywhere because they are automatically prepaid, so there’s no risk of the money “bouncing,” which can happen with a check. Furthermore, there’s no identity theft risk, like when you wire money from a checking account.
You can use a money order when you need to:
- Send money to a family member or friend.
- Pay a bill for your business.
- Receive money from your workplace or someone else.
However, remember that you can only send $1,000 in a single money order. You can send multiple money orders in the same shipment, though.
Banks and other financial institutions can offer this personal finance service, just like they can send cashier’s checks and personal checks. Other financial institutions also provide money orders, including credit unions such as Western Union or anywhere you can have a bank account or get a credit card/debit card.
Related: Business plan, business – Money Order
How to fill out a money order
Fortunately, filling out a money order is very straightforward and not at all difficult. You can get a money order from a location that sells them, such as pharmacies (including Walmart and CVS) or, more commonly, any of the 31,300 United States Postal Service retail offices. Conveniently, you can also send money orders from U.S. Postal Service offices.
Note that purchasing a money order involves a fee. The fee can vary from place to place; for instance, Walmart usually charges one dollar to send a money order, whereas the USPS can charge anywhere from $1.65 to $2.20 depending on how much you need to send.
You’ll need a few pieces of information to fill out a money order:
- The payee’s name.
- The payee or recipient’s address.
- The payment amount.
- Your name and current mailing address.
- The reason or billing account number for the money order.
You don’t need to list the issuer of the money order or the location of the post office/convenience store from which you send it on the memo line.
Step 1: Fill in the recipient’s name
Once you have a money order, write the name of the person to whom you are paying money in the “pay to the order of” or “pay to” fields, depending on which field your money order has. You should include the full name of the recipient or the full name of the business you are paying.
Step 2: Add your address
The next step is to add your address to the purchaser’s address field. This is the address of the person purchasing the money order — in this case, you. You’ll also add the payee’s address.
Step 3: Fill in the “memo” field
Then you need to fill in the “memo” field. This is a line or field where you can describe what you’ll use the money order for. If you’re using it to pay a bill, you’ll put the billing account number in this field.
Step 4: Sign your name
Last, you must sign your name on the front of the money order where it is indicated. When signing the purchaser’s signature, leave the back of the money order blank. That’s where the payee or recipient will endorse it, similar to endorsing a check.
There you have it — it should only take you a few minutes to fill out a money order from start to finish, provided you have all the necessary information.
Where and how to deliver a money order
After you have filled out the money order, detach the receipt. The receipt is vital for your records and allows you to track whether the recipient ever cashed the money order.
Hand-deliver the money order to the recipient or mail it to your recipient using the postal service of your choice. Only the recipient will be able to cash it.
Remember that, unlike a check, whatever money you have designated for the money order will be gone from your account before the recipient cashes the money order.
Can you cancel a money order?
Yes. To do this, you should immediately contact the person or party that issued the money order (i.e., USPS or Walmart). Ask for a cancellation request form and fill it out.
You’ll need to have your receipt from the money order and show it to do this. Then you’ll have to pay a fee to cancel the money order. This process is the same if you want to replace the money order or get a cash refund.
What else do you need to know about filling out money orders?
Now you know how to fill out a money order step-by-step. Money orders can be critical financial tools from time to time, and they can come in handy if you need to send funds securely and quickly from one place to another.
Looking for more informational articles like this? Explore Entrepreneur’s Money & Finance articles here
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This Utility Flashlight Shines 30x Brighter Than Your Phone
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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
In business, entrepreneurs are always trying to be as efficient as possible. It makes sense you’d want the same from your everyday carry devices. In addition to your wallet, phone, and keys, this 8-in-1 utility flashlight is a great option to stay prepared for almost anything that might come your way during the day. Since it comes with four of them, you could even use one as a Hanukkah gift for one of the eight nights.
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This rechargeable light is small enough to fit in any pocket and has ultra-bright LEDs that go up to 800 lumens at max power (30x brighter than your phone’s flashlight). It offers four modes, including adjustable brightness and flashing, to meet all of your lighting needs. Whether you’re dealing with a power outage at the office, have a flat tire at night, or need to work hands-free on a repair at home, it’s a handy lighting tool that you can snap to your keychain or backpack, clip to your clothing, attach to any metal surface with the magnetic base, or hang as an emergency lamp.
In addition to being a mini flashlight, this handy tool is also a bottle opener and a carabiner. It also has a folding kickstand making it easy to set up and use just about anywhere. (That makes it especially useful when you’re hiking, camping, or fishing.)
The well-reviewed MaxLight is USB rechargeable, giving you up to 3.5 hours of battery on a single charge. It’s waterproof and dustproof, has a strong magnetic base for mounting, and has a mounting hole making it extra durable and flexible for any situation. From all of your outdoor adventures to navigating your busy day-to-day life, this handy flashlight is a perfect addition to your everyday carry, your kitchen fridge, or your on-the-go emergency kit.
Gear up at a big discount and gift one to yourself, or even your kids for one of the last nights of gifting. Right now, you can get a four-pack of 8-in-1 MaxLight Mini Super-Bright Utility Flashlights for 39% off $107 at just $64.99.
Prices subject to change.
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Save an Extra 20% on This Fleet of WFH Must-Haves That Help Boost Productivity
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Though the commercial real estate industry may not appreciate remote working, the work-from-home model offers a lot of perks for workers. And the 2021 census revealed that the amount of people working remotely tripled from 2019 until 2021, with the number jumping from 5.7% to 17.9% of employees in the U.S.
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From cutting down on commute costs to letting you spend more time with loved ones, there’s a lot to love about clocking in from a home office (or a comfy couch!). If you’re struggling with staying productive with your current WFH setup or you’re brand-new to the remote life, the Edge Full Kit: The First Modular Work for Home Kit gives you all the tools you’ll need to work from anywhere. And right now during the Winter Savings event, you can score an extra 20% off with coupon code WINTER20, dropping the price down to $51.99 (reg. 74). But you have to act fast, as this sale only lasts 72 hours from December 13 to December 15.
Let the EDGE Kit keep you motivated eight hours a day with everything you need to boost productivity. First up is a phone and tablet mount for your laptop so you can conveniently use two screens at once. This lets you work on mobile interfaces in real time, while still being able to see other hosts during daily Zoom meetings. And when it’s not in use, it folds to a size as thin as four credit cards for maximum convenience.
Next up, an EDGE Universal Wireless Charger that is fully compatible with iPhone MagSafe devices (12 and above), iPhone 8 and above, and all Android devices with wireless charging capabilities, so you can keep your smartphone powered up at all times.
Finally, the EDGE Light rounds out this helpful kit, offering 280 lumens of pure brightness. Choose between three different brightness levels, depending on your needs, all of which will drastically improve the quality of Zoom, Slack, or Teams meetings. It can be used with or without a cable.
Upgrade your WFH experience with the First Modular Work for Home Kit, on sale for $51.99 with coupon code WINTER20 December 13 through December 15. You can also explore the entire Winter Savings collection for more opportunities for great deals this holiday season.
Prices subject to change.
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4 Exciting Mobile App Trends to Watch in 2023
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Some fifteen years in the making, the mobile app economy has become an essential contributor to global GDP and a true force to be reckoned with for both technologists and advertisers alike. More than $320,000 flowed through app stores every minute of 2021, an increase of nearly 20% from the year earlier. In addition, consumers are downloading more than 435,000 apps per minute — a truly astonishing figure — according to Data.ai, and things don’t seem to be slowing down.
Given all the buzz, what should you be watching if you’re set on capturing the hearts and minds of consumers, who are already spending a third of their waking hours consuming app content in an increasingly mobile-first world? Here is my list of top emerging mobile app trends as I take stock of 2022 and look ahead to the new year:
1. Augmented Reality looks set to continue its meteoric rise
Maybe it’s because the reality of the state of the world is so grim, or because seeing a dystopian world we live in through colored lenses has always held a certain appeal, but for whatever reason, augmented reality (AR) is becoming more and more popular. An increasing number of apps are launching new AR-based features. Even IKEA has started leveraging AR technology to allow shoppers to virtually “try on” furniture, using 3D models of their homes within the IKEA Place app, before making a purchase.
Back in September, an iOS 16 release saw the cutout feature being added to iPhone photos, where people can take the subject of a photo out of an image and place that subject — be it a person or a particularly scenic tree or whatever else — in different backgrounds.
Video background editing and even face-swapping tech are also growing in dominance, with these technologies becoming more advanced and easier to use as we’re quickly moving away from the days of blurry backgrounds and superimposed people in TikToks. Popular meme communities are taking full advantage of AR-enabled face-swapping tools to facilitate quick, easy and fun meme editing. Various video editing apps have also hit the market, allowing people to use AR to place animated 3D models on their surroundings — something businesses can use to create fun and appealing videos of their products.
Thanks to the winning combination of accessibility for fast-improving AR technology and users’ creative potential, we will likely see almost studio-quality content coming from lesser-known sources shortly. The democratization of content creation is well underway, and new developments on the AR front are likely to further this trend.
Related: 6 Emerging Niche Applications to Boost Productivity and Efficiency
2. Consumers are finding new ways to monetize their app-based activities
The idea of making extra cash is not new, but the cost-of-living crisis keenly felt across geographic and generational divides, and the rise of social networking is providing additional incentives for gamers, content creators and app users of all stripes to find new ways to monetize their activities.
Meta’s Instagram rolled out its ‘subscription’ features in August 2022 for creators to monetize exclusive content, and we’re likely to see more mobile apps attempt this to help users make money as compensation for their creative efforts. In the memes niche, Yepp launched earlier this year and began offering to share its advertising revenues with its users for consuming and creating memes content within the app. Given the current economic situation, I would not be surprised if this revenue-share model gains popularity in the coming months.
We will also likely see more ecommerce or peer-to-peer sales being rolled into social media apps as digital marketing evolves – so people may buy more clothing, artwork and other goods and services outside of established ecommerce platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Etsy or Depop, which were specifically set up with buying and selling (and not content creation) in mind.
3. Users are becoming an integral part of the mobile development process
With beta testing, app developers and companies are becoming increasingly focused on growing communities as there is a growing realization that a more diverse range of voices is essential for feedback and product tweaking.
User-driven innovation has long been the holy grail for tech companies trying to guess the next big thing on the horizon. Increasingly, management and marketing gurus have been trying to map out what firms can purposefully do to generate consumer innovation efforts.
I am betting that we will start to see more users and customers being brought in at the early stages of the app development process, resulting in products that are increasingly made by the people and for the people.
Related: 4 Creative Side Hustles That Fight Inflation and Earn Extra Cash
4. Mobile wallets and rewards are set to get bigger and better, both for customers and for the planet
The 2021 Mobile Wallet report claims that usage will increase by 74% from 2021 to 2025, reaching 4.8 billion mobile wallets by the end of 2025 — as comfort, security and responsiveness grow in importance for users while faith in traditional banks and financial systems erodes amid worrying and uncertainty-inducing financial headlines.
We are already seeing consumers growing more careful with their finances, so 2023 might bring a renewed surge in wallets and apps that offer greater benefits and rewards to win over customers (just not crypto exchanges!).
In this environment of budget consciousness, we are also likely to see more social and ESG-focused apps. These apps will likely inspire consumers to save or spend less while also benefiting their communities by promoting the greater social and environmental good. This trend of socially conscious, waste-reducing, economically and environmentally sound initiatives within app models will likely continue its upward trajectory in 2023 and beyond.
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Max Kraynov
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See the World From New Heights With This 4K Dual Camera Drone, now 45% Off
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You can’t reach new heights if you can’t see them. Thankfully, powerful drones that capture stills and moving pictures in stunning HD quality are more affordable than ever. Whether you’re in need of eye-catching images for marketing purposes or you simply want to let off some steam and fly the drone like your very own high-tech toy, the Ninja Dragon Storm X 4K Dual Camera Smart Drone works perfectly for both types of uses.
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If you’re in need of a show-stopping gift or simply want to spoil yourself this holiday season, you can take advantage of Green Monday pricing and score the Ninja Dragon Storm X 4K Dual Camera Smart Drone for just $92.99 — 45% off the usual price — right now for a very limited time.
The Ninja Dragon 4K Smart Drone is a sophisticated model that’s still simple to use. It’s easy to take off and land thanks to the improved remote control, which makes it an excellent option to those new to using drones, or a unique present for kids and teens. There’s also an intelligent gesture recognition for some of the auto functions — like following a certain subject or avoiding obstacles during flight thanks to the 3-sided built-in sensor.
Dual 4K HD cameras let you capture beautiful and high quality stills, as well as moving images, and the high-pressure shock makes shooting more stable and clear on the fly. There’s also an anti-shake function, so you won’t be left with blurry photos. The optical flow positioning lets you accurately lock the height when you find the rights spot. And an 1800mAh modular battery allows you to fly the drone in the air for up to 15 minutes at a time.
Take advantage of Green Monday savings and score the Ninja Dragon Storm X 4K Dual Camera Smart Drone now for just $92.99 for a limited time.
Prices subject to change.
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